Local or local travel agency?

There is a topic I have been thinking and wanting to write about for a while now. A common thing in todays travel industry is to go to your local travel agency, pick a destination and book your trip with them. No, this is not another thought on why a personalized travel adventure is the way to go… I’ll try show you something in another way than you probably ever thought of it.

80 percent of spending by travellers and vacationers on package tours go to international businesses. This means that when you go to your local travel agency and buy a package tour, most of your money goes to airlines, hotels and other services. The money doesn’t go to local businesses and workers. Now, this may sound as a sustainable tourism topic, but I’m not writing this for travel writers or to tell you who should get your money. I’m not interested in that, either. My point is that you can get a package tour in most of the cases by the local travel agency in the place you are going to. That is only an indicator that it doesn’t matter much where you book your tour. Online services, guides, companies… The only thing you have to count in is what kind of vacation you want.

If you put yourself in a position to think that way, you can find all kinds of benefits; better service, lower prices, different dates, maybe get suggestions that your local agency wouldn’t give you…because they didn’t know or couldn’t arrange something like it. And just to make something clear…everything can be arranged, just not in the same price range. That is why a different point of view for time to time is a good way to find out what you didn’t know before.

To put all of this into perspective, let me give you an example…if I were to go on a cruise in Finland, I would probably want to contact a Finnish company that organizes cruises on their ships and book with them. No big deal, you can do it all online. Then I would book a return flight. And that’s it. You’ve cut your costs twice: you didn’t have to pay for travel agency’ service and you could choose a low cost airlines if you wanted to, book in advance to get the lower price on your ticket, use your flyer credits… you’ve also benefited by choosing the ship and the company you want to go with. There is never one option.

There are many reasons why do one over the other. The point was to give you an idea, a direction in which you will be able to think while planning your trips and decide which option is, in that case, a better one.

Stella – European Travelling Advisor

Travelling – staying in touch with the world

Travelling is a way of staying in touch with the world, of following the changes, of finding that perfect place. In our “quest” to absorb the foreign world around us, we travel every day…we read a book, a magazine, visit an exhibition. Travelling is a way of gathering information. If you’re not away somewhere, you are preparing yourself in a way; doesn’t matter  if you have a definite date or no.

Every time you take a magazine or  a book and  just leaf through and find a happening, a story, that is of interest to you, remember it. The next time you decide to travel, recall of those things – that is what you should do or where you should go. Organize your trip from those little parts. In my experience, it always works out the best. Yes, I will still see some of the usual sights, go shopping…whatever is “inevitable” but only because it’s what you like.

For example, when I went to Ireland, I set out to have a different experience. Before going, and even knowing I was going to take that trip, I read about the legends, seen many many photos, fell in love with the green, the shores, the cliffs… when the time came, I didn’t take the usual bus tour around castles. One of the days spent in Ireland, me and my friends took a roadtrip and went to places we wanted to go to, those we explored. We went and searched for places that no one would have shown us. So, a thousand kilometers, hundreds of photos, runs on the beaches and standing on the high edges amazed by the strong and painstaking ocean later I got the best experience of my life. I felt so happy and exhilarated because that was – me.

Do you know what experiences inspire you the most? Do you ever go that extra mile to have the greatest time even though you might be afraid or instead of saying: “Nah…that’s just not for me…I’m not going to do that…”

Stella – European Travelling Advisor

A day in Graz – Squidoo lens

I’m happy to announce that my “A day in Graz” lens was finally published today. It took me some time to write out the whole story in one piece and to present it in a way that anyone who hasn’t been there can easily get the idea of what it’s like to visit Graz…as I always try to do the same here, on my blog.

Here is my lens about Graz!

Enjoy and spread the word…

Stella – European Travelling Advisor

Travel is broadening

How many times have you heard someone say that expression? Maybe you have said it yourself sometimes. I consider myself lucky I guess because I had the opportunity to travel outside my home country since I was just three years old. That way you easily get to love it and it becomes your lifestyle.

I remember when I first said this expression. I was still a kid, 12 years old. Spending three weeks in France for the first time, where I was “thrown” among other French kids to learn the language, I came back with a completely different experience than ever before. Well, I wasn’t completely alone, there were a few other kids from Croatia too, but we had different activities through the day and got split from each other, same as in our rooms. We did all kinds of sports, acting, dancing, social games, brain teasers and visited nearby places. What a way to learn the language! Better that sitting in any classroom, anywhere is all I can say…

But it wasn’t only a great way to learn the language. When they asked me how was in France, I said: “You know what, I have changed a lot, I’m a completely different person.” Three weeks is a long time for a vacation but you don’t need three weeks to see the difference. Travel is so broadening because you take the time to live in a place that is in so many ways different than the one you live in, because you immerse yourself in another culture,  you learn about the place, the art, the people , the food. You interact with strangers, exchange opinions. Consciously or unconsciously, you learn and you change. While you’re away travelling, you are more open to the experiences and to absorbing all the pictures and all that is happening around you. So even a day or two will be enough to make a change, to deepen your insights.

Travel isn’t only broadening because you learn about what you see. One of the main reasons is also relaxation. This time I’m not talking about physical relaxation, I’m talking about relaxing your mind. Have you noticed the difference, how you forget about everything you had on your mind by then? And how some of your points of view and opinions have changed, how now you feel like you know a lot more, how you can speak about some things from your own experience and realize the difference before now and then? Do you remember how energetic you are when you return, how everything seems easier? Try writing when you return from your trip. It can be about anything really…you’ll be surprised by what you see.

Do whatever you like while travelling, explore, have fun with your friends or family. Whatever your definition of fun is, it doesn’t matter, the experience will be broadening. Some are life changing, some are a little changing, but they’re all yours.

Stella – European Travelling Advisor

A day in Graz – Part 2

…As it was already afternoon and we decided to take a walk by the river Mur. You can enjoy the amazing views of the city, its diversity, the blend of the old and the new architecture.

The second picture presents the Mur Island. Under the shell is an open-air theatre, a playground and a cafe run buy Sorger! Remember Sorger? The bakery I’m praising so much?? It was planned and built as one of the buildings for the year 2003 when Graz was the culture capital of Europe. At night, it lights up in purple and looks really interesting.

Looking at the other side or the river, you’ll see another odd looking glass structure. That’s Kunsthaus, Museum of Contemporary Art, also built by 2003 and with right earned the title of European culture capital. Due its looks, it is popularly called The Alien.At the time, Kunsthaus didn’t host any interesting exhibitions, so I’ll talk about the interior,  how your ticket is actually a sticker etc. some other time. Crossing the bridge, you are leaving behind one other landmark of Graz, Schlossberg. It’s a tree-clad hill with a castle which actually gave Graz it’s name. Gradec or Graz meand “little castle”.

You can either climb the stairs up or use Schlossbahn, a funicular. It’s especially beautiful in the spring when the trees are green and the sky is clear. Untill spring, I will just show you the stairs…a photo taken by a student living in Graz, which is amazing, the colours…quite sureal.

Heading back we bought “maroni”; it’s a sweet chestnut but bigger. You have to try them if you visit Graz (or anywhere in the area) in autumn or early winter. There are big stalls, smuldering and the sweet smell is spreading through the streets. We had a few more places to stop by, the places we always go to… like The Body Shop, a place to buy hand made cosmetics…

Moser bookshop – with huge section of magazines from all over Europe, but the rest are mostly books in German so don’t get too carried away…

And the inevitable Haller for this time of year. Haller sells all kinds of glass Christmas decoration. One look at their window and you are sold…

When we left Graz, bringing home some sweets and presents,  it was already dark. We were happy that we spend our day exactly the way we wanted and we were surprised by the impression Graz left on us this time. When you stop chasing whatever you thought you should and just relax and start following what you’re interested in when you see it, while you’re there, that’s when you’ll understand what the place you are at is all about. I hope I succeeded in presenting Graz to you. It’s a lovely place and I would recommend it to anyone visiting Austria.

Stella – European Travelling Advisor

A day in Graz – Part 1

The day finally came; Matea and I set off to Graz early, that Saturday morning. We arrived just around 9 am when shops started to open and the town was becoming more alive. It was pouring rain, unfortunately no snow as I had hoped for, so we decided to go to Cafe Sacher, our first stop. If you go to Graz, you have to go to Cafe Sacher; consider it a landmark. Their coffee is delicious, people are very nice and friendly and the Cafe has been around for a long time. Anyway, with already heated coffee machines and the smell of freshly brewed coffee, we had no problem waking up and being ready to walk the streets of Graz yet again.

When we came out, the rain was still falling, but significantly less than when we came. The whole idea of this trip was to rest, to take the time off and to spend it in a place we already knew but just enjoying the Christmas atmosphere and seeing Graz in a way we didn’t before, wandering the streets and discovering interesting places. Walking up Herrengasse, the main shopping street, we quickly came to the place we already knew – Sorger bakery to buy some delicious pastry. With no defined agenda we continued up the street just talking and laughing and making photos…

Graz is full of great bakeries; the old, the new, the ones with tradition… Explore them if you get the chance. All the pastry, bread and cakes are a delight for all your sences. Just like this one…

Once you get a little further away from the center and the main shopping street, that’s when you start discovering those special places that are worth the visit, and, in the end, that make the city special. One of those places is Delikatessen Frankowitsch; a place to buy the best of cured meet, cutlet, cheese, bread, all kinds of cold salads and pickled vegetables, pates, olives, virgin olive oil, vine, champagne, beer, chocolate, and so much more. While you’re there, you can sit in a buffet/bar, order a drink, some food or even patisserie.

In the neighbourhood you can find some interesting design stores. I would highlight Mur, a really great store with interior design goodies and nino d, which sells kind of different, but hip accessorize.

Most of the squares in the center are Christmas markets and most of them aren’t anything special, in fact, you can find anything and nothing really. But since most markets around Europe are the same way (except the big popular ones), it didn’t bother me. I enjoyed more the colors and photographing people, than I ever would in any market.  There were some interesting handcrafts, especially from wood. But, that’s just my point of view. Matea and I loved the little wooden spiral spoons, which were a decoration..see the pic below.The only thing that will surprise you is the sweet cinnamon smell of hot wine that you can feel everywhere you go…

As it was already afternoon and we decided to take a walk by the river Mur…

Stella – European Travelling Advisor

Thoughts on (Christmas) travel

Everyone that is a part of travel industry has “an obligation” to write about Christmas and Christmas travel in a way it’s been done for such a long time. It became “an obligation” only because they made it one. As far as I know, travelers didn’t ask of them to do it, they didn’t force them. And every year thousands of magazines, websites and bloggers write the same stories, talk about the same subjects and put up the same pictures. You get bored. We all get bored! Don’t you just ignore them all??!

The second thing that happens is that they all start talking about some “exotic” destinations. This year, I’ve seen articles about Mexico, Indonesia, Nevada…and some other crazy destinations that have nothing to do with this time of year.

Isn’t it all about your opinion, your view of Christmas?

Christmas is not here or there. It’s where you find it in little things…in a cafe you coincidentally find and like, in a certain room of a certain hotel, in a park that looks special in winter time, in skating under bright Christmas lights, in shopping at a fancy department store. Your winter dream, your Christmas dream.

In the way that travel agencies and travel magazines present it, makes it boring, it makes them boring. There is never anything new; you read and re-read the same lines, about the same places every year. Don’t you think you can write those articles too?!

I’m asking what’s new? What’s different? What’s special? That’s what I want to know. Don’t you? And don’t ask me, what is in my opinion, a great Christmas travel destination, or any time anyway. I’m telling you now, I don’t know. I can only share my knowledge and my ideas. That is where you come in and find yourselves in small specifics – that’s when you put the pieces together, you take all the things that appeal to you and combine them together. That’s called travelling, because that’s when you enjoy it and remember it. It’s not a pin on a map or a country added to a number in your head.

And if you get to a point when you don’t know how to put all the pieces together, you can always ask me for advice…

I can’t write about Christmas travel the way that they do. I had a day when I made myself do it. It wasn’t a mistake, it only showed me it wasn’t my thing; it’s not my philosophy, it didn’t make me feel good. It was fake. I don’t write about places I haven’t visited, I don’t give my opinion about something I don’t know. I let others do it. Because I don’t want you to fake your travel. I want to help you find what you like about travelling and help you decide with the stories I tell and the places I show you. I want you to create your own travel experience and remember it for a long time with a big smile on your face.

Be creative…you can make it magical!

Stella – European Travelling Advisor

A cup of coffee in Graz

It’s official! I’m going to Graz with my best friend Matea. I’ve been working really hard lately and I still have a lot more to do, so I didn’t plan any trips in the near future. That was the cold truth, lol, because I travel very often.

sketch by Daniel Belasco Rogers

So a few days ago, I met Matea for our usual cup of coffee (which always lasts for modest three hours ). I don’t remember what we were talking about at that point but she said: “Why don’t we go to Graz?!” Totally out of the blue, unrelated to anything! “Really, why not!”, I said. It was the trip we usually took twice a year but, for a long time now, we didn’t go. It’s not far, anyone who knows the distance between Zagreb and Graz, know that it’s about 2 hours by car and a little more by bus. Actually with the new speed limits in Slovenia, it might take us a lot longer, lol! Because it’s so close we very often say: “Let’s go to Graz for a cup of coffee!”

We always have a great time and it’s only for a day; the 24 hours I can always take out of my schedule. It’s our way to escape the rush in our lives and thoughts and to just enjoy. The date is set for the second week in December. That’s great news for you too! I have decided to make special photos to put on my blog (maybe even some of the others), tell you a story about the Christmas market, take you for a walk around town and show you a few special places that I have in mind!

Every time we went to Graz, it was nice and sunny. This time, I’m hoping for snow…just to set the mood. Shhhhhhhhh! Don’t tell Matea…

For great travel ideas and even better friends!

Stella – European Travelling Advisor

Approaching the Christmas season…

Finally it got colder… you can feel the Christmas season approaching. With the temperature down, the white mist and all the works quickly coming to an end, you can almost feel that buzz on the streets. Most of the city is decorated with thousands of lights, booths are almost ready and installed, we are just waiting for everything to light up and add color to the winter before us.

I love winter. Walking the streets, taking photographs, laughing with my friends…and then, when you feel really cold, when you feel the wind on your cheeks and when you can barely feel your fingers, sit in a warm cafe, under the yellow light and drink hot tea, one of those special coffees or even hot chocolate and share stories like these.  There is nothing like it…

Staying at home makes it as good. Gazing through the window and listening to the music whether you’re enjoying the moment or waiting for something to come. It’s almost time to read Christmas Carol again. To refresh the memories of Scrooge, Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchit, and to remind us the true meaning of the Christmas spirit.

Enjoy the days that are coming, dream big dreams and translate your story into travel if you have a chance…

Stella – European Travelling Advisor

What are your travel interests?

Just scratching the surface about European travel and some of the tips, I hope I have made you think a little bit more about your travel interests. You probably have an idea what would you like to know more about. Since I started this blog to be about you, to bring you the information you didn’t know or wasn’t sure of, I would like to focus my writing more on topics that you are particularly interested in. I want to make this blog more interactive so I’m starting with a poll:

Stella – European Travelling Advisor