Hey, Reader! 👋

Dare I say there is an even so slight hint of spring here in Oslo?

Yes, it's still freezing.

Yes, there is snow on the ground.

But the light is noticeably longer and the vibe a little bit lighter.

Even if Punxsatawney Phil predicts 6 more weeks of winter (F*ck you Phil!) my spirits are rising each day with the Scandinavian sun.

Hope the sun is shining down upon you today.

Here's what you'll find inside this week...

• What it's like to turn a standard one week vacation to a whole new life abroad
• The hidden gems of Slovenia's capital
• 35 Hidden Gems in Eastern Europe
• Can changing your "invisible money scripts" lead to more travel?
• 9 Travel app recs

Let's go!

🎙️ Top 7 Hidden Gems of Ljubljana, Slovenia + Moving Abroad After a One-Week Trip

What are the best hidden gems and local experiences in Ljubljana, Slovenia, that some travelers completely miss?

Sharon Kaufman is a licensed local guide in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and founder of MyLjubljanaTour.com.

She moved to Slovenia with her family on what was meant to be a one-week vacation and ended up building a new life there.

In this episode, Sharon shares about her spontaneous family move to Ljubljana, how she built a life and business there, and her top hidden gems and local tips for experiencing the city like a resident, not a tourist.

If you’re planning a trip to Slovenia or curious about what makes Ljubljana special, this episode is packed with practical recommendations.
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Sharon walks us through lesser-known places to explore, affordable ways to get around, unique food experiences, art districts, scenic viewpoints, and easy nature escapes right from the city.

Tune In To Learn:

• One of the most affordable and fun ways to explore the city
• Where to get sweeping views of Ljubljana without crowds or ticket lines
• A hidden market area with local food and unique vending machines that most visitors walk right past
• A hidden alley filled with public art, symbolism, and a secret pub
• An alternative art district shaped by activism, creativity, and nightlife
• A cafe locals love for great coffee, healthy food, and a relaxed vibe
• An easy forest hike just minutes from the city center, plus what to eat at the top
• The best times of year to visit Ljubljana and where to go beyond the city

Or search "Zero To Travel" wherever you listen to podcasts.​
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📌 Travel Round-Up

🇪🇺 35 Incredible Hidden Gems In Eastern Europe

Since we're covering Slovenia on the pod this week I thought it would be good to highlight some other Eastern European destinations you might want to consider traveling to this summer and beyon.

This curated list was put together by Danni and Fede, two travel bloggers who met on a cruise.

The list features an arena in Croatia that looks like the Roman Colosseum, a Blue Eye in Albania, and a sacred lake in Macedonia to name a few highlights.

If your interest is peaked you can see the whole list here.​

📲 9 Best Travel Apps For Your Next Trip

Naomi has been traveling internationally for 13 years and is the gal behind the blog Runaway Traveller.

You can see her list of must have travel apps here.​

💰 Are Invisible Money Scripts Ruining Your Finances?

I don't think personal finance and how to manage your money mindset gets enough press in the travel space.

We all need money to travel, regardless of budget there is always some money involved (unless you travel with literally no cash).

Ramit Sethi has a great article about "money scripts" which "can be defined as the 'why' behind how we manage our money, it’s the stories we tell ourselves ingrained in our psychology.

They explain why we spend, save or even discuss money the way we do. Often generational, these scripts are like inheriting traits from your parents - you can adopt their fears and thoughts about money, just as they did from their parents."

This article is a solid entry point into this topic.

You can read the full article here.

For further reading I recommend the book The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel.

🙌🏼 Community Shout Out

Got a story to share? Drop me a line and we'll share it with the community or click here to send me an audio message.​

Do you feel a friend or family member would get value out of this newsletter?

Feel free to forward it or have them sign up here.​

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A quote before you go...

"A man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone.”

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― Henry David Thoreau

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Thanks for being a part of this community, and we'll see you next week!

Much love ❤️,

Jason

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