My holidays

Jon Slattery- TV presenter

What’s your earliest holiday memory?

When I was nine we had a great holiday in the Algarve, Portugal but the food wasn’t good. On the last day we discovered an all-you-can-eat buffet with great food. I was starving and had never experienced one before. My dad said I was going to eat all the food I had on my plate. I got a quarter way through and turned green!

In New York when I was 13 a friend organised a day out with the local police. It was like The A-Team, CHiPs and Hill Street Blues – a dream come true! And I still have the badge they gave me.

What was your worst holiday?

Our holiday to the Greek Island of Zakynthos was doomed from the start. Ciara, my partner, crashed turning in to the car park at Dublin Airport. The area we stayed in was tacky, the food was dreadful and there was a mini earthquake! When leaving we had to check out at noon but the plane did not leave until 7am the following morning.

What was your best holiday?

South Africa on a volunteering holiday working with cheetahs. It blew me away as I was not expecting it to be as amazing for both the landscape and the wildlife.

While it wasn’t a holiday, arriving in Sri Lanka to make a documentary two days after the tsunami was one of the most amazing and terrible experiences. The realism of meeting people on the ground was incredible and makes you realise how lucky you are.

If budget or work were not a restriction, what would be your dream holiday?

I have an adventurous spirit and something like an expedition floats my boat. If you throw me in to the worst scenario I always like the challenge and push it to the limit. I’d love to travel through South America and there is more in the US I’d love to do as from one state to the next is like going from country to country.

If you had your pick, who would you bring on holiday with you?

Naturally Ciara as we travel so much in extreme situations. Otherwise I’d love to go away with my dad, Sean, again. A few years ago we went to San Francisco and it was funny to see him out of his environment. He was completely different, he adapted to situations and did things he would never contemplate at home.

What’s your favourite place in Ireland?

Kerry. I lived in Tralee when working in Radio Kerry. I learned how to surf and there is no better place when the sun is shining. The Fenit road is stunning with the mountains to your left and the open ocean to your right.

Your recommended holiday reading?

Best reads include The Godfatherby Mario Puzo, The Kite Runnerby Khaled Hosseini and The SAS Survival Handbookby John Wiseman.

Where will you go to next?

Over the summer we hope to film the next series about Ireland. I'm really passionate to put The Holiday Showspin on Ireland as there is so much to do in this amazing country.

Jon Slattery and Ciara Whelan will give a class on television production and presenting on May 12th as part of Coca-Cola Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival for Young People (cinemagic.ie).