Flamenco, wine, culture and good food are Ingrid Sciberras’s ingredients for the perfect holiday. She shares parts of her travel journal with us.

I am a Flamenco dance Teacher and Dancer and director of Alegria. Flamenco is my passion. I love going to the theatre and enjoy listening to classical music. I love being with and meeting new people and different cultures, which also helps in my love for travelling. Photography would be my next love, although I don’t get to do it much because of my busy lifestyle.

How often do you travel?

As often as I can, as anyone would say, I guess. Seriously, I do take on every opportunity I can to travel. I go to Spain on an annual appointment with a Flamenco festival but I always try to discover other countries with my partner, who shares the same love of travel. I am very happy to have covered many countries so far.

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

It was some time after my mum’s passing, so I must have been around 11 years old and I had gone to Rome with my brother and dad. I do remember two major incidents during that trip. First, my brother was going to be kidnapped by some gang while we were eating at a café and, on another day, while on a bus, my dad was joking about this guy who was very elegantly dressed in a suit (in the middle of July). At one point, my dad realised we were a little lost and this well-dressed man turned to us and in perfect Maltese told us where to stop, leaving my dad speechless and stunned.

Best holiday ever and why?

Mexico , Cuba and Bahamas. It was the first time so far away from home, and the first time abroad with two great friends. It gave me a total feeling of freedom and adventure. We had an amazing time.

Which place would you never visit and why?

A tough one, as I don’t really have such a place in mind. I choose the places I visit and research them well before I go. Different cultures intrigue me and, thankfully, I have never had any bad experiences in all my travels.

I’m not good at taking advice from people when it comes to travel

Best travel companion?

Finding the right companion to travel is one of the most important aspects, as it can either make or break your trip. I have always travelled with friends I got on very well with. My partner is my best travel companion, we always have such a blast and totally relax. We love the arts, we enjoy good food and wine... so, I think we have a perfect combination.

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

Moan, complain, be selfish and waste time. Travelling with someone who does not share your same interests can be super-disastrous.

What do you usually look for when you travel?

The culture of the country would attract me the most. I always check out any theatre activities or concerts, and make sure hotels are situated in a comfortable location to make the stay easier.

The perfect holiday would be?

Having a budget generous enough to travel in business class to a destination of my choice, stay in a spare-no-expense hotel, eat in the best restaurants and being able to shop for whatever I want.

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

Australia. I’ve been there three times and loved all three trips. I have family there and I love spending time with them. One of the trips was during the Olympic Games which were held there and I had the opportunity to attend some games, which was very exciting.

Package tours or DIY?

Definitely DIY.

What’s the best travel advice you can give?

Don’t try to change people’s lifestyle and culture in their country; open your minds and your eyes to all that is around you to be able to discover their way of life and culture.

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

I’m not good at taking advice from people when it comes to travel.

Flying – hate it/love it/neutral?

Love it. What’s not to love, it’s taking me on a journey. However, there was one occasion on a trip from Havana to Bahamas, in a very small rusty propeller plane… Let’s just say that we were so relieved that wanted to kiss the ground when we landed in the Bahamas.

The one place you never get tired of visiting?

Well, I have two; Rome and Seville. Rome is an absolute gem of a place. Close to home and easy for a quick getaway. A city full of history, elegance and style. I love the fact that one minute you are walking down a street and the next you are faced with a historical feast. Seville has character, shares a lot of our traditions and has many more of its own. It is full of colour, music, song and dance. And, it is obviously home to my prime passion.

Get a hotel in the centre to avoid many travelling expenses

Describe one memory that stuck with you from a place.

On my many visits to India, I always make sure I visit an Ashram in Lonavla (just out of Mumbai) called the Shaktiyogashrama. It is an amazing paradise taken care of by a friend of mine. It is situated on a mountain and is the most peaceful place I have ever been to – there are no cars, no planes, no people, no electricity, no mobiles… it’s complete bliss. I normally go during Monsoon period and the surrounding scene is a multitude of different shades of green, rice growers and waterfalls, giving the constant feeling of walking in a cloud. Divine.

You met the coolest people in?

South Africa. Having spent a good six months living in Cape Town, I had the opportunity to travel within South Africa and meet some amazing people, especially at this beach place called Coffee Bay on the Eastern Cape.

Your best budget tip to save money on holiday?

Choose well. Get a hotel in the centre to avoid travelling expenses. Book theatre tickets online beforehand as they are normally cheaper.

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

Rome or Seville, of course. I feel totally at home in both cities.

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

I go to each country I visit without any expectations. That way, I am never disappointed.

Anything on your travel bucket list?

Everyday, I realise that I think I need to live up to 100 years to see all the places I want to visit. South America is still one place I have not discovered and definitely one that I aim to.

Travel is important to you because... ?

Living a busy schedule, travel is completely essential for me to help get away from routine and unwind. I’m sure many will agree with me that living on a small island, one can feel claustrophobic.

What has travel taught you?

That there is a world out there that needs to be discovered and experienced. That there are people with different cultures that can teach us so much about life.

Where would you retire and why?

I could say a beautiful island in the Carribean. However, I actually will be very happy to retire in Gozo... in a little one storey house with a garden.