Travelling life

Stephen Tompkinson Actor

Dubrovnik’s cobbled streets offer endless opportunities for exploring on foot; Hotel Danieli in Venice, above right

How often do you travel?

It depends on work; for the past four years, I’ve been based mainly in Britain, filming DCI Banks in Leeds and then Bristol for Trollied. I’m still away from home about five months of the year at least. When I was filmingWild at Heart, I spent the best part of five and a half years out in South Africa from 2006.

What do you need for a perfect holiday?

I’m not keen on lying on a beach or sticking to a hotel complex. I prefer going under my own steam and exploring a city. I went to Dubrovnik last year and it was absolutely gorgeous. I loved wandering around the

maze of old cobbled streets without a real plan and the national orchestra put on an open-air concert in the Bishop’s Palace, finishing up with the theme tune to Game of Thrones.

Your earliest memory of travelling abroad?

Largs, a beautiful old resort town on the west coast of Scotland. We lived in StAnne’s-on-Sea in Lancashire at the time and all the various contingents of our family from the local area would drive up together in convoy. Largs was such a great base from which to explore: we used to get the boats across to Millport and Rothesay, and we’d visit all the local historical sites and castles. Some of my fondest memories are

learning to swim there and getting one of Nardini’s famous Knickerbocker Glories. One summer in the mid-Seventies we absolutely baked – who needs foreign travel with weather like that?

Your best holiday ever?

I’ve been going out with Elaine now for about 10 years and our first holiday together was to New York, about a year after the attacks. People were so friendly, even though it was a city clearly going through a healing process. We walked everywhere, admiring the spectacular architecture, and we stayed in a hotel overlooking Central Park – it was just perfect and romantic.

Have you ever been on safari?

When I was filming Wild at Heart, I was on permanent safari. We saw something unique every day including lions, elephants and tigers. I had a lot of respect for the animals as we were working on their territory. We did have one scary moment filming with a lion, but lived to tell the tale.

Most relaxing holiday?

Four years ago, an American company invited Elaine and me to go on our first ever cruise – around Arabia. We had an absolute ball on the 11-day trip. We started in Dubai and went to Abu Dhabi, Oman and

Favourite restaurant?

Quay – a restaurant in Sydney right by the Opera House with fantastic views. It serves modern fusion cuisine: there’s a starter there called Ocean Pearls, tiny tastes of various seafood concoctions – it’s a work of art.

Favourite bar?

Harry’s Bar in Venice, famous for its bellinis. The last time we were there, the superb barman explained the fascinating history of the venue and its celebrity clientele. The staff can really make somewhere.

Worst travel experience?

When I was filming a television quiz programme in Manchester, I would get put up in the beautiful Midland Hotel. Four times running, the alarm went off at two in the morning.

Your travel essentials?

My iPad so I can load it with reading without being weighed down, toothbrush in carry-on just in case you’re delayed so you can freshen up, and optimism.

What do you hate about travelling?

I don’t like how much later check-in is at hotels and how early you have to be out. A day should be a day. The last thing you want to do is show up off a flight and not be able to unload your luggage and unpack.

Where next?

Japan because I’ve always been fascinated by the culture. Trollied, The sixth series of starring Stephen Tompkinson, is on Sky 1 now