My Holiday: Scott Towers

Musician Scott Towers fancies a trip to Buenos Aires. Photo / Doug Sherring

What was your greatest holiday?

My wife and I spent two weeks in the north of Portugal - the first week we stayed in converted castles and farmhouses by ourselves, and then we spent the rest with a group of friends in a vineyard in the mountains. Brilliant weather, amazing food and lovely people.

And the worst?

Being on holiday is never bad ... but I've had enough rain-soaked summer camping trips in New Zealand to last a lifetime.

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

Wandering around the food markets, or swimming in the sea.

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

Wanaka in autumn, Taupo Bay in summer.

How about for a dream holiday internationally?

I've never been to South America, so Buenos Aires

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

I managed to lose my passport in Thailand ... twice. Once after catching the train to Chiang Mai, and then again when we were flying out of Bangkok - that made for a speedy and stressful cab ride to the hotel and back from the airport.

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

A good book. I'm not a great sleeper on planes, buses or trains - so something to fill the time is essential.

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

An airline hostess told me to smear lip balm on the inside of my nostrils to avoid dehydration on long flights. I have no idea whether it was a gag or not, but I still do it anyway.

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

There have been so many. Charcoal-grilled sardines cooked in the street and served with saffron potatoes was a recent one that sticks out. The vendors were just ordinary Portuguese fishermen doing it to supplement their income. New Zealand's uptight food regulations wouldn't allow anything like that to happen - pity.

What's the best thing you've brought back?

I moved to London in 1997 and came back with my (to be) wife in 2003. A long trip yes, but a good one.

Favourite airport to land at?

My favourite of late was Newark - which is a s ****y airport, but it did mean I was about to start a two-week break in New York. What a great holiday that was.

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

I got back from a tour across Europe a few weeks ago - so next up is two weeks in Australia (which means I get to hang with my brother in Melbourne) and then back to Europe for a month. We're going to Bologna, the home of Italian ragu - I'm looking forward to lunch.

Scott Towers - AKA Chopper Reed - plays saxophone with Fat Freddy's Drop. Their number one album Blackbird is out now and they play at the Powerstation in Auckland on September 13, 14 and 15.