Johannesburg - Sean Hough, chief executive of Pentravel, chats about his best and worst travel memories.
First holiday memory?
Beating all the older boys at frog races at Hunters Rest in Rustenburg, there was no TV or PlayStation when I was younger, so this was a game often played and I became quite a pro. It’s a great memory winning the entire tournament, much to everyone’s surprise, and becoming the “frog race” legend.
Favourite place in South Africa?
Cape Town. However, for a local holiday my favourite place would be the bush, Sabi Sands Game Reserve. The Kruger National Park and Timbavati are magical too.
Best holiday?
Skiing. I love to ski in different places around the world and combine it with a new travel experience. However, one of my favourites is to stay with my brother’s family in the Japanese town of Niseko… known as the most snowy place in the world. It’s great powder skiing. After skiing you can hit the Onsen (hot springs) and for dinner enjoy a tiny family-run Izakaya to eat Gyoza and Ramen, perfect ski food. I’m also obsessed with skiing in France and have skied at Vol Thorens, Val-d’Isère and Valmorel, all of which are Club Med resorts.
What have you learnt from your travels?
Travel is only glamorous in retrospect. You need to manage your expectations because it can be hard work and things can go wrong.
Try not to blame your travel agent and just roll with it. This is where you might discover a new experience if you are open to it.
Ideal travelling companion?
My partner, but wish I could take my dachshund. They would love playing in the snow or barking at lions.
Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?
If skiing is adrenalin, I choose that, otherwise I also love the beach and scuba diving.
Greatest travel luxury?
Flying business class. I am focused on earning miles from my domestic travel or through my credit card and always on the lookout for one for the many specials.
The Middle Eastern carriers, Air France, KLM – always have affordable deals.
Holiday reading?
A book, such as Shantaram, The Kite Runner, Memoirs Of A Geisha or a fascinating autobiography. My favourite was Greek fire: the story of Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis, which I read in Greece. I study books and then I like to visit the location, buy the T-shirt and finally watch the movie, for example, The Beach, set in Thailand.
Which place has seduced you?
Kitzbuhel in Austria where I learnt to ski and worked briefly as a ski rep. I could easily live in the Alps, no problem. I also have a soft spot for Greece.
Worst travel experience?
A rough bumpy landing in a small aircraft on Ile Sainte Marie. A cyclone in Mauritius. Our taxi rolled in Paris. An interrogation at Sapporo airport. It’s hard to say which was the worst, but one thing’s for sure you forget them very quickly.
Best hotel?
Ashford Castle in Ireland. It’s a restored 13th-century castle on a lake.
This is where you want to stay in Ireland; it’s the dream and best of all it’s owned by a South African family, the Tollman’s, and part of the Red Carnation hotel group. It’s better than the Palace of The Lost City.
Favourite walk, swim, ride or drive?
If you stay on the Le Morne Peninsula in Mauritius, there is a great cycle route in the south that is the Chapman’s Peak of Mauritius. Then in the afternoon climb up Le Morne mountain for great views and an epic sunset. My favourite walk is hands-down Kilimanjaro.
Best meal abroad?
That’s like asking me for my favourite movie. I love fine dining but nothing beats a yiro from Jimmys in Mykonos, a Flammkuchen in Strasbourg, ramen noodles in Tokyo, a Cornish pasty in Cornwall or a hot dog in New York City. Please don’t make me choose.
Favourite city?
In this world of sameness, there is no city quite like Tokyo. It’s totally unique and the only place where I’ve experienced a culture shock, in a good way…
Where to next?
We are off to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic with Club Med. Apart from a great resort, they have the first branded Cirque du Soleil circus school.
l Sean Hough is the chief executive of Pentravel.
Saturday Star