Interview with Christine Amorose

Christine is an amazing young woman who quit her day job at Silicon Valley and sailed to a life full of adventures. She was a bartender in France, backpacked through southeast Asia and Europe, spent some time in Australia… Currently she lives in New York City from where she runs a successful web site called C’est Christine. But, she still likes to pack her suitcase and go on new traveling adventures, whenever she can.

Q: Did someone have an influence on your decision to change your life (quit your job) and start traveling?

A: My parents have always been super supportive of my love of travel and desire to live abroad. They encouraged me to do it while I was young!

Q: What was the first country you visited and why did you choose it?

A: My first international trip was France when I was 11. My mom studied and lived in Paris when she was younger, and we had good family friends who lived in Provence.

Q: Did you travel a lot when you were a child?

A: I visited my grandparents in Florida and went to summer camp in the mountains, but I didn’t travel internationally too much.

Q: Do you always travel alone?

A: No! I love to travel alone, but I also love traveling with my boyfriend, my friends and my family.

Q: What do you prefer; hotels, hostels or private accommodation and why?

A: I’ve stayed in plenty of hostels while backpacking solo, and they’re great for meeting people and saving money. But now I enjoy splurging on a nice hotel so that traveling feels like a true vacation.

Q: How do you fund your trips?

A: I work full-time in brand partnerships in New York City, as well as freelance writing and travel blogging.

Q: How many countries have you visited?

A: Around 31!

Q: Where are you going next and what will your activities be there?

A: I’m going to Mexico in February with my boyfriend’s family. Our only plans are to eat tacos, find hidden denotes and squeeze in plenty of beach time.

Q: If you can choose one country and one city (doesn’t have to be from the same country) which you would recommend visiting and why?

A: For country, Vietnam. It’s super affordable, the food is just blow-your-mind ridiculously good, and the people are so friendly. For city, New York City! I’m biased living here, but there is truly something for everyone here and the energy is so thrilling.

Q: Are there any places you don’t want to visit and why?

A: I’m open to everything!

Q: What’s your favourite gadget you take with you on all your journeys?

A: My iPhone 6. It’s my camera, my map, all of my social networks.

Q: What is your favourite travel app for your smartphone or tablet?

A: I rely on the XE app whenever I’m traveling for quick and easy currency conversions.

Q: What camera and lens do you use?

A: iPhone 6!

Q: What did you learn on your travels and how has traveling changed you?

A: I’ve learned to be much more self-sufficient and more relaxed – there are so many variables in travel that are out of your control, and you have to just go with the flow.

Q: I see you have crossed off more than half from your pre-marriage bucket list. What will be the next big thing?

A: I’d love to learn to bake all of my grandma’s traditional German recipes. I finally got a KitchenAid for Christmas, so now I can really start trying!

Q: Why did you choose New York as a place where you will settle down?

A: I didn’t really know that I would settle down in New York City when I moved here, but there’s something addictive about life in this city: there’s always something to see or do, and all of the food, drinks, and experiences are just world-class. It’s hard to imagine living anywhere else after you live in New York City!

A few questions about your visit to Croatia

Q: You spent your 24th birthday in Croatia. What attracted you to visit Croatia and to celebrate your birthday here?

A: I’d heard that the beaches are incredible, and that there is a great opportunity to sail the coast (at an affordable price).

Q: How long were you in Croatia?

A: About two weeks.

Q: Which places did you visit?

A: Zagreb, Split, Plitvice, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Korčula and several other islands along the coast.

Q: What was your favourite moment?

A: We rented motorbikes in Hvar and spent a whole day exploring the island: there were such incredible vistas, remote beaches and plenty of places to relax with an ice cream cone. It was so beautiful that it didn’t even seem real!

Q: Would you like to come back and if so what would you like to see and do?

A: Of course! There are so many more islands along the coast that I’d like to visit, and I’d love to spend more time relaxing in the ones that I did visit. I also would love to spend more time exploring in Plitvice National Park – one day wasn’t enough!

Q: Did anything bad happen to you while you were here?

A: No!

Q: What do you think about Croatian people?

A: Very friendly and helpful.

Q: And what about the sea and beaches? Would you recommend them?

A: The beaches were absolutely incredible and there were so many that weren’t busy at all. The sea itself was clear and had a beautiful shade of turquoise. On the sailboat we often stopped in the middle of the sea for a swim break – so fun!

Q: How was the food?

A: Simple and fresh.

Q: Do you have any tips for travelers thinking of visiting Croatia?

A: Go! I think that traveling via boat along the coast is definitely the best way since there are so many wonderful islands and beaches. Dubrovnik is such a gorgeous city – be sure to spend a couple of days exploring there!

Q: Do you wish to add anything else that’s not covered by my questions but is worth mentioning?

A: The Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb was so interesting and worth visiting – I’ve never been anywhere like it!

Q: Where can we find you online?

A: On my website. 🙂