Travel as a Way of Life: A Conversation with Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska

Daria Pabjanek: Kassandra, I wanted to ask, where did your passion for travel come from? Looking at your map on I must visit, the number of places you’ve been to is impressive.

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: Thank you. I think it all started in my childhood, as I traveled a lot with my parents even back then. Of course, it was cheaper to travel by car than by plane, so since elementary school, we would drive to Croatia, the Balkans, or Greece every summer. A trip like that sometimes took three days, but that was part of the adventure. I always felt that this was something I was drawn to. When I grew up and moved out, I devoted myself to it completely.

Daria Pabjanek: Those childhood trips with your parents sound amazing; they leave you with so much to reminisce about. My sister and I sometimes do the same and laugh about it, even though we complained at the time.

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: Exactly. Did you ever go to summer camps? You'd spend a dozen hours on a bus, but now those are fond memories.

Daria Pabjanek: Of course. I’m not sure if kids still go to summer camps, but that’s how it was.

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: They do, but I get the impression they more often fly by plane now.

Daria Pabjanek: I also think people talk to each other less during such trips. When they’re on a bus now, everyone has their nose buried in their phone.

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: That’s probably true to some extent, although I believe you can still find people who are more open.

Daria Pabjanek: Do you remember your first big trip? A place from your childhood that had a real “wow” effect on you?

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: I used to keep a notebook where I described my travels. It’s probably somewhere in my parents' attic. From an adult’s perspective, I’d love to read it now. I remember a place I really liked as a child was Macedonia, now North Macedonia. It was definitely highlighted in my notebook. Another unique experience was a ferry trip on the Stena Line from Gdynia to Sweden with my grandparents. That was something completely different.

Daria Pabjanek: And did you have that feeling of, “wow, I’m abroad”?

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: Of course, and I still get that feeling. Even though I’ve visited a lot of countries and travel often, I’m always amazed by something. I compare how things are at home versus elsewhere, what I like and what I don’t. That sense of wonder always remains.

Daria Pabjanek: Have you counted how many countries you’ve been to?

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: I try not to. I don't travel just to check places off a list. On my I must visit profile, I post videos from places I have recordings of, and obviously, I didn't record things as a child. But I think it's over 50 by now.

Daria Pabjanek: Looking at your Instagram, one might think you have a perfect life. People rarely talk about what goes on behind the scenes. Have you ever faced any unpleasantness because you post and travel so much? People can be envious.

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: Of course. But usually, when someone says something negative about you, it's behind your back. I’ve found that unflattering comments usually come from people who aren’t doing much themselves. Internet creators have to be prepared for that. The less you react, the better, because they have nothing to latch onto.

Daria Pabjanek: Do you have a set way of planning your trips? Do you make packing lists?

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: It depends. I often travel spontaneously around Europe. I think it’s a great way to start because getting around is easy, you can speak English in most countries, and tickets can be very cheap. However, when I go to more exotic places, I try to make detailed lists and plans. On another continent, everything works a bit differently.

Daria Pabjanek: Speaking of traveling outside of Europe, have you ever committed a cultural faux pas?

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: Of course. A funny example is from Azerbaijan, which is a mix of Russian and Turkish influences, with Islam as the dominant religion. I had no idea that if I went out with red lipstick on, I’d be taken for a lady of the night. I was dressed modestly, in a long dress, but the lips… People thought I came from Europe to work in a certain profession. Luckily, someone clued me in, seeing that I was completely clueless.

Daria Pabjanek: What about your first trip as an adult, on your own, that made a huge impression on you?

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: I moved out of my parents' house around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, so traveling was a bit problematic. The rules about flights and vaccinations were constantly changing. But I remember my first trip was to Greece, specifically the island of Corfu. A truly paradise-like life. I used to joke that I always wanted to live on an island. You have to be careful what you wish for, because I currently live on an island, just… in Gdynia.

Daria Pabjanek: Gdynia is beautiful, and I feel it’s a bit underappreciated by Poles. Though that might be changing.

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: That's true, but during the summer, there are times in Gdynia when you can’t even leave the house. There are so many people, so many cars… The May long weekend, the end of the school year - that’s when crowds hit the city. So I think there are plenty of tourists; the problem here is the weather. You can go on a week-long vacation and only get one nice day.

Daria Pabjanek: Sure, but I feel like that’s changing too, that people aren't afraid of the weather anymore. Even when it rains, it turns out you can have a great time outside.

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: Absolutely. I’ve been to a few places where it was really cold, for example, I was above the Arctic Circle in Tromsø, Norway. It was winter, so the temperature was very low. But I think it feels different when it’s cold and you’re at home - you feel less motivated. But when you go somewhere, invest in the trip, you don’t want to just sit in your hotel all day. There's something to that.

Daria Pabjanek: I always say you should respect the culture of the country you're visiting, but sometimes you just don't know.

Kasandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: Exactly. I always follow the dress code in Muslim countries, covering my shoulders and knees, but I had never encountered a situation where makeup could be associated with something negative.

Daria Pabjanek: Are you a packing master?

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: I don’t know about a master, but I’m pretty good at it. I used to pack my backpack to the brim and then not wear half of the things. I figured, why do I need so many clothes? I’m there to explore, not to dress up for anyone. You can always do laundry on-site.

Daria Pabjanek: Do you ever travel alone?

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: Yes, I have. Sometimes I'll go with a friend instead of my husband, like my recent trip to Paris. But a solo trip I remember well was to Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was part of a larger trip to Croatia, and I just separated from the group for a while. A lot of things surprised me there because I wasn’t as well-prepared back then. The first shock was the lack of internet since the country is outside the EU. I also got my period and couldn't find a place to buy pads. These things happen, but I think traveling alone is a super experience that really helps you break down barriers.

Daria Pabjanek: Have you ever been in a dangerous situation where you feared for your safety?

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: I believe you have to be careful everywhere. A moment of inattention and someone could rob me in Gdańsk, too. Maybe you need to be a bit more careful in some places than in others. I’m open to people and I respect their culture, and they are often curious about life in other countries.

Daria Pabjanek: Has there ever been a moment when you thought Instagram had become a job for you? Did you feel pressure to post constantly?

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: Instagram is not my main source of income; I’d say I do it out of passion. Especially when I see that what I do gets a positive response. But there was a time when I would post something every two days, and if I had nothing to post, I'd think, "what now?". Over time, I decided I just want to have fun with it. Often, after coming home from work, the last thing on my mind is Instagram, but I love posting in real-time when I’m on a trip.

Daria Pabjanek: Do you also travel around Poland?

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: It depends. If I have a few days off, I prefer to fly somewhere outside of Poland, but there are cities I like to visit, like Wrocław or Warsaw. It depends on whether I want to discover something new and experience a different culture.

Daria Pabjanek: Have you made any close connections during your travels that last to this day?

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: Maybe not to the point where we visit each other, but I still keep in touch with people I’ve stayed with. We reply to each other on Instagram, ask how things are going.

Daria Pabjanek: In more distant countries, do people still have no idea where Poland is, or do they have surprising notions about it?

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: It depends. In Mexico, for example, a man asked me if people in Poland speak German. But it's usually the other way around - people know where Poland is and can say something about it. In Central America, the first association was Pope John Paul II. I also try to promote Poland myself - when I stay with someone, I always leave something behind, like a pack of Delicje cookies. Later, people write to me saying they had no idea Poland had such good cookies, or they admire a postcard of Warsaw, surprised at how developed it is. It’s a nice cultural exchange.

Daria Pabjanek: I get the impression that it used to be that when you traveled, you were sometimes a bit ashamed of your fellow Poles. They were judged very negatively and stereotypically. Do you think that’s changing?

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: Yes, I think so too. I believe that kind of stereotypical thinking is more common in tourist resorts. When I talk to people on my travels, I’ve never experienced anything unpleasant because I’m Polish. Usually, all such situations lead to positive emotions.

Daria Pabjanek: If you had to recommend three places that are worth seeing - not necessarily luxurious, but simply valuable - what would they be?

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: They would definitely be countries that people don't know much about. First, Kazakhstan. It made a huge impression on me. People know little about it, and it’s a mix of Russia and China that captivates with its nature - it has incredible canyons and lakes.

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: The second place is Belize in Central America. It’s a country that’s not talked about much, and I love it for its vibe and its people. The official language is English, so it’s easy to communicate, and it has lots of small islands. The third would be Egypt, but not the touristy side - the wilder side of it.

Daria Pabjanek: Have you ever experienced a complete culture shock?

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowicz: Not a major one, because I travel and read a lot, so I’m prepared for many things. But the Maldives surprised me. Because of the very high daytime temperatures, all life moves to the nighttime. People go out onto the streets, kids play football, and some people even work at night.

Daria Pabjanek: You mentioned you love animals. If you could be any animal for a day, what would it be?

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: I’d want to be a dolphin. Dolphins are very intelligent animals; their brains are more developed than humans'. I love the marine world, and diving is an incredible experience.

Daria Pabjanek: What advice would you give to someone who wants to travel but is holding back for some reason?

Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska: Sometimes the simplest advice is the most effective: just don't be afraid. It might sound cliché, but fear often makes things seem worse than they are. If someone goes on their first trip terrified but has a good time, they will definitely want to do it again.

All photos used in the article are from the private archive of Kassandra Koziorowicz-Pawłowska.