February 2012 LIVE CHAT! With Audrey Scott And Daniel Noll About Iran Plus 60 Other Countries In 4 Years On The Road
Hello everyone and welcome to today’s live chat! You’ll have me all to yourself in the first hour and have a treat for you in the second hour (6pm-8pm US EST). Joining us from Mexico will be guests Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott who write the popular travel blog Uncornered Market and have traveled to over 60 countries in the last 4 years.
Click here to jump right into the chat happening for the next 3 hours!
The Live Chat is only open from 5pm-8pm US EST; 10pm-1am London GMT; 7am-10am Tokyo JST).Thanks for a wonderful chat everyone! My next chat will be Thursday, March 2nd; times to be determined.
Let’s talk travel – a few of you had questions about my upcoming vacation, my advice for new travel bloggers, and what camera gear I carry. Plus I’ve got the best comments from January for you too. We’ll keep the keyboards warm for Audrey and Dan.
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a Dan and Audrey in person several times over the last few years. If you’ve ever been curious about traveling in Iran, Tajikistan, or why laundry service in Oaxaca, Mexico doesn’t accept underwear now’s your chance to find out… Click here to jump into the comments and join the chat!
My Least And Most Popular Posts Of 2011
It’s the end of the year and looking back on 2011 many of you were looking to get up from your desks to see the world while at the same time ensuring you got the most out of your travels. On the flip side however some destinations that interested you at certain times of the year didn’t at others. So while there’s a bit of an advantage for posts from earlier in the year, these are the ones you liked least and most from 2011.
The Least Popular foXnoMad Posts Of 2011
Least popular doesn’t mean “not good” and I think you’ll enjoy some of these articles on a second look.
10. A Digital Pocket Guide On Visiting Northern Iraq: Part 1
It is often said that northern Iraq is the gateway to the rest of the country and the areas under the control of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) are a relatively stable place to start for adventurous travelers. [Full Article]
Ironically Part 2 of this post was much more popular in terms of clicks throughout the year and I’m guessing that might have to do with the information about food in Iraq.
9. The Best City To Visit Travel Tournament 2011: First Round
The preliminary round of The Best City To Visit Travel Tournament 2011 ended yesterday and your votes helped to rank these 64 cities from number 1 all the way down. [Full Article]
As you’ll see shortly, the Best City To Visit contest heated up in the later rounds to make the most popular list below. The pattern repeats every year though, contestant typically neglect the first two rounds – which are usually the easiest to get through. (Keep that in mind this coming March.)
8. Days Before Disaster, Hockey Joy In Vancouver, Canada
The ecstatic crowds on the streets of downtown Vancouver, Canada after the Canucks won Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals is the craziest scene I have ever experienced. [Full Article]
I wish I had gotten more video from these moments after the Canucks game to really highlight the mayhem. I was so caught up in the moment though I got a bit slow with my camera. I was able, however, to get this not-so-Boston-friendly clip. (NSFW – language)
7. 5 People Who Purchase My eBook In March Will Receive A $100 Apple Gift Card
When I first was coming up with the idea of The Ultimate Tech Guide For Travelers, early on I knew I wanted it to be an ebook that gives back. Both with updates, my promise of 6 months free tech support, and the occasional gift for you readers. [Full Article]
I hope to run similar promotions coming up in 2012. It’s been a bit quiet on the contest front over here on foXnoMad so expect it to come back with enthusiasm in the coming year.
6. 10 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Porto’s Bridges That Are More Interesting Than You May Have Guessed
Bridges aren’t the most interesting thing to read (or write) about for most people but Porto, Portugal‘s 6 famous structures are loaded with dignified drama that’s just as juicy today as it was decades prior. [Full Article]
This post is relatively new – only 8 days old and coming out in the midst of a busy holiday season for most of you. It’s not just architecture, the stories behind these bridges host some large egos, ambitions, and aesthetics.
5. Recognizing The Tensions In The Unrecognized Turkish Republic Of Northern Cyprus
By and large invisible on many maps and unknown to many travelers, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) sits in political limbo on the island wholly refereed to as “Cyprus”. You won’t find many travel guides to this de facto nation; unrecognized by every country in the world except Turkey, 50 kilometers off the island’s coast. [Full Article]
The northern part of Cyprus isn’t a common stop on many travel lists but it’s one of my 4 picks of unexpected travel destinations you can visit before it becomes a hit.
4. Getting A Feel (Or Not) Of The Middle East’s Fastest Growing Nation, Qatar
Qatar is a country I keep coming back to in my mind as one that I never could quite wrap my senses fully around. [Full Article]
Similar to North Cyprus, I think Qatar being a less-traveled destination – especially one I couldn’t quite describe – might have caused this one to get lost. That said though, I think Qatar is really pushing itself to be a travel-rival to Dubai in the region and this post has a bit about why it won’t work.
3. The Dome Of The Granada Cathedral In Spain
The Granada Cathedral (also known as Cathedral of the Incarnation), along with the Alhambra, is likely the most common place people in this southern Spanish city will tell you can’t be missed. Yet, I managed to miss this famous landmark that sits right in the middle of downtown Granada, next to one of its busiest bus stops on Gran Via, time after time. [Full Article]
A newer post that will gain steam in the coming weeks I’m guessing, but can make your screen shine with the golden glow of this famous Granada landmark now.
2. History Waits For History To Unfold: The Great Sphinx Of Giza, Egypt
It never occurred to me how devoid of people this sight of Giza’s Great Sphinx is until reader Jeff mentioned it in one of the comments. [Full Article]
I’m hoping that this tale of Egypt’s struggles internally and externally with tourism takes a positive turn soon as it’s been a long year for that huge sector of their economy. Tourism income is desperately needed but many are worried about what things are like on the ground – safe enough to travel for sure and a great bargain right now too.
1. How Do You Accumulate All Of Your Frequent Flyer Miles In One Place?
Last week I talked about how to earn more frequent flyer miles without getting more credit cards but another fundamental question was brought up in the comments by JoAnna – how do you actually get all of your airline miles in one place? [Full Article]
A follow up to…well, you’ll see. That said, this post addresses the most common mistake people make with their frequent flyer miles. Fortunately, this post also has the solution to that common problem that can get you flying for free more often.
The Most Popular foXnoMad Posts Of 2011
A countdown of your favorite posts from the last year.
10. The Last Paradise Of A Crumbling Empire: A Photo Essay From Granada, Spain’s Alhambra
The construction, slow rise, and quick fall of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain reflects grandiose illusions and delusions of its Moorish creators. [Full Article]
This famous landmark in Granada really made my job taking pictures quite easy the entire afternoon I was there. I’m glad I was able to capture some of the beauty of what turned out to be a city that both I and my camera connected with.
9. How To Use Thermodynamics And Light To Get What You Want When Traveling (And Everywhere Else)
Most of us are pretty far removed from nature, relying heavily on technology, chemicals, and anecdotal information to solve our most common problems when traveling. [Full Article]
You know I love science – and getting especially geeky around here – and I know you do too! Especially when these laws of nature can help keep flies away, cool you off on a hot day, and extend your laptop’s battery life…plus a few added goodies.
8. How To Learn To Speak Tourist Before Your Next Vacation
When traveling to other countries where they speak a language you don’t, fluency isn’t typically required to get around. Yet the first few lessons of a language course may turn out not to be as useful as you would have hoped either. [Full Article]
Language hacking at its best, including the use of a very, very, very early version of the universal translator that’s likely in store for our futures.
7. 3 Common Tech Mistakes That Will Screw Up Your Vacation And How To Avoid Them
There are several laws of the universe that are difficult to quantify (like those socks that disappear in the dryer) or the fact that your technology will fail you. [Full Article]
Whatever you do, the first item on that list is one mistake you don’t want to make. Doing so only sets you up for a major headache down the line and that backup drive you’re lugging around the world might not help either.
6. How To Get From Your Desk To All The Places You Want To Travel
Sometimes the distance from your office desk to a place you’ve been dreaming about, like Spain, can seem further than the moon. [Full Article]
If I’ve got one motivation for writing this blog, it’s to get you to travel more and see different parts of the world. This post can be a boost for you to get from the computer screen you’re looking at now to that places you’ve always wanted to visit. 2012 New Year resolution perhaps?
5. The Best City To Visit Travel Tournament 2011: Sweet 16
There were a blend of close finishes and strong victories in the second round of The Best City To Visit Travel Tournament 2011 that have left quite a few underdogs in the Sweet 16. [Full Article]
I told you the tournament would heat up and it did round after round. The Sweet 16 this year had some incredibly close races between Jerusalem and Edinburgh, Chiang Mai and Cuzco, and finally Budapest and Paris. We all know who finally won though, don’t we?
4. 5 Ways To Take Better Sunset Photos When Traveling
Although every sunset is unique, it can be a real challenge to capture them in a unique way. [Full Article]
I don’t often accept many guest posts but this one by photographer Darin Rogers captured my attention and yours too. For good reason – it’s loaded with very helpful advice to add some creativity to any sunset photo. Plus it features Darin’s impressive sunset pictures as well.
3. The Top 10 Best Things To Do (Pretty Much) Anywhere
I’ve talked about travel lists in the past, like the kind that won’t do you much good and how to make the most out of generic ones. [Full Article]
Who doesn’t like a general travel list that can be used around the world? Chances are you’re doing a few of these things already but if you’re not, you might want to try them out on your next trip in 2012.
2. Is It Safe To Visit Egypt Right Now?
What now makes Egypt one of the best travel deals in the world at the moment might also be keeping you from visiting the Middle East’s most popular travel destination. Months after Egypt’s January 25th revolution, the country’s travel slate has been wiped clean and at the surface has begun to return to normal. [Full Article]
A question you may still be asking now nearly a full year after Egypt’s January 25th revolution. Many of you might be planning a trip to Egypt in 2012 – and this posts addresses your security concerns.
1. How To Earn Frequent Flyer Miles Without Getting More Credit Cards
Although opening up various credit cards tied to airline miles deals are great ways to rack up points quickly, they tend to be limited to residents of the US. [Full Article]
This post was about hacking frequent flyer mileage accounts without resorting to opening a bunch of new credit cards and entering into the risk that method presents. It was handy hacking that earned it a spot in Lifehacker and hopefully will double or triple your mileage earning in the coming year.
I hope you enjoyed taking a look back on 2011 – the best and well, not-as-popular-but-we-still-love-you posts from this past year. Feel free to add any posts in the comments that were your favorites from the last 12 months which might not have been listed. I want to thank you again for another year of your support, encouragement, and continuing to follow my ongoing adventure. Have a Happy New Year and a wonderful 2012.
Travel smarter,
-Anil
The Best Comments Of November 2011 And LIVE CHAT! Speaking Spain Plus Social Media With Arantxa Ros And Daniel Galan
Hello and welcome to the first of December and my second live chat. Today I’m excited to introduce you to Daniel Galan and Arantxa Ros; both Spain and social media professionals.
Click here to jump right into the chat happening for the next 3 hours!
The chat is only open from 10am-1pm US EST (3pm-6pm GMT; 4pm-7pm Madrid; 10pm-1am Bangkok)
That’s where you’ll also find the best comments from November and talk Spain with my two guests both of whom I met on separate occasions in Granada and Valencia.
Arantxa is the engine behind several of Spain’s recent blog and press trips; one of which brought me to Valencia back in June. She’s on the forefront of Spain’s efforts in this area which is changing how countries look at social media and currently working in collaboration with Girona’s Tourist Board. Daniel works at Turismo Ciudad de Granada and knows this southern Spanish city and Andalusia very well. He’s helped travelers of all types and budgets have wonderful visits to Spain that are often powered by endless tapas. I met Daniel back in March at a conference in Bulgaria of all places and caught up with him again in Granada last month.
Want to talk social media, Spain, or simply talk travel? Now’s your chance, I’ve got drink in hand and two great guests for our conversation. Click here to jump into the comments and chat below!
The Best Comments Of October 2011 And LIVE CHAT! Talking Travel Photography And RTWs With Guest John O’Nolan
Hello everyone and welcome to foXnoMad’s first ever live chat to go along with the best comments from this past month.
Click here to jump right down into the discussion, see the best comments of October, and talk travel with my guest John O’Nolan and I.
John is an interactive designer traveling the world with laptop and a camera – working as an interactive designer for people like Microsoft, WordPress and Virgin Atlantic Airways. He also writes books and speaks at travel and technology conferences all over the world.
I met John in Valencia, Spain back in June and have invited him to hang out for the live chat so you can talk with him about travel photography, what it’s like to be a few days away from a major round-the-world trip, and anything else you’d like. John is also one of the creators of the travel blogging media site Travelllll.com if that’s more your chatting fancy.
- The chat is only open from 11am-2pm US EST (3pm-6pm GMT)!
I’ll also be posting photos and chatting with you from Porto, Portugal where I happen to be this week. The chat will take place exclusively in the comments section right below this post – click here to get started!
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