UR TV CAST

Specialist travel agencies have turned their energies to coming up with imaginative ways to stretch the alliance fares to the limit to offer you the widest range of stopovers at the most reasonable prices.WHERE DO PEOPLE GO – AND WHERE SHOULD THEY GO?These days, virtually anywhere you might want to go can be “folded in” to a trip. Twenty-five years ago, most RTW economy-class fares were around £1,300-£1,850, while out-and-back return tickets between the UK and Australia or New Zealand cost from £800-£1,100. A major upheaval occurred when, after years of competition, British Airways and Qantas joined forces in the mid-1990s, opening up a flood of cheap RTW possibilities.The combined route network of the two airlines and new pricing structure meant that passengers could fly to Australia and/or New Zealand via the western hemisphere and return via the eastern (or vice versa) for the same price as a normal out-and-back return ticket. But I also love New York; each time I’ve visited, I’ve been happy there and also sad to leave.Where are you going next? I consult for Celebrity Cruises and I’ll be joining one in Venice developing new dishes, training staff and monitoring the quality. Michel Roux is the chef/patron of The Waterside Inn, Bray, Berkshire (01628 620691). I’D LIKE TO FLY WITH ONE SINGLE AIRLINE, PLEASE

I’D LIKE TO FLY WITH ONE SINGLE AIRLINE, PLEASE
Not possible I’m afraid These days, no airline flies right around the world.

A round-the-world (RTW) ticket is a series of flight coupons (in one or more tickets) that will take you around the globe on two or more airlines.HOW MUCH DO THEY COST?A lot less than they used to. I’d probably do it on my own and I’d just take one credit card and a few clothes.What is your favourite city? I have two. In Europe, it’s Paris for its beauty, its food and wine, its romance and all the attachment I have to it. Or if I haven’t been there before and am staying a couple of days, I’ll enquire where the wholesale food market is. If there isn’t one, I’ll visit a small market.To where would be your dream trip?Crossing America on those long and boring roads through the desert riding a Harley Davidson.

So much so, if I knew it was my last meal, I’d go again.What’s the first thing you do when you arrive somewhere new? If I’m staying in a luxury hotel, I’ll ask to meet the executive chef. It must have been around 20 years ago, but it was the meal of my life – a total revelation. I also love walking in the mountains – the Alps are my favourites.Where have you had your best meal abroad? At Michel Gu?rd’s Les Pr?d’Eug?e in Eug?es les Bains, France. There was no announcement from the pilot for three or four minutes. Everything was OK and we landed almost immediately at Heathrow, but it’s not an airline I will fly with again.Where is the worst hotel you’ve stayed in? I’ve never stayed somewhere bad, but I have walked into a couple of hotels, realised it was the wrong hotel for me, and walked out.And the best? The Mandarin Oriental – I’ve stayed at the one in Miami a few times and I’ve known the Oriental in Bangkok since the early 1970s – it’s magical.Where is your favourite walk? It’s boring and it’s also linked to one of the next questions, but it would be a food market.

We had some heavy turbulence and dropped 1,000ft – all the oxygen masks came out and one of the stewardesses passed out. But I also find a lot of excitement in arriving somewhere too.What has been your worst travel experience? Flying on Olympic Airways from Athens 15 years ago. If I was 30 years old, I would go and work there.Is it better to travel or arrive?I love travelling because that’s when I can think about where I am, where I’ve been and where I’m going – it’s a good moment for reflection. I think Thailand has become a bit too touristy and I imagine that Vietnam is a bit like Thailand was 30 years ago. He’s a happy dog – the ideal companion.Are you a beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie? I’m more culture vulture, as I like to see the vestiges of the past. There are some places that just have to be seen, like the Great Wall, the Taj Mahal and the Grand Canyon – they are so beautiful.