Name: Varun Sharma

Occupation: Inside Luxury Travel TV Show Host

Hometown: (the centre of the Universe) – London!

Diva Minds Want to Know…

1. Where do you like to flirt?

Art galleries. In my youth (!) I spent many an afternoon at The Tate looking at the pretty pictures and meeting excited girls who had seen their first Caravaggio! The proper art of flirting has died .. women want men who are polite and non-threatening – unfortunately flirting is often seen as sleazy. The days of Cinzano Man with “voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir” eyes and chat are over. I now have a very cute puppy (Gemima, the tanned cocker spaniel) and so the days of me having to flirt are over!

2. Where’s your favorite table for two?

A window table at Poule au Pot in Orange Square, SW1 – quite romantic, great food & wine and just perfect on a cold day inside and warm day out.

3. Where should we stay when we visit (besides your place)?

For service, The Four Seasons on Park Lane, and for shopping either The Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge or Browns of Mayfair. My personal favourite has to be the Apartments at The Athenaeum – privacy and comfort!

4. What quality do you find irresistible in a woman?

Adventurous, amorous, cheeky, “occasionally” dominant and a competitive golfer!

5. Where can we find you on a free Sunday afternoon?

Battersea Park – with a nice cigar and puppy off-lead! More likely on a plane off to my next travel destination…

6. What do you love most about your city (besides our arrival)?

It’s cosmopolitan and full of culture. Opera or ballet at Glyndebourne one day, David Bowie the next … where else in the world?

7. What should we bring when we visit your town? What should we leave with?

Bring a smile and the sunshine please!
Cheeky me says take home some Agent Provocateur lingerie …illegal me says a fine Cuban cigar … good me says a tin of tea from Fortnum & Mason or Harrods.

8. What do we absolutely have to see while we’re there?

MUST – have tea at The Ritz

MUST – visit Victoria & Albert Museum

MUST – try out the London Eye

MUST – horse ride around Hyde Park

MUST – take the Number 24 bus

MUST – go to a traditional pub for Fish n’ Chips

MUST – drive round Hyde Park Corner in rush hour! It’s an experience…

9. Any areas of town we should avoid?

Hyde Park Corner in the rush hour! London is quite safe and actually very pleasant. The City at the weekend is very quiet & dull (like most of the people who work there! Haha!)

10. Any local secrets you want to share?

The Chocolate Society on Elizabeth Street
Volpe on Denbigh Street
Antoni & Alison on Rosebery Avenue (best t-shirts in the world)
Borough Market on a Sunday