Guide to Travel Writing
Written By: Gaye Swan
My second favorite thing about traveling is writing about the trip. My first favorite thing is the trip itself! Once I get back home, I enjoy reliving all the moments – good and bad – that make travel so exciting, eye-opening, and just plain fun. Travel is a gift for content writers; it widens our minds, offers new food for thought, and gets creative juices flowing.
Travel writing aims to show your readers what you saw, ate, drank, touched, and experienced on your trip. A well-written travel blog or magazine article transports the armchair traveler to a new place and inspires them to start exploring.
Getting started may seem daunting – condensing a two-week trip to Italy into a readable blog is quite a task! Here are just a few tips that I’ve found to be helpful:
Before you go
Decide how you are going to take notes. I prefer a small spiral-bound notebook because I like to journal as I go. Other writers jot down notes on an app. If you are relying on photos to jog your memory, you will still need a note or two about each place. You might be surprised at how quickly you get your sites mixed up with each other once you return home.
Determine why you are writing. Are you focused on one main event? Do you want to inspire or are you there to report on facts? Are you raising awareness of a little-known place, or perhaps a new resort or hotel? Why you are writing will determine the content, tone, and style of your piece – and make it easier to know what to leave out. If you are in Pamplona to cover the running of the bulls, the fabulous meal you had at a tiny bistro may not make the cut. If you are on a tour of Maine to discover new ways to cook lobster, save the description of your delightful stroll on the beach for a future article.
When you write
Write from your own point of view. A third person narrative for a travel blog is not nearly as engaging. Describe things the way you saw them. Your readers should feel like they are sitting beside you at the base of a waterfall, watching the sparkling water cascade down. I will note here that professional writers will have to abide by the rules of their publication. If your publication does not allow first person narratives, they may be open to second person, which puts the reader in the story:
At the newly-renovated resort, you’ll find warm hospitality and elevated attention to detail.
Avoid cliches. Yes, the water in the Caribbean is a deep crystal blue. We all know that because we’ve read it over and over, in multiple articles. Water is hard to describe, it’s true, but try focusing on something unique from your perspective. Did a little sandcrab dart up close? Did you venture to the sandbar and lose your sunglasses in the surf? Fun little details will make your story stand out.
Use imagery! Be as descriptive as possible. Details matter. In fiction writing, the mantra is “show, don’t tell.” It’s a great rule for travel writing, too. Your aim is to paint a vibrant and vivid picture of your trip. As always, plagiarism is off-limits, but I do read lots of travel articles and blogs. I keep a notebook of unique and interesting descriptions, cool new words, and vivid turns of phrase to use for inspiration.
Use a conversational tone. Travel writing is rarely formal. A quote from a fellow traveler, the newly-hired chef de cuisine, or the gifted mixologist add interest and sparkle to a narrative. Be honest and real about your experience; traveling rarely goes exactly to plan. A mishap can give a little humor to a story, as well as provide a good lesson for others!
If you’d like some examples to help you get started in travel writing, check out a few of my past articles and blog entries for inspiration:
An Updated Look at the Amazing Barnsley Resort
Less Than an Hour From Memphis: The Most Intimate Dinner Experience
Ireland and Scotland - Fun with the Family
Italy - Twice in Twelve Months
What are some of your favorite travel blogs? I’d love to talk travel with you. Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, or our website!
