My holidays: Amanda Byram

Amanda Byram loved Wanaka and Milford Sound.

What was your greatest holiday?

I've been lucky enough to travel all over the world with my job - so I haven't been on an actual holiday for years. I would have to say Ibiza or Sydney. Ibiza is the most spiritual place, you just have to stay away from the party town. The beaches and old town are truly beautiful. Sydney is my happy place. I love the food and lifestyle. My best friend lives there so I visit often.

And the worst?

We went to Blackpool, UK as kids. It rained every day. I just remember thinking: how miserable. Maybe that's why travel is my passion now.

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

Probably running on the beach! I love keeping fit and I enjoy being outdoors.

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

Ouch. That's a cruel question because I adored so many parts of New Zealand for so many different reasons. Hmm. I loved Wanaka and also Milford Sound. I could easily spend a week on a boat there. Two whales swam up to my boat. It was utterly magical.

How about for a dream holiday internationally?

South Africa is on my wish list this year. I hear Cape Town is stunning. That and a little more of South America. I've been to Buenos Aires, Brazil, Peru and Paraguay. But there is so much more to cover. Cuba would be great.

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

I threw my passport in an airport bin in Argentina. It was an accident, but I only realised it was gone when I got to check in at the airport. I had to retrace my steps back to the restaurant I was in, then remembered I threw out an apple core, my passport along with it.

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

Stay on the time zone to which you are travelling and you will avoid jet lag. I recently stayed awake for 30 hours to stay on UK time on my way back from Australia. It was tough, but it worked.

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

I recently had the most amazing meal in a Sardinian restaurant, Sardegna Tavola (1, Rue de Cotte, 12e) in Paris. The restaurant was authentically Sardinian and I ate a divine tuna dish to start, calamari with ravioli, then tiramisu. Dreamy.

What's the best thing you've brought back from a trip?

I love my Peruvian pipes that I bought in a market there. They remind me of that trip - I trekked to Machu Picchu with a group of girls in aid of Breast Cancer Care, it was a life-changing trip.

What's the next trip you've planned?

I'm off to Paris next week, to learn French (it's another bucket list item to tick) and then Puglia and Como in Italy in June for my birthday. After that, the world is my oyster. Probably Koh Samui and Sri Lanka to go scuba diving and surfing.

Amanda Byram hosts RV Rampage, screening on Thursdays at 7.30pm on Travel Channel (SKY025).