CAROLINE HICKSON, director of public affairs at Concern, describes her holidays
What's your earliest holiday memory?Running around a hotel in Roundstone, in Connemara, at the age of six with my cousin. It was raining outside, so we couldn't go out or we'd get into trouble. My first time out of Ireland was to Magaluf, in Majorca, aged 11. It's a concrete jungle, but I thought it was the most fabulous place.
What was your worst holiday?I ended up in hospital in Laos with very bad stomach problems when I was backpacking. I'd just arrived and realised that something was not right. The hospital was not very sophisticated and said to come back in three days for test results. For three days I didn't eat anything, was on my own and could only concentrate on the worst trashy novels.
What was your best holiday?I backpacked for six months around Asia, and I fell in love with India. It is one of those places you either love or hate. It is full of colour, and the people are fantastic. I have been there three times, once with Concern. With Concern it was off the beaten track. When you visit a temple everyone wants you to take a photo with them. It's the closest to celebrity you ever get. I must be in the photo albums of 500 Indian families.
If budget or work were not a restriction, what would be your dream holiday?I'd like to travel around South America for a year on a slightly-higher- than-backpacking budget. I'd love to go to the Galapagos Islands and Bolivia. I've been to Argentina and Chile, which are quite First World, but I want to experience South America's more indigenous countries.
If you had your pick, who would you bring on holiday with you?My partner for any adventurous and interesting holiday, but my girlfriends for a holiday where I am doing little, getting coffee and shopping.
What's your favourite place in Ireland?I love Wicklow. I think, having lived in other cities, it is amazing that Dublin has the Wicklow Mountains on its doorstep. I stayed in a B&B on Lough Dan a few weeks ago, and the vista in the morning was fabulous.
Your recommended holiday reading?Novels which are not too complicated but not too light. I have just read The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry and Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín.
Where will you go to next?Unfortunately, I have to write a thesis this summer, but my partner lives in Ghent, in Belgium, so I will spend much of my summer there. My next travel plans are to Armenia next year. It is a most extraordinarily beautiful place. It sounds very unspoilt and welcoming.
** Caroline Hickson is director of public affairs at Concern. Its Make Your Mark on Hunger campaign is at www.concern. net/makeyourmark
** In conversation with Genevieve Carbery