OT How often do you holiday
Viswanathan Anand My wife and I do one really big vacation and one or two mini-vacations every year. I enjoy planning a trip &mdash selecting a place, doing the research, booking hotels.
OT Your favourite destination
Viswanathan Anand For the ultimate experience, I would say Iceland. It is so untouched. You just open your window and the splendour is right in front of you. There are, of course, other places I&rsquove always wanted to see. I&rsquove already covered Brazil, Mexico and South Africa. Now I&rsquod like to visit Machu Picchu, Patagonia and New Zealand. But my dream is to swim with the elephants in the Andamans.
OT Your last holiday
Viswanathan Anand We just returned from South Africa, and had a great time in the Kruger Reserve. One dark night we even managed to observe a pack of lions trying to steal a leopard&rsquos kill. At Victoria Falls, we started taking pictures filmi style, ruining our camera in the process
OT Having made Madrid your base, how often do you holiday in India
Viswanathan Anand We&rsquore here 3-4 months a year, and always squeeze in a holiday. Last year, we got hooked to catamaran rides. I like Kerala a lot &mdash it&rsquos instant nirvana.
OT Do chess and holidays mix
Viswanathan Anand On holidays, I switch off my phone and don&rsquot check my mail. When you return from a holiday, your mind works very well. Some of my best games have been after holidays.
OT Travel advice
Viswanathan Anand Walking is a great way to explore a place. Old town-squares have so much character. It&rsquos great to just sit at a café and have coffee.
