My Life in Travel: Robson Green

'Fremantle is like the Edinburgh Festival without the drizzle'

First holiday memory?

A 10-hour car journey to Devon in a Hillman Imp. I was about five. My younger brother David was car sick for most of the journey and my two older sisters were talking about lads. We stopped by the side of the motorway to eat egg sandwiches; my dad put windbreakers up to protect us from lorries!

Best holiday?

Mauritius, at Le Saint Geran resort. It was the most idyllic, do-what-you-like holiday and I found Mauritians to be the most inspiring culture.

Favourite place in the British Isles?

Northumberland, where I was born. It's home and gives me sense of identity.

What have you learnt from your travels?

No matter how idyllic the landscape or awe-inspiring the buildings, it's the people and culture that you remember most. The Philippines really stands out for that. It's a poor nation, and without wanting to sound patronising, I found that there was dignity within the poverty. They are some of the happiest people I've ever met.

Ideal travelling companion?

My wife Vanya. She looks after our over-enthusiastic son Taylor and my stepdaughter Larushka while I'm being totally selfish, reading or watching movies on the plane.

Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?

Perth, particularly Cottesloe Beach, is the perfect backdrop for a beach bum. It's beautiful and clean with an almost retro feel to it. However, at the age of 45 there's the distinct possibility of feeing insecure and old there.

Greatest travel luxury?

My BA Executive Gold Card, which gets me any seat on any flight and people to ask things like, "how would how would you like your steak cooked, sir?" at 38,000ft.

Holiday reading?

The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins or anything by Tom Sharpe and Bill Bryson. They turn the ludicrous into something beautiful.

Where has seduced you?

Fremantle in Perth, for the colonial buildings and Cappuccino Strip, the street performers and musicians. It's like the Edinburgh Festival without the drizzle.

Better to travel or arrive?

Before I was an actor I wanted to be a pilot. I particularly love flying in 747s, because even though I was taught the principles of flight as an air cadet I'm still amazed that 850,000lb of metal takes to the skies.

Worst travel experience?

I was fishing on a 138ft vessel in the north Pacific off Vancouver Island. I thought I was going to die. We entered a force 7 gale, which increased into force 9 then went into a hurricane: the worst 36 hours of my life.

Worst hotel?

The Hotel Accommodation in Upala, Costa Rica: a bed, with Jesus on the cross above it, a TV in a cage that was bolted to the wall, no running water and a toilet of the squatting variety.

Best hotel?

The Cliveden in Taplow. It's quintessentially English and they make you feel like a treasured guest.

Favourite walk/swim/ride/drive?

Swimming and snorkelling in the crystal-clear turquoise water off Rottnest Island in Western Australia.

Best meal abroad?

Cicerellos in Fremantle, which is in an old boat shed that serves fresh seafood. I ate there on Australia Day, so there was a wonderful fireworks display.

Dream trip?

I would like to take my family on a proper safari in Kenya to see animals in their natural habitat.

Where next?

Hopefully Hong Kong. It's where Vanya is from. She hasn't been back since she left at the age of 15 and she wants to show Taylor and Larushka.