I am Ruba, originally from the chaotic and beautiful lands of the Middle East, coming from a Jordanian Father and a Lebanese Mother. I was born in Kuwait and during 1990 Gulf War, my family relocated to Jordan I met my Italian husband in 2015 in Macho Picchu, Peru who was living in the UK, thus I moved to the UK in 2016 to live together.
In 2023 I left the UK to tour some hidden gems spots in Indonesia and South East Asia, where I stayed for 5 months in Bali. In 2024, I moved to Puglia, Italy to start living my dream of La Dolce Vita
What My Name Means? What the Name Ruba Means?
Ruba, my name, in my native language, Arabic, means the little green hills! But in Italian language, it means thief!! You could imagine my delight when I first discovered that!! Nevertheless, Italy has always stolen my heart (probably like most people on this planet).
Why Reading my Travel Blog?
1. I am a well-travelled person! I have been travelling non-stop since I finished university in 2005! shsh…. don’t count how old I am!
2. I travelled to over 33 countries, mixed between slow-travelling style and quick city escapes.
3. Some occasions I travelled to the same country several times to explore new hidden gems and discover new towns, beaches …etc. For example, I travelled to Lebanon more than 20 times during my lifetime, Germany 2 times, Italy before settling here now, over 15 times.
4. I worked in a major airline as a Regional Manager … pst (Qatar Airways) for 3 years and I took the opportunity to travel the world using employees discounted ticktes and hotels previlage.
5. I worked for Jordan Tourism Board for 3 years, and explored every bit of Jordan, if you want to disover Jordan’s best hidden gems, get in touch now!
6. I stayed in different mix of accomodations, from luxury hotels to unique Airbnb stays. Let me share a secret with you! I never stayed in shared stays or in a hostels! I love my own privacy when I travel, thus I never did camping or RVs..hehehe!
7. I used mixed travelling modes, business class on major airlines, low cost carriers, trains, ferries, boats and cars.
8. Becasue of working with an airline, I can share the best tips to when to book cheapest flights and how to use the miles programmes to get an upgrade!
Countries I Travelled
- Jordan, I lived in Jordan for 24 years and I am originally from here!
- Lebanon, visited over 20 times as it is my mother’s home country and summers in Lebanon are unbeatable
- Kuwait, the country where I was born and lived until I was 8 years old
- Iraq! Spent summertimes with my family there before 1990 and I still remember the beauty of Babylon
- Syria, definitly visited old Damscus several times before the war in 2011 on my route to Lebanon
- Palestine, visited Nazareth, Haifa (my grandmother hometown), Jerusalem, Akko, Ramallah and many others
- Egypt, lived in Cairo with my family in 1991 and visited 3 times to Sharm al Sheik and Taba for beautiful snorkling adevntures
- Qatar, lived and visited few times due to work, but I must say it is a modern and peacful country
- United Arab of Emirates, visited many times Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al-Fujairah, Al-Ain
- Indonesia, lived in Bali for 5 months 2023-2024 but visited Raja Ampat remote islands, Komodo Islands, Gili Islands, Nusa Penida
- Malaysia
- Thailand, visited Koh Samui, Phuket and Bangkok
- Cambodia the true hidden gem Asian Country
- Vietnam, visited Hanoi and Ha-Long Bay
- Sri-Lanka another hidden gem with beautiful lush scenaries and yummy food
- Maldives for lush escape and over-water bungalows
- United Kingdom, lived for nearly 8 years in York, visited Wales, Scotland, London and naturally explored all Yorkshire region as York is situated in this region
- France, Paris for my engagment only
- Germany, visited Berlin and Dresden for its must see Christmas markets
- Portugal, Algarve region
- Italy, my nowadays hometown and extensive travelling to Verona, Venice, Rome, Milan, Lake Como, Lake Garda, Mantova, Ferrara, Bologna, Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Orvieto, Naples, Amalfi Coast, Capri Island, Ischia Island, Pompei, Salerno, Lecce, Bari, Alberobello, Locorotondo, Cisternino, Ostuni, Matera, Otranto, Brindisi, Oria, Ceglie Messapica, Pescara, L’Aquile, Salmone, Termoli, Polignano a Mare, Monopoli, Sicily Island (Cefalu, Palermo, Ortigia), Trentio Region for Ski
- Malta
- Poland a true European hidden gem for Christmas Markets and during summertime, visited Krakow and Wroclaw
- Cezh Republic for magical Christmas Market
- Greece, visited Athens several times and Mykonos and Hydra Islands
- United States of America, visited New York, Chicago, Omaha and Lincoln
- Mexico, visited Cancun several times
- Cuba
- Peru for Macho Piccho and Cusco magical lands
- Brazil for the warmest people on this planet, visited Rio Di Jannero
My Key Skills as a Travel Blogger
- I am known for my unique communication skills that I proudly gained since my childhood due to my travels and living in different countries, that enabled me to understand different cultures and be super adaptive
- Flexible and adaptive person
- Very organised! I plan for my travels way ahead of time and I prepare travel checklists to ensure I am ready for my travels!
- Resilient person, coming from mixed backgrounds and difficult and conflicted region made me a very resilient and determined person
- Very good listener! yup, I am that person who will sit, listen to you with no interruptions and no judgement!
- A great writer too! I mean I have a travel blog!
