Gloria Molins founded trip4real in 2013 and it’s been a soaring success from day one. A site that allows users to book bespoke holiday experiences with locals in countries across Europe, the section for families is definitely worth checking out if you’re after something completely different. Gloria Molins chats to kodomo.com about the continuing growth of her business and why it’s proving to be such a success.
Can you please talk us through trip4real. How did the idea come about and how do users seem to be reacting to it?
I have always loved to travel, and I think the most magical moment when you go abroad is connecting with a local who can take you somewhere unknown; that’s when you really get to know a place and discover the culture. I’m also very entrepreneurial and wanted to set up my own business, so it made sense to combine that with my love of travel. I decided to create trip4real as a way for travellers and locals to have a community in which to connect and discover the true essence of a city together. It’s a much more intimate way to travel and see the world. If you try trip4real the next time you go exploring with your family, I promise the experience will change your perspective and introduce you to a local world you never would have expected. We have had an overwhelmingly positive reaction since launching in Barcelona in 2013, and earlier this year we expanded to London, Paris, Rome and Lisbon, and just recently we launched Edinburgh and Dublin. We now have over 30,000 users around the world, and more than 4,000 experiences available in seven different countries. It’s so amazing to see the growth of the business and hear the personal stories from people who have enjoyed trip4real experiences on their travels.
Where are the top three places that you would recommend for a family holiday?
I think Barcelona has something for everyone and I’m not just saying that because it’s my home town. Catalunya is so rich in culture, art and natural beauty. For families, it’s perfect because you have both the sea and the mountains. You can rent a holiday home up the coast in Cadaques, and your kids can go on a pirate themed treasure hunt with other kids and explore the local history together.
Pirates tour, Cadaques
Outside of Catalunya, I think Portugal is an amazing place for a family trip. The size of Lisbon is perfect for a weekend escape and it’s walkable, which is great for families with younger children. Plus, the coast is amazing for swimming, sailing, playing in the sand, hiking and renting bikes. It’s affordable and the locals are friendly, passionate and so full of life. The pastry and sweet culture doesn’t hurt either.
When I was a child I spent a lot of time on the Spanish island of Menorca. I suppose I’m especially attracted to the sea, and I like the idea of kids being able to really run about and be free on holiday. I think without the city stresses, there’s more bonding time and active time for families to have adventures together and get to know the spirit of the people who live there. Why not hang out at the local ice cream shop and listen to the story of the man who built it?
Hannah and her family enjoying a day out on the farm in Catalunya
What is your first childhood memory of travel?
The first family trip (or at least the first I can remember) was a trip to Paris. I was six and my sister was eight; we stayed there for four days, wandering around the city, dining out, we visited all the museums, the latin neighbourhood, ate Nutella crepes and I even got to “hold” the Eiffel Tower from Trocadero! I remember finding it so exotic. I couldn’t sit still.
Do families with children use trip4real regularly and, if so, what type of experiences do they book? What are the favourite experiences for kids?
Yes, families are loving trip4real. It’s a great way to find activities in a new place and the nice thing is that our tours are bespoke and personal, so there’s room to tailor most activities based on the needs of each individual family. One of my favourite experiences for kids is in Barcelona where you can spend the morning with a shepherd and his family on a farm, with local stories followed by brunch and time with the animals. Another fun one is a visit to a vineyard, where parents enjoy wine tasting while the kids are led by an actress who transforms the tour into a theatrical experience: it is so creative. And in Rome, we have a hugely popular gelato-making experience, which kids and parents adore. It’s all about creating memories and unique experiences to share with locals and your family.
Can you talk us through a typical day in your life? Can you paint us a picture from start to finish?
I wake up at 7am, then I shower, drink tea and do my morning exercise. This is followed by reading emails and planning the day ahead of me. The morning is when I do the most important things of the day, such as calls, meetings, emails, planing and so on. After that, I walk to the office where I work with my team and have a quick lunch about 2pm. If I have meetings, I try doing them early in the morning or late in the afternoon from 5pm, so that I have the middle of the day to concentrate and get things done without interruptions and with maximum focus. At 8pm, I go swimming (water is one of my passions in life) and I eat dinner about 9pm. The evening is very much about reading, talking, laughing, exercising or relaxing. I don’t have a television at home.