Posts Tagged ‘Social Travel’

How Big is Social Travel?

Friday, July 22nd, 2011

Methodology:

What countries are most likely to want to use social travel websites? | Tnooz.

Brand New: gtrot Insider’s Guides!

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

Are you traveling abroad this summer? Well, we hope so because the gtrot Insider’s Guides are now live! For eight of the top summer destinations, we have compiled recommendations from gtrot users with experience in those cities. We’ve got great places to eat, shop, party and explore! If you share your trip to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Beijing, London, Madrid, Paris, Rome or Shanghai on gtrot, we’ll send you a free copy of the guide right to your inbox! If you think we missed some important stops, feel free to let us know on Twitter (@gtrot). These are not your average travel guides. Sourced from young, social travelers, you’ll find off-the-beaten path activities, events and experiences. Happy travels!

Featured Traveler | Annemarie Dooling: The Social Butterfly

Tuesday, July 5th, 2011

She writes about travel for a living. Cool, right? Say hello to Annemarie Dooling. Her love for travel has turned into a full time job, as she is now the  Travel & Culture Social News Editor for the Huffington Post Media Group. Brooklynite, Food truck foodie and frill seeker tells about a few of her favorite places.

Name: Annemarie Dooling

Tell us a little about yourself:

I’m a freelance writer for Flavorpill, Time Out and a few magazines, and I blog regularly at www.frillseekerdiary.com. Most recently I became the Huffington Post Media Group‘s Travel & Culture Social News Editor where I get to run the HuffPost’s Tumblr and meet fans for over 10 great brands and verticals, including Gadling and AOL Travel. Within thelast 12 months I’ve been to six countries and hope to tag another two on before 2012.

Favorite city you’ve been to:

Prague is one of the only cities I’ve ever visited that I could really live in. There’s a great mix of history and art and there’s an ironic twist to the city. The locals are so friendly and you could wander the side streets for hours. I recommend it to everyone.

Favorite restaurant:

I’m usually a food truck kinda girl - and Austin has my favorites - but for an amazing sit down experience, Morels in Vegas cannot be beat. They served me the most ridiculously delicious cheese plate I have ever had in my entire life. A close second? Oru in Vancouver, where Chef David Wong’s sheer passion comes through in every single dish. Finally, Antonio’s in Macau. Chef Antonio Coelho is super talented and fun.

Best place to relax:

Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda, surrounded by animal sounds and miles and miles of green plants and trees. ou could literally lay on the grass and just smile for hours.

Best place to have fun:

Definitely New York. I was born here and still feel like I’ve barely discovered anything! Every week there’s a new event or a new person to meet and it never ends. It took me a few years to appreciate it, but this is where people come to have fun.

Best trip you’ve ever taken:

In 2010 I accepted a sponsored trip to Rwanda and on the way got the chance to stop in Ethiopia and Uganda before arriving in Kigali. I was warned beforehand that Rwanda was both rough and beautiful but I was still not prepared. It was amazing, everything from trekking for gorillas to meeting craftsmen at the market; it’s an amazing country on the rise after a rough patch.

What one piece of advice do you have for travelers?

Never plan anything. You know the old adage, “If you wanna make God laugh, tell him your plans”? It’s never more true than in travel. Prepare for emergencies with guidebooks or apps or cell service or the number of friends or consulate members, but don’t plan anything. You’ll be really disappointed when the plans fall through.

Where else can we find you on the web?

Too many places! I’m a Twitter lover at @travelinganna. My blog loves at www.frillseekerdiary.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/frillseekerdiary. I do some of my best work at urlesque.tumblr.com and huffingtonpost.tumblr.com

Featured Traveler | Alisha Miranda: New Yorker & World Travel Geek

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

If you grow up in one of the world’s largest cities, why would you ever leave? For Alisha Miranda, the answer is easy - to go see the world! After a trip abroad to Spain she quickly fell in love with the traveler lifestyle and has been booking trips ever since. Learn more about the Alisha’s top rated destination in Spain and how to have the best trip possible!

Name: Alisha Miranda

Tell us a little about yourself:
I’m a social PR manager who leads a double life as a certified Travel Geek.

Favorite city you’ve been to:
Tough question but I’ll say Tarragona, Spain. I felt like Anthony Bourdain the entire time I was there - it’s a small coastal city south of Barcelona with stunning views of the ocean, incredible Roman ruins, really fresh and delicious seafood, and warm locals who are proud Catalonians.

Favorite restaurant:
In New York, it’s a tradition to be at Carmine’s on the Upper West Side every year during the holidays. I know it’s not the most “hidden gem” kind of place but it’s very special to me. Sometimes I go up there by myself just for drinks and apps. I love that it’s a family-style restaurant full of energy and “old school New York” charm.

Best place to relax:
Dolores Park in San Francisco. I could totally take a food coma nap there.

Best place to have fun:
Philadelpha. I don’t care that last call is at 2am, grab a cheesesteak, go bar hopping, and get wild with friends. I never have a boring time in that city.

Best trip you’ve ever taken:
Another tough question! I’m voting for Spain again as it was my first solo trip abroad. For a small girl who didn’t move out until she was 24 and is babied by her Mom, that took a lot of cojones to leave the country all by myself.

What one piece of advice do you have for travelers?
Don’t listen to the Debbie Downers or Judgmental Jerrys. If there’s a place you want to go to, do it! Don’t let petty things stand in your way whether it’s money or not having someone to join you on your travels. Get off your ass and make it happen!

Where else can we find you on the web?
Everywhere.
I help run contests at Thrillist.
I motivate young professionals to create new careers at the Opportunities Project.
I write reviews about my favorite spots at Not For Tourists.
And I’ll be producing custom NYC itineraries for Bright Lights NYC.

It’s hard to keep up with my life, but the best way to track me down is on twitter @makeshiftalisha

Flynet: Lufthansa finally offers wifi

Tuesday, May 17th, 2011

Whether you prefer the disconnected feeling or loathe it during long-haul flights - Lufthansa Airlines now gives you the option of broadband access if you want it. Now wifi on a plane isn’t exactly novel. The announcement of SkyNet, er, we mean FlyNet, leads us to believe that long flights, that are usually out of range for current wifi technology, will now be equipped to fulfill any internet addiction.

The best part of the FlyNet launch is the interactive video Lufthansa put together on how useful access to the internet can be. Of course, if you are a social network loving traveler like most gtrot members, we’re guessing you don’t need any advice on how to burn 6 more hours on the internet.

Click to watch:

If you try out FlyNet - let us know if it lives up to the hype. You can find us on Facebook or Twitter.