The life and soul of any gathering Menaka Galgamuwa is best described as lively and a girl with a big heart. Menaka works as Head of Planning for a Group of Companies. A self confessed foodie who loves to cook and eat Menaka also loves reading and listening to music.

Why do you love travel?

I enjoy experiencing different cultures and exploring different parts of the world.

Your favourite travel destination and why?

Hard to pick one as each destination offered a different experience. If I am to pick one country, I would say Italy. I have always felt at home in Italy that I keep returning every year.

What do you need for a perfect holiday?

Guidebook, my music and fabulous reading material.

In which country have you felt most at home?

UK (of course was my home for 8 years).

Most unusual souvenir you have brought home?

A beverage bucket from Koh Samui. They serve drinks in buckets, no one drinks from glasses!

Worst holiday or travel experience?

Hmm, cannot remember any.

Best piece of travel advice?

Research about your destination and plan out what you would like to do/see and have an open mind.

Your top five travel destinations?

Tuscany, Egypt, Prague, Koh Samui and Greece.

What has travel taught you?

To be independent. I have travelled on holiday by myself quite a lot and find the experience absolutely liberating.

Which country did you taste the best ever cuisine?

Italy of course! (Now you know why I keep going back).

Next travel destination?

Australia.

By Tina Edward Gunawardhana