Traveller Profile - Nadine
Our traveller profile for the month of October is Nadine. Nadine is an experienced traveller from Berlin, Germany. Nadine has been to over 70 countries including living and working in Dublin, Ireland and aboard cruise ships touring the Mediterranean Sea and Southeast Asia. Read on for Nadine’s top travel tips…
1. Why do you travel?
I travel because I love exploring other countries, cultures, learn about people and their backgrounds and religions. I also like to travel in groups to meet likeminded people from all over the world. I also travel to relax - spending time abroad at beaches and a pool. I love sightseeing, so I also do shorter trips just for a weekend. Europe is so easy to get around to many different destinations. There is so much more to discover on this beautiful planet.
2. Tell us your favourite: a place to visit, mode of transport and source to get travel info.
Favourite place to visit is… There is definitely more than one! You can't compare most countries. I loved Brazil, I also loved Vietnam or India. In general, I like Asia a lot, but also Arabic countries.
The easiest way to travel long distances is by plane. But once in a country, I enjoy public transport, like trains (day or night), and also bus while with a group.
Favourite place to get travel info is mainly from the internet, Lonely Planet is my favourite guide book. But luckily I have friends who also travel, so I can also ask them for recommendation.
3. What is your favourite travel memory?
Memories! Just to mention a few:
- being on the phone with my pen pal from Nepal, who lives in the US for many years, we have known each other for almost 30 years, but never met, but I met her parents when I was in Nepal and we called her.
- sky dived in Namibia
- sky dived close to Iguazu falls in Brazil/Argentina
- Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem, very touching because of the history Germany was involved in (I have never cried in a museum before!!)
- seeing the Pope himself in Rome
- my job on the cruise ship :-)
4. What's the most important thing you've learned while travelling?
If you see something you like, buy it. You might never return.
5. Who would you love to sit next to on your next flight?
My parents
6. What's your best money-saving tip to travel?
Stay local, eat local. Walk a lot, get lost.
7. How do you deal with the post-holiday blues?
Book another trip as soon as possible. (but also check your photos from the previous trip, share with interested friends and family), buy spices or food you can still use after the trip. Go to restaurants with the country's food where you just came from (very easy in Berlin)
8. What's one thing you like to do in every place you visit?
Visit a local supermarket
9. Travelling can leave a big environmental footprint, how do you minimise yours?
I still fly :-/ but I don't use plastic bags at home, I don't buy coffee-to-go cups. I also don't have a car, I either cycle (a lot!!) or take public transport.
10. Plan an around the world trip for us, stopping in one city only on each continent.
Start in Berlin (Europe), then you go to New York (North America), then to Rio de Janeiro (South America), then somewhere in Antarctica (don’t know any City there right now), then you go to Cairo (Africa) and next to Hoi An in Vietnam (Asia).
If you would like to read other traveller profiles we have featured, click here.
Each month an enthusiastic traveller will share with us their personal stories from their adventures around the world. If you would like to be featured in the upcoming months then please drop us a note below…