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Community Corner

The Savvy Traveler Behind the Store

Petra Rousu has been helping Edmonds travelers prepare for their trips for the past 15 years.

“Travel is my passion,” said Petra Rousu from behind her paper-crowded desk in an upper room at . “I love to travel and I want to share that with people.” The youthful Rousu has short, stylish platinum blonde hair and a perpetual smile. Just listening to her talk about travel is exciting.

“I just got back from Vietnam,” she said enthusiastically. “We went up into the hills along the tribal border where 26 minority tribes live with no running water and no electricity. It makes you appreciate what you have and learn about other cultures.”

The “we” Rousu refers to includes her husband, who is also her travel partner. But he isn’t the only family member who enjoys the benefits of travel. Rousu’s daughter Alexandra helps manage the store and is downstairs watching over things as her mother and I chat. Beneath the desk, Alexandra’s new puppy Fritz, who they think is some kind of terrier and Papillion mix, stretches out to take a nap.

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With the type of schedule Rousu keeps, you think she would need a nap, too. The German-born shop owner opened The Savvy Traveler in 1997 and is certainly the namesake of the shop. After attaining an MBA and working in both the corporate world and in retail, she decided it was time to take her passion and spread it among other people. 

“Growing up in Europe, I have always enjoyed traveling,” she explained. “My family was very adventurous and traveled a lot.” In keeping with her parents’ tradition, Rousu has traveled extensively with her own family. Alexandra has been to Europe 19 times. The Savvy Traveler herself has been to more than 50 countries, but she won’t show preference to a single one.

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“Oh, I can’t choose!” she said with a laugh when I ask her to play favorites. “Every country has great things, and every country has its not-so-great things.”

And The Savvy Traveler is the place to come to figure that out. The shop has well-traveled, friendly and highly knowledgeable staff members who won’t make you feel silly for asking the simplest of questions. (They were very helpful when I needed to get an outlet adapter for my first trip to London last summer). They also carry luggage, travel books, bags, clothing and every single possible thing you could ever need for a trip. It is truly a one-stop travel shop.

There are also various introductory language courses available, such as Italian (very popular according to Rousu) German and Spanish that will help familiarize any jet-setter with basic communication skills. Another popular class is the packing class—ladies, contrary to what you may think, you don’t need a separate suitcase for all your shoes! 

I asked Rousu about her No. 1 piece of travel advice, and without even a moment's pause she replied that you must be open-minded and have a good sense of humor.

“Don’t get hung up on little things,” she said. “There will always be a train delay or a luggage mishap. These things happen. Don’t let that ruin your trip and always look on the positive side—you may be delayed, but you’re delayed in Europe!” 

For more information about travel classes and products, visit The Savvy Traveler website.

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