On the Dot Writing

Good travel blogs depend on great writing. For a travel blog to shine, it should be spark interest, be catchy and most of all generate excitement. It should create, establish and build interest towards the destination in question. To adequately do so is the aim and purpose of writing a travel blog.

(images taken by Maeren Sarmiento, DLSL Multimedia student)

Gathering materials for the blog

A good travel blog necessitates a traveling blogger. Unfortunately, frequent traveling requires lots of resources. It will therefore help if the nature of the blogger’s profession involves lots of travel. Nevetheless, travel blog writing is still possible using research. This may take a little credibility away from the blog, since there is no first-hand experience with the destination. It still has immense value, though. All in all, travel blog writing is best done using both actual travel and research. Research can be very useful if the blogger is conscientious enough to choose the right facts as well as stay cautious regarding unverified and obsolete information and data.

Choosing the destinations

A travel blog can either focus on a specific area or country or tackle different places at random. The former is preferable as it places the travel blog within a certain specified niche; however, experiences with places outside of that niche can also add spice and interest to the blog. After all, it is such a waste to travel to another place not within one’s niche and not write about it.

Essential information

It is also good to include essential information such as: transportation expenses; directions to the place; what bus or vehicle to ride in and where their terminals are; the best time to travel; travel time and number of days one should allot for it; arrangements necessary for accommodation and food, as well as how much they cost; things to look out for; and possible dangers and hazards involved in the trip and how to avoid them.

Interesting features on the side

One may also write about the side trips that may interest travelers along the way. These side trips may include good restaurants; other tourist spots; nature scenes; historical places of interest; theme parks and other entertainment venues; and other places and activities well worth visiting or doing. One may also include information regarding additional expenses and time the traveler can incur in indulging in these side trips, so that the traveler can decide whether they are important enough to be given attention to.

Background information

Writing a travel blog can be much more interesting if there is also information about the history and background as well as the peculiar and unique characteristics of the destination in question. Many places have historical value, and important and historical personalities may have also lived in those places.

Glorious food

Travel would never be complete without indulging in the travel destination’s home-grown cuisine. Many times, culinary offerings are also unique to the place, making them that much more interesting. Never forget to take note of the gustatory delights one can find there and write about them.

And finally, the main attraction

The meat of the travel blog writing is the wonders of the actual destination itself. Make sure to highlight the most popular features of the place. For the well-trodded destinations which have been written about too often, try to write about them from a different angle and a unique perspective, something which has not been tackled before.

Also try to write about the less well-known but equally interesting features of the place, those which will give impetus to travelers who have visited it before to come back again. This will make it more engaging and interesting.

Reaffirm or give contrast to the past experiences of other travel bloggers. Do not just write about the usual activities; if possible, put a unique twist to these activities.

One can also insert one’s expertise to give it a unique perspective. In a beach or other nature setting, for example, biologists and animal lovers can write about the flora and fauna found in the area and relate their contribution to making the destination travel-worthy. These may include interesting biological tidbits such as behavioral habits or their contributions to society, nature or industry. In tropical countries such as the Philippines, many unique and endangered animal and plant species give importance and interest to many travel destinations.

It also goes without saying that relevant and interesting pictures are a must. Writing is much more interesting when accompanied by good and well-taken photos.

There is so much creativity one can place in travel blog writing. It is only a matter of good planning, imagination, and using the right words to describe them with.