Have you ever used a tourism board’s website to plan your travels? 🤔

I've spent a surprising amount of time on tourism board websites over the past few months as we've been curating destinations for TRAppe.

And I've been so pleasantly surprised!

Some tourism boards do an incredible job of promoting locally owned stays, guides, restaurants, experiences and community initiatives.

If you're planning a trip somewhere new, it might be worth adding the local tourism board's website to your research list.

You may be surprised by what you find 😍

xoxo,
Gabby & The TRAppe. Team

Our founder Gabby was invited back to Channel News Asia's CNA 938 Rewind, Singapore's main news radio channel. This time, she shares how Finland's unique eight-season calendar shapes the way locals experience the outdoors and how travellers can experience each season differently with Wildout Finland.

🎧 Share your go-to travel playlist or podcast with us. Whether it's road trip anthems or deep-dive travel stories, we want to hear and feature what fuels your adventures.

🤖 Travel companion: Ever wondered what it would be like to explore Paris wearing Meta AI glasses?

🚌 Electric bus: Why rent a car when Scotland's 100% electric bus network can take you across the country for as little as £2?

⛩️ Samurai roads: Follow this route and accommodation guide through mountain villages and historic towns along an ancient Samurai route connecting Tokyo and Kyoto.

💼 For job seekers: Questo is looking for a 100% remote Growth Marketing Manager to own and scale Questo's digital marketing engine.

📍Montenegro
Website | Instagram | Google Map

When most people think about Montenegro, they picture the dramatic coastline and towns along the Adriatic Sea. What often gets overlooked are the mountains, lakes, and rural communities that make up much of the country beyond the coast.

With Nikena Eco Adventures, one day you might find yourself sharing a meal with a local family, staying in a rural homestay, exploring mountain villages or learning about regional traditions and food, all combined with a dose of outdoor adventure through hiking, biking and rafting in the north.

Founded by husband-and-wife team Nikola and Ena, Nikena was created to encourage travellers to venture beyond the country's busiest destinations and discover the landscapes, communities and traditions of the lesser-visited north.

Working closely with local guides, family-run accommodation providers and rural communities, they create experiences that keep tourism connected to the people and places that make this part of Montenegro unique.

In this week’s What’s Hot & What’s Not, meet Ela, a slow traveller by passion and a UX designer by trade.

When she’s not helping sustainable brands create user-friendly experiences, Ela is likely capturing her daily walks and travels in her sketchbook or leading small-group Sketchbook Rambles. Her favorite destinations are small towns and villages surrounded by nature.

🔥 What’s Hot

Staying longer in one place. Walking or using public transport, and discovering things you'd miss if you were only driving. Trying local, seasonal food, shopping at farmers' markets, and supporting independent shops and artisans. Visiting smaller museums. Taking a sketchbook along to slow down and capture your travel memories in a meaningful way.

❄️ What’s Not

Visiting too many places too quickly. Planning everything and missing out on local recommendations and surprises along the way. Buying mass-produced souvenirs. Taking endless photos instead of being present in the moment and truly experiencing your surroundings.

🤫 Hidden Spot

Bistro Epikadet (@bistroepikadet)
📍Durrës, Albania

I discovered this gem of a restaurant on my recent trip to Albania. Run by two sisters (Alma and Sonila) who are the kindest, warmest hosts, it’s a cozy spot serving traditional food made with love. Each dish arrives on beautiful china, making you feel as if you’re dining in someone’s home.

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Curated stays and experiences around the world that are
kind to the planet and good to it’s people ✌🏻