I’ve featured a motorcycle travel blogger in the past and another Pinay on the move (who is currently enjoying her round the world trip), so for this month of love I decided to feature a couple I met through one of my gear review/giveaway contests on this website. I was curious to find out the dynamics of traveling with another person who is not simply a friend but one you have a relationship with. Being a long time solo traveler  I think I’m at a point where I’m starting to feel the desire to travel with, for lack of a better term, a special someone. I think G & Q at GQ trippin provided me with some good insight and I’m positive that I’ll soon have other couples on this series.

G & Q is a twenty-something couple from the San Francisco Bay Area. G’s job quit him and Q’s taking a career break. You can join their adventure as they see, eat and trip around the world in 2012.

Website: www.GQtrippin.com

Facebook: facebook.com/GQtrippin

Twitter: twitter.com/GQtrippin

What is your blog about and how did you get into blogging? What do you guys do when you aren’t blogging?

Q was unemployed and had nothing better to do. To make use of her free time, she decided to catalog our last 7 years of travel experiences on blogspot. When we decided to take a long-term trip, we decided to go bigger with our blog.

We’re foodies so naturally, when we’re not occupied with the blog, we’re looking for a good meal. And you know Facebook and Twitter is never too far from our finger tips. Staying connected takes up majority of our free time.

Can you give us 3 random facts about yourselves?

1. Q is the driver (G doesn’t have a problem with that because he’s the navigator).
2. G can’t swim (Q’s trying to teach him still).
3. We don’t like olives.

How is it like to travel as a couple?

Challenging but rewarding at the same time. It’s great to have someone by your side to share the experience. Lucky for us, we have a lot in common in the way we travel which can simplify things but not without hard work, communication and a lot of compromising. After all, it’s 24/7 of constant companionship; not a whole lot of me time. Just have to make sure Q gets fed on time or its downhill from there.

For my weirdest ever questions:

1. Weirdest food you guys ever tasted? Vegemite/Marmite. Let’s just say, it’s an acquired taste. Not our cup of tea.
2. Weirdest person you guys ever met? Not one specific person, but you can pretty much find weird on any given day in San Francisco.
3. Weirdest thing that ever happened to the two of you? Spent a day at Puzzling World in Wanaka, New Zealand. That place is weird and ‘puzzling’ at the same time.

Who is your favorite travel hero?

Q says Anderson Cooper, but only because she thinks he’s cute. G likes Anthony Bourdain because of his no nonsense take on food and travel. And as cheesy and corny as this may sound, we’re inspired by our friends in the travel blogging community.

Where is your next destination?

Australia! We’ll fly in to Melbourne and work our way up the coast to Cairns. Hopefully we’ll get to hug koalas, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and avoid Vegemite at all cost. Then off to see Asia.

• Facebook worthy proposal

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  JL and Marcela's story has the ingredients of a Pedro Almodovar film except that it all happened on Facebook. Get ready to feel romantic chills down your spine when you watch this video shown during a surprise proposal!

  

• A bicycling kind of love story

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  John wrote and ad on Expeditions magazine because he was looking for someone to join him on a one year mountain bike trip in Asia. Nancy answered it. They were strangers when they flew to Pakistan together with little more than their bikes and dreams. Twelve months later they were married and now mountain biking with a family. Read more here

  

• They 'fell' in love

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  On their first date Clark and Monica fell off a 90 foot cliff! When they recovered and were off medication she moved to Ireland for a year. She then moved home early and after he picked her up at the airport they went looking for an engagement ring. He didn't know it at the time, but her wedding dress was already in her suitcase. Read more here

  

• Chance enounter in a hostel

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  She was an American girl in Latvia killing time before heading to Ukraine to teach English. He was an Australian guy talking to flirty Finnish girls while on vacation in Latvia. They both stayed in the same hostel. This chance encounter led to an unexpected romance. Brooke and Patrick now live together down under (Brooke also documents her saga on how she migrated to Australia and got her defacto partner visa). Read more here

  

• Some tweet romance

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  Ali and Andy met on Twitter, fell in love across two continents, got married, and honeymooned at TBEX (much to the delight of the travel blogging community). Theirs is a modern day social media love story. Read more here

  

• A beautiful adventure

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  The fabulous Andi Perullo met the love her life while traveling in South America. From Argentina to Brasil and now North Carolina, she and Lucas are making sweet beautiful adventures as a married couple. Their wedding is lovingly documented in Andi's popular website complete with beautiful photos. Read more here

  

• Romance in the middle of the Mayan ruins

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  Before this Russian expat mom was raising 2 trilingual boys she was traipsing solo around Central America. A night time adventure in the Guatemalan jungle while camping in Tikal led her to meet the man that changed her life. Read more here

  

• Wo ai ni

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  Stephanie wanted to go to New Zealand for her 26th birthday. But her sky diving celebration plans were shelved as she decided to fly to China instead. Little did Ms. Independent know that she would meet a boy. Not just any boy but someone who understands and shares her passion for travel and philosophy of life. Read more here

  

• Love has no language

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  Amanda was walking down the crowded streets of Morocco when she felt someone next to her. She looked up, saw a man and as their eyes meet she inexplicably thought: "This is him, you’re going to marry this guy!". After overcoming some initial language barriers, she finally did. Read more here

  

• Home is where the heart is

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  Lillie traveled all around the world to Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Italy, Ghana, Spain, and Portugal. When she came back to Boston her friend threw her a welcome back party. This is how she met her now fiancee Colin. It was a slow start for these two but they are steadily growing and building their love through travel. Read more here

  

• A beer-y intresting story

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  Oneika met her boyfriend at an Oktoberfest celebration while in Hong Kong. It was there amidst the scent of beer and the sound of polka music that they started their international love affair. Read more here

  

Chichi of We are Sole Sisters

When asked if she had a sexy nickname she said: I think my nickname, Chichi, is tres sexy enough already! Although, one American guy commented that Cherry (my real name) is something out of a movie that most watch when all the people in the house are asleep. The kind that’s way past the MTRB rating.

Zodiac Sign
Virgo but I find that I’m 80% more Leo since my birthday straddles (no pun intended) the 2 signs.

Date Turn ons
He smells good, really good. Not the cloying stuff but more like the just-got-out-of-the-shower masculine smell that’s close to turning you into one of those Axe commercial girls.

A guy who knows and has mastered the art of conversation, who keeps me interested (movies, music, documentaries) and more importantly a guy who makes me laugh out loud. He definitely has to be well-traveled as tales of adventures in far far away land can keep me enthralled for hours.

Date Turn offs
Baggy jeans close to falling off, trucker caps, boat-like sneakers. Basically any guy who dresses like he’s still under 15.

More than the physical (which you can gradually change over the course of time by slight prodding and careful manipulation), the major turn-offs are those which you can’t see. Boring, one-liner dialogues or even worse Me! Me! Me! monologues. Rude, obnoxious guys who think women (and the whole world for that matter) were created for the sole purpose of their enjoyment. Close-minded, egotistic, racist pricks whose perception is based around the 40-km radius which they call the ‘world’.

Oh, and white socks. Most definite turn offs for any girl!

Sexiest body part
I recently completed an unofficial poll* to address this concern as it has been bugging me for ages. 100 men, aged 15-45 years, were asked to participate in this event. The unanimous answer would be: My legs.

*Said poll is a figment of my imagination but I still think that my legs are the sexiest part of my body.

Ideal Valentine’s Travel Date

It can be romantic or casual, lazy or adventurous, it doesn’t matter what we do or where it is. As long as it’s on an island surrounded with white, powdery sand and turquoise seas. I’m a beach baby, through and through.

So, why do you think you’re still single?
I am, with the help of someone wonderful, about to change that status. Prior to this, I think the main reason why I’ve been single for close to 2 years is because none of the guys I’ve met or dated have been physically, emotionally, financially ready to commit. Neither was I, for that matter.

When you meet the right person at the right time with the right frame of mind, it’s a beautiful thing. And only when that happens do you change your status from being single/it’s complicated to committed and in a relationship.

Lauren of Epic Potato aka Epic Potato (Doesn’t get any sexier than that.)

Zodiac Sign
I’d say I’m about a quarter of a Libra

Date Turn ons
Preferably if he shows up.

Date Turn offs
I hate it when im having a good time on a date with an amazing guy then suddenly I wake up and realize I was just dreaming.

Sexiest body part
My back, which is attached to my backpack and that’s where I keep all my sexy.

Ideal Valentine’s Travel Date

Well I’m not getting any younger. how’s about we drop the pleasantries and decide whether this date will be our wedding or your funeral.

So, why do you think you’re still single?
I was probably supposed to meet Mr. right, but then I went on an epic solo trip to Basilan instead.

Ron of Flip’n travels aka Rough Ridin’ Ron

Zodiac Sign

Libra… yes I almost always over analyze!

Date Turn-ons

Spontaneity. Sarcastic humor. Someone who will relate and understand my sense of adventure.

Date Turn-offs

Abs, because I don’t want to feel so insecure! LOL

Sexiest body part

That one part where the sun don’t shine— my BRAIN! (What were you thinking?)

Ideal Valentine’s Travel Date

Afternoon picnic on a top-loading jeep and then spend the night on a small boat lined with fluffy mattress.

So, why do you think you’re still single?

Twist of fate!

Monette of Flipntravels aka Monet

Zodiac Sign

Cancer, mainly because i smoke like a chimney.

Date Turn ons

Eye glasses. Hehe! Somehow it tells me the guy has a lot between his ears and he doesn’t hide the fact that he might be a nerd. I like wise guys, take note: not necessarily intelligent. I like good, interesting, and mind stimulating conversations.

Date Turn offs

When a guy says yes and agrees to everything I say, that’s not a good sign. I like someone who has their own opinion on things.

Ideal Valentine’s Travel Date

I am actually in one! We are in Mui Ne, Vietnam right now and staying by the beach, enjoying the sun, doing absolutely nothing. Perfect holiday!

So, why do you think you’re still single? (I thought she was single when I reached out to her. In any case she isn’t married so there you go)

I have been happily busy for almost two years…

Ed of Solo Flight Ed aka Edible Ed

 Zodiac Sign
Virgo

Date Turn-ons
Scent of her hair.

Date Turn-offs
No sense of humor.

Sexiest body part
My feet. I’ve big ones. haha.

Ideal Valentine’s Travel Date
Doing something extreme! Bungee jumping while holding on for dear life with your date. Wouldn’t sharing that exhilirating experience be awesome?

So, why do you think you’re still single?
I ask myself the same question.

Eileen of Possibly Pinay aka Dangerous Curves Ahead

Zodiac sign

Libra

Turn ons

• Should have a tendency to be spontaneous despite having long term goals (Dude, I’m a MOM now. I talk like this occasionally)
• Should have an allergic reaction to ROUTINE but doesn’t mind sinking into it occasionally
• Should be able to relate to situations or conversations in HIMYM and/or The Big Bang Theory
• Should be comfortable in a snooty $100 dinner setting AND running after a rickety fishball stand
• Being a Tolkien Fan gets plus points; Talks in fluent Elvish gets negative points though
• Adequately chatty, intelligently sarcastic, and undeniably fun

 Date Turn offs

• Has the emotional stability of a 12 year old entering puberty
• Has the emotional dependence on an infant
• Has unrated and unadulterated insecurity on practically all aspects of his life
• Has the tendency to talk about himself more than I talk about myself
•  In a fight, flight or submit situation with a girl, always ALWAYS ALWAYS succumbs to submitting

Sexiest body part

Smile. I seem to catch more flies that way.

Ideal Valentine’s Travel Date

I’m pretty flexible (teehee) but I think I’ll be gravitating towards a private beach resort or island. And with that, I can go with a 5-star dining experience complete with a private sommelier and a sax player in the background or living off on canned goods and cup noodles.

So, why do you think you’re still single?

The universe is busy conspiring other people’s Happily Ever Afters. I’ve done my biological duty to procreate so I’m on the standby list. I’m cool with that, I’ll get my time with cupid.

Robbie of Creative Dork aka Rockin’ Robbie

Zodiac Sign

Scorpio, the sexiest sign eveeerrrrrrrawr

Date Turn-ons

Spontaneity. Sense of humor is a huge plus.

Date Turn-offs

If the guy talks about a lot of negative stuff during the date. Insecurities.

Sexiest body part

My piercing eyes. Lol.

Ideal Valentine’s Travel Date

A full-day date. Like he’d take me on a food trip to Binondo in the morning, check out an art exhibit after then spend the afternoon in an artsy coffee shop, drive off somewhere secluded, then spend the night somewhere with an awesome view.

So, why do you think you’re still single?

I think I’m still single because I’m not really playing the game. I flirt a little but I’d stop before it gets to anything serious.

This is an entry to Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival themed Why You Should Date a Traveller. Click on the Blog Carnival Logo on the left to see more interesting posts regarding Why You Should Date a Traveller in the Philippines.

Lauren Gaile of Epic Potato hosts the Valentine month of February 2012′s Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival.

To see the archive of Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival click here.

1. What do you think are the top travel destinations for 2012?

2. What travel trends do you see becoming popular in 2012?

3. If you focus on a specific travel niche (ex. adventure, solo, family, budget, food, etc) what emerging trends (for that niche) do you see coming out in 2012?

Ron of FlipTravels

Travel is relative, I can only speak for myself and perhaps in behalf of other backpackers/flashpackers within my age bracket (18-45 yo. LOL), who choose to ignore 3d/2n offer in the Maldives because it will cost a total budget for a whole month in Nepal.

1. With the emergence of LCC and the steep incline in blog readership, people are becoming more and more adventurous and trying to start exploring a lesser known destinations. Travelers this year will veer away from the usual city destinations and places like Luang Prabang in Laos, Andalucia in Spain, Cartagena in Columbia and even the lesser popular safari like Uganda is expected to receive more tourists. The more exotic it sounds the better it would look on your Facebook wall or hourly tweets.

Of course, top beaten paths like London will be a hit because of the 2012 Summer Olympics and The Chichen Itza in Mexico because of the 2012 end of the world hullabaloo.

2. Only few lucky bas**** can afford luxury tours and not a lot of travel junkies can afford to go on a long term travel and give up their jobs. So a pseudo backpacking weekend trips is becoming more popular with the young professionals. The trend this year will be focusing in the mid segment of backpacker-luxury travel continuum.

3. I travel on a shoestring budget and I belong to the traveler/blogger niche. Most of us are also earning from our blogs on top of the pay slip that we get from our day jobs. That is why a lot of us can afford to resign or go for a year-long hiatus to be on the road and live an indie-nomadic online earning life. Earning on the road is becoming a very promising trend.

Ron is a Filipino medical & forensic investigator in Singapore and a self proclaimed artist, photo hobbyist (a guy with a camera), wanderlust and a backpacking enthusiast. An ordinary looking corporate creature with a neck tie used as disguise and he transforms into a traveler extraordinaire when he’s on vacation leave. He’s allergic to packages tours, iced caramel machiato is his power source and the camera is his weapon of choice.

He is half of the backpacking and storytelling duo of FLIPTRAVELS.COM

Lois of We Are Sole Sisters

1. Underrated destinations like Laos, Bolivia, Myanmar and Croatia.

2. Taking the path less traveled is becoming a trend. Backpacking is also getting more and more popular as people discover budget airlines and affordable accommodations like Roomorama.

3. Our focus is on female travel and we’ve noticed a lot of women are braving the world as solo travelers. This new breed of nomadic chicks are brazen, smart and very adaptable. Also, as more women are consumed by wanderlust, travel is getting ‘sexified’.

Sole Sisters is the story of 2 girls who quit their jobs to follow their passion for chic and cheap travel. They have just completed a 6 month backpacking trip around India and Southeast Asia covering 9 countries on a less than $2500 budget. They will conquer the Philippines from north to south in 21 days without flights this coming March 2012. 

Marky of Nomadic Experiences

1. The beaches would still be a popular destination this year. However, more and more travelers are starting to appreciate historical sites, temple ruins, old churches and the old pull of nature tripping will still continue. More travelers will explore off the beaten path waterfalls, mountains and immersion in local culture in small towns with occasional drunken binge in backpacking centers of the big cities. No dramatic change in terms of travel destinations, just more options and a wider possibilities for travelers this year.

2. Backpacking has made its presence felt globally in the last 10 years it will continue to be a trend this 2012. DIY (Do-it-Yourself) trips will continue to be popular to the chagrin of tour packages operators. What I would see as a new trend would be, more people will be bitten by the travel bug this year, expect many newcomers leaving their day jobs for the long weekend or even by weeks and months in order to do long term traveling. The inspiration to travel and see the world is everywhere, one just had to do it and in 2012 more people will hit the road.

3. In my case, I think I wanna do more “solo” traveling this year. But in hoping to meet new people along the road because as Chris McCandless says “Happiness is only real when shared” however, being a solo traveler, one can still share that happiness on the road by writing about it on their travel blog. Either way, solo + adventure and budget traveling will be my trend for 2012.

Marky Ramone Go is a the only non-serious person who sports his game face on everytime. He works in a corporate world but has abandoned climbing the corporate ladder in exchange for the pursuit of stepping into the road. Traveling balances his life and is currently planning to embark on a long term travel. While he prepares for it (meaning save up) you can buy him a bottle of beer when he is on the road at: http://www.nomadicexperiences.com/.

Kara of Travel Up

1. I think the top destinations will be places that are more difficult to reach, but have been gaining popularity in the past years and have become part of everyone’s bucket list of places to visit. This includes Batanes, Sagada, Coron & El Nido in Palawan.

2. a) Leisurely Travel – I think more people will be traveling slower and spending more time in a place instead of trying to cover as much ground or visit as many places as possible. b) Traveling with a specific purpose or goal (ex. travel to X provinces by public transport only or going on a food-trip across different towns, etc.) also seems to be gaining popularity.

3. I think people won’t be satisfied with just simply visiting a new place. They have to do something interesting there, or do something bigger, and better than what they did last year. I think this year will be about challenging oneself – overcoming fears and doing things you’ve always wanted to do.

Kara Santos is a journalist, travel writer and photographer who contributes to various print publications and in-flight magazines. She also maintains a personal blog at Travel Up.

James of Journeying James

1. In the Philippines: Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, Camiguin, Batanes, Banaue and Sagada.

2. Eco-tourism travel and volunteerism green travel.

3.  I think the adventure and budget niches will be tried by many travelers. Thinking about the the economic downturn in the US and Europe, travelers and would-be travelers would be minding every US$/ Euro they will be spending. Of course, travelers are becoming more adventurous these days.

JourneyingJames  travels on a shoestring. This year 2012, he is doing a 100-day backpacking around the Philippines- The Cheapest Way Possible. 

 1. What do you think are the top travel destinations for 2012?

2. What travel trends do you see becoming popular in 2012?

3. If you focus on a specific travel niche (ex. adventure, solo, family, budget, food, etc) what emerging trends (for that niche) do you see coming out in 2012?

Jeremy of Budget Travel Adventures

1. I think people will want something different.  So while cruises and backpacking and vacations will still happen, expect people to explore more countries that aren’t traditional tourist destinations.  For me, one of my favorite places is Slovenia so I think eastern Europe will continue to see more people.  Also, places like Turkey could be popular as well.

I think one factor that still is affecting many people is the economy.  So many places close to home may see an increase in tourists.  While I don’t like the term “staycation” I do believe many people will explore beaches, mountains, and towns near home.  For me, that has been a travel revelation – discovering places right where you live.  Personally, I hope that trend continues to grow.

2. Without a doubt, technology will continue to play a huge role in travel.  From travel apps for maps, downloadable guides, and more to audio and video tours right from people’s phones and computers, technology is a vital part of traveling these days.  One trend I would like to see increase this year is more free wifi in hotels and airports.  For many people, this is becoming one of the biggest draws when finding somewhere to stay or making that long layover a little more enjoyable.  You will also see this in restaurants and tourist attractions as well.

So more technology to keep people connected in their travels and free access to do so should continue to grow in 2012.

3. For budget travel or any other travel, I see an increase in people looking to blogs and other independent resources for travel information outside of the traditional guidebooks and media.  You look at things like tripadvisor where people seek opinions from real people who have gone to places.  There is some skepticism that companies are trying to influence those who post the reviews.  So rather than trusting well-intentioned sites like that, I think independent travelers and blogs will be an area that continues to grow for all types of travel.

In the budget travel area, I think there will be a continued push for deals.  People want to save money more than ever before and I think there is a market for it.  So discounts and travel deals could be huge.  With some uncertainty about the summer travel season right now, expect some good deals early in winter and spring before the planning for summer travel really peaks.

Jeremy Branham is a budget traveler who seeks unique adventures and engages people with his stories and ideas on travel.  He talks about destinations, travel deals, travel tips, and experiences and wants to help travel passionately, spend wisely, and experience more.  He also has a travel series called the College Football Travel Tour which travels the country bringing together the world of college football and the local culture of college towns and cities.  Follow him on his Budget Travel Adventures.

Flipnomad

1. Due to endless news about recession, poor economic performances and other related stuff, I think the “affordable countries” such as Southeast Asia, India and South America will remain to be the destination of choice. I think the Philippines will also become one of the “must see” destinations this 2012. A lot of articles have been written and a lot of pictures have been shared by various travel bloggers which I think will entice a lot of people to see our home country.

2. Budget Travelling and backpacking would probably be the norm this 2012. A lot of people now knows that they don’t have to wait for their retirement nor to save a million bucks to be able to travel for a few months outside their respective countries, thanks to the information shared by various travel bloggers. I used to think that travelling was really expensive until I tried backpacking and found out that it does not need to cost you that much.

3. I think career breaks will also be an emerging trend. A lot of people who are just thinking about quitting their careers will now do so and kick start their travel this 2012. They’ve seen a lot of helpful information from people who left their jobs and travelled last 2011.

I’m A Filipino long term backpacker currently on his 9th month roaming around mainland Southeast Asia. Check out my blog at www.flipnomad.com.

Julia of Turkey’s for Life

1. Thinking from a British perspective, we think Turkey and Eastern European countries will be the top travel destinations. Many Brits who usually travel abroad will also choose to travel within Britain because of the economic climate.

2. Again from a British perspective, we think there will be more independent travel. Britain is famous for its package holiday companies but a lot of these haven’t survived the recession. Maybe more niche tour companies offering adventure breaks and the like will become more popular.

3. We focus on Turkey and tourism to the country is growing all the time. 2012 will see more visitors, especially from the UK. We think that while the coastal resorts will remain popular, more travellers will head inland to increasingly well-known places like Cappadocia. We think activity breaks will also become more popular. Turkey has many long-distance trekking routes that people are starting to take notice of and there are more companies offering guided treks along these routes. These are becoming more popular with Turks as well as foreign visitors. We’re also predicting an increase in domestic tourism for Turkey as Seker Bayram (Eid ul-Fitr) and Kurban Bayram (Eid al-Adha) are in the summer months this year. Many Turkish families will take a holiday then.

Barry and Julia arrived in Turkey from the UK 8 years ago with the aim of travelling around the country for 6 months. Within one month, they had moved into a house and still live there now. They write the blog http://www.turkeysforlife.com/

Dave of Dave’s Travel Corner

1. Top domestic travel destinations historically include big name locations that are popular for long weekend getaways. These destinations will continue to see more visitors especially as the economy continues to improve. Places like Hawaii, Las Vegas – where you can find extremely reasonably priced rooms because of the casino industry – especially during the weekdays – New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco are going to be busy in 2012.

There are other lesser known destinations that are a good value – the Gulf Coast specifically parts of Florida and Alabama have bounced back nicely since the BP Oil Spill and 2012 should be a good year for this region. Pittsburgh, PA has a surprising amount of world class museums and the Napa Valley in northern California for wine tasting (Napa has a reputation for being crowded but its very easy to get off the beaten path and explore some of the lesser known 900 wineries/producers). These are  just a few domestic destinations that quickly come to mind.

Internationally I think Europe is starting to appeal to travelers more because of the ongoing improvement in the exchange rate  between the dollar and the euro. Eastern and South Eastern Europe definitely deliver value for the dollar – especially some of the Balkan states including Serbia and Montenegro. Slightly closer to home is Puerto Rico – with big investments in tourism, not to mention outdoor and historical attractions – this island is primed for tourism in 2012. Pluses for domestic travelers are no passport needed, no immigration or money exchange.

2. I think people are starting to spend more on vacations and venture a bit further out compared to vacations taken during the past several years when the economy was down. As always people are looking for a good value, opinions from travelers who have already “been there” and destinations that can deliver relaxation as well as a variety of activities. Social networking will continue to play a role in people’s travel decisions – first hand knowledge and opinions are often the most valuable. As a result, interest in online travel communities where the focus is on networking and sharing of information – will continue to increase.

3. More domestic travelers will be visiting Europe this summer as long as the exchange rate remains favorable. Old World wine destinations will see additional visitors as a result – especially Burgundy and Bordeaux. Lesser known European wine regions producing stellar wine are the Mosel in Germany (partly borders Luxembourg) and Tokaj in Hungary. Wine is produced in all 50 states but I think wine enthusiasts will continue to flock to prominent wine regions such as Napa and Sonoma. The trend has been to visit larger more well-known wineries but I think people will also make time to visit smaller lesser known wineries which often can deliver a more personalized experience.

Dave is an International travel writer who founded Dave’s Travel Corner in 1996. He runs a website promoting currently undefeated WBA World Super Middleweight champion, Andre Ward and is a partner in MyVideoVisa.com – a personal travel video sharing site.

His latest endeavor is The Napa Wine Project  which has taken more than 5 years to date and is expected to be an initial 8-10 year project that involves wine tasting at all Napa Valley commercial wine producers. He has personally visited, tasted & reviewed 650+ commercial Napa wine producers to date. His first book titled ‘The Freeways of Los Angeles’ was published in 2010.

Ted of Traveling Ted

1. I am sure it will be the same old same old: Thailand, India, Jordan, Egypt, Australia etc. . .

2. I see an increase in adventure activities. Travelers are wanting to be more active on vacation these days. More kayaking, hiking, wildlife viewing, and scuba diving.

3. Not only are travel bloggers wanting more adventure, but I also think the same is true of the average traveler. I would like to think it is partly due to the influence of adventure travel blogs.

Traveling Ted has been adventure traveling since he was ten years old. He has hiked, canoed, and skied through the Midwest, the United States, and the world. His favorite places include Quetico Provincial Park in Canada, Everglades National park in Florida, and Khao Yai National Park in Thailand. http://travelingted.tv

Come join the fun and make your own at http://www.morefunmaker.com/

I must say that I have not traveled as much as I want to in 2011 as I spent most of my time focusing on a new job in a new city. It has, however, given me time to sit down and finally create this travel blog back in March 2011. It’s been an enriching experience which has also allowed me to meet a wonderful community of travelers and bloggers who share the same passion.

So cheers to 2011 you’ve been good to us. But now 2012 is here so we gotta keep on moving!

Best Travel Destination 2011

The Big Easy was my best travel destination in 2011. I didn’t know what to expect during my first trip to New Orleans which happened to be on a weekend where they were predicting a tropical storm as epic as Hurricane Katrina. It turned out to be a dud. But the trip turned out to be awesome! You can catch a glimpse of the sights, sound and spirits of New Orleans on this post I wrote. Also, I got to meet one of my favorite travel bloggers Glen Abbott of The Travelin’ Gringo and his wife since they now live the sweet life in NOLA.

Best Travel Experience 2011

Going back home is always a great travel experience. In May, I had the opportunity to not only spend time with my family but I was also able to visit my parents’ hometown province of Nueva Ecija after a decade of being away. This was a place I used to spend my summers as a child which made it really special. I had a blast watching carabaos race (you gotta see the video on this link…totally rad action shot of the race) and loading up my plate with delicious fiesta fare.

Best International Destination 2011

El Nido, Palawan which is in the Philippines. It was the only international destination I could go to in 2011 so I made every bit of it count by visiting some destinations that I haven’t been to. Palawan is home to some of the best dive spots and white sand beaches in the world. It’s a rustic paradise with little secluded islands where you can set up camp and experience life as a castaway.  I’ll write more about the trip soon.

Worst Travel Experience 2011

I would have to say waiting next to the mound of trash outside the US Embassy in Manila had to be the worst travel experience in 2011. That’s a photo of me looking miserable beside it as I wait for my visa appointment. The mound of trash was washed onto the boardwalk in Manila Bay due to a storm so it was yet to be cleaned up when I got there. I’ve been to Manila Bay before and I know that it usually doesn’t look like this but the part I didn’t understand is why the US Embassy, with all it’s resources, could not provide a proper waiting area outside of its building that was away from this mess.

Now to be fair to the US Embassy, they have a really nice waiting area inside their building. But you can only go inside during the time of your appointment (after which you get a number and wait some more before you get to meet with a staff). Since they require you to come an hour before the time of your appointment, I thought it would only be courteous to provide even a makeshift waiting area outside the Embassy (how expensive is it to buy tarp and build some wooden benches?). Another alternative is to just let people in especially if there is space inside their official waiting area.

I was sorely disappointed to see that everyone had to wait on a narrow sidewalk where there wasn’t any place to sit or protect you from the elements (note the Philippines has a very hot and humid weather plus during rainy season it really pours). There were also a lot of armed guards that would shoo you away from the gates so you really had to go and wait a good couple of yards from the building. I was in a bad mood by the time I got inside. I kept thinking that they would never try to pull something like this in America. Plus, it’s not like we all just dropped by to see if we could walk-in. All of us waiting outside had scheduled appointments and paid the $140 fee (this is equivalent to $6,000 pesos of hard earned cash for most Filipinos) so I think we deserve to be treated better.

Ok, enough ranting because this post is about the best of 2011. But in case anyone from the US Embassy is reading this or anyone who knows someone from the US Embassy in Manila…I hope they do something about this situation!

Most Embarrassing Travel Moment 2011

I think the story above would also be my most embarrassing moment since I was made to wait next to a mound of trash and witness other people suffer the same situation. I actually saw a couple of old folks standing and waiting under the sun- not cool.

Best Local Destination 2011

I have to say Austin, Texas. The city has a hometown charm to it but is still pretty hip. Labelled as the live music capital of the world, there are 1900 live bands living and performing around the city. In fact, there was a blues band performing at the coffee shop where I bought my tea on a Sunday morning. Aside from music, Austin has a lot to offer when it comes to food and active travel. It’s a perfect weekend getaway so watch out for a weekend itinerary I’m publishing soon just for you guys.

Best Travel Lesson from 2011

I may have not spent a lot of time on the road but I spend most of 2011 following the 5 life lessons I learned from climbing Mount Fuji. As a result, I’ve started a wonderful journey with this travel blog and I’ve met a lot of fabulous people along the way. I even got a nod from the Philippine Blog Awards for my post about Filipino Names.

It’s truly amazing what you can accomplish when you start doing what you are passionate about. That’s why for 2012 expect more stories and more adventures from POTM. Happy New Year!

If you are looking for something a bit more than a paradise island with gorgeous beaches and year round sunshine, do a bit of research into the Canary Islands. You will probably have heard of the big, popular resorts in Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria. But what about the other four, less well known but just as stunning islands that sit of the west coast of Africa who find it hard to come out of their bigger, more commercially aware neighbours shadow? What do they have to offer?

Well the answer is lots, and you could even find one of the many unspoilt spots of natural beauty which made the Canaries famous before mass tourism took over and cheap holidays to tenerife even became common place.

La Gomera

You may not think of mountains when the Canary Islands are mentioned, but on the small island of La Gomera you’ll be taken aback by the rugged cliff tops and jagged coastline which define it. In the centre of La Gomera sits a UNESCO World Heritage site, a national park called Alto de Garajonay which is in places nearly 1500 metres above sea level. You could quite easily spend a few hours exploring the park and taking in the breathtaking views that are available from most points on La Gomera. Although there are no international flights straight to the island, you can hop on a plane from Tenerife or, for a more relaxing experience, take one of the regular ferries.

El Hierro

El Hierro is the least travelled to of the Canary Islands, which is either a blessing or a hindrance depending on how you view such things. The beaches here are free from the crowds and as a result are totally unspoilt and pollution free. In fact, you will not be able to experience a more tranquil experience than at Tamaduste or Monacal, as here are natural swimming pools which you can splash around in and let all of your troubles pass away. It is also worth visiting El Golfo where the best views on the island are possible.

La Palma

The word ‘quaint’ is often overused these days, but there is no better word to describe the small – but big in character – island of La Palma. Unlike its bigger neighbours there are not miles upon miles of sandy beaches packed full of visitors. Instead expect to see postcard-like scenes a million miles away from the tower block style resorts found elsewhere. This island really has managed to escape from the downsides of mass tourism and long may it continue. The National Park of La Caldera de Turburiente is a crater formed by the erosion of a volcano many years ago and has a depth of around 700 meters. When you visit and you’ll be surprised at the dense forest which covers the park from one side to the other.

Of course there is nothing wrong with traditional packaged lanzarote holidays. In fact, why not book one and then spend a few days exploring one of these smaller islands?

This is a guest post written by Ricky Durrance for Beat the Brochure.

I’ve  been reminiscing about memories of Christmas past and I realize how I miss having a proper Christmas celebration. You know, the kind where you have the whole clan on Christmas Eve, dressed up in red or green getting ready for grandma’s big, sumptuous dinner. The house decked out with the latest Yuletide décor complete with tiny, golden lights. The kids would be near the tree preoccupied with trying to guess the contents of carefully wrapped presents while the adults are busy cooking or catching up on gossip. In the background, you can hear Johnny Mathis or Bing Crosby sing a classic carol.

Ah, those were the days! Didn’t it seem so much more magical when we were kids and we didn’t have to worry about the expense associated with this holiday?

In more recent years, I have used Christmas as an excuse to travel. It’s a slow time and it’s the end of the year, so it makes sense to use those vacation days. I have had as much fun and “magic” celebrating Christmas in a non-traditional manner. So for this post, I’m sharing my top three favorite Christmas memories.

Memory#1 The one with the ants

I was thirteen and I think I was the only girl in my class that still believed in Santa. I’ve managed to block the speculations and the hearsay because that year I decided to ask for the impossible. A cat. I know it doesn’t sound like a big deal but my family, especially my mom, is strictly a dog family. For some reason, I got it in my head that having a cute fluffy Persian cat was THE thing to have. I decided to craft a very long letter complete with a photocopied picture of the cat that I wanted. I made a solid case as to why I should get a kitty this year and how I was going to be so responsible with taking care of it. As I stuffed pages of my letter into my sock I caught a glimpse of a pack of Chips Ahoy cookies and had a light-bulb moment. I grabbed a piece of cookie and added it into the sock thinking that it would be a nice finishing touch. Lo and behold I woke up to my mom the next morning shrieking: “Oh my god, what iiiissss thisssssss?” I ran out to where the tree was and an army of red ants were making trails all over it. It didn’t take long for her to figure out who the culprit was. Hehehe. So for my last Christmas I think I got a wad of cash in an envelope and a revelation about the identity of Santa (boo!). Well, it was good while it lasted.

Memory#2 The one with the chicken curry

The past couple of weeks, I have been busy preparing a Christmas Eve menu. Somehow I felt that one of the things that one should accomplish in their 30s is a full-course holiday meal. I don’t know how I could have forgotten, but I have already managed to cook a full meal in the past. A long time ago before I left the Philippines, I took a month off from work and lived on the island of Boracay. There I met a lot of new friends from all over the world. Flash forward to two years later, I was living in Michigan and decided to spend Christmas in the Big Apple. By coincidence, some of my new friends had decided to do the same thing and we had agreed to get together for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. So we did and since I was still very much fresh off the boat I didn’t know how to cook turkey or ham. I went for chicken curry and flavored rice. I forget what the appetizer and dessert were, but I think I might have successfully pulled the dinner off because everybody ate what I served. Either that or I successfully served the liquor ahead of the meal =) Regardless, it was great to see everybody again and to share memories of our past and most recent adventures.

Memory#3 The one with the surf trip

After almost three years of being away from home, I made my way back to the Philippines in time for Christmas. By then, I was dreaming of white, sandy beaches and warm, ocean water, so I managed to book a short surf trip to the island of Siargao the day after Christmas. Now before I launch into the surf trip story, I just want to emphasize that the best part of this particular Christmas was being able to spend time with my family and friends. I never had a proper going away party so I was not prepared when I went to live in the U.S. It was also the last year I saw my grandmother alive. So I was very, very lucky to have spent some time with her before she passed away. Gosh, now that I’ve written that down the surf story seems to pale in comparison to that specific memory. What I am going to do though is to link you to that photo set of my trip here. I went solo because everybody else I invited was busy or had no interest to surf. Solo as in alone!!??, you say? A lot of people especially women travel solo and it’s really something I recommend you ladies do even once in your life. Not only do you meet a lot of new people, but it makes you realize a lot of things about yourself and life in general.

So those are my top three Christmas memories and I am currently making one more…what’s the best one that you’ve got? Come on now…spill.

It’s the season for giving and what better way to delight the seasoned traveler in your family or group of friends than by surprising them with gifts they can use while on the road. I’ve picked 6 cool and unique items you can purchase online at a great value. Plus, most of these sites offer expedited shipping so for last minute shoppers this is a great list to keep on hand.

A. Hints to Lady Travellers: At Home and Abroad  Combines archive material from a book of the same name first published in 1889 with anecdotes from well-known modern female travelers to offer a fascinating insight into the way that travel has changed for women over the last century. Quirky, engaging, and informative, it will appeal both to travelers themselves and to anyone interested in the history of travel and exploration. $8.76 at Amazon with Free Super Shipping

B. The Mobile Foodie Survival Kit For foodies, nothing is scarier than being in a strange place where you’re subject to sub-par food. The horror! With this handy Mobile Foodie Survival Kit, you can doctor up even the most repulsive meal. Stocked with organic herbs and spices, plus indispensable extras like wasabi. Kit includes: Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Cayenne, Onion, Basil, Conventional Wasabi, Cinnamon, Oregano, Garlic, Thyme, Curry, Ginger, Dill. $26.00 at Uncommon Goods

C. Personalized Travel Map Remember all those fabulous trips you took over the years? Now you can capture your vacations on this modern, classy world map print and make it a keepsake you can hang in your room. The Etsy shop owner can add a dot to all the cities you visited, add the flight path from your city of residence and also write the name of the city and year in the bar below. $36.00 at TexturedINK

D. Solar Gadget Charger Power up wherever you go. Capable of charging or powering almost any device with a USB port, this compact gunmetal grey wonder from Better Energy Systems is lightweight and portable. Place the Solio in sunlight, spread its wings, and once the internal battery charges you can power or charge a variety of devices. Also charges through your computer’s USB port. $99.95 at RedEnvelope

E. Grid-it Wrap for the iPad This wrap features the most intelligent organization tool ever, along with a neoprene sleeve that snugly holds your tablet and accessories in place. It even stretches to accommodate those bulkier items such as power adapters. $29.99 at Cocoon

F. Cashmere Hot Water Bottle Whisper-light and wonderfully cozy, the bottle’s insulating turtleneck “sweater” is loomed from the finest premium cashmere yarns. It’s a luxe gift that is sure to soothe any aching muscle. Reduced price of $29.99 from Restoration Hardware

I’m curious, what’s going to be on your list?