TV historian Bettany Hughes reveals the most memorable places she has visited – and the thing she never travels without
- Historian Bettany Hughes says that her favourite place she has visited is Egypt
- She never travels without a tube of Vitamin C tablets to keep away the ‘lurgy’
- Her favourite place in the UK is anywhere along the coastline of Britain
TV historian Bettany Hughes shares her holiday memories
So what does Bettany Hughes never travel without and where is her favourite place in the UK?
Here, the TV historian reveals the most memorable place she has visited and also her idea of holiday hell.
Most memorable place?
Egypt. You can be in two eras of time at once.
You’re travelling through modern Egypt, but it takes you back to the glory days of Ancient Egyptian civilisation.
What are the people like?
Unbelievably friendly. On the banks, they shouted and invited us to breakfast.
What would you bring home from Egypt if you could?
The blue lotus. The Ancient Egyptians used to drink it as a mood-lifter, turn it into oil and cover themselves with it, even smoke it.
It’s the most beautiful flower I’ve ever seen and it’s almost extinct.
What do you never travel without?
A tube of Vitamin C tablets for when there’s any hint of some nasty lurgy.
Bettany says you can be ‘travelling through modern Egypt, but it takes you back to the glory days of Ancient Egyptian civilisation’
Favourite place in the UK?
I’m happy anywhere along the British coast — even 20 minutes spent walking along a British beach feels like a holiday.
What’s your idea of holiday hell?
Anywhere people haven’t mastered personal hygiene. Halitosis and BO are not my idea of fun.
- Istanbul: A Tale Of Three Cities, by Bettany Hughes, (Orion, £12.99).