gailtal on tour blog

• Wer bloggt hier
• Kärnten Tipps
• Cabrio Ausflüge & Road Trips
• Städtereisen
• Europareisen
• E-Bike & outdoor

7 Tage Toskana Road-Trip: Routenempfehlung, Tipps und Sehenswürdigkeiten

Seit unserem letzten Road Trip an die Côte d’Azur meinem Mini Cooper Cabrio sind schon wieder ein paar Jahre vergangen. Ich hatte den daher den Wunsch, den Sommerurlaub 2021 in Italien zu verbringen und einen Toskana Road-Trip mit dem Mini zu machen. Alle Informationen zu unserer Reiseroute für eine Woche durch die Toskana erfährst du in diesem Beitrag – inkl. Reiseplan als Download für deine Reiseplanung. 

Tag 1: Anreise & Reiseroute nach Florenz

Wir starten um 5.30 Uhr bei uns daheim in der Region Nassfeld-Hermagor. Unsere Reiseroute führt uns über den Nassfeldpass / Passo Pramollo bis nach Pontebba, wo wir auf die Autobahn auffahren. Unsere Reise führt über Portogruaro, Venedig, Padova und weiter über die A 13 bis Bologna. Die Strecke von Bologna bis Florenz führt über den Toskanischen Apennin. Hier geht es durch viele Tunnels und kaum an Städten und Ortschaften vorbei.  Bei Barberino di Mugello beschließen wir, die Autobahn zu verlassen und über die Landstraße bis nach Fiesole zu fahren. Ab hier führt die Route durch bezaubernde Dörfer und über Bergstraßen mit wunderschönen Ausblicken. 

Schon bei meinem Städtetrip nach Florenz mit meinen Freundinnen 2018 habe ich Fiesole besucht. Als Einstimmung auf diese wunderbare kulturelle Metropole möchte ich mit Otmar einen Zwischenstopp in Fiesole einlegen. Von hier aus kannst du einen einzigartigen Ausblick auf die Hauptstadt der Toskana genießen. Leider muss ich feststellen, dass die Corona-Pandemie hier einige Opfer gefordert hat und viele Lokale seit meinem letzten Aufenthalt in dem Ort geschlossen wurden. Trotzdem ist Fiesole sehr schön und der perfekte Ort, um sich auf einen einwöchigen Aufenthalt in der Toskana einzustimmen

Wenn du mit dem Auto nach Florenz fährst, sind die Fahrt durch die Altstadt und das Parken in der Stadt immer eine besondere Herausforderung. In Florenz ist Vorsicht geboten: die ZTL Zone – die verkehrsberuhigende Zone darf nur mit Sondergenehmigung befahren werden, z.B. wenn deine Unterkunft in dieser Zone liegt. Parkplätze in Florenz sind sehr rar und auch sehr teuer. Wenn du nach einer Unterkunft in Florenz suchst, dann schau am besten auch gleich, welche Parkmöglichkeiten es in der Nähe gibt. Ich habe im Vorfeld unserer Toskana-Reise in den Reisepodcast von Traveloptimizer hineingehört und dort viele Tipps für einen Road Trip in die Toskana bekommen. Für unseren Aufenthalt in Florenz habe ich auch das dort empfohlene Hotel gebucht. Es liegt ganz zentral, direkt an der Ponte Vecchio, einem der Fiorentiner Wahrzeichen. 

Sightseeing in Florenz

Wir haben uns für unseren Besuch in Florenz vorgenommen, die Kuppel des bekanntesten Wahrzeichens der Stadt zu besichtigen. Brunelleschi’s Kuppel, die den Dom Santa Maria del Fiore ziert, gilt auch heute noch als architektonisches Meisterwerk. Die Tickets dafür besorgst du am besten online, wo du auch gleich eine Uhrzeit für deine Besichtigung buchen musst. Die Anzahl der Besucher ist nämlich streng begrenzt. Der Aufstieg ist führt über 576 Stufen und ist sehr schmal und schweißtreibend. Falls du körperlich nicht fit bist oder eine Einschränkung beim Gehen haben solltest, musst du auf den Aufstieg leider verzichten. Es gibt keinen Lift, der zur Kuppel führt.  

Ansonsten solltest du dich einfach durch die schöne Altstadt von Florenz treiben lassen und das „Bella-Italia-Gefühl“ intensiv in dich aufzusaugen. 

Meine Restauranttipps für Florenz habe ich einem eigen Beitrag Essen in Florenz zusammengefasst. 

Piazzale Michelangelo

Der schönste Ort, um den Sonnenuntergang oder die goldene Stunde in Florenz zu genießen ist der Piazzale Michelangelo. Der Platz ist bei Einheimischen und Touristen gleichermaßen beliebt. Von hier aus hast du einen wunderschönen Ausblick auf die Altstadt mit ihren historischen Gebäuden sowie den Fluß Arno mit seinen markanten Brücken. Weitere Sightseeing Tipps für Florenz findest du in meinem Beitrag für einen Kurztrip nach Florenz.

Hotel in Florenz, 1 Nacht

Direkt an einem der bekanntesten Wahrzeichen von Florenz liegt das Bed & Breakfast Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio. In der gleichen Straße gibt es ein öffentliches Parkhaus, das benutzt werden kann. Die Zimmer im B&B sind eher klein, aber das ist bei einem Städtetrip in Ordnung. Wir konnten vom Zimmer aus direkt auf die Ponte Vecchio und das bunte Treiben in den Gassen blicken. Das Hotel ist so zentral gelegen, dass der Dom, die Uffizien und viele andere Sehenswürdigkeiten in wenigen Minuten zu Fuß erreichbar sind. Auch der beliebte Aussichtspunkt Piazzale Michelangelo ist gut zu Fuß erreichbar. Das absolute Highlight der Unterkunft sind der Frühstücksraum und die kleine Terrasse. Von hier aus kannst du über die Dächer von Florenz blicken und zusehen, wie die Stadt morgens erwacht. Das Frühstück war vielfältig und ausreichend und wurde uns zum Tisch serviert. 

Hotel Florenz: B&B Pitti Palace, Borgo San Jacopo 3/R, 50125 Firenze Mail: [email protected] Unterkunft Hotel Pitti Palace jetzt via Booking.com buchen *

Weitere Angebote für Unterkünfte in Florenz

Tag 2: Strada in Chianti Teil 1 & San Gimignano

Am zweiten Tag verlassen wir Florenz nach dem Frühstück. Wir nehmen die Stadtausfahrt durch die Porta Romana in Richtung Süden und lassen uns vom Navi dann zum Beginn der SR222 bei Grassina leiten. Hier startet die Strada in Chianti oder auch Chiantigiana, wie sie vielfach genannt wird. Die Route über die SR222 führt von Florenz nach Siena und ist gesamt 69 Kilometer lang. Die wichtigsten Orte sind Greve in Chianti, Panzano, Castellina, Radda, Gaiole und Siena.

Ein Road Trip entlang der Weinstraße führt durch viele bezaubernde Dörfer und eine wunderschöne Landschaft mit weinbewachsenen Hängen, sanften Hügeln und entzückenden Weinkellereien. Entlang der Chiantistraße kann man geführte Besichtigungen durch Weinkellereien  unternehmen und Weine, Olivenöl und Wurstwaren verkosten. 

Buchungen für Weintouren:

• Sind direkt auf der Seite des Chianti Classico möglich (nur auf Englisch oder Italienisch). 
• Oder auf Deutsch via Get your Guide*

Greve in Chianti

Wir haben an der Strada in Chianti einen Stop in der kleinen Stadt Greve gemacht. Der Ort gilt als „Tor zur Chianti-Weinstraße“. Das Herz von Greve in Chianti ist der Hauptplatz, die Piazza Matteotti   der von Bogengängen gesäumt wird. Hier befindet sich auch auf das Rathaus im Stil der Neorenaissance und die Kirche Santa Croce, die über den Überresten einer mittelalterlichen Kirche errichtet wurde. 

In Greve befindet sich das berühmte Castello di Verrazzano mit seinen prestigeträchtigen Weinkellern. Auch hier werden täglich Besichtigungen und Verkostungen angeboten. Im Weinmuseum können über 100 Weinsorten probiert werden. An diesem zweiten Tag unserer Reise verlassen wir die Chianti-Straße in Castellina in Chianti. Von dort biegen wir nach San Gimignano ab, wo wir uns für drei Nächte eine Unterkunft gemietet haben. 

Unterkunft in San Gimingnano, 3 Nächte

Um für die Erkundung der Strada in Chianti , Siena und das Val d’Orcia eine gute Ausgangslage zu haben, haben wir das berühmte und pittoreske Städtchen San Gimignano als Basis für die nächsten Tage ausgesucht. Da uns als berufstätige Reisende auch der Erholungsfaktor besonders wichtig ist, haben wir uns für eine kleines, entzückendes Agriturismo etwas außerhalb von San Gimignano mit Pool entschieden. Ich wurde durch Bloggerin Doris aka Miss Classy auf dieses B&B aufmerksam .

Das Haus hat sich als wahrer Glücksgriff erwiesen. In dieses Kleinod mitten in den Wein- und Olivenhainen mit Pool und großzügiger Terrasse haben wir uns sofort verliebt. Die Zimmer sind einfach aber gemütlich ausgestattet. Das Highlight ist der Pool, von dem aus man die mittelalterliche Skyline von San Gimignano mit den Geschlechtertürmen bewundern kann. Der Pool wurde jeden Morgen zu meinem Lieblingsort für eine kurze Yoga-Praxis.

Das Frühstück wurde jeden Tag liebevoll als Buffet vorbereitet und wir haben es auf der Terrasse mit Blick in die Weinberge genossen. Abends hätten wir auch gegen Aufpreis ein Menü im B&B einnehmen können, wir sind aber immer in die Stadt spaziert, um uns dort durch die Lokale kosten zu können. Die Familie Rossi stellt auch mehrere Unterkünfte in der Altstadt von San Gimignano zur Verfügung. Das Bed and Breakfast Ponte a Nappo mit Pool befindet sich wie bereits erwähnt etwas außerhalb vom Stadtzentrum (ca. 30 min. Spaziergang). 

Unterkunft San Gimignano: B&B Ponte a Nappo, Via Vecchia 66 – 53037 San Gimignano (SI) Mail: [email protected] Unterkunft B&B Ponte a Nappo jetzt via Booking.com buchen

Weitere Angebote für Unterkünfte in San Gimignano

Tag 3: Strada in Chianti Teil 2 & Siena

Am dritten Tag unseres Toskana Road-Trips sind wir von San Gimignano über Poggibonsi und dann über die SP130 wieder nach Castellina in Chianti gefahren. Hier sind wir wieder in die Chianti-Straße eingestiegen. Wir nehmen die Route von Castellina über die SR429 nach Radda in Chianti. Von dort geht es weiter über die SP 102 bis nach Siena. 

Siena – das „Must-See“ beim Toskana Road-Trip

Der gute Ruf eilt Siena voraus, weshalb diese Stadt auf keinem Fall bei einem Toskana Road-Trip fehlen darf. Ich hatte die berühmte Stadt als junge Frau bei einer Italien-Rundreise 2006 schon einmal besucht. Natürlich war ich gespannt darauf, wie sich Siena in den darauffolgenden 15 Jahren verändert hatte. Wenn wir uns nicht gerade mitten in einer Pandemie befinden, findet in Siena zwei Mal pro Jahr der berühmte Palio die Siena statt. Bei dem Pferderennen am Piazza del Campo wird ein Wettkampf zwischen den einzelnen Stadtteilen von Siena ausgetragen. Er gilt als eines der härtesten Pferderennen der Welt. Die Piazza del Campo gilt als einer der schönsten Plätze der Welt. 

Parken in Siena

Wie in allen italienischen Städten sind Parkplätze rar und teuer. Die Parkmöglichkeiten von Siena sind sehr gut ausgewiesen und beschildert. Wir haben in einem Parkhaus bei der Porta Fontebranda geparkt. Von hier aus führen einige Rolltreppen in die historische Altstadt von Siena. 

Sehenswürdigkeiten Siena

Wenn du die Rolltreppen in die Altstadt nimmst erreichst du nach wenigen Schritten die Piazza Duomo. Der Dom Santa Maria zählt zu den schönsten Sehenswürdigkeiten von Siena. Er liegt auf dem höchsten Punkt der Stadt und erstrahlt in einer markanten Fassade aus romanischen und gotischen Stilelementen. 

Piazza del Campo Siena 

Vom Domplatz spazieren wir über weitere Plätze und durch enge Gassen zum Piazza del Campo. Du findest dich in Siena sehr leicht ohne Navi-App oder Karte zurecht. Es sind überall Hinweisschilder an den Häuserfassaden angebracht, die den vielen Touristen den Weg weisen. Trotz Pandemie ist die Stadt im Sommer 2021 sehr gut besucht. Wobei sich vor 2020 sicherlich noch viel mehr Besucher und Reisegruppen aus aller Welt durch die Gassen der Altstadt geschoben haben. 

Die Piazza del Campo ist sehr beeindruckend und prächtig. Ob es sich aber wirklich um einen der schönsten Plätze Italiens handelt sei dahingestellt. Da würden mir schon einige Städte einfallen, die mit Siena und dem Campo durchaus konkurrieren können (der Piazza Unitá in Triest z.B.). 

Zumindest gibt es viele Restaurants und Lokale rund um den Platz. Wir entfliehen der gleißenden Juli-Hitze und lassen uns in einem Ristorante am Campo nieder um dem bunten Treiben ein wenig zu folgen und unseren Hunger und Durst im Schatten zu stillen. Anschließend brechen wir wieder nach San Gimignano auf. Wir wählen für den Rückweg nicht die Chiantigiana, sondern die Schnellstraße, die Florenz mit Siena verbindet. 

Den restlichen Nachmittag lassen wir am Pool unserer Unterkunft ausklingen, bevor wir uns wieder ein nettes Lokal in San Gimignano für das Abendessen aussuchen. Alle kulinarischen Tipps für San Gimignano und zu diesem Toskana Road Trip wird es in einem eigenen Blogbeitrag geben. 

Tag 4: Entspannen & Ausflug in das Val d’Orcia

Da wir auch ein wenig Erholung notwendig haben verbringen wir den Vormittag unseres vierten Urlaubstages am Pool. Für den Nachmittag haben wir uns die Fahrt in das Orca-Tal vorgenommen. Das Val d’Orcia zählt zum UNESCO Weltkulturerbe und zeigt die typische Landschaft der Toskana in ihrer vollkommensten Form . Hier gibt es die berühmten Zypressen-Alleen zu sehen, die sich sanft über bewirtschaftete Hügel schwingen und zu alleinstehenden Höfen führen. Unser Toskana Road-Trip fällt auf die erste Juli Woche. So erleben wir auch, wie die Landwirte der Region mit großen Ernte-Maschinen auf den steilen Hügeln unterwegs sind, um das Stroh und Getreide zu pressen. Wir sehen u.a. auch wunderschöne Sonnenblumenfelder, die in voller Blüte stehen. Natürlich finden wir auch die bekanntesten Fotospots der Toskana. 

San Quirico d’Orcia

San Quirico d’Orcia ist das Tor zu der Gegend, bekannter sind die Orte Montalcino, Pienza  und  Montepulciano. Leider haben wir es zeitlich nicht geschafft, diese drei genannten Orte zu erkunden. Dafür habe ich einen kleinen Fotospaziergang durch San Quirico gemacht und bin dabei auf den Horti Leoni gestoßen. Das ist ein öffentliche zugäglicher italienischer Garten aus dem 16. Jahrhundert. Außerdem habe ich die Collegiata Kirche bewundert, die direkt an der Via Francigena – dem Frankenpilgerweg liegt. 

Castellina in Chianti

Nachdem wir das Licht der goldenen Stunde bis zum Schluss bei unserer Fahrt durch die Zypressen-Landschaften genossen haben, entscheiden wir uns wieder für die Strada in Chianti, um dort unser Abendessen zu genießen. Wir suchen uns dafür den quirligen Ort Castellina in Chianti aus. Es ist hier allerdings eine ziemliche Herausforderung, ohne Reservierung einen Platz im Freien auf einer der vielen Restaurant-Terrassen zu bekommen. Mitunter ist auch die aktuell stattfindende Fußball EM ein Grund dafür. Aber wir haben Glück und ergattern einen Tisch bei einer Taverne und können hier ein wunderbares Abendessen genießen. Und wir erleben hautnah das Halbfinale Italien gegen Spanien, das auf vielen Bildschirmen live übertragen wird. 

Tag 5: Volterra, Spiagge Bianche, Lido di Camaiore

Am Morgen des fünften Urlaubstages checken wir nach dem Frühstück aus unserem bezaubernden Agriturismo aus. Wir verlassen das Landesinnere der Toskana und brechen in Richtung Meer auf. Zuerst besuchen wir noch die  wunderschöne Stadt Volterra.

Volterra 

Schon die Fahrt hinauf auf den Hügel zur mittelalterlichem Stadt mit ihrem etruskischem Erbe ist besonders im Cabrio spektakulär und aussichtsreich. Wir halten kurz vor Volterra beim Vistapoint oberhalb der riesigen roten Metallring Skulputur „L’Anello“ vom Künstler Mauro Staccioli direkt an der SS68. Von hier aus genießen wir einige Minuten die großartige Aussicht. 

In Volterra erwarten dich römische Gebäude, umgebaute Tempelmauern und in Renaissancepalästen verstecke antike Inschriften. Volterra kann auf eine lange Geschichte zurückblicken und zählt zu den schönsten Orten der Toskana. Besonders sehenswert sind die gut erhaltenen Stadttore von Volterra, die auch zu den Wahrzeichen der Stadt zählen.

Weitere Sehenswürdigkeiten in Volterra:

• Piazza dei Priori mit dem Palazzo dei Priori
• Etruskisches Museum
• das Römische Theater
• Dom mit Taufbecken
• Porta San Felice mit seinem Oratorium: von hier aus hast du einen wunderschönen Panoramablick 

Wenn du dich sehr für die archäologischen Schätze aus der Zeit der Etrusker interessierst, dann empfehle ich dir den Reisebericht der Reise-Zikaden zu Volterra . Da findest du viele detaillierte und gut recherchierte Informationen zu diesem Thema. 

Filmfans ist Volterra vielleicht aus der Twilight Saga ein Begriff. Volterra ist die fiktive Heimat der Volturi, deren große Versammlung hier tagt um über den Tod von Edward zu entscheiden. Die Dreharbeiten fanden allerdings nicht in Volterra, sondern in Montepulciano statt.

Spiagge Bianche Rosignano Solvay

Der bizarrste Ort auf unserem Toskana Road-Trip war der weiße Strand von Rosignano Solvay . Er ist der einzige puderzucker-weiße Sandtrand in Italien. Normalerweise findet man solche Strände eher in der Karibik oder im Indischen Ozean. Dieser Strand in der Toskana hat sein Aussehen nicht Mutter Natur zu verdanken, sondern einer Chemiefabrik in Strandnähe, die jahrzehntelang ihre Abwässer und Chemikalien hier direkt ins Mehr geleitet hat.

Die in Form eines Engels auf meiner linken Schulter sitzende Umweltschützerin in mir hat alleine beim Gedanken daran schon laut aufgeschrien und wollte natürlich einen großen Bogen um diesen Ort machen. Der Teufel auf meiner rechten Schulter, der als Reisebloggerin und Fotohunterin neugierig auf diesen Strand war, hat allerdings noch lauter geschrien  – und natürlich gewonnen. Nach vielen Recherchen und Onlinebewertungen im Netz, die den Strand als nicht gefährlich eingestuft hatten, habe ich mich kurz in das türkis-blaue Meer hier gewagt. Den Artikel von Petra Reski , den sie für die Zeitschrift Mare verfasst hat, kannte ich zu dem Zeitpunkt allerdings noch nicht. Denn dann hätte vermutlich doch das Engerl auf meiner linken Schulter gewonnen. Otmar war die ganze Sache generell zu suspekt – er hat das Bad im Chemie-Meer dann schließlich verweigert. 

Viareggio – Lido di Camaiore

Nach dem kurzen Sonnenbad am weißen Strand von Rosignano Solvay brechen wir nach Viareggio auf. Hier verbringen wir noch drei Nächte in einem Hotel in Strandnähe. Wir möchten Sommer, Sonne, Strand und Meer genießen und auch noch ein paar Ausflüge in der Umgebung machen. Die Abende verbringen wir an der langen Strandpromenade vom Lido di Camaire. Wir können in unserem Hotel Fahrräder kostenlos ausborgen und radeln damit abends wie die vielen Einheimischen die Promenade entlang. 

Hotel Viareggio: Versilia Lido/UNA Esperienze, Viale Sergio Bernardini 335/337, 55041 Lido di Camaiore E-Mail: [email protected]

Hotel Versilia Lido gleich über Booking buchen*

Andere Hotel-Deals in Lido di Camaiore

Tag 6: Relaxen, Pisa & Lucca

Zunächst starten wir mit einem ausgiebigen Frühstück und ein paar entspannten Stunden am Pool in den Urlaubstag. Als gegen Mittag ein paar dunkle Wolken aufziehen, entscheiden wir uns für Sightseeing Programm. Wir fahren nach Pisa, das ca. eine halbe Stunde Autofahrt von unserem Strandabschnitt entfernt liegt. 

Pisa & der schiefe Turm

Schon auf unserer Anreise zum Lido di Camaiore sind wir über die SS1 an Pisa vorbeigefahren. Die Skyline der Stadt ist sehr unspektakulär. Wirklich auffallend sind nur der schiefe Turm und die Kuppel des Baptisteriums. Der schiefe Turm von Pisa gehört zu den berühmtesten Bauwerken der Welt. Wenn man also in die Toskana reist und sich in der Nähe von Pisa aufhält, gehört es unweigerlich dazu, den Turm zu besuchen.

Darauf solltest du achten, wenn du Pisa besuchst:

• ZTL Zone – Zona traffico limitato In einigen Italienischen Städten gibt es diese Fahrverbotszonen, die du nur mit einer Sondergenehmigung befahren darfst. Diese sind durch Schilder gekennzeichnet und werden auch mit Kameras überwacht. Die Kennzeichen werden dabei aufgezeichnet und registriert. Wer sich ohne Genehmigung in diesen Zonen aufhält, muss mit hohen Strafen rechnen. Diese können oft erst Monate später eintreffen
• Parken in Pisa In Pisa gibt es – im Gegensatz zu Florenz – die Möglichkeit, günstiger oder sogar gratis zu parken. Wir haben uns für den kostenpflichtigen Parkplatz and der Via Pave entschieden. Von hier aus sind es nicht einmal 5 min. Fußweg zum Areal wo sich der schiefe Turm befindet.  Klick hier: Tipps zum Parken in Pisa & Infos zur ZTL Zone in Pisa

Der Turm steht auf der Piazza dei Miracoli – dem Platz der Wunder. Das ganze Areal wurde wunderschön angelegt. Der Glockenturm gehört zur Kathedrale Santa Maria Assunta. Gemeinsam mit dem Baptisterium, der Taufkirche mit der imposanten Kuppel, gehören die drei Bauwerke zum UNESCO Weltkulturerbe. 

Das Areal rund um die Piazza dei Miracoli hat auf uns leider überhaupt keinen einladenden Eindruck gemacht. Pisa zeigt sich hier von einer sehr maroden und heruntergekommenen Seite. Das war auch der Grund, warum wir uns nicht mehr von Stadt ansehen wollten. 

Glaubt man jedoch dem Blogbeitrag von Places of Juma , so soll es in Pisa doch einige schöne Sehenswürdigkeiten und eine sehenswerte Altstadt abseits der Straßen rund um den schiefen Turm geben. Wir machen uns stattdessen nach Lucca auf, wo wir den Abend verbringen und etwas essen möchten. Die Fahrt von Pisa nach Lucca dauert etwas mehr als 30 min. mit dem Auto.

Es ist bereits 18 Uhr als wir in Lucca eintreffen. Im Sommer ist das zum Glück kein Problem. Es ist abends immer noch schön warm und sehr lange hell. Lucca ist bekannt für seine bezaubernde Altstadt, die von einer historischen Stadtmauer umschlossen wird. Außerdem gibt es viele schöne Plätze, malerische kleine Gassen einladende Restaurants, Bars und Cafés. Wir erreichen die Innenstadt durch das Stadttor „Porta Santa Maria“. Hier befindet sich auch ein kostenpflichtiger Parkplatz, wo wir unseren Mini am Parcheggio Metro stehenlassen können. 

Fahrradtour auf der Stadtmauer von Lucca

Die historische Stadtmauer wurde im 16./17. Jahrhundert erbaut. Die Einwohner und Urlauber lieben es, diese Strecke zum Spazieren, Flanieren, Laufen oder Radfahren zu nutzen. Bei der Porta Santa Maria ist es möglich, auf dem Weg einzusteigen, der auf vier Kilometern rund um die Stadt führt. Außerdem gibt es hier auch einen Fahrradverleih. Wir haben uns hier Fahrräder für eine Stunde ausgeborgt. In dieser Zeit kannst du gemütlich zwei Mal die Strecke abfahren, inklusive Fotopausen. Die Fahrräder waren (für italienische Verhältnisse) in einem sehr guten Zustand. Es lohnt sich und macht total viel Spaß, die Stadtmauer und die historische Altstadt auf diese Weise zu erleben.

Piazza dell’Anfiteatro

Dieser markante, ellipsenförmige Platz geht auf eine antike römisches Arena zurück. Der Platz ist nur durch vier große Rundbögen zugänglich. Ansonsten ist er von Häusern umbaut, die alle in gelben oder naturfarbenen Tönen gestrichen sind. Besonders ins Auge stechen die auffallenden grünen Fensterläden. Die freistehende Piazza wird von zahlreichen Restaurants und Bars gesäumt. Hier pulsiert am Abend das Leben und du kannst im typischen italienischen Ambiente ein unvergessliches Abendessen erleben. 

Tag 7: Strandtag am Lido di Camaiore

Unseren letzten Urlaubstag möchten wir gemütlich am Strand ausklingen lassen. Viareggio wird auch die „Perle der Versilia-Küste“ genannt. Der mondäne Badeort zieht seit dem 19. Jahrhundert Künstler und „gut betuchte“ Badegäste an. Zu Viareggio zählen die Küstenabschnitte Lido di Camaiore, Marina di Pietrasanta und Forte dei Marmi. Der komplette Strandabschnitt wird von privaten Strandbädern, sogenannten „Bagnis“ oder „Stabilmentos“ gesäumt. Diese wurden vorwiegend im „Liberty Style“, dem Jugendstil erbaut.

In Viareggio ist es nicht so wie wir es von der Adriaküste kennen möglich, ein Hotel mit direktem Strandzugang buchen zu können. Die Hotelgäste bekommen zwar einen kleinen Rabatt auf die Eintrittspreise, die Strandbäder gehören aber nicht direkt zu den Hotels. Gefühlsmäßig ist der gesamte Strandabschnitt von Viareggio mit privaten Bagni verbaut. Es gibt nur einen einzigen freien, nicht bewirtschafteten Strandzugang im Süden der Stadt. Sonst ist es kaum möglich, mal schnell und unkompliziert einen Strandspaziergang zu machen. Die Eintritte in die Badeanstalten kosten zwischen 30 und 70 Euro pro Tag. Dafür gibt es dann entweder zwei Schirme mit Liegen, oder sogar ein ganzes Zelt mit Liegen, Stühlen und einem Tisch.  

Nachdem die Preise relativ hoch sind, haben wir uns auch für das schönste Bagno am Lido di Camaiore entschieden. Die Zelte im Bagno Patrizia sehen wie einer Wüsten-Oase von 1001 Nacht entsprungen aus. Bei jedem Bagno ist auch ein kleiner Restaurantbereich mit Shop angeschlossen. Hier kannst du auch dein Mittag- und Abendessen mit Strandblick genießen. In den Sommermonaten empfiehlt es sich allerdings rechtzeitig zu reservieren. Wir bekommen leider keinen Tisch im Bagno Patrizia am Abend und lassen unseren letzten Urlaubstag in einem Fischlokal an der Promenade ausklingen. 

Am nächsten Morgen treten wir nach dem Frühstück unsere Heimreise an. Die Route führt uns von Viareggio über Lucca, Florenz, Bologna, Ferrara, Padua, Venedig und dann schließlich nach Udine und über den Nassfeldpass zurück ins Gailtal. 

Fazit 7 Tage Toskana Road Trip

Um einen reinen Badeurlaub am Strand mit Aperol Spritz in Plastikstühlen, Gratis-Chips und dem Meeresrauschen und Kindergeschrei im Hintergrund genießen zu wollen, sollten Österreich nach wie vor die Adria-Küste der Versilia vorziehen. Die Strandpromenaden und Flaniermeilen in Lignano und Jesolo sind definitiv schöner als jene von Viareggio und das Preis-Leistungsverhältnis ist um einiges besser. 

Generell zählt die Toskana zu den teureren Regionen Italiens. Die Preise für Speisen und Getränke sind höher als bei uns in Kärnten. Besonders in der Chianti-Region musst du in einer einfachen Trattoria für ein Glas Chianti Classico ca. € 7,- berappen (Stand Sommer 2021). Ein Abendessen für 2 Personen kostet mit Vor- und Hauptspeise ca. € 80,- bis € 100,-. 

Abgesehen davon war unser Toskana Road-Trip ein wunderbarer Urlaub. Wie bei jedem Road-Trip haben wir in kurzer Zeit sehr viel erlebt und gesehen. Bei einem Road-Trip nimmst du so viele Eindrücke mit, dass es dir länger als nur eine Woche Urlaub vorkommt. Du kannst natürlich in eine Woche noch einige Stadtbesichtigungen mehr hineinpacken, dann kommt aber der Erholungsfaktor etwas zu kurz. Wir haben die Stunden am Pool in San Gimignano, Viareggio und an den Stränden genauso genossen. Nur Sightseeing-Programm in den vielen mittelalterlichen Städten zu machen wäre dann auch ein wenig eintönig geworden.

Bei unserer nächsten Toskana Reise möchten wir unbedingt den Süden der Region genauer erkunden. Die Highlights dort sind Grossetto, Saturnia, Pitigliano, Montepulciano, Pienza, die Maremma oder auch die Insel Elba. 

Die Toskana ist landschaftlich ein Highlight in Italien. Verbunden mit den schönen Stränden, dem köstlichen Essen, den ausgezeichneten Weinen und Oliven wird die Reise unvergesslich  für Genießer, Sonnenanbeter und Entdecker.

• teilen  
• merken  

Hinter Gailtal on tour steckt Anita, die im kärntner Gailtal (ja das gibt es wirklich - und ja das heißt wirklich so) lebt und hier über Kärnten, Reisen & Cabrio-Ausflüge im Alpe-Adria-Raum bloggt.

Vielleicht magst du auch das...

Buchempfehlung – Liebe war nie geplant

Triest – Tipps für deinen perfekten Tag

Wanderung Hochwipfel

4 kommentare.

Schöne Eindrücke, Bilder und ein toller Bericht! Definitiv eine Inspiration für einen Toskana-Trip. In welchem Monat habt ihr die Reise gemacht? Grüße aus NÖ

Hallo Reini, danke für deine Nachricht. Wir haben diese Toskana-Reise Anfang Juli 2021 gemacht. LG, Anita

So schöne Bilder! Ich war schon lange nicht mehr reisen. Dieser Blog inspiriert mich wieder öfters mal zu Reisen, wo die Zeit noch da ist und die Gesundheit noch mit macht.

Liebe Grüße Alisa

Du hast die Gabe deine Beiträge so lustvoll zu formulieren, dass man sich gleich ins Auto setzen und in die Orte deiner Schilderungen fahren will. Gespickt mit Detail- und Quartierinformationen und unglaublich guten Fotos ist dein Blog ein wahrer Leckerbissen. Auch wenn meine Reiseziele es kaum zulassen deinen Spuren zu folgen, so kann man davon ziemlich realistisch träumen!

Hinterlasse eine Antwort Antwort abbrechen

Gerne abonniere ich den Newsletter vom Gailtal on Tour Blog

TravelWorldOnline

Slow Travel and Food and Travel Blog for Trips to Savor

Enjoy the Gail Valley

Hike and enjoy in the Gailtal

The Gailtal stretches from Kartitsch in East Tyrol to Villach in Carinthia along the Gailtal Alps. In its infancy, the Gail flows through that Lesachtal , creating the escarpments on both sides of the valley. At Kötschach-Mauthen you leave the whitewater regions of the Gail and from there you reach calmer waters as far as Villach. The Gailtal is wider here and offers the people who live here more space. In addition, the places are larger and the views are wider. Nevertheless, the valley always runs parallel to the border with the neighboring countries of Italy and Slovenia. Especially in the region east of Hermagor you can still feel the proximity to Slovenia, which is also reflected in the language. You often hear terms that come from Slovenian.

Enjoy Gailtal specialities

We set out to discover Carinthian specialties during a pleasure holiday in the Gailtal. Carinthia did it to us. According to our  Enjoy your holiday in the monastery of St. Paul and Monastery holiday in the monastery Wernberg this time we are on our way to taste the specialties of the mountain valleys on the borders of Slovenia and Italy. Hiking in the Gailtal also gives us pleasure. Holidays in the Gailtal Alps are good for your stomach and your figure.

In the Slow Food Travel Region Carinthia you can look behind the scenes in summer by visiting producers and chefs. Connoisseur hotels, producers, restaurateurs and delicatessen shops have joined forces and offer joint pleasure experiences. They present specialties from Carinthia. This is exactly the right thing to do for a foray through the culinary art of Carinthia.

The offers vary depending on the season. May and June in particular are the best months to become familiar with the wild herbs in the two valleys. The meadows are mowed later in the year. However, there are various ways to discover Carinthian specialties throughout the summer. The best part is that you can try them too. And if you want, there are even cooking courses and workshops where you can prepare Austria's delicious dishes yourself. We have already tried some of these offers.

Here you can enjoy the Gailtal

Window.wanderlogembedkeys=window.wanderlogembedkeys||[];window.wanderlogembedkeys.push('yeuscwnwpj');window.wanderlogembedoptions={"alwaysshowroutelines":false,"version":2,"omitwebsitephone":true,"omitwanderloglogo":true};function(){var c=document.queryselectorall("script"),r=1;if(c.foreach((function(c){"https://wanderlog.com/embed.js"===c.src&&(r=0)})),r){var t=document.createelement("script");t.async=0,t.src="https://wanderlog.com/embed.js",document.body.appendchild(t)}}();, book accommodation in and around hermagor here *, gailtaler bacon.

We don't have to go far for our first pleasure experience. The owner of the Genießerhotel Biedermeier Schlössl Lerchenhof, where we stay three nights, is also a farmer. Hans Steinwender breeds pigs in a gentle way. During the week the animals are allowed outside on the meadows behind the castle hotel. They are only brought into the barn at the weekend, as there are too many visitors around then. The pigs should have their peace.

He clearly shows us how he prepares the bacon. Thick pieces of bacon that have been marinated in a broth lie in a trough. "With a lot of garlic," he laughs, while the intense scent of garlic fills the air. But garlic is not the only spice ingredient that Hans Steinwender uses for his bacon. He also makes root bacon and hay bacon. A particularly delicious variation is the Castello Vino, in which the speck is seasoned with wine from the Lavant Valley. After smoking, the pieces of bacon mature in the fresh air for up to twelve months.

A secret of the Gailtaler Speck lies in the fact that the pigs' feed is enriched with grass and hay. "It's a secret my grandmother has handed down," explains Hans Steinwender. Over dinner, the Steinwender family will show us just how delicious this bacon actually is. They serve us a rich bacon platter on which we can taste the four different types of bacon of the house.

You can try the varieties of Gailtaler bacon in the restaurant of the

Biedermeierschlössl Lerchenhof in the Gailtal Submits 8 9620 Hermagor Phone + 43 4282 / 2100

An Overnight stay at Schloss Lerchenhof * you can book here

Do you like to travel by motorhome?

• A campsite in the Gailtal is that Alpine camp Kötschach-Mauthen , which is centrally located for the Gailtal. There are other campsites in the area.
• Do you want to rent a mobile home? Then you can find information here, for example, and booking options . Or would you prefer to stay overnight instead in a roof tent on the car ? In addition, the overnight stay in camping tents is possible.
• Be sure to check our packing list for campers to see whether you have packed everything for your motorhome tour.
• Austria has a nationwide network of campsites. There are pitches in all parts of the country. However, you are only allowed to stay a maximum of one night outside of campsites and pitches. But be careful: there are additional regional bans (Tyrol, Vienna). Camping Guide for Austria * you can buy it here.
• Here you can find tips for Cooking in the camper
• Why is a folding e-bike useful when camping?

If you purchase via a link marked *, we receive a commission, which we use to run this blog.

Hiking trails in the Gailtal Alps

• From Hermagor to Weißbriach
• Ab Hermagor to Guggenberg
• On the way of the book of Hermagor to Nötsch
• Hike on the Carnic main ridge
• The Marien Pilgrimage from Watschig to Kötschach-Mauthen

Herb garden in Gailtal

The herb experience in the daberer is stylish and highly professional. the bio hotel. Senior boss Inge Daberer welcomes us in her designer show kitchen, where she has already prepared a refreshing herbal lemonade. "It still has to cool down," she explains and carefully puts it in the fridge. She then explains to us in detail her planned course of action.

You need that for a hike in the Gailtal Alps

• We definitely recommend comfortable walking shoes for the hike. Many hiking trails are alpine and require equipment for mountain tours.
• It is also practical for on the go backpack in which you drink, snack , a Jacket and store odds and ends. One lunch box as well as other practical utensils for hikers can be found here.
• Do you have everything? With our hiking checklist you can definitely check that.

Inge Daberer is passionate about growing herbs in her herb garden. As an experienced cook, she has had a special interest in the herbs of her homeland for many years. She carefully grows some of them in the hotel garden, while she collects other herbs in the meadows and in the surrounding forests. She even recorded her extensive expertise and knowledge of herbs in the form of a herbal cookbook.

Together with other hotel guests, we go in search of herbs for our wild herb salad under the expert guidance of Inge Daberer. We fill our salad bowls with a variety of rocket and various garden herbs. On our way through the picturesque mountain meadows, we supplement the salad with aromatic wild herbs. Finally, Inge Daberer harvests stinging nettles, which she uses for the planned lunch menu.

Book accommodation in and around Kötschach Mauthen here *

Even before our arrival, Inge Daberer prepared a refreshing herbal lemonade, which awaited us freshly chilled after our tour of the hotel garden. Without the addition of sugar, it unfolds its delicious taste that goes perfectly with our sunny walk. In her impressive show kitchen, Inge Daberer shows us how she prepares various dishes, including herb salad, kohlrabi carpaccio with mint pesto, potato risotto with mushrooms on a green herb cream and a cold fruit bowl with thyme, basil, lavender and raspberry leaves. We particularly like to enjoy these culinary delicacies on the hotel terrace.

Here you can join in this herbal experience:

the daberer in the Gail Valley 9635 Dellach in the Gail Valley St. Daniel 17

Edelgreißlerei

Not far away in Kötschach, Herwig Ertl offers workshops for connoisseurs in his gourmet shop. Maybe you're not familiar with the term "grocery store"? It was the same for us before. But it is a special shop that celebrates and presents the delicacies from the Gailtal, the Lesachtal and the Slow Food Alpe Adria region.

You need some courage for Herwig Ertl's workshop. After all, who would combine mountain cheese with anchovies and a drop of thick fruit vinegar? Or grain bread with goat cheese and marinated mountain garlic? Equally delicious is the alpine cheese with sun-kissed tomatoes and vinegar from Styria, which has matured in barrels for 25 years and has a honey-like taste. In Herwig Ertl's workshop you get the opportunity to combine all these delicacies as you wish. There you will definitely experience an adventurous journey through the culinary diversity of the Slow Food Alpe Adria region. It is a treat for the palate that could hardly be more intense.

In addition, drinks are served that you don't get everywhere. How about a juice made from wild quinces from Obsthof Retter, presented elegantly in a wine glass? Or a glass of Sauvignon Blanc from a winemaker from Mandorf in the Gailtal, which opens the palate to the delights of the region?

A visit to Herwig Ertl's Edelgreisslerei is like staying in Cockaigne. It's just a shame that it has to come to an end at some point. If you want to experience this experience yourself, you can register here. "It's even possible for one person," confirms Herwig Ertl, "you should just register in advance."

Edelgreißlerei Herwig Ertl in the Gail Valley Kötschach 19 9640 Kötschach-Mauthen

Email: [email protected] Website: www.herwig-ertl.at

From here it is not far to the Lesach Valley

Carinthian noodles.

Last but not least, we visit Ingeborg Daberer in Sankt Daniel. She has been with her sister Gudrun in her Gasthof Grunwald  specializing in Carinthian noodles. They play the lead role on the menu in their family tavern.

When we arrive, the ingredients are already prepared. The dough has to rest for half an hour before you can work it. We then fill the pasta with a potato and herb filling. Ingeborg Daberer rolls out the dough on a wooden board. Then she cuts out round shapes. These are about palm-sized. The dough is stretchy enough for her to work with. She fills each mold with a large spoonful of potato filling. Then she folds the dough around it and glues the edges firmly together.

Not so easy: the production of Carinthian pasta

Now begins the complicated part of the production of Carinthian noodles. The curling. This is the name given to the shapes of the pretty edges that are typical of this Carinthian specialty. It is said that only girls who are good at crinkling can find a man. If it's true, we can not prove it. But one thing is for sure: you have to be able to do it. Ingeborg Daberer shows us. After some practice, my Carinthian noodles do not look as pretty as those of the expert. But at least you can see the curled edge.

At lunch we then try our way through Carinthian pasta with a spicy filling. Everything from meat to cheese and herbs is included. They just taste delicious. However, I like the sweet Carinthian pasta even better. Stuffed with nuts are my favorites. I know one thing for sure. In the future we will also have Carinthian pasta at home.

If you want to learn curling in the enjoyment of holidays in Gailtal, you can do that here:

Gasthof Grünwald in the Gail Valley St. Daniel 17 9635 Dellach Phone + 43 (0) 4718 677 +

This ends our enjoyable holiday in the Gailtal with our foray through the Carinthian specialties in the Slow Food Travel Region in the Gailtal. In any case, it was a tour through a culinary paradise, which we had a lot of fun with. We have learned a lot and will certainly try one or the other delicacy at home.

Questions and answers about the Slow Food Travel Region in the Gailtal

What makes the gailtal a special travel destination for connoisseurs.

The Gailtal offers a wealth of culinary treasures and traditions, from regional specialties to handcrafted delicacies. The valley is also part of the Slow Food Travel Region, which specializes in sustainable, authentic and enjoyable experiences.

Which regional specialties can you try in the Gailtal?

In the Gailtal you can enjoy delicious Gailtaler bacon, Carinthian Kasnudeln, Gailtaler Almkäse, fresh wild herbs and much more. The regional cuisine also reflects the diversity of alpine cuisine.

Are there opportunities to get to know producers and chefs in the Slow Food Travel Region Gailtal?

Yes, definitely! There are events, workshops and tours in the region where you can meet producers, chefs and other experts and learn more about their products and how they work.

Apart from enjoying food and drinks, what activities can you do in the Gailtal?

In addition to the culinary experience, there are numerous opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, skiing and much more in the Gailtal. The breathtaking landscape and the Gailtal Alps offer a wide range of leisure activities.

Are there special events or festivals in the Gailtal that one should visit?

Yes, various events and festivals that focus on enjoyment and culinary delights take place regularly in the Gailtal. These include, for example, wine festivals, farmers' markets as well as regional specialty fairs.

What is the best way to explore the Slow Food Travel Region Gailtal?

A good way to explore the Slow Food Travel Region Gailtal is on a culinary journey visiting different producers, restaurants and markets. It is also worth booking a guided tour or a workshop to delve even deeper into the regional cuisine.

Are there accommodations in the Gailtal that are specially designed for connoisseurs?

Yes, in the Gailtal you will find a selection of hotels and accommodations that specialize in connoisseurs. Many offer regional specialties in their restaurants and also organize events and workshops on the topic of culinary art.

Slow Travel Carinthia:

• You should not miss a trip to the Lesachtal .
• at Weissensee im beautiful Carinthia - a real insider tip in Austria
• Your Top Restaurant Weissensee Carinthia - Which kitchen do you prefer?
• The legendary gold of the Tauern on vacation in the mountain village  Discover Heiligenblut
• Hohe Tauern by car - the Grossglockner High Alpine Road get to know on vacation

Do you know this?

• Holidays in Austria with hiking for slow travelers
• Chiemgau Alps Panorama Tour
• What does a typical American breakfast look like?
• Gifts for hikers
• Cooking in a motorhome or houseboat
• Baking supplies store
• Dutch oven sizes
• You can also find Dutch oven accessories

In any case, we would like to thank you very much Slow Food Travel Carinthia for the invitation. We would also like to thank the producers in the Gailtal for the insights into the culinary art of Carinthia.

Source for holidays in the Gailtal: own research on site. However, our opinion remains our own.

Text Holidays in the Gailtal: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline Photos of the Gailtal Alps: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline Videos: © Copyright Petar and Monika Fuchs as well as TravelWorldOnline

Monika Fuchs

Monika Fuchs and Petar Fuchs are the authors and publishers of the Food and Slow Travel blog   TravelWorldOnline . They have been publishing this blog since 2005. TravelWorldOnline has been online since 2001. Their topics are trips to Savor , wine tourism worldwide and slow travel . During her studies Monika Fuchs spent some time in North America, where she - partly together with Petar Fuchs - traveled to the USA and Canada and spent a research year in British Columbia. This intensified her thirst for knowledge, which she satisfied for 6 years as an adventure guide for Rotel Tours and then for 11 years as a tour guide for Studiosus Reisen around the world. She was constantly expanding her travel regions, but curiosity still gnawed at her: "What's beyond the horizon? What else is there to discover in this city? Which people are interesting here? What do they eat in this region?" As a freelance travel journalist (her articles have appeared in DIE ZEIT, 360° Canada, 360° USA, etc.), she is now looking for answers to these questions as a travel writer and travel blogger in many countries around the world. Petar Fuchs produces the videos on this blog as well as on YouTube . Monika Fuchs from TravelWorldOnline is among Germany's top 50 bloggers in 2021 . Find more Information about Monika and Petar Fuchs here.

You might also be interested

Posthotel Achenkirch am Achensee

Hiking and enjoying wine in Karlstadt am Main

Insider tips in the Zillertal: everything you need to know

11 thoughts too " enjoy the gail valley ".

Had to suggest my sister of some places to visit on her vacation with friends, found this insightful article. Great work, really. So informative and well curated. Thanks!

Thank you for this online trip through Lesachtal. We are currently looking for a suitable place in the Alps to take our summer vacation, and this place can be perfect for us. We just have to book a hotel and then our miracles will begin soon.

You two, That sounds like a very enjoyable journey - not only in the culinary sense. The Gail Valley has been on my wish list for some time, now you have managed that I know even more relaxed reasons to travel to Carinthia.

Thanks for the great pleasure travel tips, best regards, Katja

I get a good appetite right away. The photos and the report whet the appetite for caries

Best regards Kathy

Dear Monika, it all sounds really delicious. That would be exactly my journey. Thanks for the great hint. I would like to try the wild herb soup and the noodles. But that the lilac flower lemonade tastes, I can not imagine somehow ;-) Kind regards Ina

Great tips to empathize. It's always great to see what the locals bring to the table for culinary diversity. Totally invites you to feast. Thanks a lot!

That sounds totally delicious. This seems like a perfect destination for me! We wanted to go to the mountains with my parents next year anyway and now, thanks to you, I know exactly where to go

Dear Monika, dear Petar! A very nice contribution! Must have been a great trip with numerous delicacies! Great impressions. Best regards, Ines

Hello my dears, Carinthia has been on my list for a long time. This beautiful corner I will definitely travel. What I really like about your contribution is that you are introduced to the specialties from the region. Especially the Gaitaler bacon and the wild herb soup I find very appealing. Best regards, Selda

Dear Monika, Carinthia and the Gail Valley have been on my list of places I'd like to visit for some time. That it should be pretty nice there I already heard. But that you can discover so many other things there, I did not know. In particular, the workshops for connoisseurs, I find very interesting. And I did not know that there are Carinthian noodles. Thank you for the great insights. I've learned a lot again. :)

Many greetings Kathi

Oh, that sounds very delicious. Especially the many specialties with herbs and the filled pasta I would like to try.

Best regards, Gina

Comments are closed.

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

For Baltimore-area residents, bridge collapse means longer commutes, uncertain prospects

Laurel Wamsley

Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being hit by the Dali container vessel, as seen from Riviera Beach, Md., on Tuesday. Carol Guzy for NPR hide caption

Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being hit by the Dali container vessel, as seen from Riviera Beach, Md., on Tuesday.

For Marylanders like Becky Grimes, who works at an Amazon warehouse near the eastern end of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the bridge's sudden collapse immediately changed the shape of her day — and many days ahead.

She normally takes the Key Bridge to and from work, but it now takes an extra half hour each way to drive through the city of Baltimore instead of around it.

What we know and don't know about Baltimore's Key Bridge collapse

"I'm not looking forward to it," she says. "There's a lot of people that already want to transfer out."

The collapse of the bridge and the closure of the Port of Baltimore is upending life for countless people in the Chesapeake region.

For many residents, it's the bridge closure that will shake up their daily lives, lengthening commutes and clogging the city's tunnels.

But for the regional economy, the far bigger blow is that the fallen bridge and the container ship Dali are blocking the Port of Baltimore .

A sign warns drivers heading to Baltimore that the Francis Scott Key bridge is closed and to use alternate routes. Laurel Wamsley/NPR hide caption

A sign warns drivers heading to Baltimore that the Francis Scott Key bridge is closed and to use alternate routes.

"Because of the port being suspended, we don't have any traffic yesterday, today, at least for the next week or a week and a half," says Brent Howard, president of the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce. "That's money that we're losing every day because those ships are being redirected to other ports. Norfolk, Newark, Philadelphia are getting that revenue on a daily basis that was already slotted for Baltimore."

And the Key Bridge is a toll bridge that last year generated 7% of the total revenue for the state's transportation authority, according to an analysis by Moody's.

Mercedes, GM, Stellantis scramble; Port jobs are at risk after Baltimore disaster

Howard says getting the port and bridge running again is pivotal to the region , both economically and emotionally.

"We're the Chesapeake," he says. "Baltimore is really connected to the port and connected to water and connected to ships and vessels. That's something that's always been intrinsic to Baltimore's history, going back to our inception."

A bustling port, now in limbo

Brenda Cotsairis has seen the area weather its ups and downs. On Tuesday, she joined others at a lookout in Dundalk, Md., where the collapsed bridge was visible. Laurel Wamsley/NPR hide caption

Brenda Cotsairis has seen the area weather its ups and downs. On Tuesday, she joined others at a lookout in Dundalk, Md., where the collapsed bridge was visible.

As a little girl in the 1970s , Brenda Cotsairis's father brought her to a sandy beach to see the Key Bridge under construction.

She works at a local grocery store and has seen the area weather its ups and downs.

"For a lot of years, good jobs were gone and then things started to come back," she says. "And now we have Tradepoint Atlantic and we have the port bustling — it's a very, very busy port and it's thriving for Baltimore. And now it's devastated."

Baltimore's Key Bridge was built in the '70s, but has a deep and patriotic history

Daraius Irani, an economist at Towson University, estimates that the port's closure is costing between $10 million and $15 million a day in lost economic activity. And at least another $1 million a day in state and local taxes won't be collected while the port is closed.

Still, Irani says the port — which last year had its best year ever — should fully rebound. That's in part because Baltimore's port is about a day further inland than many others on the Eastern seaboard, putting it closer to points in the Midwest.

More from WYPR in Baltimore:

• No immediate public health hazards from Dali, Maryland gets $60M for cleanup
• Maryland lawmakers want to expand state of emergency powers in wake of bridge collapse
• Baltimore Orioles Opening Day now, 'Reopening Day' to come, governor promises
• Shipping closure at Port of Baltimore could have worldwide economic impacts

For the latest from member station WYPR in Baltimore head to wypr.org

He says if the port remains closed for months, there could be some furloughs, but he doesn't expect layoffs among workers there. And Irani says the bridge's collapse will likely create some jobs.

"You hate to say this, but in any kind of disaster, there's obviously the opportunity for the rebuild. So new construction jobs will likely come up because they need to build a new bridge," he says.

Businesses near the bridge could see fewer customers

The town of Dundalk is among the Maryland communities near the Key Bridge likely to see less traffic while the bridge is down. Laurel Wamsley/NPR hide caption

The town of Dundalk is among the Maryland communities near the Key Bridge likely to see less traffic while the bridge is down.

The bridge's absence will almost certainly have a longer impact on the small businesses located near its entrances on either side of the Patapsco River.

Joe Gold is the general manager of Key Brewing, a craft brewery in the town of Dundalk. Like the bridge, the brewery was named after Francis Scott Key, who wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner."

"We're not shut down I mean, it's not like that," Gold said Wednesday. "It's just ... the community is going to have to readjust."

With the Key Bridge closed, the traffic that would have passed by to get on I-695 is now taking alternate routes — routes that don't pass by Key Brewing's taproom.

"When I came to work this morning, past 95 to our office, it was the least amount of traffic that I've ever seen on my commute," Gold says.

He says that's a sign that people aren't coming that direction anymore, at least during their daily commutes.

Loss of ship's power and stiff current may have led to bridge collision, experts say

Is he worried about his business surviving? Not just yet.

"It's still too early," he says. "It's still too fresh to kind of know how deep of an impact this is going to have."

It all depends on how long it takes to clear the port — and rebuild a very long bridge.

• Francis Scott Key Bridge
• Baltimore bridge collapse
• Small Businesses

53 Best Travel Blogs and Bloggers To Follow (in 2024)

Written by Ankit Singla

3K Followers

Last Updated on:

by Ankit Singla

If you’re searching for the best travel blogs today, look no further.

As always, I created this list to help aspiring travel bloggers learn a thing or two from these established sites.

However, people who are only looking for travel ideas and tips will also enjoy this post.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the top travel blogs to follow in 2024.

Best Travel Blogs

• Nomadic Matt
• Backpacking Matt
• Adventurous Kate
• The Blonde Abroad
• California Through My Lens
• Dan Flying Solo
• Travel With Lakshmi
• Fluent in 3 Months
• Cheapest Destinations Blog
• Alex in Wanderland
• I Am Aileen
• Wandering Earl
• Be My Travel Muse
• Followtheboat
• Matthew Woodward
• The Opposite Travellers
• We Seek Travel
• Bucket List Journey
• Migrationology
• The Cranky Flier
• Never Ending Footsteps
• A Dangerous Business
• Against The Compass
• Everything Everywhere
• The Longest Way Home
• Global Grasshopper
• Girl Gone Travel
• Oneika The Traveller
• The Adventurists
• Time Travel Turtle
• Hand Luggage Only
• Travel4Wildlife
• The Insatiable Traveler
• View From The Wing
• Uncornered Market
• Jessie On a Journey
• Legal Nomads
• TravelFreak
• The Everywhereist
• Keep Calm and Travel
• Practical Wanderlust
• Expert Vagabond
• The Voyageur
• Amateur Traveler
• Girl Eat World
• The Adventure Junkies
• A Broken Backpack
• The World Travel Guy
• Life Part 2

1. Nomadic Matt

By:  Matthew Kepnes

I have to be honest with you — I love everything about  Nomadic Matt .  

Everything from his website’s design to his personal writing voice makes for an engaging reading experience. Not to mention that the name “Nomadic Matt” really sticks with me. 

Matthew Kepnes, AKA Nomadic Matt, was once a cubicle worker who admittedly wasn’t always a big traveler. On his first trip back in 2004, he went to Costa Rica where his perspective in life transformed forever. 

A single trip — that’s how easy it is to fall in love with travel. 

Today, Matthew continues living the life he was born for. He primarily blogs about travel tips, encompassing topics like how to save for a trip and things to do in Singapore. 

Blog Topics 

• Travel Insurance
• Travel planning
• Saving money on travel
• Travel gear
• Destinations

Monetization Strategies

• Display advertisements
• Superstar Blogging online course
• Affiliate marketing ( Check: Best Travel Affiliate Programs )

2. Backpacking Matt

By:  Matt Kyhnn

I think there’s something about the name “Matt” that raises a person’s affinity for traveling. 

Backpacking Matt , owned and run by Matt Kyhnn, is a travel blog that has similar vibes with Nomadic Matt. It has a simplistic design, a memorable content tone, and striking travel photos that bring the blog’s stories to life. 

Matt Kyhnn also leverages videos — providing his audience a more immersive way to enjoy his content. 

Fresh out of college, Matt simply decided that he won’t settle for a 9-5 job. Instead, he spent months working and traveling across Ireland, Scotland, and other regions in mainland Europe. 

He then booked a one-way ticket to New Zealand where he now resides. In addition to his blog, Matt also runs his own travel planning and booking website — Planit NZ. 

Blog Topics

• Affiliate marketing
• Planit NZ travel planning and booking services
• Brand collaborations

3. Adventurous Kate

By:  Kate McCulley

Kate McCulley, AKA  Adventurous Kate , is a travel blogger with lots of adventures to tell.

She’s been to 83 countries, seven continents, and plenty of experiences to help women appreciate the traveling life. 

Kate’s blog was built during her time in Southeast Asia along with her freelance portfolio, which helped fund her travels. Her target audience is women who want to travel, but required guidance on how to do it safely and easily. 

The “Solo Female Travel” category on her blog consists of posts about travel safety, travel planning, destination guides, and more. She also compiled a list of travel resources that help turn her audience’s travel ideas into action plans. 

• Travel safety for women
• Sponsored posts

4. The Blonde Abroad

By:  Kiersten “Kiki” Rich

I covered Kiersten “Kiki” Rich of  The Blonde Abroad   in my list of the top lifestyle bloggers to follow in 2024. 

As her blog’s name suggests, she’s mainly a travel blogger who also discusses two other lifestyle-related topics — blogging and photography. 

Kiersten spent three, eye-opening months in multiple countries to re-envision the idea of “ success .” She succeeded in her goal and is now one of the most accomplished travel bloggers on the web. 

The Blonde Abroad covers a range of topics from travel photography to foreign cuisine. All of which draws wisdom from Kiersten’s personal travel experiences.

• Photography
• Travel destinations
• The Travel Shop
• Social media and influencer marketing consulting

5. California Through My Lens

By:  Josh McNair

Josh McNair, owner of  California Through My Lens , has a distinct writing style that vividly describes details of travel destinations. 

Unlike bloggers who discovered the love for travel in their adulthood, Josh has always been a passionate traveler at heart. He created California Through My Lens to document his adventures with the online audience. 

California Through My Lens is run by both Josh and his wife, Amy. The pair also has an active YouTube channel called Through My Lens where they share their experiences in video form. 

As you may have guessed, Josh’s content focuses on the beaches, caves, hiking trails, waterfalls, and various landmarks in California. Intricate details of each location, from hike distances to specific travel tips, are often included in his posts. 

• National parks in California
• Driving around California
• California destinations
• Selling eBooks
• Advertisements through YouTube 

6. Dan Flying Solo

By:  Daniel “Dan” Clarke

Dan Flying Solo   is by Daniel Clarke — a travel blogger, photographer, and creative director at his own Portugal-based media company. 

Dan’s blogging life was ignited by his passion for photography. He was originally a frustrated restaurant manager who wanted more out of life.

Like me, Dan is a self-taught blogger. He worked day in and day out by doing free online courses, YouTube tutorials, and heaps of informative guides. 

What makes Dan Flying Solo an extra noteworthy blog is its library of video content. Daniel also makes it clear that the site has no particular theme — not unlike everything else in life.  

“ There’s not one particular theme to this blog because I don’t think that’s how life really is. We change and what we enjoy changes.”

7. Travel with Lakshmi

By:  Lakshmi Sharath

Lakshmi Sharath worked on a desk job for multiple media organizations for 15 years. She then started her personal travel blog in 2005 — traveling to over 25 countries and across every corner of India. 

Travel with Lakshmi has only grown steadily ever since. It won multiple awards, including “India’s best travel blog of the year” award from Indiebloggie.  

As an Indian herself, Lakshmi made sure to highlight the country’s top travel destinations on the blog. She also documented her travels to foreign countries — from Abu Dhabi to the United Kingdom. 

As a way to support aspiring travelers around the world, Lakshmi also covers important tips on starting a travel blog. This includes essential tips on photography, travel planning, and travel writing.

• Social media marketing campaigns
• Content marketing and writing services
• Digital media consulting services

8. foXnoMad

By:  Anil Polat

foXnoMad   is a unique travel blog run by digital nomad Anil Polat.

Anil was exposed to travel at a young age because his parents were journalists. Other than routine trips between Turkey and the United States, they also visited multiple destinations around the world. 

Even in his professional life as a computer security consultant, travel was a big part of Anil’s life. He eventually decided to quit his job and fixate on one goal: to visit every country in the world.

What makes foXnoMad unique is that Anil utilizes his knowledge in tech to provide insightful tips on traveling smartly. He also develops apps that can help travelers in situations like determining water drinkability and calculating tips.

You can check out his podcast where he talks about current events, new product tech releases, and all things travel-related. 

Blog Topics                                           

• foXnoMad Shop
• Paid mobile apps

9. Fluent in 3 Months

By:  Brendan “Benny” Lewis

Fluent in 3 Months   by Brendan Lewis is created for travelers with a purpose. 

Apart from regular posts about travel planning and destinations, Brendan also writes a lot of guides on foreign languages. 

Remember, language is a crucial part of every culture. Brendan makes sure you learn dozens of useful words and phrases that will enrich your visit to any country. 

Some of the most prominent content formats in his blog are “ways to say” posts and phrase listicles. There are also fun, bite-sized stories like “How I Learned French on the Toilet in 6 Months.”

For more serious language learners, Fluent in 3 Months offers “The Challenge.” It’s a full-fledged online course that will enable you to hold a 15-minute conversation in a new language.

• How to speak foreign languages
• Language hacking 
• Traveling jobs
• The Challenge online course
• Speaking engagements

10. Cheapest Destinations Blog

By:  Tim Leffel

Cheapest Destinations Blog   is one of the oldest travel blogs on this list. 

It is created and run by Tim Leffel — an award-winning travel writer and author.  

Tim has made it his life’s goal to help people make the most out of travel while spending less. His blog contains posts that teach how to spend your travel money wisely and how to make every cent count. 

Other than Cheapest Destinations Blog, Tim also runs a handful of other blogs on different, travel-related topics. This includes Perceptive Travel, Travel Writing 2.0 Blog, and Cheap Living Abroad.  

• Travel budgeting
• Influencer marketing through 360 Degree Travel Network

11. Alex in Wanderland 

By:  Alexandra Baackes

Alexandra Baackes created  Alex in Wanderland   for two reasons. 

First, she’s been dealing with a case of wanderlust all her life. And second, she’s a fan of a beloved, fictional character — Alice in Wonderland. 

Alexandra is originally from Brooklyn, New York where she purchased her one-way ticket into the traveling life. She now blogs about the best travel destinations, outdoor activities, and her personal, travel-related gear.

One of the things I like about Alex in Wanderland is the presentation and categorization of content. 

On the “Categories” page, Alex makes sure articles are well-organized based on topics like travel inspiration, activities, and planning. This makes it easy for her audience to find the information they need at any given time. 

• Outdoor activities

12. Hey Nadine

By:  Nadine Sykora

Nadine Sykora of  Hey Nadine   is a popular travel blogger, YouTuber, and social media influencer.

Over the past 10 years, she has traveled across 55 countries, spoken on expert panels, and became a keynote speaker. 

Nadine’s goal is simple: share her travel experiences with the world and help others do the same. 

Hey Nadine contains a host of content on travel advice, hacks, destinations, and inspiration. As a seasoned YouTuber, you can expect her blog content to contain a lot of embedded videos from her channel. 

• Video production
• Advertisements through YouTube
• Sponsored content

13. I Am Aileen

Just like Kiersten Rich, Aileen Adalid is another travel blogger whom I also featured in my top lifestyle blogs listicle.

Aileen runs  I Am Aileen   — an award-winning blog that discusses just about everything there is to discuss in travel. She writes about destinations, the best travel activities, foreign cuisine, and more. 

What interested me the most about Aileen is her blogging background. At age 21, she quit her corporate job, which only paid $300 a month, to become a professional traveler. 

Since then, she’s been on a streak of smashing goals and breaking barriers. Thanks to her commitment to quality content, she’s recognized as one of the top bloggers in Asia. 

• Online shop

14. Wandering Earl

By:  Derek Earl Baron

Here’s a fun trivia about  Wandering Earl . 

Unlike most bloggers who use their first names, the “Earl” in “Wandering Earl” is actually a middle name. Blog owner Derek Earl Baron only thought that “Wandering Derek” didn’t sound as catchy.

Derek is a one-of-a-kind, adventurous soul who discovered his purpose as a modern nomad relatively early into adulthood. After graduating in 1999, he planned a three-month vacation across Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. 

That three-month vacation continues to this very day. 

And that’s how Wandering Earl was created — documenting Derek’s adventures in over 100 countries. He also shares valuable pieces of wisdom on travel planning, food, budgeting, gear, and so on. 

Wandering Earl has that “old-school” look and feel to it. On the plus side, the site’s design only highlights 

• Working while traveling
• Selling “eGuides”

15. Be My Travel Muse

By:  Kristin Addis

Be My Travel Muse  is a solo female travel blog created by Kristin Addis. 

She studied in Taiwan and kept an investment banking job for four years. The only problem was, her daily routine rendered her creative, dreamer side claustrophobic. 

Her first step was a one-way ticket to Bangkok — envisioning a life of writing and travel. That’s exactly what she accomplished with her blog, which now caters to millions of readers all over the world. 

Kristin believes that solo traveling is the best way for women to feel empowered and more confident. She prioritizes solo female travel tips on her blog, including guides on safety, packing, and maintaining relationships. 

Be My Travel Muse also has heaps of content on popular travel destinations and self-care for women. 

• Self-help for women
• Relationships
• The Photo Muse Masterclass online course

16. Followtheboat

By:  Liz Cleere and Jamie Furlong

Followtheboat   is a unique travel blog that focuses on a specific mode of transport: sailing. 

It is created with love by a travel writer Liz Cleere and photographer Jamie Furlong. There’s also Millie the rescue cat, which functions as a source of inspiration and encouragement for the blog’s human founders. 

Despite the focus on sailboats, Followtheboat’s content isn’t just made for sailors. The posts are tailor-made for travelers who also happen to be interested in the art and joys of sailing. 

Don’t be surprised at the humor and dynamic range of topics on the blog. You’ll find posts like “tools you need on a sailboat” and “is this the weirdest loo in the world?”

Followtheboat also has a library of podcasts, which record Liz and Jamie’s experiences on their travels. 

• Boat maintenance
• Patreon donations

17. Matthew Woodward

By:  Matthew Woodward

If Followtheboat is about boats, you can probably guess what  Matthew Woodward   is a blog about trains. 

Not to be mistaken for  Matthew Woodward  the internet marketer, Matthew Woodward the rail adventurer loved trains as a child. He owned model railway sets, traveled alone by train, and watched shows about trains on TV. 

In his time as a geography student, he explored Europe with his trusty Interrail pass. He set his passion aside to focus on his career, which he eventually gave up to become a travel writer. 

Today, he blogs about railway systems over different continents. He’s also an accomplished author of three books: “The Railway to Heaven,” “A Bridge Even Further,” and “Trans-Siberian Adventures.”

• Railway systems
• Traveling by train
• Selling books

18. The Opposite Travellers

By:  Ryan and Rachel Riel

The Opposite Travellers   were created by married couple Ryan and Rachel Riel. 

While both loved to travel, Ryan and Rachel had contrasting preferences when it comes to traveling. 

Rachel prefers to travel in style and luxury — through the accommodations and services offered by establishments and travel agencies. Ryan, on the other hand, leans toward daring adventures like biking and trekking — on $5 per night accommodations. 

The couple, however, utilized their differences as a selling point in The Opposite Travellers. 

As such, the website’s “Travel” section has two main categories: “Luxury Travel” and “Adventure Travel.” In other words, the blog has a diverse content library for travelers of all tastes and budgets.

The Opposite Travellers also boasts high-quality visuals taken and produced by Ryan Riel. All of the site’s videos are published on Ryan Riel Media — Ryan’s official YouTube channel.  

• Content production
• Social media marketing 
• Influencer marketing

19. We Seek Travel 

By:  Olly Gaspar

We Seek Travel is an adventure travel blog by traveler and adventure photographer Olly Gaspar.

Olly has been living out of his bags full-time since 2018, turning his passion for global adventure into a treasure trove of useful travel guides accompanied by his inspiring photography.

His travel blog serves as a window to extraordinary experiences around the world– from backpacking in India to climbing Himalayan peaks, crossing deserts on camelback, cycling over the Arctic Circle, hiking with gorillas in Uganda, and even fighting Muay Thai in Thailand.

But We Seek Travel is more than just a diary of adventures. It’s a resource-rich hub where Olly shares his firsthand experiences to help modern explorers discover unique outdoor adventures, off-beat hiking trails, travel photography gear, and helpful accommodation and digital nomad resources.

• Travel Planning & Accommodation
• Outdoor Adventure
• Hiking & Trekking
• Travel photography
• Travel Gear
• Photography licensing
• Adventure Photography shoots
• Tourism development

20. Bucket List Journey

By:  Annette White

Travel is all about adventures, and so is life. 

That’s the essence of the  Bucket List Journey   by Annette White. 

The blog’s tagline is “tools and inspiration to live your list.” It refers to a person’s “bucket list,” which is basically a list of goals and experiences they want in life. 

Annette didn’t always have such a positive outlook in life. She used to be diagnosed with anxiety, which caused her to miss out on life-enriching experiences and opportunities. 

Eventually, she decided that she’ll no longer become a prisoner of fear and uncertainty. She had courage and took charge of her life’s direction — something every aspiring blogger needs to do at one point. 

Bucket List Journey talks about bucket list-worthy destinations, motivation, money, and travel tips. Annette also imparts knowledge on people who also struggle with facing fear and making braver life decisions. 

• Overcoming fear and anxiety

21. Migrationology

By:  Mark Wiens

When I first visited  Migrationology , I wasn’t sure whether to classify it as a food or travel blog. 

Then I checked out Mark Wiens’s “About” page. There, I learned that he viewed food as a way to connect with people in various cultures. 

And to be exposed to these cultures, Mark dedicates his time, money, and efforts to travel. 

Mark makes sure the blog only focuses on content based on his personal travels. It’s made for people who want to experience the flavors of the world — in person or through Mark’s posts. 

Apart from general food travel blog posts and city guides, Migrationology also offers readers a “Food Tour” service. It is the result of a year of research done by Mark himself — in partnership with  Bangkok Vanguards . 

• Bangkok Food Tour

22. The Cranky Flier

By:  Brett Snyder

We already mentioned a blog about boats and another about trains. It’s time to talk about a blog on airplanes and air travel.

Cranky Flier   is a unique blog created by Brett Snyder — President and “Chief Airline Dork” of Cranky Flier LLC. 

Brett has been fascinated with airlines all his life. When he was young, he collected airline timetables and even spent a birthday with his grandmother watching planes land. 

As an adult, he spent several years in the airline industry fulfilling multiple roles. He became a sales intern at USAir, senior analyst at America West, marketing planning product at United, and so on.

Today, Brett publishes his opinions about the airline industry on Cranky Flier. He also updates several series, like “Worst Airline Ever,” “Airlines We Lost,” and “Across the Aisle Interviews.” 

I’ll let you determine what these series are all about based on what they’re called. 

• Airline industry
• Cranky Concierge service

23. Never Ending Footsteps

By:  Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is one of those bloggers who already knew what they wanted to be from an early age. 

She dreamt of traveling to new places, meeting new people, and exploring new cultures.  Never Ending Footsteps   is proof that she accomplished all three. 

The blog consists of posts about Lauren’s fulfilling travels to different countries. But unlike a lot of famous travel bloggers, she also talks about the downsides of being a digital nomad.

Never Ending Footsteps has a “The Incidents” blog section where Lauren discusses the not-so-sexy aspects of traveling. She has been scammed, attacked by monkeys, locked out of her room, lost her passport, and more. 

Despite these incidents, Lauren’s love for travel only grew. Such experiences increased her wisdom and travel acumen — resulting in some of the most insightful travel articles ever published.

Lauren also helps her audience get into the world of travel blogging. Check out “How to Start a Travel Blog” for information on web hosting, working with WordPress, and so on.

• Travel safety

24. A Dangerous Business Travel Blog

By:  Amanda Williams

A Dangerous Business Travel Blog   is a straightforward blog made to help people travel. 

It is created by Amanda Williams, who is a former journalist with degrees in journalism, hospitality, and tourism management.

Amanda first got into journalism by editing obituaries — eventually becoming a copy and layout editor at a newspaper company. She started A Dangerous Business Travel Blog in 2010 out of boredom and her need for a creative outlet. 

Fast forward to 2024, the blog now averages over 340,000 page views per month. Amanda also maintains a strong social media presence with thousands of followers across networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

A Dangerous Business Travel Blog contains posts about travel planning, packing, destinations, and inspiration. Everything is sprinkled with high-quality photos to keep readers engaged and enthused.  

The centerpiece of A Dangerous Business Travel Blog is “The 10-Day Adventure Project.” Put simply, it’s a collection of ready-to-use, self-guided itineraries that will shave hours off your travel planning process.

• Packing 
• DangerousBiz online course
• Freelance writing

25. Against the Compass

By:  Joan Torres

How do you make a travel blog stand out?

Joan Torres has a surefire answer: covering the most unusual and “off the beaten track” destinations.

Against The Compass   is a unique blog that talks about the travel routes and destinations you probably haven’t heard of. It covers destinations that people don’t normally include in their bucket list, like Pakistan, Tunisia, Syria, and other high-risk countries. 

Of course, Joan makes sure to highlight the importance of safety when traveling in relatively low-popularity destinations. He has comprehensive guides for solo female travel, travel insurance, and general travel safety.

• Travel insurance

26. Everything Everywhere 

By:  Gary Arndt

In travel blogging, a picture is undeniably worth a thousand words. There’s simply no excuse for any travel blogger to forego the inclusion of visual content in their posts.

Gary Arndt’s absolutely nailed it with his photography work for  Everything Everywhere .

Gary actually won multiple, major travel photography awards — more than any travel photographer. His photography is so good that I suggest you check the “Travel Photos” page on Everything Everywhere.

Go ahead, take a break and thank me later. 

Other than taking breathtaking photos, Gary also publishes detailed blog posts about the places he’s been. He’s been on the go for roughly 9 years non-stop, which means readers will never run out of material.

27. The Longest Way Home

By:  David Ways

The Longest Way Home   started as the personal travel journal of David Ways — a solo traveler in search of home. 

The blog originally started as David’s private, digital diary. As he journeyed across Europe and gained experience, it turned into a full-on blog with travel guides to specific locations. 

David finally found home in Nepal before traveling to other parts of Southeast Asia. 

He’s not the most nitpicky blogger in terms of grammar and spelling, but he’s definitely a brilliant storyteller. He’s also skilled in capturing and immortalizing moments into photos, which you can view on his blog’s gallery. 

The Longest Way Home has a library of content about various destinations, trekking, and travel planning. It also features in-depth travel guides to Nepal, Thailand, and overland travel — plus a mini-guide to Portugal.  

• Travel planning 
• Overland travel

28. Global Grasshopper

By:  Becky Moore

Global Grasshopper   is a travel blog run by Becky Moore and her team of professional travel photographers and writers. 

Becky’s first adventure was a six-month voyage in Southeast Asia. She considers herself a “semi-nomad,” traveling from country to country while nestling in Ireland, Australia, or parts of Southeast Asia. 

Global Grasshopper contains posts about popular travel destinations, hotels, and other places that deserve more attention. Readers will also enjoy the blog’s posts about dog-friendly travel — covering topics like dog booster seats and pet-friendly hotels. 

Since the blog is run by a team of experts, expect the content quality to be top-notch across the board. The team also organizes boutique tours, which readers can participate in for a memorable travel experience. 

• Traveling with a pet
• Boutique tours bookings

29. Girl Gone Travel

By:  Carol Cain

Carol Cain is an accomplished professional in the field of communications. She is a social media marketing expert, public speaker, branding agency owner, and award-winning travel blogger.

Girl Gone Travel   is the result of Carol’s innate passion for travel and knack for digital marketing. It is a well-designed, engaging, and filled with quality content that shines with Carol’s personality. 

Other than her travel-related posts, Girl Gone Travel also publishes a lot of posts about blogging and online branding. This makes it an excellent place to start for hopeful travelers who plan to have their own blog one day. 

• Destinations 
• Online branding
• Brave World Media company

30. HoneyTrek

By:  Mike and Anne Howard

Believe it or not,  HoneyTrek   is a travel blog about a honeymoon.

Yes — it’s probably the longest honeymoon ever.

Founders Mike and Anne Howard are a power couple with skills that can make any blog great. Anne is a former magazine editor whereas Mike’s a veteran digital media strategist and photographer. 

Together, they’ve honeymooned to over seven continents and 60 countries while creating the most romantic travel blog in the process. 

HoneyTrek contains a collection of posts about their travel destinations, experiences, and travel tips for all budgets. They also wrote two successful books: “Comfortably Wild” and “Ultimate Journeys for Two.” 

• Travel budgeting 
• Travel skills

31. Oneika The Traveller

By:  Oneika Raymond

Oneika The Traveller   is an award-winning travel blog by journalist, keynote speaker, and media personality Oneika Raymond. 

For those who don’t know Oneika, she’s the on-air travel and lifestyle correspondent for CTV Canada and NBC New York. Even more impressively, her blog won her a gold medal in the 2018 SATW Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism competition.

Oneika talks about travel destinations and her go-to tips for life on the road. With her experience in the field of journalism, she’s definitely one of the most engaging storytellers on this list.

• Fashion and style while traveling
• Traveling as a minority
• Personal opinions
• Social media marketing

32. The Adventurists

By:  Tom Morgan

The Adventurists   is hands down one of the most well-designed travel blogs in this post. 

The blog proves that integrating tons of video content into one page doesn’t have to affect its loading speed. In fact, the site loads surprisingly fast despite having several video panels on the homepage.

I’m not going to delve too deeply into this technical feat. What I’m going to focus on, however, is the brilliant team behind The Adventurists. 

The site is founded by “Chief Idiot” — Tom Morgan. Apparently, most of the crazy ideas featured on the blog were his. 

Every page on the site reflects Morgan and his team’s wackiness and passion for great adventures. They do, host, and document daring outdoor activities on air, land, and sea — plus, a whole lot of charity.

Their audience can also participate in these activities, which can be held in various parts of the globe. The “Monkey Run,” for example, is an event where participants race through dirt trails on tiny bikes.

The bottom line is, it’s hard to come up with unique ideas that set you apart in the blogging landscape. The Adventurists, on the other hand, managed to do so multiple times. 

• “The Adventures” events
• The “Shop of Stuff”

33. Time Travel Turtle

By:  Michael Turtle

Time Travel Turtle   is created by Australian Journalist Michael Turtle. 

Michael was born to be a storyteller and he knew it from an early age. 

In school, he ran the student newsletter and contributed a weekly column. He also filled the role of deputy editor of a university newspaper. 

Time Travel Turtle’s contains mainly posts on the locations that Michael has visited over the years. 

Like most renowned travel bloggers, Michael captures amazing photos that travel enthusiasts can fall in love with. He puts some of these photos up for sale to companies who’d like to feature those locations or properties. 

Michael continues to explore the world as a digital nomad. He also shares practical travel tips so readers can experience these adventures themselves. 

• Selling photography

34. Hand Luggage Only

By:  Yaya and Lloyd

Hand Luggage Only   is a hugely successful travel blog by couple Yaya and Lloyd. 

The site doles out travel advice, inspiration, photography tips, food reviews, and posts about must-see destinations. It also has a library of high-quality videos where Yaya and Lloyd describe their experiences in detail.  

Yaya and Lloyd started the blog in 2014 with a plan to share their travel stories with the world. Within a few hours, they published their first posts using photos they already took and edited. 

The moral of the story is, consider starting a blog if you already have a library of unused travel photos. 

35. Travel4Wildlife

By:  Christina Garcia and Hal Brindley 

It should only take anyone a second to figure out what  Travel4Wildlife   is all about. 

The blog is created by couple Christina Garcia and Hal Brindley out of their passion for wildlife. 

Hal is an experienced wildlife photographer for organizations like the Nature Conservancy Magazine, SEE Turtles, and RARE Conservation. Christina, on the other hand, is an experienced zoologist who worked on studies on wolves, cheetahs, and leopards. 

Travel4Wildlife’s goal is to increase awareness and increase the appreciation for wildlife. More importantly, it was Christina and Hal’s life goal to promote wildlife conservation through responsible tourism. 

Behind the scenes, the couple teams up to create compelling articles that focus on wildlife in specific destinations. The blog covers a range of species on different continents — from owls in South Africa to polar bears in Canada. 

• Wildlife tour reviews
• Responsible travel

36. The Insatiable Traveler

By:  Susan Portnoy

Susan Portnoy, also called  The Insatiable Traveler   on her blog, is a seasoned travel writer and photographer. 

Susan’s last full-time job was VP of corporate communications at Condé Nast. When that door closed, she took on a freelancing career as she learned the art of photography. 

Fast forward a few years, and she has enough accolades to make photography degree holders envious. 

Her photographic works were featured by organizations like National Geographic and companies like Bing. She also won awards like the SATW Lowell Thomas Award and the 2018 Gold in the Muster Photo Competition. 

The main focal points of The Insatiable Traveler include destinations, cruises, photography, and travel gear. Susan also covers the safaris in various regions, like Tanzania, Namibia, and Kenya. 

37. View from the Wing

By:  Gary Leff 

Just like Brett Snyder, Gary Leff of  View From The Wing   is an expert in all things air travel. 

Gary was named one of the “World’s Top Travel Experts” by Condé Nast Traveler since 2010. He also co-founded InsideFlyer.com — a community made by and for frequent flyers.

View From The Wing is a goldmine of timeless tips on airline miles, credit cards, hotels, and business travel. No matter your sub-niche in travel, I recommend checking it out for ways to maximize your frequent flyer miles. 

Gary also publishes posts called “Trip Reports” about establishments, food, and various attractions. 

• Hotel reviews
• Credit cards

38. Uncornered Market

By:  Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott

Dan Noll and Audrey Scott are a pair of adventurers, storytellers, and tourism advisors who advocate for responsible traveling. 

They created  Uncornered Market   — a responsible tourism blog — after leaving their secure and stable lifestyle in Prague. Prior to that, they lived in San Francisco and took a leap of faith for the sake of avoiding regrets.  

It’s clear that both Dan and Audrey believed that fulfillment can’t be found within the confines of your comfort zone. They explored, made connections, and shared their experiences through their travel blog. 

Some of the topics you’ll find in Uncornered Market are about destinations, sustainable tourism, food, and trekking. Dan and Audrey also write about personal growth and experiential travel. 

Uncornered Market is also a tourism development and marketing consultancy company. They help travel companies, destinations, and tourism organizations build their brands and deliver their message to a wider audience. 

• Responsible tourism
• Tourism development and marketing consultancy services

39. Jessie on a Journey

By:  Jessica “Jessie” Festa

Like plenty of bloggers, Jessica Festa needed a taste of life before discovering her true calling. 

In her youth, Jessie traveled to mostly cruises in the Caribbean and road trips in North America. She also experienced being a sightseeing guide in New York. 

Jessie on a Journey   is the result of her pursuing her dreams of getting paid to do something she loves. She now blogs about being a solo female traveler, blogging it, and profiting off of it. 

I’m sure a lot of big-name bloggers are all too familiar with how Jessie made the blogging vision a reality.

For a long time, she felt that the workaday lifestyle isn’t for her. It made her feel like she’s living everyone else’s life — not the kind of life she wanted to keep. 

Despite the disapproval of loved ones, Jessie decided to quit her secure job in favor of being a travel blogger. 

She was just as unprepared as most people before starting their own blog. The key difference is, she went out there and took her first step. 

• Travel blog consulting
• Tour company consulting

40. Legal Nomads

By:  Jodi Ettenberg

Back when Jodi Ettenberg was in law school, she never would’ve guessed she’d run a successful travel and food business. 

That happens to a lot of people, especially those who never thought of giving priority to their passions. 

It’s just a hunch, but I think the name  Legal Nomads   had something to do with Jodi’s background in law. 

Legal Nomads highlights destinations and local cultures just as insightfully as other travel blogs. What makes it different is that Jodi focuses on local cuisines to experience and tell the stories of each destination. 

A huge part of Jodi’s blog is about wellness and gluten-free eating. She then utilized her knowledge and experience to create detailed restaurant cards, which travelers can use when visiting certain countries. 

• Gluten-free restaurant cards
• The Legal Nomads Shop

41. Indiana Jo

By:  Jo Fitzsimons

Like Jodi Ettenberg, Jo Fitzsimons also used to practice law before becoming a successful travel and lifestyle writer. 

Indiana Jo   started way back in 2010 where Jo can comfortably type away her thoughts and musings. Fed up with her full-time job, she went out to see the world as a digital nomad.

It wasn’t always smooth sailing for Indiana Jo, however. According to her, she thought about quitting the blog several times before finally realizing that it’s a lifetime thing. 

Jo writes about her travel experiences, destinations, wine, and food. She also shares travel planning tips along with a long list of content about topics that personally interest her. 

• Travel health and safety

42. TravelFreak

By:  Jeremy Scott Foster

TravelFreak   is the brainchild of Jeremy Scott Foster who left America in the middle of a recession and to Australia. 

For a while, he racked up some savings as a traveling bartender. It took some time before he finally made the switch to be a digital nomad and online entrepreneur. 

Jeremy created the blog to help people create opportunities to achieve the fulfilling life they deserve. 

He writes about travel advice, destinations, gear, and ways to get your finances in order as you travel. This includes guides on how to land and keep a job abroad along with resources on reliable booking websites. 

I personally like the way Jeremy designed TravelFreak to provide the best possible user experience. Unlike a traditional layout, the site features a search bar so readers can jump right into the content they need.

TravelFreak has been featured in Forbes, National Geographic, The New York Times, and a few other big-name publications.   

43. The Everywhereist

By:  Geraldine DeRuiter

Before anything else, yes — that’s Rand Fishkin in the photo above. 

And yes, the next travel blogger on this list is Rand’s longtime sweetheart and wife. 

Geraldine DeRuiter was a former copywriter and went with Rand in his travels, which are often business-related. She then turned to the habit of documenting their travel experiences, which she described as “love letters” to her husband. 

Today, Geraldine works full-time on  The Everywhereist   — named by Time magazine as one of the best blogs in 2011. 

The Everywhereist contains posts about food and Geraldine’s travel experiences along with a comprehensive Philadelphia travel guide. The guide contains information on where to go, eat, shop, and stay. 

Geraldine also wrote a book called “All Over The Place.” It chronicles how she embraced her love for blogging after being laid off, which aspiring bloggers can draw inspiration from. 

• All Over The Place book sales

44. Keep Calm and Travel

By:  Clelia Mattana

Keep Calm and Travel   is a travel blog created by serial traveler Clelia Mattana. 

Ever since she was 19, Clelia is a certified sea lover and globetrotter. But like many travel bloggers, she was given a choice between a secure job and the traveling lifestyle. 

Clelia’s finalized her choice when she bought a one-way ticket to Asia. She then created Keep Calm and Travel to send a simple message:

“No matter what your age is, or your budget, or status, you can travel and live your life on your own terms.”

The blog’s topics include destinations across continents, photography, and travel gear. She also has a dedicated page for Sardinia, which is one of her absolute favorite travel destinations.

45. Practical Wanderlust

By:  Lia and Jeremy Garcia

Lia and Jeremy Garcia, who aptly labeled themselves a “travel couple” on Instagram, are the minds behind  Practical Wanderlust .  

Jeremy is a film degree holder whose passions include writing and directing. He also became a high school teacher who taught filmmaking and digital media art.

Lia, on the other hand, has a fashion design and apparel merchandising degree. She took on roles in corporate merchandising before becoming a business systems analyst. 

Why did I tell you all this? Simple: I want you to know what the pair had to give up pursuing their dreams of traveling. 

Practical Wanderlust’s goal is to help other people enjoy travel in the most realistic and sensible approach possible. The blog is filled with detailed content on planning memorable trips on a budget, where to go, and staying safe.   

Lia and Jeremy also host their own podcast, which is available on Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. 

• Coaching and mentoring services
• Sponsored podcast episodes

46. Expert Vagabond

By:  Matthew “Matt” Karsten

Matthew Karsten, AKA the  Expert Vagabond , has been a travel blogger, photographer, and digital nomad for nine years.

He talks about budget travel tips, destinations, travel photography, and strategies to make the digital nomadic life work. 

Matt is a business degree holder who spent time freelancing as a nightlife and event photographer. While he admits it was fun, he knew that he wants and deserves something more. 

After a year of downsizing his life, eating homemade food, selling eBooks, and saving every penny, he was ready. He set out to obtain a different kind of wealth — that which is made with adventures and experiences.

• Nomadic living

47. The Voyageur

By:  Pauline Chardin

Pauline Chardin is a France-based fashion designer, photographer, and art director. 

She always had a soft spot for travel — driven by her appreciation for picturesque architecture, landscapes, and good food. She started  The Voyageur   to help people view the world through her voice and eyes. 

The Voyageur is a simple, yet aesthetic website achieved through Pauline’s incredible photography skills. Apart from itineraries and posts about hotels, food, art, and architecture, the site also has a sizeable photo gallery.

Images are accompanied by a brief article that describes the destination’s history and Pauline’s thoughts and emotions during her visit. I’m not sure what it is, but there’s something about this content format that’s truly engaging and relaxing. 

• Art and architecture

48. Amateur Traveler

By:  Chris Christensen

Don’t be fooled by the name —  Amateur Traveler   is by no means run by an amateur.

Chris Christensen is a skilled photographer, travel writer, and podcast host. The site also utilizes a long list of monetization strategies that I believe every blogger should learn. 

True, he wasn’t the most experienced traveler when he started the blog. Before he created Amateur Traveler, he was a full-time EVP of engineering and operations for a company based in Silicon Valley. 

In his defense, he grew up in a family that traveled a lot to national parks in a trailer. He also learned a lot of foreign languages, which he believes is a window into understanding and embracing different cultures. 

Amateur Traveler discusses destinations, travel budgeting, planning, gear, and booking. The site also features a weekly podcast on the top destinations around the world. 

• Amateur Traveler Shop powered by Etsy
• Podcast advertisements
• Social media and content marketing consulting services
• Content writing services
• Paid guest posts

49. Girl Eat World

By:  Melissa Hie

Melissa Hie is the “Girl” in  Girl Eat World  — a name that encapsulates what the whole blog is all about. 

You see, Melissa’s three passions are food, travel, and storytelling. She started the blog in 2015 as a digital diary for herself and friends who need travel tips. 

Prior to her blog’s success, she amassed quite a following on Instagram. This springboarded her blogging career, which she put in the back burner after focusing on her full-time career.

Girl Eat World is essentially a compendium of Melissa’s travel stories and travel planning guides. She also has an iconic style of capturing Instagram posts, which must be seen to be appreciated. 

50. The Adventure Junkies

By:  Antonio Cala and Amanda Zeisset

The Adventure Junkies   is definitely not your average travel blog. 

It’s not just about the travel stories of founders Antonio Cala and Amanda Zeisset. Upon visiting the blog for the first time, you’ll realize that it’s all about the community the blog has built. 

New visitors are encouraged to join “ Summit ” — a free community for people who seek adventures through travel and outdoor activities. There, members can connect, plan events, share posts, ask questions, form groups, and discuss anything related to travel. 

The Adventure Junkies also compile guides and resources about outdoor activities like diving, kayaking, mountain biking, and snowboarding. There’s also a section for visitors who’d like to learn about outdoor and underwater photography.

Antonio and Amanda started The Adventure Junkies as a personal blog about their three years of cycling. Over time, their readers began asking questions on how they can plan their own adventures. 

The couple then realized that they need to create something more than a personal blog. As such, they transformed The Adventure Junkies as a one-stop shop for adventurists.  

• The Adventure Junkies Store
• Paid digital guides

51. A Broken Backpack Travel Blog

By:  Melissa Giroux

Melissa Giroux used to be a social worker who only traveled once a year. 

Melissa created  A Broken Backpack   a year after her journey in the Canadian Rockies — hitch-hiking from point A to B. She continued working on her blog as a creative outlet while working on a farm in Australia. 

It didn’t take long before A Broken Backpack’s popularity gained momentum and gave Melissa a new frontier. 

The website contains crucial tips on travel gear, budgeting, destinations, and the life of a digital nomad. Melissa also put together in-depth guides on travel blogging, moving to another country as an expat, and backpacking.

• SEO eBook on Nomad Life 101

52. The World Travel Guy

By : David Leiter

David Leiter is an American travel blogger currently based in Bali, Indonesia, with his wife Intan (who’s a Bali local).

They travel around the world and try to document the most scenic destinations by creating articles, photos, videos, and guides for other travelers.

David runs  The World Travel Guy , an adventure travel blog that he started when he was a solo traveler, but now covers their travels around the globe as a couple.

In total, they’ve visited dozens of countries, while also checking off some bucket list adventures like a Komodo dragon safari in Indonesia, the Mount Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal, and a bunch of world monuments like the Angkor Wat and Taj Mahal.

• Adventure Travel
• Destination Guides
• Budget Tips
• Travel Photography
• Drone Videos
• Affiliate Partnerships
• Display Advertisements
• Sponsored Trips
• YouTube Videos

53. Life Part 2

By:  Jonathan Look Jr. and Sarah Wilson

The last blog on this list that your best life can start at any time you choose. 

Let me tell you the story behind  Life Part 2   and the people behind it.

Jonathan Look Jr. and Sarah Wilson are both happy retirees with a simple mantra: “don’t waste your retirement.”

To them, retirement isn’t about being comfortable and secure. Rather, it’s all about the freedom to listen to your heart and follow where it takes you. 

Jonathan and Sarah met in Chiang Mai, Thailand where they both agreed to see the world as a couple. 

Life Part 2 is a mix of all things travel. At times, there’ll be a post about remote destinations and backpacking, and at other times, the theme is luxury travel. 

You will, however, notice that the content topics on the blog often revolve around retirement, minimalism, and travel. 

Planning to go on your own travel adventures? Perhaps you’re thinking of starting your very own travel blog?

It doesn’t matter if you’ve got a case of wanderlust or the desire to be a travel blogger yourself. 

The list above has some of the best travel blogs ever created. They can provide you with ideas and inspiration for your next trip or first-ever travel blog post. 

If you think I missed a great travel blog that everyone should read, let me know in the comments below. Good luck!

Ankit Singla

Ankit Singla is a full-time blogger, YouTuber, author, and public speaker. He founded and leads Master Blogging . With over 13 years of blogging expertise, he has assisted numerous aspiring bloggers in achieving their dreams of creating successful blogs.

Popular Posts by Ankit Singla ( see latest )

• 11 Best Blog Topic Research Tools (Free and Paid) + Tutorial
• 7 Best Keyword Research Chrome Extensions for Bloggers
• 9 Best Digital Products to Sell as a Blogger [All Profitable]

Master Blogging, powered by Ankit Singla’s 13 years of blogging expertise, is your reliable resource for building a profitable blogging business. Here, you’ll gain the insights and support to thrive in blogging.

BLOGGING DEALS

© 2013 – 2024 Master Blogging® | Hosted by WPX | Built with Kadence Theme

Dallas Fort Worth Storms

Affected Airports - City , State Association:

• Dallas/Fort Worth, TX (DFW)

For complete details View

American Airlines has implemented a special exception policy to our travel partners that is now available for our mutual customers due to expected o perational disruptions, including delays and cancellations , due to weather in the area.

Our Travel Notice exception policies on American are also available when ticketed to/from/through on our Joint Business partners: This applies to both prime and codeshare flights as shown below:

Inventory Requirements

Lowest Inventory, Same Cabin

If original inventory is not available rebook lowest inventory available in the same ticketed cabin. As a reminder, customers that do not hold a Basic Economy fare should never be booked into B inventory.

Basic Economy -

• Must be booked in B inventory only. If B inventory is not available, then an alternate flight must be selected. Advance Purchase and Ticket Change restrictions are waived.

Instant Upsell -

Refer to Travel Notice Policy - Travel Agency Guidelines for rebooking guidelines and Endorsement Box requirement when the customer purchased Instant Upsell (IU) directly with American on aa.com . IU PNRs contain the following SSRs:

• OTHS AGENCY RETAINS CONTROL OF TKT FOR REISSUES
• OTHS INSTANT UPSELL ANCILLARY EMD ISSUED 001xxxxxxxxxx

Refer to Exceptions to Fare Rules .

Note: If customers are unable to rebook or reissue their ticket within the given timeline, they can cancel their reservation and use the value of the ticket toward the purchase of a new ticket; all rules and restrictions apply. Travel must commence no later than one year from the date of original issuance.

Endorsement Box Requirements

• Refer to individual Travel Notice for Event Name
• Ticket Reissue required. This is the only required verbiage and supersedes all other information.

Instant Upsell (IU) tickets must use waiver code: TNADV/IU when rebooking in the Instant Upsell Inventory IU PNRs contain the following SSRs:

Refer to Travel Notice Policy - Travel Agency Guidelines for Endorsement Box requirement when the customer purchased Instant Upsell (IU) directly with American on aa.com .

Changes to Origin/Destination - Not Allowed

• Waive Change Fee
• Ticket reissue for original ticketed fare
• 300 Mile Radius is always allowed, unless otherwise stated in the notice
• Changes to origin/destination are not permitted for the travel notice
• Any changes made to origin/destination all fare rules apply

300-Mile Radius Only - Allowed

• Within same country
• For booking inventory, view Inventory Requirements

Basic Economy Short-haul fares

book in B inventory only.If B inventory is not available, then an alternate flight must be selected.

Changes to Connection City

Changes to Co-Terminal

Changes to Co-terminal and MAC airports on AA Prime and AA*/Codeshare flights are allowed

• Co-terminal & MAC Airports are considered the same routing.  

Reissue Policy Information

American Airlines will waive change fees and travel agents may rebook and reissue tickets provided the below guidelines are met and applied:

• Ticket issued on the following ticket stock: AA 001, AY 105, BA 125, El053, IB 075, JL 131, QF 081
• Applies to AA*/ one world flights
• Travel has not commenced on the affected flight segment and the ticket has not been reissued by American Airlines
• The first departure flight is more than 2 hours away
• Affected coupons are in OK status
• Travel reissuance only in accordance to dates identified in the applicable Travel Notice Exception Advisory
• More than one change allowed without an additional collection, including penalty or change fee within the Travel Notice dates
• Original issuing agency responsible for ticket reissue
• Ticket Revalidation not permitted
• The return travel must be booked in the original class of service (inventory)
• Refer to Extend Travel Rebooking after the Travel Event
• Basic Economy must be rebooked in the appropriate Basic Economy inventory
• Please ensure the above procedures are accurately followed to prevent debit memo issuance

Rebooking - Exception to Fare Rules

Exception to Fare Rules: All fare rules apply with the exception of the following:

• Advance Purchase requirement waived
• Minimum/Maximum Stay requirement waived
• Change Fee waived
• When changes to the outbound travel occur, the unaffected return date may be changed to protect the original length of the trip. The return travel must be booked in the original class of service (inventory).

SalesLink Request

• Rebook flights in compliance with Travel Notice Exception Policy
• Log-in to SalesLink at www.saleslink.aa.com
• Request Type: select 'Service'
• Input AA PNR
• Waiver Type: select 'Travel Notice'
• Travel Notice: select applicable Travel Notice event name
• Select 'Next' - and complete request
• Verify: SalesLink approval remarks in PNR
• New Ticket Endorsement Box: Enter event name only
• Ticket Reissue required

Endorsement Box requirement: 31MAR24 or the exchange will be subject to a debit memo

Extend Travel Rebooking Guidelines

If customers are unable to rebook within the New Travel Dates, may reschedule their reservation to/from the same city or alternate cities and reissue their ticket with the below guidelines:

• Cancel their itinerary and apply the value of the original ticket towards the purchase of a new ticket for travel commencing within 1 year from the date of original issuance
• Change fee only is waived as long as the original ticket is reissued within ticket validity and the impact dates are in accordance with those identified in the Travel Notice
• Basic Economy fares may only be used towards the purchase of other Basic Economy fares.
• Residual MCO's are not allowed when using the TNADVE waiver code for reissue.
• Extend Travel Rebooking does not apply to tickets in conjunction with Instant Upsell (IU)

Refund Policy Information

When the flight is cancelled or the length of delay is 91+ minutes , travel agents may refund ticket(s) through normal GDS/ARC/BSP processing. Refer to our Schedule Irregularity policy for delays 90 minutes or less.

• Refund To Original Form Of Payment - All penalties/fees waived
• Non-Refundable Fare
• Refundable Fare with cancellation Fee
• Basic Economy Fare
• Bulk/Opaque Fare

Note: If the ticket has been exchanged by American as an INVOL submit the refund request directly with American. Refer to American Airlines Refunds .

When the flight is not cancelled or the length of delay is 90 minutes or less , a refund does not apply:

• If customer elects to cancel their reservation and use the value of the ticket toward the purchase of a new ticket outside the Travel Notice dates; may use Extend Travel Rebooking or may hold ticket for future travel; all rules and restrictions apply.
• Travel must commence no later than one year from the date of original issuance.

En route/Diversion

• Connecting customers' en route to one of the above-listed destinations or whose flights are diverted will have the option to return to their original departure city and rebook travel to alternate future dates.
• Customers should work directly with the airport to obtain a boarding pass for return travel to their original departure city. If the customer wishes to rebook travel to alternate future dates, please contact American Airlines Reservations for assistance. Alternatively, they may receive a refund if re-accommodation options are unacceptable.
• If a ticket has already been reissued by American Airlines or the ticket is partially used, travel agents must submit the refund request online at https://prefunds.aa.com/refunds/

American Airlines will continue to monitor this Travel Notice Exception Advisory and adjust this policy if needed. Changes will be posted on AA.com and www.saleslink.aa.com reference. Please check these sources frequently for the most up to date information.

• www.saleslink.aa.com Reference: Select Travel Notice Policy - Travel Agency Guidelines
• Visit www.saleslink.aa.com and navigate to AA News and Offers to view current travel notices.
• Contact your Sales Support Center 800-621-8489 or American Airlines Reservations 800-433-7300 (U.S. and Canada) or for Reservations outside the U.S. and Canada, please see our Worldwide Reservations Numbers American Airlines encourages all customers to check flight and gate status prior to leaving for the airport. For complete travel information, visit AA.com .
• Group reservations must be changed by AA Group & Meeting Travel
• Information contained on this web site is subject to change at any time without notice. American Airlines shall not be liable for any consequences resulting from your reliance on the information.

• Category: Xbox Game Pass

Coming to Xbox Game Pass: LEGO 2K Drive, EA Sports PGA Tour, Harold Halibut, and More

• Megan Spurr, Community Lead, Xbox Game Pass

My favorite part about “coming soon” to Game Pass is that it quickly turns into “available today” messaging. From driving to golfing to tomb raiding, there’s plenty here that’s going to be available sooner rather than later. Let’s take a look at the games that are mere moments away from your download queue!

Available Today

Superhot: Mind Control Delete (Cloud, Console, and PC) Returning to the Game Pass library today, Superhot: Mind Control Delete gives you more insight into the signature power fantasy world of Superhot with more story, more signature gameplay, more action, more guns. Keep dancing the slow-motion ballet of destruction for much longer than ever before.

Coming Soon

LEGO 2K Drive (Cloud and Console) – April 3 Welcome to Bricklandia, home of a massive open-world LEGO driving adventure. Race anywhere, play with anyone, build your dream rides, and defeat a cast of wild racing rivals for the coveted Sky Trophy!

Lil Gator Game (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 4 Who wouldn’t want to be an adorable Lil Gator? Embark on a cute “lil” quest, discovering new friends, and uncovering everything its island has to offer. Climb, swim, glide, and slide your way into the hearts of the many different characters you meet along the way in this adorable open-world adventure!

EA Sports PGA Tour (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S) EA Play – April 4 EA Sports PGA Tour is coming to The Play List with PC Game Pass and Ultimate via EA Play. Become a Major champion, tee off on the Par 3 Course at Augusta National, along with three new 2024 Major host courses.

Kona (Cloud and Console) – April 9 Another game is making a return to the Game Pass library! A strange blizzard ravages Atamipek Lake. Step into the shoes of a detective to explore the eerie village, investigate surreal events, and battle the elements to survive in this chilly, interactive tale you won’t soon forget.

Botany Manor (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – April 9 Available on day one with Game Pass! Explore the historic manor home of retired botanist Arabella Greene, who has amassed a collection of rare, long-forgotten flora that require special conditions to help them bloom. Unlock new seeds, look for clues in the items scattered around the residence, and solve each gardening puzzle to revive these plants.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider Definitive Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 11 Experience the final chapter of Lara’s origin as she is forged into the Tomb Raider she is destined to be. Combining the base game, all seven DLC challenge tombs, as well as all downloadable weapons, outfits, and skills, Shadow of the Tomb Raider Definitive Edition is the ultimate way to experience Lara’s defining moment.

Harold Halibut (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – April 16 Available on day one with Game Pass! Harold Halibut is a handmade narrative game about friendship and life on a city-sized spaceship submerged in an alien ocean. Join Harold as he explores a vibrant retro-future world in his quest to find the true meaning of ‘home’. You can learn more about Harold Halibut in Xbox Wire’s recent hands-on preview here .

DLC / Game Updates

No Man’s Sky Orbital Update – Available now Dock your fully customized starship in the sleek new space stations of update 4.6, Orbital! Space stations have been completely overhauled internally and externally; new starships can be constructed from salvaged parts; frigate fleets can reach out for guidance with interstellar expeditions; standing and guilds have been improved, trading and system economies have been deepened – and much more! Learn more about No Man’s Sky ’s Orbital update here on Xbox Wire .

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks

Final Fantasy XIV Online: Starter Edition – Available now Join over 30 million adventures worldwide in the critically acclaimed online RPG.  From now through April 19, the Final Fantasy XIV Online – Starter Edition base game is now free for a limited time – including a 30-day free play period for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members. Terms apply. You can also learn how to build your Warrior of Light in Final Fantasy XIV Online here on Xbox Wire .

YouTube Premium 3 Month Trial – Available now Watch your favorite YouTube creators without ads, offline, and in the background. Plus, stream the latest songs from your favorite artists with uninterrupted access to YouTube Music. New users only. Monthly subscription fee starts at the end of trial. Cancel anytime. Not available in all regions. Terms apply .

Battlefield 2042 : Season 7 Field Kit – Available now In the iconic all-out warfare first-person shooter of Battlefield 2042 , Game Pass Ultimate and EA Play members can get the Battlefield 2042 Season 7 Field Kit containing a Ride’em Crab Boy Weapon Charm, Rising Tide AM40 Weapon Skin, and Dustproof Specialist Headgear.   Check out the other EA Play member rewards and Perks here on Xbox Wire .

Leaving April 15

Make sure you give the following games a proper farewell before they leave the Game Pass library. As always, you can save up to 20% off your purchase to keep them in your library.

• Amnesia Collection (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Amnesia: Rebirth (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Back 4 Blood (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Phantom Abyss (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Research and Destroy (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Soma (Cloud, Console, and PC)

That wraps us up! Let us know which game you’re planning on playing first over at @Xbox ,  @XboxGamePass or @XboxGamePassPC . Catch you next time!

• 343 Industries
• Age of Empires
• The Coalition
• Compulsion Games
• Double Fine
• The Initiative
• inXile Entertainment
• Mojang Studios
• Ninja Theory Ltd
• Obsidian Entertainment
• Playground Games
• Turn 10 Studios
• Undead Labs
• World’s Edge
• Xbox Wire DACH
• Xbox Wire en Español
• Xbox Wire en Francais
• Xbox Wire em Português
• Xbox Wire Japan

© 2023 Microsoft

• Media Assets
• Photosensitive Seizure Warning
• Privacy & Cookies
• Terms of Use
• Code of Conduct
• Manage Consent
• Consumer Health Privacy