Vlieland harbour by Michael Burm

A while back, I asked people for their answers to three questions, including a ‘short’ explanation for each one. I received what I asked for and more. So, without further ado, enjoy the read (and links)!

The questions:
1. Best Travel Website
2. Best Photography Website
3. Best Travel Blog

Jason Baransky

Locationless Living and Flashpacker Guy

1. I’m a big believer in the Wiki style information websites as the best means to collect information and make sure the highest quality content rises to the top. That’s why Wikitravel.org is my favorite travel website. You just can’t match it for breadth of travel experiences and advice. No one company could ever generate that amount of content and update it regularly enough to match it.

2. My favorite photography website is flickr.com, for the same crowd source loving reasons. With digital technology, everyone can take pictures, and a lot of them can take great pictures. There’s no easier way to find them than flickr.com

3. As far as I’m concerned, http://www.gobackpacking.com/Blog/ is the gold standard for travel blogs. Not only has Dave developed some of the industry standard practices, he has spent time teaching others his methods.

Jamie Sinz

Jamie Sinz

1) Best travel website: Wayfare Magazine that just launched and looks to be amazing!!!

2) Best Photography: The World Effect and Nik Daum. *Disclaimer: Nik is my husband, but I do believe that his photography captures the places in this world from a unique perspective that often is not very pretty, but he makes it beautiful.

3) Best Travel Blog: Double Takes and Pret a Voyager.

Jodi Ettenberg

Legal Nomads

1) Best travel website? The travel websites I enjoy are the ones that teach me about a place, more than on a surface level. For that reason, I turn to Smithsonian Mag’s Food and Think site to learn about history and anthropology of food, and Outside Magazine’s “Outside Classics” series from around the world. Guernica Mag also has interesting pieces, fiction and otherwise, from far-flung places.

2) Best photography website? The Atlantic’s In Focus blog, curated by Alan Taylor. Regardless of what is going on in the world, from uprisings to dog sled races to macro photos of insects, Alan Taylor consistently sifts through the web to post the best of photography, several times a week. While not a travel blog per se, I am consistently transported by the imagery and Alan manages to tell a story just by virtue of how he strings his photoessays together. A great source for wanderlust, news updates and talented photography.

3) Best travel blog site? I always enjoy WorldHum’s posts and for longer form narrative I turn to Iain & Claire at Old World Wandering, who really try to get under the skin of the places they visit. From a more raw and emotional perspective, I love Roxanne’s Stories of Conflict and Love – gorgeous writing.

Julie Falconer

A Lady In London

1) I think that www.lonelyplanet.com is one of the best travel websites around. It is a great resource for all kinds of travelers, and the forums are the perfect place to ask questions about upcoming trips. The people that run the site are really knowledgeable about travel, as are the contributors to the forums.

2) One of my favorite photography websites is http://westonhallphotography.com/. I met Weston in the Atacama Desert in Chile when I was there to write about the location and he was there to photograph it for a TV show in the U.S. His travel photography is really inspired, and since we met I have enjoyed following his adventures around the world through his photos.

3) One of the best travel blogs I have come across is http://www.expat-blog.com. It is both informative and has great travel and expat blogs on it, and it covers destinations all over the globe. I use it for both practical ideas for travel as well as inspiration for places to go.

Debbie Dubrow

Delicious Baby

Can I answer just one? (Sure!)

My favorite travel blog right now (besides my own) is The Everywhereist. I just love Geraldine’s humorous world view – and the chummy style of her writing. I’ve met Geraldine in person only once, but in my mind she’s the friend I wish I’d been traveling with when I was in my 20′s and child free.

Shannon O’Donnell

A Little Adrift

1) Best travel website?
The folks at BootsnAll created a dense and packed site full of travel advice and stories; I used the site four years ago to plan my RTW trip and loved the small, passionate community. And, even though BootsnAll has grown a lot in the past four years, I love that it still feels like a close-knit community in the indie travel forums and you can see the founders’ hands in every aspect of the site.

2) Best photography website?
I have to with a dual mention here for my favorite indie photograpy site and a major publication. Daniel’s indie travel photography at Canvas of Light consistently produces wonderful images; his photos transport directly into his travels and he even posts little descriptions so you get a sense of story, time, and place with each image.

And on the flip side, I am addicted to the huge, themed photo essays from In Focus, on The Atlantic. Posted several times a week, these photoessays collect a range of images that show the shape and contrasts of current events. I dare you not to smile with wanderlust at the colorful Holi celebrations in India earlier this month!

3) Best travel blog site?
Dan and Audrey’s travel stories and photography on Uncornered Market are unique in the travel blogging community because they are long-term travelers with a deep cultural understanding and a desire to get under the skin of the towns and cities they visit. Their weekly panoramas of markets, temples, and city streets from all over the world are also wonderful!

Dave and Deb

The Planet D

1. Best Travel website – http://www.expedia.com/
2. best photography website – http://www.canvas-of-light.com/
3. Best Travel Blog – http://www.ottsworld.com/

Debby Lee Jagerman

Debby’s Departures

1) Best travel website?

My travel library consists of an abundance of Lonely Planet guide books. They are full of information about my destinations, and they are easy to read and understand. Their website, LonelyPlanet.com, is no different, and takes the guide books even further. They provide world-wide destination information, and a forum where travelers can “exchange travel information, advice, hints and tips.” One can purchase Lonely Planet country, multi-country, and city guidebooks, as well as other books on this website. One can also reserve hotel, hostel, and other accommodations, as well as flights and other transportation. Travel gear, travel deals, travel insurance, tours, and help with other travel-related needs are all located on the best travel website, LonelyPlanet.com.

3) Best travel blog site?

With over 20 female bloggers writing a wide variety of travel and travel-related topics, WanderlustandLipstick.com is “Your Destination for Women’s Travel.” Inspiring both solo travels and travel with others, and for women of all ages, blog topics include personal travel adventure stories; experiences while living abroad; words of wisdom, travel tips and information; gear, clothing, and shoe reviews; food from around the world, recipes, and reviews; photography; sustainable and eco-friendly travel; music, and much more. This website also goes beyond blogging, for there is a guidebook series, and an offshoot, WanderTours.com, which provides group (including co-ed) and custom trips. It is the unique group of female bloggers, though, that make WanderlustandLipstick.com the best travel blog site.

Rosalind Cummings-Yeates

Farsighted Fly Girl

1. www.kayak.com is my favorite travel website, hands down. Not only does it compare sites for the best airline ticket prices in an organized, clear fashion but the “explore” and “trends “options have allowed me to find bargains when I didn’t have a specific destination in mind.

2.www.peterwestcarey.com is a great photography site because besides vibrant and amazing pix, Peter also supplies photography tips. And he shot my twitter profile photo.

3.www.chasingtheunexpected.com ranks as one of the best travel blog sites because the blogger Angela provides insightful glimpses into history and culture as well as intriguing pix. I always learn something new on the site.

Matthew Long

LandLopers

1) Best travel website? This is a challenging question and at the risk of making everyone angry, I’m actually going to give one answer – Lonely Planet. I didn’t choose this just because I”m one of their featured bloggers, but because I really think it’s an interesting and dynamic website. Not only can you get a lot of practical, guide book style information, but the Thorn Tree travel forums can be great resources for travelers of all experience levels. I also enjoy visiting National Geographic Intelligent Travel Blog, Gadling and Frommers just to name a few.

2) Best photography website? Daniel Nahabedian, a freelance travel photographer who specializes in amazing photography that really capture the soul of the destination. It’s hard to explain why I like his photography so much, so you’ll just have to check it out for yourself.

3) Best travel blog site? Let me just preface this answer by saying the question is almost impossible to answer. There are so many niches and subgroups that to pick one overall blog that I like the most isn’t really fair to the others I enjoy. Having said that, one site came to mind
immediately, UnBrave Girl. Sally gave up everything to travel the world a
few years ago and ended up making several places in Asia her new home. She’s currently teaching in China and while her blog is interesting, what shines through in every post is her sharp and totally unique sense of humor. Reading her posts, you feel like you know (and really like) Sally almost immediately. UnBrave Girl is a must-read site in my opinion.

Dave

The Longest Way Home

1) Best travel website?
Not a hard one to answer. LonelyPlanet.com. If they didn’t have the Thorn Tree then it probably wouldn’t make the top 3 and a site like travellerspoint.com or for south east Asia Travelfish.org with active forums would take the top spot. Wikitravel has most of the basic information one needs. It is up to date details that are valuable to me these days.

2) Best photography website?
ChaseJarvis.com I’ve really enjoyed his live sessions. Sometimes starting at 2am depending on the location. But they are great fun, informative and provide some great feedback. After that I stick mainly to photography review sites.

3) Best travel blog site?
Odyssyxxi.com (when it’s up and running) Karl Bushby’s blog about walking around the world. Generally speaking my travel blog reading has diminished a great deal since the birth of make “money from your travel blog” phase. But I do keep a list of my own personal favorite travel blogs at the top of my travel blog directory including Grrrltraveler.com and DigiDrift.com two of the most up front interesting travel blogs out there right now.

Lastly I think your own TravelBlogs.com deserves a shout out here too as I can’t think of another website with such a collection of travel blogs all under one roof!

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2012. | Speaking Out! – Favorite Sites | One comment |
Post categories: Round-Up
Post tags: Best Websites, Personal Opinions

The thumb. A very useful part of the anatomy, especially when you decide to head out into the world, hitchhike and use other modes of transportation. For Jo Magpie, it (both actually) have served her well in her travels – always heading east. She’s once again on the move. Yup, east.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2012. | A Girl and Her Thumb | 7 comments |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: couples, cycling, Europe, female travellers, overland travel, solo travel

Naomi, David and their two sons are ‘on a slow roam around the world’. Though both successful, David didn’t want his children to view him as the dad who was always working. So, with the business and house sold, possessions relocated – the four set off to explore. Their style of travel allows them to live/work in comfort while spending quality time with Lucas and Easy (Ezekiel).

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2012. | Home and Away | 8 comments |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Asia, cultural experiences, family travel, homeschool, living abroad, parenting, travel with kids, unschooling

In 2008, the Annison family moved from the UK to New Zealand and bought a boat. In 2010, they upgraded to a camper van to explore the country. Though the cats stay home to help the elder son with the yard work and house, the remainder of the family (including the dogs) traverse the open roads of Kiwidom, searching for hidden treasures.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2012. | Kiwi Blog Bus | One comment |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: campervans, expat life, family travel, living abroad, New Zealand, road trip, travel writer

As with most ‘wanderers’, Sam Kynman-Cole has traversed certain parts of the world. From Asia to Europe, the US, Canada and a few others, he’s been playing Squash. No. Really. He likes playing Squash. He also likes driving across country and doing road trips. No matter where he goes, it definitely is his ‘playground’!

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2012. | Sam’s Playground | 2 comments |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Asia, Canada, couples, Europe, overland travel, photography, road trip, United States

Indie (the dingo-looking dog) invited Jenny Hoobler and Ryan Kilpatrick to South Africa when Jenny won a Fullbright Award to conduct research at the University of Pretoria. Hey, who can refuse a dingo-looking dog named Indie?! Certainly, not me! Check out their explorations of life in the Rainbow Nation.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2012. | AfricAnnum | No comment |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Africa, couples, cultural experiences, education, living abroad, photography

Kristine Arndt lives the ‘Beat Generation’ life style (think Jack Kerouac and Albert Camus) and is loving every minute of it. From singing for the President of Kazakhstan to herding cattle in Guyana, she has not let adventure pass her by in any way.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2012. | The Absurd Traveler’s Guide | No comment |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: cultural experiences, female travellers, long-term travel, Round the world, solo travel, travel writing, working on the road

Turning 40, it seemed the right time for Julie and Jason to rent out the house, break from their jobs, buy a motor home and obtain Charlie’s pet passport. What was to be a one year tour of Europe has them thinking they may remain on the road awhile longer. Charlie (their terrier) seems all for the extension too. Can’t argue with a dog…

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2012. | Our Tour | 3 comments |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: budget travel, couples, Europe, living on the road, motorhome travel, overland travel, road trip

Frustrated with guidebooks and website information, while in Ankara (Turkey), Mike decided to started his own informational site. It is filled with personal stuff, as a traveler and tourist, that will aid others in finding those little gems we’d probably miss on this big blue orb we call home. His posts are realistic portrayals of his adventures.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2012. | The Cheap Route | One comment |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: cultural experiences, living on the road, long-term travel, Perpetual Travel, photography, Round the world, solo travel, working on the road

HELP PASSPORTS WITH PURPOSE BUILD TWO LIBRARIES!

If you are reading this article, that’s wonderful! It means two things to me: 1) you were given the opportunity to learn such a skill, and 2) you have had some type of access to real hand-held books at certain points in life. Though I spend a great portion of my time reading, much of it is now from online sources. I sigh as I pass the collection of bound printed paper calling out for attention. Most display bookmarks somewhere within their depths. All are begging me to pick up them up where I’d left off. I sigh again as I tell them ‘hopefully tomorrow’…

Libraries are one of my favorite places to visit. We own so many books we converted an old storage space into a library adorned with a rocking chair and reading lamp. Though it hasn’t seen much visitation time of late, the contents held within its walls are some of my most cherished possessions. You won’t find a single room in this house that does not contain ‘real’ books somewhere.

“We envision a world in which all children can pursue a quality education, reach their full potential and contribute to their community and the world.”

When the news of Passports With Purpose and their 2011 project was released, elation! Libraries! The PwP goal for this project is raising $80,000USD to build two libraries in Zambia. They are working with the Room to Read organization which brings the written word to communities around the world and focuses largely on children. As they state on their website, “We envision a world in which all children can pursue a quality education, reach their full potential and contribute to their community and the world.”

Photo Courtesy of Room to Read

Recently, TravelBlogs conducted a Q & A session with the PwP founders. The most relevant question and answer:

Pam (Mandel), I have read your blog post about ’short-changing yourself on reading material’ during a recent trip. Like your self, my husband and I grew up with books and our house is overflowing with them. (I pity the person who will have to dispense of our library when we’re viewing the world from the dirt side up.) But, you also comment on downloading several books to your phone. With today’s technology, why choose building libraries rather than computer centers when so many books are available as downloads/online?

I don’t know how you can measure the potential damage to delaying a child’s education because the infrastructure is down, and I’d just rather not.

Pam’s reply: This year I traveled in Tanzania, we had water sometimes, power sometimes… I wish I had a picture of that young man at the Internet café when he told me, with a blinding smile (really, he was just so amused) “Maybe Monday! Maybe we’ll have Internet on Monday!” And I was in a campground where the manager said to me, exasperated, “No Internet in ALL of Tanzania!” I could wait. It was no big deal to me to let it slide for a week or two, I just wanted to check my email. But we’re talking about teaching kids to read. I don’t know how you can measure the potential damage to delaying a child’s education because the infrastructure is down, and I’d just rather not.

Enough said.

Bloggers: Procure a prize and it will be placed in a random drawing. (No donation to Room to Read required.) Host bloggers and prize winners will be notified on December 23, 2011.

Donors to Room to Read: Check out the Passports with Purpose Donation page. Make your bids!

TravelBlogs Prize

A 100 Euro voucher usable through the Budget Accommodation area of Travellerspoint.com.

Guidelines and Restrictions:
*The recipient must be a PwP participating blogger.
*The voucher is non-transferable without the consent of Travllerspoint.com (Administrators).
*The voucher will expire December 23, 2012.
*An expiration date extension may be available for extenuating circumstances and the request for such an extension is received by the Travellerspoint.com Administrators prior to December 23, 2012.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | Cover to Cover: Passports with Purpose 2011 | 5 comments |
Post categories: Site news
Post tags: activism, Books, Charity, Chldren, fund-raising, good stuff, Libraries, Zambia