Travelita Interview – Nikoleta Chirita

1. What does traveling mean to you? 2. Why is that important?

I believe traveling helps you discover new cultures to learn new things, and mostly discover yourself.  In a world where we are always searching for a better job, a better car, a bigger house, traveling lets you actually live. We only have this life, this opportunity to discover, to enjoy ourselves and to learn to love life.

2. Now that I know what it is, now that I know why it’s important and relevant, how are you implementing this on your travels? I mean like, is there a process, that you follow when traveling? 

Honestly, I don’t have much of a system, I do look for places I want to see, or check for cheap flights, and book in advance. I also do an overall budget and check approximate prices for attractions, food, transportation, to make sure I have enough and some extra for emergencies. I also have a list of places I would want to visit, but I don’t make a full itinerary from back home, as it would depend on weather and day to day mood.

3. What if people took advantage of your tips and steps you are providing? What will happen, how will their travels change? 

As I said I don’t do an actual itinerary, so maybe they could learn to not make a full schedule, and just wing it 

Also, in all my trips I enjoy walking, to enjoy the city, people, food. So maybe trying different things and not saying no to new experiences (with reason of course) would be something to learn.

4. Now we would like to get just some general information about you and your travels: – When did you start traveling? 

My parents like visiting new places, although only in Romania, so I’ve been traveling the country since I was 6. My first outside of country travel was when ai was 21, went to the USA with a work and travel program (which I strongly recommend to any student).

– Do you remember how you felt when you traveled alone for the first time? – How did you, or do you deal with fears? 

I have actually never traveled alone, I went to a Tunisia alone, but I met my boyfriend there, so that was the only time I was alone on a flight and in transit. I wouldn’t say I had any fears, as it was not the first time I traveled and I knew English was spoken everywhere. 

– Is there a place where you have been and you would definitely not recommend it for women on their own and why? 

I would say Root 66 in the USA at night, but only because traveling by a car at night it gets creepy. (also wouldn’t recommend it for guys). Other than this I do not have any places in mind, I was lucky to meet nice and helpful people.

– Do you still have this excitement, when you go for a trip? – what are your top 5 destinations and why? 

I think I will always be excited over a trip, even to the same places, the experience is always different.

My top 5 places, that I actually visited are:

• USA Grand Canyon, that was the best view I ever saw, pictures do not do it justice
• Lisbon, great graffiti and really nice people, and the food is really good
• Lithuania for the awesome people
• Tunisian Desert, for a totally new experience (sleeping and having a campfire there)
• London, the scenery is really nice, even though the weather is not always friendly

Free your travels, be a Travelita! #travelita #iamatravelita