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By Sarah Russel

If you’ve just graduated from a top online college and have dreams of traveling the world before settling down in your career, then you need to read the information below. Travel writing is a highly competitive profession, one that doesn’t pay especially well unless you make it to the top, and free travel is usually reserved for the very best writers. However, if you love to travel as much as you love to write and are sure you have something to offer to readers, then you will find the following information incredibly helpful as you pursue a career in travel writing. Below, you will find advice from professionals, tips, opportunities to get to know other travel writers, organizations for travel writers, places to find writing classes, and resources for traveling.

Advice for Travel Writers

These sites all offer great suggestions to help you learn what it takes to be a travel writer, how to improve your writing, and ways to increase your chance of success.

1. The Travel Writing Portal. Find plenty of helpful articles written by some of the top travel writing experts in the field offering great advice on how to break into or improve your travel writing as well as other handy links.
2. Travel Guidebook Writing. The advice on this website explores topics such as knowing your readership, creating a brand for yourself, and do’s and don’ts of contracts.
3. Travelwriter Marketletter. This monthly newsletter offers advice, tips, and news pertinent to travel writers and photographers.
4. Writer’s Digest. While this site is more general than just travel writing, it does offer great writing tips, advice and support from other writers, and plenty of information on improving your writing.
5. Adventure Travel Writer. Find lots of tips and advice on both traveling and travel writing at this site.
6. Travel Writing. Read through these writing do’s and don’ts written by a professional writer.
7. Travel Writing for Pleasure and Profit. This article offers a good overview of the travel writing profession.
8. Travel Writing Tips from Three Pros. Take the advice from these three travel writers who have plenty of experience under their belts.
9. Travel Writing. This site offers tons of links to articles with great advice to help your travel writing including interview tips, travel quotes, and tips for success while traveling abroad.
10. Guest Blog: Travel Writing Tips from Paul Kilduff. This successful Irish travel writer shares his tips on how to create great travel writing.

Writing Tips

Follow these suggestions to help create the best travel writing you can.

11. Use correct grammar. There is no bigger death knell for a writer than bad grammar. If you struggle in this area, take some classes, study style manuals, or find places online with grammar information.
12. Be succinct. Chose your words carefully so that you convey plenty of meaning in fewer words.
13. Incorporate your senses. If you stepped into a country and immediately smelled a distinctive odor that lingered wherever you went, incorporate that information. If the vivid colors affected how you approached your visit, explain how.
14. Let your personality shine through. Don’t hide behind stilted language, instead, write with your own personality and be sure to include personal anecdotes.
15. Keep it light. For the most part, the tone of travel writing should be light and fun. Include some of the funny experiences travel brought your way instead of focusing on any negative aspects of travel.
16. Keep the facts to a minimum. Anyone can find facts about a place from a quick search online. Instead, devote your writing to descriptions of your experience.
17. Include dialogue. A short bit of dialogue can provide more clarity to readers than a whole page of description. Include what others say for a powerful method of conveying a situation.
18. Keep a travel journal. Write down your impressions and feelings immediately instead of waiting until you return from your trip. Journal each day, then go back and pull it all together when you write your article.
19. Move beyond the destination. You’ll be hard pressed to find a destination that hasn’t already been written about, so focus instead on what will make your experience unique and worth reading.
20. Read other travel writers. The best way to get a feel for good travel writing is by reading the work of accomplished professionals.

Tips for Breaking into the Business

These tips offer a brief list of suggestions for how to get started in the business of travel writing.

21. Travel. As strange as it sounds, there are some folks who intend to write about traveling and have never done so. Give yourself the experience of travel before you decide to become a travel writer.
22. Start a blog. Write about your travel experiences in a blog. It is free, offers a great opportunity to practice the craft, and provides an opportunity for you to get your work in front of others.
23. Write for user-generated websites. Sites like Bukisa and Associated Content allow users to publish their articles, then depending on how popular they become, earn money from them.
24. Seek out small magazines. There are plenty of smaller, local magazines that will publish new travel writers. Search for these as a way to build your portfolio rather than starting with the big ones.
25. Follow submission instructions to the letter. If you are submitting an article to a publication, study their instructions very carefully and follow them exactly as printed. If you do not, there is a good chance your article will be thrown to the side without even being read.
26. Don’t quit your current job. Earning money through travel writing is not an easy task. Not only will you still need to pay the bills, but the travel about which you will be writing is usually at your own expense.
27. Enter contests. There are plenty of travel writing contests available and cost absolutely nothing to enter. See if you can win one and gain recognition for your writing.
28. Write for free. Many freelancers will tell you never to take a job for free when you can get paid to do the same thing, but sometimes working for free provides you an opportunity to get published when you don’t have much experience. Many travel websites actively seek contributors they publish with no payment in return for online recognition.
29. Network. Make friends, meet contacts, join organizations, keep a business card book, and generally do whatever you need to do to meet as many people as possible in the travel writing business. The old adage of "it’s not what you know, but who you know" is frequently the way to get your first break.
30. Don’t give up. Most successful travel writers don’t make it on their first or second attempt. Keep trying until you get what you want.

Travel Writing Blogs

Learn from others who show their travel writing stuff on these blogs.

31. Vagabonding. Rolf Potts writes about places, travel tips, travelers, and more.
32. Cheapest Destinations. Study Tim Leffel’s style in his blog where he writes about ways to travel on the cheap.
33. WrittenRoad. Find out all the inside news in the world of travel publishing by following this blog.
34. Write to Travel. This fledgling travel writer includes plenty of informative links on her blog about breaking into the world of travel writing.
35. 1001 Travel Writing Tips. Find plenty of tips from a veteran freelance travel writer on his blog.
36. Killing Batteries. This freelance travel writer shares his travel and writing experiences plus much more on this blog.
37. Best Travel Writing Blog. This blog touches on some information for travel writers and also runs many contests for aspiring writers.
38. Travel Writers. Written by a veteran travel writer, this blog offers news and information about the travel writing industry.
39. Jeremy Head’s travelblather. Travel and Internet meet in this blog that brings all the latest about the intersection of these two worlds.
40. Nick Dawg’s Writing Blog. Nick posts lots of information that might be of interest to those breaking into the travel writing business with such topics as contests, writing tips, and publishing information.

Travel Blogs

These blogs share travel tips, offer a glimpse into their experiences, and also offer prospective travel writers a great opportunity to check out other travel writers’ techniques.

41. Gadling. Get travel and photography tips as well as a few posts about travel writing on this blog.
42. Wonderlust and Lipstick. Women who travel will love this blog that includes plenty of tips and information on making travel go smoothly.
43. The Travel Blog by TravelPod. Get information on destinations, world news that affects travel, and more on this travel blog.
44. The Cranky Flier. This airline aficionado blogs about news and events relating to the airlines.
45. Parisian Spring. This travel writer with a penchant for all things French offers great suggestions for making the most of your travel.
46. Collazo Projects. Written by a couple who share a passion for travel and culture, this blog shares their insight, especially with their experience among Latin American communities.
47. Go Green Travel Green. This blog features the best of green travel and tourism.
48. Indie Travel Podcast. If you love to see the world on your own travel terms (as most aspiring travel writers do), then these podcasts are a great resource.
49. What a Trip. Find out about budget travel opportunities, learn how to pack appropriately, get destination information, and more on this travel blog.
50. Nile Guide. The Nile Guide team goes out into the world and brings it all back for you. They offer stories, travel tips, and photos from around the world.

Meet Travel Writers

These travel writers offer samples of their work, glimpses of their lives, and more through interviews and on their personal websites.

51. Travel Writers: Interviews. Meet several travel writers through these interviews and get tips from those who have been there before you.
52. Bill Bryson. Find out about this award-winning writer through his website that offers plenty of downloads and the opportunity to sign up for his newsletter.
53. An Irreverent Curiosity. David Farley provides his travel stories, interviews, blog, and more on his website.
54. Jann Huizenga. This travel writer and ESL teacher shares her work, photos, and more.
55. Joe Cummings. Travel through this website to see travel photos, read interviews with Joe, and more.
56. Joshua Berman. Read Joshua’s articles, his blog, and find out about his travels on this website.
57. Jen Leo’s Rising Thong. Find out what this travel writer has to say about how travel changes a person and getting travel writing published.
58. Randall Wood. Read Randall’s travel writing or just find out more about him and his adventures here.
59. Peace Corp Worldwide. This site is devoted to Peace Corp travelers who share their travel experiences and life after volunteering.
60. Life of a Travel Writer: Lara Dunston. Find out what this travel writer has to say about her 17 years on the road with her husband, her aspirations as a child, and her advice for new travel writers.

Travel Websites

These travel websites can help you learn about destinations you may want to visit, help you plan your trip, and more.

61. WorldHum. Read what travel writers have to say, check out the blogs here, and stay on top of both travel and those who write about it.
62. Rick Steves Europe. Learn from one of the most recognizable names in travel writing at his website.
63. Perceptive Travel. This online travel magazine publishes some of the best travel articles by top writers.
64. Brave New Traveler. Get trip ideas, traveling tips, connect with a traveling community, and learn about great gear to take along at this site.
65. Jaunted. Pop culture meets travel guide at this site that keeps the ADD crowd updated with small bits of important and interesting information.
66. Nomadic Matt’s Travel Site. Find travel tips, photos, videos, and travel blogs at this site.
67. Lonely Planet. One of the most recognizable travel guides available, their website offers a wealth of information for travelers.
68. RennyBA’s Terella. If travel through Norway is on your agenda, then check out this blog.
69. Fodor’s. Explore travel options, discuss travel with others, find travel deals, and more on this popular travel guide’s website.
70. Frommer’s. Find plenty of tips, sign up for newsletters, book trips, or connect with others here.

Groups and Organizations

Networking and making connections with respected organizations are great ways to give your travel writing career a boost, so check these groups out to find some that may be helpful for you.

71. guidebookwriters.com. The members here can put their photos and work online to showcase their work.
72. Travelwriters.com. This professional online network of travel writers will help you get connected and become more visible.
73. Travelwriters UK. This organization can host your personal website, offers tips on landing jobs, and facilitates networking with other travel writers from the UK.
74. American Society of Journalists and Authors. Visitors to this site can get writing resources, newsletters, and conference information while members can receive professional support and networking opportunities to further their writing careers.
75. International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association. Members here can get job leads, invitations, networking opportunities, and media trip information.
76. North American Travel Journalists Association. Working travel journalists can join this group to find professional development and networking opportunities.
77. Society of American Travel Writers. Not only can you find professional development assistance with this group, they also provide plenty of tips such as ways to travel inexpensively and how to become an ambassador of peace through travel.
78. Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild. Outdoor writers can post information on the website, network, receive personal development, and much more here. While this group is out of the UK, membership is open to residents of any country.
79. National Association of Women Writers. Get education and network with other women writers online and in person with this organization.
80. Writers and Photographers Unlimited. This organization is an "online marketing service for English-language professional writers and photographers worldwide."

Finding Writing Gigs

Whether you want to beef up you writing portfolio or are ready to rely on travel writing for your entire income, these sites will help you find the job you need.

81. JournalismJobs. Search for jobs in the field of journalism. Categories include freelance, internships, and even contests.
82. NewsJobs.net. Get links to sites where you can search for news jobs or read others’ essays offering advice about how they found their reporting jobs.
83. Journalism.co.uk. If you are trying to find journalism work in the UK, this site is definitely the place to go.
84. Writer Gazette. Not only can you look for freelance jobs here, but you can also read articles, get tips, and more.
85. FreelanceWriting. Find jobs, enter contests, and learn how to improve your writing skills from other writers.
86. Writerfind. Find jobs, post jobs, and put your profile on this site that helps facilitate finding freelance and telecommuting jobs for writers.
87. Mediabistro. Freelancers looking for media-related jobs should definitely check out this popular site.
88. WritersWeekly. This site posts weekly job opportunities as well as freelance opportunities, articles for writers, and much more.
89. Media Kitty. Search for journalism jobs or get story ideas and media requests at this site.
90. Freelance Writing Jobs for Web and Print. Find freelance jobs as well as writing and job-hunting tips, networking, and more.

Travel Made Easy

Check out these tools and resources for making travel easier, cheaper, or let others follow along with you.

91. TripIt. This travel organizer will compile all your travel arrangements and create an itinerary for you.
92. ePassportPhoto.com. Take a photo at home with your digital camera, then use this free tool to convert it to a passport photo that meets the specifications for over 60 countries.
93. TravNotes. Create your personal travel microblog here and you can also plan trips, share photos and videos, and share ideas with other travelers.
94. The Universal Packing List. Enter the information about your trip and you will get a complete packing list customized to your needs.
95. Jumpclaimer! Send text messages while traveling to create pins on a Google map so that others can follow along as you explore the world.
96. Weather2Travel Climate Guide. Click on any place in the world to find current weather conditions. This is a great tool to use when packing for your trip.
97. YourGMap. Create a custom Google map that shows where you went on your travels or where you plan to go next.
98. Universal Currency Converter. International travelers can use this handy tool to get the exchange rate in many countries.
99. iSubwayMaps.com. Choose from cities worldwide and download subway maps to your iPhone, iPod, or iPod Nano.
100. Yapta. Plan your flight with this tool and it will alert you when prices drop so that you can purchase the ticket. If prices drop significantly enough after you purchase, it will alert you again so that you can get a refund from the airline.

Flickr is a great resource for finding photos and learning about what’s in our world. Users from around the world share their images-and lots of them are great for architectural research and inspiration. Now architecture students and enthusiasts don’t need to travel across the world to experience some of the world’s greatest architectural treasures because here you’ll find 100 excellent collections of buildings, details, and more.

General

These collections celebrate architecture in general.

1. Architecture-Building & Construction: This group is devoted to building and construction around the world.
2. Architecture Directory: Architecture Directory offers a meta-group for finding Architecture groups on Flickr.
3. Flickr Favorite Architecture Photographers: Find and highlight some of the best architecture photographers on Flickr here.
4. Architectural Paparazzi: Architectural Paparazzi is all about candid photographs of buildings.
5. Architecture Porn: Find sexy shots of sexy spaces in this collection.
6. Architectural Drawings: Check out this group to find drawings, sketches, plans, and more.
7. 1-2-3 Architecture: Through this group, you’ll find the best architecture photos from each member.
8. 100+ Viewed Best Architecture Photos: This collection offers excellent architecture images on Flickr.
9. Architecture Travellers: This group is all about people who travel and visit architecture all over the world.

Historical & Derelict

Fans and students of old architecture will enjoy these collections.

10. Any Derelict Building: If you’re interested in grunge and abandoned buildings, check out this group.
11. Old Houses: See pictures of houses 90, 100 years and older in this collection.
12. ArchitectureThen & Now: History Through Photography: Explore history through the photographs in this collection.
13. Big Old Buildings/Interesting Architecture: Find all things old and big in architecture in this group.
14. Architecture of Days Gone By: See photos of old and historic buildings in this group.
15. This Old House (Century Homes): This collection offers a showcase of century homes.

Locations

View architecture by geographic location through these collections.

16. AIA 150: America’s Favorite Architecture: See photos of AIA’s 150 favorite architecture sites in this group.
17. Architecture in the Phillipines: In this group, you’ll find a showcase of architecture in the Phillipines.
18. Sugar House, Salt Lake City: Explore the Sugar House neighborhood in Salt Lake City through this collection of photographs.
19. Architecture in Europe: Find and share photography of European architecture in this Flickr group.
20. Hong Kong-The Noble House: Explore Hong Kong architecture through the images presented in this group.
21. Happy Houses New Orleans: Find a collection of brightly colored New Orleans homes here.
22. An Album of Murfreesboro, TN Houses: This collection of photographs will let you look into the homes of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
23. Building Developments UK: Check out the construction development of buildings in the UK in this group.
24. Building/Architecture in Asia: Be sure to check out this group to see a variety of Asian architecture.

Periods

These collections are useful for students who want to research architecture from specific time periods.

25. 1960s Interior Design and Residential Architecture: Check out homes with 1960s style in this collection.
26. Architecture from 1900 to 1999: Discover architecture from 1900 to 1999 by state, architecture, year, and more.
27. Tower Blocks and Architecture of the 1960s and 1970s (UK Only): This collection shows various architecture of the 60s and 70s in the UK.
28. 20th Century Prefab Homes: This group celebrates prefab homes of the 20th century.
29. Architecture, 1400-1900: Take a look at the architecture in between the medieval and modern eras, from 1400-1900.
30. 1970s Architecture and Design: In this collection, you’ll see homes, municipal spaces, and other buildings with 1970s design.
31. 19th Century Prefab Homes and Buildings: Check out prefabricated and mass produced homes from the 19th century here.
32. 1950s Interior Design and Residential Architecture: Explore the architecture and design of the ’50s through this collection.
33. 1903 Building Dates: See buildings built in 1903 in this group.
34. 1980s Interior Design and Residential Architecture: Lovers of 80s style will find lots of great photos in this collection.

Styles

See architecture styles, movements, and more in these collections.

35. Brutalist Architecture: Check out this group to find buildings made of concrete in the Brutalist style.
36. The OTHER Adobe-Hand Built Houses: This group is full of mud brick, owner built, recycled materials, stone, straw, thatching, and other hand built homes.
37. Art Deco: See art deco designs in this collection.
38. Byzantine Empire: Explore Byzantine heritage and architecture by checking out this collection.
39. Victorian Style Homes: See old, ornate Victorian homes in this collection of photographs.
40. Palladian Architecture: Here you’ll find architecture inspired by the designs of Andrea Palladio.
41. Castles-Castillos: Find nearly 24,000 photos of castles around the world in this collection.
42. Baroque: This collection highlights designs with Baroque elements.
43. Retro Modern Architecture and Design: You can find buildings, homes, and other pieces of architecture that incorporate modernist and mid-century styles.
44. Decorative Concrete Architecture: Find concrete architecture of all kinds in this group.
45. Atomic Ranch: This collection is full of American atomic ranches from the 40s-70s.
46. Ambiente Medieval: In this collection, you’ll see images of places that evoke the European Middle Ages.
47. Modernist Houses: See photographs of modernist homes in the UK here.
48. Flatirons-Wedged Buildings: Find a celebration of wedged buildings in this collection.
49. Eastlake, Stick Style, Italianate Architecture: This group celebrates simple, beautiful Victorian style.
50. Antebellum: In this group, you will see photographs of buildings in the Southern US that were built before the Civil War.

Ugly Buildings & Bad Design

Not all architecture is great-see some of the worst here.

51. Ugly Transformation of a Building: See photos of buildings that are ugly in their transformation in this collection.
52. Bad Architecture: Check out this collection for architecture that just doesn’t make sense.
53. Eyesore: Find incredibly ugly buildings in this Flickr group.

Construction

Watch architecture in progress through these collections.

54. Building Demolition and Rebirth: Check out this group to find photos of buildings being demolished and rebuilt.
55. All Construction: See construction on buildings and roads in this collection.
56. Seattle Under Construction: Check out this collection to view Seattle’s current construction sites.
57. Construction/Destruction of Ireland: View construction in Northern and southern Ireland in this collection.
58. DC Under Construction: See all of the ongoing construction and development in Washington, DC through this group.
59. Dubai Construction: This group celebrates all of the ambitious construction in Dubai.
60. Contract Journal-Construction Machinery: Take a look at construction machinery in this group, including excavators, cranes, and diggers.
61. UK Construction: Check out the construction projects going on in the UK in this collection.
62. Norway Constructions and Design: In this group, you’ll find photos highlighting constructions and design from all around Norway.

Landmarks

In these collections, you’ll see some famous landmarks.

63. Oslo Opera House: See the Oslo Opera House from a variety of different angles through this collection.
64. New York 3 Flatiron Chrysler Empire State Building: Find photos of three New York City landmarks in this group; the Flatiron Building, Chrysler Building, and Empire State Building.
65. George Eastman House: These photographs will give you the opportunity to explore the George Eastman House in Rochester, NY.

Uses

The architectural gems in these collections are categorized by their use.

66. Barns & Silos: Lovers of countryside architecture will appreciate this collection of barns and silos.
67. Bodegas, Groceries & Corner Stores: Explore small urban grocery stores through this collection.
68. Factory: Check out new, old, amazing, and defunct factories.
69. Almshouses: See British and European almshouses in this collection.
70. City Hall: This collection is full of photos of city halls around the world.
71. Campus Architecture: Check out this group to see the architecture of college, university, and other educational campuses.
72. Designer Hotels: Explore boutique and designer hotels through this group.
73. Fortresses, Forts & Fortifications of the World: Here you’ll find beautiful and interesting photos of the forts in our world.
74. Barns: This group offers lots of photos of barns old and new.
75. Drive-Ins: In this collection, you’ll see photographs of drive-ins of all kinds.
76. Park It-A Study of Garages: See loads of garages in this collection of photographs.
77. Former Theaters: See photographs of buildings that used to be theaters in this group.
78. Fashion x Architecture : This group’s photos highlight the flagship stores of major fashion houses.
79. Adult Books & Videos: Explore the exteriors of adult book and video stores in this collection./li>
80. Cinema Architecture: Look at interesting photos of movie theaters around the world through this group.
81. Churches and Houses of Worship: See churches, temples, mosques, and more in this collection.

Home

Explore houses and homes through these collections.

82. Eccentric Houses: This collection is full of some of the most eccentric homes out there.
83. In the House: See what’s a part of other peoples’ homes in this collection.
84. Houses and Homes: This group highlights the exteriors of interesting homes from around the world.
85. Beautiful Houses and Villas: In this group, you’ll find beautiful homes around the world.
86. Architects House Themselves: See images from homes built by architects, for architects in this collection.
87. This Old House: Check out the photos in this collection to see old houses and historic homes.
88. Haunted Houses, Buildings & Other Creepy Places: You can get a good look at some of the creepiest places in the world through these photographs.

Elements

These collections celebrate different parts of architecture.

89. Details of Modern Architecture: Check out all of the little details that go into modern architecture in this Flickr group.
90. Houses with Towers: See lots of homes with towers and turrets in this group.
91. Arches: See arches manmade and natural in this collection.
92. Architectural Details: This collection will show you lots of unique, interesting, and unusual architectural details.
93. Beautiful Ceilings: Embrace a love of ceilings in this collection.
94. Light in Architecture: Find out how light transforms ordinary into extraordinary through this group.
95. Drive-Thru: In this collection, you will see photographs of restaurants with drive-thru windows.
96. Domes in Architecture: This collection is full of architectural domes.
97. Historic Porches, Gingerbread, Woodwork, Millwork & Scrollwork: If you’re interested in trim work on historic homes, this collection is for you.
98. Building Dates: This group encourages viewers to find the date of construction on buildings.
99. Architectural Details and Decorative Elements: Take a look at all of the little elements of architecture through this collection.
100. Any Towers: Lovers of towers, spires, lighthouses, and more will find what they’re looking for in this collection.