Hugh Sheridan: ‘The trip to the Mediterranean that changed everything’

I like to sail, and the most spectacular place that I’ve been to, a spot I actually love, is Bonifacio on the southern tip of Corsica.

It’s lovely. It used to be a part of Italy after which the French took it over, so it’s obtained the better of each locations.

I bear in mind being on the boat and searching the window and seeing these pink rocks proper subsequent to the canal and I assumed, “Wow, that looks like Kakadu.” You sail by way of and also you see this unbelievable port – that was the most breathtaking place I feel I’ve ever been. 

I liked the reality it had this French and Italian crossover tradition – the meals was wonderful. I like Italian meals and I felt prefer it had the better of Italian meals, but additionally had unbelievable contemporary pastries.

See additionally: 12 engaging European cruises to ebook

See additionally: John Cleese’s scathing lodge evaluation sparks fury

It’s a tiny little port. There wasn’t a giant inhabitants, however once I was there, there was dancing in the streets till 2am. After everybody went to mattress, I went again for a stroll up to the high of this fortress – it felt like I used to be very a lot on a film set. 

A buddy of mine, who has since handed away, very generously lent me their yacht. We have been all going to go on a trip, a bunch of us, after which at the final minute the precise proprietor of the yacht couldn’t come. I went with one buddy. We had no concept the place we have been going. We obtained on in Sardinia, which can be lovely, then we went to Corsica after which we sailed throughout to Amalfi, which I simply love. I like Capri. I’ve all the time wished to return. 

I’m quantity six of seven youngsters so the solely place we actually went on vacation rising up was about half an hour away from our home in South Australia. It was one shack that slept 10 folks and we have been all simply in bunks. It was idyllic to me, so the concept of going to the Mediterranean couldn’t have been an additional dream. 

I by no means left the nation till I used to be sufficiently old to save up and go. I didn’t know that I’d love being on the ocean a lot till a lot later. Growing up in South Australia you don’t actually have a tradition of crusing a lot since you don’t have a harbour and it’s uncommon for somebody to have boats except, after all, you might have wealthy mother and father, which I didn’t.

I’ve learnt to sail a little bit bit since that first trip to the Med. The final time I went to Spain I obtained to go on a lovely large crusing boat and it was simply spectacular. I did truly enrol with a yacht membership to learn the way to sail however have by no means executed it – I undoubtedly need to be taught, although. 

I’ve executed a little bit little bit of crusing up in the Whitsundays. One of my bosses who I’ve simply began working with lives on a ship up at the northern finish of Australia so I’ll be placing in the deal that he has to train me how to sail. 

I’ve all the time obtained a variety of inspiration from travelling. There’s one thing romantic about it since you take the time to mirror, and simply arriving at a brand new airport or in a rustic that you’ve by no means been to. Travelling is such an effective way for folks to be collectively. We create reminiscences in our houses, however we additionally create reminiscences after we’re away, whether or not it’s in an Airbnb at a seaside that’s 4 hours away or someplace abroad.

For now, I’m very completely happy to be in Australia. I just lately took a variety of buddies round South Australia about the identical time I proposed to my accomplice, Kurt Roberts, so we might all be there for it. We went tasting at wineries and I took them to seashores the place I grew up on the Fleurieu Peninsula. They all simply thought it was so spectacular. 

It’s so good seeing a state like South Australia by way of the eyes of buddies who’re from Sydney or Melbourne. I’ve usually thought that I haven’t seen something as lovely as the shoreline on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Where would possibly we honeymoon? It will in all probability be in Australia, possibly crusing someplace. Maybe we’ll have the opportunity to sail on a ship – that appears like a dream to me. 

Hugh Sheridan is again in his position as Ben Rafter in Back to the Rafters, screening on Amazon Prime Video.

See additionally:

How to do Italy in 5 days… at house

Cranky cows have taken over this European seaside