ITB and more

When Berlin calls, Travelita is happy to answer the call and last week the city literally screamed because the International Travel Fair ITB 2013 took place. At the beginning of the year, I was still undecided about whether I should really go there. But since I was able to combine the event quite well with another event, I finally ventured among the masses of trade visitors.

In contrast to many travel blogger colleagues, I only visited the fair on Friday and did not do a three-day trade fair marathon. So I can’t set any records here in terms of business cards handed out and collected (these numbers are indeed modest), but the day was incredibly valuable to gather travel inspiration, meet new people and finally meet some “virtual contacts” live at the travel blogger meeting. In addition to the trade fair dates, I took the opportunity in the evening to exchange ideas with various interested cooperation partners in a 90-minute speed dating fast-forward. The next few weeks will show what comes of this.

And yes, my travel inspiration list for the second half of 2013 and beyond has become quite full… Here is a small selection of favorites:

Hamburg and North Sea

As I had to confess to my shame, I have been to Berlin a few times, but have seen almost nothing of the rest of Germany. This now urgently needs to be changed and I think Germany has definitely been waiting for me ;). My urgent desire to finally visit the Hanseatic city was clearly underpinned at the ITB and extended to the effect that I would like to combine the Hamburg city trip with a few days of North Sea nature. Sounds promising, doesn’t it?

Extremadura

After Barcelona, Madrid and Toledo, it’s time to get to know rural Spain. A trip to the heart of Spain would also be extremely valuable for refreshing my Spanish skills.

Saxony

Oh yes dear Germany, there are so many corners to discover. Be it culture / architecture in Dresden and Leipzig or be it a bike tour along the Spree, a river trip on the Elbe or a hike along the Malerweg of Saxon Switzerland – I’m still pretty undecided, but I know it’s going to be great.

Helsinki, Riga and Tallinn

I would love to take a boat through the icy bays of the Baltic Sea in winter and enjoy the incredible atmosphere. Riga and Tallinn also surprise with their eclectic architecture and exciting sights.

By the way, the ICC (the building where the fair took place) is also one of the architectural highlights of Berlin. The building was built at a time when the car was at the very center of urban planning and today looks like a huge colossus in the landscape.

Life next to ITB

And yes, I also had a life outside of ITB and as always, Berlin showed its very own side….

After so many future travel plans, I have to finish my travel program for the first half of 2013 and Florida is next up – status: bikini figure (almost) perfect and sunglasses packed – so I can start next Thursday (and no, to nip speculation in the bud, I’m not invited by Visit Florida – that was my idea ;))

If you would like to read more ITB reports, you will find what you are looking for with my dear travel blogger colleagues:

Cologne Format: My ITB 2013 at a glance
Lilies Diary: ITB: 180 countries in three days and my travel trends 2013
Mrsberry: How ITB became a guide for MrsBerry – a family travel blogger’s perspective
Travel on Toast: ITB travel trade fair in pictures