ABOUT

I was born in September 1992 in Gallarate, a small city tucked between Milan and the Swiss border. Since I was a child, I’ve always dreamed of being somewhere else—books and libraries were my first passport to faraway worlds, long before I started collecting real ones.

My first big adventure came with Erasmus in Valencia, where I discovered how much I love living abroad (and unexpectedly developed a fascination for Korea). A couple of years later, I crossed the ocean for a semester in New Orleans, and each new experience confirmed what I already knew: I’m happiest when I’m exploring, learning, and seeing life from different perspectives. Switzerland is where I live now, though I like to think of it as just another stop along the way.

Traveling isn’t my only passion. I spend hours crocheting and knitting, even if I’ll probably never finish all the patterns I start. I can talk for ages about why Star Wars is brilliant (without quite calling myself a fanatic), and I still love the charm of postcards—it feels special to receive something tangible in a world that’s always online.

Africa has always had a special place in my heart. In 2024, I turned a childhood dream into reality by qualifying as a safari guide, a journey that brought me closer than ever to its landscapes and incredible wildlife. It’s an experience that continues to shape how I see travel — not just as movement, but as connection.

In 2026, I turned vegan. This decision comes after being vegetarian for some time and ultimately reflecting on the fact that I can’t love nature and animals and yet eat them or what comes from their exploitation. It has not been easy, and I still sometimes make mistakes, but I don’t regret my choice, and it also gave me the opportunity to open a YouTube channel where I share all the cool recipes I am learning along the way (@laveganamaldestra).

If I had to describe myself, I’d borrow the words a friend once used to introduce me at Toastmasters: “Knitting queen, cat adorer, fantasy fan, addicted traveler.” I think that sums it up pretty well.