If you haven’t heard about our First Choice Insiders programme yet, it’s about time you did. @roamingwithmaria & @shot.byjose are two of the amazing travel creators we’ve partnered with to get you that on-the-ground info and inspo you’re after.
Our Insiders pick the trips they really want to go on and bring all the details back to you – videos, pics and loads of local recs – on social, our website, and you can find their full itineraries right here on Inspire. Go along on these journeys with them, and see what hits the spot for you. They’re all set to be your eyes and ears on the ground and, who knows, maybe they’ll show you a place you never thought you’d pick before.
So, get started and meet our photographer power couple, @roamingwithmaria & @shot.byjose…
First of all, tell us a bit about yourself!
Hey! We’re Jose and Maria – AKA @shot.byjose and @roamingwithmaria. We’re travel content creators and photographers based in Bristol. We’ve been all over the world, capturing pics of everything, from natural landscapes to buzzy cities. Our adventures are all about discovering new cultures, savouring local cuisine and bonding over new experiences.
How many countries have you travelled to so far?
We’ve visited over 26 countries together.
What’s your earliest holiday memory?
One of our earliest holiday memories together is our first trip to Venice. It was such a romantic weekend with unreal Italian food and a cosy hotel with views of the Rialto. Every part of the city was so pretty. A highlight for us was the Carnival – seeing everyone dressed in the costumes and masks was really cool.
Where’s the last place you visited?
Our last trip was a spontaneous weekend away in Grindelwald, Switzerland. We booked a last-minute flight to Basel, then travelled there by train. It’s such a charming village, but it’s extra stunning when it’s all snowy in the winter.
What’s your ultimate bucket list destination, and why?
Indonesia – or anywhere in Southeast Asia really! It’s been on our bucket list forever, it just looks so dreamy.
Is there a destination you love to revisit? Or are you the type of traveller that can’t stand going back to a place you’ve already ticked off your list?
Normally, we prefer to travel to new places, but we would make an exception for Iceland and Greece. We were obsessed when we visited both countries and there is so much more to explore!
How do you approach planning your travels? Are you more spontaneous or do you like to plan things down to the last detail?
We love switching it up between spontaneous and planned trips. Travelling last minute is such a thrill, but we also enjoy researching our destination and making sure we don’t miss any must-see spots.
What’s the number one thing you look for in a destination? Food, sights, culture, or something else?
We’re big on cultural sites, natural beauty and history. Trying local food and learning about traditions is super important to us, too.
Tell us your biggest travel ick – we’re talking bare feet on the plane, clapping when the plane lands…
We can’t stand it when people immediately get up and crowd the aisle as soon as the plane reaches the gate… we’re all getting off, chill out!
Is there a travel hack you discovered that changed the game for you?
Packing a portable power bank and a multi-port USB charger. It’s a lifesaver on long travel days, especially as photographers who need to keep our cameras and phones charged!
Tell us about…
…the most beautiful place you’ve visited
It’s hard to choose, but we can definitely say that the Côte d’Azur in France is incredibly beautiful. We did a road trip and we were honestly stopping every five minutes for photo opps, from the coastal views to the cute towns.
…the most memorable place you’ve visited
The Dolomites have been our most memorable trip so far. The stunning mountain views and
snowy scenes were insane. We did some skiing, explored charming villages and chilled out in spa retreats. We travelled in a camper, too, which definitely made us grow as a couple!
… the most surprising place you’ve visited
It’s got to be Luxembourg. Our last-minute trip to the Christmas markets was the best! The festive vibes and delish food were unmatched, and it’s a huge bonus that public transport is free everywhere.
If you want to get to know our other Insiders and find out more about the programme, you’ll love our Insiders Hub.
Keep an eye out for the ‘Insider pick’ tag when you’re browsing our best deals and in your holiday search results, too.
Looking for more articles? You’ll find them on the Inspire homepage.
Author: @roamingwithmaria & @shot.byjose
Last updated: 13/03/2025
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