My holidays: Ben Henson

Ben Henson: 'Pretty much any trip I'll be scoffing something.'

What was your greatest holiday?

Last Christmas, we saved up all our time and knocked off New York, London, Porthmadog (Wales), Tokyo and Kyoto all with a brief visit to the parents in the Midlands, UK, for Christmas Day. It was crazy-hectic but that's how we like our trips, full of new places and amazing food and rushing from one thing to the next.

And the worst?

We went to Malta as a family once and ate a lot of mussels on a pirate ship ...resulting in us being bed-bound with food poisoning for the rest of the trip. Not ideal.

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

Eating. Eating. Eating. Chicken liver skewers in Tokyo, A5 Wagyu steak sandwiches in Kyoto, scotch egg at The Breslin, Ace Hotel, New York. Pretty much any trip I'll be scoffing something any time you bump into me.

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

Ah, look, I've got a special place in my heart for Dunners. I've just done a show down there, and love a true winter with its crisp mornings and pink skies overlooking the bay. And there's nothing like the excuse of curling up by a pub fire with a pint, pie and chips.

How about for a dream holiday internationally?

Vietnam is on the list. And Sri Lanka. And China. In fact, the list is pretty long...

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

When I was 7, we went to Disneyland and Universal Studios in Orlando and got one of those little Mickey Mouse autograph books; filled it with the signatures of my idols — including ultimate hero at the time, Beetlejuice — only to leave it in McDonald's never to be found again. Nooo!

Aisle seat or window seat?

Three seats to myself. Where are you sitting?

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

...my partner Stuart and his superhuman ability to memorise a map.

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

When you're walking around Istanbul, blokes will stroll by you and drop their shoe-shining brush without flinching — you must keep walking by as if you're unaware they've dropped it. If you helpfully pick it up to hand it back, they'll offer to shine your shoes for free ... only to turn on you at the end by making a public fuss that you're trying to walk away without paying.

How have these tips been learned?

The hard way.

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

The sardines with tomato sorbet at MoVida, Melbourne.

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

We're looking at this new resort called The Slow in Bali... looks pretty amazing, you should check it out.

Ben Henson directs the New Zealand premiere of 'The Effect' playing at Q Theatre, from tomorrow until Saturday August 12, part of Q's 2017 Matchbox season.