by Catherine L. Tully
If you have plans to go to Europe anytime in the near future, don’t miss out on these travel tips from Rick Steves. Here you’ll find everything from “outsmarting theives” to “tipping tactics” and more. This is a very helpful resource, and even if you are traveling somewhere other than Europe, it’s worth a peek.
Be sure to look at the packing list while you are there…and take note that there is a special one for women.
Let’s face it–there isn’t a lot of information out there for intermediate writers, is there? Well…this one is for you! If you have been having some success at writing, you may need to travel more often. Whether you have an interview in another state or are starting to dabble in travel writing, plane trips are often a part of the game. Unfortunately, hopping on a plane is no longer an easy thing. Do you know the list of items you can and cannot bring?
Bookmark this resource from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – it has this type of information right there for you–and you can even ask to be updated when there are changes made to the page. Find out about things such as “checkpoint-friendly laptop bag procedures” and how to travel safe with batteries. I would also recommend double-checking with the airline you will be taking–after all, better to be prepared!
Today FZ readers are in for a real treat–insider advice from a seasoned travel editor–Celeste Heiter. Find out how to get published, what travel editors are looking for and get some advice on polishing your prose. Thanks to Celeste for crafting this piece specifically for FZ readers! – Catherine L. Tully
A Travel Guide Editor’s Inside Tips for Writing a Great Travel Essay
By Celeste Heiter
The Basics:
In seeking contributors for To Japan With Love, I received nearly 200 essays, but only about half of them made it into the book. And while some were real gems and were nearly perfect upon submission, throughout the selection process, I also had some hard choices to make, with the most common eliminator being: What’s the point of this essay? What does it offer the reader? And in many cases, the answer, sadly, was: Nothing. Although I was more than willing to work with contributing writers in developing essays that had great potential, and I even did the rewrites myself on some of them, in many cases (to borrow a phrase from Gertrude Stein), “there was no there there.” Some essays simply lacked purpose.
Others, while technically well written, were far too linear. “First we went here and saw this. Next we went there and did that. Then we went home.” Some stories lacked focus, and instead included every detail of the writer’s travel itinerary and little else. And some failed to follow editorial guidelines. They were too long, too short, too encyclopedic, or they were off topic; and some were even downright negative in tone and perspective.
Good travel writing comes naturally to some writers, however, for those who don’t have ‘the gift’, I also believe that there is a basic formula that will turn a lackluster travel essay into something truly worth reading. Here’s how: Continue reading Insider Advice From A Travel Editor
If you are looking for a little inspiration and a lot of good travel tips, check out Travel Betty. In her own words, she:
-Will spend two nights in a $7 room in order to offset a splurge in a $200+ room
-Doesn’t do all-inclusive
-Goes where the wind blows
-Won’t eat a still-beating cobra heart unless she really wants to
-Is always on the lookout for other Travel Betties and Boys
-Respects the culture even if she doesn’t agree
-Supports mom-and-pops over corporations
-Can greet and thank people in their native tongue
-Gets her adrenaline pumping
-Likes to be pampered, not gouged
-Doesn’t always do it perfectly, but is grateful to be doing it at all
Intrigued? Good! I really enjoyed reading her entries, and if you travel–or want to write about it–I’d recommend checking her site out. She’s fun and young and just plain cool. And if she ever gets to Chicago, I hope she looks me up.
In Times Square, between Broadway and 6th you can find this fabulous Belgian bar and cafe chock full of excellent beer and friendly staff. I was in NYC in July and went four times in two days–it’s that good. Call me a sucker for a good, cozy place with atmosphere. In a city where there is an Irish pub on every corner (and none of them seem terribly Irish, to be honest–you can get better from the Emerald Isle in Boston) this is a standout. When the football is on, this place is jam-packed, but on a late Saturday night, this is the place to be.
I hit BXL Cafe post-concert, after a three hour show by The Cure. BXL is a few scant blocks from Radio City music hall so it’s a nice way to get your legs back afterwards and what a way to wind down an evening! I plotted my next freelance move over several pints of Duvel and other lovely brews, pondered the state of freelancing, and wondered how I could blog about the bar for, ahem, business purposes. Seriously– if you are in NYC, take some time to chill at this place–it’s great for regrouping, gathering your thoughts and bracing for the next round of queries.
The Language Learning Library is a super resource for those looking to brush up on foreign phrases prior to going on a trip. Choose from Spanish, French, German, Chinese and more. You can also find cultural information and other details. The site is organized very well and extremely user-friendly. Travel writers may want to bookmark this one…