Hi, I’m Jennifer Graf-Domijan! Welcome to Traveler Jen!

I wanted to take a moment to tell you a little about the site and myself, and why I have such extensive knowledge of the places that are featured on this site. 

My specialties include Croatia, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Disney World (Florida), European River Cruising, and additional specific cities along the Danube, Rhine, and Main Rivers. (As well as a few extra spots in central Europe.)

I will not only take you to these places, but I’ll share with you what to do in those destinations, what and where to eat, and how to best pack for your trip!

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler looking to find somewhere new to explore, or a travel newbie ready to start your first adventure, I can help you with first-hand experience and knowledge about all the places I go. 

I’m particularly experienced in helping solo travelers (especially women), couple travelers, group travelers, Millennials, Gen-Xers, and Boomers. 

And my husband, Miloš Domijan, a native Croatian, will be lending his viewpoint as a true local as well!

I’ve lived abroad and worked in the travel industry for almost 15 years, but my road to has been anything but straight! (Fun fact: I was actually a trained opera singer before becoming a travel pro.)

Here’s how it all started…

Why am I a Disney World pro?

I’m originally from southeastern Pennsylvania. My travel career started in 2010, when I became an outside travel agent for a local travel agency.

My specialty for the agency was planning Disney World vacations. I still regularly help people plan the very best Disney trips, from dining suggestions to navigating the complicated Genie+ system.

I started visiting Disney World as a child in 1985, and have gone almost every year since then. Some of my best memories are from those early Disney trips with my grandparents.

My grandfather passed away many years ago, but I think of him every single time I walk up Main Street in the Magic Kingdom and look up at Cinderella’s Castle.  He helped me to always believe in my dreams – for that, I’ll be eternally grateful.  (He also always let me help plan the trips – which was an early precursor of a career to come!)

How did I wind up in Europe?

I first traveled to Europe for my music career in 2010. But I stayed because I fell in love, and followed the road where it took me.

I made my first trip to Vienna in 2010 to prepare for recording an album of Viennese and American operetta arias. Europe pulled me in. I suddenly felt truly at home in a place that was not my birthplace. 

In 2011, I went on a cruise of the Danube River with my parents and my sister…which is where I met Miloš Domijan, a Croatian who was working on the ship. We really clicked! We exchanged info and became Facebook friends.

After that, I decided it was time to pursue my operatic career in Europe. In 2012, I moved to Vienna on my first audition tour. I also invited the handsome Croatian I met seven months earlier to come and visit me. That was it – we’ve been together ever since!

I lived in Vienna, Austria, on and off until Miloš and I were married in 2016. After that, Miloš’s coastal hometown, Crikvenica, Croatia, became my home base.

(I’m fortunate to be double-passported: I not only have my US passport from birth, but I also got my Hungarian passport through ancestry.)

How did I start working on European River Cruises?

In 2015, I spent an eight-month contract working as a crew member on a ship with Miloš. A year later, I became a tour director on those same rivers.

I’m now a cruise director and tour director on the Danube River, Main River, Rhine River, and the Dutch Waterways. I work the same tour routes over and over, which means visiting the same cities over and over – and gaining a ton of experience! Some of those tours have land portions, so I have familiarity with many non-river destinations as well.

As a cruise director and tour director, my tasks are to accompany our groups into all the cities that they visit, as well as provide bus and river commentary and lectures about our destinations and relevant topics.

I also work logistics: making sure the hotels are confirmed, that the local guides in each city are ready to go, and the busses show up where and when they’re supposed to. My colleagues and I are also there to take care of our guests and make sure they have the very best trip possible.  

I bring that same level of elite experience to the readers of this site!

Fun facts about me!

Now for some other juicy details of my life!

I’ve been singing since I was a little girl – and I went on to earn both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in music. I pretty much sing everything: opera, operetta, oratorio, musical theatre, jazz, early music…you get the idea.

Singing has also taken me on some wonderful travels! I made my international performance debut in 2007 in England. I then returned a few more times to sing at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival.

Little did I know that it was only the beginning of the many adventures I’d take all over the world!

I have released two solo holiday music CDs, Echoes of Christmas Past and Tidings of Christmas. I have also performed on many other CDs released by other organizations, including Sing We Noel, a full-length Christmas album that Olde Towne Carolers, my holiday entertainment company, released in 2016. 

My most recent and third CD, Voices of Spring, was released in late 2010 and features Viennese and American operetta arias. I am accompanied on this CD by renowned accompanist David Lutz. I coached at the Staatsoper (State Opera) in Vienna to prepare for the project. 

I’ve performed many roles, but my favorites have been Mabel (Pirates of Penzance), Kathie (The Student Prince), Pamina (The Magic Flute), Giulietta (I Capuleti e i Montecchi), Phyllis (Iolanthe), Nadina (The Chocolate Soldier), Musetta (La Boheme), Frasquita (Carmen), Blonda (Abduction from the Seraglio), and Josephine (HMS Pinafore). 

I’ve also been soprano soloist for Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Mozart’s Requiem, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s Cantata 202, and many others.

I return to the United States during every holiday season to run my successful holiday music business, Olde Towne Carolers. I started the company in 2005, and we now have singers in 10 states and have grown into one of the largest caroling companies in the United States.

We’ve been on national television, including appearing on The Rachael Ray Show twice and Fox News. For three years, we opened for Pentatonix’s holiday concerts in Boston, and entertain regularly for the Blue Bloods series’ Christmas party. We’ve appeared on many local news broadcasts and radio, as well as serve as the in-house carolers for the world-famous Longwood Gardens outside of Philadelphia. We’ve done way too many great gigs to count!

I was a teacher for a long time, too! Music, English, Substitute Teaching…I like to think I’ve grown and developed into quite an excellent teacher in addition to my other skills. 🙂

What else to know about me?

I’m a bit quirky.

I’m a dreamer.

I’m really just a big kid in a small adult body.

I never intend to fully grow up.

I am not easily embarrassed – actually nothing really embarrasses me.

I like to be silly and goofy.

I’m a performer, so I do love the spotlight.

I don’t do subtle.

I tend to be a chatty over-sharer.

I’m a super nerd who loves Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, The Expanse, and Battlestar Galactica.

I tend to be a tad bit emotional at times.

I never tone down my happy!

I truly like to help people.

I love to learn.

I don’t like mean people, nor do I have time for judgey people.

I love animals and want to hug them all!

I like to take risks even when I’m scared out of my mind.

I believe in true love because I finally found it – and it’s wonderful!

And more than anything, I believe that if you put good into the world, good will come back to you.

As I take in so many wonderful places that this beautiful planet has to offer, I will not only expand my knowledge and enrich my soul, but I’ll also share it with all of you.

I hope you’ll come along for the ride!