'I will always love ... Italy': singer Belinda Davids on her holiday bests

The thing I remember most about my childhood holidays is Christmas. A Barbie doll, happiness. Decorations, food, my grandmother.

My first trip abroad was to Dubai when it was still small in comparison to how much it has grown now. I stayed in a five-star hotel and was absolutely amazed by the world outside [then] Port Elizabeth. I was performing six nights a week to a sometimes empty club but having so much fun.

I was born and raised in Gqeberha but my home base now is Cape Town. If I were to show a tourist about in Gqeberha, I'd show them the Opera House, a wonderful historic theatre where I was able to perform my show to my home crowd. I'd also show them the beach, a great place to meet the locals, and the boardwalk at sunset.

The most adventurous destination I’ve ever been to was Crete in Greece. It is a small island, which you can cover on a drive in two hours from one end to the other. I discovered quite a few interesting things like a convent, a beautiful resort and spa that was rated number one in 2016 in the whole world, I believe. And the people are so relaxed and chilled. It was the perfect little getaway.

My favourite international city is Pesaro, Italy. It's a gorgeous town on the Adriatic Sea. I was there recently and I love the chilled energy people have. They have long summers and short winters. No-one is in a rush to do or go anywhere. A perfect day there for me would be waking up, having a double espresso with a pastry, going on a long walk or a bike ride, then going to the beach. Lunch at the beach and a snack for dinner but wine is compulsory.

I am an adventurous eater when I travel. I’m a foodie and I love eating traditional food. I haven’t come across anything that I didn’t like. In China I went to a French restaurant for my birthday and had snails for the first time. It’s wasn’t bad but I won’t have it again.

The best place for a night out is Tel Aviv. There is nothing better then going to a bar/restaurant/ club on the beach for drinks and good food and good music.

The one thing I always make sure I do on holiday is tan.

When travelling, I am a sucker for a good martini.

I think Denmark and the Netherlands have the most welcoming/friendly locals. I found Germany a little bit tricky. I never know with Germans. Sometimes, people are very friendly and sometimes you need to put them in the microwave for two minutes.

I do collect souvenirs on my travels — I buy coasters.

This past new year, I travelled to Florida by myself in three days from SA to perform for the president of the US. That was hard but rewarding.

My ultimate bucket-list destination is Japan. I love the culture.

My perfect holiday involves summer, food and tanning lotion.

My best destination ever was Italy and I’m about to go back.

My most relaxing destination is Greece. I turned off my phone for 10 days and it was nothing but silence from that moment on.

A memorable restaurant I ate in overseas was Gordon Ramsay's Savoy Grill in London. From the reception to the dessert, it was nothing short of incredible.

• The Greatest Love of All: A tribute to Whitney Houston is on at the Joburg Theatre until September 10, after which the show moves to the UK. Book here.