The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
Travelling life
Paul Hollywood, Baker
How often do you travel?
Constantly. Filming Paul Hollywood – City Bakes I was in Miami, New York, Paris, Copenhagen, St Petersburg, Munich, Naples, Madrid and Warsaw to taste and make their specialities. At last count, I’ve been to 47 cities in the last 12 months.
Your earliest memory of travelling abroad?
When I was little we visited various campsites around Conway, north Wales. My first major holiday abroad was to Ibiza with my parents when I was five. I vividly remember the plane touching down and that the hotel had great swings with lots of little lizards darting about that I was determined to catch.
What do you need for a perfect holiday?
Anything remote or quiet, whether it’s in the countryside, up the west coast of Scotland or smaller boutique hotels that aren’t crowded. Ironically, when I was in Dubai with the BBC Good Food Show, even though it’s an urban area, when you see the vast panorama from the top of the Burj Khalifa, it feels remote, as if it’s just sprung up out of the desert.
Most unusual place you’ve been?
St Petersburg. I was filming there just after Christmas, and it was the most beautiful city I’ve ever been to. The winter and summer palaces make Buckingham Palace look like a two-up, two-down!
Most relaxing destination?
Cyprus has special memories for me – we stay at the Anassa Hotel, near Latchi on the Greek side. I used to be the head baker and I met my wife Alex there in the Nineties, when she was a scuba diving instructor in Paphos. We even got married there. The rooms are great, and there’s a private beach where we can really unwind.
Most unusual thing you’ve eaten on your travels?
The sheer amount of cabbage and vinegar I had while filming in Warsaw was just too much – even the rye bread was loaded.
Favourite city for food?
Ooooohhhh, can I have more than one? I love Rome for their calzones and New York City for the variety of quality eateries, but I absolutely fell in love with Miami for the stone crabs at Joe’s just off Ocean Drive – the best I’ve ever had, and the Cajun food. The steaks out there are colossal – it’s like having a shark and a cow on your plate. They don’t do things small there.
Favourite restaurant?
The Gavroche in London – what Michel Roux does there with French food is amazing.
Worst travel experience?
This was equal parts awful and comical. I was staying in Cyprus at a hotel I won’t embarrass. The porter came to collect the bags from our room at the end of our stay, and he loaded my big onto the trolley, which was on a slope outside, and the slope lead to the pool. You can see where this is going, can’t you? As he nipped inside to get another bag, the trolley took off at speed and crashed into the water. I raced after it and jumped into the pool to get my soaking wet bag out. Imagine the sight as we arrived at the airport, my bag like a sieve with water pouring out of it. Everything was ruined. I was not a happy bunny.
Favourite airline?
I love flying Emirates or Virgin when I’m flying long-haul. Their first class service is just out of this world.
Best travel advice?
It’s the polar opposite of most people, but I absolutely hate carrying a ton of stuff onto a plane. I check in all my luggage and literally go through security with nothing other than my coat in which I have my iPhone and iPad. This is despite me joking at the check-in desk that I’d like one bag to go to Glasgow and the other to Paris, and see the look of confusion on their face when they say they can’t do it, and I say, “Well you did it last time!”
Best health trip while travelling?
I don’t drink much alcohol on the plane, apart from maybe a glass with dinner, and I drink lots and lots of water.
What do you hate about holidays?
Queuing – to check-in, for security, to collect your bags, and especially to get off the plane. I just want to get a move on.
Where next?
India, South America and New Zealand – the rich culture and the incredible food in all three has me itching to find a reason to go – maybe there’s my next programme! ‘The Great British Bake Off’ is at 8pm on Wednesdays on BBC One. Paul will be cooking live at the BBC Good Food Show in Belfast, Glasgow, London and Birmingham. For more information, see bbcgoodfoodshow.com.