Paula Vázquez, Television Host and Model

She arrives at the café of the Hotel The Principal -next to Gran Vía- with her motorcycle helmet in hand, ready to share her most incredible adventures. She feels fortunate. At 42, Paula Vázquez has hosted some of the most popular shows on Spanish television. She was the host of Survivor, a presenter and promoter of Pekín Express, starred in a trip to Thailand with Planeta Infinito, and co-hosted Un, dos, tres.... She says that traveling has been her best school, and as a child, she often repeated the phrase, "When are we leaving?". On her social media profiles, you can read a motto that defines her philosophy of life: "Travel and you'll understand."

I remember a school bus trip to the Corrubedo sand dunes. It's a spectacular place. I saw it again as an adult and was impressed. I also remember another trip to Santiago de Compostela when the Spanish Constitution was passed. But the trip that marked me was when my brother and I flew alone to Barcelona, where our parents were waiting for us.

He joined the merchant marine, which is quite normal being from Ferrol. I talk to him a lot about travels. I call him from Italy or Nice and he asks me: Which street are you on? Then he pulls up Google Maps and says: Just two streets to the right, there's a corner café where we used to go a lot. I realize my father has traveled the entire world.

To Pantín, my grandparents' village. It belongs to Valdoviño (A Coruña) and hosts surfing world championships. We have four neighbors, but once a year, three hundred thousand people pass through. During those days, you might run into David Hasselhoff... Pantín is a magical place for me: I spent summers there with my grandmothers and friends, and it was the backdrop for my first kiss. I just bought a little plot of land there, and it will be my retreat.

Deep down, I've never left. I left Galicia at 11, but only physically. Galicia has something magical. It must be the ions produced by the sea waves... I don't know, but there's something that cleanses the spirit.

It was an incredible experience. We did over three hundred kilometers, and when we arrived in Santiago, I realized that what started as a personal experience of reconnecting with my land turned into something spiritual; something that goes beyond what you can explain.

It's a natural environment that leaves you speechless, where you can go from 30°C to -3°C in a short time. I was fascinated by the history behind it, everything surrounding it, and those tall, blonde Argentinians with blue eyes who live in those territories. And the skies in which we discovered new stars every night. From my travels, I hold onto the free shows: the sunsets in the Amazon and the sunrises in Africa. I've been fortunate to see things that no amount of money can buy.

I was 28 years old then. The first two editions were filmed in Samaná (Dominican Republic), the third in the Amazon, and the fourth in Kenya. Many years have passed, but it was an unforgettable experience.

Of course. There are things that I would never have done if it weren't for work. Like crossing the Gobi Desert on a World War II sidecar or traversing Lake Baikal on a rusty ferry.

I presented Survivor in a bikini because our luggage with the show's wardrobe got lost on the trip to the Dominican Republic.

I loved Croatia. I drove along the coast and visited the Plitvice Lakes, which are spectacular, with waterfalls worth seeing. The food is good and the locals take care of tourists... It's tourism focused on reading, beach, and family, rather than partying... A different vibe.

I stick with the Netherlands as a country and Amsterdam as a city.

Fame has disappeared over 400 kilometers. In Portugal, I'm no longer known. I also don't have any issues taking pictures with people.

I improvise quite a bit. I have traveled without hotel reservations or anything. I've even shown up at an airport one day and said: Let's see which flight is leaving now. And bought a ticket to spend a couple of days in Milan by myself.

I like to buy handmade things with local materials. I brought back some Maasai plants and small instruments that children use from Africa, recycling what we throw away here. And from South Africa, I have an ostrich egg. My house is full of memories.

I enjoy both, but I've practiced the former more. The latter option, if not in good company, seems like a hassle to me. It saddens me not to share a five-star hotel and a luxury suite with someone. That's the worst that can happen to you. I prefer a campfire with friends over a hot tub by myself.

Venice. It feels like you either go with a partner or you'll be crying the entire time you're there, seeing so many romantic couples in love. I feel the same way about the Seychelles.

We have wild beaches and the highest cliffs in continental Europe. The food is good and inexpensive. You must explore the Ribeira Sacra and the monasteries that are now starting to be restored. I also recommend the Playa de las Catedrales in Lugo and San Andrés de Teixido in A Coruña.

Barcelona is more European, while Galicia is a bit more reserved, though hospitable. We share Madrid with people without roots here, but that makes us feel closer. I've felt good in all three places.