Tell us something about yourself (what you do/hobbies, etc)

I’m an experimental photographer and

I am currently reading for a Bachelors in Digital Arts. My hobbies are kayaking, dj-ing and travelling.

How often do you travel?

I used to travel more often. However, since I started a full-time course at University, I’m travelling around twice a year.

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

My first experience abroad was a visit to Venice, Italy, at the age of 17. When I was young I used to dream about flying, however, since I come from a very big family, we couldn’t afford to travel. At that age, the thought of travelling on a plane was more alluring than the prospect of visiting a different country.

Best holiday ever and why?

It’s very difficult to choose one. India and Taiwan are perhaps on top of my list for different reasons. India was like travelling back into time, while Taiwan was like travelling into the future.

India was like travelling back into time, while Taiwan was like travelling into the future

Which place would you never visit and why?

Truth be told, I am willing to visit anywhere in the world, as long as I’m not flying solo. I don’t enjoy travelling on my own – I get paranoid of either getting lost or kidnapped, as dramatic as that sounds.

Best travel companion?

Definitely my partner. We get along on various levels and most of the time we always feel like doing the same thing... we enjoy getting lost and discovering places that are not commonplace. We are also cultural tourists and our trips often revolve around attending cultural events such as design weeks, art biennales and blockbuster exhibitions.

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

I hate travelling with people who like to sleep in. Don’t get me wrong, I love sleeping in, but when I’m abroad I make an extra effort to go out as early as possible, no matter how tired I am. When I’m abroad, I need to soak up as much as possible, sleeping in becomes a waste of time.

What do you usually look for when you travel? (culture/clubbing/beach/food, etc)

I enjoy mixing it up when travelling… I enjoy visiting clubs (ones that you don’t find here), searching for good food and visiting good art shows. Over the past few years, my travels were predominantly focused on participating in exhibitions or residencies. However, I always make time to explore my surroundings and indulge in the local culture.

The perfect holiday would be…

Hopping from one city to another with a VW camper.

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

Taiwan.

Package tours or DIY?

Definitely DIY. I am not one to follow a day-by-day itinerary or to stay in hotels.

What the best travel advice you can give?

Do your homework, take time to research the cities that you’d be staying in - depending on your tastes, make sure to inform yourself on the main events happening during your stay. Don’t underestimate the choice of accommodation – finding a cosy studio flat or a room in a shared apartment, can give you a real feel for the place and can make you feel at home at the same time.

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

Once, while I was in India, it was suggested to take a particular bus which didn’t exist. Upon realising that, we had to take another bus that took around 24 hours to get to out destination.

Flying – hate it/love it/neutral?

I love take-offs, it’s gives me an adrenaline rush. I also enjoy it when there’s a little bit of turbulence and as weird as this might make me sound, I love plane food and all those neat little packages.

Whenever I look back at things I’ve done, my travel experiences always come out on top

The one place you never get tired of visiting?

Taiwan –  I love the people there and how advanced their art scene is, as well as the value they give to contemporary art and artists, both local and international. Also, Taiwan is incredibly quirky – with high-rise buildings in the commercial centres and eclectic/chaotic little residences in the side streets.

Describe one memory that stuck with you from a place.

On our last visit to Taiwan, Taipei was hit by typhoon Dujuan. Luckily, it hit on our very last day there, so it was pretty mild at first. On our way to the airport, however, we could tell that a storm was brewing. Upon arriving, my partner and I went inside to check in our luggage and I went outside for a cigarette. As soon as I put the cigarette in my mouth, the intensity of the wind plucked it right out of my mouth, while a short distance away, a tree was up-rooted and collapsed to the ground. Upon returning inside the airport, my partner asked about the state of the weather and to calm her down I told her that it was still very mild… only after we got to Malta did I tell her what had actually happened out there.

You met the coolest people at….

Taipei. The people there are so friendly and open-minded that I felt like bringing them all to Malta. They are also good hosts and extremely multi-cultural.

Your best budget tip to save money on holiday?

Stay at BnBs and in private homes and always eat where the locals eat (which usually isn’t in a main square).

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

I would like to live in London to experience a hectic city. However, I also wouldn’t mind spending a few years in Taiwan.

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

I’m game for anything really… except for culinary adventures. I don’t like eating strange looking food or animal parts which I wouldn’t normally eat locally.

Anything on your travel bucket list?

Three places at the top of my list: New York, Mexico and Iceland.

Travel is important to you because... ?

Whenever I look back at the things I’ve done, my travel experiences always come out on top. Out of all the things one can purchase, I think travel is the only thing that truly remains with you. The experiences lived, the people met, the awe of new spaces and places is pretty much incomparable to anything else.

What has travel taught you?

One has to adapt to the different cultures and be open to different things. Whenever I am in a foreign country, I always show respect to their culture, even if I wouldn’t necessarily agree with certain customs or traditions.

Where would you retire and why?

It’s not so much where... as long as my family is within close proximity, I’d be happy.