When did you discover that you were a travel fiend and what was the influencing factor?
I don’t look like it, but my mom’s family is from India. From the age of 9 months she put us on a plane every few years to spend a few months with her family in Secunderabad, Andra Pradesh. The last time I was there was when I was twelve years old – it was harder to leave school for several months after that due to more homework, etc.
I’ve always been so grateful to my parents for making sure we had that connection to our roots in India, even though as a kid all I wanted to do was go back home to my friends! During the summers my parents would drag us all over the US in the car to visit all the famous road trip sites.
Now as an adult I’ve learned a passion for travel while looking back at all my memories as a kid. That yearning just keeps growing and motivated me to study abroad in Santiago de Compostela, Spain – I thought that would quench the thirst but it’s even stronger!
I can certainly relate, my parents were similar (not the Indian part though). Do you have a particular song/video/poem/quote that particularly inspires you to travel?
Ha, I just need to spend some time on Pinterest to find stuff like this! I do really love the cliche quotation, “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
Can you let us in on a secret? What is one discovery you have made through your travels that few people seem to visit.
I have to say that I’m shocked at the amount of travelers who seem to skip Porto, Portugal. I did a weekend there while studying abroad in Spain and fell in love with the city. It’s small enough to walk around and has a gorgeous port. I wish I had more time there – I’ll definitely be back! It’s one of my favorite cities in Europe, and I like it even more than Rome or Paris.
What did you do there and why should I visit?
I think the reason I had so much fun was because I was with a group of other foreign exchange students, so everyone was in the same mindset as far as wandering around. Not only are the locals friendly but it’s a very affordable and inexpensive town. It’s just pure, authentic Portugal.
What took you there and how did you find out about it?
It was the first opportunity I had to visit Portugal while abroad in Spain. I had never heard of it before, but it was only a few hours south of Santiago de Compostela by bus and everyone else was going, so I figured, why not?
I’ve never found a better reason to visit somewhere than that! Tell me about the food. Was it different to anything you’d experienced before?
The food is good but nothing too fantastic, to be honest. The city’s signature sandwich is called the Francesinha, which is a sandwich filled with various meats, topped with a fried egg, topped with cheese, and smothered with a beer sauce!
I’ll be honest, that sounds amazing! What was the culture like? Did you have much interaction with the locals?
The culture seems to be very laid back and friendly. We mostly had interaction with market vendors and restaurant staff, but even the locals who we passed on the street were very kind – the type of people who smile at you when you walk by.
Beyond the things to visit, do you have any tips on how one might best experience this place?
Walk across the very top of the bridge at twilight – it’s a gorgeous way to see the sunset and city night lights. Also make sure to do a wine tour as Porto is the home of Port wine.
Hm, I might pour myself a glass now actually, thanks. Changing lanes a little now, think of your favourite big city. Can you share with us one hidden secret or discovery in this city that people would likely skip past unless they knew about it?
My favorite big city is London by far – so typical, but the city has an international energy that’s incomparable to the rest of the world in my opinion. A lot of people tend to take the tube or taxis, but I recommend walking around the city by foot. This is the best way to really see the locals enjoying lunch in Green Park, or getting to stop at a market on the way to Trafalgar Square.
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Envious that she toured .
I know right? Doesn’t it sound great!
Porto struck me as a good city to soak up; the kind of place where wandering through shops, spending time in cafes and hanging out in bars is good. It’s worth popping into th McDonald’s to check out the interior. Really.