Carlo Nash
Carlo Nash, 35, Professional Footballer & co-author of Luxury Backpackers guidebooks
What was your first holiday in Europe?
My first holiday in Europe was when I was only 6 months old, so obviously I can’t remember too much. We drove down to the Adriatic Coast in Italy, passing through France and the Swiss Alps. We stayed with some Italian family friends who owned a hotel in Riccione and they spoilt me rotten. They wouldn’t even use the baby food my mum brought from the UK, they just blended spaghetti Bolognese for me!!
What was your last?
Jill (my wife) and I went to Tuscany last summer to a thermal spa. We love exploring the Tuscan countryside and the food and wine is always the highlight!
What do you love about Europe?
I suppose it’s the rich and diverse culture and the ease of getting everywhere, its so close to the UK yet can feel like you are the other side of the world. I love the fact we can pop over to Paris for the weekend or spend a few weeks travelling around different countries. Italy, is my favourite destination as it has everything you could want in a country, marvellous mountain ranges of the Dolomites to glorious beaches in Sardinia.
Favourite hotel?
Palazzo Sasso, Ravello, Amalfi Coast, Italy. It’s a beautiful little hill town and where we got married. It’s so intimate, run by a local family and the service (and views of the coastline) are incredible.
Worst Hotel?
I can’t even remember the name of it. Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam. Bugs in the room. We had to take the curtains down to shove under the gap in the door to stop anything crawling inside!
Favourite city?
Probably Rome. We’ve been there 7 or 8 times and everytime we go we find something new, even though it’s a popular destination for tourists, there are always little corners to explore that are off the beaten track and full of locals.
Favourite beach?
Definitely has to be in Palawan, Philippines. I have been to some amazing beaches all over the globe, but the beaches here are, in my opinion just perfect. The beaches here are completely untouched, you can walk for miles without seeing anyone, and the sea is amazingly clear, so the diving and snorkelling is world class.
Favourite restaurant?
Robataya, Tokyo, Japan. It’s a unique restaurant with plenty of atmosphere to keep you entertained for an entire evening. Although expensive it’s worth the trip especially when staff greet you by yelling IRASSHAIMASE (welcome), you feel like a celebrity being announced. Food is laid out like a traditional buffet with the chefs kneeling in the centre, just point to the food you want, they cook it, and pass it to you on a paddle. The kobe beef is amazing as are the different strengths of sake and shoju.
Who / what do you never leave home without?
My camera and my wife!
What do you never leave Europe without?
My phrasebook. I love learning new languages, I already speak Italian but am learning Japanese – the locals love it when you make the effort to speak their language.
Ferry, ship, plane, train, or car?
I love flying but we took the Blue Train last year from Cape Town to Pretoria and it was amazing. You see so much more travelling this way.
What is your worst European travel memory?
Cracking my breast bone whilst skiing in Switzerland. Painful!!
What is your “golden rule” of travel?
Embrace every trip as an adventure!!
What’s keeping you busy at the moment?
Our new book. ‘Set Jetting in style’ a book focussing on film inspired travel, we’re covering everywhere from Cambodia (where Tomb Raider was filmed) to Gozo (where Try was filmed).
My first holiday in Europe was when I was only 6 months old, so obviously I can’t remember too much. We drove down to the Adriatic Coast in Italy, passing through France and the Swiss Alps. We stayed with some Italian family friends who owned a hotel in Riccione and they spoilt me rotten. They wouldn’t even use the baby food my mum brought from the UK, they just blended spaghetti Bolognese for me!!
What was your last?
Jill (my wife) and I went to Tuscany last summer to a thermal spa. We love exploring the Tuscan countryside and the food and wine is always the highlight!
What do you love about Europe?
I suppose it’s the rich and diverse culture and the ease of getting everywhere, its so close to the UK yet can feel like you are the other side of the world. I love the fact we can pop over to Paris for the weekend or spend a few weeks travelling around different countries. Italy, is my favourite destination as it has everything you could want in a country, marvellous mountain ranges of the Dolomites to glorious beaches in Sardinia.
Favourite hotel?
Palazzo Sasso, Ravello, Amalfi Coast, Italy. It’s a beautiful little hill town and where we got married. It’s so intimate, run by a local family and the service (and views of the coastline) are incredible.
Worst Hotel?
I can’t even remember the name of it. Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam. Bugs in the room. We had to take the curtains down to shove under the gap in the door to stop anything crawling inside!
Favourite city?
Probably Rome. We’ve been there 7 or 8 times and everytime we go we find something new, even though it’s a popular destination for tourists, there are always little corners to explore that are off the beaten track and full of locals.
Favourite beach?
Definitely has to be in Palawan, Philippines. I have been to some amazing beaches all over the globe, but the beaches here are, in my opinion just perfect. The beaches here are completely untouched, you can walk for miles without seeing anyone, and the sea is amazingly clear, so the diving and snorkelling is world class.
Favourite restaurant?
Robataya, Tokyo, Japan. It’s a unique restaurant with plenty of atmosphere to keep you entertained for an entire evening. Although expensive it’s worth the trip especially when staff greet you by yelling IRASSHAIMASE (welcome), you feel like a celebrity being announced. Food is laid out like a traditional buffet with the chefs kneeling in the centre, just point to the food you want, they cook it, and pass it to you on a paddle. The kobe beef is amazing as are the different strengths of sake and shoju.
Who / what do you never leave home without?
My camera and my wife!
What do you never leave Europe without?
My phrasebook. I love learning new languages, I already speak Italian but am learning Japanese – the locals love it when you make the effort to speak their language.
Ferry, ship, plane, train, or car?
I love flying but we took the Blue Train last year from Cape Town to Pretoria and it was amazing. You see so much more travelling this way.
What is your worst European travel memory?
Cracking my breast bone whilst skiing in Switzerland. Painful!!
What is your “golden rule” of travel?
Embrace every trip as an adventure!!
What’s keeping you busy at the moment?
Our new book. ‘Set Jetting in style’ a book focussing on film inspired travel, we’re covering everywhere from Cambodia (where Tomb Raider was filmed) to Gozo (where Try was filmed).
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