Harlan Coben: ‘Everything is raised to the 10th power in Paris’

How often do you travel?

I travel six to eight weeks a year for book promotions. But Americans are stingy with holiday time. My wife is a paediatrician and we have four kids who play sports, so it’s hard for us to get away. But last year I took three of the kids to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. I love the treacherous rides. 

What do you need for a perfect holiday?

There are times when I want an active holiday. But more and more I’m looking to stay on the beach, hang out in a wading pool, eat well and play golf with the boys. I feel like I have a very narrow window left with the kids, whose ages range from 15 to 22, before they all lead their own independent lives, so my priority is to make as many memories with them as I can.

Your favourite golfing destination?

In Florida, there’s a place with two courses called Streamsong, 90 minutes’ drive from Tampa. It’s like a boys’ club and the rooms look like man caves. I went with friends last year. After golf, we had steak, red wine and hearty discussions.

Earliest memory of travelling abroad?

My grandfather had a travel agency and we would get the spare seats on charter planes to Europe. When I was 12, I’d already been to Rome, London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. The most memorable would be the first time I went to Italy and saw Michelangelo’s David. A few years ago, I took my kids to Italy and to see them react in a similar way was really incredible.

Most remote place you’ve been?

My son Ben loves to fish, so we went to Laramie, Wyoming, in the middle of nowhere. We drove for hours and stayed in a cabin. There was nothing around and I was terrified all night. Fishing is boring but it was about making memories with my kid. We did similar trips salmon fishing in Alaska and shark fishing off the coast of Georgia.

Most relaxing destination?

We love Costa Rica. We’ve stayed mainly in the Four Seasons Resort in Guanacaste. You feel you’re in another country, yet with all the comforts of home. We’ve visited the Arenal volcano and we go zip-lining, which my wife hates but the kids and I love. We’ve also stayed in a villa on a mountain overlooking the water and the only time the spell was broken was when a monkey jumped into our room. We closed the window and I’ve got a great picture of it trying to get back in.

• 29 reasons you should visit Costa Rica right now

Favourite book festival location?

Bouchercon, the world’s largest mystery literature conference, which is going to be in New Orleans again this year. New Orleans is one of my favourite cities. There’s Mardi Gras and a wonderful Second World War museum. In Mother’s restaurant, the waitresses call you “honey”– I love that. 

Best holiday ever?

One was our honeymoon in 1988, when we did a fairly expensive trip to Thailand, Hong Kong and Tokyo. We went to tribal villages in Chiang Mai and relaxed on the beach in Phuket, then Hong Kong was all bustle. Another one was a Nile river cruise after the Gulf War in 1993. The ship held about 150 people but no one was travelling at that time, so there were only about eight of us. In terms of historical sightseeing, that trip remains unparalleled. We saw the temples of Luxor and Abu Simbel, and stood on Ramses’ head.

Ever been on safari?

No, except in New Jersey, at an amusement park called Six Flags Great Adventure, where they claim their drive-through safari is the largest outside Africa. The monkeys sit on your car and the giraffe sticks its head in your window. We spend half the day on crazy roller coasters, then do the safari.

Favourite hotel?

The Covent Garden in London. There’s something boho-luxurious about it and you can’t beat the location. It features in my next book. 

Favourite city?

Paris. It makes me want to write. Everything is raised to the 10th power in Paris. The food tastes better, the romance is better. I love walking in the gardens at the Rodin Museum and going to a cheese shop called Cantin. The owner and I have become friends. One of the coolest meals I’ve had was in her basement, with her favourite cheeses and red wine. We don’t have cheese in America. We have cardboard.

Most memorable meal?

At elBulli in Catalonia. My brother has a house on the Costa Brava and we were there about five years ago. We had 36 courses and it was tantalising. For the first half, we sat in the kitchen and watched them prepare: amazing! 

Worst travel experience?

My wife would probably have 12, but I don’t dwell on the negative. I’ve been stuck at airports for as much as 24 hours but I can’t think of one really bad memory. If I have a delay, I take a book out and read. 

Best travel advice? 

When you arrive, hang up your clothes in the shower cubicle after you’ve had a hot shower. That will make them less wrinkled.

Your one travel essential?

For the plane, noise-cancelling headphones and an app called Brain Wave, which plays comforting ambient sounds so you can sleep. 

What do you hate about holidays?

Waiting at airport security. 

Episode 1: Airport survival guide
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Where next? 

Bermuda in June. It’s the first time in ages that I’ve got all four kids together. I’m looking forward to a beautiful time on the beach. 

Harlan Coben’s latest novel, Fool Me Once (Century, £18.99), is out now. His television series The Five can be seen on Sky on Demand

Interview by Caroline Rees