10 Most Beautiful Beaches in The World wow

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10 Most Beautiful Beaches in The World

Beaches are the Valium of the travel world. They soothe, they relax, they make you realize that “real life” occasionally needs escaping. There are very few people immune to the magical lure of the beach. Whether you’re keen on sunbathing, sports, or exploring the underwater world or simply contemplating the infinite possibilities of the horizon, there’s no doubt the beach is the perfect destination for fun and relaxation. Most of all, these slivers of sand against the ocean are a reminder that the world can be quite beautiful. However, there are a number of beaches around the world that have achieved well-deserved fame for their exquisite beauty, endless expanses of white sand and balmy waters. We’ve chosen ten of our favorite, outstanding, popular and 10 Most Beautiful Beaches. If you think we’ve missed a few, let us know  what’s your favorite? Comment below.

World’s 10 Most Beautiful Beaches

10. Bahia Solano – Colombia

Bahia Solano is home to world class scuba diving and sport fishing, providing a plethora of marine activities to the traveler  Only 18 km away from Bahia Solano, is the stunning beach town of El Valle, Choco. The beach town of Bahia Solano is a unique scene of immobile boats rusting where river meets ocean. Fishermen languidly cast nets over a huge bay. Fashion shops, vegetable markets, cafés and bars line a vibrant main street.

9. Playa Paraiso – Cayo Largo

One of the gorgeous beach in world is Playa Paraiso in Cuba’s finest beach island Cayo Largo. This beach well deserves its name of “Paradise Beach” is not quite as exposed to the elements as some of the other beaches on the island. The weather is usually calm and the sea here remains shallow most of the year. As the beach of hotels is very changing, most people go to Playa Paraiso to enjoy calm water to awim or simply relax on the beach. Visitors will find a smattering of beach umbrellas and a small bar. But for the most part this place is about sea and sand and not much else. A free shuttle leaves nearby hotels several times a day for the 20-minute drive to Playa Paraiso.

8. Nungwi – Zanzibar – Tanzania

On the north-west coast of the island, Nungwi is considered to be the most beautiful beach of Zanzibar, where the absence of strong tides guarantees the pleasures of swimming and snorkelling in the crystal, jade sea. The island has long been loved by intrepid travelers for its enigmatic old Stone Town and 30 or so pristine beaches. Tourists tend to gravitate towards Nungwi, a settlement located along the coast of north Zanzibar. In Nungwi’s extremely shallow shores, travelers can quite literally walk on water, with baby formula sand between their toes. The azure waters and coral around Nungwi are home to scores of marine creatures. The dreamy sunsets of Nungwi are an unforgettable experience, where hues of burnt orange and blushing rose drop into the sparkling waves of the Indian Ocean. Embedded in a luxurious and enchanting location, Hideaway of Nungwi Resort & Spa offers spectacular oceanfront settings known to be among the finest in the world.

7. Hanalei Bay – Hawaii – USA

Hanalei is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kauaʻi County, Hawaiʻi, United States. Hanalei means “lei making” in Hawaiian. Alternatively, the name Hanalei also means “crescent bay” and may be indicative of the shape of Hanalei Bay, which is one of the best beaches in Hawaii. A genuine tropical paradise, this spacious bay Island features a smooth crescent of pristine white sand backed by lush, green forests, misty mountains and sparkling waterfalls. Flanked by rivers and coral reefs within the bay, the beach is the perfect destination for a whole range of water sports, including diving, snorkelling, kayaking and canoeing.

6. Pulau Perhentian Kecil – Malaysia

If you’re a beach bum you’ve probably already heard of, or visited, or fallen in love with, Malaysia’s Perhentian Islands. The Perhentian Islands lie approximately 10 nautical miles off the northeastern coast of West Malaysia in the state of Terengganu, approximately 40 miles south of the Thai border. The two main islands are the backpacker-happy Pulau Perhentian Kecil (Small Perhentian Island), and Pulau Perhentian Besar (Big Perhentian Island), which has slightly more expensive accommodation. Dive in the crystal blue waters off Pulau Perhentian Kecil and you’re almost guaranteed to swim with sea turtles and small sharks. Hang around the island’s beach-side restaurants at 5 p.m. to watch fishermen bring in the day’s catch and haggle with restaurant owners. The only way to get to the Perhentian Islands is by sea. Boat services are available from Kuala Besut. Source: travel.cnn.com

5. Maya Bay – Ko Phi Phi – Thailand

Maya Bay is a white sand beach hugged by steep limestone cliffs. Coral reefs make it an excellent spot for snorkeling. This strikingly beautiful beach has seen its popularity skyrocket after featuring in the Leonardo DiCaprio film The Beach, but it’s still worth visiting for the dramatic setting and marvellous snorkelling opportunities. Thousands of people visit the bay every day, so if you want to avoid the crowds, try to visit early in the morning or after 5 p.m.

4. Whitehaven – Queensland – Australia

It’s difficult to pick a favourite in a country known for its beautiful beaches, but if you’re looking for unspoilt, flawless natural beauty, the fine sands of Whitehaven in Australia’s Whitsunday Islands are a strong contender. With more than four kilometers of sand that is 98 percent pure silica, so clean it squeaks. Whitehaven Beach is part of the Whitsunday Islands National Park. There is a bit of effort involved in getting here, but the pay-off is a spectacularly scenic location that is still relatively quiet once the daytrippers have left for the evening.

3. Matira – Bora Bora – Tahiti

Bora Bora is one of the magical islands that make up French Polynesia in the South Pacific. This Island is like the Gwyneth Paltrow of beaches — a little too perfect to be believable. But the spell that this small island is a major international tourist destination, famous for its aqua-centric luxury resorts. But its best spot, Matira Beach, reminds you why places like this become popular in the first place. Feed sharks, hunt for black pearls, look through World War II memorabilia or just laze on the sand. At the world’s greatest beach, life takes you easy. Fly to Papeete in Tahiti, about seven and a half hours from Los Angeles. Then catch a flight to Bora Bora’s tiny airport on Motu Mute.

2. Sun Island – Maldives

Recognized as the world’s best and one of the most beautiful beaches, located in a beach-lover’s paradise, Maldives. This diamond in the middle of the Indian Ocean has become a favorite with celebs and rich honeymooners drawn by the thought of sleeping over the water, literally. If you want to be as near as possible to the water, you can do no better – especially at Sun Island Beach, where many resorts offer luxury bungalows on stilts in the water, where you can be sent to sleep with the sound of real water lapping at your doorstep. Nearby coral reefs attract thousands of tropical fish, snorkelers and divers.
But you don’t even need to be a water baby to enjoy the scenery — parts of the reef are visible from the beach, so clear is the water.

1. Anse Source d’Argent – Seychelles

On the top of the most beautiful Beaches around the world Anse Source d’Argent, located in La Digue, the third largest inhabited island of the Seychelles. A major contender for the top spot, this ribbon of sand on the island, La Digue, mixes salt-white and flamingo-pink sands to create one of the most photographed beaches in the world.
A reef keeps the water calm, so make the most of rental snorkels to explore the shallow waters, after which you can explore granite boulders further inland.
The nearby restaurant, Lanbousir, offers local Creole dishes, including the tempting fruit-bat curry. DIY lovers can fix their own picnic from a supermarket just five minutes from the beach.
From the Seychelles’ main island of Mahe, take a ferry to the jetty at La Passe, on La Dique Island. From there flag down an ox-cart to L’Union Estate. A footpath leads to Anse Source d’Argent. There’s a small entrance fee for non-residents.

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Top 10 Most Extreme Travel Adventures in the World wow

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Top 10 Most Extreme Travel Adventures in the World

1. Steepest peak on Earth: Mount Thor, Nunavut, Canada

At 5,495 feet tall, Mount Thor is not the world’s highest peak, but it is the steepest. The most famous summit in Canada and made of pure granite, Mount Thor has a 4,101 foot vertical drop, at an average angle of about 105 degrees.

Despite the fact the mountain is in a remote area, it’s a popular destination for avid mountain climbers. If taking on the peak is too much for you to handle, you can also visit the site and camp out instead.

2. Coldest inhabited place on Earth: Oymyakon, Russia

As the coldest inhabited place on earth (with a recorded temperature of -96.16 degrees F in 1924), the small Russian town of Oymyakon, with a population of 500, was once only used as a location for political exiles. Winter temperatures average at about -58 degrees F, the ground is permanently frozen all year long and the town currently has only one hotel. Popular sports include skiing, ice hockey and ice fishing. The small town has even been visited by celebrities as diverse as Burt Reynolds and Paris Hilton (along with her Chihuahua, of course).

3. Driest place on Earth: Atacama Desert, Chile

According to both NASA and National Geographic, the Atacama Desert in Chile has soil comparable to that of Mars. (Fun fact: Mars scenes from the television series Space Odyssey: Voyage To The Planets were filmed here.) From October 1903 to January 1918, the Atacama Desert did not see so much as one drop of rain, making it the longest rainless period in the world’s recorded history. Sparsely populated, the Atacama Desert has several hotels to choose from that cater to tourists who come to explore the land. 

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4. Closest place to Outer Space: Mount Chimborazo, Ecuador

An inactive volcano that last erupted in approximately 550 AD, Mount Chimborazo stands at over 20,000 feet high. While Mount Everest is over 29,000 feet tall, due to the position of the mountain on the earth’s surface the peak of Mount Chimborazo is the furthest spot from the center of the earth. That also means that standing on it will put you closest to outer space that man can ever reach on foot. Its peak is completely covered by glaciers, but this mountain has several routes for climbers.

5. Hottest Place on Earth: Lut Desert, Iran

Here, temperatures soar as high as 158 degrees F. According to a local legend, the name Dasht-e Lut means “toasted wheat” in Persian, referencing a story about a load of wheat that burst info flames after being accidentally left out in the desert for a few days. Though tourists visit this desert land, it’s a destination only for those willing to take on the challenge of surviving the heat and the unbearably dry climate.

6. Most isolated place on Earth: Tristan da Cunha, United Kingdom

Looking for a getaway from the everyday? This is about as far away from it as you can get. Though formally part of the British Overseas Territory, Tristan da Cunha is over 1,750 miles away from the nearest land in Africa. Discovered by Portuguese explorer Tristão da Cunha in 1506, the island is home to fewer than 300 inhabitants and has no airport; Tristan da Cunha is accessible only by sea.  

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7. Coldest continent on Earth: Antarctica

With a population estimated at somewhere between 1,000 and 4,000 people, the world’s fifth largest continent is a land of extremes, the coldest and driest continent on the planet. Travelers can only reach it by ice-strengthened vessels made for toughing the rough seas. Though known for its breathtaking scenery, visitors who trek through the wilderness must be well prepared or accompanied by a tour operator who knows the area well.

8. Wettest place on Earth: Mawsynram, India

This Indian town receives an average of 467 inches of rainfall every year. In 1985, the Guinness Book of World Records dubbed it the Wettest Place on Earth after it saw 1,000 inches of rain in a single year. Plagued by subtropical climate and monsoons, Mawsynram is both a difficult place to live and an interesting trip for tourists.

9. Tallest waterfall in the world: Angel Falls, Venezuela

Although Angel Falls is located in an isolated jungle region and is not reached all that easily, it remains one of Venezuela’s top tourist attractions. The falls are approximately 3,212 feet high and includes a 2,648-foot plunge and a quarter of a mile of sloped cascades and rapids.

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10. Most treacherous waters on Earth: Gansbaai, South Africa

Since 1995, cage diving with Great White sharks has been a major tourist attraction in Gansbaai, South Africa. With one of the densest populations of these beasts in the world, Gansbaai is the top destination for an up-close view of the deadly creatures. If you want to play it safe and steer clear of the Great Whites, whale watching is also common in Gansbaai, from the sandy white shores of Pearly Beach.

 

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10 Reasons You Should Visit Indonesia wow...

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10 Reasons You Should Visit Indonesia

Indonesia is the 4th most populous country in the world and is made up of over 17,000 islands; however, often when people think of Indonesia, all that comes to mind is Bali. Although Bali is awesome in its own right, Indonesia as a whole is a great place to visit and has much to offer. Here are my ten reasons why you should visit Indonesia.

The Komodo Dragons

Komodo Dragon. Photo by Cailin O.

Indonesia is home to Komodo National Park, named after its celebrity residents, the Komodo Dragon. Currently the largest living lizard in the world and the closest thing we have to dinosaurs, these fierce dragons are quite the tourist attraction for the thrill seeker. Indonesia is the only place in the world where they can be found living in the wild on the four islands that make up Komodo National Park. Having been known to eat a human or two, if you visit make sure you do so with a few park rangers as protection to witness this deadly creature in the flesh.

Scuba/Snorkel

The beaches of Indonesia are perfect for snorkelling. Photo by Cailin O.

Indonesia is home to 20% of the world’s coral reefs and some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling you can find. There are many opportunities available for beginner and experienced divers, with lots of gear rental shops and liveaboard trips and more being offered. Indonesia also has a lot of shipwrecks off its shores, which make for interesting dives. It's almost a shame to visit Indonesia and not get your feet wet.

Food & Coffee

Gudeg, a tradition in Indonesia. Photo by Cailin O.

You can literally eat for days in Indonesia and always be trying something new. Some popular Indonesian foods are satay (like lamb or chicken skewers), nasi goreng (a fried rice plate with other foods added to it like fried eggs, vegetables, and chicken), gudeg (a dish made from boiled young jackfruit, often served with rice, sambal sauce and chicken) and my favorite, sambal sauce - a spicy sauce that can be added rice and many other dishes. Indonesia is also one of the largest coffee producers in the world - the phrase “a cup of Java” actually comes from Indonesia’s island of the same name, where the coffee comes from. They are also famous for Kopi Luwak, which is coffee made from the poop of the Luwak - aka civet cat - that has eaten coffee beans and pooped them out. Sounds gross but it is actually rare and quite expensive coffee.

Bananas

Bananas are used in many Indonesian dishes. Photo by Cailin O.

When we were visiting Indonesia, bananas were very popular everywhere we went, which is no surprise seeing that the country is one of the top six producers of bananas in the world. If we weren’t having them at breakfast, we had them as dessert, deep-fried (aka pisang goreng), drizzled with chocolate, or served many other ways.

Borobudur

Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Photo by Cailin O.

Dating back to the 9th century, Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world and is found in Java, Indonesia. Made up of 2,000+ relief panels and over 500 Buddha statues, this temple is an amazing monument to see. Often crowded in the day, one of the best times to explore the temple is early in the morning when you can watch the sunrise while standing at the very top.

Mount Bromo and other Volcanoes

Selfie at Mount Bromo. Photo by Cailin O.

Indonesia is located in what is called “the Pacific rim of fire” which is one of the most active volcanic areas in the world. The country alone has 150 volcanoes. It also boasts some of the most gorgeous sunsets in the world with one of the best being seen from Mount Penanjakan overlooking the famous Mt Bromo Volcano. Although to get to the top, you must climb up steep streets and steps covered in tourists and horses really early in the morning in pitch-black darkness, it is definitely worth the effort and the climb.

Beaches

One of the many beaches of Indonesia, photo by Cailin O.

With over 17,000 islands it’s a sure bet that Indonesia has some gorgeous beaches to lay on. Whether you want to enjoy some water sports like learning to surf, go parasailing, ride a banana boat or just lay out and get a nice tan, Indonesia is definitely a place where all of this can happen. You can hang out on the popular Kuta beach in Bali, or the secluded pink beach as part of the Komodo islands, just to name a few of the thousands of options.

The People

The warm people of Indonesia. Photo by Cailin O.

Indonesians are very friendly and welcoming people. In the majority of the places you travel to throughout the country, you will be met with some of the biggest smiles you have ever seen. They are also very proud of their history, culture, wildlife, food and more, and are passionate about sharing it with others.

Orangutans

Orangutan hanging out in the jungle. Photo by Cailin O.

The island of Borneo is occupied by three countries - Brunei, Malaysia, and the majority by Indonesia - and all throughout the rainforests of Borneo you can find wild orangutans. One of the best ways to see them in Indonesia is to rent a Klotok boat, take it down the Sekonyer River and visit the Camp Leakey Orangutan rehabilitation reserve in Tanjung Puting National Park.

Spas and relaxation

Aromatherapy center in Indonesia. Photo by Cailin O.

If you are looking for a place to relax and get a good massage, then Indonesia is a great place to visit. Any spa treatment you can imagine can be found here, from seaweed wraps to fish spas, aromatherapy to the most amazing massage of your life. Many of these services can be offered at your hotel, as a separate business or even on the beach as you enjoy the sun. Now that is relaxation.
Have you ever been to Indonesia? What other reasons might you suggest for people to want to visit?

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12 Indonesian Landscapes So Marvellous That It Hurts wow

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12 Indonesian Landscapes So Marvellous That It Hurts

A land gifted with pristine beaches, exotic water villas on serene islands, quasi-active volcanoes, vibrant tribes and their cultural ethos. No! We are not talking about a fascinating dream but about the fairytale like Indonesian landscapes.
There are many surreal places in Indonesia, and together they offer a mix of outlandish island wonders and spine-chilling wildlife adventures. Here’s a list of the most beautiful places in Indonesia, covering islands, beaches and lakes for the water babies; national parks for wildlife lovers; active volcano sites for adventurous souls; and places for city explorers.

1. Gili Islands, Lombok

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Overwater villas are so romantic, that there is no way to forget them while making a list of most beautiful places in Indonesia. Fringed by white sand beaches and blue water, the complex of three small and isolated islands namely Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air bears unique scenic appeal.
Things to do: Besides adventure sports like snorkeling, surfing and diving, go island hopping, fishing and touring in glass-bottom boats. Else, just chill out in a beachside cafe or shack.
Best places to stay: Les Villas, Oceano Jambuluwuk and Ombak Sunset.

2. Raja Ampat Islands, West Papua

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Raja Ampat, meaning Four Kings, is an archipelago comprising islands Waigeo, Misool, Salawati, and Batanta, besides 1500 minor ones. The awe-inspiring backdrop of steep, forested islands, sizzling beaches, and marshy lagoons, small atolls looking like mushrooms and shining turquoise water makes the place a perfect delight for travelers. The area is rich in marine flora and fauna diversity including rare species of corals.
Things to do: Snorkelling, underwater diving, kayaking and relishing nature.
Best places to stay: Swiss Belhotel, Marina Mamberamo and Belagri Hotel.

3. Maluk Beach, Sumbawa Island

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This is one of the stunning beaches of Indonesia located along the western coast of south Sumbawa Island. With changing colors of sun rays, the waves also look vibrant and magical.
Things to do: Sunbathing and wave surfing are common activities here. One can also visit the Malu Turtle Conservation Center located nearby.
Best places to stay: Rantung Beach Hotel, Nomad Tropical Beach Resort and Ring Sameton Inn. There are numerous home stay options available around Maluk beach.

4. Kelimutu Lake, Nusa Tenggara Timur

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Kelimutu Lake is a league apart, and certainly one of the most visited of beautiful places in Indonesia. Kelimutu is a collective term given to three crater lakes formed by the volcano of the same name. Though situated on the same volcanic peak, three lakes display three different colours – red, blue and white.
Things to do: Go for trekking and exploring the beautiful landscapes and lake wonders. Sunsets and sunrises in Kelimutu are surreal.
Best places to stay: Kelimutu Crater Lake Eco Lodge

5. Lake Toba, North Sumatra

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Lake Toba, situated on Earth’s largest caldera, has a volcanic origin and was formed approximately 70,000 years ago. It may sound like a riddle but Lake Toba is situated in an island, which again is in a lake! If you didn’t get it, read again.
Things to do: Swim in the volcanically warmed water. Besides, it is perfect to relax and enjoy the stunning surroundings of this beautiful place in Indonesia.
Best places to stay: Hotel Carolina, Toledo Inn and Hotel Tiara Bunga.

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6. Bunaken Marine Park, North Sulawesi

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The picture clearly says that next in our list is among the most beautiful places in Indonesia. Bunaken Sea Park located in the northern stretch of Sulawesi is rich in marine flora and fauna. The sight of numerous exotic and endangered fish species present in the crystal clear water have increased the tourist density of the area.
Things to do: Snorkeling and diving – stick to them. They are the best ways to discover the glamorous and unusual aquatic life of the Bunaken Sea Park.
Best places to stay: Siladen Resort, Living Colours Dive Resort and The Village Bunaken. Besides, there are plenty of homestay options for backpackers.

7. Komodo National Park, Nusa Tenggara Timur

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The island located between Sumbawa and Flores, along western Nusa Tenggara Timur, is popular for presence of giant Monitor Lizards known as Komodo Dragons. The island is arid, rugged and barren and forms a part of Komodo National Park and Marine Reserve. Aerial views prove that it is inarguably, among the most beautiful places in Indonesia.
Things to do: Besides spotting endangered Komodo dragons, a range of activities can be enjoyed Komodo National Park. Go for kayaking, diving, trekking or the guided island tours.
Best places to stay: Waecicu Eden Beach Hotel, Komodo Resort, and Golo Hilltop.

8. Mount Bromo, East Java

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Mount Bromo or better known as Gunung Bromo is a volcano in active state. The top of the Bromo forms a crater which emits white smoke at regular intervals. A part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, this volcano is fringed by sea of volcanic sand.
Things to do: Hiking and trekking
Best places to stay: Java Banano Bromo

9. Mount Rinjani, Nusa Tenggara Barat

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Locally known as Gunung Rinjani, this is an active volcano on Mount Lombok. It is the second highest volcano of Indonesia after Mount Kerinci in Sumatra. The hilly landscape is dominated by the Crater Lake called Segara Anak, which has a natural hot spring in it.
Things to do: Besides enjoying the serene yet daring beauty of a volcano, Mount Rinjani is a good place to go hiking. Climbing alone is not advisable, so prefer going in a group.
Best places to stay: Hakiki Inn, Green Orry Inn, and Dewi Tunjung Biru along with plenty of decent homestay options.

10. Ijen, East Java

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Ijen is one of the group of volcanoes within a huge acidic blue-water crater. Ijen is located in eastern Java, lying west of Gunung Merapi. It is the tallest volcano of the cluster and dangerously beautiful place in Indonesia. The area is rich in sulphur and famous for mining activities.
Things to do: Trek up to the crater or in the foothills, the beauty of the place is enthralling. Also, the local villages are worth a small exploration trip.
Best places to stay: Berlian Abadi, Manyar Garden Hotels and Ijen Resorts and Villas.

11. Dieng Plateau, Central Java

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Tectonically formed after an eruption, this plateau is a caldera situated almost 2000 metres above sea level. This marshy plateau is known as Dieng which means abode of God.
Things to do: Trek to the multi-coloured Telaga Warna lake and explore the Arjuna temple.
Best places to stay: Kresna Gallery Hotel, Arjuna Hotel and Surya Asia Hotel. There are numerous homestay options available for backpackers.

12. Torajaland, South Sulawesi

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The highland region known as Torajaland, located at southern Sulawesi is the home of Toraja tribe. Torajan people are well-known for their culture, tradition, rituals and high peaked-roof houses called Tongkonan. Their unique pattern makes it a distinct and beautiful place in Indonesia.
Things to do: Hiking is the best, and the only thing to do here. It will be fun to explore the model Toraja settlement at Kete Kesu.
Best places to stay: Luta Resort, Riana Guest House and Hotel Indra.
Like our list? Share it with your friends and also let us know, which one is your favorite!

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How To Start A Travel Blog: A Step By Step Guide wow...

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How To Start A Travel Blog: A Step By Step Guide

Travel blogging has taken me around the world over the past 5 years. Want to start your own? This detailed guide will show you exactly how to start a travel blog.

I regularly receive tons of email asking me for tips about how to start a travel blog. I know, I get it. Seeing constant photos from my adventures in your Facebook or Instagram feeds makes it look like a dream job.
After all, I get paid to travel the world! It’s a pretty sweet gig.
But travel blogging isn’t easy. Far from it. I rarely share the huge amount of behind-the-scenes work that goes into making this lifestyle possible. It’s taken me years to learn how to become a professional blogger. Today I want to share some important tips about how to get started.
In this article, you’ll learn how to start a travel blog.
Already have a blog? Make sure to read my more advanced post about the secrets of professional travel blogging.

How To Start A Travel Blog

Starting your very first travel blog is actually pretty easy. If you follow my guide, you can have your own blog up and running today. Now keep in mind the following advice is for those who are prepared to take travel blogging seriously, as some of these steps require spending money.
If you aren’t quite ready for that yet, you can always start a simple travel blog for family & friends on WordPress.com. It’s totally free!

Adventure & Independent Travel

1: Choose A Good Name

My first travel blog was called YearAroundTheWorld.com. Do you see the obvious problem with that domain name? Well I didn’t, not until 3 months later. I was backpacking through Central America, blogging about my experiences and having a great time — when I suddenly decided I wanted to travel for longer than a year. Shit! What do I do now?

Make It Short & Memorable

Your travel blog domain name should be relatively short, easy to type, easy to spell, easy to remember, and easy to share. I recommend brainstorming by writing down a bunch of words you think will best describe your blog.
Adventure? Food? Culture? South America? What do you want to write about? Who are you? What is your passion? Write everything down and start playing with different combinations of words. Try using a thesaurus. Ask your friends for advice & suggestions.

Avoid Hyphens & Numbers

This can be difficult to do these days, but it helps to avoid using hyphens or numbers in your domain name because otherwise you’ll be forced to explain it to someone. For example:
POTENTIAL READER: “You have a blog? Cool! Where do I find it?”
YOU: “Oh, it’s called expert hyphen vagabond the number 100 dot com.”
As you can see, this type of domain isn’t the greatest for word-of-mouth marketing, which happens to be the best kind of promotion.

Avoid Overused Words

Avoid trademarked company names or words that may be overused in the industry. Sure, you can pick something like Nomadic Bob, Adventurous Wendy, or Wandering Clarence. But domain names like that won’t stand out very much in the travel blogging niche, because those ideas have already been taken by others who are more established than you.
You’ll have better luck in the long-run with something more original.

Think Long-Term

Think good & hard about choosing your travel blog’s domain name, because changing it later on isn’t easy (or fun). Be careful not to pigeonhole yourself either. If you call your blog Twenty-Something Travel like my friend Steph (sorry Steph!), what happens when you turn 30? Branding yourself correctly is pretty important in the business of travel blogging.
I was thinking long-term when I eventually changed my travel blog’s name to ExpertVagabond.com, because at 3 months in I was hardly an expert. Yet I was passionate about becoming a professional travel blogger, and knew eventually this would be perfect. I’d just have to grow into my new name!

2: Hosting For Your Blog

What the heck is hosting? It’s not as confusing as it sounds. Most websites need to “rent” space on the internet. A place to store all your blog’s data, files, and photos so that people around the world can easily access it when they type in your domain name.
Hosting can be pretty cheap. I recommend new travel blogs get hosting with BlueHost. They offer quality hosting for a low price ($6.95 per month for 12 months) and customer service is good too. Plus they give you a free domain name!
Personally, I use WP Engine these days. But it’s not cheap. I pay over $200 a month for my hosting plan. When you reach a certain level of website traffic, it’s totally worth it.
However if you are just starting out, BlueHost is a better value.
Part 1 – Click on the green button that says “get started now.”

Getting Started

Part 2 – Pick a plan.

Pick Your Plan

Part 3 – Check to see if your blog name (domain name) is available.

Choose a Domain Name

Part 4 – Add Extra Features
Most of these you don’t need. However I do recommend Domain Privacy Protection. Otherwise anyone can look up who owns your site, giving them access to your mailing address, email, and phone number. It’s worth the extra few bucks to block that from happening.

Installing WordPress

3: Installing WordPress

You’ll want to set up a self-hosted WordPress account. This means the WordPress software resides on your hosting company’s servers, not on a free WordPress.com account. What’s the difference?

• Your website is “MyTravelBlog.com” rather than “MyTravelBlog.WordPress.com”
• You own your data and have full control
• You can sell advertising on your site
• You can install plugins & custom themes
• You can use Google Analytics tracking (important)

Yes, you want to use WordPress too. Not Blogspot, not Blogger, not anything else. WordPress is the king of blogging, and probably always will be. Most professionals use WordPress, even major brands like the BBC & Katy Perry. Installing WordPress with your BlueHost Account is super easy.
Click through the simple installation process on your BlueHost cPanel. When it asks you where you’d like to install it, choose your new domain (ex: http://MyTravelBlog.com).
Once installed, you’ll be able to log into the WordPress dashboard with your new username and password. Welcome to the club! You now have a travel blog. That wasn’t too hard, was it? But wait, there’s more!

Pick A Good Design

4: Learning WordPress

Feeling intimidated about WordPress? Don’t worry. Because it’s the industry standard, and has been for years, there are TONS of useful tutorials online that will teach you anything you need to know.
Here are a few of my favorite WordPress training resources:

• WordPress Lessons (free guide)
• WordPress Starter Kit (video tutorials)

5: Get A Professional Theme

Your new WordPress blog comes with a couple standard “themes”, or designs for your site. While this is ok for playing around in the beginning, if you want to take this seriously and eventually make money with your travel blog, you’ll want to buy a professional design.
They don’t cost too much and they’ll improve the look of your site big time.
I’ve changed themes a few times over the years, but the current one I’m using is called Hardy by ThemeTrust. I’ve tweaked it a lot using my background in web-design though, customizing how it looks & acts.

My Travel Blog Plugins

6: Add Some Plugins

You can think of WordPress plugins as third-party apps for your website. They give your blog additional features. Most plugins are free, some you have to pay for. You can download new plugins in the “plugin” section of your WordPress Dashboard.
Here’s my recommended list of plugins to install with your travel blog.

• Akismet – Protects your blog from spammers leaving comments on your posts. Not perfect, but probably the best one out there.
• WordPress SEO – Very important plugin for optimizing your articles for Google search, plus integrating Google Sitemaps and Analytics.
• Easy Social Share Buttons – Nice social media sharing buttons for your articles.
• WPtouch – Makes your travel blog mobile friendly.

There are others of course, but these will get you started.

Learn How to Use Social Media

7: Embrace Social Media

I hope you love social media. Because if you want to build a successful travel blog, social media addiction is a requirement! Learning how to master social media is a whole different topic, one that I cover a bit more in my post on how to become a professional travel blogger.
Here are some good social media tips from my friend Jodi too. Try to keep your social media username the same across all channels! Otherwise people will get confused…

Social Media Accounts

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Google+
• YouTube
• Pinterest
• Snapchat

Travel Blog Success

8: Join Travel Blog Success

Like anything in life, if you want to get good at something, investing time & money to be trained by professionals works wonders. The same is true for travel blogging. When people ask me for travel blogging tips, my first recommendation is to join Travel Blog Success.
You can read my full review here.
Why? Because becoming a professional travel blogger, as in someone who makes money with this, is far more difficult than it looks.
You need to learn how to build an audience. You need to learn how to use social media. You need to learn how to market yourself. You need to learn how to work with brands. You need to learn how to implement SEO. You need to know all kinds of stuff that you probably don’t know anything about.

Just a Typical Day in the TBS Community!

Learn From The Best

Can you learn everything on your own? Sure. But let me tell you from personal experience, it takes a long, long time. As in years. With plenty of frustrations & wasted effort along the way. Fortunately there is a shortcut…
Learning exactly what works, and what doesn’t, from professional travel bloggers who are making it work, is HUGELY helpful.
I can’t explain SEO to you in an email. Fortunately there is a whole lesson dedicated to mastering SEO (and many other topics) on Travel Blog Success. Plus a very active & helpful community FB page where all the top travel bloggers chime in with answers to your questions each and every week.
If you want to become a pro, this is the best investment you can make.

Travel Blogging Work Break in the Philippines

8: Start Blogging!

Now it’s time to begin creating content for your travel blog. When you first start out, I recommend publishing new articles at least 2-3 times per week.
But don’t be sloppy about it, take your time and craft excellent, useful blog posts that have impact.
What should you write about? Well, what are you interested in?
Are you traveling right now? Share your favorite parts of a country, fun things to do, crazy travel stories, beautiful photo essays, video tours, food recommendations, and more. Try writing about many different topics to find your personal blogging style & voice, and to see what resonates with others.
Are you still planning your travels? You can write about that too.
Share the different ways you are saving money for travel, a bucket list of activities you want to try, or write about local destinations.
For an example, let’s say you live in Richmond, Virginia right now. Maybe you don’t think it’s an interesting city to write about, however the fact is there are thousands of people looking for Richmond travel tips online right now. Share what you know with them!
TripAdvisor recommends 225 things to do in Richmond. That’s easily a year worth of blog posts right there.
You could also share your favorite travel movies & books. Write about your packing list. Just remember to create useful & entertaining content. The possibilities are endless!
Read other travel blogs, leave thoughtful comments on their articles, and link to other blog posts from your site where appropriate. At first your only readers will be family and friends. But that’s ok! We all started like that.
It takes time to build an audience.
Travel blogging isn’t as easy as it looks, and you shouldn’t expect to see any large benefits from it for at least a year, probably longer. That’s one full year of blogging on a regular basis, paying for everything yourself, and putting in at least 10 hours a week (most professional bloggers work 30+).
Yes it’s a dream job, but travel blogging is still a job that requires hard work.

thanks for read my blog gays