John Craven reveals how his earliest holiday memory is being pecked by an angry guineafowl

TV’s John Craven reveals how his earliest holiday memory is being pecked by an angry guineafowl, why Jamaica is his top destination and the dangers of ‘foreign’ English tea

TV presenter John Craven checks into our travel Q&A

This week TV presenter John Craven checks into our travel Q&A.

He talks about his dream travel companion, what he can’t travel without, his favourite hotel – and more.  

Earliest holiday memory?

When I was very young, World War II was on, so we stayed at home apart from one short caravan holiday near our home in Leeds. 

It was my first taste of the countryside and I was pecked by an angry guineafowl. I haven’t liked them since. 

Your dream travel companion?

Sir Francis Drake on a circumnavigation of the world. 

Apart from the sea and the land masses, everything has totally changed since he first did it nearly 450 years ago. His reactions would be fascinating.

What can’t you travel without?

It’s easy to forget the lock number for your suitcase, especially if you haven’t used it for a while. So I keep it with me in a safe place.

Worst flying experience?

On a flight to Germany, the captain announced the undercarriage wouldn’t retract. One of the crew, carrying a tool kit, opened a hatch in the aisle, clambered down into the bowels of the plane and emerged a few anxious minutes later with a smile and a thumbs-up.

Favourite destination?

John says his favourite destination is Jamaica. Pictured is the island's beautiful Montego Bay

John says his favourite destination is Jamaica. Pictured is the island’s beautiful Montego Bay

Jamaica. My wife and I ‘jumped ship’ at Montego Bay at the end of a cruise and loved it so much that we took our three eldest grandchildren there for a surprise holiday at the Beaches resort in Negril. 

We rode horses in the sea — good swimming exercise for the horses and a real thrill for us.

Favourite hotel?

The Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver. The view from our bedroom of the magnificent harbour, with little seaplanes buzzing around, was breath-taking. 

The hotel has a dog which guests can take for a walk — or rather, it takes you and I got a comprehensive tour of the sights around the hotel.

Best travel tip?

Take some teabags — foreign ‘English’ tea can be very strange.

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