Kevin Hill - Author
What’s your earliest holiday memory?
In summers we’d visit relatives in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, England. I lived here with my parents until I was five. It was always a lot warmer and more Continental than the Irish east coast, and I even remember swimming in an outdoor pool.
What was your worst holiday?
Melissa had never travelled on holidays abroad before we met, whereas I had been away on lads’ holidays. The first holiday we took together was to Crete. We prepared for about four months, but it quickly disintegrated. Melissa did not realise how strong the sun would be and had brought very low factor sunscreen. Within two days she was extremely badly burned and was in bed for days with sunstroke. We had spent most of our money by the end of the holiday – we were only 22, so had a limited budget. But we did not have any money left to pay for a barbecue in the complex. We had agreed to go to the barbecue but didn’t end up going. So the hotel threatened to keep our passports unless we paid. Luckily, an Irish guy overheard and paid for it, so we could go home. Now we’d be more confident and put our foot down, but we were young and naive.
What was your best holiday?
The best holiday was driving 4,500 miles across America in three weeks. We landed in Los Angeles and ended at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We drove through so many places I’d wanted to see and there was a great sense of freedom. We went to Nevada, to Utah (with hidden gems such as Monument Valley and the Arches), New Mexico (where we detoured to Roswell and its kitsch museum with little green men) and to New Orleans (which was fantastic).
If budget or work were not a restriction, what would be your dream holiday?
We’re lucky to have done a lot of travelling, it’s our number one passion. One area we want to go to is Southeast Asia – Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. As soon as you’d step off the plane you’d know you were somewhere different, off the beaten track and not westernised.
If you had your pick, who would you bring on holiday with you?
Myself and Melissa are such a team I’d find travelling hard without her.
What’s your favourite place in Ireland?
Galway city. I love the vibe down there to get away from Dublin. There’s a really easy-going feeling and there is so much to do nearby, such as driving through Connemara.
Your recommended holiday reading?
I’m a big Bill Bryson fan. Travelling through Australia reading his Down Under book was a journey within a journey. Even in his latest book, At Home, he brings you on a journey without leaving his front room.
Where will you go to next?
Probably a simple trip to Maspalomas in Gran Canaria after the book furore dies down. We always hit the ground running there as we know where to get our favourite foods. It’s a home from home holiday to recharge our batteries rather than for exploration.
Tabooby Casey Hill (pen-name of Kevin and Melissa Hill) is published by Simon Schuster, £12.99
In conversation with GENEVIEVE CARBERY