Rolf Zeitvogel, cellar master and MD of Blaauwklippen, chats to Vernice Shaw about street spitters and falling in love with South Africa

Your favourite city abroad and why? Munich. It's a place where tradition and heritage are perfectly fused with the best technology in the world.

What must a first-time visitor see there? If you love soccer, don't miss the Allianz Arena, and the Deutsches Museum is a place you can pass many days. Also, don't miss out on one of the famous beerhalls, such as Paulaner.

What was your best holiday, ever? Our honeymoon in 1989. It was our first visit to South Africa together, and I must admit it was then that we fell in love with this country. We travelled down the Garden Route and stayed in Cape Town for a few days. When the decision came to immigrate here from Germany, we did not need a lot of convincing at all.

What was your worst holiday ever? When my wife, Regina, and I visited China in 1996.

What happened? The cultural shocks were just too big. We travelled from Beijing to Hong Kong and the entire trip was a comedy of errors. I think China is probably more tourist oriented these days, but for us the pollution, the spitting everywhere and even some of the dishes were just too much to stomach.

What is the worst hotel you have stayed in? I cannot remember the name, but it was during the China trip. The hotel was new but not yet finished, and they were hammering day and night. The last straw was when, during breakfast one morning, the staff came running out of the kitchen screaming. A few minutes later, they ran back in through the dining room - with fire extinguishers. Needless to say, we left that same day!

What is the best thing you have been given on holiday or pinched from a hotel? A yachting book on how to tie knots. So many uses.

Your favourite SA destination, and why? The West Coast, the people and the landscape are untouched by outside factors.

Have you had any embarrassing moments as a traveller? Not yet, but my fear is that when my baggage arrives on the conveyer belt it might have opened and I will have to collect pieces of my underwear off the belt.

What do you avoid on holiday? Appointments.

What's your best piece of travel advice? Take your time. Rather visit fewer places, but savour the experiences.