Solo travels to Rotterdam and #Traverse18 Conference

Stepping out into the blazing sunshine, composure settled over me.
I was finally here – Rotterdam – a city i’d never been to in a country I had always wanted to visit.

Ida had just experienced her first flight, and we both were standing on Holland’s proverbial soil, alone and exuberant.

“Do you need some help?” A male voice asked as I was trying and failing miserably to connect to the internet to call an Uber.

The taxi rank was 100 metres off to my left, the combination of my persistence and my quiet surroundings, didn’t allow me to register I didn’t need to call for a ride.
Being a Dutch native, he corresponded with the driver on my behalf.

A 36€ taxi to the IBIS Hotel was extremely relaxed yet informative.
The driver shared with me facts about Rotterdam, it’s vibrant culture and it’s transformation since the Rotterdam Blitz.
We spoke about my reason for visiting Rotterdam (Traverse 18 conference) and how I planned to get around the city being unable to see.
Highly knowledgeable about the local transportation, accessibility and alongside his fantastic audio description of our route and surroundings, I knew my first solo travel experience would be A-OK!

Image Credit Backpackbecki

Image Credit to beenaroundtheglobe.com

Checking in at the IBIS Hotel Rotterdam.

Check-in was swift, and, just like every other Dutch person I interacted with, their English was impeccable.
I was taken to the lift, shown how to use it with my keycard and then escorted to my room and assured that if I required any further assistance dialling 9 on my hotel phone would put me through to reception.
Amenities:

• Modern bathroom with spacious shower cubicle, plenty of towels and hairdryer attached to the wall.
• 2 spacious and very comfy beds (single room)
• 2 bedside tables with lamps
• Quirky wardrobe
• flatscreen tv, Dutch and English channels
• Desk
• Restaurant and bar, continental style buffet
• Wheelchair accessible, specific rooms available
• Pet friendly

Image Credit to MelbTravel

My room was situated on the 1st floor and close to the elevators. Each morning I would head downstairs to the reception desk and ask for some assistance with breakfast (an excitable dog around food, and, attempting to balance a plate and not finger all the food is not a good look).
Every staff member was extremely attentive and patient. Retrieving the food and drink I requested, also checking in afterwards.

Image Credit Rachels ruminations

The welcome party at Student Hotel.

A 25 minute walk to The Student Hotel or in my case a 9€ taxi, was where the Friday night welcome party was taking place.

The wall of noise hit me; loud music, laughing, talking and singing. and this was all before I reached the entrance.

The deeper I moved into the throng of people, the harder it was to concentrate.
“Find the way Ida.” I moved away from the thumping music and closer towards the chatter and laughter in the hopes I would find the bar.
We all need a bit of Dutch courage at times like this! 😉

“Hey, are you OK?” a female voice shouted above the music.
“I’m just trying to find the bar. do you know where it is?” I shouted.
“Follow me, i’ll take you.”
“You’ve got a lovely dog by the way!” She continues as she leads the way.

We grab drinks, talk about our dogs, travel and our partners: A friendship blossoms.
Rebecca from She Roams Solo  and I chat. drink and mingle. We meet none other than Nomadic Matt, fangirl to the max!

Rebecca’s bubbly personality and my enthusiasm finds us talking and chatting to many cool people: Emily from The Cosy Traveller, Sophie from Luggage Tags and Ticket Stubs, Nate from Nate Meets World, Leanne from The Globe Trotter GP, Becky from Backpack Becki , and so many wondrous and sociable travel bloggers.

Some of the highlights included a rooftop club where cocktails were made, Ida giving everyone puppy dog eyes and essentially making me friends, Ida diving to the floor and ending up frog-dogging it just for a piece of bread, hearing everyone’s amazing travel tales and finding out Emily and Sophie and I were in the same hotel, who offered to meet me the next morning and walk to the conference together: yay friends! 🙂

Image Credit to beenaroundtheglobe.com

The conference at LP2

Bright and early the next morning the girls (Emily and Sophie) and I headed off to the #Traverse18 conference. A 15 minute stroll through the vibrant, futuristic and hipster-like Rotterdam was a sight to see (if you could of course!). Colourful cubed houses perched on top of one another, the canal full of boats and water taxi and cyclists whizzing passed in their priority lanes on the pavements.

Being in a brand new city, I was kindly relying on Emily and Sophie leading the way and Ida and I following behind, Although trained by me to follow people ahead, the combinations of new sights and smells became a little over-stimulating ; sniffing poles and heading in her own directions ensued 😉

Thanks to the sizzling sunshine, we arrived at LP2 a hot, panty and sweaty mess – and that was just me!

LP2 is a stylish renovated former warehouse with concrete columns that give industrial look to the venue whilst hinting at it’s rich history in Rotterdam.

Over 700 people attending 49 workshops over 2 days is no mean feat. Paperless itineraries made it easy for me to access them.
A giant board situated in the break hall showcased the day’s talks, rooms and times.
Food, tea/coffee and time-out’s were also held here. Ida took this opportunity to scramble for scraps, (to my sheer embarrassment), and wonder up to people.
She was my perfect companion and her cheekiness gave me the courage to, firstly apologise – for the sniffing!
I met numerous interesting, charismatic and awe-inspiring travellers through her tactics!
Whether it was a 5 minute chat or a good old gossip, I couldn’t have felt more safe, secure and relaxed at the conference. People were kind, considerate, and more than willing to offer an arm, seat or confirmation of direction.

Wereld Museum Saturday night party.

Situated on the water front is the Wereld Museum, although under construction it boasts a 130 year history with artefacts from all over the world and how they ended up in Rotterdam.
The Saturday night party was upstairs in the ballroom where the wine flowed, the music pounded and the roof was raised.

I considered having an early night with thanks to my antics and travel the previous day but i’m glad I didn’t.

I caught up with those I had already met, and, proceeded to make new friends and contacts.

Highlights included: extremely comfy seats where I parked my backside for the night (chronic illness is a pain)
Ida managing to sleep through raucous noise, people making the effort to come up and say hello, introducing themselves beforehand, whether I knew them or not!
C walking me home after the party even when she was staying at a different location.

Closing panel and party at Vibes nightclub.

The closing panel is an informal get together consisting of thoughts, lessons learned, questions, and plenty of wine!
A chance to ask top influencers their opinions on beating the algorithms, creating relationships and building influence. I learned just as much from the panel as I did the talks and lectures themselves.

Image Credit to beenaroundtheglobe.com

Leaving LP2 we descended on the city of Rotterdam.

A group of us took a local Chinese restaurant by storm. so much so we were split into 2 large tables!
We ordered enough food to feed an army and I drank wine from a glass that was bigger than my head!

Eventually we ended up in Vibes, everyone was in a place of elation and energy.
I was high on life, meeting like-minded people who had, or like me, wanted to travel the world, from all walks of life and parts of the globe put the biggest smile on my face for the entire weekend.
Highlights included; feeling like I was part of a family, most of these people have known each other for years – Ida and I were welcomed with open arms!
Sitting next to and getting to know Flora  whose Scottish accent was particularly impressive.
Meeting the highly successful writer and author, Elle, you should definitely buy her books!
Sophie, L, Emily and I sitting outside on the Veranda in vibes, Lots of people watching and discussing our aspirations. Realising we are getting too old for this partying malarkey and ordering an Uber home 😂

Ida and I finished the weekend off in the IBIS bar, with Emily and Sophie, drinking cocktails until midnight!And if you are ever in the IBIS Rotterdam, I highly suggest grabbing yourself a delicious cocktail called The IbiS.
My Rotterdam fun had come to a close or so I thought…
I met Amanda from The Boutique Adventurer, the wonderful woman that she is offered to be my sighted guide through the airport as we were both getting on the same plane. We got an entire bus to ourselves just to take us to the plane steps, and we got ushered through to customs on our arrival back to the UK, all part of being blind, and a guide dog owner!

Dynamic, empowering and inspiring are the 3 words I would use to sum up #Traverse18, I’m already waiting for next year’s conference to be announced.

With thanks to: Micheal, Paul, Theresa,Large,anastazja, Michelle, Nat, Milou and Gisela for making my first ever travel conference a positive and fun filled weekend I will never forget!

Dank je to Visit Rotterdam and IBIS Rotterdam for my complimentary stay, I vow to return again soon!