Robin Bailey is a radio and media presenter with more than 25 years in the business. She is currently number one in the tough breakfast-time slot in Brisbane on 97.3FM and spends some of her weekend on The Weekend Today show as a contributor.
She also podcasts for the Mamamia network and is currently a presenter on The Well with good mate and writer Rebecca Sparrow, talking about how to achieve a happier life.
Robin spent her youth with a family who travelled for fun. From starting school in the UK while her father was on sabbatical, to sitting out a cyclone in Fiji for the Christmas holidays or backpacking around Europe discovering art, food and her first taste of wine.
Radio presenter, Robin Bailey, in front of the Mona Lisa (Image: Robin Bailey)
Fast forward 30 years and Robin has given that same love of travel to her three boys. As a single mum of curious teenagers, Robin and her sons have skied in Germany, been chased by a rhino in Africa and swum with wild dolphins in Mauritius.
Robin recently took time out to chat with Flight Centre about all things travel including packing mistakes, tips and her favourite holiday moments.
What's your favourite holiday destination?
Most recently, just last Christmas, I took my boys and another family self-sailing around the Whitsundays on an amazing catamaran called Portland Road. It was so great to holiday at home and I absolutely loved the Great Barrier Reef!
How do you beat jet lag?
I do what everyone says you should try and do, but often without success, which is to stay awake until the evening of the country I am in regardless of how many hours I've been awake.
I also drink lots of water, and I know I shouldn't drink during the flight, but I do have a celebratory champagne whenever I get on board. Maybe that's why I don't get jet lag very often.
What's your favourite city to visit?
I love Paris, but mind you who doesn't. I also have a soft spot for Istanbul after teaching English there during my gap year back in 1988. The colour, the smells, the shopping and the mix of East-meets-West makes for an intoxicating city.
Sunset over colourful Istanbul (Image: Getty)
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What was your favourite meal?
I love to try whatever the local dish is to the area we are visiting. It may taste disgusting – Haggis in Scotland – but at least I give it a go!
Adventure or luxury?
Adventure every time! Doing things I've never done before, pushing myself to the limits both physically and emotionally makes holidays memorable.
I love finding new things to try like having dead skin eaten off my feet by fish in Thailand, skiing in the German Alps or watching a pride of lions walk past our four-wheel drive in Africa – the lion turned and roared at us!
That one moment was so terrifying and exciting at the same time – wanting to physically protect my children, but knowing any movement could be dangerous.
What is the essential ingredient of a good holiday?
For me and the boys it’s a sense of adventure and a complete dedication to having fun.
For Robin, a roaring lion was a terrifying and exhilarating sight (Image: Getty)
Best travel tip?
Talk to people and share in their experience as well as your own. Say yes to everything offered to you, as it could lead to an amazing adventure, and I believe if it's not meant to happen something will stop it.
What's your biggest packing mistake?
I'm always packing too much. When will I learn to be a minimalist.
Where do you want to go next?
I would love to do a cruise with the boys; I think it would be fun to hang on a ship for a week and get off at cool places.
Our next big trip is to the States. We are planning it for Christmas this year, so we are starting to organise now.
I think it will be a combination of touristy must-see places and some out-of-the-way locations. If I can pluck the courage up to drive on the wrong side of the road, I would love to drive some of Route 66 with the boys and see what we can find.
