Name: Ruth Bianco
Occupation: Visual artist and art and design lecturer
My best holiday ever…
As we meandered through the Tunis souk a hawker offered 100 camels in exchange for me. Quite flattering I guess!
This makes me scratch my head! I hardly ever think of travel as a holiday because my trips are often art-related or art-inspired.
I only returned to Malta in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday). I left behind an exhibition running in London and I dropped copies of a new publication at the Tate Modern depository on my way to the airport, so this was certainly an extremely exciting work trip for me.
I am totally passionate about overland travel and the infinite motorway – discovering things along the way. One recent favourite trip was driving through Spain, from the Mediterranean south to the Atlantic north. We went from Barcelona to Santander; sea, desert and mountains, taking in the stunning Basque landscape and stopping at the breathtaking Guggenheim Bilbao before moving on to the amazing Altamira caves.
Another favourite was cutting across the Czech Republic from Prague to Opava, near the Polish border. We experienced a haunting fairyland spotted with deep forests, undulating hills and numerous castles.
I would never return to…
That’s a difficult one, as the moment I hit the steps of a plane I start to breathe. I treasure new experiences and sometimes I long to return to memorable places to note the changes.
I found Prague, for instance, has transformed in the space of just seven years into a popular cosmopolitan destination, contrasting hugely with the monumental cultural landscape of, say, Vitkovice or Ostravam, which still live with their architectural and social communist legacies.
These differences, along with traditional goulash and dumplings, would entice me to return.
The most dangerous place I’ve visited…
Our GPS broke down on the way from wine-tasting in the Moselle valley and we found ourselves in the thick of German forestland at around 2 a.m. In the hazy darkness our headlights suddenly picked out six burly hunters laden with ready shotguns and a bloodied deer on the ground. German hillbillies? Never did a car spin round so fast!
My favourite city…
I just can’t stick to one favourite! Berlin charms me for its youth, attitude and alternative culture. Then there’s New York for its openness, friendly artists, huge art spaces and the large spacious lounge bars I remember with plushy sofas in Soho.
London just never, ever tires due to its dynamic art and provocation. And undoubtedly Paris is a favourite; particularly around Pont Neuf where I spent time working on art projects and relaxing by the jazz buskers on warm summer evenings by the Seine. Needless to say I am on a mission to discover more favourites.
My most memorable experience on an aircraft…
I was on a direct flight to Serbia to put on an exhibition in Belgrade with a plan to meet the organiser on arrival. I fell asleep and was jolted awake upon landing, amazed at how quickly the time had passed.
Excitedly I sent out messages to say I had arrived, but the plane had actually returned to Malta because a passenger had fallen ill during the flight.
The trouble was I didn’t recognise my own home runway and more than 30 minutes had passed before I plucked up the courage to ask other passengers why they weren’t letting us off, only to be told we weren’t in Belgrade after all.
My most treasured holiday souvenir…
My collage of fridge magnets from difference places, countries or art spaces I or my friends have ever visited. I particularly like the pirate’s head I picked up in Land’s End in Cornwall last year – it brings back memories of a magnificent spot at the southernmost cliff edge of England. I might soon need to acquire a new fridge as the collection grows.
My biggest gaffe abroad…
When I was kicked off a bus in Olomouc in northern Moravia, Czech Republic. When we got to the town we jumped on a tram to the centre, struggling with sign language to buy tickets from the driver who shrugged us away to the back.
As the tram started moving we grappled uselessly with a ticket machine to purchase tickets. There was no one around to help.
The tram stopped at the next station and on comes a stern looking man and woman in uniform demanding our tickets in Czech. We showed them our change and explained our plight but we were pushed off the bus.
In the hazy darkness our headlights suddenly picked out six burly hunters laden with ready shotguns and a bloodied deer on the ground
The more I tried to explain in English using frantic sign language, the more the fury rose. Eyes bulged in the man’s red face as the woman translated that he would arrest me if I uttered another word. We were fined and released… not a very pleasant start for first-time visitors.
Nevertheless, Olomouc is a wonderfully charming little town, much like a small version of Krakow in character and we soon laughed off the harrowing yet somewhat comical experience.
The friendliest people…
Surely Tunisians. I was touring North Africa, mainly Tunisia and Morocco, with a friend and as we meandered through the Tunis souk a hawker offered a 100 camels in exchange for me. Quite flattering I guess! We had a whale of a time. The people were so warm and we had a treat betting on who was going to score the highest camel count.
I never travel without...
My camera, sketchbook, journal and thoughts. I love recharging my batteries with new experiences in new environments – I find it inspirational. Oh, and my credit card of course.
The taxi ride I will never forget…
Befriending a taxi driver, again in Tunisia, who became our permanent personal guide. He took us to the prime sites at a fixed rate and the highlight was when he took us to his home and his mother cooked and we all sat with his family round a low table on the floor eating delicious couscous.
My all-time favourite holiday photo...
A wild one dancing with my son in a Camden Town jazz club celebrating my big 50.
An unforgettable hotel...
In Miami. I arrived at the hotel with a friend but our suitcases didn’t. That night I recall washing undies and desperately waving them out of the window to dry them.
The hotel was good enough and this was an airline problem really but the memories connect. Our suitcases thankfully arrived three days later, by which time I was desperate for a change of clothes.
I return most often to...
London and Canterbury, where I carry out studio work and projects.
My ideal travel companion...
I love companionship because I think travel is an activity for building human relations and understanding differences. So sharing new experiences is part of the pleasure.
I do, however, need my own space. It’s important to be open, discuss choices from the start, enjoy similar thrills and feel gratitude for being there in the moment.
Country with the best cuisine...
Probably Italy. I can’t describe myself as particularly adventurous foodwise, though I have a penchant for food markets.
I prefer greens and fish, though I have always enjoyed the food throughout the Mediterranean, probably because of its cultural similarities. The venue, design, companionship, wine and conversation are most crucial for me.
My next holiday plans…
Belgium as a starting point. We will then drive to Champagne in France, or change tack and visit Holland in the spirit of an open motoring break. Belgium is excellently poised in central Europe, so we will decide when we get on the road.
My dream trip…
I’ve got Peru on my mind in particular and also Mexico, Cuba and India. My travel dream would be to combine art, culture and travel. And to have enough money for a round-the-world trip…
I partied hardest in…
Spirito-Martini at Porte de Namur in central Brussels during a break with my son who lives there and his friends. It doesn’t usually end there and there are some interesting bars such as The Flat – an apartment utilising original settings, bathroom and all, for socialising.
Spirito-Maritini, though, is quite spectacular. It was formerly a church and now converted into a club. The interior and high gothic ceilings lend themselves to an unusual atmosphere and acoustics.
My travel tip…
Always be open to cultural variety and differences. Experience each moment to the full and create good memories with good friends.
I think that motoring trips provide the most pleasurable discoveries through the opportunity of stopping at a whim in unusual spots a guidebook would never tell you about.
Do update your GPS! And hold on to your road maps.