Ivankally - get to know me

Hello, and welcome to Ivankally, my digital travel journal!

My name is Ivanka, I was born and raised in Switzerland, where I am still living as of today! My family's heritage is croatian - I am in fact bilingual, having grown up as a Croat in the Canton of Ticino.

Why a blog?

I've always been quite curious - I love learning about places, cultures and people. I believe that travel is the best way we have to know a place. You can learn a lot from a guide - but once you find yourself immersed in the culture it is easy to see that there is so much more than what can be written down!

That's where blogs come in.

Top 10s of the best brunch spots, top 20 parks in the city, or simply a newsletter about the new locally owned shops and restaurants.

I am quite an anxious traveller, especially if it's my first time visiting a city or a country. I am always afraid I'll miss some of the most important sights or won't taste some of the regional food. That's why bloggers are heaven sent when it comes to travelling - at least for me.

I like reading blogs to find inspiration form people that have visited the place, or, even better, from the people living in the countries and cities I'm planning on seeing. While it is always nice to fall into the tourist-traps yet iconic cafes and attractions, it is as nice

I am hoping with this blog to do the same - to be able to give some new insights about cities and regions, maybe some tips and tricks that will make organising your holiday a little easier and the trip itself more fun!

My way of travelling

• Read blogs, follow the regional and National tourist boards and find inspiration on socials

• Read official guides and learn basic vocabulary if needed

• Book as much as I can in advance

• Create a map with restaurants, sights, shopping opportunities, ...

• Create an excel file for the budget

About me

I've studied translation at the Univeraity of Geneva, where I got my BA in Multilingual Communication.

In my free time I like to go on hikes, especially in central Switzerland.

I also really like to cross-stitch and embroider but I am still pretty bad at it.

I could reread Agatha Christie's Poirot's adventures any day. I especially like the TV adaptations with David Suchet as Poirot.

Here's 10 facts about me:

1. I have a black cat 🐈‍⬛

2. My favourite mountain is Mount Rigi (Switzerland)

3. My favourite dish is quiche

4. I am studying Swedish

5. My favourite era is the Belle Époque

6. My favourite train is ÖBB's Railjet

7. My favourite painting is Two Man Contemplating the Moon by Caspar David Friedrich 🎨

8. The best snack on a hike is Ovo Sport

9. I'm a huge Eurovision fan

10. I play the trumpet 🎺

An example of what you can expect from this blog

Fun Fact: The Hilarious Day I Turned Vienna's Cemetery into a Maze of Adventures

Once upon a time in the heart of Vienna, I found myself unintentionally turning a visit to the city's main cemetery into a comedic escapade. Determined to be a budget-savvy traveler, I hatched a plan to explore Vienna for free. Little did I know, my cunning strategy would lead me to the illustrious Zentralfriedhof, Vienna's central cemetery.

As I wandered through the cemetery's labyrinthine paths, trying to blend in with the somber atmosphere, I soon realized that my budget-conscious decision had inadvertently turned into a treasure hunt for the graves of Vienna's famous "residents." Yes, you heard it right – this cemetery was not just a final resting place but also a star-studded affair!

Picture this: me, armed with a map that seemed more like an ancient treasure map, stumbling upon the final resting places of some of Vienna's notable figures. From musicians like Ludwig van Beethoven and Johannes Brahms to writers like Franz Schubert, the cemetery became my accidental backstage pass to a star-studded afterlife.

And just when I thought I had mastered the art of navigating the cemetery, I stumbled upon the grave of Falco, the legendary "Rock Me Amadeus" singer. The irony of seeking refuge from room fees in the company of the rich and famous was not lost on me!

In the end, my penny-pinching adventure turned out to be a comedic and unexpectedly educational experience. Vienna's cemetery, much more than a resting place, became a quirky museum of history and culture.

So, there you have it – the time I transformed a budget travel hack into an unintentional rendezvous with Vienna's most illustrious souls. Who knew getting lost in a cemetery could be such a star-studded affair? Vienna's central cemetery – where even in the afterlife, the city's celebrities keep you entertained!

Pro tip: For the budget-conscious traveler seeking both refuge and a dose of history, Vienna's cemetery might just be the unexpected adventure you never knew you needed! 😄🎻🎹

So, now that you know something about me, I hope you'll also stick around to learn more about my travel.

Ciao ciao, e al prossimo viaggio!