Celebrity traveller: Dame Kelly Holmes loves Singapore's bustling evenings
Dame Kelly Holmes won gold in both 800m and 1,500m races at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
Dame Kelly Holmes will run the Virgin Money London Marathon for the first time
Tomorrow she takes on a longer distance, 26.2 miles, when she runs the Virgin Money London Marathon for the first time.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE HOLIDAY?
My most memorable are always spent in South Africa. It is the most amazing country, with beautiful scenery especially towards Stellenbosch and Franschhoek with the mountains and colourful vineyards.
Combine that with the coastal towns and cities and then the contrast of amazing wildlife in the safaris.
AND YOUR WORST?
Tunisia was not nice. I felt like we were never left alone on the beaches with people selling items all the time
FAVOURITE SOUVENIR?
I don’t really get loads of things as I know I will hoard them. Or because I don’t need them. I do have a picture from Singapore and some gold coloured playing cards from Beijing!
The gold winner loves the scenery in Stellenbosch, South Africa
BEST HOLIDAY READ?
I really don’t read books but I do like listening to music. I have a varied collection of 70 and 80s pop, Motown and soft metal.
HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR TIME ON HOLIDAY?
I love to look around a country to the full, going outside the obvious areas so that I can experience real life. The world is an amazing place and it’s good to explore.
'Singapore is a real buzz, particularly the bustling evenings'
WHERE WOULD YOU REVISIT?
There are a few places. I loved Singapore, it was a real buzz, particularly the bustling evenings.
The north of Vietnam – it’s a very interesting country and I couldn’t believe how many bikes there were. And I would dearly like to get to New Zealand’s south island as I have heard it has beautiful sea and landscapes.
Kelly's last visit to Hong Kong was in 1989
WHERE NEXT?
I go to Hong Kong on business in June and I’m looking forward to that. I haven’t been since I visited in 1989 when I was still in the army. Then hopefully it will be down to Rio for the 2016 Olympic Games!
• To sponsor Kelly in tomorrow’s Virgin Money London Marathon: vmgiving.co/KellysHeroes