My holidays: Aaron Gascoigne

Aaron Gascoigne: "This summer we spent a heap of time at Doubtless Bay."

What was your greatest holiday? With my amazing wife Jacinta in 2001, we spent four months backpacking through Africa.

If we bump into you on holiday, what are you most likely to be doing?
Fishing! Fishing! Fishing! Or at any swim-up bar - well not in July, but during other months.

If we could teleport you to one place in NZ for a week-long holiday, where would it be? Oh, that's hard. This summer we spent a heap of time at Doubtless Bay in the Far North and it was incredible. I would go there every day if I could - incredible people and amazing hospitality; we stayed in the campsite at Tokerau Bay and loved every minute.

What's the dumbest thing you've ever done when travelling?
I have done heaps of stupid things. One incident involved a motocross bike, the ocean and someone else holding my passport as collateral. It didn't end well. Or how about that time we decided to go horseback riding among bull elephants in Zimbabwe - now that was stupid. Grumpy elephants and horses don't get on.

Aisle seat or window seat?
Always aisle.

Complete this sentence: I can't travel without ...
My noise-cancelling headphones - and my wife and children, hmm is that related somehow?

What's the best travel tip you've ever been given?
Don't forget your passport - yes I have done that ... once.

What was the most memorable meal you've had while travelling?
Many years ago for my 30th birthday when we were living in London, my wife was working with Jamie Oliver's brother-in law and, unbeknown to me, she had arranged for us to have dinner at Jamie's private restaurant, Montys - he cooked us up the most incredible seafood degustation evening - off the charts.

What's the best thing you've brought back from a trip?
My wife and children - seriously, how do they shop for so long in these airports without missing the flight? We always get that last-minute call.

Favourite airport to land at?
Nadi Airport in Fiji - walk out, wait for the hot rush of Fiji air, listen for the guitars and soulful sound of people singing and know we are in paradise.

What's the next trip you've got planned?
We are heading to Cambodia in October - can't wait!

Aaron Gascoigne, of My Kitchen Rules is the New Zealand ambassador for Dry July. To take part or make a donation, go to dryjuly.co.nz.