My Life in Travel: James Lavelle, DJ and recording artist

'I like trying to do things that locals would do'

First holiday memory?

Going to Greece with my parents. We used to go a lot, mainly because my father studied classics at Oxford and was interested in the old ruins. I also remember the long drives to France for house swaps, where we'd take the ferry and drive through the night.

Best holiday?

I used to spend a month over Christmas in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, where my ex had family. The beaches are beautiful and similar to Australia's in some respects, and there's an island at the end called Seal Island, which is one of the most renowned spots for dolphin- and whale-watching. But the best holidays are the ones I get to spend with my daughter – we take an annual trip to New York, and that's great.

Favourite place in the British Isles?

I love the countryside in Somerset and Devon – when I'm there, I feel like I'm definitely in England. I also like Brighton – it's always a good laugh and I work down there a lot.

What have you learnt from your travels?

Pack light and get to the airport early. Gone are the golden days of travel.

Ideal travelling companion?

My best friend, Matthew Puffett. If I'm travelling for work, it would be a pair of Bose headphones and my tour manager, Johnny Dodkin, who is the best manager I've had in years.

Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?

I'm a DJ, so I like to mix it up.

Greatest travel luxury?

Bose headphones, a window seat and an iPad, which is great for long travels and watching movies.

Holiday reading?

I tend to read more when I arrive – on the plane I prefer to read magazines, watch films, do some work or sleep. I like a mixture of books, but I'm constantly just trying to catch up.

Where has seduced you?

I love the Mediterranean, especially Spain and Greece. And I try to go to Sri Lanka for a detox holiday once a year at an ayurvedic centre near the ocean. The beach is about a mile and a half long, so you can go running along it, and there's a Buddhist temple next to a lagoon.

Better to travel or arrive?

I don't enjoy travelling so much any more, because I do it all the time – probably between once and four times a week – so the novelty has worn off. I don't enjoy short-haul flights, but if I know I'm going to be on a long-haul flight with an airline such as Singapore, then I will enjoy my time to relax.

Worst travel experience?

I got beaten up and mugged in Bulgaria, which wasn't a nice experience. I was also on a plane over Detroit when one of the engines shut down, so the pilot had to do an emergency landing.

Worst holiday?

Anywhere with too many English people. As a kid, I did some pretty horrific package holidays and I don't like doing those kinds of holidays now – I like trying to do things that locals would do.

Worst hotel?

I've ended up in some pretty bad places in Eastern Europe when DJing; anywhere that doesn't have a duvet is pretty bad for me.

Best hotel?

If I'm in the UK, I like Babington House, in LA it's Chateau Marmont, in New York I like the Mercer, Raffles in Singapore, Hôtel Costes in Paris, the Cerulean Tower in Tokyo, any boutique hotel in Buenos Aires, and Four Seasons hotels are good worldwide. If I want something really comfortable and slightly low-key while I'm DJing in the UK, Malmaisons are really good. If I'm not working, I tend to stay with friends when I'm abroad. My business partner has a beautiful place in Ibiza, so I will stay there and it feels a little bit more personal.

Favourite walk/swim/ride/drive?

Anywhere from South-east Asia down to Australia is amazing for swimming, as is Plettenberg Bay in South Africa. I think London is one of the best places in the world to walk, particularly Hampstead Heath. Riding down Venice Beach is always good fun and I don't drive, but I long to do a big road trip through America.

Best meal abroad?

I love eating in Asia, especially Japan, where you can have the best Korean barbecue, Kobe beef and fish in the world. There's a great restaurant in Hong Kong called St George that has to be one of my favourite restaurants; it's nouveau-Asian and has one of the best dessert selections I've ever seen. There's also La Esquina in New York, which is a great Mexican taqueria.

First thing you do when you arrive somewhere new?

I like to get a grasp of my surroundings and then I like to take a hot bath. If I'm in the right place I'll go for a swim first, though.

Dream trip?

The perfect trip would be to go somewhere really beautiful with my daughter and friends, perhaps somewhere in the Mediterranean, for a long time. I'd also love to do more of South America, and I'd like to go to Nepal to see the mountain temples.

Favourite city?

London, New York and Tokyo. I also love Barcelona; and Athens for the people, the prominence of history, the sea and the Mediterranean pace.

Where next?

I'm going to Dublin, then Warsaw, New York, LA, San Francisco, Mexico, Moscow and Australia.

James Lavelle has curated an exhibition, Daydreaming with..., which is at the Haunch of Venison in London until 30 August (daydreamingwith. com). Unkle release a new EP, The Answer, on 13 September on Surrender All records (unkle.com).