Why? The best piece of advice ever given to me by a bank manager was to go to north Majorca. It was wonderful - very quiet, a haven for rare flora and fauna, and had spectacular views. Few locals speak English in the north, so you get a real sense of being abroad.

The best thing: We visited beautiful gorges in the north of the island and also found the capital, Palma, fascinating.

My ideal day: We'd set off early with a packed lunch and take a drive to an isolated gorge for a long walk in search of local wildlife. The countryside is teeming - without especially looking for it, you'll see snakes and the sort of rare wild birds you only usually find in books. One, a vulture, was so large that it looked like a flying tea-tray.

My advice: Pack a stout pair of walking shoes and a good phrase book.

Getting there: easyJet (0870 6000000, easyjet.com) has flights between Luton and Palma, Majorca, from £75 return.

Where was your best holiday? A trip to Florida, when my children were younger.

What is the best hotel you have stayed in? Chewton Glen Hotel in the New Forest (01425 275341, chewtonglen.com, from £290 per room per night). You can't beat it for sheer luxury.

Where do you want to go next? Thailand.

What do you never travel without? I've always got a corkscrew in my pocket. It's not so easy now, but I also always travel with two or three chefs' knives.

·Terry Farr is chef patron of Friends Restaurant in Pinner, Middlesex (020-8866 0286).