Amir Khan's Travelling Life - Telegraph How often do you visit Pakistan? I usually go twice a year. I have family in Rawalpindi, which is about 15 minutes outside Islamabad, and I either go just before the summer or later in the year - I can't cope with the intense heat at other times. As I go to see family and friends, it is generally a very laid-back time. I've been to the city's Raja Bazaar, which is a great market, and the Ayub National Park is beautiful. Memorable travel experience? I have been to Mecca three times, which is always very special. I usually go during Ramadan for a few weeks and do the Umrah Pilgrimage with my family. I have also visited Medina and other important sites, such as the Cave of Hira and Jannatul Mualla. I now organise my boxing timetable around Ramadan, as it takes a while for the body to readjust after fasting for a month. Do you indulge in the local cuisine on your travels? Yes, although I am careful about where I eat when abroad. As a professional athlete, I don't want to risk illness. When I am in training for a fight, I have a chef and a cook who look after my diet. When I am travelling, say with my family or for work, outside boxing, I rely on recommendations from friends. A good-quality hotel, preferably near a beach, in a country that has warm weather and good company. If I am with family we will go and sightsee. I do like going to new places and trying out new resorts, but if I only have time for a short break, I'll go somewhere I know well like Dubai or Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. And your earliest travel memory? Going to Disneyland Paris with my family when I was nine. I remember being very excited about getting autographs from Mickey and Minnie Mouse and experiencing the rides. Favourite city? London. I think it has everything: great people and facilities, unbeatable shopping and good hotels. I visit a lot for work and I love the place. The Atlantis in the Bahamas. It has a casino, a water park, great restaurants, a fabulous pool and a very large gym. I also tried snorkelling and had some lovely barbecues on the beach. Have you ever travelled rough? When I was boxing as an amateur in 2004, I was driven for several hours across Lithuania to fight in the European championships. It was a very long bus drive that seemed to go on for ever. I'd never been to that country either, so it was unfamiliar and strange. I was fortunate enough to be invited out to watch England play in South Africa in the Word Cup in 2010, and while I was there I went to the Kruger National Park. It was amazing to see so many animals like giraffe and zebra walking next to our truck. Virgin Atlantic because it provides great service. I have friends who have travelled in economy and they tell me they were treated as if they were in first class (I'm fortunate as I usually do travel in first class). Plus they allow athletes to check in sports equipment free. Drink more water than you think you need to on flights. On arrival, stick to bottled water as getting stomach upsets from the local water isn't worth the risk. Worst travel experience? My last trip to Pakistan three months ago was memorable for all the wrong reasons. I had an altercation with a very rude member of check-in staff because my luggage was three kilos over, even though it was a suitcase full of clothes that I was going to give to poorer fans in the local villages. So I ended up paying the excess. Then I got severe stomach cramps from the in-flight meal and ended up in hospital that night with food poisoning. Currency conversion. I always get mixed up and either give too little money or too much - and you can guarantee that if you do give too much you never get it back. Before I get married, in late May, I plan to go to either Dubai or Miami for a week's break.