‘Choose hostels over luxurious hotels’

Name: Deborah Borg Brincat
Age: 21
Occupation: Lead vocalist of Bletchley Park

My best holiday ever…

I’ve had two really good trips abroad. I was in Spain with friends for two weeks during September 2008 on a Youth in Action exchange programme focused on minority rights in Europe.

After a couple of drinks, the Irish get even better – fun, fun, fun

Other participants came from Romania and Turkey and we had to discuss the major problems our respective countries were facing in this regard. At the end of the programme, we were split into four groups, each performing a sketch portraying the global fight for minority rights.

When the other participants found out I was a singer, they would ask me to sing songs for them – I was also made to sing on the coach’s sound system back to the airport. It was an interesting cultural experience that gave me a wider insight into the world and a good excuse for being away from home at 17.

The other trip I’d like to mention is a getaway to Dublin in March 2010 with my best friend Gail. For me it was a break from my intense and stressful Erasmus placement at the University of Limerick and for Gail it was the perfect time for a holiday.

So we planned five days in Dublin some two weeks before. We went all around the city, visited the zoo, and joined a pub crawl during which we met some very interesting people I am still in contact with till this day. I doubt it gets better than that, but if it does, then it’s very welcome.

I would never return to…

My family doesn’t usually go on annual or seasonal family trips, but we did have one back in 2001. My mother won a trip and we all joined in… pity the plane ticket was for Tunisia.

It was the first time I had travelled abroad, but I just couldn’t stand the place. The dirty streets and awful smell made me hate it all the way through.

In fairness, I did think the blue and white village of Sidi Bou Said was a pretty cool place. I was still very young and could not appreciate the diverse culture. Looking back now, I wouldn’t mind experiencing a similar way of life in Morocco and Egypt in the future.

The most dangerous place I’ve visited…

I don’t think I can say I have visited a particularly dangerous place, but then again I haven’t been outside Europe except for Tunisia. Really and truly, I think you should be that little bit more aware and attentive when you re not in Malta – because here it’s comfortably safe.

My favourite city…

A tie between Madrid and Dublin. Madrid, which I have visited three times, is a great city. I like the architecture, the food, the people, the language and the shopping.

I get the impression it is a relaxing city, but when I speak to Spanish people they tell me otherwise. I have also been to Toledo and Ibiza and would love to add Valencia and Barcelona to my list; I’ve heard so many fascinating stories about both cities.

Dublin is also a contender. It’s just so small, pretty and fun, just like the Irish people. I will definitely return to show my friends around.

My most memorable experience on an aircraft…

Last May I went on a 24-hour trip to London to collect a guitar my boyfriend had purchased over the internet which the seller did not deliver to Malta. We couldn’t make a holiday out of the trip because we were just finishing our theses and preparing for final exams, so I attempted to use the time on the plane wisely and took some university work with me.

Just as we were about to board the bus to central London I remembered I had forgotten my work on the aircraft.

We missed the bus, ran back to the airport and waited for about an hour until I finally got thefolders back.

My most treasured holiday souvenir…

I like frogs, in all shapes and colours. I try to buy a frog from every country I visit, but sometimes it isn’t possible.

On my last day in Toledo in 2008, I came across two soft frog toys, dressed up as a matador and his señorita.

I rummaged in my purse for my last few coins and managed to scrape enough to bring the frogs back home.

A memory that makes me smile…

Last summer, the band went to Copenhagen to play some gigs and since we were staying at a musician friend’s house, we were sleeping on lilos and quilts on the floor… needless to say, it was terribly uncomfortable.

I try to buy a frog from every country I visit

On our way back from the city centre, past Tivoli gardens, we spotted a three-seater cushion off a leather sofa, which looked like a mattress to us. We didn’t think twice; the boys carried it for 30 minutes back home, past surprised people, and I stood in front of them laughing. We took it in turns to sleep on it, and it should still be there for other guests to enjoy.

The friendliest people…

Hands down, the Irish are the most welcoming people I’ve ever met.

In particular, the jolly nature of the younger generation seems to ease any problems you might have. I was faced with manyproblems when studying in Ireland. But I always found somebody to talk to and make me feel better.

After a couple of drinks, the Irish get even better – fun, fun, fun!

I never travel without...

My debit card, for obvious reasons. When I’m abroad, I like to shop, shop and shop, mostly because I can visit stores that we don’t have in Malta.

The taxi ride I will never forget…

More like an ambulance ride.

I was taken to a hospital inLimerick as I was ill with foodpoisoning.

When I felt a bit better, we used a taxi to return home, and I was in my pyjamas.

My all-time favourite holiday photo...

The view from the top of a hill at Les Carroz d’Araches in France was absolutely breathtaking.

I stood in the summer sun, overlooking mountains, hills and small isolated villages.

Unfortunately, I had left my camera in the car and my friend’s camera had run out of battery.

So this holiday photo was only taken in my mind, and it will remain forever in my memory.

I want to go back to take a real photo... if I can ever find my way up there again!

An unforgettable hotel...

I don’t normally stay in hotels. I usually stay over at friends’ houses or if I have no friends around I book a hostel.

The night before our transfer from the Madrid hostel to San Servando Castle in Toledo during our youth exchange, we had to move out of our 4-metre x 6-metre room that was home to six of us living out of our suitcases for a week.

Most of the group slept on the floor in the hostel’s hall, and there was no space for about five of my friends.

We were frustrated to be separated from a group of about 40 people. Little did we know that we would be spending the night in a luxurious apartment with en-suite rooms and air-conditioning, just for us.

I return most often to...

London – it’s the place to be, especially for its music scene. I went there for the first time in April 2010 to watch my favourite band Editors live in concert on their world tour. It was a fantastic experience and I’d love to do it again.

I went back to London last month to play a few gigs with the band. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet other musicians and music followers, and ultimately to get our music out there.

My ideal travel companion...

My boyfriend. He knows I plan things well so he trusts me. He is easy to be with because he doesn’t question me.

However, for my crazy plans I’d pair up with Gail and we act like we’re nine years old.

Country with the best cuisine...

I don’t travel for food; I’m happy with a baguette or quick pizza. However, I do think Spanishcuisine is particularly tasty. I just love seafood paella.

My dream trip…

I want to experience different cultures outside of Europe, particularly Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Mexico, South America, North Africa and South Africa.

I partied hardest in…

I don’t party in Malta, let alone abroad. This is why saying I have been to Ibiza is mis-leading – I was only there with my band recording our upcoming album.

However, I can remember one really good party in Berlin in 2007. I was part of the Young Enterprise winning Company of the Year which represented Malta in 2007 and we had a party on the Friday evening.

After we ate dinner, the hall was turned into a dance floor. I met new people and enjoyed the night with the people I had worked so hard with for a whole year.

My travel tip…

Planning is the key to a hassle-free trip, although this doesn’t mean you won’t have any difficultiesgetting around.

Travel cheap – low-cost airlines are God’s gift to travellers, and cho­ose hostels over luxurious hotels.

Be adventurous and creative and enjoy meeting new people and exploring cultures.

Remember: diversity unites.