Actually, I rarely think of myself as an HI Slovenia volunteer. I write because I really enjoy writing. I take photos because I want to capture the most beautiful moments from my travels and keep them as memories. I travel beacause that’s how I recharge my batteries. That way writing travelogues isn’t work but passion, so I can share my story with others and maybe even encourage someone to visit a new place. Or maybe my travelogues are just “tools” for others who are planning their own trips.
I’ve been an HIS volunteer for nine years. Being a part of the HIS network has brought me a lot of great experiences. During this time I’ve written quite a few travelogues and some travelling advice for the Globetrotter Web Magazine, as well as carried out a few interviews. I’v also met a lot of people, travelled to a number of countries and enjoyed quite a few benefits as a volunteer journalist.
I spent the May Day holidays in Naples, Italy. While browsing the web and looking for city attractions, I was quickly fascinated by the Italian city. Cheap plane tickets convinced me to quickly book the flight. The only thing left was to find a place to stay. Looking at www.hihostels.com, I found out that the HI Hostel network also has a hostel in Naples. With the help of Anja Žepič from HIS I contacted the hostel and arranged for a free stay during my holiday in Naples, and in return, I would write an article about the city and the hostel. Want to read about it? You can find more about exploring Naples and its surroundings in the article.
As an HIS volunteer I could stay at the Mergellina Hostel in Naples for free.
When my friends and I were planning a day trip to Zagreb, we were excited about the idea of visiting the local Museum of Illusions. A few days before our trip, I wrote to the museum, introduced myself, and told the staff I was an HIS volunteer. I asked them if I could get an admission discount, and in return, I offered to mention them in my article. They were delighted by my idea and as a volunteer I was offered 3 free tickets. We had a blast at the museum in Zagreb.
As an HIS volunteer I was invited to visit the Snežnik Castle free of charge and write a report about it. I quickly googled “Snežnik Castle” and immediately responded to the invitation. The photos convinced me right away, so the next sunny Saturday I sat in the car and went on a short retreat to Inner Carniola.
When I was in Prague I got free admission to the Sedlec Ossuary and the Franz Kafka Museum. I wrote to the Sedlec Tourist Information Centre a few days before arriving to Prague and asked if I could visit the ossuary. They were really kind at the TIC and offered me free admission. When I was at the museum ticket office I showed my membership card and got a 50% discount. You can read about my sightseeing in Prague in the Prague, the city of thousand spires article.
At the invitation of the Božidar Jakac Art Museum curator I decided to go on a trip to Kostanjevica na Krki.
I also invited two of my friends and we agreed that our next destination would be a trip the unexplored corner by the river Krka. We headed to the “Venice of Slovenia” and visited one of Slovenia’s largest art museums, both by size and by number of exhibits, and definitely one of the most beautiful. It is located in the former 13th century Cistercian monastery and was named after Božidar Jakac, a painter and graphic artist from Novo mesto.
As an HIS volunteer I also got free admission to the Museum of Illusions in Ljubljana where I enjoyed the world of illusions, distorted images, moving grounds, maybe even vertigo, and above all, an extra large dose of fun.
In addition to free accommodation, free admission and discounts, the HIS membership has also helped me get acquainted with a great new team of people who also love to travel, explore the world and are always ready to share their knowledge. Whenever I set out on a new journey, Anja kindly lends me a hand and finds those people among her acquaintances who could help me, share the good experience with me, offer me a place to stay or help me in another way. Anja helps us – HIS volunteers – form new acquaintances with hostels, art galleries and museums.
Since I love visiting art galleries, museums and castles, we can agree on cooperation. They offer me a service free of charge or a discount, and in return, I write an article or a blog, and take a few photos. That way our cooperation is always fun, we all enjoy it and we all benefit from it.
The white Globetrotter T-shirt and the press card open the door to many adventures and offer discounts and numerous benefits. It’s nice to be a volunteer at Hostelling International Slovenia.
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