Michelle Ryan's most memorable holiday was a recent trip to the Maldives
Great holidays...
Which was your best holiday? It was Christmas in the Maldives with 17 members of my family about a decade ago. We’d heard that the Maldives (pictured below) was paradise and we all wanted to be away for Christmas, so it was a rare opportunity to get together. We filled the whole seaplane on our journey to the island, which made it feel like quite an adventure. Christmas Day on the beach was pretty spectacular, and my granny brought a miniature tree, which she planted in the sand.
And the best hotel you’ve stayed in? The Wynn in Las Vegas. I’ve stayed in lots of places, but the room, casino, service, location and breathtaking views of the Strip made it an outstanding hotel. It’s a sleek place, with its dark chocolate exterior and opulent mirrored reflection, but at the same time it’s classy and chic. It was my boyfriend’s choice as I wasn’t really sold on Vegas, but it was great, and playing poker in the casino was fun.
I also loved the colourful Rainbow Bar, which is almost Disneyland-like. There was a high-roller vibe, but also lots of tourists, and the staff had a great way about them.
A romantic hotel? That has to be Jumby Bay in Antigua, an island with gorgeous villas where you’re completely left alone and they serve a mean piña colada. It’s hidden among the plantations and you’re flown in on a tiny plane to a white sandy beach with crystal-clear water. It’s beautiful.
What do you need for your perfect holiday? I love wandering around museums, seeing the sights, getting lost and discovering new places. I think anywhere in Italy that I’ve been to – Rome, Sicily, Sardinia, Milan, Venice and Lake Como – has been amazing. Italy is definitely my favourite holiday destination so far. Good food is also important. In Venice we had a couple of really bad meals, so on our last day we asked some locals where to go. They directed us to a little trattoria where every diner was Italian and we ate the best steak ever.
What do you always take with you? I like a nice pashmina, a soft pillow, sunscreen and a couple of good books.
What’s your best piece of travel advice? Take money from different currencies. Shops often accept currencies from other countries, so you’re always covered. Also, learn a few words of the language so that you can ask the locals for advice on where to eat.
Where do you want to go next? I’ve heard that Iguassu Falls (below) on the border of Argentina and Brazil is meant to make Niagara Falls look like a little sister. I adore water, so it would be a real adventure to visit the Amazon before they chop down all the trees.
...and disasters?
Which was your worst holiday? In Paris, our hotel was in the red-light district; there were stains on the fold-up bed and dirt in the shower. We had planned to visit the Maldives for New Year’s Eve but a tsunami hit the day we were meant to fly out, so we decided to go to Paris instead. The manager could tell I was upset and asked: “Can I do anything to help?” I said, “No, I’m really sorry, I just want to go!”
And your worst experience abroad? When I was 16, I jumped on a shell in the sea at St Petersburg in Florida. I hit it with my full body weight and it broke off and got embedded in my foot. When I ripped it out a lot of bloody flesh came with it.
I was rushed to hospital. At one point, the doctors warned me: “If you don’t calm down, we’re going to have to put you under!” They hooked it out with a huge medical rod while I buried my head in the pillows.
What’s the biggest packing mistake you’ve made? Early last year I went to Berlin. It was bitterly cold, -10C, and I packed nowhere near enough woolly jumpers, which called for an emergency shopping trip. Otherwise, Berlin was amazing. We stayed in a hotel overlooking the Brandenburg Gate and it was enchanting to be there in the snow on Valentine’s Day.
It was romantic in a weird kind of way. I was conscious that this was the backdrop for some awful events during wartime, but I could also see that Berlin is a really beautiful city.
Which is the worst hotel you’ve stayed in? The hotel in Paris was more like a motel. I could imagine what probably went on there. I didn’t see any escorts, but I wouldn’t have been surprised if they had been there.
What do you avoid on holiday? Confrontation. In Rome, my mum and I had been to the open-air opera, which was amazing. We hadn’t ordered a taxi, so we ended up walking back very late. As we passed the Colosseum we saw a huge group of people. I thought it would be fine to walk through, but Mum said, “They’re a big group and we’re on our own. No! We’re going to walk the other way.” Luckily, a female taxi driver drove up. It felt as though she had saved us.
What do you hate about holidays? It’s great arriving back at Heathrow – and London grey skies are reassuring – but it also means I’ve got to travel home and unpack everything, which is always a comedown. I miss my labrador, Buddy, when I’m away, so it’s always nice to see him there, faithfully wagging his tail.