My Holiday: Alex Ellis

Alex Ellis stars in Miss Jean Batten on at The Basement Theatre.

What was your greatest holiday? Oh, aren't they all the greatest?
I've loved every single one. But the last big trip was to New York and that was pretty amazing. Christmas and New Year in New York plus Broadway, shopping and food, glorious food.

And the worst?
Camping in Siena in Italy. I had run out of money, it was almost winter and my boyfriend had just broken up with me by email.

If we bump into you on holiday, what are you most likely to be doing?
Walking. I love walking around a new city. It's a great way to get your bearings and you never know what interesting/crazy things you'll find.

If we could teleport you to one place in New Zealand for a week-long holiday, where would it be?
I've been having dreams of Queenstown/Wanaka lately. I'd like a bit of adventure, so a week of fast rivers and jumping off things and flying high. And then back down for a bit of pampering and relaxation in the evening.

How about for a dream holiday internationally?
Recently I've been thinking trains might be a pretty cool way to go, so I'm going to say doing all the famous Train trips around the world. The Rocky Mountaineer in Canada, the Glacier Express in the Swiss Alps, the Trans-Siberian railway, it just goes on ...

What's the dumbest thing you've ever done when travelling?
My friend and I decided we should walk around Ireland. We bought all the gear from a camping shop in Dublin and then hit the road. I think we walked about 1km with all our gear before we decided that wasn't such a good idea.

Complete this sentence: I can't travel without ...
A notebook. I try and keep a travel diary. They are so great to read when you get back home.

What's the best travel tip you've ever been given?
Say yes to everything.

What was the most memorable meal you've had while travelling? Cheese, cheese and more cheese in France. My partner and I are vegetarian and and found a lovely little restaurant in Dijon that had three vege choices. We had cheese entree, cheese main and cheese dessert. Delicieux.

What's the best thing you've brought back from a trip?
A beautiful little soap stone bird (chickadee) from Canada. A First Nation artist sculpted it and it's gorgeous and one of those lovely things to hold. It always makes me smile.

Favourite airport to land at?
The airport you are landing at for your next holiday.

What's the next trip you've got planned?
Hiring a car and driving around the UK.

Alex Ellis stars in Miss Jean Batten at The Basement, Auckland, from March 29 to April 9.