‘Slow Travel': travelling without haste

Have you heard of the term ‘Slow Travel’? It’s a style of travelling that focuses on the quality of experiences rather than the number of places visited. Enjoy every step of the way, connect with the local culture, and be conscious of your environmental impact.

Rather than planning a hectic itinerary of visits, ‘Slow Travel’ involves taking your time to get to know and appreciate each place, contemplating the connection with the local culture and the people who live there. It is a way of seeing the world that opposes the style of ‘travelling like a tourist’, which often involves visiting many places with just enough time to buy a ‘postcard’ or take a photo to post on Instagram.

This way of travelling also means being conscious of our environmental impact. This means making choices about how the activities you do, the places you visit and the way you travel affect the natural environment. Choosing more sustainable modes of transport and accommodation, as well as the leisure activities we engage in or the consumption of local products, can help prevent mass tourism from destroying the landscapes we visit.

It can also be an opportunity to disconnect from modern life and the rat race. It can be a way to find inner peace and connect with oneself, as well as the perfect opportunity to learn and grow as a person. So, how can we practice ‘Slow Travel’?

Proximity tourism

In the last couple of years, proximity tourism, a trend for exploring places in our own country, has become popular. Often, places that are just around the corner are the ones we plan to visit “one day”, but we tend to leave them at the bottom of the list in favour of something more exotic. So why not make today that “one day” and visit a city or place in our own territory? Hidden gems are all around us if we are willing to explore them.

Think eco and go off the beaten track

By booking eco-label hotels on your trip, you can help minimize the impact of your holiday on the planet while still enjoying your love of travel. Make your playlist, grab the snacks, take a good friend and hit the road to, well, anywhere! As travellers, we often favour capital cities over the runner-up cities  — the second or third most popular destinations. But those cities are where the magic happens, since they usually offer less touristy, more authentic experiences. Or even better, for your next slow trip, avoid cities altogether, consider exploring the unexplored.

Do you love to travel? With 11Onze Viatges you can book accommodation at the best price, without stifling the travel industry.

If you also celebrate Valentine’s Day, you must be looking for a unique and special gift that symbolises your love for the person you cherish. At 11Onze we suggest you give ‘Amor amb Or’ as a gift. A gift that will last forever and that retains its value over time. For Valentine’s Day, gift gold coins!

We all know that Valentine’s Day in Catalonia is Sant Jordi, but if you want to give something more than just a rose or a book to the person you love… maybe you want to jump on the bandwagon of romantic gifts for Valentine’s Day. So, if you’ve already ruled out cologne, chocolates, romantic food and other typical gifts… at 11Onze we have a proposal for you that is as classic as it is surprising: give gold.

Gold coins for the person you love

Gold has always had an air of mystery and magic, a timeless gift with a special symbolic meaning that represents love and prosperity. Celebrate special moments with ‘Amor amb Or’. Surprise your loved one with a unique and precious gift that will remind him/her of your love forever.

‘Amor amb Or’ is the perfect gift for those special moments you want to celebrate with the people you love. Whether for a birthday or Valentine’s Day, giving gold coins as a gift will be an unforgettable detail that symbolises love and will maintain its value over time. If you want to give a unique and special gift, give ‘Amor amb Or’.

Preciosos 11Onze offers the option to buy gold coins from €220. For 11Onze members with an El Canut account, shipping is free. For all other buyers, it costs €9.99. If you want to buy gold coins as a gift, fill in this form and an agent will contact you. You will receive a personalized digital postcard with the name of the person to whom you give the gift. It will also need a physical address to send, shortly after, the gold coins.

If you want to discover the best option to protect your savings, enter Preciosos 11Onze. We will help you buy at the best price the safe-haven asset par excellence: physical gold.

The rise of remote work has boosted the phenomenon of ‘workation‘, combining work and leisure in equal measure. Some governments are adapting their visa policies to facilitate extended stays for workers who want to swap the routine of the office for a scenic view in paradise.

Italy

Visiting Italy over a few weeks, rather than a matter of days, gives you the time to immerse yourself in the lifestyle. Where a short city break may leave you deciding between a chilled-out pasta-making class and a day trip to Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius, a long stay gives you time to enjoy the best of everything. Go back to the Renaissance in the Emilia-Romagna region, full of striking architecture. Go coastal to Monopoli, the ‘heel of Italy’s boot, for breathtaking sea views. Sail along the canal in Venice and treat yourself to slurpy spaghetti dinners or pizzas sizzling with cheese. Hotels that offer long stays in Italy: Combo Venezia, Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa, BAD – B&B And Design.

Greece

Is island life for you? As if waking up to the glittering Aegean Sea, honey drizzled over some greek yoghurt, and a fresh cup of coffee wasn’t enough, Greece has so much to offer. Hark back to the beginning of civilisation as we know it at the Acropolis, sail from the coast of Kallithéa to explore the island of Samos. Absorb the best of what the country has to offer; glorious ancient ruins, soft sandy beaches, and cuisine, from Moussaka to tzatziki and hot feta. Hotels that offer long stays in Greece: Grecotel Mykonos Blu Boutique Resort, Selina Athens Theatrou, Maistros Village Hotel.

Kenya

This East African haven is all about scenic beauty and sprawling wildlife reserves, with parades of elephants, rhinos and leopards. But Kenya is about much more than animals and vast national parks—there are also some wonderful hiking opportunities and crystal clear waters at Diani Beach, perfect for a refreshing post-work swim. Hotels that offer long stays in Kenya: Tribe Hotel Nairobi, Hemingway’s Nairobi, The Sands at Nomad.

South Africa

South Africa is ideal for nature enthusiasts, explorers and animal lovers. It’s got a beachy coastline with sparkling blue and white beaches, waters filled with hippos, sharks, and whales, nature reserves prowling with regal wildlife, and peaks with views a hiker can only dream of, like the Cape of Good Hope or the Blyde River Canyon. Find that work-life balance in the hills of Drakensberg, where days are productive, quiet, and that little bit calmer—even from the “office”—and evenings are spent lounging on a balcony overlooking the green nature scapes. Hotels that offer long stays in South Africa: 21 Nettleton Boutique Hotel & Luxury Residence, The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Grande Roche Hotel.

Tanzania

A little slice of paradise on the Indian Ocean, Tanzania is a nature domino—the beach flows into the safari and then flows into the mountains. With surreal scenery and animals roaming coastal plains, it looks like it could be Photoshopped. Experience luxury Kiwengwa-style, where the ocean is so pure you can see the sandy seabed as you swim. Hotels that offer long stays in Tanzania: The Residence Zanzibar, Hotel Verde Zanzibar – Azam Luxury Resort and Spa, Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas and Spa – Relais Chateaux.

Do you love to travel? With 11Onze Viatges you can book accommodation at the best price, without stifling the travel industry.

In February 2022, we launched Preciosos 11Onze to offer members of our community the opportunity to buy gold to protect themselves against inflation. One year later, the evolution of the gold price proves why this precious metal is the ultimate safe-haven asset when it comes to securing our savings.

Although 2022 was presented as the year to consolidate the economic recovery, the disruption of the supply chain, the rise in the price of raw materials, the debt crisis and the international geopolitical situation ensured an inflationary context that would reduce the purchasing power of many families.

Faced with this scenario, at 11Onze we advised diversifying savings, converting money into assets that would not lose value. It was clear to us that buying gold was one of the few resources people had to safeguard their money. Thus, with the launch of Preciosos 11Onze we provided our community with the best option to protect their savings.

The loss of credibility of the international monetary system triggered a surge in demand for physical gold at major mints around the world. Not only were central banks buying gold to secure their capital reserves in the face of economic uncertainty, but small investors were also buying large amounts of gold to protect their wealth. This has led some gold dealers to deplete stocks of coins and bullion, extending delivery times when new orders are placed.

The antidote to inflation

One year on, rising prices, together with the loss of the real value of the currency, have led to a large reduction in the monetary wealth of the population, who have seen their savings vanish without even leaving the bank. Even so, the upward trend in the price of gold confirms our forecasts.

While year-on-year inflation in Spain in 2022 was 8.4%, Preciosos 11Onze gold has risen by 10.25%. From €1,599 per ounce of gold on 1 February 2022, it has risen to €1,762.86 today. Or in other words, the strong performance of the gold price has counterbalanced the currency stress caused by the loss of value of the euro.

This means that if we had left €10,000 in the bank, these savings would have lost 8.4% of their value, and would be worth €9,160 today. Whereas if we had invested them by buying gold, their current value in gold would have increased by 10.25% to €11,025.

Widespread economic slowdown

According to a report published by the World Bank, global growth in 2023 is expected to slow for the second year in a row and experience its third-weakest pace in almost three decades. This sharp slowdown in growth will be broad-based, stagnating at 1.7% in 2023, and improving slightly to 2.7% over the course of 2024.

It also predicts that investment in emerging markets and developing economies will remain below the average of the past two decades. It points to monetary policies and tight global financial conditions as one of the main causes of the slowdown in growth.

Although economic analysts expect Spain to avoid recession, GDP growth will fall back to 1% in 2023, mainly because most households no longer have a savings cushion to sustain their consumption spending. However, this trend is expected to change in 2024, thanks to the global economic upturn.

In any case, the almost zero growth forecast for the eurozone economy as a whole, and the recession that some of the main exporting countries, such as Germany, will experience, lead experts to agree that the demand for gold will continue to rise in 2023. Perhaps this is why Forbes magazine has published a report explaining why, even today, owning gold is better than owning money.

If you want to discover the best option to protect your savings, enter Preciosos 11Onze. We will help you buy at the best price the safe-haven asset par excellence: physical gold.

Finextra and FE News, leading publications in the international fintech community, echo the launch of 11Onze School. You can read the full article below.

“To cater to the rising demand for financial education in schools, community fintech 11Onze has launched a website 11Onze Escola for Catalan teachers unlocking free access to a wealth of information, guides and games on money matters.”

Finextra – FE News 

You can read the original article here

11Onze is the community fintech of Catalonia. Open an account by downloading the super app El Canut for Android or iOS and join the revolution!

With the costs of flights, hotels and car rental expected to rise significantly in 2023, planning ahead for your business trip has never been more important if you want to ensure you don’t go over your budget.

According to a report by the Global Business Travel Forecast, business travellers will see airfares rise by 8.4%, hotel rates by 8.2%, and car rental charges by 6.8% in 2023. This is in addition to the 2022 increase in air fares of 48.5%, hotel rates of 18.5%, and car rental charges of 7.3%.

Despite the popularity of remote working and video calls, business travel is, in some cases, still necessary in order to increase sales, customer base or revenue. Therefore, pre-planning a trip, so we can reduce unnecessary expenses, becomes imperative. Here are a few tips to save on overall business travel costs and maximize the success and effectiveness of your business meetings:

Advance Planning

You can often save money if you book business flights and hotels months or weeks in advance. Also, consider using travel apps or agencies that you can save on bookings at a package rate.

Set a budget

Set a budget limit for business trips. If the trip exceeds the set limit, have an internal discussion on whether the event or meeting can be done virtually, as business travel requires some level of accountability. Set a per diem for meals and lodging and educate employees on the changes.

Leverage membership loyalty

Working exclusively with certain vendors to plan your business travel can save you money. Encouraging employees to sign up for their loyalty programs will also help. These strategic partnerships can pay off with benefits like select discounts and preferred booking for trips.

Be flexible with dates and times

Leaving a day later or a day earlier could save money on flights as well as room rates. If you’re flexible with dates and can move things around, you can often get great deals you wouldn’t otherwise.

Consider Location

Compare locations when planning a company-wide outing, like a retreat or an off-site team building event. When attending events, book a hotel outside large cities and take public transport. Airport hotels or hotels in the city centre tend to be more costly. 

Pre-set appointments & follow-up

Before attending events, reach out to event attendees or presenters that you want to meet. Gather information about the client’s wants and needs to maximize your time together. Set goals for each client meeting, whether it be the initial meeting, presenting benefits or closing a deal. A week before the meeting, reach out again to confirm the appointment.

Selecting a hotel for a business meeting 

If your company is hosting an event or meeting, researching hotels is important to find the perfect meeting space. There are a lot of differences among meeting rooms in hotels — each location will have different features, amenities and support. For example, audiovisual equipment may or may not be included. Make sure to look at reviews to ensure service meets your standards and visit the place beforehand if possible. Don’t forget to ask if the hotel offers any special packages or perks, as many are happy to throw in discounts for large groups.

Here are some business-friendly hotels that we recommend in the following cities:

London

Baglioni Hotel London – LHW

Barcelona

Sir Victor Hotel Barcelona

Milan

Milano Verticale | UNA Esperienze

Prague

The Grand Mark Prague

Strasbourg

Kyriad Strasbourg Nord Palais des Congrès

Bordeaux

Hotel Life Bordeaux Gare

Warsaw

Puro Warszawa Centrum

Do you love to travel? With 11Onze Viatges you can book accommodation at the best price, without stifling the travel industry.

The confinement in the wake of the pandemic popularised remote working. A trend that has blurred the boundary between the office and our personal lives. Workation is a new form of telecommuting that merges work and holidays.

For anyone who has the option to work remotely, the benefits of taking a workation, the sum of ‘work’ and ‘vacation’, are hard to pass up. Until 2019, the image of working from a laptop with a panoramic view in the background was almost exclusively associated with a digital nomad lifestyle, but, thanks to the sanitary crisis, telecommuting became exponentially more popular.

This new form of remote work is not designed for you to work while on holiday, but to work as if you were on holiday. Setting up our office in a place we would normally only visit when we are on holiday can have many benefits beyond the view.

You’ll still have all the essentials you were used to in office life and many luxuries you didn’t have

From sturdy workstations built for hours of tapping away on your laptop, access to conference rooms made available when needed, all the way to a strong Wi-Fi connection that won’t quit, many hotels offer a large variety of beautifully designed spaces that you can move through depending on your mood and preferences.

In many ways, hotels served as the original version of coworking spaces, it was common to see people in suits with laptops flipped open while enjoying a meal in the restaurant. Today, you’re more likely to find someone wearing shorts and flip-flops.

You’ll increase your productivity

As digital nomads are 13% more productive than their in-office counterparts, it turns out employers also see the benefit in their employees working from abroad. Being able to work in a space tailored to individual needs and preferences, as well as having uninterrupted blocks of time during the day, all means that people are not only more productive and comfortable at work, but they’re also much more willing to occasionally put in extra hours in order to get things done.

Your mental health will thank you

Feeling the winter blues coming on? Getting overwhelmed by work, or finding it tough to keep up with office politics? Maybe you could use a change from the home-to-office routine you’ve become so used to; something to remind you that life is for living, and not just working and commuting.

You’ll relax, without having to take time off work

Many hotels have amenities that, let’s face it—most of us simply just don’t have at work or home. Ditch the communal shower, pool table, and stiff massage chairs in favour of the hotel pool, steam room, and sauna—where you can unwind after a day of hard work, without even going outside. The more you use those precious after-work hours to unwind and recharge, the more you go into your working hours feeling fulfilled, refreshed, and focused.

You’ll discover new places 

Exchange predictable commutes for lengthy walks in an unfamiliar city; explore different districts and restaurant recommendations; try your hand at leisure photography; or broaden your horizons by meeting locals and doing a deep dive into your local culture. Become friends with the barista at that coffee shop you frequent daily, or do some research on where to go and what to see from your new location.

Do you love to travel? With 11Onze Viatges you can book accommodation at the best price, without stifling the travel industry.

We are closing a year in which the reactivation of the tourism sector has been consolidated. With the return to normality, there is a desire to get back to pending trips and enjoy tourism without restrictions. So we have compiled a list of the best events that will take place in Europe in 2023.

• Grab your mask and experience the Carnival of Venice in Italy.
  4th of February to 21st of February
• Have a pint, wear your shamrocks, and watch the parade on St Patrick’s Day in Ireland.
  17th of March
• Wake up and smell the roses at Keukenhof: Amsterdam’s Tulip & Flower Festival in the Netherlands.
  1st of April to 30th of April

• Get some gardening tips and tricks at the Chelsea Flower Show in London, England.
  22nd of May to Saturday 27th of May
• Have a bop to some techno at Ultra-Europe in Split, Croatia.
  July of 7th to July of 9th
• Experience some authentic folk music at the Zagreb Folk Festival in Croatia.
  Mid-July
• Listen to some incredible folk music artists from across the UK at Cambridge Folk Festival in England.
  27th of July to 30th of July
• Join the “playground for beer connoisseurs” at the Oktoberfest in Munich.
  16th of September to 3rd of October.

• Enjoy music and culture at Sziget Festival in Hungary.
  10th of August to 15th of August
• Soak up art, satire, and tradition at Las Fallas de Valencia in Spain.
  26th of February 
• Absorb some art at Art Basel in New York, Hong Kong, Miami Beach, and virtual events.
  15th of June to 18th of June
• Participate in “The World’s Biggest Food Fight” at La Tomatina, Spain.
  24th of August
• Experience street food and craft beer at the Craft Beer Festival, Helsinki, Finland.
  28th of July to 29th of July

• Immerse yourself in the art of light at Festival of Lights, Berlin, Germany.
  6th of October to 15th of October
• Taste the best sweets in Italy at The Festival of Torrone in Cremona.
  13th of November to 21st of November
• Light up your life at GLOW, Eindhoven in the Netherlands.
  11th of November to 18th of November
• Tantalize your taste buds at Csaba Sausage Festival in Hungary,
  2nd of October to 4th of October
•  Sip on some delicious grapes at Budapest International Wine Festival, Hungary.
  7th of September to 10th of September

• Witness the Cherry blossoms blooming at Mount Yoshino, Japan.
  Mid-March.
• Celebrate Diwali in Jaipur, India.
  November 12th.

Do you love to travel? With 11Onze Viatges you can book accommodation at the best price, without stifling the travel industry.

Today is the deadline to make a purchase of the gold coins that 11Onze sells to offer as gifts, if you want to receive them by Epiphany. Don’t think twice and place your order, so they will arrive in time!

The gold coins that 11Onze sells since 1 December to be offered as gifts have become the star present of this Christmas season. The stock of Krugerrand 2020 coins was sold out in ten days, but you can still buy Krugerrand 2022 and Britannia coins.

We would like to remind you that every customer who places an order receives a gold coin or coins with a Christmas card and a golden voucher accrediting the purchase. The voucher is personalised with the value of the purchase, the name of the buyer and the person to whom the gift is given. Delivery is free for 11Onze customers with an El Canut account, and costs €9.99 for all other buyers.

If you want to give one of these gold coins as a gift for tomorrow’s future, and you want it to arrive by Epiphany, you have to confirm it today so that the package arrives on time. In the event that we are out of stock, orders placed on 29th December will receive the voucher with the Epiphany postcard, and the coin as soon as the stock is replenished. So, if you would like to place an order, please fill in this form and an 11Onze agent will get in touch with you.

Up to now, with Preciosos 11Onze, it has been possible to purchase gold bullion. From now on, we also offer the option of buying Krugerrand and Britannia gold coins. Gift gold, for tomorrow’s future.

Customers have been receiving our gold coin gifts for days already. But what do the customers receive at home? We show you the unboxing video by one of the buyers.

King Melchior brought a small chest of gold to Bethlehem. This precious metal symbolised purity, as it could not be corrupted or altered, which is why its value was very precious and lasted over time. Gaspar and Balthasar carried an aromatic resin and a balm. If you don’t fancy aromatic cosmetics, 11Onze offers you the opportunity to give the best of these gifts yourself. For the people you care about, for tomorrow’s future, gold!

What you will receive at home

Buyers will receive an envelope containing their choice of gold coins, Krugerrand or Britannia, an exclusive Christmas card and a golden voucher to show for their gold purchase. The voucher is personalised with the value of the order, the name of the buyer and the person for whom the purchase was made. Shipping is free for 11Onze members with an El Canut account, but costs €9.99 for all other buyers.

The campaign runs from December 1st to January 6th, but we recommend ordering by December 29th if you want to receive the coins by Epiphany. In case of a shortage of coins in stock, orders placed by 29 December will receive the voucher with the postcard by Epiphany, and the coin as soon as the stock is replenished. If you would like to buy gold coins as a gift, please fill in this form and an agent will contact you.

Up to now, with Preciosos 11Onze, it has been possible to purchase gold bullion. From now on, we also offer the option of buying Krugerrand and Britannia gold coins. Gift gold, for tomorrow’s future.