‘I’d rather stay on my balcony and remain pale’: Comedian Helen Lederer recalls her holiday adventures and why she avoids lining up her sun lounger next to others
Comedian Helen Lederer, who has been revealing her travel adventures
So what is the comedian’s earliest holiday memory and the most exciting destination she has visited?
Here Helen Lederer talks about her favourite hotel, where she’s going next and why you won’t find her sunbathing with other holidaymakers…
EARLIEST HOLIDAY MEMORY?
Aged five in Austria, and being scared about joining an all German-speaking children’s skiing class. The instructor kept shouting at us.
MOST EXCITING DESTINATION?
The Nile, Egypt. I was filming a TV programme with Tony Slattery. He slept on the banks of the Nile while I stayed in all these hotels full of art and marble pillars.
FAVOURITE UK DESTINATION?
Bath. I love the Bath stone twinkling at me from the train window as I arrive.
WHERE NEXT?
Ibiza. My daughter lives in the north of the island where it’s pretty and rustic.
WHAT DO YOU AVOID?
Lining up my sun lounger close to other people. Once I’m flat on my back with a book and a cocktail, I don’t like to engage with others. In fact, I’d rather stay on my balcony and remain pale.
EVER HAD A BAD FLIGHT?
On the way back from Spain, we ran into turbulence and the person in front freaked out. I got rather scared myself because this kind of thing can be catching.
EVER FELT IN DANGER?
In Tuscany, I was staying in a villa high up a hill with a gravely access road. I hired a car and, for some reason, put it in neutral and glided down. Trouble was, I couldn’t steer it. We rocked over into the steep drop below. Luckily, I survived and climbed out to see the car hanging over a ravine.
FAVOURITE HOTEL?
Hotel Rural in Frigiliana, Spain, pictured. Helen says there are ‘gorgeous little pods with mosaics in the hillside’
I found one in Ibiza but won’t say where because I want it to be quiet when I return. But I’ll tell you about Hotel Rural in Frigiliana, Spain. There are gorgeous little pods with mosaics in the hillside.
WORST HOTEL?
On a recent trip to Corfu, I stayed at an all-inclusive where there was no privacy. The reception area was vast and so brightly lit it felt like I was in a fluorescent kitchen. There was no art on the walls, no atmosphere and lots of people staring at each other without talking.
FUNNIEST MOMENT?
Everyone reading the same Joanna Trollope book at the pool in a Club Med.
ODDEST THING YOU’VE EATEN?
Artichokes in Cyprus. Every time I took off a leaf, there was another centipede. My parents made me eat it because we were staying with people and it would have been rude not to.
DO PEOPLE EXPECT YOU TO BE FUNNY ALL THE TIME?
If they do, they’ll be disappointed. I’m bashful about revealing my derriere on the beach and always have a sarong.
- Helen stars in a special festive podcast, The Back Seat, which has been created for new national station JACK Radio. Download it or subscribe on most podcast channels, or listen online at jackradio.com or via the JACK Radio App.