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Hi from Bale!
Here I am, back with the (every other?) Monday newsletter on extraordinary travel. As you might have read in the previous write-up, I changed my Croatian whereabouts from Ugljan Island to the Istrian peninsula in a month, still trying to get the grip of a normal rhythm.
Bale I’m at is not The Bale resort, a spectacular honeymoon hotel I visited in Bali seven years ago. My Bale is a small Croatian town, the former home of dinosaurs, and today’s resort of endangered butterflies. A romantic corner of Istria.
Interestingly, the hotel I’m working at is the same place that appeared in my Croatia honeymoon guide you can find in the feature spotlight this week. When I was writing this article a year ago, I had no connection with the hotel, and only a chance brought us together so that today if you actually follow the guide, you might even encounter the writer at the premises of one of the recommended places to stay.
Just these days, when people were advised not to spend too many hours outside, as the weather conditions were compared to hell, our hotel hosted a wedding for a charming couple. We were all melting, as the changing climate is becoming ruthless.
Working under a heatwave is definitely not easy. I can relate to Greek dissatisfaction with the introduction of a six-day working week, while at the same time, the UK sees the future of work in shorter, four-day work weeks.
Workers in tourism are in a very peculiar position. Their days are sometimes divided into double shifts, very looooong shifts, and rare hours or days of rest.
Our workaholic civilization is advancing and, at the price of success, we are sacrificing workers’ free time, time to work on private projects they are passionate about, even time to write newsletters like this one.
Thanks for being patient with me, and following along, even when I skip a week.
Find this in today’s newsletter:
- Words: Turbulent times, from Spain to Uruguay.
- Images: The way of water and air.
- Numbers: To pee or not to pee?
- P.S.: Train adventure awaits.
Have a four-day working week, if you can!
Ivan Kralj
Pipeaway.com
FEATURE SPOTLIGHT
Discover the Ultimate Honeymoon Destination – Croatia
Planning your honeymoon? Look no further than Croatia, the hottest spot for newlyweds! From the romantic streets of Dubrovnik to the serene beaches of Hvar, this Mediterranean gem offers endless opportunities for lovebirds. Explore historical sites, indulge in gourmet cuisine, and unwind in luxurious resorts. Whether you’re an adventure seeker or a relaxation enthusiast, a honeymoon in Croatia can provide something special for every couple.
TOURISTS GO HOME
Ranked as the best European country for travel and tourism in 2024 by the World Economic Forum, Spain is heading fast to become the world’s most visited destination. The airports of Valencia and Alicante are already on the verge of collapse. Last week, thousands of Barcelona locals protested against mass tourism by spraying visitors with water guns.
BIN THERE DONE THAT
Never underestimate the fact that turbulence doesn’t always come announced. An Air Europa flight from Spain to Uruguay resulted in 30 injured passengers and one stuck at the most unlikely of places. Speaking of turbulence, these are the world’s bumpiest flight routes.
SICK COLLECTION
When I was a young, still fresh traveler, I had a brief interest in collecting barf bags. It never occurred to me that there could be a community of people (however small) that would be equally intrigued by these motion sickness artifacts.
🏖️
Beaches are among the best summer escape plans, especially with this weather. If you’re looking for clear waters teeming with sea life, consider snorkeling favorites by The Frugal Expat. However, if you like your beach clear of people, you could try your luck with Europe’s hidden beaches, the ones locals resist sharing with tourists. Among these secret paradises, Croatian Pasjaca Beach tops the European Best Destinations list, while the Greek island of Milos entered the top 16 rankings with three stunning beaches.
🐈⬛
Cats are known for not being the greatest fans of water, but a guesthouse in Bangkok, Thailand, managed to create a new tourist attraction – boat rides with felines on board.
📸
Shifting a perspective can reveal a hunger for new adventures. These drone photographs are competing for the Siena Awards.
€750
The fine for physiological evacuation, more commonly known as peeing, in the Spanish sea. The towns such as Vigo and Marbella introduced the ban to protect their waters from yours. But there are more peculiar summer rules you should be aware of when visiting the Iberian peninsula. Sometimes, even playing with balls in the water or swimming after midnight could be costly.
$5,000
The reimbursement one Delta passenger received for giving up their seat twice on the same day. Sometimes, “volunteering” can turn out quite profitable.
$8 Billion
The worth of Ellinikon, the smart city development at Athenian Riviera, on the site of the former airport. Scheduled to open in 2026, the project will include the tallest skyscraper in Greece, luxurious malls, dining and entertainment venues.
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Travel by Train – Hug Mother Earth, Save Cash
Rail Europe provides access to over 50 European train companies. If you were planning to explore the Old Continent via tracks, it’s good to know that now you can get Global & Selected One Country Eurail/Interrail Passes with a discount of 20%. The offer for saving while purchasing an unlimited travel to 40,000 destinations in 33 countries, expires on July 18, so hurry up! Traveling by train is one of the most environment and wallet-friendly ways to explore the world. Book your ticket now!
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