Claudia Boyle, opera singer
What’s your earliest holiday memory?
I’ve really good memories of travelling around France in the car with my parents and three sisters. It was the place we visited most. We’d get the ferry over and my parents would bring wine back. They loved the food, language and the culture. We travelled all around including, Paris, Cannes and Nice. We’d have great fun in the car, including nerdy family singalongs.
What was your worst holiday?
I went to Florida with my boyfriend three years ago and enjoyed it so much we went back again the next year. I’d never do that again as it’s really not good to go back so soon, to the same hotel and expect the same thing. The previous year we’d really enjoyed all the theme parks, the portion sizes and the vibe.
It didn’t help that to start the second holiday we both forgot our driving licences. You really need a car around there. We had a car booked but we couldn’t collect it and were stranded for four or five days until our licences were couriered over.
What was your best holiday?
Last year we went to the Caribbean. We spent a week in Barbados then island hopped to St Lucia. The beaches were so perfect it was like being in a postcard. I sent so many pictures home the day I arrived. The weather was great and the seawater perfect.
If budget or work were not a restriction, what would be your dream holiday?
I’ve always wanted to drive across the US, maybe Route 66. It’s such a great country which has so many aspects to it. They know how to do things and the people are amazing. I love that people are positive and they do customer service very well.
I’d also love to travel around Thailand for three or four weeks or to visit China for its culture.
If you had your pick, who would you bring on holiday with you?
I’d love to go anywhere with my boyfriend, but aside from him my little sister Natalie. She’s five years younger than me – she’s my best friend. My two older sisters are twins so they always had the twin thing going on. But Natalie and I have similar personalities and I’d never be bored with her.
What’s your favourite place in Ireland?
I’m really enjoying Wexford, it’s friendly and has a great atmosphere and a buzz about it.
Your recommended holiday reading?
Norwegian fiction writer Jo Nesbø has written a series of detective books. He's similar to Stieg Larsson but a bit more serious. His book The Snowmanwas such a page-turner.
Where will you go to next?
My fascination with America continues and I’m trying to convince my boyfriend to go to California and down the coast. He wants to go somewhere different, like South America, but maybe I’ll get my way. But I’m also going to Rome and Berlin with work. One of the pros about going away with work is that you have days that you’re not called in, so I’ll have some free time to look around.
- Claudia Boyle will be performing at the Wexford Festival Opera later this month in La Cour de Céliméne(wexfordopera.com)
In conversation with GENEVIEVE CARBERY