My Holidays: Dr Christian Jessen from Embarrassing Bodies

Dr Christian Jessen.

Christian Jessen hosts Embarrassing Bodies Specials: Changing Sex & Old Bodies, on Sky Channel 74, on Fridays from March 23, at 7.30pm.

What was your greatest holiday?
This is one of those impossible questions, like "what is your favourite film?" I have so many great holiday memories. I'm much more of a city-break kind of guy, rather than a lying-on-the-beach-doing-nothing one. So trips to New York, Verona, Mexico City all come to mind.

Recently I've discovered the joys of cruises: wake up each morning in a different place with a different city to explore, and no packing and unpacking, or travel (that you are aware of any way!)

And the worst? It has to be a school "trip" doesn't it? To somewhere grim in France probably. I am a banquet for mosquitoes too, so if it's a holiday in a country with biting insects I will spend most of it scratching and counting the bites.

If we bump into you on holiday, what are you most likely to be doing? Looking at stuff. Shops, galleries, shows etc. Or reading.

If we could teleport you to one place in New Zealand for a week-long holiday, where would it be? Gosh, beggars can't be choosers can we?! I'd be grateful for anywhere. Why? Are you offering…?

How about for a dream holiday internationally?

Somewhere like Madagascar or Borneo must be wonderful.

What's the dumbest thing you've ever done when travelling? Left my Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate at home when travelling to Uganda. I know that probably doesn't sound the dumbest thing but it's a legal requirement and as a doctor who works in infectious disease I ought to have known better!

Aisle seat or window seat? Aisle. I'm a control freak and cannot bear to be trapped in by someone… (although that's not usually a problem in First Class. Joke!)

Complete this sentence: I can't travel without ...
My Yellow Fever Certificate, my Yellow Fever Certificate, my Yellow Fever Certificate…

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

If you see something you love, buy it. You will never go back otherwise and will regret it for ever more.

What was the most memorable meal you've had while travelling? It was a huge, many-coursed tasting menu in one of Italy's finest restaurants. Extraordinary.

What's the best thing you've brought back from a trip? My partner. After waiting for a year for their visa application to be dealt with. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that!

Favourite airport to land at? City Airport in London. From landing I can be home in 20 minutes.

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

It's a cruise to see the Norwegian fjords. I'm giving a lecture on the cruise so strictly speaking it's work, but it isn't really. And they look spectacular.

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