Q&A Lord Alistair McAlpine

Q&A LORD ALISTAIR McALPINE

Lord Alistair McAlpine, bon vivante, art collector and treasurer of the British Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher (he became a life peer in 1984 as Baron McAlpine of West Green) has always loved to travel. In Australia's far north west he is akin to royalty, he revitalised the little pearling town of Broome, preserving historic buildings and crating tourism with his Cable Beach Club. Now Lord McAlpine and his Greek wife Athena have opened their private holiday home, Il Convento di Santa Maria di Costantinopoli in Puglia, to select paying guests; so it seemed a good moment to ask him what are the essential elements of good hospitality.

 

What is your favourite airline for business or first class? Why?

Singapore Airlines. Because it's very good.
 

What three things do you never travel without?

A book, my pills and a hat.
 

What is the one luxury travel experience you will never forget?

As a teenager, travelling on the original Queen Elizabeth from Southampton to New York. It was caviar and crepe suzette all the way!
 

What is the most important thing (travelwise) that money CAN buy?

Money can sometimes remove obstacles in the way of a comfortable voyage.
 

What is the most important thing it can't?

Money cannot buy the pure excitement and joy of travelling. That comes from within yourself.

 

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