At Tiplr, we love nothing more than finding an Explorer who truly shares our love and passion for travel, and more specifically, for traveling deeper, in a most authentic way. Emily dove right into the Tiplr community, enthusiastically sharing her tips about Cuba and Denmark.
Emily studied English Literature at Queen Mary University in London. She loves reading, with her two favourite books being 1984 and The Great Gatsby. She is a self proclaimed “classics geek” and adores ancient Greek and Roman art, literature, mythology and history. She graduated two years ago and is currently working at a children’s publishing company in Peterborough. In the short term, her hope is to move back to London. In the long term, her dream is to visit every continent at least once!
Tiplr isn’t just about tips, but the smart travelers behind those tips. So, without further ado, please meet our featured Explorer this month, Emily Wilson.
What made you fall in love with travel?
Well, my dad is a pilot so maybe there is something in our blood? I definitely get it from my family, we love to travel. Family holidays have always been a big thing and I’ve had some amazing trips so I guess my love began during my childhood. I specifically remember a family trip we made to Shanghai when I was about 8 years old; it was the most exotic, magnificent place I’d ever seen. I was captivated by how different everything was — all the amazing buildings with their colourful pagoda-style roofs, dragon statues, Chinese gardens, bustling streets and stacks and stacks of bicycles. I guess this feeling of wonder and awe is what made me fall in love with travel; I love experiencing somewhere completely different from home, seeing different cultures and a different way of life.
Why do you travel?
I guess I travel to learn through new experiences. I like experiencing another culture, learning a place’s history, trying new food, discovering foreign art, and just getting to know an unknown place. There is nothing more amazing than discovering something new and when you are travelling this happens over and over again.
Where was your last trip? Why did you choose that destination?
I have just returned from Croatia. I was based in a small town called Labin in Istria and travelled around the region visiting some charming towns and cities — Pula was my personal favourite. I choose Croatia because I had been two years before while interrailing around Europe and I just adored it; the beautiful architecture with its heavy Roman influence, its rich history, the delicious seafood, the beautiful weather (not so much the beaches). It really is a fantastic and beautiful country — I would highly recommend it.
Favorite thing you found “by accident” or randomly while traveling?
During my time interrailing I visited Vienna and on our first night in the city my friend and I popped out for a quick bite to eat — we had arrived late and had just had a long and stressful train journey so wanted something quick before bed. We stumbled across this amazing sushi restaurant just around the corner from our hostel. It was run by this little old Japanese lady in what was almost like her front room; she didn’t speak much English and we were her only customers but we loved it so much we went back the next day too!
Where are you off to next?
It is my birthday in a few weeks so I will be going to Dublin for the weekend to celebrate, then at the end of October I am going to Paris. I’ve visited both cities before but I just love going back and finding something new to do, especially Paris — I mean, who doesn’t love Paris?
Favorite thing you’ve written about so far?
I’ve really enjoyed sharing my experiences of Cuba — it’s such an incredible and fascinating country that is actually quite difficult to describe to someone who has never been. It’s still growing and changing so much that I am already considering going back next year to see how different it is. I think my best and most useful tip was probably about the pools, they honestly are an oasis in the hot, sticky Cuban cities.
Favorite thing that you haven’t shared on Tiplr yet?
I’m sure there are lots of things I have yet to share on Tiplr, but one that immediately comes to mind is the best beach I’ve ever been on. On an island a short ferry ride away from Hong Kong is the most amazing, secluded beach — when I was there it was just me and the lifeguard. You have to catch a ferry over and then trek through the forest to the beach on the opposite side of the island. When you emerge from the bushes the beach appears like a mirage. Hot and sweaty from the walk through the humid jungle there is nothing better than an empty beach and a stretch of crystal blue sea all to yourself, this is probably as close to paradise as I have ever been.
Strangest experience while traveling?
I’m sure I’ve had lots of funny and strange anecdotes but they are probably only funny to me… but I’ll give this question a go! While in Cienfuegos earlier this summer with my boyfriend I had been recommended a restaurant so we jumped in a taxi and the driver took us there. However, the restaurant was fully booked that evening so the driver said he would take us to his favourite place to eat in the city. He proceeded to drive us to what was presumably his neighbourhood, pulled up outside a restaurant and asked the waitress for a table for three!
You live in the U.K. Any tips for people interested in traveling there?
I would say if you are travelling across the country get buses (Megabus is a good shout) and not trains, they are much, much cheaper and potentially more reliable at the moment. I would also say always have an umbrella — I came back from Croatia at the weekend and made the fatal mistake of forgetting mine so by the time I reached the car I was soaked through.
Photo Credits: Emily Wilson
Interview by Managing Editor Tara Turner.
