Helene Jelenc describes her travel blog, Wandering Helene, as her “little corner of the internet” where she shares her experiences traveling and living around Europe. An American based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, her posts help bridge the gap between American and European tourism, offering a peephole into local European history and culture.
Her goal with her blog? To inspire others to travel and not just to tick off a list, but to really learn about a new place, try the foods, speak to people, and fully experience it. “I also want people to reconsider local travel as an option, there is so much to see in our own backyards. Especially in Slovenia!”
On her blog, she adds that Wandering Helene grew out of her desire to share her experiences traveling and living in new cultures. “I want to share the places that often get overlooked, but are full of amazement and beauty,” reads her bio.
But how does a travel blogger continue to prosper in the days after Covid? According to Wandering Helene it’s a question of flexibility. In a recent blog post, she writes candidly about her experience this past year and explains that traveling locally is a great way of staying active and maintaining a sense of wonder.
“Being a tourist at home does not have to be dull or boring,” she stresses on her blog. “I guarantee for most people there is at least one if not more activities that you never experienced in your area.”
Her call to action: “Once it is safe to do so, plan one local outing being a tourist in your town. Just try it once. If you don’t know where to start about how to find local things to do or see, message me and I will personally give you a few ideas or direct you to someone who can.”
If Slovenia is on your to-do list, you’d definitely want to check out her blog and accompanying Instagram page:
