Welcome back! It’s that time again where we gather some great weekend travel inspiration from our fellow world travelers. This week, on Rendezvous with Rovers, we interview Or from My Path in the World, who is a self-proclaimed lover of Spain!
Please introduce yourself, how you began traveling, how often you travel, and such.
I’m Or, an aspiring travel blogger obsessed with exploring the world. I’ve always loved traveling, but I started to travel more often only in the last 4-5 years. Luckily, I’m able to travel 4-5 times a year, and I intend to travel even more.
Describe your travel philosophy.
I would describe my traveling style as simple with an edge. I really like planning my own trips, because I’m always looking for both touristy and non touristy destinations and things to do. It awakens my travel FOMO which is something I’m working on, because I’m trying not to miss anything, but I also don’t want to rush things and I feel like being spontaneous is also important. I’m also a mid-range budget traveler, so I’m looking for that balance between being comfortable and enjoying activities, sights and food, and not spending too much or too little to do so.
Do you travel alone or with a partner?
Most of my trips are with a partner, but I have traveled solo a couple of times. Traveling with a partner that is on the same page as you is great, because you get to share so many memories together, and sometimes you even get another point of view on the place you visit. If they’re not on the same page as you, or if you can’t find a partner, there’s nothing wrong with traveling solo. It really pushed me out of my comfort zone, making me a lot more open to start a conversation with a stranger, feeling comfortable spending time with my self, and feeling more independent.
What types of things are you interested in while you are traveling?
It depends on the type of trip I’m taking, but I always love a good mix of things to do and see. If it’s a city trip, I like exploring the history and culture (through sights, museums, tours,etc.), the different neighborhoods, and the local markets, restaurants and cafes. On a road trip I like to visit small villages and natural spaces. I’m still finding the balance between seeing as much as I can, and taking my time to enjoy each stop.
What are some of the places that you just found enchanting during your travels?
Spain is my obsession. Whether you visit cities like Madrid or Valencia, or take a road trip around the country, it’s really hard not to fall in love with it. Apart from its fascinating history and culture, it has something to offer to any type of traveler – beautiful cities, charming little villages, dreamy beaches and incredible natural landscapes. The fact that it’s such a diverse destination (when it’s normally perceived as only a beach destination) is what makes it so special.
How did you get started travel blogging?
I had a hard time finding my purpose, and as much as I loved traveling, it also felt like escaping. Once I figured that this is how I want my life to look like, at least for now, I decided to start travel blogging. It definitely makes my trips a bit more stressful, because I want to make sure that I’m coming back with a lot of added value to write about, but it’s also rewarding to know that I’m helping others make their trips better. The one thing I’m struggling with is writing in English because it’s not my native language, but practice makes progress. Since I’m still a beginner, my advice about blogging is to not compare yourself to others. It’s super hard to do that, but it’s important to remember that each one of us has its own journey.
Do you have a place, experience, or food that stands out as one of your favorites?
Like I mentioned, Spain is my obsession, but Argentina is also one of my most favorite destinations. I’ve taken some amazing hikes there and seen some of the most beautiful views I had ever seen. One of the hikes I had taken there was pretty amazing as far as views, but the weather wasn’t so good and the last kilometer was brutal (climbing a very steep mountain), so doing that once was more than enough.
If you could inspire someone to start traveling, which place would you recommend to him or her as a good starting destination and why?
I would say Madrid. It’s a beautiful city that combines perfectly the traditional and the modern, and anyone can find something to love about it. It’s also safe and very easy to get around. If you’re coming from a Western country, I wouldn’t travel for the first time to a non-Western destination which can be quite a shock and not as easy to get around.
Do you have any other stories, info, advice, etc. that you would love to tell us?
Three years ago, I spent one month in Madrid, improving my Spanish in a language school. I got to meet people from around the world, learn from amazing teachers and experience the city like a local rather than just touring it. I highly recommend this experience to anyone who’s looking for an ‘out of the box’ adventure.What is your next destination and what are you looking forward to doing there?My next destination will probably be Athens, Greece. I’m looking forward to exploring the different neighborhoods and the historical sights, and eating Greek food.
Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.