Foreign affairs

Cape Town 100930. Tourism MEC, Alan Winde casts his vote for Table Mountain to be one of the new 7 Wonders of nature on his laptop while abseiling off Table Mountain. People who would like to vote can SMS "Table" to 34874. PHOTO SAM CLARK, CA, murrey Williams

Cape Town 100930. Tourism MEC, Alan Winde casts his vote for Table Mountain to be one of the new 7 Wonders of nature on his laptop while abseiling off Table Mountain. People who would like to vote can SMS "Table" to 34874. PHOTO SAM CLARK, CA, murrey Williams

Published Feb 27, 2013

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BBC presenter Angela Rippon shares some of her fondest holiday memories, including abseiling down Table Mountain.

First holiday memory?

Camping with my parents near St Ives. It was still a tiny fishing village. We had some glorious weather, then suddenly it poured. Being in a tent was not much fun, so we packed up and went home.

Favourite place in the British Isles?

Dartmoor is my secret getaway. I love the freedom, expanse and solitude of the moor. I love walking or riding across the countryside and the contrast of ancient wooded valleys.

Best holiday?

A barge holiday in France from Narbonne to the Camargue National Park. I’d been working at a frantic pace, so it forced me to slow down. It was the most relaxing way to spend 10 days, rolling through vineyards, stopping in villages, playing boules evenings, eating well and drinking wonderful French wine.

What have you learnt from your travels?

How to pack well. I can go away for a week with a tiny suitcase. The other thing is not to panic. Whatever happens, there will be a solution.

Ideal travel companion?

A film crew – especially if you have a good director, cameraman and sound recorder who take a delight in everything. You get more from a trip with people who are looking for the great shots to make a film look wonderful.

Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?

All three. If I’m smothered in suntan lotion, I can lie on the beach all day. If there’s something fascinating to look at, I’m there. Presenting the holiday show, I’ve also done things that require adrenalin, like diving with Great White sharks and abseiling down Table Mountain.

Greatest travel luxury?

My own ski instructor. They take you to places you wouldn’t otherwise see and you become a lot more adventurous.

Where has seduced you?

Bhutan. The people are wonderful, the country is stunning and the whole place has a calming effect.

Better to travel or arrive?

I travel so much for my job it’s now like getting on and off a bus. Travel is necessary, but arriving is the exciting bit for me.

Best hotel?

Dwarika’s in Kathmandu. It was built by somebody who collected beautiful old doors and window frames from across Asia. It’s like a tiny village inside, with trees and running water.

Favourite city?

Paris is a city where you can walk for hours. I always go to the Musée d’Orsay and stand in front of the Impressionists.

Where next?

New Zealand, to a town called Rippon where a vineyard was set up by a woman called Emma Rippon in the 1800s. It still produces the most stunning organic wine. I serve it at my dinner parties. – The Independent

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