My life in travel: Alex Jones

'Flying over the islands in a tiny seaplane was gorgeous'

Picture perfect: indulgence in the Maldives (AFP/Getty)

Alex Jones is part of the BBC presenting team for Glastonbury Festival (26-30 June), with coverage on radio, the red button, online and TV, including The One Show (bbc.co.uk/glastonbury).

First holiday memory?

Having ice cream for the first time in Cornwall. I didn't know what it was, so I just pressed the whole cone into my face.

Favourite place in the British Isles?

West Wales. Not being biased, but it's the place I always go back to. There's a beach called Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire, which is gorgeous and there are lots of different coves and long walks all along the coast.

Best holiday?

The Maldives. We stayed at the Lux resort in South Ari Atoll. Flying over all the islands in a tiny seaplane to reach the hotel was absolutely gorgeous. We could have stayed a bit longer.

What have you learnt from your travels?

Vary your holidays. We're really spoilt being so close to Europe. But you should also try things that you don't really know if you're going to love.

Ideal travelling companion?

My partner, Charlie, because he loves travel. The only thing is, it's difficult to find somewhere he hasn't been. He left school at 18 and saw most of the world, so it's almost easier if I ask him where he hasn't been.

Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?

When I'm lying on the beach, I always think: "I'm sure there's something else I should be doing". For me, relaxing is walking around a city, discovering new things and stopping for a little drink.

Greatest travel luxury?

I do like a good massage. In the Maldives, I felt terrible by the end of the holiday, because these poor women had waited on us hand-and-foot every day. By the end, I was putting the creams away for them. It was almost too indulgent.

Holiday reading?

I'm obsessed with reading books about flying. Last time, I read Up in the Air by Betty Riegel, who was one of the first cabin crew for Pan Am Airways. It was fascinating.

Where has seduced you?

The Amalfi Coast. We stayed in Sorrento and drove along the coast, stopping at places like Ravello. We also got a boat over to Capri, which was out of this world. I spotted Steven Spielberg sitting outside having coffee in this gated hotel, so I climbed on the wall, tried to take a picture and fell, with a massive thud, to the ground.

Best hotel?

The Plaza, just because it was the first time I'd been to New York. The hotel is really old-school and everything about that trip just felt like we were in a film.

Favourite walk?

The Cotswolds. Charlie and I are like old people: we've got one of those walking books which guides you through fields and lanes. One day, we went on a huge 18-mile walk, amid the most beautiful countryside, stopping at pubs along the way. Every walk we do since, we compare to that.

Best meal abroad?

A fish restaurant overlooking Viaduct Harbour in Auckland, New Zealand. My sister lived there, so I went over with my parents to visit. We had an amazing meal on New Year's Eve, with brilliant seafood and all the fireworks going off around us.

Favourite city?

Palma de Mallorca. It's got a really pretty old town, fantastic new bits, a lovely cathedral and it's right on the beach.

Where next?

It's subject to debate, but I think it is going to be an American road trip. We might do the Blue Ridge Parkway through Virginia and North Carolina.