Travelling life

Ricky Wilson Musician

Antigua, above, where Ricky Wilson feels at his most relaxed; and a tram on the streets of Lisbon, one of his favourite cities

How often do you travel?

I’m on a plane at least twice a week, and I’ve been to some destinations 10 or 20 times – but places change and, as with people, you can’t tell whether they’re bad or not until you’ve been more than once. You find out a lot about yourself when travelling, too. In Abu Dhabi recently, I was given a challenge to complete various activities in 48 hours for a video shoot. I’d never been before but I did lots of new things, from going down a waterslide to kayaking and even a 24-carat gold-leaf facial!

What do you need for a perfect holiday?

I always try to visit museums when I’m on tour; I love the Guggenheim in

Bilbao. But I also don’t mind an all-inclusive break by a beach where I’m given cocktails every half-hour.

Your most relaxing destination?

The Caribbean. I love Jamaica, where I was recently, and Antigua. You can’t help but be relaxed there. Schedules and emails go out of the window as soon as I land. Nothing in life is really that urgent.

Favourite hotel?

The Bowery in New York. If you have a bath with a view of the Empire State Building, you know you’re in the right place. The Soho Hotel in London also stands out. My girlfriend was staying with me once and I asked the staff to leave three cartons of her

favourite drink – orange Ribena – in a bucket of ice, with a little gift from me next to it. Two years later, I stayed at the same hotel and when I arrived in my room, there was a bucket of ice with three cartons of orange Ribena in it. That to me said more about the hotel service than any pillow menu can.

Favourite cities?

London, Lisbon and New York, where all the best films are set. In any city, I’m not afraid to do touristy things. One time when the Kaiser Chiefs were in Paris, Whitey [the band’s guitarist] and I went on an open-topbus tour. Even though it was raining and we were soaking wet on the top deck, it was so much fun. For the first time, we got a real sense of where different places are in the city.

Best city for music lovers?

New York. The music scene is a lot more inclusive and eclectic there.

Favourite restaurant in the world?

PJ Clarke’s in New York. The first time I stumbled into it – which was years ago, after I’d finished art college – it was around 1am, with just a load of old men smoking cigars. It was awesome. I always go there when I’m in New York and try to sit in the same seat I sat in that night – and I always order the ribs.

Favourite bar?

The Chinese Pilot in Moscow. It has a doorman but there is no actual door, just a door frame. I asked

Best piece of travel advice?

Don’t look down. If you’re looking for the thing you’re scared of, you’ll find it.

Best city for fashion lovers?

Tokyo. I can spend days in Shibuya district where there are so many great vintage shops. You’re likely to find real gems – like a random T-shirt buried at the back of a rack that would be displayed at the front window here in Britain. The fashion in Japan is just on a different level.

Best grooming tip for travelling?

Don’t turn up in pyjamas and Ugg boots with a neck pillow hanging out of your bag. I dress up, rather than dress down, when I’m travelling long-haul. No airline would upgrade

What do you hate about holidays?

Queuing at the airport. I get really annoyed when people aren’t prepared, don’t know what to do and hold me up. I also hate sharing suitcases with other people. I’m a compartment freak and I need to know exactly where everything is in my case. So I hate it when I’m handed a pair of sandals to stick in my bag by someone else.

Where next?

I’m planning to explore the Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam next year. My aim is to do it the old-fashioned way – not quite backpacking but letting myself go a bit and treating myself to a nice hotel at the end of the trip. Ricky Wilson is an ambassador for the Etihad Airways 48 Hour Challenge campaign, encouraging travellers to explore Abu Dhabi in two days (etihad. com/abudhabi). The Kaiser Chiefs are performing at the Isle of Wight Festival on June 9 (isleofwightfestival.com).