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EARLIEST HOLIDAY MEMORY?

GOING to the coastal town of Elie, Fife, for summer holidays as a child and staying with my grandad. We were hardy swimmers and I vividly remember waking up in my holiday bedroom, hearing seagulls and thinking: ‘I’m where I want to be.’

FIRST TRIP ABROAD?

I WENT Interrailing around France and Italy, getting as far as Rome, when I was 17. I bought a bottle of whisky and sat on top of a ferry. By the time it docked I was sunburnt and almost too drunk to get off the boat.

FAVOURITE FOREIGN CITY?

THE greatest place in the world for me is Venice — the famed ‘City of Water’ — with its architecture, history and culture. I try to visit every year.

FAVOURITE VENICE RESTAURANT?

CORTE SCONTA, with its vine-covered courtyard. It serves fish from the lagoon and tasty, locally-sourced vegetables.

HOLIDAY FROM HELL?

A GRIM Club Med in Sardinia. It was too hot, too crowded and the music was too loud.

ARE YOU A GOOD FLYER?

I DON’T like flying. I will fly, but only because I have to.

HOW DO YOU FIND TRAVELLING SINCE YOUR STROKE?

IT HAS got harder. I don’t enjoy the whole airport experience and it means that outdoor exercise holidays are no fun any more.

CAN’T TRAVEL WITHOUT?

DRAWING materials. I make semi-abstract drawings of whatever I see on my travels.

Interview: YORK MEMBERY

Great Paintings Of the World with andrew Marr is available to watch on catch up (channel5.com); his latest book,

elizabethans, is out now in paperback.