Helen is one of Britain’s best known familiar faces in the field of comedy, writing and acting. She is thrilled to still be alive and kicking.
She acts, she does stand up, she writes columns – there are the TV shows, radio shows, one woman shows, she does voices, she does speeches, she talks about wine, she writes about wine, and she drinks wine. And more recently, she’s reviewed the Big Brother House on TripAdvisor.
Helen talks intimately to us about her worst travel experience and why she loves Spain.
My earliest travel memory is…
being on the train with my parents on our way to Austria. I was aged five and we were on our way to a skiing holiday in Kitzbuhel. I remember looking out of the train window at snow capped mountains and then having to share a couchette with two young men in the top bunk beds and my father making them play gin rummy with us. I was sooo embarrassed!
My favourite travel destination is…
I love Spain. It’s so easy to get to and when I get there I head to Malaga and simply turn left, go up a mountain and find a cottage to rest that is nestled in the hills. The mountain views are amazing.
I also love driving through France. I love the Dordogne. I once canoed down the river starting at Argentat ending up in Bordeaux. The river flows at a slow 5km an hour and it was so peaceful.
My worst travel experience was…
I once holidayed with my mother and my five year old daughter in Malta. We were in a big holiday complex who were stingy with the breakfast and we had to fight for the toast in the morning.
I never travel without…
a little travel candle because I am very sensitive to smells that may have come from previous occupants and burning candle gets rid of the odours. I also take wet wipes and hand wash for hand hygiene on the go – especially when hanging on to lots of escalators.
I always travel without…
a big coat and a big book.
My dream travel destination is…
Greece. In fact anything that is pretty with blue sea and white houses. I went to ‘Hippie chic’ in Mykonos and stayed at the Manoulas Mykonos Beach Resort hotel where they filmed Shirley Valentine. I loved the rustic feel of tables and chairs on the beach and how they were placed in a rickety way. I have also visited the Greek island of Skyros and had to climb many, many stairs to reach a perfect B&B. It was worth it.
I’m in the middle seat on an airplane and sitting on either side of me is…
the late Joan Rivers on my left and to my right is the late Alan Whicker. I would love to be entertained by someone I admire and who would make me laugh and think at the same time as I believe Joan Rivers would. And Alan Whicker would have so many stories to tell about curious people and places.
My travel tip is…
to use packing cubes travel organiser as it helps you travel light and avoids things leaking.
My next holiday is…
to Spain for three days in a cottage with a tiny pool – and no WiFi (ha ha as if).
Helen is appearing her one woman show at Underbelly August 2-25 – “I might as well say it” and at the Laughing Horse 21-25 August – “Helen Lederer asks why the fuss”