“Hutong in Hong Kong. Enjoy the Beggar's Chicken in a recreated ancient Chinese temple atop a futuristic skyscraper, with Bladerunner-style skyline views of the city.”

“My two louche favourites are the almond margaritas at Tretter's Bar in Prague, and a dry vodka martini at Isabel in Buenos Aires.”

“Tokyo, for all its wonderful contradictions, is a surreal supercity where the extreme future and the idiosyncratic past intermingle riotously. There are futuristic skyscrapers and robot shops in Akihabara, while piano-black 1950s taxis with lace coverings glide past luxury grocers selling individually-wrapped pieces of fruit.”

“I love Condesa DF in Mexico City. When I'm staying there I feel like I'm living in a chic, comfortably-worn apartment building with an eclectic collection of the olive-skinned jet set.”

“Serge Gainsbourg for his rumpled elegance, piercing musical genius and insouciant air of overindulged sexiness. The only thing he wore better than his clothes were his women.”

“A very slim-cut blazer in french navy or black by Dolce & Gabbana, or a suit jacket from the Japanese-made, Paul Smith main-line collection.”

“Dermologica Multivamin Power Recovery Masque. An essential face-saving ritual after a long-haul flight.”

“A silver 1957 Mercedes 300SL Roadster. I have a beautiful midnight blue 230SL at my beach house in Australia, but I still dream about that Fifties roadster.”

“A white gold IWC Perpetual Calendar.”

“My old-school Leica M6 camera.”

“The Great Gatsby. Still the most evocative fable on the ambiguity of chasing your dreams.”

“The opera Tristan und Isolde by Wagner, conducted by Carlos Kleiber. Dark, mesmerising, powerful. I listen to it constantly and hear something new every time.”