David Howell Talks Travel

10 questions about holidays, golf, family memories and the places that leave a lasting impression.

1. What's your very first holiday memory?

My first memory of a holiday would be our family holidays in Menorca. We went there for four years in a row when I was between two and six years old.

I can vaguely remember being there during the last of those years. Golden sandy beaches with sand so hot we could barely walk on it, dinners out with family friends that we met there and generally lots of 1980s family fun.

2. What's been your favourite holiday you've ever taken?

The holiday that comes to mind would be our first skiing trip to northern Spain as a family.We mixed a city break in Barcelona, a wonderful city, with four days skiing up in the mountains at a resort that was just perfect for learning to ski.

Heading up the mountain with my three boys, no phones, just wonderful scenery and precious time together that I really valued.

This was followed by a return to Barcelona for a couple more nights and some sunshine. The perfect winter break.

3. Is there somewhere you've visited that completely surprised you?

I'd say Shanghai, and China in general, surprised me.

I wasn't sure what to expect when we first visited, but Shanghai especially is such a vibrant metropolitan city. Seeing China's progress over the years has certainly been very eye-opening.

It's also a country that has been kind to me on the golfing front, so that's always an added benefit.

Moscow is also a stunning city, much more beautiful than I ever expected. I was only there for a couple of nights, but it felt very European in so many ways. I think that surprised me and I'm glad I've been.

4. Golf has obviously played a big part in your life. Which holiday destinations or resorts would you recommend for someone looking for a fantastic golfing holiday?

I have a soft spot for Marbella, as that's where I first hit my first golf shots when I was six years old, once again on a family holiday at the wonderful golf club called Aloha.

In fact, we played there recently, which felt like a bit of a homecoming.Three courses in the area, Aloha, Las Brisas and Los Naranjos, make up three fantastic venues just outside Puerto Banús, with Marbella town only five minutes away.

It's a really cracking area and although it's not a resort, if you have access to those three courses then you're very lucky indeed.

Failing that, I think Turkey has become a really good resort destination. Very different from southern Spain, of course, but the hotels in Belek are sensational and the golf courses, most of which are beautifully tree-lined, are absolutely stunning.

For a full-on golf resort holiday, it's probably hard to beat. I'd say you could do much worse than going to Belek, and the all-inclusive nature of those resorts is always fun once you're there.

5. What's the most spectacular golf course you've ever played anywhere in the world?

Old Head, just outside Kinsale in southern Ireland, is the most remarkable piece of golfing landscape that comes to mind.

Some of the tee positions on the modern links course they've created there really are quite mind-blowing.

That being said, you do want to play it on a beautiful day. I can assure you, having tried both, that's much more preferable than a cold, wet and windy one.

6. Have you ever had a holiday disaster or something go completely wrong that you can laugh about now?

My biggest near miss on the travel disaster front came when I tried to check into a hotel in China and realised I'd lost my passport.This was going to mean a trip from Shanghai to Beijing to go to the consulate to get a temporary passport and all sorts of trouble.

Amazingly, five hours later, an American chap who got into a cab found my passport between the seats in the back of the car, having rummaged around looking for a pen that he himself had dropped.

Unbelievably, that very same gentleman was heading to the golf tournament I was playing in to meet his friend Julian Suri, who happened to be teeing off in the group behind me the following morning.

How that turn of events came to fruition I will never understand.

It's safe to say I was very happy to see him when he turned up the following morning with my passport.

That being said, after my knight in shining armour had met me on the second fairway, I was so giddy with happiness that I promptly shanked my nine iron straight into the bushes.

An early flight home was soon to be booked.

7. Is there a particular meal you've had somewhere in the world that you'll never forget?

I've been lucky to dine in many nice restaurants around the globe, of course, but the meal that comes to mind straight away was in Spain after nine holes of a round of golf at PGA Catalunya.

We stopped off for a mid-round snack, only to find a seven-course Michelin-star catered meal paired with seven different wines.

It's safe to say our golf over the back nine was not quite as good as our golf over the front nine, but without doubt that was one of the most surprising meals I was ever lucky enough to enjoy.

8. Is there a particular place in the world that holds a special personal memory for you?

For many years our family holidayed in a little town just north of Castellón on the east coast of Spain.

We still visit, but as it's our little secret I won't tell you where it is!

9. Where's next on the holiday calendar for you and the family?

My next planned holiday is skiing with the family just after Christmas.We're heading to the French-Italian border with some friends, which should be spectacular.

Montgenèvre, I believe, is the resort.

10. Finally, if you could send a postcard from anywhere you've ever visited, where would it be from and what would the message say?

I'm a homebird at heart, so my postcard would simply say

"I can't wait to get home."

I guess that's the privilege of having travelled extensively for over 30 years.

In terms of where I would send it from, I think Cornwall, where I haven't visited since I was an amateur golfer.

I've always fancied going back with the kids. I must make sure to make that happen one day.

I just want to say a  massive thank you to David for taking the time to do this for me. I know how busy life can be so it really does mean a lot. I've loved reading his stories and memories, and it's been a real pleasure having him involved in this month's feature.

If you want to know more about any of the destinations mentioned by David please get in touch

Thanks again David, genuinely appreciate it.