Illustrator and digital arts lecturer Moira Zahra loves exploring new places and cuisines and discovering new cultures, but she will draw the line at queuing. For her, it’s all about getting out of her comfort zone.
How often do you travel?
About twice a year, more if I can.
Your first time abroad?
It was a school trip to Sicily when I was 10. I don’t remember much, but I do recall eating loads of different types of pasta.
Best holiday ever and why?
Definitely Paris with my husband. We are both fans of comics, concept stores and general book stores. While we were there we found this area, Cluny La Sorbonne, that is basically a square with loads of comic stores. The food in Paris is amazing, as are the markets, the streets, the little live music bars… The city is alive but not tiring. The locals are actually really nice as well.
Two teens jump in from another carriage to ours on the subway, blast on the hip-hop on this 1980s style boombox and start doing a really cool dance routine. I looked at my husband and said… only in NYC
Which place would you never visit and why?
Any war-torn country. Right now I would not visit Libya, for example. Although I like travelling, I’m not big on survival and adventure.
Best travel companion?
My husband. We can both be a bit anti-social at times and we both get bored very easily, so it’s nice that I don’t have to stick around in one place too long.
And what’s the worst your travel companion could do?
Wanting to go to places that require queuing. I’d rather miss out on a great attracting than have to queue for hours.
What do you usually look for when you travel?
I look for local food places and for at least one or two fancy restaurants. I try to eat as many different foods as possible. I try to restrain myself from Instagramming my findings, but I can’t always help myself. Experiencing a different culture is always a treat to the brain. It’s nice to be out of one’s comfort zone every once in a while. I also look for nice bars, attractions and shopping items that would not be found in Malta, bonus points if you can’t buy them online.
The perfect holiday would be?
The right combination of sightseeing, shopping, food, coupled with a bit of rest in warm and breezy weather.
What’s the furthest you’ve been from home?
New York City. I can be a bit Europe-bound.
Package tours or DIY?
Definitely DIY, I’m far too controlling for tours.
What’s the best travel advice you can give?
Don’t pack too much stuff, take at least one comfortable pair of shoes, take adhesive bandages anyway and do your research before you travel. Also, respect the locals.
And what’s the worst piece of advice you’ve been given?
Stay in New York City for three days, then go somewhere else in the US. There is far too much to see to fit it all in three days.
Flying – hate it/love it/neutral?
I love flying, but hate travelling in general if that makes sense. I don’t like the waiting times.
The one place you never get tired of visiting?
I do find myself going to London quite often, but I would have to say Paris, or France in general. I’ve only been to Florence once, but I wouldn’t mind going again and again, even if just for the food.
Describe one memory that stuck with you from a place.
Besides seeing famous artworks in art galleries, which is always a surprise, I have to say travelling on the subway from Brooklyn to Manhattan a week ago. Two teens jump in from another carriage to ours on the subway, blast on the hip-hop on this 1980s style boombox and start doing a really cool dance routine. I looked at my husband and said: “Only in NYC”.
You met the coolest people at?
I have to go with Scotland. Generally the people there are very friendly and make you feel at home.
It has shown me that Malta isn’t the centre of the world, but also that Malta isn’t as bad as some people make it out to be sometimes
Your best budget tip to save money on holiday?
Book online with Air BnB and do carry out some research before you travel. It’s nice to explore the area, but massive service charges can be annoying.
If you actually had to live away from Malta, where would you pick?
I don’t think I have travelled enough to decide. I wouldn’t mind living in Edinburgh, Paris and the south west of England (Devon, Cornwall… those sort of places). Outside of Europe, I would say Seattle or Portland in the US and Canada seem like they would be cool. But they are still on my bucket list.
What’s the one thing you would never do in a foreign country?
Ignore their culture and try to live exactly the same as I do in Malta.
Anything on your travel bucket list?
Japan, the Midwest and the West Coast of the US, Iceland, Poland.
Travel is important to you because?
I tend to pause important decisions until I come back from holidays. It always works. When I come back from travelling I always know exactly what I need to do. Travelling is like being picked up from your daily routine and thrown somewhere new to explore, learn and have fun in the meantime. It’s important because it shows you the bigger picture. That in itself gets one inspired, which is essential if you’re in the visual arts field.
What has travel taught you?
It has taught me to appreciate and understand different cultures, it has allowed me to see great works of art and architecture. It has shown me that Malta isn’t the centre of the world, but also that Malta isn’t as bad as some people make it out to be sometimes (coming back to Malta can feel like going on another holiday, especially in the summer). Travelling is a learning experience in many ways.
Where would you retire and why?
Somewhere in the South of France. I would want to be somewhere quiet where I can keep working. And living in a beautiful French village wouldn’t hurt.