The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
Travelling life
How often do you travel?
Depends whether I’m recording an album or touring. But I’m lucky that both my solo music and Keane [the band that features Tom as lead singer] have helped me go to far-flung places, like New Zealand and South America. I recently went carp fishing in Champagne, France. I live in Kent and can be there in three hours.
What do you need for a perfect holiday?
Activity and stimulation. When it was just my wife, Natalie, and I, we went on adventurous trips or ones where we could completely decompress – so lots of sunshine and travels around India. With our daughter, Freya, it’s more familyfriendly hotels in Dorset.
Your earliest memory of travelling abroad?
We’d go on Eurocamp holidays in the south-west of France at Mimizan Plage. My dad loved the big breakers you’d get there to go bodyboarding. I had incredibly fair skin, so inevitably I turned beetroot.
You’ve enjoyed golfing in recent years. Where’s your favourite place to play?
Scotland. I’ve played in the Dunhill Links Championship, where well-known amateurs play at Kingsbarns, Carnoustie and St Andrews. It’s an utterly terrifying experience because I’m afraid of duffing up my tee shot in front of the crowds.
Most adventurous travel experience?
Three weeks in India with Natalie. We hired a driver who took us all over northern India, including the city of Agra where the Taj Mahal is. We stayed in the Oberoi Hotel and swam at night under the moonlight in their pool area. I’d planned on proposing, but was paranoid that the ring would get lost or my surprise would be uncovered. In the end, I chickened out.
Where did you propose instead?
Two years later, in 2010, Natalie and I went to Iceland. We saw the Northern Lights and stayed in a log cabin. We’d been together for eight years by then, so I wasn’t as nervous. Thankfully, she said yes.
Favourite hotel?
I love the Prestonfield Hotel in Edinburgh, when we’re there for the festival. But the longest Natalie likes staying away from Freya is two nights, so spa breaks have become very important. The Lime Wood Hotel in Hampshire is great for that.
Most relaxing destination?
Little Thatch Island in the British Virgin Islands. We stayed in a cottage on the beach. It was just the two of us and a couple of caretakers who live on the other side of the island.
Best travel advice?
Having travelled so much, I’ve seen so many people’s suitcases live and die. I invested in a top-of-theline Tumi suitcase that cost around €900. Everyone laughed and said what a waste of money, but it still looks as good as new and I never have to worry about cramming things in because I bought one larger than I thought I’d need.
Tom Chaplin Singer
Travel essentials?
A mini keyboard and a USB microphone. I used to bring lots of DVDs and other media, but now I’d rather get off my backside and explore my surroundings.
What do you hate about travelling?
When hotels overlook the little details which can make a difference between a good stay and a great stay. And travelling through American airports: it took me three hours to clear through Atlanta last time. Infuriating.
Where next?
Latin America, especially northern Brazil. I’d love to live in California, but I have a very elderly dog, so it wouldn’t be fair on him while he’s still around. Tom Chaplin’s solo album, The Wave, is out now. His tour starts in May and he is performing at the Cornbury Festival on July 8. For tickets, see tomchaplinmusic.com.