Eric Schrab -Cire Art’s photos. Great artist .Enjoy!
December 14, 2011 Leave a comment
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Eric Schrab – Cire Art’s photostream |
How to travel like a kid , Andy Murdock – Lonely Planet
December 2, 2011 Leave a comment
How to travel like a kid Andy Murdock Lonely Planet Author When thinking about travelling with children, as adults we tend to focus on one angle: how do we have fun (and stay sane) while travelling with our kids? There’s a flip-side to the coin: kids have to survive a trip with us and the inscrutable decisions we make when travelling, and we don’t always have their best interests in mind. Even when we do try to take the kids’ travel wishes into account, we can often get it wrong. You can spend a lot of time and money on a trip to Disney World, thinking it will be the best vacation your kids could imagine, only to find that their favorite part of the trip was the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet at the hotel. So what’s a travelling parent to do? When you see a kid having a fantastic time, or quite the opposite, pay attention – there may be something you can learn about travel for yourself. Here are seven important lessons that kids can teach adults about travel: 1. Are we there yet? Too much time in transit makes anyone grumpy. Don’t fill your precious trip time with long drives and boring layovers. If you have the option, choose fun modes of transit: steam trains, double-decker buses, seaplanes or speed boats often do the trick. If you’ve got no choice but to brave the long straight road ahead get the kids involved in navigating, keeping track of the distance and planning rest stops. You’re often close to some great things just a short drive from the direct route you’re on, so allow time to detour. 2. A taste of home can help sometimes Kids tend to have little patience for bad food, and neither should you. And weird food? Sometimes it’s interesting, sometimes it’s just weird. It’s all about a balance. Local specialties are a great way to experience a place and street food markets in particular are exciting places to explore, but a dish from home can be exactly what you need to feel happy and comfortable somewhere new. So don’t miss Marrakesh’s Djemaa el-Fna, but the family might be happier dining in more familiar surroundings. 3. Release control We drag kids all over the place, and sometimes we drag them somewhere and suddenly they’re having fun. They’re doing something new, something unexpected and spontaneous, and no matter how much they cried and whined on the way, it’s fantastic. The same can be true for you if you let someone else – maybe even your kids – take the reins and steer you toward something you never thought you would try. Surrender control of the guidebook and see where you get taken. 4. Make the world your playground Okay, perhaps playing peek-a-boo with the person behind you on an airplane isn’t your style, but kids have the right idea: if it’s boring, turn it into a game. Treasure hunts in museums aren’t just for kids: they can be a great way to explore a popular attraction and leave the crowds behind. Can you spot the medieval galleon scribbled on the wall of Hagia Sofia in Istanbul? 5. Nap time It doesn’t matter how old you are, how much energy you have, or that you trip is coming to an end and you want to squeeze in as much as you can – everyone needs a break when travelling. Spent the day trekking from sight to sight around Rome? Sit down for a coffee and watch the world stream by, it might even energize you for more exploration later. 6. More parks and walks, fewer museums Strolling city neighborhoods and local parks can provide some of the most fun and rewarding experiences on a trip, and they’re always free. Sailing a model boat in the Jardin du Luxembourg or a fierce match of ping-pong in Bryant Park are fun (and thoroughly local) experiences for kids of any age. Carrying a hacky sack or fold-up Frisbee can give you all a chance to let off some steam and won’t weigh down your bag. 7. Again! Again! Is your child the type that wants to read their favorite book over and over? If you do something that makes them laugh, do they want you to repeat it again and again? The same may be true with travel. Never underestimate the joys of a return visit to a treasured destination or repeating a great experience.
Argentinean restaurant Casa Malevo in London’s Connaught Village since 22nd October 2010
November 30, 2011 Leave a comment
New London restaurant Casa Malevo opening later this month
by Newsdesk – Monday October 11, 2010 11:59 am
The restaurant is a joint venture between renowned chef Diego Jacquet and restauranteur Alberto Abbate which aims to showcase Argentina’s food and culture.
Apparently the aim of new London restaurant Casa Malevo is to “offer honest and truthful cocina Argentina (Argentinean cuisine) while exploring the different regions of the country, from Patagonia to Salta, the Pampas to Mendoza.”
The menu is set to include empanadas, mollejas al verdeo (grilled sweetbreads with spring onions, bacon and lemon), fabulous Argentine beef and for dessert, dulce de leche crème brulée with “banana Split” ice cream.
Between them Alberto Abbate and chef Diego Jacquet have plenty of experience under their belts; Jacquet has worked at Ferran Adria’s El Bulli, Aquavit in New York and most recently, The Trafalgar and Zetter hotels in London, whilst Abbate has almost 30 years experience in the hospitality industry and is also the man behind Santa Maria del Sur, runner up for best local restaurant in Gordon Ramsay’s The F word.
Jacquet appears to be beside himself with excitement over Casa Malevo, saying “I have spent the past 15 years cooking at some of the most exciting restaurants in the world with some fantastic chefs – but I do miss the food of my homeland. It has always been my dream to open an authentic Argentine restaurant and when this opportunity arose I had to jump at it.”
Expect to get an authentic taste of Argentinean food, wine and culture when this new london restaurant opens in 2010!
www.casamalevo.com
Las Cataratas, entre las siete maravillas- Argentina
November 12, 2011 Leave a comment
Sábado 12 de noviembre de 2011 | Publicado en edición impresa LA NACION
Concurso mundial / Los datos definitivos se conocerán a principios de 2012
ArAparecen en el resultado provisional de la votación vía Web y SMS de millones de personas en el mundo; el Amazonas, otro seleccionadoPor Laura Reina | LA NACION
Del sueño a la realidad. La Argentina tiene su maravilla. Según datos provisorios, las cataratas del Iguazú están entre las siete nuevas maravillas de la naturaleza por decisión de millones de personas que emitieron su voto en la página oficial del concurso, new7wonders.com, y a través de cientos de miles de mensajes de texto.
Las cataratas del Iguazú comparten cartel con el Amazonas (América del Sur), la bahía de Ha-long (Vietnam), la isla de Jeju (Corea del Sur), Komodo (Indonesia), el río subterráneo de Puerto Princesa (Filipinas) y la Montaña de la Mesa (Sudáfrica).
En el camino quedaron grandes bellezas como el Mar Muerto (Israel, Jordania y Palestina) o la Gran Barrera de Coral (Australia), que estaban entre los 14 finalistas. Entre los 28 quedaron el Gran Cañón del Colorado (Estados Unidos) y la Selva Negra (Alemania).
Tal como se había anunciado, ayer se develó el misterio, aunque fue por etapas. En principio, se había asegurado que iba a saberse cuáles eran las elegidas a las 11.11 (GMT) del día 11, del mes 11 del año 2011, una fecha considerada positiva desde el punto de vista energético (como se informa en la página 26) y que motivó grandes reuniones en distintas partes del planeta (ver aparte en esta página).
Lo primero que se supo ayer pasado el mediodía era que las Cataratas estaban entre las 14 finalistas de un total de 28 candidatas. Las esperanzas seguían intactas y hubo que esperar hasta pasadas las 16 para confirmar lo que, para muchos, era casi una hecho: los imponentes saltos de agua misioneros estaban entre los elegidos.
Antes de que se dieran a conocer los resultados hubo varios indicios positivos de que las Cataratas serían elegidas. El último fue, hace un mes, el sobrevuelo en un dirigible de 40 metros que realizó el creador del concurso, el empresario suizo Bernard Weber, fundador de la empresa New Open World Corporation.
Tras el sobrevuelo, comentó: “El poder de las Cataratas se siente bajo la piel”. Una frase que alentó el optimismo y renovó las esperanzas.
De todas maneras, y como para seguir alimentando algo de misterio, en la página oficial del concurso hay una nota que asegura que los que se difundieron ayer son los ganadores provisionales, y que hasta principios de 2012, cuando se anuncie formalmente a las siete nuevas maravillas naturales, puede haber cambios.
Sin embargo, parece poco probable que algo se modifique respecto de las Cataratas. A pesar de que no se dio a conocer en qué puesto terminó cada candidata (en la página web las finalistas aparecen en orden alfabético), la suerte parece echada y nada hace prever que la tendencia se modifique.
Alegría y satisfacción
Tras conocerse los resultados, Weber dio las gracias por el apoyo que ha tenido su iniciativa. “Quienes se tomaron el tiempo de participar han demostrado que se preocupan por algo que es muy importante para todos nosotros: nuestra casa, la madre Tierra”, escribió en su página web.
El gobernador de Misiones, Maurice Closs, se mostró feliz de que su provincia albergue una de las siete nuevas maravillas naturales. Pocos minutos después de conocerse la noticia, agradeció en una conferencia de prensa, en la que dijo sentirse “extremadamente orgulloso.
“Agradezco a las millones y millones de personas que en el mundo votaron por este destino. No tiene precio lo que significa que las Cataratas hayan sido elegidas porque en todo el mundo habrá personas que querrán saber por qué lo fueron”, destacó el gobernador.
Por su parte, el ministro de Turismo de la Nación, Enrique Meyer, celebró los resultados de la elección provisional, y aseguró: “Es un reconocimiento que representa una enorme satisfacción, que a su vez se traduce en una gran potencialidad para la región en materia de turismo”.
Desde que comenzó el concurso en 2007, con 454 candidatas, se inició una intensa acción de promoción para colocar a las Cataratas entre las finalistas. Distintas personalidades, entre las que estaban deportistas como Lionel Messi, actores, cantantes y modelos, hicieron campaña por los saltos misioneros.
Todos ellos alentaban a votar por las Cataratas mediante mensajes de texto. De esa forma se podía votar en forma ilimitada. En cambio, sólo era posible emitir un único voto por computadora.
Los grandes saltos
Las cataratas del Iguazú fueron declaradas Patrimonio Natural de la Humanidad por la Unesco en 1984. Considerada “la mayor cortina de agua” del mundo, las cataratas del Iguazú están ubicadas en el Parque Nacional Iguazú y tiene 275 saltos de agua, entre ellos, la espectacular Garganta del Diablo, de unos 70 metros de altura.
El parque recibe un millón de visitantes por año y genera más de 50 millones de dólares en el mismo período, según cálculos de la Administración Nacional de Parques Nacionales de la Argentina. Es el más visitado de los 34 parques nacionales del país.
En cifras
Patrimonio de la Humanidad
El Parque Nacional Iguazú posee 67.620 hectáreas. Fue declarado Patrimonio de la Humanidad por Unesco en 1984 debido a sus bellezas escénicas y a la gran diversidad biológica de la selva subtropical.
Un millón de visitantes
El Parque Nacional Iguazú fue creado en 1934 por la Ley 12.103, con el objetivo de conservar las Cataratas del Iguazú. Es el parque nacional más visitado de los 34 que hay en la Argentina. Durante un año recibe, en promedio, un millón de visitantes, muchos de ellos extranjeros. Genera más de 50 millones de dólares al año.
Riqueza natural
Entre la riqueza natural del parque se puede encontrar una flora autóctona con más de 2000 especies, 450 especies de aves y 80 especies de mamíferos.
275 saltos
Las Cataratas están formadas por 275 saltos alimentados por el caudal del río Iguazú. La “Garganta del Diablo”, con más de 70 metros de altura, es el más imponente y el de mayor altura..
Hoy, museos hasta la madrugada. Buenos Aires!
November 12, 2011 Leave a comment
Sábado 12 de noviembre de 2011 | Publicado en edición impresa LA NACION
Gran fiesta cultural / Actividades en 27 barrios porteños
Hoy, museos hasta la madrugada
Entre las 20 y las 3, habrá 174 instituciones abiertas al público en forma gratuita; se trata de una cifra récord
La 8a. edición incorporará a varias instituciones, como el Colegio Nacional Buenos Aires, el Teatro Colón, la Catedral de Buenos Aires, el Museo de Arte Moderno de Buenos Aires y el Zoo de Buenos Aires.
Organizada por el Ministerio de Cultura de la ciudad, serán 27 los barrios porteños que realizarán cientos de actividades. Además, 85 líneas de colectivos se sumarán a la fiesta y trasladarán en forma gratuita a los pasajeros que presenten el comprobante de Pase Libre, que puede imprimirse en www.lanochedelosmuseos.gob.ar , página oficial del evento, donde figura también el cronograma completo de actividades.
En el año en que Buenos Aires es la Capital Mundial de Libro (elegida por la Unesco), se realizarán numerosos homenajes a los escritores argentinos. En el acto de inauguración oficial el destinatario será Jorge Luis Borges. A las 20, frente a la Casa de la Cultura (Avenida de Mayo 575) se realizará el concierto Borges y Piazzolla-El tango, interpretado por Julia Zenko. La artista recreará el repertorio del disco que Borges y Piazzolla grabaron juntos, del que se hallaron las partituras originales.
Los museos de la ciudad serán el escenario para que poetas y músicos desplieguen su arte. Además, una espectacular “Lluvia de luces y música sobre el Riachuelo” podrá verse desde las 20 en el puente Nicolás Avellaneda, que será intervenido por varios artistas y que promete ser una “experiencia sensorial única”. Allí se colgarán lámparas del puente y se iluminará el Riachuelo con decenas de botes que desplegarán velas sobre el agua.
A partir de las 21, en la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (Av. Figueroa Alcorta 2263), se proyectará un mapping sobre el edificio y participarán del evento La Bomba del Tiempo y la compañía de danza de Brenda Angiel. En la Plaza de Mayo, la propuesta será recrear parte de la historia porteña con la celebración popular, al estilo de 1810, de la fiesta del patrono de Buenos Aires, San Martín de Tours.
El emblema del barrio de Mataderos, el cine La Plata, será protagonista esta noche y se realizarán ante sus puertas actividades al aire libre y la proyección de películas. A las 23, Gabo Ferro y Pablo Ramos realizarán un concierto en la sede de la Dirección de Museos (en Avenida de los Italianos 851). Al finalizar el show, se llevará a cabo un encuentro musical con el periodista Bobby Flores, que oficiará de DJ hasta el cierre de esta 8a. edición.
Para los más pequeños, La Noche de los Museos será una excusa para posponer la hora de irse a la cama. Se realizarán para ellos talleres, espectáculos de títeres, música, danza y sombras, relatos de cuentos y visitas guiadas a los distintos museos.
Como si fuera poco, el municipio de Vicente de Vicente López ha creado Las Noches Hermanas y ofrecerá también numerosas propuestas culturales.
Los organizadores de la fiesta que busca homenajear a las personalidades de la cultura y a los ciudadanos porteños consideran que este año se superarán los 600.000 visitantes recibidos en la última edición. Con una nutrida agenda de actividades y propuestas para todas las edades en numerosos barrios, la cita de esta noche promete ser imperdible.
174
Museos y espacios culturales
Ofrecerán espectáculos y actividades en forma gratuita.
27
Barrios porteños
Serán el escenario de una noche dedicada a la cultura.
20 a 3
El horario
Se realizarán cientos de actividades durante ocho horas.
85
Líneas de colectivos
Presentando el Pase Libre, se podrá viajar por la ciudad gratis.
Agencia Reuters y diario El País .
How to travel with friends (and not want to kill them)
July 12, 2011 Leave a comment
Jun 22, 2011 10:45:36 AM
How to travel with friends (and not want to kill them)
- Leif Pettersen
- Lonely Planet Author
View gallery
I have two permanent, oddly positioned bald spots on my head. Though my mother claims they’re from a scalp thing I had as a kid, I have it on good authority from my oracle that they’re probably where the Martians attached the electrodes.
However, spontaneous balding frequently has nothing to do with alien abduction. I’ve encountered many wretched travelers with unexplained bald spots formed during particularly challenging trips with incompatible friends. Whether they yanked that hair out during angry sleep or they were shaved by their vindictive companions is extraneous. What’s important is this hair-loss could have been easily avoided if these people had honestly communicated their travel styles and priorities during the trip planning stages.
Even your closest friend of 20 years, who saved your dog with mouth-to-mouth and donated a kidney to your sister (or vice-versa), can sometimes drive you to a stuttering rage while on the road. The divergent day-to-day circumstances of travel can expose and magnify irritations and disparities you never knew existed. And that’s if you’re compatible. If you’re not compatible, sooner or later that corkscrew you packed may be used for removing things its designers never intended.
Countless tent-pole duels to the death might have been prevented with pre-trip contemplation and dialogues. Some of the more pertinent criteria to consider in advance include:
1. Natural selection
Spontaneity during travel is great, but not so much when selecting a travel companion. Pick a friend whose company you consistently enjoy in a variety of situations. More often than not, blasting off with someone you don’t already know well is going result in trip-curdling disharmony. That includes your drinking buddy, that smokin’ hot babe you’ve dated for two weeks, and even the achingly attractive, witty, travel writer you met in the hostel’s breakfast room.
2. Setting expectations
Discuss your general vision of the trip. Vacation? Work trip? Urban exploration? Beaches? If one person is a go-go-go, see-see-see type and the other is a chill-at-sidewalk-cafes type, friction will quickly arise. And have you ever seen control freaks travel together? Messy. Carefully consider what you’d like to accomplish on your trip and communicate this with your prospective co-pilot.
3. Budgets
The last straw for many strong relationships has occurred while standing on a busy street in pouring rain, two miles from the hostel, when one person would rather walk, saving the €1.50 bus fare, and the other just wants to be dry. Ditto for the salivating foodie whose friend can only afford self-catered bread and jam dinners. Before you start planning, establish each other’s comfort preferences and available funds for things like accommodation, food and transport.
4. Divide and conquer
It’s perfectly fine to split up when you’d each prefer to do other things. Resentment grows quickly when one person is made to feel like they are catering to the other person’s itinerary too frequently. Equally, splitting up, whether it’s for three hours or three days, will soothe mounting frustrations. It’s not a sign of trouble or failure, it’s just good policy. Additionally, you’ll have copious stories to share when you reunite.
5. Night and day
A discussion about daily routines is a good idea. An incurable night owl is going to wear down a morning person in a hurry.
6. Be considerate
After you’ve found the right companion, a little on-the-road finesse is essential. Be conscience of your companion’s mood and fatigue. Balance each other’s needs. Be neat. Don’t hog the bathroom. And for the love of Buddha, don’t bogart the wine.
Have you used any clever strategies to maintain friendship harmony while traveling?
Buenos Aires y la actual gestión del Gobierno de la Ciudad, planteando su visión de Bs As como “La capital cultural de Latinoamérica”
July 11, 2011 Leave a comment
Entrevista a Toni Puig en Barcelona “La marca Ciudad”
Entrevistamos a Toni Puig en una mesa a la calle del mítico Café Zurich de Barcelona. Uno de los máximos exponentes mundiales del “citimarketing” y quién nos brindará una conferencia magistral el próximo 26 de Agosto en el Hotel Conrad de Punta del Este se refirió a la marca “Barcelona”y a casos de ciudades como Berlín, Shanghai o Medellín.
Toni opinó además sin tapujos sobre 
. Duración 18 min. 5 de Julio de 2011
. Duración 18 min. 5 de Julio de 2011ReporteInmobiliario.com ®
Naples Tango – News!!!
July 5, 2011 Leave a comment
Naples Tango
Master the art of “Permission Seduction™”!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Hola, Nancy!
At last Thursday’s Practilonga I announced Jeremias and Mariela’s workshop next Thursday. Our usual Sunday Tango Brunch with them is suspended for June and July.
* * * * *
Before I tell you about the workshop, I have other great news for everyone in the SWFL tango community!:
We’re starting a Monday night Guided Practica, next Monday, July 11, from 7:30 to 10:00 PM. This will be in addition to the Thursday Practilonga. Monday’s encounter will be a no-frills, working practica (no wine, no buffet, but spring water on the house). I will be available to answer any questions about your tango, to help you with any issues, or to let you practice freely if you don’t want help.
Each Monday session will start with 30 minutes (7:30-8) of unstructured warm-up time, followed by 30 minutes (8-8:30) in which I’ll review a figure with you, or we’ll practice an exercise together, or learn a milonga step. Then you’ll still have 90 minutes to practice freely, and ask for help if you like. Sound good?
- The price of the 2.5-hour Monday Guided Practica is $20*/person.
Or if you combine it with the Practilonga (normally $10), it’s $25 for both evenings (requires Monday payment).
Introductory offer (July and August 2011):
- Prepay both Practica and Practilonga for a month (July 11-August 5, August 8-Setp. 1) and pay $75 – get one week free. Couples $130 (life partners OR practice partners).
- Prepay the Guided Practica only – $60/month.
* Note: For students enrolled in private and semi-private lessons as of July 1, the Guided Practica in addition to your program package is $15, or $45 for the month.
Contact me with questions or to enroll at 239-776-6535 or helaine@naplestango.com.
* * * * *
Jeremias and Mariela return!!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
6:00-7:30 PM
Intermediate Tango Workshop
with Jeremias Massera & Mariela Barufaldi
Register by Wed. 7/6 and save!
Followed by our regular Practilonga, 8:00-10:30 PM
News! Jeremias will be our musicalizador (dj) this Thursday!
(While, tangueros, you can invite Mariela to dance!)
Location:
The Naples Tango Club
5650 Yahl St. (off Pine Ridge), Naples, 34109
- Practilonga – $10 (Free to my students currently enrolled in lesson programs, and to curious new observers after 8PM)
- Workshop (Intermediate/Pre-intermediate level) $30 at the door.
- Workshop with pre-registration/advance payment by Wednesday July 6: $25
Some advanced beginners may attend, with advance permission.
Please pre-register online or in-person for the workshop (you’ll pay $5 less)! Contact me with questions at 239-776-6535 or helaine@naplestango.com.
Register directly at http://naplestango.com.
Scroll down to “Thursday Workshop and Practilonga”.
* * * * *
Looking forward to seeing you Thursday night with Jeremias and Mariela! Remember too: Jeremias is putting on the music at the Practilonga!
Abrazos,
Helaine
P.S. Intermediates (Advanced friends welcome too) remember to enroll early for your workshop with J&M, to save $5! Wednesday’s the deadline for the discount.
P.P.S. Do take advantage of the new, 2.5 hour no-frills Monday practica. You’ll get some serious practicing done, and can ask me for help!
–
Master the art of “Permission Seduction™”!
http://NaplesTango.com
The Naples Tango Club, 5650 Yahl St. #2, Naples, FL 34109
239-776-6535 239-236-0984 (fax)
Download Helaine’s FREE Report: “Permission Seduction™ Secret #1″ at: http://NaplesTango.com
TANGUEROS! To watch the “Permission Seduction™” VIDEO and receive FREE 1-month e-course: “9 Surprising Tango Tips for Men” sign up at http://permissionseduction.com.
- “Una Noche de Tango”, Practilonga every Thursday night at The Naples Tango Club
- Sunday Tango Brunch, third Sunday of every month!
Check http://NaplesTango.com for details and directions.
Schedule your lesson appointments with Helaine online at http://naplestango.genbook.com.
Watch the 6-minute video on Helaine and her tango school in Italy, UmbriaTango:
LUXURY MERCEDES BENZ, LUXURY CHOFER!, GREAT PRICES!
June 30, 2011 Leave a comment
Our chofer Jorge Rodriguez will welcome you at the airport.
You will be able to organize your shopping direct from leather factories with Jorge,a Buenos Aires born that spend 30 years cooking in NY top restaurants.
Lunch and diner at the best kept secret places for porteños,not known by tourist,guided by New York Chef Jorge Rodiguez,actually working as a food consulting in BA.
Mercedes Benz with a bilingual chofer,well known New York Chef and an Expert in Buenos Aires,
You can’t ask for a better welcome to buenos aires
PRICES :
FROM AND TO AIRPORT : 70 USD
VISITS PER HOUR : 25 USD
10 ways not to be a travel writer by Lonely Planet
June 7, 2011 Leave a comment
Straight from the keyboards of the Lonely Planet team
10 ways not to be a travel writer
Vivek WagleLonely Planet author
It’s the dream: travelling around the world and getting paid for it. Every day, thousands of aspiring travel journalists start up blogs, pitch pieces to editors and put pen to paper (at least metaphorically) in the hopes of making travel a full-time job.
Image by swimparallel, Flickr
The good news is that it’s achievable. While only a select few attain the high life of sipping margaritas by the pool while churning out leisurely prose on their Macbooks, travel writing for a living is a real possibility for those who have the talent and are willing to put in some really, really hard work.
However, we’ve noticed that there is a subclass of potential travel writers, photographers and video journalists who don’t really seem to have their heart in it. For some reason, they do their best to sabotage any chance of success. We believe you can learn a lot from them, so we’ve put together a list of their most common traits. Engage in these behaviours and you’re pretty much guaranteed to lock yourself out of a career in travel journalism.
10. Be sloppy
Whether you’re pitching a 500-word essay to the New Yorker or dashing off a quick blog entry, you’re presenting your professional face to the world. Is it the best face possible?
No one is perfect, and everyone except the stodgiest subeditor will forgive the occasional typo. But when you’re an aspiring content creator, any form of communication you produce becomes part of your portfolio. If your work is amateurish in quality, don’t expect to be paid for it.
9. Treat your pieces as personal journals
If you’ve started up a blog to keep your friends and family informed about your travels, go crazy! But all too often, we see works that are all about the creator and not at all about providing real value to the audience. They have the stink of those WhatWeDidOnOurFamilyVacation slideshows that everyone used to dread.
Use Facebook or personal blogs to reassure your mother and make your friends jealous. Use the avenue from which you hope to derive income to inform, educate, entertain or otherwise improve the lives of your audience.
8. Be flaky
Have you promised an editor that you’ll have that sample in for next week? Have you told your blogging audience, ‘Stay tuned for a big post tomorrow?’ Then please deliver. Nothing alienates people more than broken promises. Editors have tight, busy schedules and they are primarily concerned with getting great content out on time. Your audience has a ton of options vying for their attention, and if you fail to earn their trust they will go elsewhere.
7. Act like a jerk
You’d think this one would be obvious. But we’re constantly surprised by content creators who appear to lack any respect for those who are there to help them.
Here are a few simple tips:
- Don’t call your editors names or make bombastic demands from them. (Any reasonable editor will listen to calm, professionally delivered opinion, but no one wants to be yelled at.)
- Don’t belittle the people who comment on your website.
- Don’t be rude in any form of communication with anyone who might have anything to do with your getting your work published. These people are here to help you live your dream. Don’t ruin it for yourself.
6. Stay shallow and general rather than building expertise
Bill Bryson may be able to say anything he likes about whatever he likes (no matter how general), but you can’t just go out and make observations about ‘stuff’. Build your niche and establish your credibility in it – this is crucial to earning trust. Are you THE authority on hiking in northern Spain? Are you an incredible wildlife photographer? Are your videos mordantly funny? Figure out what it is you’re amazing at, and go after that. Once you’ve established your area of expertise, you can begin branching out. But start focused.
5. Demand respect without earning it
Not too long ago, having your words on a printed page provided an instant credibility boost. But nowadays, anyone can self-publish – to the web, to ebook readers and even to print-on-demand machines. What this means is that you need to provide better evidence for your claims to expertise than being a published writer. Have you won any credible awards? Can you demonstrate having a large following? Have you produced something truly meaningful? If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then let people know! And if you can’t, get to work on it. We’d all love to be paid $5 per word, but before you get there you need to demonstrate your value for more realistic returns.
4. Lack voice and personality
Most travel writing is insanely boring. If you can make someone smile, cry or act, you’re well ahead of the game. Gimmicks and tricks can help, but it will come down to how authentic you are. If you don’t put enough of yourself in your work, your travel content will be as woeful as the rest of the dross that pollutes the travel-blogging universe, and even the Travel Literature section of your local bookstore. Please be interesting.
3. Act without integrity
Trading unverified links with others to bolster your search-engine juice? Made deals with the devil (eg sketchy ‘advertisers’ who put malware on people’s machines)? Lied about your accomplishments – such as where you’ve been? Making promises you can’t keep to your editors and audience?
Sorry – there’s just no room in the travel-content community for you. Get out.
2. Ignore or disrespect your audience
Your audience is by far the most important factor in your success as a travel journalist. And yet we so often come across people who have no idea whom they’re writing, photographing or making videos for. If you don’t know who is going to consume your content, you haven’t targeted it appropriately. And you’ve demonstrated that your priorities are all wrong.
If you’re pitching or creating a piece, make sure you know exactly whom it’s intended for. (Case in point: if you’ve read this far down this list, then this list is DEFINITELY intended for you.)
1. Never try
Of all the mistakes aspiring travel writers make, none is more catastrophic than failing to enter the game.
It’s not an easy life. It requires a lot of talent, determination, perseverance and resilience. But the world is full of people who turn their travels into a living – through blogging, professional writing, video journalism and beyond. There are more resources than ever available to those who wish to travel for a living. If it’s what you want to do, then go for it.
What do you think?
