Holiday Package

Destination 98 Larragh, Co Kerry.

Why? Have you been there before? Yes, we have a small cottage there - my favourite place on earth.

Travel companions? My husband Mark and our two boys Jack and Tito.

Any special pre-holiday purchases? Tilly lamps, torches and raincoats. We have no electricity and it always rains.

Who packs your bags? We all pack our own, more or less, and then throw everything into the car, including the guinea pig.

Three things you won't travel without? Lots of games, alcohol and a dictionary.

One thing you always forget? Guinea pig food.

What books are you planning to take? Will you read them? Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder, Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks and Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres. Who knows if I'll read them?

Favourite aspect of holidays? Without electricity, the concept of time changes .

Pet holiday hate? In certain countries not being able to enjoy adventures on my own because of male harassment. Oh yes - and mosquitos. (There is a similarity.)

What do you bring for emergencies? I try not to have emergencies.

Your best holiday ever? Nepal. Trekking in the foothills of the Himalayas. Being surrounded by such daunting magnificence stays with you forever.

Your worst holiday ever? Never had a really bad holiday but there have been some hairy moments. I've had giant rats in my room and cockroaches in my sleeping bag but the worst was an overcrowded train in Mexico which kept stopping for hours. The toilets were broken and the heat and the stench unbearable.

Best thing about coming home? I'm stress-free and feel I can face anything.

Worst thing about coming home? It wears off after about 48 hours.

In conversation with Sarah Marriott