croatia – The Mindful Mermaid

5 Tourist Traps to Avoid in Croatia

July 16, 2017Alex Cote

(This article was originally published in Croatia Week Magazine.)

In a matter of a few years, Croatia has transformed from Europe’s hidden gem to Europe’s hottest holiday destination. With spotless beaches along the Adriatic, national parks full of waterfalls, and charming cobble-stoned cities, it’s unlikely that Croatia will fall off the radar anytime soon.

However, just like in any other popular destination, the rise in visitors is a ripe opportunity for some tourist traps to flourish. As an American who’s lived in Croatia for over a year, I’ve seen this first hand.

Here are 5 of the biggest tourist traps you’ll want to avoid for a more authentic Croatian holiday. Read more →

Celebrating 1 Year of The Mindful Mermaid!

July 1, 2017July 1, 2017Alex Cote

It began with the decision to take a leap of faith and live life by my own rules. What started as a process of self-discovery turned into digital storytelling. What started as a loose concept transformed into a brand.

One year ago, I passed the mic to my alter ego, and she ran with it. The Mindful Mermaid is a growing corner of the Internet about my journey, and a platform for being cultured, conscious, and cool.

So to celebrate her first birthday, let’s recap the highlights of this past year and reveal what’s coming next! Read more →

A Conscious Approach to Water (World Water Day)

March 22, 2017March 22, 2017Alex Cote

In the early 1990s, the United Nations established March 22 as World Water Day in an effort to bring awareness to global water issues. Over 20 years later, water is perhaps more sacred than ever.
The water crisis is the number one global risk, based on impact to society. 1 in 10 people in the world lack access to safe water. Oh, and update: Flint, Michigan is STILL included in that figure.

As an environmentalist mermaid myself, I’d like to encourage us all to think more critically about water. That’s why I’d like to use World Water Day as an opportunity to highlight these critical issues and what you can do to help. Read more →

The Ultimate Insider’s Guide to Dubrovnik

March 13, 2017March 17, 2017Alex Cote

Drum roll please… I’m about the drop the ultimate knowledge bomb full of insider travel tips to one of the world’s trendiest destinations: Dubrovnik, Croatia. Trust me when I say you won’t find these tips in any Lonely Planet Guide or one of the various “36 hour travel guides” on Pinterest.

Why? Because I didn’t just visit Dubrovnik; I lived there. I first came to study abroad, then fell in love, literally, with a local. I then returned to live for another 6 months. I’m one of the lucky few Americans that actually were immersed in the culture and Dubrovnik mentality.

No tourist traps. No sponsorships. Only my genuine tips (and a few of my boyfriend’s recommendations too) about a destination that turned into my second home:

Why Are Croatians Moving to Ireland?

February 19, 2017February 19, 2017Alex Cote

*This article was originally published in Croatia Week

My Croatian boyfriend first went to work in Ireland when he needed to make extra money to pay off his college tuition. When we ran out of employment options in Croatia, Ireland was the easy choice once again.

After getting my working holiday visa, the American and the Croat packed up and moved to Cork City, Ireland to build a new life. I quickly realized we weren’t the only ones with this idea. Read more →