Novelist Jeffrey Archer is no novice to travel. Promotions of his bestsellers take him across the globe from France, Dubai and India. Following a night spent watching a game of his favourite sport, cricket, he sits down to talk to ET-Travel about his latest book, Best Kept Secret and his world travels.
How much of reality of the places do you figure into your writing?
I like to write about places I’ve visited. Whether it’s New York, St Petersburg or Bunos Aires. I want my characters to talk about the actual nature of the places they are in, be it the taxes or the locals. It’s the same for most writers I guess... it’s safer to use places that you have physically been to.
Many travellers pick up a Jeffrey Archer book while they are travelling. What does Jeffrey Archer read on his trips?
Well, currently I'm reading the latest John le Carre novel along with another book about Caravaggio art.
Aside from the promotional travels, what kind of destinations do you like to travel to?
My wife Mary and I love visiting new places each time we travel. For our last holiday we took a cruise on the Queen Victoria to Sweden, Denmark and Norway. We’re always looking for new places to experience. I also love going to cities with good art galleries. I’m a mad art gallery fiend. Twice a year my friends Christopher and Simon and I visit Italy. Each time we choose places we’ve never been to before and then we go to the major art galleries and Simon instructs us about the works. Last year we went to Siena and Naples.
What is your least favourite part about travelling?
The air travel. I’m always anxious to get to the destination. I want to BE there. I’d like to be able to press a button and reach the place and then press a button and be back.
What’s the one thing that you always travel with?
My Kindle. I like keeping track of how many people are buying my books. Where the sales are most from and so on.
Places on your ‘must-visit’ list?
I’d like to go to Brazil, Cuba and China.
Any interesting shopping picks that you’ve brought back from your travels?
Well, each time it’s different. On one of my India trips, I picked up a statue of Ganesh carved out of sandalwood. He’s now in my study... looking carefully over my books.
A travel recommendation..
Visit St Petersburg in Russia.
How much of reality of the places do you figure into your writing?
I like to write about places I’ve visited. Whether it’s New York, St Petersburg or Bunos Aires. I want my characters to talk about the actual nature of the places they are in, be it the taxes or the locals. It’s the same for most writers I guess... it’s safer to use places that you have physically been to.
Many travellers pick up a Jeffrey Archer book while they are travelling. What does Jeffrey Archer read on his trips?
Well, currently I'm reading the latest John le Carre novel along with another book about Caravaggio art.
Aside from the promotional travels, what kind of destinations do you like to travel to?
My wife Mary and I love visiting new places each time we travel. For our last holiday we took a cruise on the Queen Victoria to Sweden, Denmark and Norway. We’re always looking for new places to experience. I also love going to cities with good art galleries. I’m a mad art gallery fiend. Twice a year my friends Christopher and Simon and I visit Italy. Each time we choose places we’ve never been to before and then we go to the major art galleries and Simon instructs us about the works. Last year we went to Siena and Naples.
What is your least favourite part about travelling?
The air travel. I’m always anxious to get to the destination. I want to BE there. I’d like to be able to press a button and reach the place and then press a button and be back.
What’s the one thing that you always travel with?
My Kindle. I like keeping track of how many people are buying my books. Where the sales are most from and so on.
Places on your ‘must-visit’ list?
I’d like to go to Brazil, Cuba and China.
Any interesting shopping picks that you’ve brought back from your travels?
Well, each time it’s different. On one of my India trips, I picked up a statue of Ganesh carved out of sandalwood. He’s now in my study... looking carefully over my books.
A travel recommendation..
Visit St Petersburg in Russia.
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