From childhood car rides along the Apulian coast to navigating border tensions in Transnistria, Nicola Coratella‘s journey isn’t about ticking off countries — it’s about chasing meaning.
He’s more than a traveler, he’s an Envoy of NomadMania, connecting curious souls across continents. With a passport full of stories and a heart set on meaningful journeys, he champions the spirit of exploration. This is the world through his eyes.
Tell us a little about yourself and how your initial interest in travel developed.
“Passions have a way of weaving themselves into our hearts in the most mysterious ways”. I can’t remember exactly when my passion for travel began, but I do remember riding with my father Mario as a little lad along the Apulian coast. The car radio was usually tuned to “Radio Tirana,” transmitting in Italian. This was in the 1970s, and my father would tell me about the iron curtain, about the different lives of people across the Adriatic Sea, and how the broadcasts were a mix of reality and propaganda.
Though I didn’t fully understand it, I was fascinated by the idea of a world so near yet so different. That feeling has been staying with me since. As I grew, I guess that fascination laid the foundation for one of my three greatest passions in life, the third one being wine—but that’s another story. Over forty years later, I find myself living in Spain, having spent significant periods living in the UK, the Netherlands, Malaysia, and, of course, Italy. I have nurtured my passion for travel by choosing a career that allows me to travel around the world extensively. When I don’t travel for work, I travel.
What type of traveller would you consider yourself (note: budget/luxury, slow/fast, overland/flying, solo/group etc.)
All of them. I prefer solo travelling because that’s the best way to never be alone. I prefer slow over fast and overland over flying, but that’s not always possible. And of course I much prefer a 5 star hotel for a budget price to an expensive uncomfortable mattress on the floor. But that’s not always possible either!
You grew up in Italy but chose to live in Spain. What are some of the differences between these countries?
Tricky question, especially with readers from both countries! I believe Spain and Italy have more in common than differences, so, let’s dive into stereotypes. Living in Spain feels more exotic to me. The style is generally less formal, with a higher emphasis on work-life balance and a general disdain for punctuality. Meanwhile, Italy is where every meal is a three-course affair, and even going to the supermarket requires preparation comparable to a fashion show. Both are excellent places to live in and I consider myself very privileged to have had a chance to call both home. Did I manage ok to stay neutral?
You live in Barcelona, so popular with travellers and yet so overcrowded. What are your favorite things about the city?
Barcelona enamora. An old advertisement captured what’s for me the best answer to your question with the words “You fall in love with Barcelona not for any one reason, but for everything”. It has great connections with the rest of the world, but many cities do. It has a great climate, but many cities do. It has the beach and a great nightlife, it has a rich cultural offer, beautiful architecture and very nice vibes. It is also dynamic, with good job opportunities, it has nearby mountains and fantastic wine areas… but many cities do!
Are you aiming for 193/197 or not really? Why or why not?
I am not aiming to 193, 197 or any specific number. For example, I have visited countries like India more than 10 times, while others have never really attracted me—and likely never will. I’m not trying to check off every country—I’m more interested in experiencing the most remarkable wonders and meaningful sights this planet has to offer..
Of the countries you have visited so far, which one was the greatest positive surprise and why?
Possibly Eritrea—though the reality beyond Asmara is quite different. Still, the capital makes a striking first impression: unusual, captivating with a blue highland sky above you. In Asmara you enjoy warm days and chilly nights. It is a very safe place and it is so Italian in some aspects… yet so different and exotic. Most of the people I met were very friendly (and beautiful), especially when they realized I was Italian. That was in a way surprising as Italy colonized the country and was far from gentle.
And which one was a negative surprise, if any?
No country has really been a negative surprise. I did have some “negative surprises”, but they were for a specific aspect and in a specific moment. As an example: a Saturday night in Thimphu. Long day of trekking and visits, craving a beer and some social life to relax… well, only 2 bars open, a total of three people in there. Trivial and assuming on my side, but that’s what I meant. Other than that, Bhutan has been a fantastic experience!
Please give us two travel stories that stand out and have stayed with you until today.
Traveling always brings a mix of excitement and caution, especially when it comes to scams. One of the most common scams involves someone pretending to be a familiar face—a hotel doorman, a shopkeeper, or anyone you might have encountered during your stay. They gain your trust and then rob you.
In Tunis, I encountered what I now call the Scam 2.0 experience. As I strolled down Bourguiba Avenue, a gentleman approached me, asking my name, country, and hotel. Sensing a potential scam, I decided to play along with some creative answers: I told him my name was was Mikko from Estonia, staying at the Africa Hotel, which I could see behind him. He responded with a smile, claiming to be a waiter at the Africa Hotel and that he had seen me having breakfast there. I braced myself for the scam to unfold, but to my surprise, he simply wished me well and walked away.
For a couple of hours, I kept on visiting the city, soon forgetting the encounter sure about the fact I had misjudged his intentions. But as I wandered through the Medina, another man approached me with a broad smile. “Hey, aren’t you Mr. Mikko from Estonia? Do you remember me? I’m the receptionist at the Africa Hotel. I was there when you checked in!” My fabricated information had been passed on! I had been followed, and the scam was about to reach its climax. Had I given the first man my real name and hotel, maybe things would have gone a different way. I must admit I began to doubt every interaction for the remainder of that trip. It is quite unsettling to feel you might be watched and approaching another possible “trap”.
The second story that comes to mind happened on the sinister Transnistria border. Sinister, because of the countless tales of strict controls, erratic officials, interrogation rooms, and steep bribe requests that supposedly plague the Pridnestrovian Republic. Adding to my anxiety was what I call the East Neighbour Syndrome: in Romania, they warned me about Moldova; in Moldova, they warned me about Transnistria; and in Transnistria, they would later warn me about Ukraine.
As I arrived to the border of this nation where the USSR spirit still lingers, I was the only foreigner in a minibus. It was night, and of course the darkness seemed to just amplify the tension. IDs were collected, checked, and returned—except my passport. An official called my name and demanded I followed him into a small, dimly lit building nearby. The stories of the border to hell came back…
I had no hotel reservation or other evidence with me, as I was staying with friends in Parcani, a small village near Tiraspol. The official, with a stern expression, asked me where I was going to stay and for how long. I answered honestly, “I am going to stay in Parcani with friends for five days,” bracing myself for the worst. Would they interrogate me? Demand bribes? Or worse?
The official stared at me for a moment that felt like an eternity. Then, unexpectedly, he said, “In Parcani, they make very good wine. Let me give you a permit for seven days instead, as you’ll want to stay longer.” He stamped my entry card with a smile and all of a sudden all tension evaporated.
Later, my friend Nevena from Parcani had a good laugh at this story, and likewise concerned questions of some people on their way to Tiraspol still put a smile on my face.
Where was your last trip and what was the best thing about it?
The last significant trip was to Bangladesh. What a country! By the way, as usual the western neighbors had alerted me about how dangerous would have been to go there in that period, etc. The East Neighbour Syndrome. The first impression with Bangladesh is usually what comes with your first hours in Dhaka. Super crowded, chaos, lack of space, crowded, noisy and… crowded. It’s only when you float on a small boat in the canals around Barisar, visiting floating markets in the morning fog that you realize how peaceful and beautiful Bangladesh can be.
If you were told you could never travel abroad again and had to choose one country to settle in for the rest of your life, which country would you choose and why?
I think I’d stay in Spain. This is where my (short) roots have developed anyway and I have still so much to see that can keep me entertained for many years! If Spain wasn’t an option, you’d probably find me in the Balkans.
Let’s turn to NomadMania, whose Envoy you are. What are some things you especially like about NomadMania?
When I mention where I’m traveling next, most of the people I know answer in one of these two ways: “Where is it?” or “Why?”. The main reason why I like Nomadmania is that it connects me with people whose answer is more likely to be “Can I join?”. Of course, being such a large community, it’s also very diverse and sometimes the answer is rather “I’ve been there already before you”, but that’s part of the folklore! Other than this, it’s a fantastic resource for planning trips, discovering places which are not widely known and poke on the incredibly broad expertise of its members.
Tell us about your role as Envoy. What have you done so far and how do you envisage doing more in the future?
First and foremost, spreading the word about NomadMania and its culture. Having been part of other travel clubs, I have a direct experience of what’s different here. On the social side, we had a great meeting in Barcelona with several members and supporters in the legendary Altair bookshop, arguably the biggest travel bookshop in Europe. Orest joined that, if he can still remember it after the amount of wine he had! I would really like to run a new meeting soon in Madrid, and I’m waiting for Harry’s availability as it’s his turn to be part of it. The Spanish community deserves it.
And finally, our signature question. If you could invite any 4 people – from any period in human history, alive or dead, even fictional characters – to an imaginary dinner, who would want to invite and why?
Corto Maltese, we have almost the same age, but what an infinitely larger amount of experiences he has!
Grace Kelly as her presence would bring not only talent and charm but also a certain elegance to the dinner event, something that would linger in memory long after the last course is served.
Oscar Wilde, for his razor-sharp wit and charm. If the dinner gets boring (could it ever with such a list of participants?) he’d make sure the table keeps on laughing and thinking
Finally, Mario Coratella, to catch up with him on the stories about Albania and what happened to my life because of those.
