{"id":872807,"date":"2023-04-28T10:15:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-28T09:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/?p=872807"},"modified":"2023-07-04T15:28:01","modified_gmt":"2023-07-04T14:28:01","slug":"trafalgar-unlocked-winner-tracy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/trafalgar-unlocked-winner-tracy\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;It was as if one big happy family was doing a road trip together&#8217; \u2013 Trafalgar Unlocked Award winner Tracy&#8217;s story&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/trafalgar-unlocked-awards\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trafalgar Unlocked Awards<\/a> has now closed and after combing through over 10,000 incredible entries, the lucky winners have been announced. Each of these winners will be joining us with their travel companion on a 12-day trip to the Balkans this June.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the lucky winners was Tracy, who shared this story as part of her entry in the Trafalgar Unlocked Awards:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>Canadians were teaching me to make snowballs in Austria. Coming from South Africa, this was my first encounter with snow.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>We sat down with Tracy to find out how it feels to be a Trafalgar Unlocked Award winner \u2013 and who she\u2019s taking with her! Tracy also shares more about her special Europe trip and why travelling is so important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>GET INSPIRED BY: <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/en-au\/tours\/balkan-delight?optionId=293\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>Balkan Delight<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner4-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Tracy holding a snowball in Austria\" class=\"wp-image-872810\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner4-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner4-330x248.jpg 330w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner4.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-how-did-it-feel-to-be-one-of-the-lucky-trafalgar-unlocked-award-winners\"><strong>1. How did it feel to be one of the lucky Trafalgar Unlocked Award winners?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are no words to describe how it feels, to be one of the winners of this incredible trip. Humbled, honoured, thankful, EXCITED doesn&#8217;t even begin to explain it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>RELATED CONTENT: <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/beyond-dubrovnik-and-sarajevo-10-off-the-radar-balkan-towns-to-explore-with-trafalgar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>Beyond Dubrovnik and Sarajevo: 10 off-the-radar Balkan towns to explore with Trafalgar<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-have-you-ever-been-to-the-balkans\"><strong>2. Have you ever been to the Balkans?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, I did a trip to the Balkans, with the amazing Gasper as Travel Director, before Covid. That was the best trip ever. My fellow passengers were fabulous people and some of us have kept in touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>GET INSPIRED BY: <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/en-au\/tours\/balkan-adventure?optionId=1578\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>Balkan Adventure<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner7-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Tracy in India\" class=\"wp-image-872811\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner7-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner7-248x330.jpg 248w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner7.jpg 810w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-who-will-you-take-with-you-on-your-trafalgar-trip-to-the-balkans\"><strong>3. Who will you take with you on your Trafalgar trip to the Balkans?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>My friend Kim is going along. We started off as penpals, then decided to do a trip together. That was in 2011 and this trip will be the 9th one together. So grateful to Trafalgar for allowing her to come along, as we will be travelling from different countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-what-are-you-most-excited-to-see-and-do-during-the-12-day-balkans-trafalgar-trip\"><strong>4. What are you most excited to see and do during the 12-day Balkans Trafalgar trip?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I am looking forward to revisiting this stunning region. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/en-au\/destinations\/europe\/croatia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Croatia<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/en-au\/destinations\/europe\/montenegro\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Montenegro<\/a> are spectacular, while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/en-au\/destinations\/europe\/bosnia-herzegovina\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bosnia<\/a> has so much history and tragedy. On the previous trip, there was an optional dinner with a local family, and I hope to experience this again. I am also looking forward to meeting new friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>RELATED CONTENT: <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/the-balkans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>Experts tells us why the Balkans should be on your list of places to visit<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner5-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Tracy and her penpal friend travelling Europe together\" class=\"wp-image-872812\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner5-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner5-330x248.jpg 330w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner5.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-your-trafalgar-unlocked-awards-entry-is-about-your-imperial-europe-trip-why-did-you-choose-this-trafalgar-trip-and-when-did-you-take-it\"><strong>5. Your Trafalgar Unlocked Awards entry is about your <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/en-au\/tours\/imperial-europe?optionId=409\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Imperial Europe<\/strong><\/a><strong> trip. Why did you choose this Trafalgar trip and when did you take it?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This trip was in 2011 and it was the first trip I did with Kim, my penpal from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/en-au\/destinations\/north-and-central-america\/united-states\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">USA<\/a>. We both liked the countries visited on the trip and the duration was just long enough, in case we did not get along. We met in person, for the first time, at the airport. Luckily, we hit it off and have been travelling together since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-6-what-are-some-of-your-favourite-memories-from-this-trip\"><strong>6. What are some of your favourite memories from this trip?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Meeting my penpal for the first time was special. The trip itself was fantastic too. Collette, the Travel Director, is a wonderful lady, with an incredible sense of humour. Everyone on the coach bonded and it was as if one big happy family was doing a road trip together. The places we visited will remain in our memories for a long time, as will the many &#8220;firsts&#8221; I experienced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>RELATED CONTENT: <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/why-friends-you-make-on-trafalgar-tour-last-a-lifetime\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>Why friends you make on a Trafalgar tour last a lifetime<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Tracy and friend seeing snow\" class=\"wp-image-872815\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner1-330x248.jpg 330w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner1.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-7-can-you-tell-us-more-about-what-it-was-like-to-see-snow-for-the-first-time-in-austria\"><strong>7. Can you tell us more about what it was like to see snow for the first time in <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/en-au\/destinations\/europe\/austria\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Austria<\/strong><\/a><strong>?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Where I live, in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/en-au\/destinations\/africa-the-middle-east\/south-africa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">South Africa<\/a>, it does not snow. I had seen snow in movies and on TV, but actually touching it for the first time was magical. Some Canadians taught me how to make snowballs and we had a mini-fight, something I am not able to do at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-8-why-is-it-so-important-for-you-to-travel-and-experience-new-places-and-cultures\"><strong>8. Why is it so important for you to travel and experience new places and cultures?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Travelling is an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/amyblaschka\/2019\/08\/13\/four-reasons-why-you-need-to-leave-the-classroom-for-the-best-education\/?sh=5c12e4071a6c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">educational experience<\/a>, exposing us to new cultures, beliefs and lifestyles. This enables us to have a wider understanding, tolerance and acceptance of the diversity in the world. Ultimately, it makes us better people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>RELATED CONTENT: <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/what-travel-teaches\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>11 things travel can help teach you about yourself in 2022<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Tracy at Machu Picchu in Peru\" class=\"wp-image-872814\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner-330x248.jpg 330w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-9-what-is-your-all-time-favourite-travel-destination-or-trafalgar-trip\"><strong>9. What is your all-time favourite travel destination or Trafalgar trip?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It all depends on what you want. If lying on the beach and doing nothing is the aim, head for a place like the Maldives. For history, any country in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/en-au\/destinations\/europe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Europe<\/a> will satisfy this need. For culture, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/en-au\/destinations\/asia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Asia<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/en-au\/destinations\/south-america\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">South America<\/a>. My favourite Trafalgar trips were <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/en-au\/tours\/imperial-europe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Imperial Europe<\/a>, the Balkans and Venice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-10-how-many-trafalgar-trips-have-you-taken\"><strong>10. How many Trafalgar trips have you taken?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I did a Contiki trip when I was younger. Between Trafalgar and Costsaver, there have been 8 trips. The 9th trip starts in two days&#8217; time, visiting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/en-au\/destinations\/europe\/england\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Britain<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/en-au\/destinations\/europe\/ireland\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ireland<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner6-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Tracy travelling in Europe\" class=\"wp-image-872816\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner6-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner6-330x248.jpg 330w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Tracy-TUA-winner6.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-11-what-is-your-favourite-thing-about-travelling-with-trafalgar\"><strong>11. What is your favourite thing about travelling with Trafalgar?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of the trips have been with a friend who lives in the USA. I love that we can each book the trip in our own country and the bookings are linked so that we can share a room. All our trips have been fantastic, with Trafalgar taking care of all the schlep. You just arrive and all the arrangements are in place. Everything runs like a well-oiled machine. Travel Directors sometimes have to think on their feet and revert to Plan B, but it all works out well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-12-where-else-is-on-your-bucket-list-where-are-you-travelling-to-next-besides-the-balkans\"><strong>12. Where else is on your bucket list? Where are you travelling to next (besides the Balkans!)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/en-au\/tours\/scenic-scandinavia-and-its-fjords?optionId=385\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Scandinavia<\/a> and the Baltics are on the list. I would also love to visit Russia, but that is not possible right now, for obvious reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Congratulations to Tracy on being a lucky <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/trafalgar-unlocked-awards\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Trafalgar Unlocked Award<\/em><\/a><em> winner and thank you for sharing your story. You can read more stories from our Trafalgar Unlocked Awards winners on <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>The Real Word<\/em><\/a><em> blog.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our Trafalgar Unlocked Awards has now closed and after combing through over 10,000 incredible entries, the lucky winners have been announced. Each of these winners will be joining us with their travel companion on a 12-day trip to the Balkans this June.&nbsp; One of the lucky winners was Tracy, who shared this story as part [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":872809,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[4909],"tags":[19867,12351,21980,12350,22495,22552],"class_list":["post-872807","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people-stories","tag-trafalgar-community","tag-trafalgar-guest-stories","tag-trafalgar-guests","tag-trafalgar-travel-stories","tag-trafalgar-unlocked-awards","tag-trafalgar-unlocked-awards-winner"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Trafalgar guest shares the bonding power of group travel<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We sat down with Tracy to find out how it feels to be a Trafalgar Unlocked Award winner, and who she\u2019s taking with her on the winners&#039; 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