[Destination] Slowing Down and Living Sustainably in Slovenia with Ursula Kordis

In this episode of the Wisdom & Wanderlust Podcast, Michael and Robyn talk with their colleague and partner Ursula Kordis of Slovenia. Ursula lives in Slovenia and designs adventures for guests visiting the country. She talks about why Slovenia’s central location within Europe makes it such a unique place and how Slovenia gained its reputation as one of the greenest countries in the world. Listen as she shares what you can expect when you visit this country on your next trip.

 

"Everybody is saying, ‘Take advantage of your kids when they’re little, because they grow too fast,’ and they really grow too fast." - Ursula Kordis [09:02]

 

"70% of Slovenia is covered with forests, so we want to preserve this." - Ursula Kordis [29:17]

 

"I think it’s really important that you slow down. And I have to pace myself that I don’t put too much in your itinerary because we want to show you everything. But you also need to breathe and digest everything." - Ursula Kordis [40:09]

 

"Just be yourself and dare to do things you think are right without harming anyone." - Ursula Kordis [52:27]

 

What You Will Learn:

• [00:01] Intro
• [02:41] Ursula’s life during the pandemic & how she thinks things will change post-pandemic
• [11:22] Meet Ursula Kordis
• [13:00] How she got into the travel industry & what inspired her sense of wanderlust
• [19:09] One of her meaningful travel experience & what she learned about herself
• [23:50] What she loves most about her work
• [24:11] Slovenia and where it’s been in the past 30-40 years
• [28:54] What is going on in Slovenia today outside of the pandemic
• [31:50] Where the passion for conservation and sustainability come from
• [37:56] What kind of experiences can people have in Slovenia in a two week trip
• [43:03] Her favorite time of year in Slovenia
• [44:43] Where she sees Slovenia in 15-20 years
• [48:44] Rapid fire questions
• [53:39] Outro

 

Resources:

• The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest by Dan Buettner
• Explorer X’s Small Group Journeys
• Explorer X’s Adult Study Abroad
• Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent by Eduardo Galeano
• Slovenia on Explorer X