Traveler prioritizes human encounters and expanding horizons over relaxation

For Andrea Nicola Mayr, 39, the distinction between "vacation" and "travel" is fundamental to her philosophy. The self-employed financial and insurance broker, who is also an author, views vacation as secondary to the enriching experience of travel. "Vacation is not the most important thing for me," she explains. "It's not about lying on the beach for two weeks and just switching off."

What truly drives Mayr is the opportunity for human connection and the expansion of her worldview. "What drives me are encounters with people," she states. She is deeply interested in understanding how others live, their values, and their daily routines. "How do people tick? Are they warm or rather reserved? How do they organize their lives?"

Her professional background as a financial and insurance broker even leads her to explore how insurance systems function in different countries. "As a financial and insurance broker, I eventually even get to the question of how insurance works in the respective country," she notes. These interactions and observations are the most rewarding aspects of her journeys.

Mayr consistently returns from her travels with fresh insights. "You suddenly realize that your own way of life is just one of many possibilities," she reflects. This perspective shift, gained through immersion in different cultures and ways of life, is the core value she derives from her extensive travels.