Love Travel, Want to Write

Festival in Bhutan ©Solange Hando

Top Tip

Forget the destination track

The tighter the focus, the more original the feature, the easier the sale

So what can you write about?

Culture and craft

Heritage, festivals, food and wine, embroidery, woodcarving, pottery, the list is endless...

Local travel

Steam train, river trip, rickshaws, bus journey, hot air balloon, donkey riding

Activities

Family fun, water sports, golf, cycling, paragliding, cooking, painting...

Nature

Conservation, eco-lodges, bird watching, trekking, saving turtles

Local people

Visit a school, talk to monks, meet a budding actor, a poet, a chef, a guide with an unusual story

Now what do you do with all these ideas?

Choose your favourites, do the research, take lots of pictures and find suitable markets

Where do you start?

On shelves and online, bear in mind weekly mags need a lot more copy than monthlies

Check out

Women's / Men's magazines

Publications for seniors, families, young adults, outdoor fans

Special interest, sports and hobbies magazines

Transport

Food and wine

Health / Spa / Body and Mind

Wildlife

Newspapers

Travel magazines

In-flight magazines

Finally

Study your chosen market

Length, style, format, fact box

 Pitch to the editor

Keep it brief and to the point

Would you like to know more?

Be a Travel Writer 

Will guide you step by step on the road to success

Enjoy

Lux Hotel on Reunion Island in Indian Ocean

Top Reunion Beach by Lux Hotel ©Solange Hando

A short flight from Mauritius, the French island of Reunion is an upcoming destination for scenery and beaches. The main resort is St Gilles on the west coast, just 50 minutes or so from the airport.

As you approach St Gilles, Lux greets you with the only five star resort on the island. This is located alongside the fine white sands of Hermitage, a coral-sheltered lagoon where you can watch whales in season, June to September.

Entrance to Lux Hotel ©Solange Hando

The Lux private drive leads you to a stylish reception building which feels almost like a mansion. Colonial architecture has pride of place across the site with guest rooms in whitewashed Creole villas set in seven hectares of tropical gardens.

Palm trees and casuarinas give a welcome shade while exotic flowers add a touch of colour in the greenery. It's a lovely place to stroll and watch the birds.

Deluxe Room, Lux Hotel Reunion ©Solange Hando

The 164 rooms range from superior on the ground-floor with patio to deluxe with balcony on the first floor and junior suites. Some superior rooms can be connected to accommodate families. Rooms are spacious and include all the amenities you would expect from a five star hotel, including free WiFi

.

Lux Pool ©Solange Hando

The swimming pool is the largest on the island, beautifully landscaped and framed by flowers and trees. Just for a change you can join a zen or yoga class in the garden or enjoy a spa ritual with in-room treatments on offer.

Poolside Traditional Stall ©Solange Hando

With its nostalgic retro-style, this is a popular place for ice-cream, dedicated to local flavours. Then besides bar and snacks, Lux  has three restaurants, most popular the open-sided Cuisine with its irresistible buffet and ocean views. For dinner at La Plage, it is best to book, especially if a conference is being hosted.

Sunset on Hermitage Beach, Reunion Island ©Solange Hando

Tamassa Resort in Mauritius Bel Ombre

Tamassa Resort in Mauritius ©Solange Hando

This all inclusive resort is located in Bel Ombre in south west Mauritius. Stretching along the beach, it is an extensive place, vibrant around the bar area but with plenty of space to relax in peace and quiet. Top attractions are the four swimming pools set in tropical gardens close to the accommodation.

Restaurants include the vast buffet show room for breakfast and themed dinners, the Playa Beach and the casual Chef's Truck for gourmet burghers and other snacks lunch time. There is also an ice cream parlour, plus beach and in-room service.

Superior Room in Tamassa ©Solange Hando

Guest rooms are set in villas scattered across a wide area so be sure yo get your bearings right from the start. Accommodation ranges from standard to superior, beach and family rooms. 

Rooms are spacious, uncluttered and colourful, with balcony or patio. All amenities you would expect from a top resort are available, including bottled water and free WiFi. Superior rooms have excellent bathrooms with double washbasin, spacious walk-in shower, deep-soak bath tub and separate toilet.

Beach in Bel Ombre ©Solange Hando

White sands and palm trees, it's the idyllic holiday place with clear water protected by a the coral reef. Swim, snorkel, sail or take out a pedal boat, the ocean beckons if you can bear to leave your favourite pool.

Other activities include tennis, gym and giant chess. You can also hire bicycles or maybe book a tour or two to see the island's highlights. Highly recommended are the Black River Gorges and seven-coloured earth of Chamarel.

Tree of Peace ©Solange Hando

The Tamassa tree of peace is a serene place where guests can write a wish on a ribbon and hang it on the tree. On certain days there is a small singing bowl ceremony for blessings.

Next door is the spa which offers a range of personalised treatments, facials, scrub, massage, as well as yoga classes.

Also of special interest in Tamassa  is the vintage phone box near the reception where you can call home any time free of charge. Just check the initial numbers with the staff, always available and keen to help.

Sunset in Bel Ombre ©Solange Hando

Weddings, honeymoons, this is a romantic spot with superb sunsets for everyone.. Just get to the beach in good time for within minutes it will be gone

Luxembourg Leweck Sport Hotel in the Ardennes

View of the Ardennes from Leweck Sport Hotel ©Solange Hando

The bucolic hills of the Ardennes cover the northern section of Luxembourg, all lush meadows and densely wooded slopes dotted with medieval castles.

There, in the high valley of the river Sûre, the Leweck hotel enjoys a quiet scenic location, looking across to the forlorn castle of Bourscheid .

Leweck Hotel in Luxembourg Ardennes ©Solange Hando

The Leweck has 51 well-appointed rooms ranging from standard and comfort to luxury, suites and family apartment.

Besides the bar, the gourmet restaurant and the new Cody's with its summer terrace and winter garden, there's a bright breakfast room with lovely views over the valley. 

Room at Leweck Sport Hotel ©Solange Hando

All rooms are spacious, colourful and comfortable, with minibar, safe and free WiFi. Furnishings are in quaint rustic style, with bright carpets and plenty of wood in keeping with the surroundings.

In case you wonder, the 'unmade bed' is not a work of art, just a last minute picture in a hurry.

A Place to Relax,  Leweck Hotel ©Solange Hando

In this rambling family hotel, you will find cosy corners where you can relax, meet friends or enjoy a pre-dinner drink.

Then should you feel like it, you could try the tepidarium, the in and outdoor pools and saunas, indulge yourself in the beauty farm or maybe watch a game or practise in the sports hall. 

Garden Pond ©Solange Hando

When you return to the Leweck Sport Hotel   after a day rambling in the hills or a spot of birdwatching, the garden is the perfect place to unwind among lawns, flowers and cool water features.

Luxembourg City

Luxembourg City ©Solange Hando

Luxembourg? Little country, big attractions and it all starts in the capital, split right across the centre by a deep ravine carved by the small river Alzette and the even smaller Pétrusse.

On such a strategic location, massive defences have been built over the centuries,  on the rocky cliffs either side of the gorge, including one of the longest and most intricate networks of tunnels, the perfect place to get lost if you wander off on your own,

Luxembourg lower town ©Solange Hando

At the eastern end of the ravine, the Grund, or lower town, nestles along the river Alzette at the foot of the cliffs. The former Neumunster Abbey is now a cultural centre and there are some lovely walks along the water lined with weeping willows and pocket-sized vineyards. It's hard to believe you are in the city.

Upper Town ©Solange Hando

Meanwhile on the clifftop, the old upper town enjoys world heritage status, just like the fortifications, with a mix of old lanes and grand buildings such as the cathedral or the ducal palace.

Luxembourg is the world's last Grand Duchy and the people are extremely fond of their Duke and Duchess, present or past. On Clairefontaine Square,  the statue of Grand Duchess Charlotte (1919-1964) is as inspiring as the victorious Golden Lady rising on the obelisk above the gorge near the cathedral.

The Pétrusse Valley, Luxembourg ©Solange Hando

You could ramble for hours around streets and squares but at the bottom of the ravine, minutes from the centre, you can escape away from it all among grassy slopes and flowering trees in the narrow but beautifully landscaped valley of the Pétrusse.

The trail goes on for miles from one end of town to the other, through a lush green haven filled with bird song and past an old chapel tucked in the rock near a miraculous spring.

Europe Square at Night, Luxembourg ©Solange Hando

But on the Kirchberg plateau, close to the airport, it's a different story with the state-of-the arts financial, cultural and European districts. There you will find the celebrated Mudam museum of modern art, the innovative Philharmonie concert hall and European institutions.

At the crossroads of Belgium, Germany and France, Luxembourg has always been a shining light of the EU and remains so to this day. People are trilingual by the time they leave primary school and in a Duchy totalling  47% immigrants, the capital attracts over 120,000 commuters from across the borders every day. Everyone is welcome and appreciated. Small? True, but like big Canada, open minded and forward looking.

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Canadian Rockies, Athabasca Glacier, Columbia Icefield

The Athabasca Glacier in the Canadian Rockies ©Solange Hando

Located in the Jasper National Park and part of the Columbia Icefield, this is one of the world's most accessible glaciers, a comfortable day trip from Jasper (105 km) but also feasible from Lake Louise or Banff (195 km).

Up there, at 2000 metres, it's likely to be cold and the weather can change in minutes from dazzling sunshine to the odd snow shower. Take warm clothes and suitable shoes.  

The Skywalk, Athabasca ©Solange Hando

The Athabasca is a popular attraction so if you plan to take part in the 'double adventure', available in season, book well in advance, especially if you want to request specific times.

 The Skywalk is a good start, taking you on a semi-circular glass walkway suspended, it seems, between heaven and earth. Below you is the vertiginous drop of the Sunwapta Valley where pine trees cling tenaciously to barren soil, and towering above you, snow-capped mountains reaching over 3000 metres.

 Ice and Snow, Columbia Icefield, Jasper National Park ©Solange Hando

Take time to relax in the visitors' centre, browse the exhibitions and enjoy the stunning views then head down to the glacier for an exciting ride on the ice to the very edge of no man's land.

The Athabasca is six km long and up to 300 metres deep but despite some seven metres of fresh snow annually, this 10,000 year old natural wonder recedes by an alarming five metres a year, as you will see in places from the accumulation of rubble and rocks.

Ice Explorer on the Athabasca ©Solange Hando

Like some sort of giant from a fiction film, the Ice Explorer takes you down a very steep slope then across the ice until you reach the out of bounds limit. Rocky peaks, snowy tops all around and ahead of you, the pristine ice field laced with hidden crevasses.

Sometimes you might hear a rumble in the distance and witness an avalanche tumbling down towards you. It may send shivers down your spine but on a guided tour, you are in good hands.

Standing on the Edge ©Solange Hando

Then before the Explorer turns round, you can step out and walk on the ice, long enough to take a few photos, touch the snow and feel the vibes as clouds pile on the horizon above the stillness of this vast natural world.

Travel Writing? How to Sell every Feature you Write

Flying High ©Solange Hando

How do you start?

Think 'idea', the tighter the better

A flight over Everest, a festival, sampling the local food

Be original, less is more

and

Easier to sell

What next?

Find a market

Spend time browsing all sorts of publications

Who would be interested in your idea?

Who are the readers?

Think age group, budget, interests, families,couples

Made your choice?

Pitch

That makes you a professional

That saves the editor's time and yours

How should you pitch?

Show the editor you are familiar with the publication

Write your pitch in similar style

Be brief and to the point

Offer pictures

Keep Going ©Solange Hando

Got the go ahead?

Brilliant

But before you write a single word

Study the publication in detail, both format and style

Word count

Number and length of paragraphs

Choice of vocabulary, speech, quotes

1st or 3rd person

Fact box?

Next take a look at your pictures

It will

Refresh your memory

and

Help you to decide what to put in or leave out

Choose the best, the most original

Images will sell your words.

Ready to start?

Spend time on the 1st paragraph, it must grab attention straightaway

Keep your second best anecdote for the end

In the middle:

Vary the pace, highs and lows, anecdotes and facts

Paint a picture:

Include the senses

Avoid clichés

Be original

Sail Away ©Solange Hando

When all is done

Double check, click send

Now you're on your way

Would you like to read more?

Check out

Be a Travel Writer

Just 100 pages on the road to success

Good luck

and

Happy travels

Niagara Falls, Canada

First View of the Niagara Falls from Canadian Side ©Solange Hando

Here they are: the American Falls to the left and the thin Bridal Veil, with Luna island between them, and to the far right, beyond the long Goat Island, the (at times disputed) Canadian Horseshoe Fall. 

The Niagara Falls are neither the highest nor the most scenic -within sight of the road and tourist developments- but they are the most powerful in North America and claim the highest flow rate in the world with an average of four million cubic feet per minute.

The Horseshoe, Niagara ©Solange Hando

With its 2600 foot wide crescent, the Horseshoe is the most expansive of the three falls, boasting up to 90% of the water. There are vantage points behind the fall, accessed via elevators and tunnels and that is one way to feel the full force of the water tumbling over 160 feet.

It may be a good place too to reflect on the many daredevils who defied the falls, the first one a 63 year old school mistress who went over in a barrel or the Frenchman Blondin who walked across on a tightrope, carrying his boss, top hat and all, on his back.

Getting up Close to the Horseshoe ©Solange Hando

But most exciting is the boat trip to the base of the falls where you can fully appreciate the height as well as the power and thundering roar.

The Horneblower on the Canadian side and the Maid of the Mist on the American side constantly ply the turbulent waters  with a full load of excited passengers. Plastic ponchos are handed out, red or blue respectively but expect to get wet nevertheless. Be careful with cameras.

The Upper Niagara approaching the Falls ©Solange Hando

After the boat trip, you can stroll  along the cliff-edge promenade, part of the parkland created to beautify the scene and prevent further developments.

Draining  Lake Eerie, the Niagara river flows north for 36 miles to empty its waters in Lake Ontario. Some 12,000 years ago, the falls were located near Queenston but due to erosion, they gradually receded south towards Lake Eerie.

Looking Downstream ©Solange Hando

Canada to the left, USA to the right and in the distance the Rainbow Bridge which forms the border. Nowadays walking across the bridge is subject to strict control and not as straightforward as it used to be.

Downstream, beyond the falls, the Niagara enters a gorge, over six miles long. It is too dangerous for kayaking but there is a rambling trail and an exciting aerocar to take you across the river, suspended in mid-air over a whirlpool. Nearby is the helicopter base for bird's eye views of the falls but if this is beyond budget, go up the Skylon Tower at the Falls and enjoy the panorama from the observation deck.

Aerocar downstream from Niagara Falls ©Solange Hando

Toronto, Capital of Ontario

Welcome to Toronto ©Solange Hando

With a population 4½ times larger than Ottawa's, Ontario's capital almost feels like a dream, a true cosmopolitan city where all 'new Canadians' are welcome, regardless of origin, religion or culture.

It's Canada at its best, open, tolerant and caring under the guidance of its young liberal PM Justin Trudeau. The New Toronto City Hall (above) reflects success.

CN Tower and Harbourfront ©Solange Hando

Rising to 553 metres above lake Ontario, the communication tower has been the city's icon for over 40 years. In less than a minute, elevators whizz you up to the main observation deck (346 metres)  with a glass floor section, outdoor terrace and indoor refreshments.

If you really love heights, take the next lift and enjoy an even more dizzying panorama from 447 metres above the city and the white dome of the Roger's stadium. In season, adrenaline seekers can try the 'hanging over the edge' experience.

Toronto Islands on Lake Ontario ©Solange Hando

The CN tower also guarantees one of the best bird eye's views of the Toronto islands, 15 altogether interconnected by bridges or pathways across 5 km.

Just 13 minutes from downtown, it's a lovely escape from the bustling streets with nature trails and leisure activities, including boating and swimming. Spend a whole day if you can or book a tour from the harbourfront, worth it for views of the city's skyline on one side and the vast expanse of lake on the other.

Toronto from the CN Tower ©Solange Hando

On the north bank of Lake Ontario, Canada's largest city is hemmed in by ravines on the land side and an urban forest of 10 million trees. The economy is booming and developments are ongoing. 

This is a modern provincial capital with vibrant universities, thriving businesses and myriad tourist attractions from stunning museums and its world famous aquarium to vast shopping malls or the alleyways of China town and markets brimming with local produce.

Quaint and Stylish in Toronto ©Solange Hando

Wander around and you may well come across an old building or two tucked among the tower blocks or a quiet tree-lined district and brightly-coloured houses which seem to belong to another age.

Look out for Cabbage Town, originally an Irish working class settlement, now an attractive place with restored houses, or the Kensington area with colourful ethnic lanes and gentrified houses just steps away. Set on a grid pattern, the city is easy to explore, pick up a map and you can't get lost.

Cherry Blossom in Toronto ©Solange Hando

Toronto may have extremes of temperatures but it is nevertheless on the same latitude as the French Riviera and from spring blossom and tulips through to autumn, the many parks and gardens are simply delightful.

Lisbon, Day Trip to Portugal's Land's End, Cabo da Roca and Sintra

Surfing Beach West of Lisbon ©Solange Hando

Less than an hour away north west of Lisbon, sheltered coves and beaches give way to the wild Atlantic coast battered by breakers and wind.

It's too cold for swimming but ideal for surfing, scuba diving and fishing away from the crowds.

Cabo da Roca ©Solange Hando

Then you reach Cabo da Roca, a precipitous headland marking the westernmost point in continental Europe. The red and white lighthouse rises to 165 metres with spectacular views all around,
There is a small tourist office on the site where you can buy a certificate to prove you were there.

The Rocky Coast ©Solange Hando

On this stretch of coast, the water is all shades of blue, jagged rocks glow in the setting sun and trails strewn with wild flowers meander along the clifftop.

Check the weather before venturing too far as fog and wind can sweep in from the ocean when you least expect it.

Sintra in the Hills ©Solange Hando

Beyond the cape, this popular tour follows the scenic road heading inland, meandering up and over the wooded slopes before tumbling down to Sintra, a touristy but beautiful world heritage site tucked in lush greenery.

Stylish buildings and mosaics line the colourful streets and if you don't feel like walking, you can take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.

Lunch in Sintra ©Solange Hando

After a morning exploring the coast, there's plenty of time to relax in an outdoor restaurant,  hunt for souvenirs in the steep cobbled lanes or ramble in the hills in search of gurgling springs and wooded ravines.

The National Palace ©Solange Hando

Visit the National Palace, the best preserved royal residence of its kind in Portugal, with its white conical chimneys peeping above the trees or if time allows, you could climb up to the hilltop castle for a bird's eye view of Sintra and the forested hills all around.

Or stay overnight and when the crowds have gone, Sintra is simply magical.

Douro River Cruise, Portugal

The Douro River in Portugal ©Solange Hando

The Douro takes its source in northern Spain but only the 130 km section from the Portuguese border to the estuary is navigable.

Starting in Porto, the river promises one of the most scenic cruises in Europe, a great way to relax and a spot of excitement when you sail under low bridges or through one of the deepest locks on the continent. The return journey follows the same route but offers a different perspective.

Clear waters on the Douro ©Solange Hando

The scenery is for ever changing as beyond the wooded slopes of the lower reaches, the river meanders towards the rolling hills, the red-roofed villages sprinkled here and there and vineyards stretching as far as you can see.

The Douro has many moods,widening out like a lake, narrowing like a fjord to squeeze through a towering gorge, skirting an island or two or ochre-coloured rocks. Emerald or blue, the water is clear with lovely reflections of land and sky.

A Chance to Taste in the Vineyards©Solange Hando

Wine lovers couldn't dream of a better place to sample Portuguese wine, be it the ubiquitous Porto, red or white, the Mateus rosé, the sparkling Vino Verdhe and many more. Every cruise includes optional visits to wineries with tasting and buying if you wish.

A few vineyards still plunge straight down to the river but today most follow the curve of the hills, on horizontal terraces retained by stone walls. Put them end to end, they say, and you could build two Great Walls of China.

Pinhoa in the Douro Valley ©Solange Hando

There are daily opportunities to visit some of the pretty villages in the valley or up in the hills, with  ample time to sample the local gastronomy, and seek out a cultural site or two, such as the Lamego shrine or over the Spanish border, the Unesco city of Salamanca.

As this is a linear journey, most boats will schedule different opportunities on the return trip.

Sunset on the Douro in Barca d'Alva ©Solange Hando

Close to the Spanish border, Barca d'Alva is the last port of call on the Douro before the journey back to Porto and new places to explore along the way.

From the river to the villages and vine-covered hills, the unique landscape of the Douro is protected by Unesco.

All aboard, enjoy! ©Solange Hando