‘Be willing to go anywhere... just book’

Name: Sarah Mercieca

Occupation: TV presenter, dance teacher and PSD and guidance teacher

My best holiday ever…

I don’t like to compare holidays or rank them in order of preference as I have enjoyed everywhere I have been for different reasons. If I’m forced to mention a few trips that stand out, then I will mention the two times I worked on a cruise liner and also a trip to Venice Carnival and the Dolomites with a group of friends a few years back.

That afternoon it was so cold my ponytail actually froze into an icicle and I think I would have been able to snap it off if I tried- Sarah Mercieca

I worked as a dancer on a cruise ship for two consecutive summers and had a great time cruising around the Mediterranean. We had been employed externally so we were not contracted directly by the cruise company, which meant we were treated like guests.

We also had lots of free time as we only did a few shows, so we were able to relax. The other dancers were great fun.

I was one of the organisers of the Venice Carnival/Dolomite ‘ski’ trip and look back on it with such fond memories. We went to the carnival first – something I’ve always wanted to do as I love the intricate masks and designs. Then we went to the mountains for about five days with the intention of skiing.

None of us had been skiing before and we hadn’t bothered to book a ski instructor; we just hired the gear and headed onto the slopes with comical consequences.

After a morning of falling over and laughing a lot, we gave up and opted for sledging instead. That afternoon it was so cold my ponytail actually froze into an icicle.

I would never return to…

There is nowhere I would never return to – in fact, I usually always find myself returning to places more than once. I always find something to do wherever I am.

I tend to do a lot of research before I go abroad so I have a huge list of things I want to do before I arrive. This means that on short breaks I quite often end up wishing I could stay longer.

If I’m on a longer break, I’m quite happy to spend a few days just relaxing away from the usual routine. I’m very easy to entertain and always find something to do, even if it’s just sitting in a nice café and watching the world go by.

The most dangerous place I’ve visited…

I’ve never really felt in danger abroad, although you have to be careful and take certain precautions in many big cities where there is wealth and poverty side by side. I used to live in London and when walking around I would wear what I called my ‘city camouflage hooded top, small rucksack, trainers, that sort of thing. Despite this, I still had items lifted from my bag on two occasions.

Barcelona is another city where you have to be on your guard for pickpockets and thieves. I once went into a sandwich shop there and my bag ‘disappeared’.

It contained my passport, visa cards, hotel room key… pretty much everything I needed to enjoy my holiday and return home.

After a lot of hassle, I was saved by a really helpful Spanish guy working after-hours at the Maltese Consulate.

My favourite city…

It’s so hard to choose as I like different things about different cities. I was in Barcelona recently and I just love the architectural design there. I also love Stockholm and Gothenburg equally – I have to say equally as those two cities see each other as rivals.

But London would be my absolute favourite – I could see myself living there again. When I was living there, I would open Time Out magazine on a Monday and plan my whole week – which shows and exhibitions to go to, which plays and ballet performances to catch… there is always so much going on.

And there are always the beautiful parks to while away the hours in. And if it rains and you don’t feel like the theatre or an exhibition, you can find a nice cosy coffee shop and people-watch over a delicious mug of hot chocolate… bliss.

My most memorable experience on an aircraft…

I was due to fly from Helsinki to Heathrow on July 7, 2005, the same day as terrorist attacks in London.

Many flights to London were delayed or cancelled altogether, which meant I waited around the airport in Helsinki for hours. To make matters worse, I was alone as I had been performing in a dance show but was flying back a day earlier than the other dancers as I had an exam in London.

When it was finally announced that it was safe to fly and we could board the plane to London my imagination started running a bit wild and I started getting nervous in case they were wrong and more attacks were planned. We were also prevented from taking any hand luggage on board.

My nervousness subsided when I was informed I had been upgraded to business class and spent the whole flight sitting in luxury talking to an Australian writer who happened to be sitting next to me. I forget his name, but he was very interesting.

However, when we landed I had another problem – the airline had somehow lost my luggage, which meant I didn’t have my ID, purse, cards, money, mobile phone and even house keys as I had been forced to put them in my suitcase. I didn’t even have my glasses!

Thankfully, I bumped into the Australian writer again in the airport and he very kindly gave me enough money to get home. I had to wait a while for a flat mate to let me in, but eventually made it to my own bed. My suitcase, on the other hand, did not make it back home for another 10 weeks!

To say I resented having to run through the streets of Luton in the driving rain, while dragging my suitcase, and after paying an £80 taxi fare, would be an understatement- Sarah Mercieca

The friendliest people…

I found Tunisian people to be very friendly, except the ones in the markets who try to sell you everything. I also found the people in Finland to be very warm and friendly. Unlike in other Nordic countries English is not widely spoken there, but the people try their best to make you feel as welcome as possible.

The taxi ride I will never forget…

I was trying to get to Luton Airport for a flight home to Malta to join the birthday celebrations of a very good friend. I’d allowed myself two hours’ travelling time from London plus an hour in the airport and thought that would be plenty. However, everything that could possibly go wrong in the London transport system that day seemingly did go wrong.

All the trains seemed to be delayed and all the roads seemed to be gridlocked. I jumped on the bus to try to take me to the train station to get the Luton connection but it got diverted and dropped me off in the middle of nowhere.

Eventually I bit the bulletand asked a taxi to take me to Luton Airport.

Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, we got stuck in another terrible traffic jam somewhere in Luton. By that time I was really panicking about missing my flight and the driver suggested the best option would be to get out and run. I had no idea where I was but he gave me rough directions.

To say I resented having to run the last part of the journey through the grim streets of Luton, through driving rain, while draggingmy suitcase, and after payingan £80 taxi fare, would be anunderstatement.

When I finally arrived dripping wet, the woman at the Ryanair check-in desk told me flatly that the gate was closed and I would have to wait for the next flight, which was leaving the next day. I was apoplectic by this point as I said the gate is supposed to close 40 minutes before.

What followed was a very lively discussion about whether I had arrived 40 or 39 minutes before the flight was due to leave. Needless to say, her Ryanair badge gave her the power of veto over my argument and I was forced to spend a night in Luton Airport before catching the flight the next day.

I return most often to...

London to vist friends and go to shows and exhibitions. And Spain because I love its variety; its regions and cities have so much to offer.

My next holiday plans…

I have only just returned! I haven’t booked my next trip yet but should be going to Sweden next summer as my boyfriend’s brother is getting married. I’m really looking forward to it as Sweden is such a beautiful country.

I tend to book trips at the last minute – I browse budget airline sites and see where they are offering the cheapest flights to and whether I will able to go on those dates. I book a lot of trips that way.

My dream trip…

I haven’t done any research on these places , but different people have told me to visit Mozambique for the pristine beaches, Sri Lanka for its fascinating culture and Cape Town for its lifestyle.

My travel tip…

As I said before, it’s always good to browse the budget airline sites, see where they are offering cheap flights to and to just book . Be willing to go anywhere and try anything – every place has something to recommend it.

Also, travel light and keep your valuables secure at all times. I tend to just take hand luggage on short trips.

For the ladies who worry about taking only hand luggage, my tip is to colour co-ordinate your clothes for the trip in advanceso you don’t have to pack lots of different shoes, handbags and accessories.