My holidays: Robert Oliver

My Kitchen Rules Tasting Panel member Robert Oliver.

How often do you travel?

About 10 to 12 times a year, mostly for work but I tag breaks on to the end.

Best holiday ever?

Last year, my best friend met me in Bangkok and we visited some good friends who own a relais and chateau property in Khon Kaen in the Isaan province, northern Thailand. We all travelled to Laos together and ate our way through Isaan on the way. It was like a road trip and we all loved the places we visited, but also just loved being with each other.

Best get-away-from-it-all place to escape to, and why?

Because I am in the Pacific Islands for so much of my work, I like to "escape" to big cities - my three favourites are Bangkok, Shanghai and Miami.

Best travel tip?

Don't travel with anyone who won't eat street food - the ultimate killjoys. And if you are concerned about a running belly, drop into a pharmacy and grab some norfloxacin to keep on hand, just in case.

Best anti-jetlag tip?

Get a foot massage as soon as you arrive.

Where would you love to return to and why?

I'd love to visit Rio de Janeiro again - terrific food markets, sexy, confident people, thrilling food and the seductive beat of Samba as a constant backdrop.

Most luxurious travel moment?

You can't beat Fiji's Nukubati Resort for comfortable island luxury. Host Jenny Leewai Bourke knows how to deliver class without attitude. My two nights here recently were the stuff of travel dreams.

What do you hate about travelling?

Airport food - except in Singapore.

Finish this sentence: It's not a proper holiday unless . . .

. . . you have food poisoning, at least once.

Where is your next holiday?

Bangkok, of course! Although I am keen to check out Myanmar.

Robert Oliver is a restaurateur, award-winning author, TV host and part of the expert tasting panel on My Kitchen Rules NZ, which screens Monday and Tuesday, 7.30pm on TV2.