My life in travel: Angela Griffin, actress and television presenter

'I was blown away by how stunning Vienna was'

Angela Griffin has starred in
Emmerdale,
Coronation Street,
Cutting It and
Waterloo Road.

First holiday memory?

Going to Butlins in Skegness when I was seven or eight. It was where I spent all my holidays, and we always used to go in October when it was cheapest. I remember going roller skating and that it was the most exciting thing in my life at that time.

Best holiday?

Going to Disneyland Paris with my children. It was a different kind of holiday to the ones I'm used to, but it was great to see my children's faces when they got to have lunch with Princess Belle. They are five and two and it was magical for my eldest. To her, the princesses were real.

Favourite place in the British Isles?

Cornwall. I took my kids to stay in a Feather Down Farm house near Penzance and it was just ace; we booked to go again as soon as we got back. It was the first time we had been to Cornwall and it was one of the most beautiful places I've seen in Britain – the beaches and countryside were absolutely stunning. Also not having to get on a plane was such a treat.

What have you learnt from your travels?

That there's no place like home. I love holidays but the joy is coming home and walking back into my house and having all my things around me.

Ideal travelling companion?

I thoroughly enjoy going on holiday with my husband and children, but I do love going away with my two best friends. We have been to Thailand and Cannes together and always have an amazing time.

Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?

I'm a beach bum – it's what a holiday is about. I can be an adrenalin junkie when I'm in London.

Greatest travel luxury?

It's something that doesn't happen very often: to travel business class when someone else is paying for it. It has only happened three or four times but I'd love to be able to choose to do it.

Holiday reading?

Before I had kids I'd read pure trash like Martina Cole that I'd take out from a dodgy hotel library. These days, unless I'm somewhere with an ace kids' club, I don't get the chance to read much.

Where has seduced you?

Vienna. My husband and I went for 24 hours for our wedding anniversary. I had some air miles and it was the only place we could get to, so I didn't have any preconceptions. I was blown away by how stunning it was. We walked everywhere and went on a horse-drawn cart ride.

Best meal abroad?

At one point in Vienna it rained, so we ran for cover in a smoky little café. We asked for something local and they brought us meat with lentils and fresh-baked pretzels, which we ate with candles all around us. It was so romantic.

Better to travel or arrive?

I hate travel: with kids, it dictates where we go and what we do. That's why going to Disneyland Paris on the train and Cornwall in the car were both great.

Worst travel experience?

Doing a photoshoot in Paris when I was in Coronation Street. As we flew over we got caught in a storm and the plane dropped so much that we lifted out of our seats. I thought we were going to die.

Worst holiday?

To Zante with my friends Lisa and Nicola. We had just split up with our boyfriends and booked a holiday that was allocation-on-arrival. There were people downing bottles of alcohol. We ended up having a fantastic time but I'd never go back there.

Best hotel?

Le Touessrok in Mauritius. I'd never been on a holiday like that before. You put up a flag while lying on the beach and someone brings you a cold towel and some water. How the other half lives!

Favourite walk/ swim/ride/drive?

My favourite walk was in Cornwall down to the Lizard – it's what I considered to be the end of the earth and it was just beautiful.

First thing you do when you arrive somewhere new?

Dump my stuff at the hotel then go and explore. I'd love to unpack but my husband won't let me.

Dream trip?

An American road trip.

Favourite city?

It's a toss up between Vienna and Rome. My husband used to live in Rome so he knows it very well and when we're there we can go off the beaten track. The food is just amazing, too.

Where next?

We're going to France for the new year with our mates and kids. We're staying in a family-friendly farmhouse in Normandy.

Angela And Friends is on Sky1 HD and Sky1 at 2pm daily