What was your greatest holiday?

Five months spent travelling around the Mediterranean on the way home from London.
And the worst?

A washed-out camping weekend, breaking down on the beach on the way back with the tide coming in and finding out we were knocked out of the World Cup by the French at the same time. Argh!

If we bump into you on holiday, what are you most likely to be doing?

Checking out the local food.

If we could teleport you to one place in New Zealand for a week-long holiday, where would it be?

Abel Tasman National Park in summer.

How about for a dream holiday internationally?
Returning to Sicily with Monique and the kids or Northern India.

What's the dumbest thing you've ever done when travelling?

Thinking it was safe to leave my pack outside our cramped tent in a deserted camping ground in Western France while we slept.

Complete this sentence: I can't travel without ... getting excited.

What's the best travel tip you've ever been given?

Travel light.

What was the most memorable meal you've had while travelling?

Grilled swordfish in Palermo, Sicily.
What's the best thing you brought back from a trip?

Memories.

Favourite airport to land at?

Melbourne.
What's the next trip you've got planned?

Kayaking in Abel Tasman Park this summer with the family.

Bevan Smith, of Riverstone Kitchen in Oamaru, is preparing a five-course meal for eight guests staying at Huka Lodge's Owner's Cottage on September 7.