Actress Elektra Anastasi loves nothing better than a Roman holiday, although she also enjoys going further afield. Here, she shares parts of her travel journal.

Tell us something about yourself.

I am an actress who works in theatre and foreign films that shoot in Malta. I also work in my family business and in my free time I enjoy exploring anything art related.

How often do you travel?

As often as I can. Usually about two to three times a year, if possible.

Do you remember your first time abroad and what can you tell us about it?

My earliest memory is from when I was about four years old and my parents took me to the Dolomite mountains in Italy, an incredibly beautiful place. I remember being fascinated by this white bundle of fun which was cold to touch, I later came to know was referred to as snow. I was handed a massive icicle and learnt the hard way that one must not put their tongue directly on it as it was not an ice cream.

Best holiday ever and why?

I enjoy all of my holidays because they each bring new memories and experiences. I have two memorable holidays that come to mind . The first was with my two best friends who now live abroad. We decided to say enough to busy life schedules and to make the effort to plan a quick trip together, which was long overdue. We decided to meet in Vienna and we had a blast.

My friend is based there, so it was great to have a guide through the city. We went to the Vienna Zoo, had enjoyable dinners eating schnitzel in the pretty side streets, giggled all the way through most of our sight-seeing , ran around the spectacular rose garden palace grounds of Sissi’s Castle and finished it all off with some old-fashioned girly shopping.

Another memorable holiday would have to be with my partner. Last year I decided to visit Prague for an acting masterclass and once that was over we had time to go around. We both fell in love with this magical city. What struck us besides its enchanting gothic architecture was how quiet everything was, unlike walking the Roman or London streets, where everything is so chaotic.

The side streets look like something out of a medieval film, some of the faces you see standing in doorways there would be any photographer’s dream.

The Charles Bridge was full of life with musicians playing, a lot of artisans selling prints and semi precious stones. It reminded me of Piazza Navona in Rome.

St Vitus Cathedral was breathtaking and the view from there is spectacular. When walking the romantic streets of Prague you truly feel that it is an ancient city and knowing that alchemy and magic was a great part of their culture in medieval times makes it all the more intriguing.

We also had a lot of fun roaming through the market places and dressing up in period costumes at this little store in a Prague mall, which is not something you do every day for fun.

Best travel companion?

My partner: it is always great to make new memories together.

And what’s the worst your travel companion could do?

Probably spring a surprise on me like taking me bungee jumping or skydiving. I would have to demote him from the Best Travel Companion category after that.

What do you usually look for when you travel?

Relaxation, good food, good company and being surrounded by beautiful things and views. I am not much of a clubber anymore, so planning a holiday around clubs does not rank high on my holiday priority list.

The perfect holiday would be?

One that never ends.

What’s the furthest you’ve been from home?

That would have to be my holiday last year when I travelled to Los Angeles.

Package tours or DIY?

I have never tried package tours, the idea does not really appealed to me. I would much rather have the freedom to do and see the places at my own leisure.

What is the best travel advice you can give?

To do the exact polar opposite of what I do when I travel, which would be to travel light.

And what’s the worst piece of advice you’ve been given?

“Don’t worry, shopping in the US is not that expensive.” Epic fail, I am afraid.

Flying – hate it/love it/neutral?

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I fall under the “Oh my God why am I doing this to myself again” category. Flying has never been my cup of tea, but if you want to see the world you have to deal with it and pray for the best.

The one place you never get tired of visiting?

London, as there is always so much to do there. I love West End shows so that is always a plus whenever I return. However, being half Italian, Italy has always been a second home to me. I am never tired of going there especially seeing as I have family, whom I miss greatly. They are based in Rome, right behind the Vatican, so it is bang in the centre of everything. It is perfect for shopping, sight seeing and restaurants. Oh how I miss enjoying the gelato right beside my grandmother’s house.

I also love travelling to other parts of Italy, each region is diverse and has its own qualities, from food to traditions.

One memory that stuck with you?

Being surrounded by butterflies at the Hortus Botanicus garden in Amsterdam. I went mental; there were so many different species and colours! I felt like a butterfly queen as they delicately landed on me.

You met the coolest people at?

An actors’ workshop in Prague.

Your best budget tip to save money on holiday?

I really am the wrong person to ask as I always end up over budget. However, I have come up with a new plan, which is to leave my credit card locked up in my hotel room and only carry an amount of spending money for that afternoon. I will let you know if that works out for me.

If you actually had to live away from Malta, where would you pick?

This is a tough one, because I still have to visit so many other places to make an informed decision. However, I would like to experience living in London and Los Angeles for work-related purposes and I am also very curious about New York.

What’s the one thing you would never do in a foreign country?

Well, with all the horror stories you hear of out there I think hitchhiking would be a definite no no for me. I wouldn’t like to make the headlines: “Maltese girl found…”

Anything on your travel bucket list?

The Mayan temples in Mexico; their history has always intrigued me.

Travel is important to you because?

It keeps me sane. It is a self-exploration voyage and each country I visit makes me discover different things about myself and others. It also recharges my mind, body and soul, which through daily routine I often tend to lose touch with.

What has travel taught you?

It is a constant reminder that one must appreciate all walks of life, cultures and religions. Every city, village and person has a story to tell. And, even though it may be different to your own way of life, it is what makes this planet unique and should be embraced.

Where would you retire and why?

My dream is to be in a position to not retire in one place, but have property in a few countries like Italy, New York and Costa Rica so as to live a few months in one and then move to another. By then, I guess I will be too old to care about my flight phobia.