Archive for November, 2009

Johan Knols helps Plan Your Safari

November 30, 2009

Johan Knols is an “Honorary Wildlife Officer” for the department of Wildlife and National Parks of Botswana. He’s had 15 years of experience working in the African bush, and he currently works as a wildlife guide for his own safari company.

Johan Knols knows a thing or two about Africa

Johan Knols knows a thing or two about Africa

“It was not only the wildlife, but certainly also all the guests that I had in my car that contributed to this fantastic time in my life,” he says. “Like every other safari-guide, I had hilarious and not so hilarious moments out there in ‘the sticks’. It is from these moments that I draw my articles.”

PlanYourSafari.com is an introduction to the safari industry for the “safari novice”. People new to the safari industry can find practical articles like what to wear on a safari and how to survive going to the toilet in the bush.

More experienced safari-ers will appreciate the discussion on issues like baiting and community-owned lodges.

Lola Akinmade: Matador’s gadget editor

November 27, 2009

As editor of Matador Goods, Lola Akinmade is always on the lookout for practical and cool gear, books, and other travel items to recommend to readers.

Lola Akinmade writes for MatadorGoods.com and Fodors.com

Lola Akinmade writes for MatadorGoods.com and Fodors.com


“If I don’t envision our Matador readers using it, I don’t recommend it. Period. I strive to regularly focus on goods that are either lightweight or eco-friendly, but most certainly practical and durable.”

She also writes articles for Fodors.com, rounding up everything from the World’s Stinkiest Foods to providing tips on how to take better photographs.

The Nigerian-born travel writer and photojournalist’s work has appeared in many major online and print travel publications and she has also received numerous accolades for her photography.

Kelly Goodman is… Travellious

November 26, 2009

Kelly Goodman and Austin Hill are co-founders of the travel blog, Travellious.com. Instead of being another blog about travel, it’s more of a lifestyle. The blog aims to help readers travel rebelliously.

What does that mean? Kelly explains:

“Too often we’d seen (and experienced) what we call ‘passive travel’. You’ve seen those people, the ones with their eyes glued to the guidebook and running through the checklists of ‘must-sees’. That’s no way to see the world!”

Kelly Goodman, co-founder of Travellious.com

Kelly Goodman, co-founder of Travellious.com

So they’ve assembled their best information about seeing the world outside of the mainstream. Check out the “5 Embarrassing Rookie Travel Mistakes” to get the gist of what they’re talking about.

Right now, you can follow Kelly on the road in Italy, as she navigates the bus system in Venice or orders some freshly roasted chestnuts in Padova.

The Travellious team is not just about rebelling against mainstream travel, the duo is also rebelling against Google maps.

“We were tired of Google maps not doing what we wanted, so we’re turning our ideas into reality,” she says. “Our very own travel map with the points of interest that WE want to see, a way to share our experience with the world, and a way to get our friends (both real and virtual) to help us out along the way.”

It’s just getting started right now, but if you need some tips from Kelly in Italy, you can explore The Wonder Map for more info.

Dian Emery’s Getaway with the Girls

November 25, 2009

Dian Emery is another travel blogger who saw a hole in the internet and endeavored to fix it. While researching a girl’s getaway with her mum, she realized that there was a lack of information targeted directly to women travelers.

She traveled extensively as an “Air Force Brat”, spending summer vacations touring Austrian castles, camping near the beaches of Barcelona, and train trips to France.

Dian Emery enjoying lunch in Banes, Cuba

Dian Emery enjoying lunch in Banes, Cuba

After university, she continued her life of travel, but soon discovered money was a necessary evil required to support her wanderlust. She launched Girlsgetaway.com a few months ago and hasn’t looked back.

“My goal is to encompass all aspects of a girl’s getaway,” she says. “From letting everything that happens in Vegas, stay in Vegas, to having a life altering experience in Marrakesh.”

While the site’s new, it’s lacking in the content department, but it makes up for it in the quality department. Dian’s passion for travel shines through in everything she writes.

However, the site’s not all about Dian, there are guest columns from writers around the world. I was particularly fond of the easy-to-read question and answer style of Laura Byrne Paquet’s “pampered girls” trip to Kingston and Vanessa Villanova’s short, but sweet video of Machu Picchu.

Dave Thompson’s Travel Corner

November 24, 2009

I spent a few days traipsing around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with Dave Thompson a few weeks ago and I wanted to highlight his incredible photography today.

Dave has been writing about travel professionally on his site since 1996. He began Dave’s Travel Corner after a life-changing trip to Nepal in which he trekked near Everest Base Camp.

Dave Thompson on a boat in Bangladesh

Dave Thompson on a boat in Bangladesh


“While on the trek I became deathly ill from food poisoning and altitude sickness,” he says. “When I returned to the States I had a new-found appreciation for life and for travel.”

The site was started as a creative outlet to explore his love for the outdoors, writing, photography and of course travel. Dave’s Travel Corner is not just a place for him to display his talent, it’s also a travel community where members contribute articles, journals, photographs tips and links.

Dave’s latest endeavor is The Napa Wine Project which has taken 4 years to date and is expected to be an 8 year project that involves wine tasting at all Napa Valley commercial wine producers.

He has personally visited & tasted with nearly 600 commercial Napa wine producers to date and written about every one. His first book is titled, “The Freeways of Los Angeles” and is scheduled to be published by early 2010.

Simonetta Falvo’s eXplorer travel blog

November 23, 2009

What would you do if you lost a lucrative position you had held for eight years of your life? Look for another job?

Simonetta Falvo decided to start writing instead.

Simonetta Falvo's blog explores far off destinations

Simonetta Falvo's blog concentrates on Italian destinations

“I always loved traveling, discovering new places, meeting different people, feeling amazed in front of a beautiful scenery. Instead, I worked over 10 years in investment banking and then 8 years in a PR firm. As soon as I could, I flew away to catch another little piece of world,” she says.

Simonetta’s blog is brand new, but she’s off to a great start.

Her blog is very Italy-heavy. Lately, she’s been writing about ski resorts and current events in her home country, but she sometimes covers other ground like shark conservation, infrequently visited neighborhoods in Singapore and the best sunset in Indonesia.

“For me traveling means exploration, discovery, emotions which can come anytime and everywhere: from a city, a landscape, people, traditions, nature, art, culture,” she says.

“Although everyone has their own tastes and a personal travel fashion I feel that sharing travel experiences is part of the journey.”

Stacie Florer is a “Nomadic Fanatic”

November 20, 2009

Stacie Florer is a nomadic jewelry designer. She has been traveling with her husband for the past five years, selling her jewelry and writing about their travels on their blog, Nomadic Fanatics.

Stacie Florer, selling jewelry and traveling the world

Stacie Florer, selling jewelry and traveling the world

“We like to stay in a location for 2 months, which gives us loads of time to really get to know an area that catches our interest,” she says. “We’ve arranged our lives so that we can travel full-time while working, staying in furnished rentals with our travel pup Sadie.”

Right now, the duo is living in Taos, New Mexico and loving it. Aside from Stacie’s irritated nose (ew gross!) and a few bad apples on a train ride, they are loving it!

Follow their journey at their blog, NomadicFanatics.typepad.com or have a look at Stacie’s creations at StacieFlorer.com.

Jody Halsted’s “Family Rambling”

November 19, 2009

Jody Halsted has been writing her family travel blog since 2005, just after the birth of her first daughter.

Back then, there wasn’t much information about family travel on the internet besides Disney World and other various “kid-centred” destinations.

Jody Halsted documents her family's adventures on her blog

Jody Halsted documents her family's adventures on her popular blog

“When our first daughter was born people told us our traveling days were over,” Jody says, “They weren’t over, they just changed. Travel with kids may require more planning but the fun and adventure remains!”

If you’re near Iowa, or planning on going to the mid-west in the future, make sure you keep an eye on them.

Their travel blog is not only full of practical tips and trips far and wide, there is lots of ideas for family fun in the corn state.

Dave Barton shows you the “real” Banff National Park in Canada

November 18, 2009

Ski season has just begun, and if you’re headed out to the Rockies for some adventure. Make sure you stop at Dave Barton’s blog, The Real Banff.

It’s a blog full of videos (complete with cheesy intro music) showcasing the best Banff National Park has to offer.

Dave Barton writes about all things Banff and Lake Louise

“I blog about Banff because it is the world’s finest national park and everyone should know that. People from all over the world have been coming to Banff and Lake Louise for over a hundred years,” he says.

“From kings to hitchhikers, Banff attracts all and welcomes them with open arms and unparalleled experiences.”

Dave works from Banff Lake Louise Tourism and he tweets, texts and uploads all day long, engaging people to share their Banff experiences with the rest of the world.

If you’ve been to Banff or are considering a trip to Banff check out his entertaining video blog.

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