‘Never travel without a camera and good book’

Name: Renzo Spiteri
Age: 45
Occupation: Musician

My best holiday ever...

I left behind the whole set-up I needed for my performances in Cyprus back in my studio in Malta

There have been quite a few memorable holidays that would fit nicely into ‘my best holiday’ section, so I’ll go for the latest of them all. That would be in the northern Scottish Highlands enjoying the beautiful land and seascapes.

The country surpassed all my expectations. The scenery is breathtaking and it is so peaceful and quiet that the trip turned out to be a very inspiring one.

I would never return to...

I tend to avoid cities when I’m on holiday since I visit quite a lot of them when I’m travelling to perform. There are a few cities that I would like to avoid – probably Athens would top the list since I find it so chaotic and polluted.

The most dangerous place I’ve visited...

That would be a small town in the suburbs of Seoul, South Korea. I had a night free from performance commitments so I decided to explore some of the ‘real’ parts of the city and its surroundings.

Let’s just say that at one point in time I had a very close encounter with a gang showing off their skills with knives and other pointed objects!

My favourite city...

I am not a city person really; I just like them in small doses. My favourite would be a small city like Dublin. Having said this, I did enjoy my time in New York City and Chicago.

My most memorable experience on an aircraft...

While my partner and I were in Brazil, I was having a very close look at a detailed map of the Amazon Rainforest. There was one particular minute village that I spotted and thought it would be worth finding a way and a means of getting there.

After persistent inquiries we were told that a small aircraft takes medical and other supplies there. We did make use of this plane but from takeoff we realised that this could be our last day as living creatures.

My most treasured souvenir...

A wooden sculptured bearded face made out of a hard piece of bark given to me by a Ghanaian peasant.

My biggest gaffe abroad...

I was scheduled to play with a contemporary dance company at a festival in Cyprus.

It was a very hectic period for me, travelling from one country to another with different percussion set-ups. I had made a quick return to Malta and boarded the plane to Cyprus.

That night in the hotel lobby, I was having a chat with one of the dancers and she said to me: “How strange, you’re travelling very light this time”.

There and then I realised that I had left behind the whole set-up I needed for these performances in Cyprus back in my studio in Malta!

The next morning was a very hectic one, as I tried to assemble a set-up for the evening.

The friendliest people...

Some of the friendliest people I’ve met were in Bolivia – very kind-hearted and so welcoming.

I never travel without...

A camera and a good book.

The taxi ride I will never forget...

There are a few, I must admit. One that comes to mind right now is a taxi from Cork Airport. A visual artist friend and I were on a commission there and we got into the first taxi we saw at the airport. After just a few metres of travelling on the open road we realised that the driver was completely drunk!

My all-time favourite photo...

A very treasured photo of my partner and me on one of the mountain peaks that lead down to Machu Picchu. It’s amazing how the ruins reveal themselves when one reaches a certain point after an arduous five-day trek.

An unforgettable hotel...

Since I’ve just mentioned Machu Picchu, my mind immediately goes to a hotel, which is in one of the most beautiful mountain regions a few kilometres away.

I return most often to...

I am not one to do return visitsto holiday places but theScottish Highlands are certainly a welcome exception.

My ideal travelling companion

My partner, definitely.

Country with the best cuisine…

It has got to be Italy. I had the opportunity to travel across the country and taste the fabulous cuisine in the various regions during my three-year residency there.

My next holiday plans:

No specific plan yet but it will be somewhere far, Asia most likely.

My dream trip...

Crossing the Atlantic on a nice big boat.

I partied hardest in...

I am no party animal but there are a few exceptions – one being in Viareggio, Italy.

I had just played a concert with some foreign musicians. A very well-known Italian TV personality came to congratulate us in our dressing rooms and invited us to this very exclusive club frequented by other well- known Italian personalities. That was one party to remember.

My travel tip...

See as much of the place as possible, wherever you are, and make an effort to meet the local people as they are the best source of information. A good guide book helps too.

Renzo Spiteri’s latest album Silence, Sounds and Spaces is available for purchase from the artist’s website www.renzospiteri.com, or from D’Amato and Exotique outlets.