How I scout locations for new Travel Fever trips
Lake Bled, Slovenia
You’ve heard me mention “tour scouting” many times in this newsletter so I thought you’d like to hear more about what’s involved. How does a tour go from an idea to reality?
A tour does start with an idea. I’ll have visited there before and liked it. Or I’ll be hearing more and more people speak of a destination. The next step, following some preliminary internet research, is to get on an airplane and visit.
As an example, for many year’s I’d heard about Slovenia’s reputation for unspoiled nature and limitless outdoor activities, but I’d never been. So last March, I hopped a flight there. My first stop was Ljubljana, the capital. Even though I visited during winter, I found it to be both charming and welcoming with its castle on the hill and a river winding through downtown with inviting restaurants and cafes lining its banks. I got the lay of the land and visited a few potential hotels.
Next I drove about an hour north to Lake Bled, a place of unlimited beauty if I was to believe all that I had heard. I booked myself into the most promising hotel there, based on my initial research. Next I got back in the car and drove and drove to orient myself in my surroundings.
The next day, I met with three potential local partners whom I had identified prior to my trip. The first was an older man with amazing experience and contacts. He showed me about, taking me to the top of a mountain for a snack at a ski area that blazed white in the sunny day that followed a major snowfall. He showed me the lakes and we talked and talked.
Next I met with a younger woman who was certainly knowledgeable, but who I felt lacked the depth of experience.
Finally, I met with one of two women who run a small tour agency near Lake Bohinj, about 20 minutes from the better-know Lake Bled. She lived locally, she loved the area, and was pleased to show it to me and discuss our plans. When I mentioned hotels, she marched me over to meet a friend, the owner of a lovely hotel near the lake with a great restaurant. Her partner wasn’t available as she was in Nepal at the time leading a hiking trip.
In the end, my decision was easy. The man was promising, but he and I just didn’t click on a personal level and I found it hard to image that a group would connect with him. The young woman was great, but lacked experience. So I preferred the two women, though I still needed to review a formal proposal from them, which arrived a few weeks later, with costs and a list of specific walking routes.
Once the proposal arrived, some adjustments were made to walking routes to better match my concept for the trip and we soon reached agreement. I also received a proposal from the hotel which pleased me and, following some negotiations, was finalized.
The hotel where I had stayed at Lake Bled was wonderful (and better priced) but it was simply in the wrong location. We would walk the path ‘round Lake Bled, but we wouldn’t stay there. And while I loved Ljubljana, it was simply too much to work it into a single trip. Instead, I have encouraged trip participants to visit there on their own, before or after the tour.
Finally, after driving to Croatia to scout a separate trip, I spent a few days visiting other places in Slovenia. I wanted to be sure I hadn’t fallen in love too quickly with Lake Bohinj. I did enjoy seeing other parts of the country, but came away convinced I’d made the right decision.
And as they say, the rest is history (or it will be soon, as the tour hasn’t taken place yet). It is scheduled for May when the birds will be singing and the wildflowers blooming. I’m very excited about this trip and can’t wait for May. More Information about this tour is available on our website.