As a child, my dad would read Lonely Planet guides to me instead of bedtime stories. That love for travel has stayed with me since, taking me to Argentina for my studies where I spent holidays hiking in Patagonia and travelling across Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay, and Brazil.
Despite my love for South America, a fascination with the histories and cultures of the Arab world later led me to Jordan, where I worked with a local charity, before continuing my journey through the sweeping deserts and vibrant, bustling markets of Oman, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Morocco.
During Ramadan, I experienced the unparalleled warmth of Arab hospitality, or karam, and was lucky enough to try many delicious Levantine and Maghrebi dishes. I consider the tradition of offering food a microcosm of the generosity and pride of locals eager to showcase their cultures, something that makes a trip to these countries particularly special.
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Q&A with Olivia
What’s the best local dish you’ve tasted?
In Arab culture, food and drink are as much about sharing a moment with others as they are flavor. The taste of mint tea will always bring back memories of meeting new people and hearing their stories. I’ll never forget my first time being offered tea when my hire car broke down in the middle of the desert. Completely stranded with no phone signal, a group of Bedouin came to my rescue. We danced and shared tea as the sun set over the Dead Sea — and most importantly, they lent me enough petrol to reach the nearest station.
What’s your most vivid travel moment?
My most unforgettable travel moment is also probably my earliest travel memory. On my first trip to Morocco, aged 11, I spent a night sleeping on a rug under the Saharan sky. Despite venturing into remote corners of the world since, I still don't think I have seen a sky quite so bright and alive with shooting stars. At one point, a strange noise woke me, and I turned over to see that a camel had escaped and decided to curl up beside us. It's safe to say, we didn't mind the extra body heat.
Where would you love to travel next?
I would love to explore the coral reefs of Egypt's Red Sea — I've been told by many diving enthusiasts that they are some of the best in the world. I am also eager to explore Istanbul, having visited Bosnia last year and found the combination of cultures and religious traditions fascinating. And, for something completely different, as a nature lover, Norway's fjords have been on my list for a long time.