One of the best things about travel is SHARING it. Whether it is sharing it while you are traveling, or after you get home and helping others, sharing is an integral part of human nature. And, when we're researching travel, we want a best friend to tell us what they saw, where they stayed, and the unique things about each place. We've found a website that does just that - Sharing Travel Experiences. It's a fantastic travel resource, run by our friend and fellow Travel Blog Mob member Andrew Hayes. Sharing Travel Experiences is full of great travel recommendations, travel booking options, a travel concierge, travel photos, interviews, travel product reviews, trip reports, and plenty of ideas and inspiration for travel. We love it.
Scotland
Nova Scotia
We were lucky enough to sit down and chat with Andy about Sharing Travel Experiences, digging deeply into a culture, Amazing Travel, and more. Here's what he had to say...
WE: Please tell us about your site, Sharing Travel Experiences...
AH: Sharing Travel Experiences is a travel magazine + website that offers individuals the opportunity to share, as the title implies, knowledge tips and experiences. We help people try to figure out where to spend their money and their time (which both seem to always be short in supply), and create luxurious travel experiences that are perfect for them.
Vancouver, Granville Island
WE: What was the genesis of your site?
AH: Well the site started out as my personal travel blog about 4 years ago, but quickly evolved into the magazine format that I have today. About two years ago I implemented a lot of changes on the business side; we rolled out our popular travel concierge service, travel booking options, and started accepting advertising. It's been onwards and upwards ever since!
Cardiff, Wales Millenium Centre
Memorial to Human Rights in Boise
WE: What led you to travel writing?
AH: Well, I was working in a job that I didn't like (at all), and was looking on a hobby to occupy my time and give me something else to look forward to in the evenings - so I chose writing. I devoured every resource I could find to figure out how to do it well, and worked countless hours to hone my skills. Then I found out it could be a profitable side gig, and the rest...history.
Scotland
WE: You've also got a new book out - can you share more about that?
AH: Yes, I'm a published author of a travel guide to Edinburgh as well as several ebooks and resources, but I've just co-authored a book called Value Luxury: How to Find First Class Experiences on an Economy Budget. It's free for subscribers to our travel newsletter, and the book is a culmination of tips, ideas, and resources that myself and my co-author Margo Millure have learned over the years. We cover every aspect of trave
l, from choosing where to go, what to spend your money on, and how to survive until the next trip!
Edinburgh
WE: How can travelers best dig deeply into a culture?
AH: Everyone's style is different, but here are my favourites:
- Go to the grocery store.
- Learn a few sentences in the local language, if you aren't fluent.
- Meet a local, either via a social network or a guided tour
Reading books and guides and stories is great, but digging deeply can only be done with your own eyes, ears, nose, and tongue...
Seattle Skyline from the Space Needle
Hangin Out in San Fran
WE: What defines Amazing Travel?
AH: Well, ideally a trip that you can brag about. But realistically (as not everyone is a bragger), a trip that makes you feel good about yourself, reminds you that you're alive, and that brings you more in touch with the world in some way. Amazing doesn't have to be the Taj Mahal or Niagara falls - it can simply be a walk along a tranquil river in a big city, or finding the best ice cream in a foreign place.
Glenfiddich Distillery
WE: Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
AH: I just want to say that there is no right or wrong to travel. Do what feels right, go to a place that makes you happy, and forget all the rest. It's easy to over-engineer the whole travel thing, but the point is to get away from home, breathe, and reflect. Enjoy. Smile. You're still alive - and that's worth celebrating.
Niagara Falls
WE: Thanks so much, Andy! I love your site and highly recommend it to our Wandering Educators.
For more information, please see:
plumdeluxe.com
Scotland
All photos courtesy and copyright Andrew Hayes