Q. What’s the best way to travel?

I like throwing myself into situations that scare me, and travel offers all of that. I love the risk and the unknown because it terrifies me into action, although no one would ever know because I’m good at hiding my fears. Being fearless, or trying to be fearless, is the best way to live, and definitely the best way to travel. Go to the shabby cafe instead of the posh restaurant; take the little alley instead of the main road; try the local delicacies instead of what’s on the English menu. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to be transported to some barren, Arctic wilderness, but take me to a city and I will feed off the culture.

Q. Can it be difficult to separate travel from work when you’re abroad on a shoot?

Yes, that sucks, when you you’re in one of the most beautiful or culturally important places on Earth, yet all you’re doing is staring down a camera, or dressing up to get to an awards ceremony, but that’s just part of this world. By the same logic, I would never be in those places were it not for my career, and you always get a bit of free time. Modelling is where I started and I’m never going to turn my back on it. I thank it for everything I’ve done and without it I wouldn’t be here now. And in a way, acting is like having a holiday away from myself.

Q. You’re a renowned party girl at home, so is the same true when you venture off on holiday?

Pretty much! It’s just the way I’m programmed – I can’t just sit around. I want to soak up the culture, I want to do outdoor sports – parasailing, windsurfing, skiing. I want to party. We’ve had some great times in Mexico, the Maldives and Los Angeles, but wherever I am, I can’t just sit around. It kills me.

Q. Given your hectic work life, at some point you must want to chill out when abroad?

When I’m away I don’t want to change my whole existence. I get that people want to escape and throw themselves into some kind of fantasy world where they can pretend to be someone else, but I’d rather just do the same in different places. Staying at Finolhu Baa Atoll in the Maldives was pretty special – friends, amazing beaches, beautiful people. That was me at my most chilled.

Q. What other beach location have you loved?

Parrot Cay on Turks & Caicos (a Como property, pictured above) was wonderful. We were always in kayaks or just dipping our toes in the water or fishing. The people were so warm, so friendly – that’s the kind of thing travellers remember. The other thing that struck me was the sky – it’s just so big, so beautiful. You lose that in the cities, but when you’re by the ocean it’s you and the stars.

Q. Do you have a typical routine when on holiday?

I’m not a morning person at work, nor when I travel. I love the idea of waking up as the sun rises, exploring a city as the coffee houses open, but it’s not really me…so there’s no routine.

Q. Is there a place you wouldn’t want to go back to?

Travel is affected by what’s happening in your life, so you can’t really judge a place in isolation. For example, when I went to Greece a few years ago with my sister Poppy, I hated the place. I was going through some stuff, and all I saw were couples walking around, arm in arm, full of love, and that sucked. I think of Greece now and know I need to go back there in a better state of mind.

Q. What’s your travel essential?

Yoga would be my big thing, whenever I’m away, just as it is at home. For me, it’s the best therapy, so I need to do it whatever my surroundings – it helps calm me and makes me feel peaceful inside. That’s always been something that has been lacking in my life – peace of mind. Yoga helps get me back to reality. Yoga has taught me to look inside myself. What’s surprised me is that I started yoga as a way of keeping my body very flexible, but what has been much more important is how yoga has taught me to be attuned to my emotions.

Q. If you could define travel in one word, what would it be?

Inspirational. We all need it. We have to get out there and really explore. When I was younger I felt lost and today more than ever, teenagers need something to look at. Role models come and go, it’s places that have the heritage, the history, the evidence of what people can celebrate and achieve. That’s why travel is so important to me and should be for others.