5 Reasons I Love Writing About My Hometown
As a travel writer, I get to visit some dreamy destinations. Just in the past year, I’ve been to the Hawaiian Islands, the Caribbean, Mexico’s Riviera Maya, Italy, the Greek Islands, and Croatia. As much as I love traveling to these far-and-away places, I have to admit that writing about my hometown of San Diego…
Survey Results + Why You Should Pursue Travel Experiences Near Home
Last week, I surveyed our members about where they’d go if someone else foot the bill. I was surprised by the results… The most common answer was Australia (11.61%). Followed by New Zealand (10.38%) and then Europe and Africa. 54 people wrote that they’d go “anywhere.” And, 62 more said “everywhere,” which isn’t surprising (but…
Great Escape Radio: Episode 147: Shooting in the rain
“Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.”—Bob Marley Host, Jody Maberry brings award-winning photographer and videographer, Joe Sindorf back to the program this week. You can listen to last week’s episode with Joe here. Jody shares a recent travel experience… “I was in Orlando recently visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom enjoying the safari when…
Improve Your Photo Skills — And See More Of The World
I’ve been around the world several times now and never have I seen views like these… That’s me in the red jacket – the tiny speck on the end of the cliff. I admit it was a bit cold, so I stayed cuddled up with my husband in a coat before stripping down to pose…
Turning A Love Of Photography Into An Income Source
You really get to know a person when you spend hours and hours hiking with them on dangerous terrain. My new photographer friend Nigel, for example, never complains when he’s hiking with a heavy backpack full of camera gear. But put him in a chair for more than 30 minutes and he’s in pain. If…
Faroe Islands Day 2: Taking Stunning Images At Any Time Of Day
In the Faroe Islands, people live in grass-covered cottages, and when the grass gets too long, they pick up a sheep and put him on the roof. That’s their grass-cutter. It’s fascinating, honestly. And quite beautiful to photograph. It’s Day 2 here in the Faroes (these notes are from my journal), and this has to…
Faroe Islands Day 1: Nigel Helps Me Improve My Photography Skills
I’m hungry. I’m cold. And I’m a bit terrified. Earlier this year, I made a phone call that changed some things. Every year, as part of my personal growth goals, I call 100 people and I ask them what they learned this past year. I’m always looking for what’s working, what’s not working, and what…
Great Escape Radio: Episode 146: Connecting with locals
“When we meet another person and experience the life they live as a local, it changes us.”—Joe Sindorf Host, Jody Maberry brings us a returning guest, award-winning filmmaker and photographer, Joe Sindorf. If there’s anyone who exemplifies living an exciting life, it’s Joe. At the time of the podcast recording, Joe is in the process…
How To Fund Trips Of A Lifetime As A Travel Writer
When I was 17, I traveled to the Philippines and worked with 30 other kids constructing church buildings. The adventure was hard but exciting, and I returned home bitten by the travel bug. Today, I write regularly for several luxury magazines, am published in international, national, and local publications, and am paid for the majority…
The Health Benefits Of Travel – Another Excuse To Plan A Trip Now
Back in 2013, the Global Commission on Aging and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies did a study on the health benefits of travel. They found that frequent vacations correlated with less heart disease-related deaths and lower stress. Now it should be mentioned that this study was done in partnership with the U.S. Travel Association, but…