Travel Bloggers Share Their Best Posts Of 2009
I read over 400 travel blogs regularly and I don’t often get a chance to highlight so many wonderful articles by these travelers. I’ve asked travel bloggers to send me their favorite or most popular posts from the past year and a little about why they chose them. I’m sure you’ll find many of these posts useful, interesting, and incentive to continue (or start!) traveling.
Andy Hayes | Sharing Travel Experiences
And with a title like “You Deserve Time Off… Really” pretty much is self-explanatory on why people really empathised with it. A lot of our newsletter subscribers forwarded it on to friends, who got in touch to say “Yes damn it, I do!” Doesn’t everyone deserve time off?
Stephanie Yoder | Twenty-Something Travel
It was actually one of the first things I ever wrote for my blog and I think it really encapsulates the entire message of my blog.
Michaela Potter | Briefcase To Backpack
There is already a lot of great travel advice on the internet, so the fact that this particular post spoke to readers the most demonstrates how American’s really do want to embrace the idea of a traveling career break.
Diana | The Adventures of D
- I’ve Always Relied On The Kindness Of Strangers
My most popular post (and the one in which most readers commented) was “I’ve always relied on the kindness of strangers,” which tells the story just how amazing and kind strangers really can be … This post is a part of my Croatia “Adventures of D” stories.
Audrey | Uncornered Market
I believe its popularity is due to the fact that it combined the themes of travel and personal growth. People could relate to developing life skills through travel and bringing these skills back home.
Monica | A Pair Of Panties and Boxers
- Photo Friday: Kaifeng, China
I guess when it comes to words, less is more.
Akila | The Road Forks
I think it encapsulated a lot of our fears and many long-term travelers’ fears about taking the giant leap. This year, I plan to write a follow up post about how our fears have panned out.
Andrew | Brooklyn Nomad
My “9 Beatle-riffic Destinations Around the World” caught the attention of many music loving travelers.
Nico | AirTreks
I think people click through to it most often because it revitalizes the idea of why traveling is important, as if we didn’t already know this. I think people just like to be reminded why so much of their lives revolve around either actual travel or travel-related ideas.
Heather Cowper | Heather On Her Travels
My favorite post was this one about the cake I was given for free by the stall-holder outside the mosque in the backstreets of Sidon in Lebanon. It brings back happy memories of my road trip with my girl-friend who lives out there, eating mezze in a small shop in the souk and then being shown kindness & hospitality which epitomizes my memories of that trip and the lovely Lebanese people.
RennyBA’s Terella
The theme of my blog is to show Norwegian traditions, culture and habits. On this perfect fall day, my wife and I took a cruise on the fjord and where able to show my readers; Oslo in a nut shell.
Barbara | Hole In The Donut
Hard to pick just one. I [also] really like the post about lesser known Boke Tower Gardens in central Florida.
Donna Hull | My Itchy Travel Feet
One of my favorite posts, and also very popular with my readers, was about hiking to a green sand beach on Hawaii. It’s a glimpse of the Big Island that many resort guests never see.
Sherry Ott | Ottsworld
My most popular post was in a series I did on ‘How to drive a motorbike in Vietnam’. Learning how to drive a motorbike in Saigon was my New Years Resolution last year! It’s a series of 17 posts from the acquisition of the bike to the assimilation into the culture. But the favorite was The Motorbike Diaries vol. 14 – The Great Horn Divide.
Alex Highland | See The Southwest
I think our best post was a series we did on the Grand Canyon. The series covers the canyon from native heritage to geology and everything in between.
Dan’s Adventure
It was really difficult to narrow down all the fantastic experiences to just ten and everyone of them brings a smile to my face every time I think about them. I already have so many more for inclusion in the next set of highlights!
Lisa | The World Is Calling
We loved discovering this part of Tuscany–a part that is rarely touted in the guide books. And the whole Etruscan/historical angle…up until a couple of years ago, I didn’t even know about them or their society!
JoAnna Haugen | Kaleidoscopic Wandering
One of my favorite posts (and one that I hope we keep discussing in the upcoming years) is The National Park Debate.
More Best Travel Posts Of 2009
I received so many great links from other travel bloggers that I could have run an entire series spanning this past week. Here are just some of my favorites that I came across that are worth taking some time and reading over.
- Exile Lifestyle: I Punched A Local In The Face
- The Unlost Wanderer: Cultural Observations Of Buenos Aires Part 1
- The Jet Set Girls: Planning The Best Bachelorette Part Ever
- PassportChop: 5 Tips To Avoid Getting Ripped Off By Prague Taxis
- Kerala India Travel: Kerala Houseboats The Essential Guide (Part 1)
- Students In Europe: The 12 Pubs Of Christmas
- Don’t Forget Your Passport: Reminisces Of Southeast Asia
- Greg Stock: North To Hanoi
- Flip Nomad: Flip’s Top 10 Misadventures
- Travel With Teens and Tweens: Hawaii’s Big Island Offers Something For Everyone
The list grew incredibly fast and are still being added to the original post where I asked travel bloggers to send me their best links of 2009. You can keep up with the expanding list and add your own link if you have one. I appreciate all of the travel bloggers who sent me their link and look forward to reading more in 2010.
The Cheesiest Travel Photo Contest Part 2 [POLL RESULTS]
It never ceases to amaze me how active contest voting gets close to the deadline and it was Lindsay Dever’s photo #6 from the Pyramids in Giza that took the top spot. The Cheesiest Travel Photo Contest Part 2 winner will receive $150 cash via Paypal. The second place winner, Zhiqiang and his wax sumo buddy will be getting an iPod nano. Stephane, I’ve got a $25 Amazon.com gift card for you. I don’t think you’ll have to split it with any crazy Romans though.
All three prize winners have travel blogs and you can read more about Lindsay, PassportChop, and Spageau on their respective websites. Below is the final vote count.
Which Was The Cheesiest Travel Photo?
- Entry #6 - Lindsay Sleeping In Giza (28%, 33 Votes)
- Entry #5 - Zhiqiang Ready To Sumo (24%, 28 Votes)
- Entry #10 - Stephane With Crazy Romans (16%, 19 Votes)
- Entry #11 - Nisha's Spot The Difference (8%, 9 Votes)
- Entry #3 - Barbara Touching Angkor Wat (7%, 8 Votes)
- Entry #7 - GotPassport Bad In Thailand (6%, 7 Votes)
- Entry #4 - Stephanie Cuddling Up With Oscar Wilde (3%, 4 Votes)
- Entry #8 - Jerome With Guards in Bangkok (3%, 4 Votes)
- Entry #2 - Dave Playing Lara Croft At Angkor Wat (3%, 3 Votes)
- Entry #9 - Sheik Hasena (1%, 1 Votes)
- Entry #1 - Kirsty Goofing Off At Angkor Wat (1%, 1 Votes)
Total Voters: 117
Loading ...Thank You
I’d like to thank all of the participants, your photos were wonderfully cheesy. For those of you who missed this contest I’ve got another one (with a different topic) coming up and I’ll announce more details mid-February. As for the cheesy travel photos, I got so many after the deadline I might have to do a part 3 in June. For that contest I’m hoping to secure a trip to Iceland as one of the prizes.
Your Thoughts
Since this is the second time I’ve run this particular contest I’d like your feedback for future competitions. I’d appreciate your opinions on the following:
- Contest prizes
- Selecting the winners
- Any improvements or changes you’d like to see
To keep up with future posts you can follow me on Twitter, sign up for my bi-monthly newsletter, or subscribe to daily updates below.
Travel Bloggers Send Me Your Best Links Of 2009
I’m looking for your best post from 2009 for an upcoming list I’m compiling. I’d like to publish a collection of your favorite 2009 links from your travel blog in in the next few days. If you don’t have a travel blog, that’s ok too, just send me your favorite post from any travel blog. You can leave your links in the comments below or send me an email.
I plan on organizing the list sometime tomorrow (on the 30th) so don’t wait to send me your best material and 1-3 lines on why it’s you chose it.
EDITED [12/30]: I’ve gotten many great links and have already begun putting together the post. Please leave your links in the comments if you haven’t gotten in touch already.
A Look Back On foXnoMad’s Travel Predictions For 2009
At the beginning of last January I had a set of slightly gloomy predictions for 2009. Those included more changes bad for travel, including fees, crashes, and terror attacks. While the results of my predictions weren’t (thankfully) as gloomy as I predicted there was still quite a bit to frown upon.
Prediction #1: More Airline Fees, For Everything
Airlines would look to adding more fees to previously “free” services while adding on to existing ones I predicted. In large part I was correct as airline fees have gone up steadily throughout 2009 in what some might call an airline feeding frenzy. You can keep up with changing fees and find out how much your bags will cost the next time you fly using Luggage Limits.
- Verdict: Correct
Prediction #2: More Delays and Plane Crashes
The number of major plane crashes fell by 12 in 2009 according to Plane Crash Info. I had predicted an increase due to airline budget cuts and some high profile skimping of safety regulations. As far as delays there wasn’t a major change from 2008 on the whole but major hubs experiences increases. Overall delays are likely to increase as more people start flying again (it was a slow year for air travel).
- If you do get stuck though you can try these 3 best things to do at the airport, learn about the 5-row rule and reduce your anxiety about flying. Hopefully if you are stranded you’re in one of the best airports to sleep in.
- Verdicts: Partially Wrong and Wrong
Prediction #3: Increased Terror Attacks On Alternate Mode Of Travel (i.e. Not Airplanes)
It’s difficult to find statistics on this prediction but discounting war zones and unstable areas around the world, the overall risk of any terrorist attack on any mode of transportation is extraordinarily small. The entire number of terrorist attacks worldwide dropped from 327 in 2008 to 273 in 2009 according to the very unofficial Wikipedia list of terrorist incidents.
- Verdict: (Thankfully) Wrong
Prediction #4: Failure Of The US Airlines
The US major air carriers have made it through 2009 without any bankruptcies but lost 11 billion dollars in the process. It’s not looking any better in 2010 either, as they are projected to lose another 5.6 billion. The industry can’t continue like this so we’ll see what 2010 brings. Until then, let’s chalk this up as a wrong prediction.
- Verdict: Wrong (Sort Of)
Prediction #5: Europe Will Be Cool Again
Tourists spending money in the EU during the first part of 2009 was down by about 7% compared to the same time a year earlier. Statistics aren’t yet available for the rest of 2009, but it seems many travelers aren’t waiting for the Eurozone nations to get cheaper. Many are headed to Asia and some of the best places to travel on a weak dollar.
- Verdict: Wrong
Prediction #6: Unlikely Destinations Will Make a Rise
My one optimistic prediction was that increasing stability and the continued development of tourism industries in traditionally unpopular destinations would result in more travelers visiting places like Iran, North Korea, and Libya. While tourism has remained steady to North Korea and Libya, it’s fallen considerably in Iran over the last year.
- Verdict: Wrong
Coming Up In 2010
It seems as though my travel predictions for 2008 were much better looking back on them but despite my poor performance this time around I’ll share some of my more optimistic predictions for 2010 next Monday. While my predictions were off this year or some are possibly delayed, I think travel in 2010 is set to be a good year for travelers.
[photos by: nhanusek, MoToMo, neonbubble, alles-schlumpf, SoStark, Leo Reynolds]
