Tag Archives: Croatia

The Streets Were Alive With The Sounds Of Soccer

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For some reason every time we travel to Europe we see things that make us feel like they are so ahead of the United States in terms of technology lifestyle. First it was the cell phone, then it was Wi Fi availability and now it’s flat panel TV sets being displayed outdoors at every bar, cafe or restaurant.

We all know that Europe has shown us the way in outdoor dining. Now they have all made provisions to entertain their patrons with big TV events. They actually have brackets on restaurant walls so they can display and remove TV flat panels in a matter of minutes.

Last night Croatia played Ireland in a soccer match for the EuroCup 2012. We were warned ahead of time that Dubrovnik was going to be very festive and very loud.

Croatia beat Ireland 3 to 1 so Dubrovnik was one happy town. The restaurants were filled with people singing, drinking and setting off fireworks. Everyone was focused on the game.

I have attached photos from some of the bars and restaurants so you can see how people gather together to watch TV events outdoors.

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The Wonders Of Digital Photography

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We just received a digital photo of the Amaryllis budding in our NYC apartment from our house guest Steve Greenberg. We are now in Lake Bled, Slovenia.

We were thrilled to get it. We waited two years to see this flower bloom again.

Just before we left on this trip, we noticed signs of life coming out of that bare pot on our window sill. The older we get, the more we appreciate the simple things in life.

We hope you wait for us, you gorgeous specimen. Not you Steve. We were talking to the flower.

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Doing The Vox Trot

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I am still amazed that there is a little digital gizmo that has changed the world of touring. For years when I went on tours I would spend a great deal of my time racing after the tour guide so I could hear his or her every world.

All that changed a few years ago when several companies introduced something called a “radio guide.” It is comprised of a wireless microphone for the tour guide and an earpiece for the touring clients. No more shouting. No more crowding the guide. Everyone can hear the same information, even if you wander off a bit.

I first came across this invention last summer when we took a Riverboat Cruise on the Mosel and the Rhine. Every morning tour guides would take us for walks in many of the German towns. We could all walk at our own pace. What a relief to be able to enjoy the sights without having to keep our eyes on the guide.

The same thing happened in Croatia. Upon our arrival, we were given something called “The Whisper.” There are 40 people in our group so it is such a pleasure carrying our own personal speakers.

Vox Tours claims to be the first company to introduce the radio guides.

FACTS on VOX Group®

The first company to introduce the service and define guidelines, modes, logistics and reference fees.

Products: a wide range of VOX tour guide systems, designed and manufactured to meet the actual requirements of each type of service. A specific model for every tour: biking, hiking, fishing, skiing, and camping.

If you go on a tour, make sure you ask if they provide radio guides. I passed a group without them this morning and thought “that is so yesterday.”20120606-065445.jpg

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Chasing Croatia

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This is my fifth day on tour in Croatia with Smart Tours. We are also visiting Slovenia and Montenegro.

It was pretty amazing to find out when we first got here that I couldn’t get my daily fix of an iced Light Caramel Frappucchino. Starbucks has yet to convince this heavy duty coffee drinking country that they need to pay a few more dollars per cup for special blends.

Here is an article from the Croatian Times that spells it out.

http://www.croatiantimes.com/news/Business/2010-08-20/13237/Starbucks_%EF%BF%BDindefinitely%EF%BF%BD_postpones_its_arrival_in_Croatia_

They are pretty social in this neck of the woods. While Twitter is still not that popular, Facebook has made quite an impact. Everywhere you go you see “Follow Us On Facebook” ads.

Our young Croatian tour guide, Victoria, summed it up. “It is just a matter of time till Starbucks and Twitter make inroads here too. As much as I would like to, I can’t stop progress. I was appalled when I visited the United States earlier this year. I stopped for a cup of coffee in a Starbucks and couldn’t believe my eyes.

“No one was talking to each other. Everyone was either glued to their laptops or to their smart phones. No one looked up. Just tap, tap, tap away on their keyboards.

“Croatians are big coffee drinkers. We like our coffee strong. Unlike Americans, we also like to socialize while we drink coffee. Croatia has thousands of independent coffee shops that offer wireless but the mentality of the people here are just different. Many of us want to keep it that way.”

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Working Virtually From The Adriatic

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Croatia

Here I go. The countdown has begun. In just four days I will be traveling to Croatia, Slovenia, and Montenegro with Eliot and friends Ruth and Howard Greenberg. We planned this trip months ago. Little did I know that in addition to keeping up with my PR work for HWH, I would have a daily blog post to write.

Montenegro

I think this is my 43rd post. As I mentioned before, writing is the easiest part of this endeavor. Researching the facts, finding related links and photos, proofing, and finally posting, is very tedious. Maybe it’s quick and easy for others, but everything takes me a little longer. 

Slovenia

I am not looking for sympathy. I am looking for suggestions. I want to  post every day, but the rigorous schedule of touring with a group is not going to leave me a lot of time.

However, I am determined to post every 24 hours because that’s what serious bloggers do. I am enamored of Joanne Wilson, the Gotham Gal, because she  manages to post everyday no matter where she is. Wife to Fred, the super VC, mother of three and an investor herself, she writes a blog about  women entrepreneurs, food, and art.  Every morning when I wake up, Joanne’s blog is waiting for me in my email box. I am waiting for her to slip, then I can too. 

Joanne Wilson

Even though we don’t leave until Wednesday, I am all packed. At least everything is laid out on the dining room table. I learned a long time ago when we started traveling around the world not to wait until the last minute to get my things together. You can’t combine work and play without being totally organized. I have done this so many times before, but this time it seems totally overwhelming. I must get through this. I have made lists, My lists have lists. “Don’t forget iPhone, IPad, iPod, chargers, netbook, iPhone tripod, Bluetooth earpiece, Fitbit, Fitbit charger, spiral notebooks, and pens. I have to check time differences and wireless capabilities at each hotel we are staying at, My worse fear is traveling without wifi.

I can’t stand not being connected. I remember when we traveled on the Oceania Cruise Line’s Nautica to Southeast Asia six years ago, We rented a Satellite telephone so I could call the office every day. We would have to stand on the upper deck, face the sun, and tilt the phone in such a way that the call would go through. The cost of that extravagance was over a $1000. Today, I just download an app called Line2 so I can call home free wherever wireless is available.  

Working remotely from anywhere in the world now is possible, No more excuses. Maybe that is what scares me the most.