Victoria Pendleton: Why the British should spend more time visiting Germany

Beaches bore Victoria Pendleton after about 10 minutes, but she’ll jump at the chance of an active trip – or to get her hands on a shark.

Surfing is my new favourite sport

I went on an incredible solo journey to Costa Rica this year for a bit of surfing – my new hobby. I was at a women’s adventure surfing retreat called Mad to Live, where I met a group of really cool women. We’ve arranged to do another surfing trip in Portugal. 

Costa Rica is heaven on Earth

In Costa Rica I saw how the world would have been if we hadn’t ruined it. The protected Nosara beach there was truly a sight to behold – totally unspoilt with only trees, shrubs and wildlife, and the water warm with bright-green waves. 

I can look terribly out of place on a beach

Because I’m usually wearing long sleeves and a hat. Tanning is not for me. I’m like an overly eager venture scout whenever I’m on a beach. Five to 10 minutes is my sunbathing limit. After that I’m like, “can we go for a walk?”

I’ve never seen stars like those in Bolivia

You can see so many galaxies because there’s no light pollution. One of the base camps I stayed at was on this tiny rocky outcrop with only just enough room for four or five tents. You can hear the rock falls going on around you, but there’s nothing hanging over you, so you’re perfectly safe.

I also visited a witches’ market in Bolivia where they sell dried llama foetuses. A historian, who did a lot of research on traditional medicine, took me there before we went to Lake Titicaca, which is quite a spiritual place where all the energy lines are trammelled across. It was fascinating to learn about how so much of history is based on Mother Nature.

I held a shark in Tasmania

It wasn’t too scary. One of the people I was fishing with thought she’d snagged a weed, reeled it in and it was a small gummy shark. It was only a foot and a half long, with no teeth, but so powerful, and its skin felt like sandpaper. I got to hold it before releasing it because it was a protected species. I don’t know who was more shocked, the shark or me.

I like being out of my comfort zone

Such as in China. I really enjoyed it during the Olympics and I’d love to explore more of it.

The most beautiful hotel I’ve stayed in

I slept among reed beds and paddy fields at the Jetwing Vil Uyana in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka – the most beautiful hotel I’ve ever stayed in. It’s situated within a private wetland nature reserve. 

Sri Lanka food was an assault on my senses but I loved it. The food was so spicy I used to get fits of hiccups, which people found very amusing.

Kyoto is incredible 

For its history and culture. It’s so beautiful, with so many temples and the Imperial Palace. I’ve yet to wear my hand-painted antique silk kimono I bought there, which is still wrapped pristinely in its original paper. 

Germany is a massively underrated destination

I have cycled through a lot of lovely countryside, some very idyllic places. I also love Munich, which is a beautiful city.

I know the perfect tiny and quiet resort

La Croisette in Switzerland – which has become my go-to skiing destination. I love how you can ski straight on and off the piste.

My favourite place in Britain

It is right on my doorstep – Radnage in the Chilterns. It’s beautiful and hilly, and full of horses. The leaves are turning for autumn and it’s just stunning.

I hate too much pampering

It can be creepy, such as when I stayed at the Evason Hideaway in Vietnam. I had my own butler catering to my every whim and found the whole experience a bit weird.

My worst holiday experince?

I was confined to my room, downing ginger tea and sweating for three days after I mistakenly drank the seawater in Taghazout, Morocco, while surfing. I was seriously ill and it was not fun at all.

There are no more free upgrades

My days of special treatment are long gone, such as on British Airways flights. I once got upgraded to first class soon after the Olympics as the pilot was a big cycling fan, but sadly that doesn’t seem to happen any more.

The eight simple secrets to bagging a free airline upgrade

My top travel tip

To prevent catching a cold on flights I always use First Defence Nasal Spray. Lip balm and keeping rosewater spray in a tiny decanter are also my essentials for long-haul flights.

In the bag | What's in Victoria Pendleton's suitcase?

My next adventure

It will be in Nepal, where I am going to do some serious mountaineering.

Victoria Pendleton has designed a women’s bike range exclusively for Halfords. The Pendleton Electric Somerby is available now in Halfords shops and online (from ￡750; halfords.com).

Interview by Nick McGrath