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There are many lessons that are learned when you travel.  Challenging yourself to try a solo travel adventure is one thing. I certainly learned a few lessons when I decided to do exactly that. I know I questioned whether I was doing the right thing. I was looking for new challenges for myself and possibly a new direction for the blog so I pivoted.

TBEX Costa Brava Blanes @DownshiftingPRO
TBEX Costa Brava

I decided to come to TBEX Europe this year instead of attending other conferences that I had attended in the past.  I will not be going to Blogher this summer and likely not going to Blissdom this fall.  I wanted to add something to my life that would expose me to new bloggers, new experiences and new adventures.  I wanted to make sure that I met new people to enrich my life. Lastly, I wanted to develop more travel content on the blog so I made a last minute decision to attend TBEX in Lloret de Mar in Costa Brava this year.

The conference has just wrapped up but the hits just keep on coming with the events that are part of the post-conference.  Tomorrow is a trip in the Catalunya region and then one more night here.  On Monday, I am headed off to Barcelona for my “Barcelona for Barcelovers” three day tour and meeting up with my daughter.

We sometimes make decisiions that are confusing to some and logical to others but I now know that this was the right decision for me and for my blog.  I realize just how much I have miss being in Europe and being surrounded by Europeans.  Although there are still a lot of North Americans at this conference, it is refreshing to see that many expat Americans and Canadians based in Europe: Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, London… all trying to make their lives richer for it.

TBEX Costa Brava evening event in Loret de Mar @DownshiftingPRO

Travel bloggers are devoted to creating experiential content for their audiences.  It is not just about them or their travels but about what their travels do to inspire others.  It’s about how they can motivate or move you to take a journey of your own.

Freelance writers, travel bloggers and travel photographers/videographers come from all walks of life (lawyers, accountants, moms, dads, straight, gay, older, younger, experienced or newbies).  As much as I love my parenting and lifestyle blogging community, I have found travel bloggers are so varied and bring a fresh new way of looking at the world.  It is a global view.  A collaboration and sharing community.

I am encouraged to work towards a goal of travelling with a small budget (but with a big wish list).  I have been given ideas on how to make trips more affordable and interesting.  I enjoyed my ‘speed dating’ experience talking to Visit Britain, Tourism Ireland, the Jordan Toursim Board, and the charming people from Poznan in Poland.

Jardin de Santa Clotilde Costa Brava Spain @DownshiftingPRO
Jardin de Santa Clotilde – Costa Brava, Spain @DownshiftingPRO

I love that all these destinations are opened to working with bloggers in one form or another.  That they are looking to play in my world.  So many places don’t understand what value I (and my colleagues) bring to the table of PR, advertising and new media.  But these organizations do.  They were all open to future collaborations or to open a dialogue with bloggers.

I was really impressed with new and enthusiastic companies like Viz Eat (a company that matched local residents to travels for a home cooked meal), I love meeting Context which provdeds walking seminars of the world’s cultural capitals.

I also loved, loved, loved the girls from Flipkey that were full of great information and were a lot of fun to hang out with at the EuroRail cocktail party.  I’ve learned that you can find a place to stay in hundreds of locations in the world it is akin to Airbnb and is owned by Trip Advisor (one of the world’s must powerful review sites).  I think I’ll be checking them out for our trip to Paris.

Taking the TGV Train from Girona to Paris tbexCostaBrava @DownshiftingPRO 1

I appreciate sharing my enthusiasm for train travel with renfe/SNCF as I plan my one way first class trip next week from Barcelona to Paris.   I am excited to be traveling on a TGV (Tres Grand Vitesse) bullet train.  I look forward to sharing that with you next week.

TBEX Costa Brava Lloret de Mar @DownshiftingPRO 1

Laslty, I have to say that the Toursim board of Costa Brava, Catalunya and Lloret de mar have been welcoming, and generous as they welcomed almost 500 bloggers to this beautiful part of Spain.  They were great at getting us bloggers out into the region. I took full advantage of being able to stay up to 7 nights free in different accommodations. I absolutely loved my stay at Hotel Horitzo in Blanes and

They know how to wine (literally) and dine (literally) their guests.  They have shown hospitality that has reached beyond any conference that I have ever attended.

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Next year the conference will be in Stockholm, Sweden in July and I think it will be just as dynamic and exciting as it has been these last few days.  I have to say, I am busy trying to figure out what it’s going to take to return to TBEX in 2016.

Thanks to the sponsors of TBEX Costa Brava @DownshiftingPRO 1

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Margarita Ibbott is a travel and lifestyle blogger. She blogs about travel in Canada, the United States and Europe giving practical advice through restaurant, hotel and attraction reviews. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and other online media outlets.