Featured Blog Posts – December 2009 Archive (13)

Go to Goa

Portuguese navigator Alfonso de Albuquerque captured the Indian territory of Goa in 1510, turning it into an important centre for East-West trade. He took a number of measures to safeguard it. In the Portuguese tradition, he encouraged Portuguese men to marry local women in order to create a population that would be loyal to Portugal. They were given homes, jobs in the administration, and land that could be cultivated. Their children were… Continue

Added by Michael Taylor on December 29, 2009 at 4:30am — 2 Comments

Experiencing Catalonia. The first day: Barcelona

As the wheels hit the tarmac in Barcelona we were already struggling with my usual time difference incompetence. Somehow id managed to underestimate the flight time and take the hour off, instead of add it on... Some things will never change.

We blundered through the doors and into the lobby at the… Continue

Added by Aaron and Georgie on December 27, 2009 at 5:04pm — No Comments

Best of Tripfilms: Christmas

Episode 35

Why is there the tradition of Christmas tree? Where can you see some of the brightest tree displays? Where can you sample gluwein at one of the oldest Christmas markets? Find out in this episode! and Happy Holidays from all of us at Tripfilms!

Watch more travel videos at…

Continue

Added by Kelley on December 21, 2009 at 12:49pm — No Comments

Istanbul fans: 2010 blog carnival

Travel bloggers,

I'm hosting a year-long blog carnival to celebrate Istanbul as European Capital of Culture in 2010

For a worldwide audience (11 million foreign visitors are expected to descend on Istanbul next year).....I'll be curating a feature at… Continue

Added by Anastasia Ashman on December 21, 2009 at 2:30am — 6 Comments

The 9 Most Successful Travel Bloggers of the Year

What does it take to become a successful blogger? Everyday, more and more "get rich quick" schemes are popping up all over the internet with the exciting prospect of becoming financially independent as a blogger. For those who have spent time developing a blog, you may find these adverts laughable (though understandably enticing). Developing a successful blog takes time, dedication, hard work, an array of skills, more time and dedication with a pinch of talent and some luck.… Continue

Added by Freddie on December 20, 2009 at 3:30pm — 1 Comment

Technorati vs Invesp

Top-Ten-Travel-Blogs-according-to-Invesp

Technorati has cleaned it's act: See Top Ten Travel Blogs Technorati vs… Continue

Added by Guido J. van den Elshout (aka Happy Hotelier) on December 19, 2009 at 10:59am — 2 Comments

Samoa Tsunami Hero. Meet 'Otele'

Lalomanu Beach, Samoa. Four days after the Tsunami. The bodies have been carried away and the funerals are over. But the beach still looks exactly as it did a few hours after the wave struck. Smoking ruins.

Sandals, sunscreen, pillows, cell phones and passports still lie scattered among the splintered wood of the fales, piled up against the the coconut palms, snapped off at chest level by the force of the wave.

After helping some of… Continue

Added by Michael Anderson on December 17, 2009 at 11:30pm — No Comments

Half a Day in Fredericksburg, Texas

About an hour's drive northwest from San Antonio, you'll find the Hill Country town of Fredericksburg, Texas. Here's how we spent our afternoon in this history-filled town:

Fredericksburg Brewing Company: This is the place to stop for a beer and some lunch. I enjoyed a Not So Dumb Blonde Ale and an order of… Continue

Added by Sarah V. on December 6, 2009 at 8:59am — No Comments

Let's buld a school together!

We are a proud Silver Sponsor and we invite YOU to join us.

Please don’t forget to tell a family member, a friend, a co-worker, a neighbor, a teacher or if you have kids, see if you can work with their school and other parents to do a group sponsor. You can help in sooo many ways.

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Who is Passports… Continue

Added by Got Passport on December 4, 2009 at 11:30pm — No Comments

NatGeo adventure goes down :(

I was gutted to see NatGeo fold their Adventure magazine today. It was my favourite in the franchise. For general information, I've included the editorial snippit just posted to the Indie Travel Podcast newsletter subscribers:

Will travel writing become just a hobby?

It was sad to see National Geographic Adventure announce their impending closure today. It appears they've fired the entire team but the magazine will continue online ... Not sure how they're going to do… Continue

Added by Craig Martin on December 3, 2009 at 7:02pm — 4 Comments

Winter In Tokyo

Why winter in Tokyo?

You know the winter weather often comes as a bit of a surprise to visitors to Tokyo if they haven't planned ahead. Everyone hears about how hot and humid it gets in summer but what's it like in winter?

Well today is December 4 and I know we're not in the middle of winter just yet - the coldest weather comes in January and February, but we are getting some pretty chilly days.

Maybe the biggest… Continue

Added by Honor on December 3, 2009 at 6:50pm — 6 Comments

3 Day Trips from Dublin

Originally posted on tripwolf

Part of the fun of living abroad is having access to a whole new realm of exotic travel possibilities. Unfortunately – just like back home – life can get in the way of our plans. Happily, I live in Dublin; a bustling capital city just several miles away from some beautiful and refreshingly natural sights. Here, three low hassle yet high payoff Dublin area day-trip destinations:…

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Added by Adena on December 3, 2009 at 4:23pm — 1 Comment

Luggage

Okay I am starting to freak out. I leave for Verona, Italy in about a month now. It is just weird. I have been to Europe many times, however, I have never lived in another country. It is weird to think that I will be waking up in a different country that I am not really familiar with. I am also stressing about luggage and how to pack lightly for a 4 month trip. My sister recommends getting a large backpackers bag-but I don't know. I really like rolling luggage, however I am sure it would get… Continue

Added by Sonya Mercedes Avendano on December 1, 2009 at 8:45pm — 8 Comments