It’s always been my dream to write a travel blog (or column), but I don’t have enough travel experience to do so. I’ve only been to a few cities in China and a few provinces in the Philippines. Of course, all my experiences in these places were really remarkable and quite memorable. Still, a travel writer should be able to cover more than two countries. Otherwise it would be boring and quite lacking in variety.

That’s a problem that I noticed in a lot of “travel” websites.

These writers tend to depict the places they supposedly visit in terms that are vibrant and interesting. However, there is no way one can fake enthusiasm and precious memories. It’s only when you actually have personal memories of a particular place can you recount this to your readers in an authentic and realistic way.

Writing about travel shouldn’t focus on the beaten path; of course you’ll mention some of the more popular locations, but it’s the places with local flavor and eccentric culture that really make your travel piece pop out. That said, it’s still up to people to write travel articles on places they’ve never been to, but I seriously doubt the quality and relevance of such an article.

Should you have the good fortune of extensive travel and a flair for writing, however, here are some tips you can employ:

1. Exude local flavor. There is something unique to be found in every country, town or city; be sure that your article reflects this.. You should be able to highlight a particular aspect of your topic that can be viewed as completely unique and “local”. This doesn’t mean you have to invent something just so your location of choice stands out; just make sure that you let the honesty and reality behind this place shine out through your writing.
2. Use adjectives and superlatives with care. This doesn’t mean you should be stingy with praise. I just think you should let the place speak for itself. If you add too many adjectives and superlatives, you could end up sounding phony. Instead of getting readers to admire the place, you’ll just alienate them and make them think you’re a paid hack.
3. Be descriptive. This may sound like a contradiction to the tip above, but it’s not. If, for example, you’re describing a local foodstop, make sure you take note of the types of food served, the efficiency of service, the cultural highlights and your personal impression of the place. You don’t have to pepper everything with “great”, “excellent”, “highly recommended”. If you exaggerate, the power of superlatives wanes. Describe in full detail, but don’t exaggerate.
4. Include the location’s best-kept secrets. Most travel writers will probably choose to write about the usual tourist destinations, so your readers already know about most of them. Give them the lowdown on cool eateries, shopping spots or even scenic hideaways that are off the beaten path. This way, you’ll be presenting a different side of your location and giving your readers something new to consider.
5. Give tips. Each place has its own set of norms, cultures, etc. For example, Shenzhen has a massive night market. You can find anything you need or want in there. One thing you should remember, though, is that the place is rife with petty criminals waiting to rip tourists off. It would be best for tourists to keep an eye out even when shopping happily. That’s a tip right there. It’s important to give your readers the crucial information so they can visit the location with ease. This makes your article not only interesting, but also helpful.

Happy writing!

XOXO,