Cornwall, LA Glamour and Tasting Lamb's Tongue: Checking In With Nadia Sawalha

The TV presenter and budding chef talks tasty holidays, her love of Cornwall and the importance of removing your moustache even when abroad...
IN WHICH COUNTRY DO YOU FEEL MOST AT HOME?
South London but my spiritual home is Cornwall. Where I spent my childhood summer holidays. Now we stay in Sennen Cove. Sennen beach is just the most beautiful one I've ever visited.
WHO IS YOUR IDEAL TRAVEL COMPANION?
My husband Mark. We love the same places - Cornwall, Barcelona and New York.

YOUR MOST MEMORABLE TRAVEL DESTINATION?
Los Angeles. We hired a house in the Hollywood Hills, which was once owned by Orson Welles. I loved the food, the people, the energy, everything about it.
THE THREE BEST THINGS TO DO THERE?
The Universal Studios Tour. The ArcLight cinema on Sunset Boulevard where movie goers can dine before or during a film. The beaches are a must: Paradise Cove is gorgeous and we loved Santa Monica.
WITH MONEY NO OBJECT, WHERE IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU HAVE DINNER?
The hotel Il San Pietro di Positano in Positano, Italy. Jamie Oliver spent his honeymoon there. It's built into the cliffs and has a huge veranda with the best views of the Amalfi coast.

Italian idyll: Nadia would love to try the food at the hotel Il San Pietro di Positano

WHAT IS THE STRANGEST DISH YOU'VE EATEN ON YOUR TRAVELS?
Baked lamb's tongue in Morocco. I had to slice bits off it and dip it in cumin and salt. It was slimy, gristly and not very nice.
WHAT DO YOU NEVER TRAVEL WITHOUT?
My hair-removing cream for my moustache and a homeopathic kit.
RECOMMEND A HOLIDAY READ?
The thriller Hangover Square by Patrick Hamilton.
WHERE TO NEXT?
I want to experience the vibrancy of India.
Greedy Girls' Diet Second Helpings!, published by Kyle Books, £14.99, is out now.

Ben Fogle On Working Up an Appetite for The Azores

I have been obsessed with islands since I was a child. My young imagination was sparked by books such as Treasure Island, Lord Of The Flies and other works of fiction whose plots are inextricably linked with exotic blobs of land surrounded by oceans. This obsession has continued into adulthood. Indeed, I have an island to thank for my career as a broadcaster.
My experience in the BBC reality show Castaway 2000 - when I was marooned with 35 others on the isle of Taransay in the Outer Hebrides - led to the television presenting roles that catapulted me to fame. Since then I have visited islands as remote as St Helena in the South Atlantic and the Pitcairns in the South Pacific.

Spring time: Ben relaxes in the warm water at Terra Nostra Park

So after marrying into a family who love holidaying in Portugal, it was only a matter of time before I visited the Azores. I've always been intrigued by this chain of
islands 850 miles west of the coast of Portugal and I was smitten soon after arriving.
The nine islands all have volcanic origins and the contrast between the fiery lava-rich soil and the lush green vegetation is breathtaking. A dip in the hot springs at Ponta Da Ferraria on São Miguel island is a must for any visitor. It's a natural swimming pool on the coast formed by lava.
Sea water flowing into the pool is heated by a bubbling spring that pumps out water at a piping 60C. Thermal springs have had an important bearing on the culinary traditions of the Azores. At Furnas Lake, also on São Miguel, you can have 'Cozido nas caldeiras' (meat and veg stew) cooked for seven hours in pots buried 3ft deep in the ground - a kind of volcanic hot pot.

Soaring beauty: Mount Pico seen from the city of Horta on the Island of Faial

Energetic travellers to the Azores should climb the tallest peak on the islands - and indeed the whole of Portugal: the 7,713ft Mount Pico on the isle of Pico. It's a challenging trip - which requires a guide - but the reward is a mesmerising view over the ocean from the summit. While there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained on shore, no trip to these islands would be complete without some whale-watching.
The seas around the Azores provide one of the best habitats in the world for marine mammals, and more than 24 species of whales have been sighted in these waters.
I headed out to sea early in the morning in a fast inflatable boat in the hope of glimpsing one of these magnificent creatures. Our boat leapt from wave to wave as we headed deep into the Atlantic swell.
There are few sights as majestic as that of a breaching sperm whale. These marine mammals, which measure up to 65ft, are elusive but with patience you will be rewarded with an experience that will take your breath away.

Australia's hippest hop spot: Cuisine, calm and the chicest retreat on Kangaroo Island

There's nothing like running on a beach. And if that beach is on South Australia's Kangaroo Island, with its pristine sands and turquoise waters, then it's a truly wonderful sensation.
I must admit I've never really been much of a runner. But after a glorious month-long tour of Australia and having piled on the inevitable pounds, I found myself on one of the most beautiful stretches of sand on Earth being put through my paces by a former chef at famous London restaurant The Ivy.

Jump to it: Sian meets one of the locals (sort of) at the Southern Ocean Lodge

Sue Pearson is something of a legend on Kangaroo Island.
She arrived in this wilderness more than ten years ago and now runs 'the best fish and chip shop in the world', according to one local newspaper. She also runs a
four-day training programme called Soul To Sole. It's basically away of getting yourself in shape while exercising and eating healthily.
I loved every second of my mini-fitness venture and just wish I could replicate it at the end of every holiday.
My husband Jonathan and I were staying at the much-acclaimed Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, or KI to the locals.
The island is a 30-minute flight from Adelaide. Alternatively, you can do an easy 90-minute drive through world-class wine country and board a ferry on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Whichever option you choose, you will get the sense of being in a very special place from the moment you arrive.
KI is roughly the size of Kent, and a microcosm of different Australian landscapes.
It's the place to see the best of Australia if you don't have time to see the whole country. Even on our short trip from the airport, we glimpsed bushland, eucalyptus woods, white sandy dunes and spectacular seascapes. And there were, unsurprisingly, a lot of kangaroos.
The Southern Ocean Lodge is perched on the island's wild south coast. It is a mind-blowingly beautiful location, with the sweeping white sands of Hanson Bay visible from every part of the resort. Each time we were greeted by the panorama, we couldn't help but say: 'Wow!'
On our first day, a friendly member of staff took us through our personalised itinerary as we sipped a glass of bubbly. We'd advised staff beforeoffered hand that we wanted to walk on rugged clifftops and cycle on empty roads.
As we chatted, a tanned and toned blonde woman walked towards us. We exchanged greetings and she introduced herself as Sue Pearson. Within a matter of minutes, I was readily agreeing to take part in the Soul To Sole fitness experience with her on the final day of our break.

A view to remember: As its name suggests, the hotel looks out towards the Southern Ocean

Staff clearly take pride in the Southern Ocean Lodge and couldn't wait to show us our suite. Each of the 21 guest rooms is named after a local shipwreck and they snake gently down the hillside towards Hanson Bay.
Our room was the pinnacle of luxury living, and if there hadn't been so much to do during our stay, I would have loved to spend more time on the heated terrace, snuggled up with alpaca blankets and books, soaking up the drama of the Southern Ocean and watching the weather change.
Our suite's walk-in wardrobe and bed were enormous, while the wooden floors of the lounge segued into soft carpet in the bedroom and heated limestone tiles in the huge bathroom.
Occupying centre-stage in the bathroom was a spectacular wooden tub. There was such attention to detail throughout. There was a Bose music system, cosy eco-fire, a fridge bursting with local food and drink, organic linens and even a tan leather toilet-roll holder.
And I don't know whether it was the KI water, the hairdryer or the shampoo infused with native lemon myrtle and wild lavender, but my hair had never looked and felt so good.
We spent the next two days exploring Kangaroo Island.
It is Australia's third-biggest island, and actually larger than we thought at almost 100 miles long and 34 miles wide. It' is also home to about 4,500 people. The guided tours in 4WD comfort with Exceptional Kangaroo Island were superb. A third of the island is a national park, with stunning natural features such as the wind-sculpted Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch in Flinders Chase. There, we watched seals being hurled against the rocks before swimming back to do it all again.
Then we went to Seal Bay and found ourselves within touching distance of these wonderful mammals. It's one of the rare places on Earth where you can actually walk with sea lions on the sands. No wonder they call this area the Galapagos of Australia.
Ogling animals in a zoo is simply not the same as viewing them in the wild. We saw koalas munching away in eucalyptus trees, dolphins frolicking and seal pups learning to swim. We also went stargazing and came across penguins on the beach.
In the resort's restaurants, there's a distinct focus on seafood, as you might expect, with plenty of sweet crayfish, scallops and King George whiting. But there's also an abundance of produce such as organic lamb and honey. In fact, here the world's only pure Ligurian bee colonies produce highly prized honey. I bought several pots of this liquid gold to take home as presents, along with delicious native jams and pretty decent bottles of sauvignon blanc.

Beach BBQs, Ocean Sunsets and a Trip to Stingray City

Even with the plethora of medium and long-haul destinations available to today’s discerning travellers, there’s still something special about the Caribbean - that collection of islands cast like a string of pearls into the sea between the Americas.
The islands offer many contrasts: from the exclusive, super-rich haunts of St Barth’s and Mustique to those playboy tax-havens and cruise-ship magnets St Thomas and St Maarten; from the smoky, sultry, Latin American passion of Cuba and Puerto Rico to the yacht-friendly breezes of the Grenadines or the steel-drum, calypso exuberance of the cricketing West Indies.
Palm-fringed beaches? Ocean sunsets? Rum punch and Pina Coladas? Get in.

Jewel in the Caribbean's crown: Rory Bremner takes in the view of the beach at Peter Island

Our mission: to compare and contrast two holiday experiences, Antigua and Peter Island. One, a popular and much-loved destination with cricket-lovers and
yachtsmen alike; the other, an exclusive private island lying between the British Virgin Islands of Tortola and Virgin Gorda. Well, somebody had to do it.
Our only restriction was time: we had just seven nights in which to complete our enviable task. Hence my first piece of advice: take longer.
If you believe that getting there is half the fun, you’ll enjoy the trip to Peter Island, because it can seem like it has taken half your holiday to get there. Relax. It’s worth it. But you will have to fly via Antigua and St Maarten - and maybe drop off passengers at a third island en route. Welcome to the mad, dysfunctional world of local island-hopping airline LIAT (locals love to tell you that’s an acronym for Leave Island Any Time. You better believe it). Tip number two: plan your flights carefully.

Height of luxury: Curtain Bluff is perched on a promontory stretching into the sea with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Caribbean on the other

Soak in the view: The guests Rory met at Curtain Bluff said they came back time and again

So, Antigua  first. I love Antigua. It’s wilder, more laid-back and rougher round the edges than its bigger, brasher neighbours. In a word, it’s real. The people are fiercely proud of their island but they're relaxed, friendly and good-humoured too - think of the swagger and smile of cricketer Viv Richards in his pomp.
The island lacks the crime of Jamaica or St Kitts, the super-rich clientele of St Barth’s, or the commercialism, high-end tourist developments and sheer excess of Barbados. You’re less likely to run into Simon Cowell or Jodie Marsh here. (Although Eric Clapton has a place on the island along with - commendably - a rehab clinic.)
As you drive across Antigua, either along the coast or through the rainforest interior, you pass rough bungalows, shacks, graveyards (for humans and cars), schools and Baptist churches. While there are some resorts to the north and west, the more luxurious hotels are dotted along the south coast, including Curtain Bluff, perched on a promontory stretching into the sea with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Caribbean on the other.
Our schedule meant we merely overnighted there, and had time only to enjoy the good food and quick service at dinner, listen to the Atlantic breakers crashing onto the beach just yards from our balcony, and meet the owner Chelle Hulford. Everyone meets Chelle. She’s an institution, mingling with guests, hosting drinks and chatting with the clientele who love Curtain Bluff, rate it highly and come back time and again. That’s recommendation enough.

Natural haven: The Inn at English Harbour has a genuinely timeless, colonial charm

Lounging in the lap of luxury: The Inn's rooms have recently been refurbished

On our return from Peter Island, we spent two very pleasant nights at the Inn at English Harbour. The harbour is a natural haven for weary craft that are grateful to find peaceful shelter at the end of their travels. The same could be said of the hotel. But don’t be put off: like Curtain Bluff, The Inn has a devoted and regular clientele - though no children under ten (or, it seemed, under 60) - and it has a genuinely timeless, colonial charm.
The three distinctive white-washed, verandahed pavilions that house the hotel’s 24 rooms have recently been refurbished. Although none have baths, they are impressive, with polished wooden floors, period furniture and grand beds, some four-postered. (Book an upstairs room to avoid being disturbed by footsteps above. Nothing to do with a ghost: more the American couple who started pacing the room above ours at 6.30am and were still at it three hours later).
Food should be the hotel's next priority - it could be improved - but the poolside lunches and Thursday night’s beach-side barbecue, accompanied by a steel band, were delicious, and the hotel’s more elegant restaurant, higher up the hill, looked like a beautiful spot to dine. Alas, our flight was too late to let us sample that delight.

Simply fabulous: Rory explores the grounds of his luxury resort on Peter Island

Historic: Nelson's Dockyard is the British Naval Base established in English Harbour in the 1770s

The presence of a dozen or more yachts peacefully at anchor in the harbour is one reason why there are no high-octane watersports, but we took a kayak, and later the hotel’s water taxi, and visited Nelson’s Dockyard, the British Naval Base established in English Harbour in the 1770s. Its grey stone Georgian buildings have been restored and converted for a variety of modern uses, including a hotel and an interesting museum.
There are two other must-do activities on the island. Firstly, hang out at Shirley Heights, high above English Harbour, on a Thursday or Sunday night. Everyone goes to party to the steel bands and enjoy food and drink from local stalls. Secondly (a new one, this), put on your bathers and go to Stingray City, a reef off the coast where you can swim and kneel in the shallow water while feeding friendly stingrays. Children will love it. We did too.

Wet and wild: Stingray City offers swimmers the chance to get up close to the local sea life

But now to the jewel in our Caribbean crown: Peter Island. A private island, owned by the founder of Amway, it’s home to a resort of 52 rooms, the more expensive of which overlook Dead Chest Island, where Blackbeard’s infamous 15 men were allegedly marooned. (‘Yo, ho, ho, and a bottle of rum….’)
Only one pirate supposedly made it over to Peter Island, but he died on the beach. Perhaps he saw the resort’s prices.
In addition to the rooms there are also three beautifully-appointed villas, the largest of which sleeps 12 and is stunningly-designed. Named Falcon's Nest, it boasts an infinity pool, waterfall, guest wings, dining room, double-height reception room - and a $12,000 (£7,300) a night price tag (plus 18 per cent service) to match.
The rest of the resort isn’t cheap either, but apart from the odd gripe on TripAdvisor (NO LOBSTER! shrieked one, with all the indignation of Michael Winner failing to find fresh Parmesan on Barbados), it is simply fabulous.
Of the 1800 lush acres of land, only 300 are developed, meaning it doesn’t feel crowded, and should you wish to walk the 2.5 miles up to the top of the estate to watch the sunset over Norman Island (reputedly the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island), you will pass just a handful of fellow-guests, on their way to the tennis court or the huge spa for their Ayurvedic treatments.

Peaceful retreat: Of the 1800 lush acres of land on Peter Island, only 300 are developed

Taste for the good life: A chef grills seafood during a beach barbecue on Peter Island

It says something for this exceptional place that you soon forget the effort it took to get here. The final stretch of the journey is a 20-minute ferry trip from Tortola and on the boat you’ll meet some of the 160-odd staff who work here - they live on Tortola and take the ferry each day.
Their friendliness and good humour pervade the resort, and some - like the remarkable Jean Kelly - have been here for decades. In Jean’s case, nearly three decades. She’s the life and soul of Peter Island, in her 80s and still - complete with spectacular hair-do (some of it her own) - ever-present at breakfast, where the must-have coconut-crusted French toast is named after her.

Everything is catered to American standards. And high standards at that.
We were on what’s called the Full American Food Plan, and if you’ve ever seen a Full American, you’ll be able to imagine what was on offer. At breakfast we took our pick from pancakes, granola and maple syrup, omelettes, fruit salad and eggs Benedict, while dinner one night involved a wine tasting and gourmet menu to accompany the wines (but still no lobster).
At night, sitting in the Tradewinds Restaurant, you see the lights of Tortola twinkling like a starcloth across the shimmering sea.

Treasure island: The white sand of Deadman's beach is lapped by the crystal clear Caribbean sea

Stunningly-designed: Falcon's Nest features an infinity pool, waterfall, guest wings, dining room, double-height reception room - and a £7,300 a night price tag

Some nights and most days you can eat at the beach bar, as can day visitors from yachts moored offshore (all beaches in the Virgin Islands are public). Here, and at Tradewinds, Captain will mix you the best Raspberry Mojito or BBC (Baileys, Banana, Coconut) you’ve ever tasted.
By day you may want to lounge on the beach or by the pool - we took a free kayak and Hobie Cat one day - but if the wind is up (Tradewinds is appropriately named on these days, the breeze being quite strong), you should book yourself (early) into one of the six huts on White Bay beach and spend the day on the sheltered side of the island, swimming and snorkelling.
Wherever you go - spa, beach, restaurant - you’re assured a memorable experience. On the ferry back, you’ll share the journey with the homeward shift of hotel staff, many of whom you’ll know by now. 'You’ll be back', they say, laughing. And they’re right. At least I damn well hope they’re right. I’ll start saving now.

Travel facts

ITC Luxury Travel (01244 355 527; www.itcluxurytravel.co.uk) has prices from £3,299 per person based on two adults sharing including return economy class flights from London Gatwick to Antigua with British Airways, inter-island flights to Tortola (Beef Island) with Liat and all transfers. The package includes:

• 4 nights room-only in an Ocean View Room at Peter Island 
• 3 Nights all-inclusive in a Deluxe Room at Curtain Bluff
• 3 nights half-board in a beach Cabana at The Inn at English Harbour