My Life In Travel: Martin Corry

'While on tour, I was held up at gunpoint in a bar in Johannesburg'

First holiday memory?

Going to Scarborough as a kid. My granddad had a house there and when he died we kept it. We used to go every summer until I was 18. I absolutely loved it and really looked forward to going every year. I have very fond memories of it.

Best holiday?

My honeymoon in Kenya with my wife, Tara. We like different things and this trip satisfied everything; we went on safari and to hotels along the coast and relaxed. It was completely different to any trip we'd been on together before and the fact that it was our honeymoon made it all the more special.

Favourite place in the British Isles?

Tunbridge Wells, Kent. I lived there with my parents until I was 18; they still live there and there's nothing better than going home. Kent has great villages and little pubs and I still really feel at home there.

What have you learnt from your travels?

Always pack a wrinkle-free shirt! There's nothing worse than arriving somewhere and not having anything to wear.

Ideal travelling companion?

Stephen Fry would be my ideal companion because you would never get bored with him, whether he was telling stories or just making you laugh; he would be great company.

Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?

I love a bit of everything - I can't sleep on a beach all day because I get really bored so I like to see new things and go to new places.

Greatest travel luxury?

My laptop because I can play DVDs and keep the children entertained on long journeys; it also means I can keep on top of what's going on in England and keep in touch with everyone.

Holiday reading?

Harlan Coben's books; he takes crime writing to another level. My favourite book of his is Tell No One. It's very easy reading, which I find relaxing.

Where has seduced you?

Barbados, it was my first time in the Caribbean and to have the big waves of the Atlantic on one side and the smooth shores of the Caribbean on the other was fantastic. The way of life there is so laid-back you can't help but relax.

Better to travel or arrive?

With two children it's better to arrive! Travelling can be a nightmare, especially on long journeys, because they constantly need entertaining. It's great when we finally arrive because we can get settled and enjoy our time away as a family.

Worst travel experience?

Being held up at gunpoint in Johannesburg on a rugby tour in South Africa. We had been briefed by the embassy on how dangerous it was, but it was shocking to experience it first hand. I was in a bar with a few of the boys when it was held up. Thankfully no one was hurt, but we did get mugged.

Worst holiday?

A package holiday to Spain years ago; it put me off package holidays for life. After a week of terrible accommodation and even worse food, we then suffered long airport delays, which with a young child was incredibly hard work - never again.

Worst hotel?

On my first holiday with Tara we stayed at a hotel in Cyprus for £9 per night and when we got there we realised why it was so cheap. The rooms were minimal to say the least - a bed with a dim flickering light and a window that didn't open, which wasn't great in 90F heat.

Best hotel?

The Westcliff Hotel in Johannesburg. It's set on a cliff side with beautiful views and you get around in golf buggies.

Favourite walk/swim/ride/drive?

My favourite walk is along the Cleveland Way in Scarborough, we used to do it when I was a kid and I have great memories of it. I loved swimming in the beautiful turquoise waters off Barbados and my favourite drive is coming home from a long tour away.

Best meal abroad?

Steak in Argentina. I enjoy steak and always eat it when I get the opportunity, however, the Argentines take meat-eating to another level.

First thing you do when you arrive somewhere new?

Check out the room service menu. It's nice to know that you can get a good meal delivered to your room at a minute's notice - I do enjoy my food!

Dream trip?

A long holiday to all the places I have been to on rugby tours but never visited as a tourist. I go to some amazing places but only get to see the hotels, training ground and matches. I don't get to experience the culture and taste the entertainment, history and architecture.

Favourite city?

Rome. There's just so much to see and every time you go, you learn something new and see something great. The buildings are amazing, walking around blows you away.

Where next?

France, to hopefully win the World Cup in September/October 2007!

Martin Corry is the England rugby captain and the face of Eton Shirts ( www.etonshirts.co.uk)