Comments on: Writing About Places You’ve Never Visited

By: Erica Johansson

Erica Johansson — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:46:27 +0000

It’s great to hear that you’re only writing about places you’ve visited yourself. And I totally agree about giving recommendations on accommation if you haven’t stayed there. How can one give an adequate view of something without having experienced it? Sure, you can research online but whatever you review or write about will lack that genuine personal touch.

By: Vi @ Travel Tips

Vi @ Travel Tips — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:41:51 +0000

Personally I am writing only about things I experienced myself. But probably it depends what you writing about. I think it would be wrong to write recommendations where to stay if you haven't been in those places. .-= Vi @ Travel Tips´s last blog ..Most dangerous species in New Zealand =-.

By: Erica Johansson

Erica Johansson — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:51:42 +0000

Agreed, there’s nothing wrong with it – it’s understandable when it comes to those FOB sections. But for longer destination pieces I prefer if the writer has actually visited the place in person.

By: Lola

Lola — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:18:38 +0000

There’s definitely a lot of desk research in the travel writing world and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that especially if you’re writing “round up” articles.

A lot of the FOB sections of magazines are done that way too with information researched from various sources.

Personally, I write about places I’ve been (accompanied with photographs).
.-= Lola´s last blog ..Love Abroad in Heart & Soul =-.

By: Erica Johansson

Erica Johansson — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:53:33 +0000

Thanks, Andrei.

Speaking about places you’ve never visited in person, I came across this article on imaginary travel earlier today http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/imaginary-travel-is-the-only-way-to-go-20091205-kc0v.html

By: Andrei

Andrei — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 05:28:49 +0000

I guess is not easy to keep an attractive travel blog writing only about places you have visited – simply because you cannot be all the time on the road. That’s why I do appreciate your policy Erica; to be frank I was not aware of it, but now I like your blog even more.

Anyway, I also understand why many travel bloggers write also about “not seen” places – it can be a good compromise even if sometimes you can feel the “clichés”.

By: Erica Johansson

Erica Johansson — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:10:44 +0000

That’s a really good question… which I don’t yet know how to answer.

For someone who visits a new destination, it’s more about quality than quantity though. I mean, a person can spend a few weeks in a city and having seen and experienced way more than someone who stayed for months. I believe it depends a lot on who we meet and talk to (other tourists/travellers vs locals) and how much research we do before, during and after a certain trip.

By: Taylor Davidson

Taylor Davidson — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:39:34 +0000

I don't think I have, unless it's specifically about my dreams of the place. The real question: what is the bar of experience / time to be able to give our generalizations about a place justice and meaning? .-= Taylor Davidson´s last blog ..12 seconds from a 2 hour taxi ride in Mumbai, India =-.