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FlatTrip is a cozy travel app that helps you build trips or find ready-made routes from other travelers.
Tell us how you like to travel - cozy, wild, romantic or lazy and FlapTrip will craft a unique route in seconds.
This idea was born when I was planning a roadtrip across Germany.
I had to collect everything in one place, make sure I didn’t miss anything, find beautiful spots along the way, and create an optimal route. I also wanted to add some vibe places to get to know the culture better all within my budget.
The trip itself lasted 21 days, and the planning took around two months after work. During the process, I tried several existing travel planners, and in the end, I ended up with a huge Excel sheet and a billion scattered notes on my phone.
But that’s when I thought, it would be so cool to have an app that helps you organize your trip by yourself, without too many steps. Ideally, it would let you share plans with friends and even suggest interesting places along the way.
That’s how the idea for FlapTrip.app was born — an app that helps you plan vibe-based routes.
I’m building it with a small team of passionate people who also love traveling.
Now I’m looking for people who feel connected to this idea, if you’d like to be an early adopter or get involved in any way, I’d love to talk!
Here I’ll be sharing product decisions and small stories about how and what we’re building.
I truly believe in community-driven products and I think travel apps especially live for their users. So I really hope to find the right people here!
Feel free to text me if you’d like to discuss anything!
👉 We’re inviting curious travelers and creators to test our app before anyone else. Join the beta, help shape what we build, and be part of something playful.
CheckinAway is your go-to travel blog for authentic experiences and expert travel insights. We’re Paul and Hristina, London based, travel-loving couple who have explored over 40 countries, seeking out the best cultural experiences, well-kept secrets, and upscale stays across the globe.
Hello everyone 👋
We’re the creators behind CheckinAway.com, a European travel blog where we share curated travel guides, upscale hotel reviews, and personal experiences from our adventures across Europe and Asia.
Our blog reaches around 25,000 readers each month — mostly based in Europe and North America — and we focus on showcasing both iconic landmarks and lesser-known gems. ✨
We love collaborating with tourism boards, hotels, and travel brands to create authentic, SEO-driven stories that inspire curious travellers to explore deeper.
Looking forward to connecting with fellow creators, tourism professionals, and destinations here on Travel Massive. If you’d like to collaborate or simply chat travel, feel free to reach out! 🌍✈️
👉 Learn more about us at checkinaway.com/about/
Thanks to our [Dublin Travel Massive](www.travelmassive.com/posts/dublin-travel-massive-311524526) community who joined our [Founders Fireside Chat](www.travelmassive.com/events/founder-fireside-chats-at-stripe-dublin-with-bobby-healy-5883529722) at Stripe’s stunning new [Wilton Park offices](stripe.com/newsroom/news/stripe-opens-new-dublin-hq) for an evening of insights and lively discussion. Stripe generously supported the event with craft beers and gourmet sandwiches, setting the tone for a relaxed but inspiring evening.
Here's a recap from what we learned at the event, and some photos from the evening.
The evening began with Chapter Co-Leader [Kevin O'Shaughnessy](www.travelmassive.com/@okev) warming up the crowd by inviting [John Maguire](www.travelmassive.com/@john-maguire-1044095694) (CEO, TripAdmit) and [Gavin Rooney](www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-rooney) (CEO, AnotherTrip HQ) to the stage to shoot the breeze. Both startups are recent participants in [NDRC](www.ndrc.ie), Ireland’s national accelerator for high-growth tech companies.
* [TripAdmit](tripadmit.com/?ref=travelmassive) (2019 cohort) helps tour and activity providers sell online, with solutions for managing digital tips, and collecting reviews. A key customer is Gray Line - a global leader in sightseeing tours and activities.
* [AnotherTrip HQ](anothertrip.com/?ref=travelmassive) (2025 cohort) enables creators and operators to turn travel content into bookable experience maps.
Their conversation with Kevin offered a fascinating look at how Irish startups are redefining travel technology.
Interview with Bobby Healy
Once arrived (straight from the airport, no less!), [Bobby Healy](www.linkedin.com/in/bhealy/) took the stage. Bobby’s remarkable entrepreneurial story spans many chapters including building Nintendo video games, founding Eland Technologies (later sold to SITA), and starting [CarTrawler](corporate.cartrawler.com/en-gb/), the world’s largest mobility marketplace for airlines.
Bobby is now leading [Manna](www.manna.aero/?ref=travelmassive), a “Drone Delivery as a Service” and [Meili](www.meili.travel), an unapologetic competitor to Cartrawler, that focuses on smarter, leaner tech and less overhead.
Healy believes Manna’s drone technology can take on Amazon in the race for last-mile delivery, whether that’s a coffee from an independent cafe or a book from a local bookstore. When asked about use cases, he admitted coffee is adoption fuel for drone delivery.
Bobby was interviewed by [James Lemon](www.travelmassive.com/@james-lemon-3366051289), who leads Stripe’s global growth across hospitality, travel, leisure, and transport. Lemon’s own experience (founder of Otolo, and leadership roles at IHG, Hostmaker, and Travelport) made him an ideal host for the conversation.
So, what did we learn? Bobby shared candid reflections on building companies, technology choices, and the future of travel:
* On Meili vs. CarTrawler: Owning the consumer came at huge cost (e.g., fraud, call centres, and customer management). Meili is designed to change that, with 48 people doing what once required 600.
* On Build vs. Buy: “Buy for market expertise or speed. But if it’s just a tech problem—build.” Manna outsources components and some software, as the key metric is time to market.
* On B2B vs. B2C: Focus on B2B for faster revenue; you don’t need huge capital to build travel tech.
* On Building in Ireland: “We can create billion-dollar companies here,” he said, praising Enterprise Ireland for its support.
* On Talent Acquisition: “Look around—how many women are in this room?” (the answer was “four” which is very unusual for a Travel Massive Dublin Chapter event). He noted Meili’s team is over 50% women and stressed the need for more programs to attract young talent, even before college.
* On the Future: Optimistic—citing the drop in compute costs, tech’s impact on healthcare, and global economic growth.
Taking questions from the floor, Chapter Co-Leader [Amanda Campbell](www.travelmassive.com/@amanda-campbell) ([T2RL](www.t2rl.com/?ref=travelmassive)) asked about an AI bubble. Bobby acknowledged “some punchy valuations” and warned that “there isn’t a future until we solve the energy problem.”
[Ultan O’Brien](www.travelmassive.com/@ultan-o-brien-8176284360) ([Airportr](www.airportr.com/?ref=travelmassive)) turned to car hire, asking why it is still so frustrating for customers. Bobby cited “a race to the bottom on price” and “too much fragmentation”, but noted brands like Enterprise and Sixt are improving loyalty and experience.
— Thanks to everyone who attended and supported the event!
👋 Stay connected with travel innovators in Dublin. Join our [Dublin Travel Massive](www.travelmassive.com/posts/dublin-travel-massive-311524526) to be notified of upcoming events and connect with other members. See you at our next event!
Thanks to our Dublin Travel Massive community who joined our Founders Fireside Chat at Stripe’s stunning new Wilton Park offices for an evening of insights and lively discussion.
The event drew 45 attendees, including representatives from PhocusWire, Plan3, Tenable, Klarna, Engineering Insights, OpenVentures, IrishAero, Hornblower Group, Magpie Travel, and many more.
See you at our next event!
Great writeup, thanks Amanda and team!
I'm always telling people that Dublin is a traveltech epicentre — there's so many smart minds here collaborating in the engine room of global travel distribution.
Also sharing @linda-fox's writeup on PhocusWire:
What travel tech entrepreneur Bobby Healy would build if he had another life
www.phocuswire.com/bobby-healy-travel-distribution-ai-meili
Looking forward to my next visit to Dublin and meeting some of these amazing folks 🍻
We are getting more and more requests to include hotels in our multi day tours in the UK.
Its not something we have focused on in the past, but it seems though we are going to have to look into this. Just wanting to see if anyone in the Travel Massive community can supply, advise or help with this situation for us 😀
We usually contract directly with the hotels, or, if it is a chain like IHG/Accor you can request through their groups desk.
I've sent out some emails to the chains so far IHG being one of them - good to know I've started on the right foot thanks Sandra :-)
We do many single day tours, but have various multiday offering and also do a lot of custom tours - if you want to check us out before replying here are our current tours bestuktours.com/tours/
We book hotels directly. I reach out to them, ask for STO/Nett rates, book provisional holds for my guests (depending on the destination can be 2 weeks to a couple months.
ah ha, that's a good trick of the trade, thank you so much, going to sound awfully professional asking for STO/net rates now :-)
Lots of people use nett and not net. Weird, I know. Here's a sample email that I send - obviously, you'll want to write up a little story on yourself. I know folks are busy, but I also want them to take me seriously.
"Hello - I own a safari company based in Texas and also serve as Malawi's first and only Honorary Consul in the United States. I typically organize trips to Malawi, Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, and Madagascar, (and occasionally, France and the Galapagos) but my clients have been asking me to organize trips to _ _ _ _ Many years ago I visited your hotel I remember the superb service and location. Can you please send me your STO/NETT Rates? I'm looking at organizing a _ _ _ _ next year. Here's my website: mysafari.org
Best Regards,
Jordan Price
Thats super helpful, thank you ever so much :-)
Do you do "city break" type tours? I'm just thinking about my clients with long layovers at LHR?
We do indeed, these are our day trips in the UK: bestuktours.com/tours/discover-the-best-of-england/ happy to jump on a discovery call to see how we could make something mutually beneficial work
Hi there!! We work directly with each hotel, signing contracts with them. Although, if you have A LOT of requests, it can be faster for you using something like Ratehawk.
Colivium helps digital nomads and remote workers find colivings with strong communities. It goes beyond amenity checklists to reveal what matters:
🤝 Community: Analysis of hundreds of guest reviews to uncover whether guests form real friendships, how hosts facilitate connection, whether spaces naturally bring people together.
💻 Necessities: Detailed assessments of working conditions (dedicated quiet spaces, call rooms, reliable internet), self-catering setups (kitchen equipment, cooking together dynamics), and sleep quality – the fundamentals that make or break a stay.
✨ Character: What makes each coliving unique through the activities guests usually participate in, character of the location, stories of the people running the space.
Launching with ~40 colivings and focussing on Europe, but expanding soon!
Hi everyone!
I’m a freelance software developer and coliving enthusiast. Since 2021, I spend ~half of every year in colivings.
I built Colivium to evaluate colivings according to what most digital nomads look for – to have community, a space designed for community, good working conditions, alongside the standard necessities that you'd expect from any accommodation.
Colivium consolidates information from reviews, websites, Google Maps, and creates detailed profiles – extracting patterns of what guests say (and what they don't!), common activities, stories and motivations of the founders, and much more.
I built this because I find it frustrating that the coliving market is dominated by places that are little more than house shares with strangers. Figuring out which places have good community is hard – many have 5-star ratings because guests have low expectations. To find a great coliving, you need to read between the lines of reviews.
I've been running a waitlist service for popular colivings (cowaiting.net) for almost 3 years. Having more information was the most requested feature.
If you're a digital nomad or remote worker, I'm curious about:
- Any colivings you've been to and liked
- What information you need to decide on a coliving
👉 Check us out at colivium.co and share your feedback!
Hi Daniel, I think this is a great idea! As a fellow coliving enthusiast, I totally understand the sentiment. I've been to many colivings and it really grinds my gears when I go to one that offers community but then I arrive there and that isn't the case. That is why I've created a course on how to be a community facilitator for coliving spaces (colivingeducation.com).
I have some suggestions, if you don't mind :)
I believe that community facilitators are the core of the community for each coliving space and they should be proudly displayed front and center so that a potential resident can see who they will be interacting with on a regular basis. Have you considered adding a "meet your community facilitator" section for each coliving space? Going even further, I think it will really differentiate your site from the rest if you have functionality where community facilitators can create profiles on the site and add themselves to the coliving space that they are currently facilitating. This would allow a CF to build trust and credibility in the coliving space by showing how much experience they have and where they have it in relation to community facilitation. A coliving space, in turn, will be able to find potential facilitators that they can reach out to and offer positions as a CF in their coliving space. As a final note, these CF pages can even show a badge for CFs that have completed my course to further differentiate themselves and show more credibility. If you're looking to collaborate, we can work something out where you can drive traffic from colivium to colivingeducation so that your site helps highlight trained CFs which will ultimately help residents have the best coliving experiences. Looking forward to your reply, cheers.
Hi Johnny, nice project!
Yes I agree that facilitators are very important – the great ones often get followed by guests whatever coliving they end up at. They are already featured near the top of the page of every coliving, and I try to extract their personal story verbatim, so it’s their own voice.
I’m doing my best to only list the people that are actually present day-to-day, but this information unfortunately rarely listed anywhere.
About your feature suggestion: this sounds like a platform to match coliving operators with facilitators? What's the problem how it's done today, treating it like a standard job application: facilitators share their experience + past colivings and the coliving operator can check their references?
I was thinking about something related though: whether the “coliving experience” could scale more easily if instead of guests booking spaces, they booked facilitators. This is the "retreat" approach basically, but you'd need to solve the problem of finding spaces.
Yes you're right, it could serve a similar purpose as a CV and operators would be able to more easily find suitable facilitators but that would be more of a nice little added benefit. The main idea is for it to be specific to coliving community facilitation by allowing a facilitator to input information like what type of events they have experience in or like hosting, what kind of training they may have, maybe testimonials from previous coliving related work, and where they will be facilitating in the future so that potential residents can make plans to join them at the same coliving (kinda like your idea of booking a stay with a facilitator).
I guess the main idea here is to further validate the facilitator and their experience through user input into the platform rather than pulling data from online. It should theoretically be more reliable, up to date, and accurate.
As a former operator, I know it's hard to find a qualified facilitator and also being a former analyst I tend to look at things very analytically. Ideally, I would have liked to go on a specific platform to find facilitators based on specific criteria. To sort and filter the results. As it stands now, the best you can do as an operator is to put out posts seeking facilitators and manually validating each one through interviews and reaching out to their previous collaborators. Sure, you can go on LinkedIn but many facilitators don't update their profile accordingly and there is very limited filtering/sorting functionality.
Each year in January, the historic city of [Ouidah](maps.app.goo.gl/c8NhvLprq1c4RF598) hosts [Vodun Days](vodundays.bj/en/) — an international festival celebrating Vodun art, culture, and spirituality. This festival brings together initiates, travelers, and the curious from around the world to experience something truly unique right at the birthplace of Vodun.
Originating in West Africa, within the ancient Kingdom of Dahomey (today Bénin), [Vodun](en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_African_Vod%C3%BAn) (also spelled "Vodoun") is based on reverence for nature, ancestors, and the spiritual forces that surround us. (Some examples: Mahou "main god", Dan "god of property", Xheviosso "god of justice", Legba for protection).
Vodun is more than a religion. It’s a philosophy of life, an art, a memory, and a deep connection between the visible and invisible worlds. Far from the clichés of cinema, this authentic spirituality is expressed through songs, dances, sculptures, symbols, and rituals that maintain harmony between humans and their environment.
More than a celebration, it’s a call to (re)discover a rich ancient millenary culture that is profoundly human.
Hi everyone, I'm a cultural & ethnographic tour guide based in Cotonou, Benin.
As a tour guide passionate about African culture and spirituality, I believe tourism can be a powerful way to value our traditions and promote intercultural exchange.
I would love to connect with other professionals and enthusiasts of cultural and spiritual tourism in Africa!
Looks like you can see and learn a lot during this festival
Of course! I highly recommend attend to it.
I love the colors and vibrancy of the photos!
Thanks, Alison! That’s the magic of West Africa vibrant people, colors, and traditions everywhere.
*I spent a weekend in Badagry, just a few hours from the busy city of Lagos, and it turned out to be more than a getaway — it was a journey through time, memory, and connection.*
Badagry is one of those places that leaves a mark on you long after you leave. The moment you arrive, the air feels different. Badagry is quiet but powerful. It carries history in its soul.
[Badagry town](maps.app.goo.gl/oNkkFi8zHugyfZew7) was founded around the 1720s and became one of the major slave ports in West Africa. It was from here that thousands of Africans were taken across the Atlantic, never to return. For Africans in diaspora, this town is not just a tourist spot, it is a bridge to their ancestors.
Article image #2
*Walking through Badagry feels like standing at the doorway of history.
You sense pain, pride, and resilience all at once.*
Mobee Slave Relics Museum
My first stop was at the [Mobee Slave Relics Museum](www.instagram.com/mobeeslaverelics/). This place has original relics, iron chains, handcuffs, and trade items used by Europeans in exchange for people. It was emotional listening to the guide explain how families were separated and how some were never seen again. But it was also a place of strength.
Article image #1
*The Mobee family turned their painful history into a place of learning, so visitors can see and never forget.*
Serriki Wiliams Abass Slave Barracoon
Not far from the Mobee Museum stands one of the most haunting sites in Badagry, the [Serriki Wiliams Abass Slave Barracoon](maps.app.goo.gl/S97beoQbJVMNu9ZB7). It is a small dark room where dozens of men, women, and children were once kept before being taken to the ships. The air inside is heavy, and the walls seem to hold silent cries. It is hard to stand there without feeling emotional. The guide explained that people were kept there for days, sometimes weeks, waiting for ships to arrive.
Article image #3
*A painful place, but an important reminder of how strong the human spirit can be.*
First Storey Building
My next stop was at the [First Storey Building in Nigeria](africa.businessinsider.com/lifestyle/i-visited-nigerias-first-storey-building-and-found-something-interesting-no-one-ever/383211d), built by Christian missionaries around 1845. It’s a small white structure, but standing in front of it feels special. It represents the beginning of Western education and religion in Nigeria. I climbed up the narrow stairs and looked out through the window, thinking about how much memories this building holds, the early missionaries, the locals who learned to read here, and the changes that came after.
Article image #square-0
Point of No Return
Then it was time to get to the “[Point of No Return](maps.app.goo.gl/Xrg9E3nsmbe1Gtdo6)”. This path starts from the the lagoon, and ends on a narrow road that meets the Atlantic Ocean. It’s about a 2.5-kilometer walk, but every step feels heavy. The name “Point of No Return” wasn’t just symbolic, it was the literal last land enslaved Africans touched before being shipped away. The silence there is deep. You can hear the sea, the wind, and your own thoughts. Some visitors pour water or sand into bottles as a way to carry a piece of memory back with them. I stood there for a while, looking out at the endless water, and felt both sadness and gratitude. Sadness for what happened, and gratitude for being able to stand there freely.
Community and resilience
Badagry is not only about history, it is also about community and resilience. The people are warm and proud of their heritage. Talking to the locals, you can tell they are working hard to preserve their town’s history while also building a better future through tourism.
For Africans in the diaspora, visiting Badagry can be a deeply emotional experience. It’s not just about sightseeing, it’s about reconnecting with identity. Many who come here say it feels like coming home, even if they’ve never been to Nigeria before. Walking that same route their ancestors once took, standing where history changed forever, brings a sense of closure and healing. Badagry offers that, a space for reflection, education, and spiritual connection.
If you ever plan to visit, take your time. Go with an open heart. Spend at least a weekend so you can explore slowly and take everything in. Badagry gives you a chance to understand history from where it happened and to feel connected to something bigger than yourself. For me, this weekend wasn’t just about travel, it was about remembrance, reflection, and rediscovery.
Every African, especially those in the diaspora, should visit Badagry at least once. Let the journey remind you of strength, survival, and the beauty that still rises from pain. Travel, after all, isn’t only about where we go, it is about finding pieces of ourselves along the way.
About the author — *Esther Chinaza is a traveler and tour guide based in Nigeria. Connect with Esther on [Travel Massive](www.travelmassive.com/@esther-chinaza), [Instagram](www.instagram.com/chinaza_creates/), and her travel blog [Explore With Eva](explorewithevablog.wordpress.com).*
Definitely visiting Badagry for weekend getaway
You really should!
It’s such a powerful experience.
Thanks for sharing your experience
Thank you!
Is Sidemen worth a visit? Absolutely.
Sidemen is a [small valley in eastern Bali](maps.app.goo.gl/iUaDaVfaBQaCbqZPA). Not so many people write about Sidemen, and if they do it's most likely not by a local. As a local Sidemen — and as we've learnt from the mistakes made in other parts of the island — our aim is supporting the local population, reducing plastic waste, using natural materials and providing scholarships.
We don’t want our beautiful village turned into ‘the next Ubud’ as many tourist and traveler have said. We just want Sidemen to be as it is — a place that we spent in the memories of our childhood, a land of a farmer and river. The small villages are surrounded by rice fields and agricultural land while people still tend to their fields, prepare ceremonies at the temples and head to the rivers for a bath towards the end of the day.
All under the watchful eye of the impressive and sacred Mount Agung.
Article image #0
Sidemen is, without question, quintessential Bali – the panoramic rice terraces, farmlands and the quaint villages nestled in hills and valleys. When you visit this magically preserved region, it’s easy to imagine what Bali must have looked like 30 years ago before the tourism altered the landscape of the island.
The scene in Sidemen Bali is so rural in fact that you feel like you traveled in a time machine because you can’t fathom how such an enchanting countryside exists just 2 hours north of populated and developed tourist center of South Bali (Denpasar, Kuta, Nusa Dua).
Sidemen has been able to maintain its traditional charm and way of life for much longer compared to other parts of the island which have been recently developed.
Article image #1
*One thing I will always remember of being kid in Sidemen is wandering the rice field with my brothers and friends and when we finished playing we will go take a bath at Unda river (Photo by Gus Dark/Adimelali Bali)*
Sidemen can be a base or worth staying for more than two or three nights, if want to explore East Bali. Alternatively, Sidemen can be a transit place for a night or two when going to Gili’s or Lombok from Padang Bay port, or when planning to visit Amed or Candidasa.
With [many villas to choose from](www.travelfish.org/accommodation/indonesia/bali/bali/sidemen/all) (and some five-star service resorts) a visit to Sidemen will make it easier to access destinations and activities including Amed, Gate Of Heaven Lempuyang, Climbing Mount Agung, Candidasa, Padang Bay and even Ubud, as an alternative to Candidasa or Amed.
Despite the overdevelopment on the island this unique area in east Bali still has the feeling as if not much has changed. This village has not been discovered by many tourists. However, in the past few years more and more travelers are discovering this tranquil place — particularly nature lovers. Bali's hiking trails and paths take you along rice fields, mountains, through the valleys of the Unda river and many coffee and cocoa plantations which dominate this area.
Sidemen offers not only magnificent views and landscapes but also a glimpse into the traditional way of life, which is rare if you only visit the popular hot spots of Bali. When you take a stroll around Sidemen, it’s evident just how intimate the communities are. Every local person stops and talk to one another, working together in the fields and taking coffee breaks in the shades.
Article image #2
*Explore Sidemen in a Volkswagen classic type 181/182 convertible, known as "VWe-BaT"*
Perhaps you've been to other acclaimed rice terraces in Bali such as Tagalalang and Jatiluwih, but Sidemen is special. It’s a unique feeling at Sidemen, and it comes down to this:
Sidemen feels very much like a community.
A few things to know about Sidemen
🚔 Polsek Sidemen / Sidemen Sectorial Police Station
Phone: +62851-4311-1311
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/PsABDHhx2aYagdcd7
🩺 Puskesman / Public Health Care Local Village Sidemen
Phone : (0366) 5300582 (land line/ and opening hours is morning to noon)
Location: g.co/kgs/ob6ktpv
🚑 Medical Clinic or International Medical Care are not available in Sidemen tourist centre (Tabola), for any medical assistance and emergency its perhaps need to reach around 1 hours Klungkung Regency to 1 and half hour to Karangasem City Centre or 2 hour to Gianyar Regency.
💊 Pharmacy are not available in Sidemen area include the tourist centre in Tabola. So if you have a congenital disease, or have allergies to cold air, food allergies and others, or need regular medication to be taken, make sure before going to Sidemen to bring a supply of medicine or buy your medicine supply in Denpasar, Ubud or a large pharmacy in a tourism center such as Kuta , Sanur and others.
🏪 Convenience store, Mini Market, Supermarket or Liqueur Shop are not available in Sidemen, so if you love snacking, smoking, or drinking ( wine, whiskey, vodka) you better get your supply from supermarket or liqueur shop in most biggest tourist facility centre such Sanur, Denpasar, Kuta, Ubud or Seminyak.
Hi, I am Dee Gorra of Adimelali Bali.
I'm not just a local Sidemen — I'm also an expert in Bali and most of Indonesia. I'm a travel planner, a tour organizer and I run Adimelali Bali — my travel business for 15 years. I studied tourism and have nearly 25 years experience in the travel industry — especially Bali, East Bali, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Is Sidemen worth a visit? Absolutely. Sidemen is, without question, quintessential Bali – the panoramic rice terraces, farmlands and the quaint villages nestled in hills and valleys. When you visit this magically preserved region, it’s easy to imagine what Bali must have looked like 30 years ago before the tourism altered the landscape of the island.
In Sidemen you don’t need to pay to watch and explore rice terraces — but to give to support to this farmer community will be a great way to keep Sidemen as what it is.
Do you want to experience Sidemen? As pioneers in developing trekking routes and exploring rivers and villages roads in Sidemen villages since 2005, our "Let’s Go East Bali" became (after various improvements) the forerunner of our special trip with the Volkswagen classic type 181/182 convertible, which now known as "VWe-BaT". This trip is a way to give tourists a sensation in a more intimate way and closer to Bali.
👉 Learn more about Adimelali Bali and our tours at adimelali.com
Feel free to ask any questions here!
👍
We are a husband and wife writing duo and sommeliers and for over a decade we've covered resorts, spas, fine dining, wine, spirits, and luxury travel as journalists.
Our travels have taken us all over the US, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, and beyond. Our work as appeared in the LA Times, Travel and Leisure, Google Travel, Modern Luxury, French Quarter Magazine in France, Monaco, and Lausanne Tourism City Guide.
Our podcast Cuisineist Travels is hosted by Kate Roberts and Jack Martin, and focuses on the culture, history, and luxury and adventure travel of different destinations, with a strong emphasis on food and wine.
👉 Tune in to our podcast at cuisineist.com/cuisineist-travels-podcast/
Here's a short video from Bourbon Steak Las Vegas with Chef Michael Mina which featured in one of our recent episodes.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq2mYtCRNoQ
Excited to listen in. Let me know when you're heading to my travelicious homeland of Germany next, we not just all about the wurst!
What a fun idea! I travel for food and wine as well, best way to travel :)
Hi everyone, I'm Matthew Gardiner, Director of Travel Massive London and Host of the WTM Marketing Summit.
From long-time listener to guest! It was a delight (and a proud moment) to join Daniel Rowles on the Digital Marketing Podcast - a show I've followed for years.
In my guest episode, "The Changing User Journey - Lessons from the Travel Industry in the Age of AI" we explore how the user journey is being radically reshaped and why the travel industry offers a powerful lens for understanding what's next for all marketers.
Daniel also kindly gave me the opportunity to discuss some of the exciting content that you can expect from the 2025 Marketing Summit at World Travel Market (WTM) London on Thursday 6th November - for which I'm returning as the summit's host.
🎤 In the podcast we covered:
➡️ Why AI is collapsing the funnel.
➡️ The shift from connected social feeds to disconnected discovery.
➡️ Why 'Answer Engine Optimisation' is the new SEO.
➡️ The new role of structured data.
➡️ Content strategy for the AI era.
➡️ Brand loyalty as a survival tactic.
➡️ Other trends impacting the travel sector including the rise of live tourism and the ongoing growth of the soft adventure sector.
🎧 Listen to 'Changing User Journeys' on the Digital Marketing Podcast targetinternet.com/resources/the-changing-user-journey-lessons-from-the-travel-industry
— Enjoy!
so much to learn, and it feels like everything changes again by the time I understand it!
As AI continues to evolve, how do we build a travel market around the actual creation of the data centers?
I’m not sure what you’re asking, can you elaborate please?
There's so much to learn, but I still can't wrap my head around AI!
HERE'S THE NEXT 5 UPCOMING EVENTS:
This November, Travel Massive's annual WTM London Innovation Night is back!
On the eve of World Travel Market (WTM), join us and headline sponsor Stripe for an evening of fun, food, drinks and great content.
This is a gathering for industry pioneers, leading travel brands, investors and disruptive startups reshaping the future of travel and hospitality.
Why Attend?
Tickets always go quickly for this special event. It's the one, more than any other that brings our international membership together. It's a celebration of connections that transcend borders and a shared love of travel. This curated evening is a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make some new ones. Whether you're attending WTM or not, come and meet with like minded professionals from across the travel, hospitality and leisure sectors and gain exposure to emerging travel technologies and ideas.
Two Exciting Panel Conversations
Step into the future of travel with two dynamic, interactive panels designed to spark ideas, share insider strategies, and inspire bold moves. “Funding the Future: New Business Models Reshaping Travel” brings together innovators and investors to unpack the seismic shifts in how travel companies grow and monetise. Expect real-world case studies, sharp investor insights, and forward-looking perspectives on what it takes to thrive in 2025 and beyond. Our speakers include Alexander Gevers Deynoot Vice President, Strategic Partnerships at Hopper Technology Solutions, Simeon Klein Seat Unique's Chief Business Officer and Christian Watts Founder and CEO of Magpie Travel.
Then, shift gears with “The Independent Path: Building a Sustainable Career in Travel” a candid, practical discussion with successful freelancers and consultants who have carved out thriving independent careers. From winning clients and pricing with confidence to avoiding burnout and knowing when to collaborate, this session is your toolkit for navigating the freedom and challenges of going solo in today’s evolving travel landscape. Whether you’re building a business or building your career, these conversations will give you the edge to succeed. Our speakers include: Rebecca Maffeis, Catherine Warrilow and Jutta Moore.
18:00-18:30: Arrival, welcome drinks & networking
18:30-18:40: Opening remarks from Stripe's James Lemon & Travel Massive's Matthew Gardiner
18:40-19:15: Panel 1: "Funding the Future: New Business Models Reshaping Travel"
19:15-19:30: Networking break
19:30-20:00: Panel 2: "The Independent Path: Building a Sustainable Career in Travel"
20:00-21:00: Networking reception & close
The evening is also an opportunity to connect with Stripe's Travel, Transport and Leisure Lead James Lemon. Stripe is a financial infrastructure platform for businesses. Millions of companies from the world's largest enterprises to the most ambitious start-ups use Stripe to accept payments, grow revenue and accelerate new business opportunities.
📷 A huge thank you also to the evening's official photographer Chantelle Flores of Kzara Visual.
Travel Massive first timer or long-standing regular, we're looking forward to welcoming you.
Important Details
📍 Address: Stripe's London HQ, 5th Floor, 201 Bishopsgate, EC2M 3UN
Map link: maps.app.goo.gl/KobbJHGLd838Nvei9
🗓️ Date: Monday 3rd November 2025
🕕 Time: 18:00 - 21:00 (registration 18:00 - 18:25 with content starting at 18:30).
✅ RSVP essential
Questions about this event? Please email your event host Matthew Gardiner: matthew@travelmassive.com.
Please note: when you register for this event (which must be done in advance) we will also be sharing your details with Stripe to allow us to process your registration and facilitate your access to the venue. Please also expect there to be photography at the event.
😊 Attending WTM London? Make sure you don't miss this year's WTM Marketing Summit hosted by Matthew Gardiner and Tina Charisma on Thursday 6th November.
Link to event pageThe world’s most influential travel and tourism event
For decades, World Travel Market London has been at the heart of global travel and tourism.
It’s where leaders, ministers, and industry professionals come together to set the agenda and drive meaningful change.
Be part of an event that has led the way in connecting the global travel community, fostering innovation, and creating opportunities. Together, we’ll continue to redefine the future of travel, one powerful connection at a time.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHBOhwS7NDk
Join us as we celebrate a rich legacy of shaping the future of travel and championing the #TravelPower. Because it’s the power of us, working stronger together, that will propel the industry forward.
Get your ticket for WTM London 2025 Today!
Link to event pageLet's catch up, Travel Massive Sydney!
We're excited to be holding this meet up at the brand new Caption by Hyatt — where people + place come together. Join us for a social and networking evening with Sydney Travel Massive and friends. Expect an introduction from our host and option to see this new hotel before anyone else!
🏨 Venue: Caption by Hyatt, Haymarket
📍Location: 13 Parker Street, Haymarket (maps.app.goo.gl/b4xytjei1TBFKWz9A)
🗓️ Date: Tuesday, 4th November 2025
🕕 Time: 6-8 pm
🪩 Dress Code: Business casual
🥂 Welcome drink on arrival
🏨 About the venue: Caption by Hyatt Central Sydney is a hotel made for people & place and designed with the conscious traveller in mind. With a self-activated style of travel, bold design and flexible spaces to work, chill or connect. We are all about good energy and doing things your way — no fluff, no fuss. Learn more at www.hyatt.com/caption-by-hyatt/sydcp-caption-by-hyatt-central-sydney
👉 Spaces are limited, RSVP is essential
Looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday November 4th
Link to event pageWTM London Social — A Social and Networking Evening with Travel Massive, Travel Trends and friends.
Travel Massive and Travel Trends invite travel industry innovators to an exclusive social evening in London. Coinciding with World Travel Market (WTM) London, join us at private gathering of industry pioneers, leading travel brands, and disruptive startups reshaping the future of travel and tourism.
Whether you're a first timer at WTM London or a long-time attendee, we look forward to welcoming you.
🍻 Venue: De Hems Dutch Cafe Bar (downstairs)
📍 Location: 11 Macclesfield St, London W1D 5BW (maps.app.goo.gl/evqfhYn6PQhzXV1g8)
🚇 Nearest tube stop: Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth Line from Excel)
🗓️ Date: Tuesday, 4th November 2025
🕕 Time: 6:30pm - LATE (Welcome drinks 6:30pm to 7:30pm)
👉 Spaces are limited, RSVP is essential
On the waitlist? Hang tight - we're working on getting as many people as possible in!
We're looking forward to bringing the London Travel Massive community together for an evening of networking, food and drinks. This is a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make some new ones. Whether you're attending WTM London or not, come and meet with like minded professionals from across the tours & activities and travel tech sectors.
The evening is also an opportunity to connect with Travel Trends and Acceleration Team founder Dan Christian. Travel Trends is the #1 travel B2B podcast (now in its sixth season) where industry leaders share and shape the future of travel. The Acceleration Team is a growth-focused advisory firm that specializes in supporting travel, tourism, and hospitality startups and global organizations. Learn more at www.traveltrendspodcast.com and www.accelerationteam.co
This event also marks the launch of iWander, an AI-powered Travel Companion transforming how travelers explore destinations through immersive, personalized self-guided tours. Meet the team behind iWander and experience how AI is reshaping storytelling and exploration in travel. Learn more at iwander.io
Questions about this event? Please email Ian C: ian@travelmassive.com
📸 Please note: when you register for this event (which must be done in advance) we will also be sharing your details with Travel Massive and Travel Trends to allow us to process your registration and facilitate your access to the event. There will also be photography at the event.
Link to event pageJoin us in Bristol for a slightly bigger event than normal!
We'll have a panel of international guest speakers, discussing the topic of
Diverse perspectives: redressing power imbalances between supply & demand for fairer tourism
Our speakers are:
• Raj Tamang - Responsible Adventures - Nepal
• Caglar Gokgun - SGA Travels - Turkiye
• Chantal Potgieter - Themba Travel - South Africa
They're in the country for WTM London and I've managed to persuade them to stay on a few extra days for us - so please make the most of this opportunity to hear their local perspectives from around the world.
Please arrive by 6pm when we will begin the panel discussion, with time for socialising and networking from 7pm onwards.
Event location: Moxy hotel, 55 Newfoundland Street, Bristol, BS2 9AP
👉 RSVP is essential. Register right here on Travel Massive.
Moxy Bristol opened in 2022 - a playful, design-led hotel brand from Marriott. Their space brings the city’s bold spirit inside, with striking artwork from a local graffiti artist and nods to the area’s rich Caribbean heritage. Moxy Bristol are kindly hosting us, with food and drink available to be purchased on the evening.
Come along for a thought-provoking panel discussion and to catch up with local friends, contacts & colleagues - and meet new ones! Hope to see lots of you there.
Link to event pageJoin us for a causal get-together for travel industry professionals and travel enthusiasts. Come by, say hi, and enjoy a drink and some food (not included). This is a great opportunity to see old faces and meet new people in travel!
📍 Venue
Old Town Pub
1339 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
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