My life in travel: Mr Hudson

The My Life in Travel column is produced in association with Andalucia Tourism. See <a target="_blank" href="http://www.andalucia.org"> www.andalucia.org</a>

(PA)

First holiday memory?

I've probably been to more countries in the last two years than I did in my first 20. I was raised on a diet of beach holidays in places like Pembrokeshire and Suffolk. When you're five, you're happy with a bucket and spade and an ice cream.

Best holiday?

I travel with my music, so it's technically work; but going to Hawaii five times in two years was something I never thought I'd do. I'd like to go back with no agenda so that I could do some island-hopping.

Favourite place in the British Isles?

When I've got free time I just want to potter about in London and see what new clubs and restaurants have opened up. I walk into Soho or Shoreditch and see what people are wearing and see what's new. We've got so much on our doorstep that we just take for granted.

What have you learnt from your travels?

That we are just one cold, little island on the northwest corner of a continent. When you're in the classroom, Great Britain's in the middle of the map, even though it's tiny – it's like the Joe Pesci of countries. The British Empire was a big deal, but I'm not sure how much influence we have other than that these days.

Ideal travelling companion?

My partner in crime, Wilkie Wilkinson. He plays drums with me and he's always good humoured however tired or malnourished we are. He's always full of beans and we never run out of chat, which is important.

Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?

Definitely not an adrenalin junkie because I'm scared of heights; I get vertigo from high-rise hotel rooms, so there's no way I'm going up the Empire State or the Burj Khalifa. I like a bit of sun for half a day but then I like to be busy. If I'm going to sit and read it's in the shade with a Scotch and soda and some Ernest Hemingway. I'm really into Hemingway at the moment. I was in Spain when reading For Whom the Bell Tolls and it just made it resonate that little bit more.

Greatest travel luxury?

Once I arrive, it's food and drink. I want to eat everything the locals eat; I was eating jellyfish and chicken feet in Beijing. I love eating in New York. You treat yourself to meals in the sorts of places you'd never go to at home.

Better to travel or arrive?

I'm kind of over planes. I'm a little bit guilty about that from an environmental point of view, but my job requires it. It's important to be efficient – if you're going to fly to the other side of the world you should try and get as much done as possible to justify it.

Worst travel experience?

I've not had a real shocker. Getting stuff nicked in India meant I had the most hilarious experience with the chief of police in Fort Cochin. He was asking me how the Queen and Maggie Thatcher were and I had to proofread a crime report and make changes to it. In Beijing I had a military escort which was amusing – boys whose uniforms didn't fit and looked like they'd never had an arm wrestle, let alone been in combat.

Worst hotel?

One in Madrid that turned out to be a brothel. I was sharing a room with four or five other guys I didn't know.

Best hotel?

The Mandarin Oriental in Tokyo was amazing, even the gym was beautiful – you'd gladly have your wedding there, it was that impressive. I also really liked the Desert Palm in Dubai. The minibar was properly stocked with big bottles of Bombay Sapphire. I'm also a fan of Malmaison hotels in Britain. They're always fun and not too exclusive.

Favourite drive?

One of my favourite drives is from Manchester to Sheffield through the Peaks – that can be stunning. And going up to Glasgow through Cumbria – it's like The Lord of the Rings up there.

Best meal abroad?

In Tokyo, a place which did a tasting menu of classic old school Japanese delicacies – things I'd never heard of. It was 10 tiny courses of beautiful presentation and obscure ingredients.

Dream trip?

I've never been to South America. I'd love to fly to Argentina, get some steaks and red wine, do a bit of horse riding and then just work my way up to Mexico.

Favourite city?

London. It's always changing and never boring. As a musician it's the only place to be. If I was exiled from England, I would go to New York. A Londoner can navigate the city without feeling stressed. There are only a couple of cities in the world, probably just London and New York, where you can find all aspects of the world.

Where next?

Dublin and then the Maldives, both for work. The Maldives is going to be incredible – we're playing and then they're letting us stay on for a few days. I'm going to pack the remaining works of Hemingway and get myself a gin and tonic and have a paddle in the sea.

Mr Hudson will perform at Huvafen Fushi in the Maldives on 16 January to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the resort's Dream Calendar, a year of one-off events (huvafenfushi.peraquum.com).