Almost a year ago our Executive Committee was formed. Mette Ehlers Mikkelsen gathered a diverse group of active NomadMania Members who act as an ‘Advisory Board’ in our project representing various nationalities, gender, travel style and background. Eventually after a year of productive, mostly remote work it was a time to meet up personally.
Simultaneously, another prominent member of NomadMania and the biggest Slovak traveller Lubos Fellner invited us to Bratislava to join the annual Trans Danube Swim event which Lubos and his team are organising annually since the last ten years.
The timing could not have worked better and the plan was set. Over two dozen of NomadMania member spent a long first weekend of September in Bratislava, the only capital city in the world which is touching two other international borders.
These are the people who joined our tour (from left to right):
- Khadija Musa 🇰🇪
- Orest Zub 🇺🇦
- Eleonora Gromov 🇰🇿
- Erica Mitsidis 🇿🇦
- Ed Hotchkiss 🇺🇸
- Per Besson 🇺🇸
- Konstantin Liorek 🇺🇦
- Slawek Muturi 🇵🇱
- Harry Mitsidis 🇬🇷
- Thomas Buechler 🇨🇭
- Lucy Hsu 🇺🇸
- Cedric Shostia 🇺🇦
- Mette Ehlers Mikkelsen 🇩🇰
- Mikael Staffas 🇸🇪
- Dondon Bales 🇵🇭
- Thrasyvoulos Mitsidis 🇬🇷
Honourable mentions to Ildiko Szabo 🇭🇺, Sarka Kinclova 🇨🇿 and Hubert Weissinger 🇦🇹193 who joined us for some part of the program only. It also worth mentioning that we had six UN Masters with us (from left to right): Slawek Muturi 🇵🇱 , Per Besson 🇺🇸 , Lucy Hsu 🇺🇸 , Thomas Buechler 🇨🇭 , Harry Mitsidis 🇬🇷 , Lubos Fellner 🇷🇸
Program
It worth noting that Lubos is also the founder of BUBO, the largest travel agency in Slovakia. So, in addition to the Trans Danube Swim itself an amazing program was organised for us.
You can see the entire schedule with all the details here. Some of the highlights were:
Kayaking on the Danube from Austria to Slovakia.
Bratislava Identity Tour.
Slovak pierogi cooking workshop.
Visiting the triborder point of Slovakia, Austria and Hungary.
Exploring the majestic Devin castle over the Danube.
Wine tasting on the grape yards just outside of Bratislava.
… and other interesting activities.
Obviously the highlight was the Trans Danube Swim itself. Imagine almost 2000 people swimming across this mighty European river which connects so many countries and cities across the entire continent. This year the water level was pretty high causing a fast rivers flow and relatively low water temperature making such a swim event more challenging.
But nevertheless this event is a real celebrations of human spirit and unity, some value we share at NomadMania too.
Meaningful Work
In addition to fun and explorations we also managed to do some useful work. Our Executive Committee managed to carve out time for a three hour session in order to discuss recent developments in NomadMania and project future steps.
Be sure there are many thing coming ahead and stay with us.
RESUME
All of us love to travel. But no one can’t disagree that nothing beats personal meetings and interaction. This event in Bratislava was a huge success for our community and we shall definitely continue gathering our members in various locations around the world.
Make sure to check our Tour Section in the blog to stay updated. And don’t forget to read the weekly newsletter. Subscribe below if needed.
Also a special thanks to Lubos Fellner and his BUBO team who organised just a fantastic experience for us.
By the way, we have added Trans Danube Swim to our Series among Festivals on Western Slovakia region.
So, make sure to check it out and looking forward to seeing you in Bratislava next year. The Trans Danube Swim 2024 will happen on the first of September. Mark it in your calendar and happy travels until them.
