We recently had the chance to connect with Andrea Riccardi and have shared our conversation below.
Andrea, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’d say I’m following a path, but not in the traditional sense. I don’t follow a precise map, nor an itinerary defined by others. I like to think that every journey is a way to discover something—not only about the world, but also about myself. When I set out, I never have a rigid plan: I let myself be guided by instinct, by the people I meet, by the places that surprise me. Deep down, even if at times I feel like I’m wandering, I know that every step still takes me somewhere. Maybe not where I thought I’d end up, but definitely where I need to be.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Andrew and I’m the person behind @discoverwithandrew, my Instagram space where I share travel experiences, reflections, and small, authentic moments collected around the world. I don’t consider myself just a travel blogger, but more of a storyteller of places—I like to share what happens beyond the postcard, the people, the stories, and the sensations that make a place truly unique.
The project was born almost by chance, from the desire to document my travels in a more personal way, but over time it has become a way to connect with other travelers and inspire those who dream of leaving. I try to show that travel isn’t just about moving, but also about challenging yourself, learning, and seeing the world—and yourself—through new eyes.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
There is a person who was able to see me when I myself struggled to do so. She never tried to change me, but had the patience to show me who I could be, even when I didn’t believe it. She helped me look at myself with more kindness, to recognize value even in my uncertainties. I believe that all of us, sooner or later, meet someone like that—someone who serves as a mirror for us, not to reflect what we are, but to give us a glimpse of what we can become. This person is always in my daily life and is my North Star.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
I think the last time I truly changed my mind about something important was when I realized that free time isn’t a luxury, but a necessity. For years, I thought that to feel fulfilled, I had to be constantly on the move, constantly productive, with my head full of goals and milestones to achieve. Then, traveling, I realized that true value also lies in stopping, in making room for silence, for the unexpected, for what you can’t plan.
Travel has taught me that you don’t always have to ‘do’ to grow—sometimes just being there is enough. Free time, authentic free time, is what allows us to return to ourselves, to look at the world with curiosity, and to rediscover why we started moving in the first place.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
I believe the public version of me represents the best part of who I am. Not because I hide the rest, but because I choose to share what I would like to remain as a trace, as a memory. In my content, I try to infuse my curiosity, my gratitude, and the wonder I feel every time I discover a new place. It’s an authentic part of me, but filtered by the awareness that every image, every word we leave behind builds a memory of us.
Perhaps it doesn’t show everything—the uncertainties, the bad days, the moments of silence—but it tells what I would like people to remember: the desire to discover, to be moved, to look at the world with open eyes.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel more at peace when I travel. Not so much because of the destination itself, but because of that sense of freedom that comes when you leave your routine behind and find yourself immersed in something new. For me, traveling is a form of balance: it helps me organize my thoughts, breathe, and see things more clearly.
Every time I leave, I feel as if the noise inside me subsides, and everything falls back into place. Travel is my medicine—it reminds me that mental well-being also comes from movement, discovery, and allowing yourself time to be amazed again.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/discoverwithandrew/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-riccardi-b338b1244/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@discoverwithandrew
Image Credits
IG: discoverwithandrew
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
