Paul Merson, an ambassador for an addiction recovery platform, reveals how he missed seeing sights including the Great Barrier Reef on his travels because he ‘chose to drink instead’
Ex-footballer and pundit Paul Merson checks into our travel Q and A
This week, ex-footballer and pundit Paul Merson checks into our travel Q and A.
Among other subjects, Paul, who is an ambassador of an addiction recovery platform, speaks candidly about how at one stage of his life he missed out on seeing world-famous sights because he was preoccupied with drinking.
Earliest travel memory?
We went to Warner’s in Hayling Island every year. My dad hated flying and to this day has never been on a plane.
First time abroad?
The Algarve. I had just started playing for Arsenal so I could afford to go.
In your football career?
Singapore, Hong Kong, Hungary, Sweden and Switzerland.
Did you see many sights?
When we went to China on a pre-season with Arsenal, I was drinking heavily at the time, so I chose to drink rather than go to the Great Wall. In Australia, I chose to drink instead of going to the Great Barrier Reef. I was there but I wasn’t there. I was in the bars.
Paul, who is an ambassador of addiction recovery platform Recoverlution, says that during a visit to Australia, he chose to drink instead of going to the Great Barrier Reef (above)
Favourite place?
I love America. I used to go on Concorde when I was earning good money. I’d fly over for the weekend to watch the New York Jets or the Knicks play.
I love Florida, even though I’m about to turn 55. I’ve got three little kids — eight, five and two — so we did Disney last year, which was great. My older children are 21-year-old twin girls and boys aged 32, 30 and 28.
And Europe?
We like Majorca; my wife Kate’s mum has an apartment there.
Favourite hotel?
The Grand Floridian in Disney World and the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Florida.
Favourite UK holiday?
A caravan in Weymouth. The kids love it, even if the weather isn’t great.
Paul is an ambassador of addiction recovery platform Recoverlution. Go to recoverlution.com, or download the app.
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