2012 is quickly approaching and it’s time to start planning for the new year. With the Olympics and other events happening around the world, 2012 promises to be an extraordinary year for many of us. In 2011, we saw many off-the-radar destinations emerging in the travel scene, such as Zimbabwe and Ukraine. In the new year, major sporting, cultural and political events look set to bring new life to several offbeat destinations. After much research and brainstorming, here’s our own list of the up-and-coming adventure destinations for 2012 and we hope they’ll help you decide where you’ll be traveling to in the new year!

1. Cuba

With the newly loosened travel ban for Americans to Cuba, the number of visitors to Cuba has nearly doubled and it is predicted to increase even more dramatically in 2012 as more airlines and companies gain travel access to the country. Current rules allow Americans to visit Cuba on educational and cultural tours but all Cuba travel must be approved by the Treasury Department. Numerous travel companies now have licenses to run guided trips to Cuba, including National Geographic Expeditions – that runs Cuba cultural tours to Havana, Trinidad and Viñales National Park and includes deep immersions with Cuban locals and experts.

Flickr photo by VisualStandpoint

2. Myanmar

Since the release of Aung San Suu Kyi (after more than 20 years of house arrest), the National League of Democracy in Myanmar (NLD) is finally encouraging independent travel to their country. Despite the lift of the boycott, the State Department of U.S. still warns travelers that the authorities “have often prohibited entry or exit at most land border crossings, unless the traveler is part of a package-tour group that has received prior permission from the Burmese authorities.” While the question of safety and ethical travel is still unanswered, we can be sure that Myanmar will be back under the tourist radar very soon. Having been isolated from the rest of the world for decades, Myanmar retains a strong sense of authenticity with its timeless towns, ancient pagodas and undisturbed mountains and rivers.

Flickr photo by Greg Walters

3. Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, a largely unknown country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia, finally grabbed the world’s attention after winning the Eurovision 2011 Contest. In 2012, this Eurasian destination will be hosting the Eurovision contest for the first time and a concert complex has been specially built for the event. As the largest and the most developed country in the region, Azerbaijan makes an excellent base for those planning to explore the surrounding countries, such as Armenia, Georgia and Iran. Start your explorations from the capital of Baku before heading out to the highest peak of the country, Mount Bazarduzu, and hiking through the countryside of Quba.

Flickr photo by Robert Thomson

4. Japan

Having survived several setbacks in 2011, Japan is quickly getting back on its feet and its tourism organization is working full force to get travelers back on its shores. Recovery is well underway with reconstruction of infrastructure and the launch of new air service from the U.S. to Japan. Recently the Japan National Tourism Organization ran promotions on social media platforms to get the word out – with tactics including hosting bloggers in the country as well giving away free flights to the public.  With its creative and innovative tactics, it won’t be long before Japan climbs up the tourism ladder again. Get your city fix in Tokyo before zipping over to the cultural hub of Kyoto on a bullet train and then relaxing on the beaches of Okinawa.

5. Portugal

Having just earned the earned European Capital of Culture status for 2012, the Portuguese city of Guimarães will be under the tourist limelight as travelers in Europe flock to its shores to explore its artistic offerings. Throughout the year, numerous art projects and cultural festivals to be held in the city will surely get its name out to travelers in Europe. As one of the country’s most important historical cities, Guimarães boasts a UNESCO World Heritage historic city centre and it’s often referred to as the birthplace of Portuguese nationality. For more adventure travel offerings, head on down to the southern coast of Portugal for some sun and surf.

Flickr photo by João Paulo Ferreira

6. Belize

In the Mayan World, or Mundo Maya, 2012 signifies the end of the current Maya ”Long Count,” a 5,125-year calendar cycle. Mayan countries including Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico will be ushering in the new era with plenty of Mayan cultural festivities and events that will definitely draw in hordes of new visitors to the region. Belize Tourism is giving its all to attract tourists to its beautiful shores with Mayan exhibitions, a solstice sleepover and a major cultural festival on December 21, the estimated last day of the calendar. If you’re planning to travel Central America as a whole, hop over to Guatemala and explore its new themed cultural tourism route; or head on to Mexico where Mayan events will be centered in Campeche, Chiapas, Tabasco and Yucatan.

7. Ukraine

Having made our list for 2011 with the opening of Chernobyl to tourists, Ukraine is making an appearance once again in 2012 as it plays host to the Euro 2012 football championships. While the site of one of the world’s most tragic disasters in history is often the only thing foreigners can think of, Ukraine has plenty more to offer in terms of culture, nature and history – head to the Carpathian Mountains for some camping and hiking, or explore the unique Old Town of Kiev for some insights to Ukrainian culture, and then let your hair down along the unspoiled Crimean shores.

Flickr photo by Jurij Skoblenko

Note: These destinations have been chosen based on our personal observations of travel trends as well as doing research from online resources.

At the end of August, I set myself a travel embargo – staying put at my home base in Granada, Spain and taking time off to reflect on my travels and putting things into perspective. It has done wonders to my wellbeing, both emotional and psychological. Now I’m ready to get back on the road and explore new grounds again!

While I didn’t make it to Mexico (due to silly flight issues), I did get alot of writing done and now I’m making my way to Iceland for a week of traveling with my husband. Over the week, we’ll be visiting a friend in Reykjavik before setting off on a self-drive trip to the south coast, through the Golden Circle and up to the northern regions of Iceland. Thanks to Discover the World, there’s quite a lot of adventure packed into this trip!

We’ll start off the journey with a Blue Ice Glacier Hike  at Sólheimajökull and then a Superjeep Volcano Glacier Hike on Eyjafjallajokull Volcano. Driving through the Golden Circle, we’ll also be scuba-diving the Silfra rift, a crack between the American and Eurasian continental plates. The visibility is said to be amazing though the water will probably be freezing cold.

On the second half of the trip, our journey will take us to the northern part of the country around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Myvatn. Back in Reykjavik, we’ll be biking around the city to take in its urban sights with Reykjavik Bike Tours before ending the trip with a dip in the legendary Blue Lagoon. Discover the World has also arranged for us to stay at several countryside cottages and the well-known Hotel Ranga, voted as one of the world’s best places to see the Northern Lights. This trip’s definitely shaping into a power-packed journey. I’ll be back with several updates along the way, be sure to leave me some travel tips or ideas!

Flickr photo by fiomaha

The last few months have been a quiet one for me – as traveling took a backseat while I focused on writing. I started the year in Southeast Asia, before heading back to our base in Spain and hopping off on short trips around Europe. In the past month or so, I’d visited Portugal, Italy and Manchester but nowhere far-flung or adventurous.

The second half of the year promises to be packed with more action – here’s a look at where I’ll be over the next few weeks. I’ll be hanging around a bit more in Spain before jumping off to more exotic locales. If you’re in the neighborhood and interested in meeting up, give me a quick shout out!

13 April – 24 April: Asturias, Bilbao and San Sebastian – Spain

I’m setting off for Oviedo, Asturias today and I will be exploring the area as a guest of Asturias Tourism Board and turismo.as. I will be blogging about here after the trip, but you can follow the live video streaming on Turismo.as or follow our blogtrip site. From Asturias, I’ll be going on a road trip with friends to the most northern corners of Spain to explore more of the country.

3 May – 10 May: Costa Brava, Spain

As a guest of Costa Brava Tourism, I’ll be visiting the area around Girona – with many exciting activities on the itinerary including paragliding and a treehouse eco-lodge stay.

27 May – 5 June: Jordan Press Trip

I’m thrilled to be revisiting one of my favorite countries in the world, this time on a press trip thanks to the Jordan Tourism Board.

3 July – 31 July: Mauritius and Madagascar

Alberto and I are spending a whole month exploring the islands of Mauritius and Madagascar on our honeymoon! (Didn’t I tell you we’re getting married on 1st July?) I’m looking forward to both wildlife-watching in Madagascar and lounging by the turquoise beaches of Mauritius.

7 August – 15 August: Arctic Expedition

As one of Gap Adventure’s Wanderers in Residence, I’ll be going on my first trip with Gap onboard their Arctic expedition cruise. The Realm of Polar Bears trip promises to be an epic journey – cruising through ice-covered fjords, spotting whales and polar bears and encountering glaciers.

17 September – 26 September: Iceland

It’ll be a whirlwind trip through the country as we explore its fjords, volcanoes and hot springs with our best friend from Iceland. Any suggestion or tip welcomed as always!

As a travel writer who’s always on the go, being able to plug in and write wherever I am is essential. And in this era, I’m not the only one who finds mobile internet access an important tool. Many digital nomads and freelancers who work remotely depend on this modern technology for a living. Today’s sponsored post, by James Helliwell, shares with us some useful tools to get mobile internet access is any corner of the world.

In this day and age, regardless of your age and profession, it is almost necessary to always be connected. Without the internet, it is difficult to stay connected with friends and family, let alone get professional work done. When people travel the world for vacation or work, having a fast and stable internet connection similar to that at home is essential. However, for some, finding affordable internet while traveling can be quite a challenge. Using mobile internet abroad can be very simple to do, but if not done intelligently it can lead to unexpected expenses that can but a major hole in your wallet.

Avoid Hefty Phone Bills

The major expense comes in when users of mobile internet abroad fail to plan ahead. Hefty phone bills often result from a lack of pre-trip research. Using your domestic phone while you are abroad can lead to a phone bill that has the possibility of sending you into cardiac arrest. Cell phone companies often charge absurd roaming costs for overseas cell phone usage, especially when you use your cell phone to access data and internet.

To avoid this kind of sticker shock when faced with your phone bill, it’s best to investigate other options. One option is to use only Wi-Fi while you are abroad – which can be done easily from the new smartphones. But this is not a very practical solution in many countries, as not every single spot you go to is equipped with free Wi-Fi.  Instead of  having the freedom to go online when and where you need it, you will be tethered to the hotels, internet cafes, and coffee shops where you are lucky enough to find Wi-Fi available. This can be a hassle for many reasons, but one reason in particular stands out above the rest.

This reason is the need for directions when you are travelling around the world. While on the go, many travellers tend to navigate the streets with the help of their mobile internet connection. Ironically, it is usually during these times that Wi-Fi access is not available. Opting for your internet roaming is not a wise choice because of the aforementioned expense of accessing data overseas with your mobile phone.

USB Broadband Access

When it comes to moments like these, the best option for mobile internet abroad is to get a USB card that provides broadband access. These USB cards function anywhere in the world that has cell phone reception. They come in a wide variety of packages and speeds to cater to your specific needs. You can choose one that offers a pre-paid arrangement or one that runs on a monthly premium. For pre-paid arrangement, you can pay ahead of time for a certain amount of wireless access on the USB card until the fee runs out.

The other option is to get a USB card package that charges a fixed rate every month for mobile broadband usage. Just like cell phone plans, customers have a fixed amount of use on their plan. But this option is measured not in minutes, but in the amount of data that is transferred through the USB card. If customers go over the predetermined amount of use, their card will not stop functioning.

Photo by Giorgio Montersino

If you are planning a trip around the world, make sure to pick up one of these mobile broadband providers USB cards to get access to mobile internet abroad. For digital nomads, It makes working a breeze.

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Everyone has a dream itinerary – whether it is two weeks of lounging around golden sands in the Caribbean, trekking through the Himalayas or castle-hopping in Europe. Mine has always been a jaunt in Africa that packs in all aspects that the continent has to offer: luxurious beach lounging, adventurous trekking and wildlife-watching.

SLH.com (Small Luxury Hotels of the World) is giving me and you the chance to make that dream come true. Hop on over to their ‘Dream Itinerary’ contest site, design your own 14-day dream holiday and get your friends to vote! Once your itinerary gets enough vote to make the top 20 shortlist then the SLH panel could select you as the lucky winner.

Who’s SLH:

SLH (Small Luxury Hotels of the World) has a myriad of unique, lavish properties in all corners of the world. From luxury palaces to resorts, the hotel collection is incredibly impressive. With accommodation options perfect for the luxury travelers and honeymooners, SLH promises world-class standards and comforts and always delivers. I recently stayed at the Raj Palace in Jaipur, India, part of the SLH collection. The experience of sleeping in an Indian Princess’ suite was undoubtedly one of the best I’ve had.

My Dream Itinerary:

Africa – a continent as beautiful as it is mysterious – is my dream weaver. My itinerary, named ‘Dreaming of Africa’ will bring me through 3 far-flung African countries:

• on the private Fregate Island in Seychelles
• exotic beachfront property, Azura in Mozambique
• exploring the wilderness of South Africa from my base, at Le Vendome Hotel in Cape Town.

During my travels, I’ll be reporting back here with stunning photos and write-ups of my experience there. So please be sure to cast some votes for me!

How to Vote:

Just one simple step: go to my dream itinerary page and click on the ‘Vote for Your Favorite Itinerary’ button.

There’s no need to login or enter a password, simple as that!

How to Take Part:

If you’re hoping to win your own dream holiday, then head on over to SLH main website, search through its collection of hotels and destinations and start designing your own itinerary! Simply follow these steps:

1. Go to the SLH Competition page and click on the ‘Enter the Competition’ button.
2. Click on ‘Choose a Destination’ and select your destination from the full list of countries.
3. After choosing your destination, you’ll be able to look through the hotels located there. You can add up to 3 destinations/hotels in your 14-day itinerary.
4. On the next page, key in your details and voila!
5. Get your friends to vote on Twitter and Facebook, the amount of votes determine your chances of winning.

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The whole world’s eyes are on Haiti now, as the poorest country in the Americas faces yet another devastating disaster. Death toll has now reached over 200,000 at Port-au-Prince, the country’s capital. These numbers are still increasing as survivors are losing patience with the painfully slow process of getting international aid.

As I sit facing horrifying images of desperation on the streets of Haiti, dumping of bodies in mass graves and violent looting occurring, it’s hard not to feel inflicted with the urge to help. I’m glad to have seen so many organizations, countries support teams and media channels acting so quickly to lend a hand.

Matador Network – Join in as a Volunteer

Matador Network, one of the online travel networks I work with, responded immediately. Editor Julie Schwietert launched a volunteering project on the night of the disaster -  using social media to convince JetBlue to fly a plane full of volunteers to nearby Santo Domingo. Julie has been working around the clock since, to coordinate with ground staff and seeking help from the Haitian Consulate in NYC. Check for daily updates here.

The response has been overwhelming, they are now prioritizing on looking for volunteers with medical experience and or Creole/French language skills. If you are interested in jumping on the plane and offering your help on the ground, email Julie directly at matadorhaiti@gmail.com.

 

One of the Matador volunteers, Vladimir Tilus has already arrived in Port-au-Prince last night. Vladimir delivered water and food to the children of the Bresma orphanage, as they had run out of water completely and food was running low. Though the kids are not out of danger yet, these critical supplies will help them hang on a bit longer.

Support Worthy Organizations

BBC has a list of charities involved in the relief effort – useful for donors based in the UK. Contact the charity organizations directly to find out how you can help.

CNN also put together a comprehensive list of aid organizations, categorized by services being provided: basic needs, shelter, medical aid, and food.

Paul Clammer, the author of Lonely Planet Haiti guide, advised interested parties to support these three organizations in Haiti:

I’d like to mention three excellent smaller organizations in Haiti worthy of your support – these are the sort of smaller players who inevitably get overlooked in the media scrum, but often have more focused and effective programs working among local communities – essential characteristics once the immediate heavy lifting of disaster relief is over, and the media and world inevitably turn their attention to the next story.

Partners in Health  A medical charity that has been working in Haiti for a long time, building local medical capacity. Run by MD Paul Farmer, a noted writer on Haiti, it has a large network of Haitian doctors and nurses well-placed to offer immediate and long- term medical assistance.

 
The Lambi Fund  A smaller but highly regarded development charity. It offers assistance to communities outside Port- au-Prince (areas also hit by the effects of the quake) to help arrest the decline of the agricultural sector which has driven hundreds of thousands of young people from the countryside to search for a livelihood in the capital’s now-stricken shanty-towns.

Yele  A development NGO working mainly in education and community projects, but with extensive experience in food distribution and emergency relief. Yele was set up by the musician Wyclef Jean, who is also a Goodwill Ambassador for Haiti (celeb watchers will be amused that a few years ago he got Brad and Angelina to visit the notorious Cite Soleil shanty at a time when the heavily armed Brazilian peacekeepers were too scared to go there). It’s close ties to communities in some of the poorest and worst affected areas will be invaluable in the coming weeks and months.

Right now, with logistic problems on the ground, it might be a challenge getting volunteers to Haiti. The best way to help is to donate, the organizations need as much funds as possible to provide supplies, medical support and food. The destruction is so substantial that it might take a few years for Haiti to slowly get back on its feet.

In the meantime, we can continue to do our part and pray for the wellbeing of the country, and hope that the sun will shine in Haiti again.

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It’s that time of the year again. Sleigh bells, Christmas carols and Santa Claus – there’re always part of our Christmas celebrations. But did you know that in different corners of the world, Christmas is celebrated differently?  While I’m in Dresden, East Germany, celebrating Christmas with a good friend and playing with snow, I’m digging up some quirky and slightly amusing Christmas traditions to share with you. Merry X’mas!

Great Britain, UK

Pudding is very important in the Christmas traditions of Great Britain. During the process of making the pudding, the British has a traditional practice of making a wish while mixing the the ingredients in a clockwise direction – only this way will your wishes come true.

Italy

The Vatican, unable to prove the existence of modern-day Santa Claus decided to tell kids that a kindly old witch, La Befana, delivers presents to them. So instead of waiting enthusiastically for Santa to arrive in his reindeer sleigh, the children dreams of a witch bringing them Christmas gifts. 

Ukraine

An artificial spider and web are often included in the decorations on Ukrainian Christmas trees. A spider web found on Christmas morning is believed to bring good luck. A Ukrainian folk tale says that there once lived a woman so poor that she could not afford Christmas decorations for her family. One Christmas morning, she awoke to find that spiders had trimmed her children’s tree with their webs. When the morning sun shone on them, the webs turned to silver and gold.

Japan

Sending red Christmas cards to anyone in Japan constitutes bad etiquette, since funeral notices are customarily printed in red.  Christmas cards tend to be white usually, a color that represents snow and clarity.

Caracas, Venezuela

The capital city of Venezuela has an interesting modern-day tradition.  The streets in Caracas are closed off every Christmas eve to allow churchgoers to get there by roller-skates.  A big city with bustling traffic, this way you’re sure to get to the church on time for Christmas mass!

Catalonia, Spain

A typical Christmas tradition in Spain involves putting up a ‘belen’, part of the nativity scene – the day when baby Jesus was born and the three wise men arrived in Bethlehem. Except, among the figurines, you’ll find a character called ‘El Caganer’ (translated to the great defecator). In Catalonia, this figure is particularly popular. He’s literally defecating– the “fertilizer” means the year will yield a good harvest. 

Norway

In Norway, on Christmas Eve, all the brooms in the house are hidden as  the Norwegians have an ancient belief that witches and mischievous spirits came out on Christmas Eve and would steal their brooms for to ride the skies.

Latvia

The best-known Latvian Christmas tradition is an odd custom called mumming. "Mummers" wear an assortment of masks, the most traditional ones include faces of bears, horses, goats, gypsies, and, amusingly, living corpses. Get out onto the streets, it’s a delightful sight!

Resources: TopTenz, Cracked.com and Strange Cosmos.

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As the end of the year approaches, it’s time to dream about where you’ll be exploring in 2010 – there have been lots of changes in travelling trends over the past few years. Instead of popular spots like Italy and Thailand, travelers these days are searching for something different, something new and refreshing.  Beat the crowd and check out these up-and-coming countries before everyone does!

1. Iceland

Hot springs, giant glaciers and vast volcanic areas, Iceland’s mystical air has placed it tops on many adventure travelers’ list. 2010 is the year to visit it. With the recent financial crisis leaving Iceland close to bankruptcy, the country’s currency has fallen drastically and so have prices. It is now much cheaper to travel to Iceland, and what better way to help revive its economy?

There’s plenty to see – from soaking in bubbling spring water in Reykjavík’s famous Blue Lagoon to watching spouting whales in Húsavík. The island’s real beauty lies in the rural areas where bohemian villages and nature co-exist. Iceland Air flies from 25 airports in Europe, U.S. and Canada.

Flickr photo by pocius

2. Israel

What used to be associated with war and political issues, Israel is slowly stealing the limelight as a country diverse in culture, landscapes and history. You could be at the trendy beaches of Tel Aviv, the next day in world’s holiest city, Jerusalem and within a few hours, on a 4X4 desert tour through  Mitzpe Ramon. Israel, unlike how people perceive, is a relatively safe place to visit.

With the opening of a new museum in Tel Aviv, travelers will have another reason to visit Israel.  “Revealing the Hidden City’”,  an innovative project put together by 300 volunteers, is designed to preserve historic photos from Yafo. These photos along with thousands of artifacts will be displayed in the new History Museum. You can book cheap flights to Tel Aviv from several destinations in the U.S. and Europe.

3. South Africa

World Cup 2010! It’s catching the attention of many as the host city of the important sporting event. But that’s not just it. South Africa is famed for a gorgeous coastline, vibrant cosmopolitan cities, side by side with world-class national parks teeming with wildlife.

Most visitor’s first stop is Cape Town, one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Within a day, you can explore isolated Zulu villages or spot some wildlife at acclaimed Kruger National Park. Then go further afield to the snowcapped peaks of the Drakensberg Range and hop over to the lush subtropical coast of KwaZulu-Natal. South African Airways link Johannesburg to many major cities around the world.

4. Bhutan

Having been listed as the World’s Happiest Country, Bhutan has gained overnight fame. In 2010, it’s also become tops on the list of many adventure travelers’ list. But most do not know that visitors have to pay a minimum of US$200 per day, making it one of the world’s most expensive countries to visit.

The ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’ is a religious place – people come to find their spiritual selves and seek for a peace of mind. Explore the early Buddhist sites in the cultural heartland of Bumthang Dzongkhag or hike to the world’s famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery , precariously perched on a rock face. For many trekkers, Bhutan holds a world of opportunities to explore and hike.

5. Slovenia

Having only gained independence in 1991, Slovenia is coming into its own. As one of the smallest countries in Europe, it’s almost half the size of Switzerland. The Alps stretches to East Slovenia; the area nicknamed the ‘Sunny side of the Alps’. With a mixture of Mediterranean climate and mountain breezes, it offers more diversity than many other European countries. Slowly gaining popularity, many travelers are ditching its neighbours – Croatia, Hungary and Austria, for Slovenia.

Lake Bohinj is the country’s number 1 attraction. The idyllic calm Alpine lake beneath Mount Triglav is picturesque: its image appearing in postcards and websites. Ljubljana, its capital, is the country’s gateway, reachable by several budget airlines.

6. Morocco

As one of the most visited North African countries, Morocco has always been a favorite among European tourists, thanks to the proximity. These days, the rest of world also has its eyes on this intoxicating country. No longer though of as the far and mystical land somewhere in the Middle East, Morocco is making itself known to the world.

Bridging Africa and the world, the country brings the isolated Sahara deserts and the high Atlas Mountains close to you. Get wonderfully lost in Marrakech’s endless souks, or surf the huge waves along the Atlantic Coast in Essaouira. Catch a ferry from the tip of Spain or fly Easyjet from London.

7. Burma/Myanmar

Having been boycotted and ostracized by the world for years, travel warnings to Burma were lifted only a few years ago. A country that has remained a world apart, Myanmar holds on to what many other places have lost – an unpretentious self. This time-warped country is perfect for travelers seeking adventure in a lost world: a chance to be the first explorers.

Catch sunrise at Bagan, admiring the 4000 sacred stupas that are scattered across the plains.  Drift down the Ayeyarwady in an old river steamer, or bum around Ngapali Beach. Drift along Ngwe Saung on the blissful Bay of Bengal and trek through pine forests to minority villages around Kalaw – it’s a raw country to uncover.

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Lately the travel blogosphere has been debating up a storm over the issue of ethics. Well, at least it started with that. Gawker posted a story about NY Times writer Mike Albo taking an all expenses paid trip to Jamaica, sponsored by Thrillist and Jetblue. The NY Times has strict rules prohibiting their writers from accepting any freebies as such.

  Thomas Kohnstamm – author of ‘Do Travel Writers go to Hell’

A Debate on Ethics

Did that create a wave? Hell yeah. It’s fired tons of response from travel writers/bloggers on twitter, and all over the internet. Some bloggers have been firm on their stand against freebies and press trips, while others have got lots to defend – how would they make a living otherwise? Who will pay for their travelling expenses then? Do they have to pay to go to work?

Three months ago, while on assignment for V!VA Travel Guides, I was told not to reveal my identity as a guidebook writer in order to get an unbiased take on the hostel/restaurant I was writing about. There was this once when a tour operator inquired. When he learned that I was including his business in a guidebook, he changed his attitude altogether (yeh it was obvious) and proceeded to offer me a drink and even a free biking tour, to which I graciously declined. Would I have written the same review without the freebies? It definitely changed my views on it – the result: an honest write up of his tour operator – excellent equipment, well-trained guides and a hypocritical owner.

 Matador Network recently published a fascinating piece, ‘Do Freebies Undermine the Honesty of Writing?’, provoking many interesting responses and discussion (surprise surprise!). On the other side of the coin, Gadling headed for the direct ‘yes to freebies’ stand, ‘Free Press Travel: Necessary…and Certainly not an Evil.’

While I’m not taking any sides here, if you ask me – I don’t give a hoot. I don’t have a care in the world whether your trip was sponsored by the tourism board or whether you paid for it with every dime you have – it’s the story that you write at the end of it that matters. One of my favorite writers, Pam at Nerd’s Eye View, had an interesting take on Press Trips and Writing A Good Story. 

Somewhere amidst the debate, the key point gets forgotten. The critical point that sparked all these discussions – is not how you paid for it, or who paid for the trip – it is the story at the end of it. I’d say – stop judging people on petty issues and start focusing on the big picture.

A Debate on Publicity Stunts

Then came the social media cruise where a bunch of travel bloggers were invited on a Caribbean cruise. Bloggers would then tweet about their cruise experience. The free press trip, as a surprise to many, turned sour. Last weekend, it turned into a name-calling, lashing session on Twitter (Read more on #twethics). Yes, while I was out exploring the Spanish countryside, the biggest names in the travel blogging world had nothing better to do but lash at each other in front of the whole world. 

While I missed out on the action (I’m glad I did), I really don’t want to be part of this huge debate that has immensely converted into a big ugly mess. As how Pam reports on BlogHer:

What was meant to be a fun adventure, an opportunity for the host to use social media to promote their services, turned into an object lesson into how not to use Twitter. The issue at hand — a totally valid one — was the environmental and social impact of cruising. Vocal critics of the industry used the hashtag to promote an anti-cruising agenda. So far, so good, but the discussion quickly turned to personal attacks, defensiveness, and an absurd one-upping around who’s a "better" traveler.

Although I seriously think the environmental impact of cruising is totally out of the point – this social media cruise is only what.. 1% out of the millions of people who go on cruises each year? – I digress. So what did the people involved get out of this pissing match? Publicity! 

Leigh at The Future Is Red has written an insightful post on Blogging For Publicity: Watch Helplessly as Travel Blogging Jumps the Shark. She’s the one who sparked this post I’m writing, and also a friend I’d discussed this in length with. Several months ago while I was travelling through Argentina, we’d bonded over a wonderful evening soirée and our conversation topic unknowingly moved to travel blogging. We both share the same thoughts on travel blogging and certain phenomenon we see on the net frustrate us both.

Someway or another, last weekend’s lashing session on Twitter turned into some form of attention-grabbing tactic for other bloggers/twitterers who had no sort of connection with the matter. They seized the opportunity to gain some fame. I’d say it’s a despicable self-promotion channel, but hey who’s judging?

In fact that’s how some money-making bloggers made it big. Sadly, writing style and good photography are secondary these days – it’s how you publicize your blog that matters. As judgmental as I may sound, certain travel blogs that rank tops in traffic have attributes that understandably lead to high readership. While some, there’s much to be desired.

Can We Stop These Stupid Travel Fights?

While I’ve always thought of travelling as a medium of opening up someone’s mind, it’s amazing how many people who are self-acclaimed travel experts be so narrow-minded as to belittle another person’s travelling style. BootsnAll published a list of Stupid Travel Arguments (And Why We Should Stop Having Them) – might be useful to some of us.

As travel bloggers, shouldn’t we be more open-minded, having seen strange sights, lived out of our comfort zones and encountered foreign cultures? Instead, last weekend’s online brawl seemed to prove otherwise.

Be it Albo who was judged for his unethical ways of accepting a paid press trip, or the name-calling bloggers involved in the Twitter #followmeatsea discussion, who are we to judge? 

Isn’t anyone tired of all these travel fighting? Enough already, get on with your lives.

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Read more here:

• NYT Nitpicker: Why not give Mike Albo a break?
• Gadling: Free press travel necessary… and certainly not an evil.
• Miss Adventures: Of freelance writers and junkets
• Matador: Do ‘No Freebies’ Policies Undermine Honesty in Travel Writing?
• The Future Is Red: Blogging For Publicity: Watch Helplessly as Travel Blogging Jumps the Shark.
• WildJunket: Why We Travel

Looking to fly from Europe/US to Mexico? You might be better off booking yourself on a vacation package!

When we were searching for 1-way tickets to fly back to Europe from Central America, the cheapest airfare we found on edreams from Mexico to Spain was 800euros (US$1,000), while an all-inclusive vacation package on Muchoviaje kicked us back at only 560euros (US$800).

While shoestring backpackers (including me) are cringing at the idea of sharing their peace with a bunch of rowdy holidaymakers, this option really might just be the best way to save you from burning a big hole in your pocket. Besides, it’s always up to you to make your own trip adventurous and exciting!

Here are some online vacation package websites offering excellent deals:

CheapHolidays.com

A one-stop site to search for the best vacation packages from all UK destinations. CheapHolidays allow you to search among the various tour operators – Thomson Holidays, Teletext Holidays, Thomas Cook Holidays, Virgin Holidays. Choose from all-inclusive holidays to Portugal (Algarve Holidays), Egypt (Sharm El Sheikh Holidays) or Spain (Benidorm Holidays), a simple click and you will be quoted the full price (inc. taxes etc.)

An all-inclusive holiday package includes flights, hotels, all food and drinks (think alcohol). So in other words, you are saving tons of money on expenses. Cheap car hire and transfers can be booked along with the package. Information on the specific destinations they cater to are also available on the website, as well as the weather conditions there.

To glance through the cheapest deals for a specific destination, you can easily click on the ‘Destinations’ tab, find the holiday spot you want, and all the best deals will be displayed on one single page.

Lastminute.com

One of the most popular sites for vacation packages, you can grab real deals by pouncing on any last-minute deals. A word of advice – don’t wait or hesitate ‘cos the offers get snatched up fast! The fastest and easiest way to find out the best deals are on the Last-Second Deals page. Cheap all-inclusive vacation packages are also available.

In addition to the usual add-ons, Lastminute also offers theater tickets, spa packages and festival/theme park entrances.

SmarterTravel.com

Based in the US, this all-rounded holiday operator offers cheap vacation packages around the world – around the Caribbean, Europe and USA. Cruise vacation packages are also available. The best feature of this online operator is its ability to compare prices among the various travel operators like Priceline, CheapOair and Expedia.

As a travel writer, I personally like the travel advice column, as well as the travel guides that sheds some light to the destination you’re visiting.

Other excellent worldwide vacation package operators worth checking out are:

• Kayak – one of the most comprehensive website to book worldwide airfare/vacation package
• itravel2000 – an advanced vacation search engine based in Canada
• Muchoviaje – cheapest Caribbean deals from Spain
• Zuji – best operator to book trips in Asia
• I want that flight! – compares various budget airlines based in Australia

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Related Posts:

• Budget airlines – setting a new era in flying?
• Hotel Reservation Sites for Budget Travellers
• Ryanair – a pound for a pee?