Vladimir Mashkov shares his 5 favourite Holiday Destinations

Vladimir Mashkov is a Soviet and Russian stage actor and film director who rose to prominence in the West for his roles in Behind Enemy Lines (2001) and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011). Limita (1994), The Thief (1997), and The Quickie are a few of his more renowned works (2001). For the 2004 Russian film Papa, he served as director, producer, and writer. His acting endeavours in 2017 include The Crew, the Indian adaptation of the Russian catastrophe film Ekipazh. He was a prolific performer who built a name for himself mostly on the big screen. He also appears in "The Edge" (2010) and "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol," both starring Tom Cruise (2011). He has a significant fan base in Russia and several other countries.

Vladimir rates France as his topmost destination for holidays. The French Riviera with its glamourous hotspots such as Cannes, Nice and Monaco are simply spectacular and frequently visited by Vladimir. A playground for the rich, with its outstanding beaches, resorts, yatches, sports cars and a nightlife which is out of the World, the French Riviera has always been a magnet for celebrities and tycoons who not only visit the region for holidays but many of them also have their holiday homes here. Popular beaches include Plage de la Réserve in Nice, Île Sainte-Marguerite in Cannes, Solarium Beach in Monaco and several others. A perfect place for cruising or yatch rides, there are innumerable routes available for island or city hopping on the Mediterranean waters of the riviera. For wine lovers, there are a plethora of family run wineries in the Provence area that offer wine tasting tours and excursions.

The Spanish Riviera is also on the Vladimir's list of vacation hotspots. Stretching along the southern coast of Spain, it includes gorgeous cities and towns such as Valencia, Malaga, Marbella, Costa de sol, Nerja and Mojacar. Taking a cruise for Dolphin watching off the cost of Marbella was the highlight of Vladimir's last trip to Costa de Sol. One can swim or paddle surf along the way and on a good day, one can also get a view of Africa. For those in the mood of relaxation and unwinding, treat yourself to a pampering and relaxing day at Malaga's gorgeous Hammam Al Ándalus, a traditional Arabian bath in the Old Town of Malaga. Spend time with your friends hanging around the old town of Malaga, which has quaint shops to buy souvenirs and a lovely orange square with bars, cafes and restaurants. If you have deeper pockets, visit Monaco for an incredible variety of hangout places to socialize and party any time of the day or night.

Morocco in Northern Africa is a popular destination with an exotic appeal. An amalgamation of Arabian and European cultural influences, the country boasts of beautiful beaches, ancient monuments and bazaars that sell artifacts & rugs at a bargain. The city of Casablanca is highly popular with tourists and the Hassan II mosque here is truly breathtaking. Located on the ocean side, the mosque is a fine example of Islamic style architecture with fine carvings and murals on its interior walls. Check out the small little village of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that looks like it’s carved within the mountain itself. Though the place is almost barren, it is quite a sight to behold with traditional houses carved out of the hills that are hardly to distinguish from each other. Marrakech is also a must see destination in Morocco, popular for its Palaces such as El Badi and Bahia as well as its leather & rug markets or souks.

Vladimir is particularly fond of Scandinavia and recalls his time in Norway amongst his fondest travel memories. Chasing the Northern Lights, which are made when Sun's particles enter the earth's atmosphere at the Artic circle, was a truly incredible experience for him. His travel group also visited the Geirangerfjord, part of the massive Fjord Norway Network and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The highlight of the trip was Alesund in the north which is known for its icy Norwegian scenery. They also loved climbing up Sunnylvsfjord which has some of the prettiest vistas over the countryside. Norway's scenic beauty, rustic countryside and its Fjords makes it a dreamland destination for adventure lovers. It is also a fantastic place to get on a Scandinavian cruise and explore the wonders of the Artic.

Japan turned out to be a fascinating destination for Vladimir when he first visited the country a decade ago. The unique culture, warmth of local people and its delicious cuisine were a big draw for him. Climbing the sacred Mount Fuji in Tokyo was a memory he cherishes till today. Visiting an Izakaya, a tiny casual Japanese bar that offers food and drinks, was a redeeming experience for him, where he developed an uncanny fascination for Japanese cuisine and had a wonderful time interacting with the local folks. The Kinkaku-ji temple near Kyoto, built in traditional Japanese architecture that reflects in the lake besides it, was a spiritually enriching experience for Vladimir and he spent solemn moments meditating in its gardens. The view of the golden temple when the sun starts to set at dawn is scintillating. A unique excursion in Japan is the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park in Nagano, where you get to see a special species of monkeys that thrive in cold weather. The park is covered with pine trees and a stream of water flows through it, making the ambience absolutely gorgeous