March 5, 2009

By Whitney 

Today we are featuring Karen, the founder/travel writer/editor from Europe a la Carte Blog . 

1. Tell me a little about yourself and the website’s mission?

I've always loved travelling in Europe so when the internet became more widespread in the 2002 along side the growth of the low cost airlines I thought I could create web site featuring ideas and tips for travellers who would put together their own trip by booking the elements of their trip separately. People living in the UK were traveling more frequently and looking for ideas for different destinations. The mission of the site is to inform, inspire and entertain travellers who want to experience authentic travel in Europe on a modest budget.

1. What made you decide to focus on “less well known” destinations in Europe?

I knew that if featured well known destinations such as Rome and  Paris, the site would probably come on page 100 in the results of a natural search. However I could come at the top of natural searches for lesser known destinations.  I also like to visit destinations which are not over run by tourists to get a more authentic feel for a destination than if I am elbow to elbow with other tourists the whole time.

1. What are some destinations that were “less well known” five or six years ago that no longer fit in that category?

I know that most people think that travel bloggers spend a lot of time travelling, unfortunately the majority of my  time is in fact spent sitting at my computer doing admin, research, writing posts and  marketing the site.  Therefore I haven't been back recently to many destinations such as Lake Iseo, my favourite Italian lake, to judge this.

1. Are there any characteristics that can make a destination more off the beaten path?

Not really, beyond not being mobbed with tourists and being on everyone's must see list.  Tbey don't even have to be hard to reach e.g.  the low cost airline Ryanair use Bergamo as their Milan airport and Girona for Barcelona.  In my home country of Scotland most visitors make a beeline for Edinburgh when areas such as East Lothian and Perthshire have so much to offer.

1. When did you catch the travel bug?

When I was 19 and travelled around Greece.

1. Are there any festivals or holiday celebrations in Europe that you have witnessed that are unique?

In May last year we chanced upon the Corpus Domini celebration which involved floral street art in the town of Fuccecchio while touring Tuscany.