Searching for yourself through travel

Meet Alexandra from East Coast Contessa

Some travel in search of new experiences, others travel because this is the only way they can find themselves. Below is our interview with Alexandra Booze who is the editor of the international travel and lifestyle blog, East Coast Contessa. She has worked with more than 500 brands from 40 countries across the globe and is an experienced content writer as well as a globe-trotter. 

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Planning a trip

The better you plan your trip, the less stressful it is going to be. The time and effort you invest in preparations will pay off big time. Consider these critical items as you are embarking on your next adventure:

None of the items above can be overlooked. Alexandra knows all about it and more. She is an expert on the best sights to see and places to eat. Just ask!

- What is your favorite trip?

My favorite trip was to Israel in January 2021. I was in the middle of a very rough time in my life where I didn't know what my next steps would be. I was living in Spain and not really enjoying it, and was trying to figure out where to go next. Israel is such a healing place and full of magic and spirituality. Spending two weeks there was the perfect way for me to reset and figure out what I wanted for myself. 

- What kind of advice do you have for beginner travelers?

My advice for travelers with little experience is to start with destinations and experiences they feel more comfortable in. Dip your toes into travel by traveling locally or within your own country first.

- Is it important to speak foreign languages for travel?

When traveling internationally, be sure to pick destinations where people speak your native language (at least on some level), or whose language you speak, or that have an established tourism industry. This will help you understand different cultures better, become more open minded, and learn valuable travel lessons.

- Is it possible to travel on a limited budget?

It's important to learn the ways to travel smarter and affordably (use points and miles from credit cards, look for deals on flights through reward programs and sites like Scott's Cheap Flights, Skyscanner, and Priceline). Finding great deals and learning about rewards programs and travel hacks early on makes it a lot easier and less costly.

Pin your travels, past and future

If you love travel, you will enjoy discovering a Wooden World Map from Enjoy the Wood. Besides serving as a real life map to all those keen on geography, it can function as a great memory board. You can pin the places you have been to or are planning to visit. Just use a variety of plane and country push pins that are readily available. A useful tool to organize all your past and future travels. You can even pin postcards and photos to your map!

A perfect centerpiece for your wall

Nobody can remain impartial when seeing these elegant handcrafted maps made of top quality birch plywood. Just like so many Enjoy The Wood's customers around the world, Alexandra could not resist getting one for herself. She went with the 3D World Wooden Map Multicolor and could not be happier. Indeed, this map is a perfect centerpiece for her bedroom wall.

The Wooden World Map is always there for you

She got the largest size that covers the whole wall and the colors are so vibrant, that it is hard to take your eyes off it.

A perfect choice for any interior and a great conversation starter with friends and visitors alike. Whether you talk about travel or life in general, the Wooden World Map is there to create a cozy stylish atmosphere for reflection and excitement about great things to come.