My holidays: Zoe Marshall

Zoe Marshall puts LA at the top of her list for shopping - she describes it as a 'save and splurge' destination.

Hydrate, research and take hand sanitiser: the TV and radio presenter shares her travel tips.

What was your greatest holiday?

I would say travelling the world with my mum when I was 14. We got to go to Hong Kong, Germany, Italy and London and I remember her saying it would be the last opportunity we would have to travel together as I was a teenager and growing up to have a life of my own. I treasure that time together, since she passed away eight years ago.

And the worst?

Bali this year was the best and worst. Bali is always amazing, but this trip the five of us in the group got really sick. When you go to places like that it is on the cards that you may get sick - "Bali belly" exists for a reason.

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

Eating. Either eating while lying by the pool or eating while watching other people do activities. I am always eating!

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

Eagles Nest in the Bay of Islands. I have recently heard all about it. It's like $12,000 for three nights. It looks absolutely amazing.

How about for a dream holiday internationally?

Paris and Malta. I am hopefully going to achieve that this year and I would love to go to Africa for a safari - it is on my to-do list. Also, once all the turmoil settles in Egypt I would love to go and see the pyramids. I am fascinated by history.

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

My dumbest travel moment happened to me this year when I forgot to book a flight and turned up at the airport with no ticket. I had already flown Auckland-Sydney-Queenstown and was about to go on the trip to Bali. Everyone had checked in and I was trying to check in but there were no flights under my name and none available. I ended up having to book a first-class flight from Queenstown to Sydney, which was so expensive but it was the only way I could make my connecting flight in Sydney.

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

Hand sanitiser, earplugs and an eye mask.

I take hand sanitiser with me every day, so it would be insane not to take it overseas.

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

Hydrate internally and externally. Also do heaps of research on the place you are going to - taxi numbers, call rates, and whether you need a local sim card. Find out all of these things while you have access to phone and internet so you are really prepared.

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

Benj and I stayed at the Alila Villas in Uluwatu, Bali. Included in the room was that you could eat everything on the menu - and we did. It ranged from Balinese food such as delicate dumplings, to French crepes, bacon, potato rösti - it covered every kind of food and was amazing.

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

My trips to LA always lead to great buys. I always go there and stock up on shopping so I have heaps of amazing shoes and great bags - it is my save and splurge place.

Favourite airport to land at?

Hamilton Island. When you fly in, it is like heaven.

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

It's been a year for travel this year with The Great Food Race taking me all over New Zealand and to Shanghai. I am going to Sydney for Easter to see all my friends and family and the next big trip will most likely be Europe, mid-year. But if I can hold out, Benj would like to go to New York at the end of the year.

Zoe Marshall hosts The Great Food Race, on TV3, at 7pm on Sundays.