My Life In Travel: Phillipe Starck

'The secret to travelling is to never read magazines. They depress you'

What is your first holiday memory?

What is your first holiday memory?

On the coast in the south-west of France. My mother used to hire a former German Second World War bunker in the sand dunes. It was empty but the location was fantastic, all we had was the wind, the sun and the waves.

Where did you spend the summers of your childhood?

Sometimes we went to Italy by car - my mother loved driving, but generallyin France.

What has been your best holiday?

My best holiday is when I can work alone, quietly, by the sea in one of my hidden houses. I wake up early, listen to some good music, think, work out, eat organic food, rest, read and work.

Are you a frequent traveller?

I have my own plane, which means I travel a lot. I don't sleep or speak, I just dream - I am the most boring travelling companion.

What is your favourite place in the British Isles?

I have a new mews house in Notting Hill, which I love - it is so charming and small. I also have a house in the grounds of Blenheim Palace, which the Duke of Marlborough rents out to me. The trees and the park make the most wonderful piece of art in the world.

What have you learnt from your travels?

That only stupid people travel. When I am abroad and I leave my room, everything is the same, so I think that tourism will disappear over the next 15 years. You can't go out in many countries because they are involved in wars. In other places you find the same streets with the same shops as at home - so why travel?

Are you an independent traveller?

When I travel for pleasure, it is to one of my 16 houses around the world, in my own plane.

Who would be your ultimate travelling companion?

I don't like to travel with people because I hate travelling. It's better to do it alone.

Are you beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?

None, because I never leave the bedroom when I am away from home.

What luxury would you never travel without?

The bags that I designed for Samsonite, because they are very good - they're very light and soft. I also take a good cashmere and my iPod and very little else.

What do you read on holiday?

I read classic literature. The secret to travelling is to never read magazines - they wash your brain and depress you.

To where have you lost your heart?

Nowhere in particular, but I have houses in Venice, an oyster farm in south-west France, houses in the Auvergne in the centre of France and in England too.

What has been the worst thing that has happened to you on holiday?

Everything involved in travelling is bad.

To where would you never return?

I will never go to a country where there is racism, fascism or where there is the Mafia.

Where is the most underrated place you've been?

I always go to the same places. I suppose England is underrated, it's a lot nicer than I thought it would be, because English people are completely charming.

To where would you emigrate?

Emigrating is the worst mistake that people can make, unless it is completely necessary. I think people should always live where they are born and marry somebody of their own culture. If I really had to then it would be to my house on the island of Burano in Venice.

The world ends tomorrow - where do you regret never having been?

I had a desire to see the North Pole and I went there about a month ago and was very disappointed. It was very cold and boring.