James Nesbitt on discovering paradise in New Zealand and the problem with holidays in Britain

James Nesbitt, the Northern Irish actor, recalls the extraordinary beauty of Macedonia, partying with Berliners, and the best dish he's ever had.

My favourite place in the world

… is the harbour in Portrush. I have a house there now and it's where I play golf. It's a place that has benefited enormously from the peace in Northern Ireland. There was never any trouble there but now people come from all over the world to visit it. Wonderful food, beautiful beaches, and not far from the Giant's Causeway.

The Northern Irish are everywhere

...it seems, wherever I am in the world. And because it’s such a small place, everyone thinks I'm part of their family. There was a group of young Irish folk who came over to me at a bar in Hong Kong recently and I said, 'Come on then, let's have a quick photo', and one woman said, 'Oh no Jimmy, I don't want a photo - do you know where the karaoke bar is?'. It was quite funny.

I'm the best sleeper in the world

...I could fall asleep on a washing line. The only thing that wakes me up on planes now is my own snoring, which is awful. But I sleep on flights and I adjust to the new time zone as quickly as possible so generally I avoid jet lag.

I knock myself out

...with a few glasses of wine on a plane or on the first night at a hotel. I drink a ton of water and slather on moisturiser to keep hydrated too. I'm very lucky to be able to travel on a flatbed on planes where they give you nice toiletries with lotion and I put that stuff all over me. I’m a Northern Irish presbyterian..I love a freebie.

Berliners know how to party

...I was there for the Berlin Film Festival in 2002 and we won the Golden Bear award for Bloody Sunday so it was a good night. There's such a huge choice of place to go no matter what your taste is.

The problem with the UK is

… everywhere shuts too early. I've always had a good time in places like Italy and Spain where you can eat late. Great weather and people wandering around at night. It's all very civilised.

I’ve always loved Rome

… for the local cuisine, which for me is an important consideration when it comes to picking a holiday destination. While filming the next series of Lucky Man, I tried the street food in Hong Kong which was really interesting too. I had an amazing fish ball soup dish which is one of the best things I've ever eaten.

My most treasured holiday souvenir

… is Bofur’s [the character I played in The Hobbit ] little fighting mallet. I kept it after we finished filming.  At some point I’d love to auction it for a charity in Northern Ireland but it’s just so lovely to have that.

I discovered Paradise

...a place in the South Island of New Zealand which really is like paradise, it’s astonishing. I travelled to the country so many times when we were shooting The Hobbit and the flight is brutal. But it's the best location I've filmed in. I visited both islands and it's incredible.

Macedonia was extraordinary

...too when I was there filming Welcome to Sarajevo. They have beautiful lakes and mountains. I've been very lucky with filming locations.

Seeing places you would never normally

...get to visit is obviously a huge privilege in my job. But being abroad for long periods of time you do miss your family and friends.

All I need in my suitcase

… are a few t-shirts, jeans, comfy trainers and some good books. I took ones by William Boyd and Sebastian Barry with me for my last trip. I used to take a different outfit for every day which is just nonsense.

Warm and friendly people draw me back

...to the same country time and time again. I love the people in the Algarve, we have lots of friends there. I used to go to Mauritius always around Christmas too because it was just such a nice time to get away and the people there are so welcoming.

I have a soft spot for Manchester

...because of their reaction to the return of the Cold Feet television series, which has been brilliant all around the country. But the people of Manchester have been particularly good to us.

I've never been to the Far East

… so that's on my bucket list. I took my daughters to Mexico last year and we loved it but seeing Thailand at some point would be amazing too.

The next series of Lucky Man, starring James Nesbitt, begins tonight at 9pm on Sky One.

Interview by Emma Cox