When you were starting out with the Spice Girls you must have had some mad trips with the girls?

One of our first big trips was to LA. It was before we got a record deal and we were flown over first class by Virgin, picked up in a stretch limo - which would be the height of embarrassment now, but at the time we thought it was brilliant - and were taken to the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. We were working- class girls and we'd never seen anything like it. In fact, I think we were still signing on at the time. In the hotel bar on most nights you'd get at least five movie stars. We were all in our early twenties and just ran riot.

Together we thought we were invincible and did things we would never have dreamed of doing alone. We would run amok, but I think it was quite charming and people seemed to enjoy it.

Had you travelled much as a child before being launched into this life of luxury?

My dad was a holiday rep and worked in the south of France and on the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada in Spain from when I was six until I was 16. Every summer I would take a coach down to visit with my auntie and cousin and stay with him for the whole six-week holiday. They used to run these bingo nights for the holidaymakers and I used to help dad by selling the tickets. People used to come up and say really loudly and slowly, as Brits do, 'One. Ticket. Please'. I had a really strong Scouse accent and would turn quite brown in the sun - they all thought I was Spanish!

What kind of traveller are you now?

Travelling with the Spice Girls rather spoilt me. I like travelling business class and staying in nice hotels now. Usually when it comes to holidays I just want to relax on a beach, but I am starting to get a bit bored with that and there are lots of places that I want to explore: India, New Zealand, South America. I want to see new cultures and learn new things. I'm making that transition from beach bum to culture vulture.

Are you quite an active traveller? You are Sporty Spice, after all...

I have been recovering from a bad knee injury and although I have been waterskiing in the past, I don't think I'll ever try skiing unfortunately. I love the sea and swimming and I've just got up the courage to start snorkelling - I've never really wanted to know what's in there with me. I had such a lovely time snorkelling that I'm keen to get my scuba diving qualifications.

On holiday in a city I'll often go for a nice run at rush hour. It's a great way to explore a city like Tokyo or Hong Kong.

Are there places you've visited so often they become a kind of second home?

I've spent a lot of time in LA. Many people can't stand the place, but I recorded my first two solo albums there, made some good friends and had a lovely time. There really is another side to LA. They're such a health-conscious bunch, as I am myself, and it's great to be able to go out on the trail or run along the beach at Santa Monica. That whole healthy lifestyle appeals to me.

Geographically California is an amazing state. There's so much to see and you can go up into the canyons where there are some lovely little restaurants. I did a bit of surfing at a place called Ocean Side south of LA too. A friend rented a beach condo for the summer and we went out on our surfboards. We saw dolphins and seals, which was incredible.

Do you ever find the paparazzi a problem?

I rented a lovely house on Barbados one year and loads of friends and family came over for Christmas. It's a great island for a lazy holiday. There are restaurants and bars, lovely beaches and great hotels. But you're going to get seen out there and there are lots of paparazzi.

It's a pain in the arse and it can ruin your holiday. It's difficult to relax because you're always conscious of possibly being photographed. More often than not you don't see them as they could be out on boats or hiding under a towel further down the beach.

I've got to the point now, though, where I refuse to let them ruin my holiday. There have been so many stories written about me that I think it doesn't matter anymore.

· Melanie C's new single 'Better Alone' is out on 1 August. Her album, Beautiful Intentions, is out now.