What kind of Tripblog is your favorite?

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Permalink Reply by Lotta Rao on September 19, 2007 at 10:18am

I like when people tell stories the best. These could be day by day accounts or situational (riding the train in Switzerland for example). I don't much like lists or blogs in the vein of "what not to do" or "my favorite places" unless they also are structured around a story in some way.

For me, it's all about the description. It's what makes me dream and reflect on people/situations in my own surroundings with new awe.

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Permalink Reply by Marlene Hench on September 19, 2007 at 11:55am

I enjoy all the types of blogs that we have had so far on the cafe. The variation is quite nice. So I would say that I enjoy hearing about travels in the States etc also. It’s rather fun to hear about our fellow Untourists lives too.

When I'm planning an Untours trip, I find it most helpful to read a blog on that trip that describes what people did and what they saw, how they got to that site, and names of good restaurants they ate at in that area. I also appreciate hearing a description of their apartment and the host. I like to hear about their cultural experiences as well. If I read that the cheese makers' ceremoniuos return from the alp is in September or of the Octoberfest that are held in September then I may want to plan my trip accordingly.

These blogs can be either day to day accounts or a single blog of one aspect of their trip. I find both very entertaining and helpful.

Since I am a person of positive attitude, I prefer not to read about negative things such as colds, plane delays etc.They all happen to us some time or other; however, I appreciate hearing about things to avoid, precautions to take etc.

I don't care for lists except if they have a description attached to them. When I am planning a trip, I usually start out with very little knowledge of the destination. Names don't mean a lot at this point; however, names with short descriptions would be a great starting place.

When I plan our trips, I have a million questions of what to expect. It is so nice when I find a blog that answers some of these for me. So please keep those blogs coming!!

PS Marilee, I think a Help section would be great on the site.

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Permalink Reply by Jean and Fred Agneta on September 19, 2007 at 2:47pm

Marilee, I usually write a lengthy triplog for my own personal use. It keeps me focused on the trip, later I pared the long triplog down, I do the log day by day, and try to include only the fun things, and the highlights of the day-- I do tend to write tooo much, but I am trying. Inserting pictures make the blog or triplog come alive for all to see and enjoy. People can visually relate the place with the log. I do enjoy positive comments, and like Marlene Hench I too have a positive attitude and enthusiam when we are planning a trip. However,in some instances criticism has help us make a correct choice of a restaurant, or hotel. Mostly I like to read and see postings, blogs of the Untours destinations-- however seeing and reading about another country is always another avenue to explore. Guess we are addicted to Untours way of travel. The single subject themes are great, and right to the point.
Jean and Fred

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Permalink Reply by Powen Shiah on September 19, 2007 at 3:05pm

I am more in favor of vignettes -- sometimes I get bogged down reading blow-by-blow descriptions of an entire trip.

Stories that illustrate a particular point or recommendation, or even a series of a few of these are my favorite types of travel accounts to read.

Even better are stories of a longer trip that are told in a series -- each segment leaves me looking forward to the next one.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Kover on September 19, 2007 at 3:27pm

I think that if someone has a long blog, it's more user friendly if broken up into segments. Everyone is so busy these days that we don't have time to read the whole blog. Then you forget about it. But if it is broken up into segments, it's easier to handle.

Blogs on certain subjects is also more user friendly. Lotta Rao's piece on "Fooding Spain" is a good example. A member Eleanor's Polio group wants me to write an article on handicap accessibility in Paris when we return next year. That could be something specific that would interest not only the handicapped but the older travelers with mobility worries.

Another possible subject could be transportation (Metro, bus, train, rental car, etc.) problems or solutions encountered during a particular Untour. For example, in Paris we have been told that it is better for the handicapped to use the bus system rather than the Metro. The buses are handicap friendly while the Metro has long stairways with few elevators. That's something we will look into.

Another example could be one that I'm hoping Vance will do: "How Vance does it", an instructional blog or video on how he produces those great videos.

These "tidbit blogs" could be tied in with a "Help" or "FAQ" section of the Cafe.

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Permalink Reply by Barbara Eslinger on September 19, 2007 at 5:17pm

We like them all--day by day, top ten, subject themes etc. We wouldn't want to read one kind only. We like positive comments and only negative comments if they are critical to helping us plan a trip or help us avoid unpleasant circumstances. Bob and Barbara E.

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Permalink Reply by Vance Roy on September 20, 2007 at 2:58am

I like to read a triplog as if I were sitting in a room with the author chatting about his trip. On a trip myself, I usually have a laptop that I write in each evening (so I don't have too many senior moments). I have done the logs in a diary fashion, and I don't find them onerous at all. I enjoy those, as well as other formats. I think it helps to add explanations and some history to certain sights and places no matter how they are described. Photos certainly are a welcome addition any time. A little humor never hurts either. It can be very helpful to be objective about things. The weather isn't ALWAYS beautiful, some things interest you more than others, etc. If you think a certain place is overrated, then it is only fair to give an opinion. If you missed out on a certain activity, then it is fine to express regret. Others may not think as you, but is nice to have a lead.

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Permalink Reply by Pete and Maggie Haggart on September 20, 2007 at 11:35pm

We all seem to have different viewpoints on what we would like to see. Myself - I have written long daily blogs and shorter pieces dealing more with the highlights and now I am thinking about concentrating on one particular experience in some detail.

All of these have their uses for planning a trip. I usually take everything that I can find and then print them out and then pick out places to visit based on comments and suggestions. I agree with the idea of the positive approach, but also find that helpful hints in things to avoid can be a real value. You could forgo having to drive in circles in some area by knowing where to turn or what landmark to look for or where the best place to park might be..............things like that.

I think the folks at Untours can help us by spotting something interesting in a log or blog and contacting the person writing it and asking them to elaborate on something they have written about.

I especially like the logs or blogs that give you helpful advice about getting to and from a place or how to do your shopping with local customs in mind.

For sure I will keep reading and also writing and sharing.

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Permalink Reply by Doris M on September 22, 2007 at 4:33pm

I think the blogs at the Cafe have all been interesting and fun to read - and I've learned a lot from them. My favorite types are the stories. I agree with Vance - I like to read a story that makes me feel I'm right there with the person sharing their experiences. I love good writing and I especially love photos within the text that make me feel like making whatever place I'm reading about the place I'd most like to go next. I always enjoy reading about places off the beaten track that have been 'discovered' by Untourists - little villages, hidden away parts of big towns, special hikes (like the one Hal Taussig is mentioning in his latest blog on alpenhorns - and yes, Hal, I'd love to have you write a blog about the hike above Lake Luzern. Your story of the way villagers on their alps communicate is fascinating).

As far as critical comments, yes, I would like to hear about the village that's been touristed to death and the restaurant where the food is ordinary, the prices are high, and the service leaves much to be desired. Make the story funny if you can, but let us know! The one thing I don't find helpful is a diary like account of the mundane things that are part of every trip but not enlightening to others. Those accounts, I'm sure, are helpful to the person trying to remember all the details of a trip for themselves - but not necessarily to others.

I think it would be interesting to do a survey to find out how Cafe members feel about travel blogs unrelated to an Untours trip. I know I would really enjoy reading about trips within the U.S. or to countries where Idyll does not have locations. I'm wondering how others feel about this type of trip report.

Thanks for asking the question, Marilee! It's a great dialog! Mostly, I agree with Lotta Rao's last comment totally..."it's all about the description. It's what makes me dream...."

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Permalink Reply by Philip Allin on February 2, 2008 at 12:42pm

I like a blog that is a variation on the "Day to Day" report, one that starts with the highlight of the trip, to grab my interest. Then the blog can go back to explain how it got to this high point, and perhaps what followed. I don't always do this in my own writing, but if I can I like to appeal to the reader's interests in the opening.

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Permalink Reply by Deborah and Donald Wise on February 11, 2008 at 9:24pm

After reading all of the above replies to this discussion, I realize that my travel logs should be more to the point and less of a day to day nature. I always type one for myself that includes those little details, but hopefully I will now keep in mind little details and funny stories to include. I guess there is a learning curve for some of us.

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