The #StoriesOfMyReaders is a new series of blog posts based on the feedback I have received from readers all over the world, enjoying “The Creative Traveler’s Handbook”. They are set to inspire you for your own creativity, take you on a trip around the world and naturally, make you want to read the book yourself – whether as a paperback or as an ebook!
In this post, I would like to introduce you to Antonia Krauss, Lucia Täubler, and Nienke Krook. Over the past couple of months and years, I have met all of them through either blogging, creative traveling and/or writing “The Creative Traveler’s Handbook”.
Let’s start with Antonia Krauss.
I have met Antonia all the way back in the summer of 2002. Way before either of us knew we both would share a love for blogging, traveling the world through food, as well as looking through a unique cultural lens called “creative travel”. Her and I studied English in London together and have been friends ever since. It is thanks to Antonia’s move from Munich to Cape Town well over 10 years ago, that “The Creative Traveler’s Handbook” breathes with some light examples and input of creative travel from South Africa (thank you so much for your help, love and assistance, dear Toni!).
Antonia enjoys reading “The Creative Traveler’s Handbook” together with her beloved cat on the sofa.
Here is what Antonia has to say in her review of “The Creative Traveler’s Handbook”:
“I would always have chosen to call myself a ‘cultural traveler’ rather than a ‘creative traveler’, but since I felt that one doesn’t go without the other, I knew I just had to read the ‘Creative Traveler’s Handbook’ written by my friend Elena.
My wonderful friendship with Elena goes back a long way. For me, it was very interesting to see how creative travel changed her to become the person she is today. I love the fact that the book gives vital tips and information on creative travel, but also allows for a glimpse into the fascinating stories Elena brought back from her trip around the world. Thanks to her book, my own way of traveling will be different in the future. Nepal especially caught my attention. The way Elena describes the breathtaking landscapes, the culinary delights and the warm hospitality of the people has made me curious to a point where I now want to go and experience Nepal myself. Who would have thought? Creative travel in Nepal has now been added to my bucket list.”
Next up is Lucia Täubler.
Lucia and I have met through blogging about Krems several years ago, herself entertaining a highly interesting travel blog called “Die Kremserin On The Go”, gleaned from her very own perspective of working at Krems Art Gallery, near Vienna. Lucia is a warm-hearted art historian obsessed with “all the little things” that make our lives better – such as taking your time for a good coffee, doing a road trip together with the girls or talking about the latest news in life, love and the universe.
Lucia Täubler & “The Creative Traveler’s Handbook” during her summer read in the garden.
Here is what Lucia has to say in her review of “The Creative Traveler’s Handbook”:
“I really appreciate the practical way Elena shares her creative world trip with her readers. I have many passages in the book where I put an exclamation mark on the side, because I want to remind myself to check back later (and hope that’s OK with you Elena, for writing in your book?). 🙂
Elena’s publication defines a new way of traveling. Cooking courses and creative workshops with the locals, such as her journey to Santa Fe, sound like a very fascinating experience to me as an art historian and art lover. How come that where Georgia O’Keefe lived for such a long time, surrounded by nothing but high desert, such a flourishing art scene could have evolved and developed?
Thank you, Elena, for sharing your inspiring experiences with us. Your book has helped me to think along the lines of an ongoing travel style rather than a certain direction for my next trip. Reading your book, I would like to keep posting on my own travel blog following a cultural slow traveling ethos rather than a ‘what to see’, ‘where to go’ series of articles. Wherever I go, I travel and get inspired by the little things and this is something I found confirmed in your book. Thank you for that.”
Last but not least, I am happy to introduce you to Nienke Krook.
Nienke and I have met several years ago at a blogger’s conference in Rotterdam followed by a creative foodie trip to the Wachau valley in Lower Austria. She has been one of those “early adopters”, and adamant supporters, of the creative travel movement and it comes without a surprise that I chose her for contributing a significant quote about creative travel to my book: “Travel for me is all about discovery. While I love visiting museums and going on a guided tour every now and then, I often find that I don’t really remember much of it years after I’ve made that trip. As a school teacher, I know that most people only remember 10-30% of what read, hear, or see. Only when you experience something and explain it to others will you remember 90% of what you did.” True that, dear Nienke!
Nienke reading her own, personally signed copy of “The Creative Traveler’s Handbook” in her flat in London. (c) Nienke Krook / The Travel Tester.
Here is what Nienke has to say from reviewing my book, “The Creative Traveler’s Handbook”, available in both English and Dutch on her blog “The Travel Tester”:
“Being creative on your trip is all about taking it slow. If you are the kind of person that really likes to get to know a certain destination, rather than just rushing through it, then creative travel is for you. As Elena says, ‘The celebration of slow is not about doing everything at a snail’s pace, but at the right pace. It’s about savoring quality time on your trip, rather than ticking sights and places off a list.’ And she adds to that: ‘Remember, creative travel is never about being right or wrong. It is about the joy of the activity.’
I personally think that creative travel is also for you if you are interested in learning more about yourself, in working on your own personal development. You have the chance to find out more about the skills you’re good at and/or choose activities that you enjoy doing and would like to grow in. It takes a bit of courage, an open mind and a positive attitude, but these are all things that Elena describes just so well in her book!“
And you, what’s your take on creative travel? 🙂
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