MY LIFE IN TRAVEL: Matt Roberts

`Holidays are chill-out time for me but I still keep busy'

First holiday memory?

Being on a beach in Cornwall aged about three. I remember the waves being extremely high and my dad taking us out into the sea.

Best holiday?

As a romantic holiday, my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed going to the Soneva Fushi resort in the Maldives. It is absolute paradise; tiny islands, incredible service and lovely people.

Favourite place in the British Isles?

For holidays, probably Cornwall, because it has a true British Riviera feel and is relatively unspoilt. I like spending holiday time in London when I'm not working.

What have you learnt from your travels?

You get what you pay for; I'd rather pay a lot of money and fly with a great airline because I know I'm pretty much guaranteed a stress-free experience.

Ideal travelling companion?

Alan Whicker, because he's seen the world and I think he'd be fun.

Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?

A beach bum. I'm quite happy to go somewhere, sit on a beach and do water sports. Holidays are very much chill-out time for me, although I still like to keep active.

Where has seduced you?

Paris. I first went when I was seven and found the scale of the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower staggering. Now, it's more about good restaurants than galleries and museums.

Better to travel or arrive?

To arrive. I love travelling, but I like to get to a destination and really ensconce myself in the local environment.

Worst travel experience?

Renting a house in southern Spain one June, which was advertised as being fantastic, up in the mountains with amazing views. It was shrouded in cloud every day and the interior was so damp that you got wet sitting on the chairs. It was horrendous.

Worst hotel?

An awful hotel in northern Italy. I stayed there with my wife. We sat on the bed and it collapsed, the shower flooded and the wardrobe fell apart. It was very Fawlty Towers.

Best hotel?

The Soho Grand in New York. I also love the Hotel Costes in Paris.

Favourite walk/swim/ride/drive?

My favourite run is in Paris from Hotel Costes to the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower and back. My favourite drive is from the South of France to Italy via Monaco. You go through loads of tunnels and along a beautiful stretch of coastline.

Best meal abroad?

One was in a restaurant called Joseph in Deia, Mallorca. The phenomenal food in a low-key setting wowed us. Another was in a hotel in the South of France. We mistakenly ordered a bottle of 1986 Chateau Petrus wine, which was hugely expensive but phenomenally good.

Dream trip?

I would love to do a safari somewhere in Africa.

Favourite city?

For a buzz I like New York, for romance Paris and for fun Milan.

Where next?

That's a question my wife keeps asking me. We might go skiing in Verbier in March, or take a short trip somewhere warm like Italy.

Matt Roberts is a personal trainer whose celebrity clients include Madonna and John Galliano (020-7439 8800; www.mattroberts.co.uk). His latest book is `The PHA Workout' (Dorling Kindersley; pounds 12.99)