Jacob Sammut never travels anywhere without his favourite companions – a camera and rolls of film. He shares some of his experiences.

Tell us something about yourself.

I’m a 30-year-old freelance photographer currently reading for a BA in Photography. I enjoy pursuing artistic projects; I listen to a lot of rock and indie music; and I think Pearl Jam is one of the best bands ever.

How often do you travel?

As often as I can, although this year has been a bit of a let down, seeing that I had a lot of projects to finish off. I’m definitely going to make up for it next year.

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

I think it would have been Sicily, aged eight. I don’t really remember much, to be honest. But I do remember the boy sitting next to me on the boat and his leaking sickness bag.

Best holiday ever and why?

Belgium. It introduced me to Belgian beer.

Which place would you never visit and why?

I don’t think there is any such place. I like being introduced to different cultures and I do believe that every country is interesting and comes with its package of good and bad.

Best travel companion?

Up till now, the best travel companions have always been my cameras. I know a few more people who would be great companions, but I have never had the opportunity of travelling with them.

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

Run out of battery or get jammed.

What do you usually look for when you travel?

I would have to say culture, covering all the different aspects, such as history, lifestyle and food. Of course, if I am in a particular country I always want to know more about how these people live, what they do for fun and so forth. I am always fascinated by the way people live or have lived.

Best holiday ever was Belgium. It introduced me to Belgian beer

The perfect holiday would be?

A year travelling in India, with an understanding companion, a bag full of rolls of film and my camera.

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

England.

Package tours or DIY?

DIY.

What the best travel advice you can give?

Only travel with people who under-stand you.

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

Take a lot of warm clothes with you, it’s going to be freezing in London. I then proceeded to spend a whole week in short sleeves.

Flying – hate it/love it/neutral?

Neutral... but I love take-off.

The one place you never get tired of visiting?

I have never been to the same place more than once, but I would love to visit Krakow and Bruges one more time.

Describe one memory that stuck with you from a place.

I was in Rome for four weeks and, while using the underground late at night, there was a junkie who was using drugs on the train with all the people watching. Once done, he offered to share his needle with the people sitting next to him. Freaky.

You met the coolest people in?

London. I met up with some friends who are into fashion and art and had a great time discussing certain themes and ideas, while enjoying a home-cooked dinner.

Your best budget tip to save money on holiday?

Avoid buying things form tourist areas, visit the less-travelled roads. They are more interesting and offer better deals.

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

Now that really is a tough question. I think it would be somewhere in Europe. Possibly in France, Germany or England. Not because they were the nicest places I visited, but because after finishing my degree, the next step would be to live somewhere where art is really appreciated.

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

Speak Maltese. I feel like a holiday away from Malta also means a holiday from its people and culture. And the last thing I want is to be stopped by a Maltese family or person and have my time wasted, when  all  I want to do is experience the city I am now in.

Anything on your travel bucket list?

The rest of the world. I am thinking of at least three holidays for next year – Scotland, hopefully Cambodia and maybe somewhere in Eastern Europe.  Let’s just hope the list won’t change to ‘just Gozo’.

Travel is important to you because?

It is a way of seeing things that are different, of understanding ways other people live and, most importantly, of escaping the reality you have been living in. Even if only for a few days and even though you have to come back to it all.

What has travel taught you?

That every country has a lot to offer and that we can learn so much from each other.

Where would you retire and why?

That question assumes that I will be retiring one day! But well, if I had to offer an answer I think Belgium still is very much a place I would live in. Having said that, my reply will probably change after I have visited more countries.