Danielle interviews Claudia

Claudia speaks to our Fashion Editor Danielle Radojcin

Claudia Winkleman sits opposite me looking as subtly glamorous as ever, chatting through her latest travels for Handbag.com's new special feature that will be letting you, the Handbag reader, find out how the high flyers travel in style - brought to you by BAA.  Over the next few months, Claudia will be interviewing a string of stars but for her first interview we've turned the tables and Claudia will be interviewed by me as I discover her travel secrets.

 
You're known for your presenting roles on numerous TV shows and I'm sure you get to travel a lot with work, but outside of this what most inspires you to travel?
Everything. I love all forms of travel - even if it's a pedalo. I like movement. I love flying, and I love airports. I like different noises and different foods and different views. I realise that makes me sound weird! - but travel is great for a change of scene.

The Claudia we see on screen is always happy, sprightly and seems to have endless energy, but when you go away which of these best describes you: beach bum, culture vulture, or thrill seeker?
Definitely a beach bum. No question. I like having a lie down in the baking sun while small men bring me pina coladas. Have I said too much?

Small...? Anyway...
We're getting ahead of ourselves, before you even get to the airport you're at home preparing for your travels, what's your pre-flight beauty regime? Which beauty items can't you fly without?
I'm allergic to any beauty regime. Although a moisturiser and a lip balm are good while flying. But I also think just having a glass of water and a prawn sandwich is good enough...

Personally I have a very busy lifestyle and I'm sure you're the same, are you a spontaneous traveller, or do you like to plan holidays months in advance?
I'm spontaneous for nothing in life except travelling. I remember being in my early 20s, and buying last minute holidays with a girlfriend on Ceefax. My family is always nervous around summer time because I suddenly decide it's a good idea to go on a fishing holiday in Cornwall. This summer I'm tempted by the Alps. Mainly because I like herbal throat lozenges. Ahem.

With the kids running around, and everything turning to pandemonium before you head off to the airport do you find there's always something you forget?
Probably contact lenses. Once, when I was on holiday with my mother in law, I forgot to pack trousers. Which wasn't good. I'm not a brilliant packer. I'm a bit scared of people who are good at packing. People who use tissue? I could never be really friendly with someone that organised.

I don't know where they find the time!  Do you like to shop for your holiday before you leave, or when you arrive at your destination?
I like to shop at the airport! Other than reaching your destination - it is undoubtedly the best part of travelling.

When does your holiday begin then, when you leave home, or as you arrive at your destination?
From the second the cab's outside my door, or the moment I step on to the Heathrow Express, I'm on holiday.

You get to the airport, you've left the hustle of the city behind you, are you a carry-on only, or a check-in three suitcases kind of person?
I used to like a carry-on. But now I travel with kids, I check everything in.  Maybe not the kitchen sink, but close!  I do like the freedom once you've checked-in, and you're in the lounge with only a passport and boarding pass to carry.

I'm a fan of shopping whenever possible, if I could shop when sleeping I would. Do you enjoy shopping at the airport? And which brands in particular do you look out for?
My favourite type of shopping is at the airport, because you get a discount, and so it feels like it's free!  I like to treat myself with a Lancôme mascara, say, or something from MAC. I also love to shop at Smythson - they have bright yellow key rings. What's not to love?

You've sailed through check-in and security, and you and your family are settled on the plane, what kind of music do you like to listen to while flying, or do you prefer to watch films?
I prefer watching movies. It's such a great opportunity to watch girly films that I wouldn't be able to watch with my weird action film loving husband. I watched 13 going on 30 on a plane once. Jennifer Garner realises what's important in life and marries her childhood sweetheart and I cried OUT LOUD for a whole hour on the flight.

What was your earliest memory of flying in an aeroplane?
I was 11, flying from New York with my family, and I seem to remember they gave you a see through bag with a small pen and something called a ‘notelet book'. It was extremely exciting.

Which celebrity, dead or alive, would you be excited to find sitting next to you on the plane?
Elvis. Or Jon Snow - I've got a thing for Jon Snow. A man that bright who also isn't afraid of a jaunty tie is seriously attractive.

Really?  Maybe he'll be one of your interviews over the coming months... So the flight has landed, you walk out of the airport, what would you suggest to travellers hoping to explore a new city?
Go to the local bar and don't go anywhere recommended by the guidebook. Is that mean? The problem with the places that are recommended is that everyone else is going there too. Make friends with the concierge if you're staying in a hotel. They know everything...

Claudia Winkleman thank you for talking to us, I look forward to hearing more travel tales from the high flyers you'll be interviewing in the coming months.  Will you be entering the competition to win the shopping vouchers on the handbag site?
Of course!

And with that Claudia and I part company, maybe we'll meet again shopping at the airport for the next Smythson diary!

For more information on BAA airports, service listings and store directories - visit www.baa.com/shopping

 

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