How often do you travel?

I travel extensively, so I am on a plane about four days a week on average. Last year, I was on another book tour in the UK, US and Canada. Earlier this month, I was in New York doing a tribute gig for David Bowie. I travel a lot for work but also fit in holidays with my wife and visits to our children.

What do you need for a perfect holiday?

To me, it’s not about being anywhere, but being able to change my perceptions and experience something new.

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Earliest memory of travelling abroad?

I was born in a small town called Sarnia in Canada. My father, who was an aerial survey pilot flying Boeing B-17 planes at the time, was based in Maracaibo in Venezuela, so I learnt to walk and talk there. He then became an airline pilot for Air Canada, and we got free airline passes, so our family was travelling a lot – to the UK, Europe, the Caribbean. Sometimes we’d just turn up at Toronto airport on a Friday afternoon, and jump on whatever plane had some seats left and just go.

Most beautiful location viewed from space?

The Bahamas are gorgeous. The deep trench in the ocean floor called the Tongue of the Ocean, which comes between the islands, is the most beautiful deep indigo colour.

An aerial view of the Bahamas Credit: AP

Also, the Southern Lights [in the Antarctic Circle]. When I was once outside on a space walk, they were literally pouring past me, through my legs. To be directly amongst all the texture, colour and movement of the Southern Lights (it is not just green and a little red, but all colours of the rainbow) was astonishing. There is a sunrise or a sunset from space every 92 minutes so there is an incredible amount of beauty to see from up there.

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Memorable places visited for astronaut training?

I lived in Star City near Moscow, and Moscow on and off for five years. I also lived and worked in Tsukuba, which is north of Tokyo in Japan. In Europe, I spent time in Cologne, Germany as well as locations in the US including Houston, Texas, Florida and California.

And during your time as a pilot?

I was a test pilot up in the Mojave Desert in the hills outside of Los Angeles. I was based on a Canadian Forces Base in Bagotville, Quebec, where I Iived near a fjord near the city of Saguenay and could watch whales nearby.

Best thing about space travel?

Doing a space walk. It is one of the most rare human experiences. To leave your spaceship and go outside, so that you are alone in the universe with Earth distant and the universe around you. That is amazing.

Your most adventurous travel experience? (Apart from space...)

I travelled to the 82 degrees north point of the Earth last summer on a Soviet icebreaker. Standing on the glaciers in both Greenland and the Canadian Islands up there was very amazing.

Your most relaxing destination?

We have a summer home, a little cottage built in 1896 on Stag Island in Ontario. The island has no vehicles, except bicycles, so it is very peaceful and we’ve been going there since I was a child. It is the place I go to recharge myself.

Best holiday ever?

When a friend and I took six months in our late teens to visit the UK and Europe. We earned money to fund it and backpacked and stayed in hostels and went all over, from Norway to southern Turkey, taking in the Greek Islands, Barcelona, and Pompeii among other places.

Favourite hotel?

Any of the Fairmont hotels, which are a Canadian brand. I really like the ones at Banff Springs, Lake Louise or Jasper.

Favourite city?

Moscow, because of its history, which I find fascinating. As I learned to speak Russian, it made it even more interesting.

Favourite restaurant?

The French Laundry in Napa Valley in California. It is often rated one of the best in the world.

Favourite place for a drink?

The Chelsea Wine Bar in El Lago, Texas, has a room upstairs where I would rehearse with my band while looking out across Taylor Lake. I was based in Houston, close to the Johnson Space Centre for 21 years.

Favourite city for nightlife?

Toronto, as it has such a multicultural feel, with so many different restaurants and theatres.

Toronto by night

Worst travel experience?

Succumbing to a stomach bug after drinking water in Madrid, on my trip to Europe when I was 18. I was in a hostel and spent hours dealing with horrible vomiting and diarrhoea.

Favourite airline?

Air Canada, which regularly wins the best airline in North America award. Singapore Airlines and Etihad are also good. As for the worst, you get what you pay for. Most budget airlines anywhere in the world are going to leave you dissatisfied after using them.

Best piece of travel advice?

Do your homework in advance about the actual travel details so transportation issues do not define your holiday.

Best travel health tip?

Imbibe three or four times as much water as you think you need and skip at least one, if not two meals, when you are travelling. You should arrive at your destination feeling slightly hungry and your digestive system reset.

Your one travel essential?

My guitar. I took one with me on my six-month tour of Europe as well as into space.

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What do you hate about holidays?

The emotional build-up and anticipation if you travel at Christmas can make it harder to enjoy a trip. I think sometimes it is better to travel outside of conventional holiday times for that reason.

Where next?

In February I will be speaking in Ottawa. My family and I may go to Stag Island for a few days. I will be in Scandinavia and south-east Asia after that. I haven’t been to Patagonia or the south of New Zealand, and I’d love to go to the Galápagos Islands or The Andes too.

The Galápagos Islands

Chris Hadfield is speaking at the Unique Lives series of talks in in Bristol, Edinburgh, Dublin and London from January 18-23. For more information, see uniquelives.com/chris-hadfield-uk.

Interview by Roz Lewis