It has been said that tourists never visit the places where they live. Now, a new app launching in October can help change that.
Kristine Mascione has created the free app Vondern that emphasizes local destinations to visit in the Philadelphia region.
Vondern in German means “to roam, to wander, or hike.”
Born and raised in Havertown and a resident there now, Mascione is no stranger to travel. In fact, she’s traveled around the world. A honeymoon tour with her husband took them to 50 countries.
As they traveled, they were always trying to figure out what to do.
“That’s where I got the idea for an app,” she said.
Now a mom with three kids, she’s constantly Googling for places to go and things to do with her family.
When COVID hit and there were travel restrictions in place, she discovered so much that was available to do in our area. There were parks and places she had never heard of that were only 20 minutes away.
“I never appreciated it,” she said.
Now, instead of a general travel app, she imagined an app that would help people discover what’s in their own backyard.
“It’s a way of exposing our area and how wonderful it is and just making it easy for people to discover things,” she said.
When the app launches, it will cover a two-hour radius of Philadelphia, with a focus on smaller towns and villages.
People on the app will also be able to share their local travel experiences and make their own suggestions.
Mascione hopes the app will help small businesses and restaurants in the lesser-visited communities get the attention they deserve.
Vondern’s timing could attract people from around the world who are expected to pour into Philadelphia in 2026, who may want to see more than just the top tourist spots in the city.
Once the app takes off, Mascione hopes to convince businesses looking for customers to advertise on the platform.
“I just hope it’s a positive thing that, yes, it’s an app, it’s on your phone, but it’s used to, like, inspire you to get off your phone.”
Vondern 50, listing 50 things to do within 90 minutes of Philadelphia, is now available for users wanting a taste of what the new app will be like.
Learn more about Vondern and how to sign up to receive the free app.
