My life in travel: Clarke Peters

'I went to a full-moon rave on a mountain'

Havana good time: Cuba is on Clarke Peters' travel list (thinkstock)

Actor Clarke Peters will guest star in BBC1's Death in Paradise on Tuesday at 9pm.

First holiday memory?

I was seven years old and my father's company took all the employees to Grossinger's Hotel in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. It was a winter holiday, with ice-skating, skiing and tobogganing. I remember how nice it was to dress for dinner in the evening. It was grand and romantic.

Favourite place in the British Isles?

London is my home. Since The Wire, work has been in North America, but at the end of each shooting session, I bolt back to London to find theatre work, because that's where my heart is.

Another favourite is Wiltshire, around Tisbury and the Salisbury Plain. It's bucolic and quiet, with herds of sheep that look like clouds. I moved there in 1983 and took up gardening, which changed my life.

Best holiday?

Ibiza, about 20 years ago. I took my eldest son and daughter. We went to a full-moon rave on a mountain, with my niece too. I drove us to a meeting point in Sant Carles, had a drink of punch with all these other people and drove up to the party. When I got to the top, I realised someone had spiked the drink. Everything was really groovy!

What have you learnt from your travels?

Keep your eyes and your mind open to new experiences, new cultures, new people and new languages. I'm in Toronto for the first time at the moment. I was born in America and it's my first time in Canada, which is weird. Mind you, I can see why I didn't come before – it's so cold!

Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?

Beach and culture. Thailand really had that. Before Pattaya became what it is nowadays, it was a really lovely place to be. You'd find yourself up in the woods, discovering temples, buddhas and artefacts left over from aeons ago.

Greatest travel luxury?

Business or first class. You're straight on to the plane, you can relax, read and do whatever, and you're not cramped up. I don't want to be uncomfortable like that again.

Where has seduced you?

I still want to get to South America and I've yet to see Cuba. The name "Zanzibar" sounds wonderful and "Madagascar" sounds exotic, too.

Favourite ride?

Around the Prettyboy Reservoir, outside Baltimore, on horseback. It's about 800 miles of track, that takes you through woods, across water, up and down hills, and through forests. It's a real endurance ride, but it's lovely.

Best meal?

Fresh in Toronto, which is an organic, vegetarian place. I've been seduced by a salad they have called "The Ace of Kales".

Where next?

Hopefully, London soon. The older I get, the less I want to be away from my family. My wife also wants to explore Portugal, so I know that may be on the cards for this summer, especially around Olhao, which sounds almost Hawaiian!