I’ve reached an exciting date – it is my one year of blogging anniversary! I’m not sure I really knew much about either twitter or blogging about 13 months ago, so I’ve learnt a lot already!! It’s quite interesting to look back at what I’ve learned so far and remember why I keep on doing it! To start with I was disappointed not to get away more often (the day job is a pretty big and time-consuming one), but actually – there is always something going on and always something of interest to discuss and write about whether it be overseas travel or exploring in the UK through work or play!
This is my first blog – I remember it took me so long to draft it, never having written anything publically available before! And I was so excited that Paul was happy to post it for me – I don’t think I realised at the time just how much of a source the internet is for travel information, from a perspective independent from the big operators! Prior to that I had just been happily following the likes of ALTB and Mrs O on twitter and facebook, not realising that it is something anyone to try their hand at (albeit on a smaller scale I started my own: Travel with Penelope and Parker!). On a rainy winter weekend when I didn’t have much work to be getting on with, I took some advice from Molly and went about setting up my own blog – what fun, and so much simpler than I thought (although I’m sure I’ve got a long way with www and wordpress knowledge).
Where it all began…
That knowledge has definitely changed how I go about researching my holidays (although always with a glass of wine in hand), and impacts the other blogs that I read with interest in case somewhere that has been visited appeals to me! There is definitely a whole new world of contacts and conversation that I’m starting to get to know already – I’m sure I’ve sat next to some of the people that I tweet with in an airport lounge or on a plane and not even realised – I need to pay more attention!!
Happiest researching trips!
So up until 12 months ago my main input into the travel society was through tripadvisor… How things have changed, and for the better! 12 months on and I have a new online presence and happily it keeps me away from facebook: triptease, instragram, flickr, twitter, my own blog, guest blogs for Paul and for Marina at The Lux Traveller. It really is very enjoyable and I find it interesting reading others, but relaxing doing my own! I started it for 2 reasons. Firstly to use up dead time on trains (tricky to work on the confidential information I have on trains, even with a privacy screen) and secondly (and more importantly) to share what we learn and enjoy from our travels. There is nothing better than being able to help a friend or colleague have a better trip by sending some suggestions and tip, and it is also great for my husband and I to have our trips documented to go alongside the photos and the memories! It also really helps us to learn what we like best and what we can take or leave!
Most staggering is just how much travel I have done over the years! For the first few months of blogging I had a great time going back over albums and picking out some of the gems we’d visited and stayed at and sharing these. At the end of 2013 it was fun to look back at just how much we crammed into one year – in pictures and in months!! It is also interesting to look at the variation in places we’ve visited and see where our preferences now take us! I’m not afraid to say I prefer luxury – work hard play hard etc – but to me luxury isn’t just about the 5* glamour and comfort (although it plays a big part!), it is more important for us to have peaceful locations, unspoilt views, great food and wine and attentive service and charm. When I think about our favourite places – they vary from a self-catering cottage in Cornwall and another on a boutique winery in Stellenbosch, through to boutique hotels in Venice and Jamaica, and on to big-brand luxe in the UAE (an area of the world that really knows how to do service on a personal level in a big hotel).
Good memories, good places
Best bits?
- Seeing my writing on the WWW! It is incredibly exciting the first time you see it – regardless of how many people have a blog, until you start your own it is hard to grasp just how much fun it is. The hard-work is in keeping it going and keeping it fresh and appealing to readers! Now I’m involved in blogging groups it is great to get the comments from like-minded souls and offer advice and travel suggestions to others! Just after I joined triptease one of my reviews even got featured in a BBC programme – that left me very excited indeed!!
- My own blog lets me share experiences, memories and photographs, all in one place – so as much as I hope it is interesting and helpful for readers, I love that it captures where we’ve been in so much detail!
- And just since May… introducing Cornwall to my husband in June and October; splurging on a trip to Arabia that was even more memorable and enjoyable than we could have expected; making the most of weekends away – visiting friends in Anglesey and exploring nice places near home!
Cornwall in June – it could have been the Mediterrean
Cornwall in October – quiet and plenty of sunshine
- The fact that so far this year I have recorded a photo for every day of the year… still many months to go (it is more exhausting than it sounds) but at least for this year I have a record of something that I did on every day of the year so far!… Here’s April to read through and a lovely selection of photos from our Arabian trip in February below!
1st to 8th Feb
What’s next?
On the travelling front we are off to Northern Ireland at the end of June for a few days, we have a week of yachting off the Costa Smeralda in Sardinia in September and then a week in the Peloponnese in October (and I want to squeeze in long weekends in 2 of my all time favourite places – Cornwall (with family) and in Norfolk (to see the touring cars at Snetterton) – across the summer). Plenty more to look forward to!
Looking out to Scolt Head Island from Brancaster
For the blog – I need to keep it fresh, and (whilst a terrible problem to have) I must keep seeing new places whether in the UK or abroad so that I can share experiences. More immediately I have decided that perhaps now I am ready for facebook too – my page is set so I just need to do some work on it!…
I have a no social media on holiday rule, we both do – a proper escape from day to day life the moment we leave the airport lounge outbound! Whether I need to reassess this is something I might think about. Much as I like being switched off from everything at home on holiday, much of what this project about is sharing experience, but when is the best time to share!
Always love to have ideas for what to change, what to do better and what I might be missing, looking forward to taking your advice!
Happy birthday to the blog!!
You have certainly been busy, Anna! Thank you for sharing your travels with A Luxury Travel Blog – I look forward to hearing more! 🙂
Author
Thanks Paul – plenty more to come and thanks for getting me started! Looking for more ‘restaurants with rooms’ for my next for you!
Many congratulations on your first blogversary. That is a fantastic achievement, many don’t make it that far.
As someone who has been blogging for more than a year and a half I can certainly relate to your experiences. I also agree that connecting with other bloggers is the key to making long term worthwhile relationships. These connections help you learn, share and develop, that is my experience at least.
I wish you every success for this coming year. I’m also quite jealous of your planned trip to Sardinia. You are going to a very beautiful part of the island.
I’ve never heard of triptease, I’ll have to investigate.
Author
Triptease is a must – it is great, you’ll be hooked! I’ve always wanted to go to Sardinia, so really looking forward to it – might have to take baked beans in the suitcase though – and Gin! I think G&T might cost about £15 each!
Congratulations on your first blogaversary and happy travels on your next year, I’m sure it will be another fantastic year for you.
Author
I am pretty sure when I get to the end of December I will never do Project 365 again… I know that already!! Thank you!
Congratulations! I bet you didn’t realise how addictive blogging can be. And wonderful to hear that you are going to Sardinia. It’s a really wonderful place. Here’s a link to my Sardinian posts if you want some background reading http://travelwithkat.com/category/europe/italy/sardinia/ and if you make it to San Pantaleo be sure to have some hot chocolate – it’s so thick you can stand a spoon in it!!
Looking forward reading all your forthcoming adventures. Here’s to year 2 and may there be many, many more!
Author
Thanks Kathryn, we get a lay-day from the sail boat racing so we might yet get to see some of the island. Here’s to many more exciting trips at home and abroad!
Congratulations Anna! You certainly have accomplished a lot in a year and should be proud of it. I must say your positive attitude and joy shines through in your writing and it’s obvious that success is coming your way because you are doing something that you love. Good luck with year # 2.
Author
Thank you! It really is fun, it always helps doing something in free time which is enjoyable!
Congratulations Anna! You certainly have accomplished a lot in a year and should be proud of it. I must say your positive attitude and joy shines through in your writing and it’s obvious that success is coming your way because you are doing something that you love. Good luck with year # 2.
Author
Thank you! It really is fun, it always helps doing something in free time which is enjoyable!
Happy birthday! Congratulations on achieving so much in a year :). And it sounds like you’ve got lots to look forward to – can’t wait to read all about it!
On an aside, I’ve nominated you for a Liebster award,since I really enjoy reading your blog :). If you’d like to see the nomination / take it up / find out more, the link’s here. http://travelwithmolly.com/2014/05/13/a-liebster-award-nomination/. Thanks for doing such a great blog!
Author
Aha – this looks fun! Thank you! I’ll be doing a similar blog post to you over the weekend! Thank you for getting me started on my own page!!
Happy birthday! Congratulations on achieving so much in a year :). And it sounds like you’ve got lots to look forward to – can’t wait to read all about it!
On an aside, I’ve nominated you for a Liebster award,since I really enjoy reading your blog :). If you’d like to see the nomination / take it up / find out more, the link’s here. http://travelwithmolly.com/2014/05/13/a-liebster-award-nomination/. Thanks for doing such a great blog!
Author
Aha – this looks fun! Thank you! I’ll be doing a similar blog post to you over the weekend! Thank you for getting me started on my own page!!
Full credit to you Anna for taking the plunge into the blogging world. I really enjoy reading your articles as I am sure others around the WWW do to. I completely agree with you that seeing your own work on the web gives you a real sense of accomplishment, especially when other folks comment with positive feedback on your work. It really shows that other folks are appreciating what you do and they are benefiting from them.
Author
Thanks Chris! It reminds me why I do the day job to… to pay for an expensive hobby 😉
Full credit to you Anna for taking the plunge into the blogging world. I really enjoy reading your articles as I am sure others around the WWW do to. I completely agree with you that seeing your own work on the web gives you a real sense of accomplishment, especially when other folks comment with positive feedback on your work. It really shows that other folks are appreciating what you do and they are benefiting from them.
Author
Thanks Chris! It reminds me why I do the day job to… to pay for an expensive hobby 😉
Congratulations on your first year of blogging – here’s to many more travels, posts and photos to come in the next one!
Congratulations on your first year of blogging – here’s to many more travels, posts and photos to come in the next one!
Congratulation on your blogaversary! I love reading your posts so keep them coming! 🙂
Author
Thanks Nina – I will do my best, Ireland in June, Sardinia in September and Greece in October (and hopefully other stuff in between)
Congratulation on your blogaversary! I love reading your posts so keep them coming! 🙂
Author
Thanks Nina – I will do my best, Ireland in June, Sardinia in September and Greece in October (and hopefully other stuff in between)
Happy blogiversary! Isn’t blogging a wonderful little corner of the internet?
Author
Wish I had found it sooner!!
Happy blogiversary! Isn’t blogging a wonderful little corner of the internet?
Author
Wish I had found it sooner!!
Congratulations! Must be a fabulous feeling!!!
Congratulations! Must be a fabulous feeling!!!
Congrats on hitting (and surpassing!) one year of blogging! I’m just coming up to my third now 🙂
p.s. you take the most beautiful photos, keep it up!
This Girl Loves
Author
Thanks Sarah – it is a very relaxing hobby, and certainly means we won’t forget where we’ve visited and what we thought!
Congrats on hitting (and surpassing!) one year of blogging! I’m just coming up to my third now 🙂
p.s. you take the most beautiful photos, keep it up!
This Girl Loves
Author
Thanks Sarah – it is a very relaxing hobby, and certainly means we won’t forget where we’ve visited and what we thought!