Pippa O'Connor: I regret not learning French properly. My mum was fluent

Pippa O'Connor shares some of her favourite travel memories

Pippa O'Connor: Paris is so special to me

Entrepreneur Pippa O’Connor knows how to build from the ground up, whether it’s her fashion empire, beauty brand, or a growing list of travel tales. She’s as excited about her newest beauty venture as she is about her next getaway. But when it comes to travel, it’s her personal memories that stand out most.

Favourite childhood holiday memory

I’m the youngest of three, and my brother and sister are five and seven years older than me, so I always felt like the baby. My mum was a single mum, and when my brother and sister were in school, she and I would often go on little holidays, just the two of us. We had great family trips too, but I have strong memories of visiting Nerja in Spain together. It was a quaint little Spanish town, and I remember eating paella there for the first time. We’d always go to the same restaurant and the little local market. It was such a lovely, quiet place, and we went back year after year. Those trips really stuck with me.

Most memorable trip

Bringing our boys to Lapland. We’ve only done it once, but we managed to keep it an amazing surprise. Louis was six, and Ollie was nine at the time, and it was just magical. You have this idea in your head of what it will be like, and you wonder if it will be that magical – and it really was.

We stayed in this gorgeous place called the Arctic Treehouse Hotel, like little treehouses on stilts in a forest. It was just so well done, and I always recommend it to friends who haven’t been yet. It’s one of those trips I’ll never forget.

Most surprising destination

Every time I go to Italy, I’m surprised. It’s such a big country, but there are so many different elements and places to explore. Lately, I’ve been going for work, and I’ve ended up in these tiny little villages that I probably wouldn’t have chosen to visit myself. It’s incredible, because you’re experiencing the real Italian culture and seeing a side of Italy that’s not as well-known. I love that feeling of being transported to a different time.

I’ve been lucky enough to meet local manufacturers for work, and you get to see the heart of the country, the parts that feel completely different from places like Rome or Milan. Italy keeps surprising me – just when I think I’ve seen it all, I discover something completely new.

Favourite cities

I love London. I go there a lot, and every time, it feels different. There’s always a new restaurant, a cool vintage shop, or a new cocktail bar to check out. I think I still get that excitement every time I visit because I’m not living there. I love going to shows in the West End, and there’s just always something happening. It never feels the same twice.

If I’m going on a city break, whether it’s with my husband, Brian, or a friend, it’s usually London or Paris. Paris is so special to me. We’ve been there for baby-moons, we’ve celebrated big birthdays there, and it just has this romantic, timeless feel. I love visiting galleries, discovering little vintage shops, and just wandering the streets. I always wish I spoke French! My mum was fluent, and I really regret not learning it properly when I was younger.

Most beautiful country

There are so many, but Greece stands out. Santorini, in particular, is breathtaking. Brian and I have been a couple of times, and the quieter parts of Santorini, perched on the cliffs, are just incredible. Every time I’ve been, I’ve had that moment where I stop and just take it all in. The views don’t even look real; they’re that beautiful.

Favourite thing to do while travelling

Because I’m always on the go, I love to do as little as possible when I’m away. I’m not someone who wants to go on a hike or do a big tour – I just want to switch off. It’s probably the only time I get to actually sit and read a physical book! At home, I listen to a lot of audiobooks when I’m in the car, but when I’m on holiday, I try to switch off properly. If I’m with the kids, it’s obviously different, but even then, I consciously put my phone away and just be in the moment. I also love beautiful scenery and taking photos, so I gravitate towards visually stunning places.

Bucket list trip

As a family, we’ve been talking about going on a safari. None of us have been, so it’s something we’d love to do together. Billy is three now, so maybe in another year or two when he’s a little older. I need to do more research, but it’s definitely on our list as a big family adventure.”