Just a few things to keep in mind, please only submit one post per person each week. Your submission must be travel related. Leave your submission in the comment box below, rather than sending it to me on Twitter, Facebook, etc. You have until the end of the day on Friday to leave your submission. Submissions left past Friday will be carried over into next week’s submissions. I will read all of the submissions and promote them by the end of the day on Sunday. Be sure to follow me on Twitter, subscribe to my stumbles on Stumbleupon and “like” me on Facebook to make sure I give your post the attention it deserves.

The 5 Favorites of Last Week

“How To Prepare Yourself For A Cruise Ship Emergency” From RoyMarvelous

Submission from Roy

A timely read, Roy lends some useful tips for anyone going on a cruise. He details what to do in the event of an emergency, something anyone going on a cruise should know. His post reminds me that no matter how long you are taking a boat, whether it be a ferry ride of 5 hours of a week long cruise, you should know how what to do in an emergency.

“Mangú, Merengue and Mao: A Day in a Dominican Village” From Chicky Bus

Submission from Lisa

Lisa sets the stage and image of experiencing local life in a Dominican village. From delicious homemade dishes to encounters with locals, Lisa finds out what it means to immerse yourself in this village merely by walking and talking with those who live and breathe it each day.

“The Good, Bad, and Loco: Moving to Madrid (Part 1)” From The Spain Scoop

Submission from The Spain Scoop

Lauren prepares for a move to Spain to teach English. In all of the preparation, she finds upon arrival the good, the bad and the crazy of living in Spain’s capital. I found her words and experiences extremely relatable for anyone who traveled abroad to live in a set location for a time.

“The Colors of California” From This Is My Happiness

Submission from Jenna

Jenna captures several moments in California, highlighting the colors of the state. From beaches, valleys, snow farms and lighthouses, Jenna provides an enough evidence that Californians certainly have a great deal to brag about.

“My Paris 50” From All Things Paris

Submission from Erin

Erin presents 50 things she loves about Paris, providing a nice list for anyone visiting the City of Light in the near future. Complete with cats sleeping in restaurant windows and antique bookstores, Erin paints a picture of her Paris.

Don’t forget to leave your submission for this week in the comment box below. You have until the end of the day on Friday to submit.

Just a few things to keep in mind, please only submit one post per person each week. Your submission must be travel related. Leave a link to your article in the comment box below rather than sending it to me on Twitter, Facebook, etc. You have until the end of the day on Friday to leave your submission. I will read all submissions and promote them accordingly by the end of the day on Sunday. If you submit past Friday, I will just carry your submission over into next week’s round of stumbles. Be sure to follow me on Twitter, subscribe to my stumbles on Stumbleupon and “like” me on Facebook to make sure I give your post the attention it deserves. Check back here next Monday to see if your submission made the five favorites.

The 5 Favorites of Last Week

“Re-Embracing My Own Culture” From yTravel Blog

Submitted by Caz

Caz returns to Australia, her initial home, after traveling for years on end. She deals with those feels of reverse culture shock and how she grew to appreciate her own culture once again.

“Snapping Photographs” From That Backpacker

Submitted by Audrey

Audrey shares a powerful encounter with two local girls while in Argentina. After establishing a quick friendship, she pulls out her camera to take some photographs only to have the girls reach out their hands for compensation. What she learns and what the local girls learn is a meaningful travel experience.

“The Importance of Language or Communicating in China When You Don’t Speak Chinese” From The Country Skipper

Submitted by Sabrina

Sabrina shares some rather amusing and comical lost in translation moments while on a trip to China. I found many of her tips on getting by in China without knowing Chinese can be applied virtually anywhere.

“My Night in Prison” From A Dangerous Business

Submitted by Amanda

Amanda manages to spend the night in an old prison in Ottawa without doing anything illegal. A jail turned hostel lends a unique travel experience, one that sends a few chills up spines. She recounts the history of the building and hostel and even includes it accompanying ghost stories.

“It’s Impossible to Find Mexican Food in Europe” From Seek New Travel

Submitted by Kit

Kit laments one of life’s big questions, “Why is Mexican food so difficult for Europeans to produce?”. A travel mystery, she points out some of the strangest Mexican food imposters she has experienced while in Europe.

Don’t forget to leave your submission in the comment box below. You have until the end of the day on Friday to submit.

Just a few things to keep in mind, please only submit one post per person each week. Leave your submission in the comment box below. Your submission must be travel related. You have until the end of the day on Friday to submit. I will get busy reading and promoting your articles throughout the week. All submissions will be promoted by the end of the day on Sunday. Be sure to follow me on Twitter, subscribe to my stumbles on Stumbleupon and “like” me on Facebook to make sure I give your post the attention it deserves. Check back next Monday to see if your submission made my five favorites.

The 5 Favorites of Last Week

“Maoist Guerilla Bombings and Dramatic Departure from Nepal” From Lash World Tour

Submitted by Lash

After quietly hiking the Annapurna Circuit trek in western Nepal, Lash comes out of being one with nature to find bombings going on around her in Nepal’s capital city. She must get out of Nepal to avoid the Maoist guerrilla activity, making for an interesting tale of luck and the ultimate hairy travel situation.

“Into a Soviet Bunker” From Katie Going Global

Submitted by Katie

Katie journeys into a Soviet bunker, circa 1984, just outside of Vilnius. The site is set up much as it would have been back in the day, complete with yelling guards and gas masks. Katie’s tour in this piece of Soviet history lends tremendous insight into what life was like for those living through this time.

“Last Minute Changes Are Not Appreciated—Morro Negrito Surf Camp” From Ordinary Traveler

Submitted by Christy

Ordinary Traveler recalls their experience with a surf camp in Panama. When the owner unexpectedly changes their accommodations days before departure and then says he won’t refund their money once Christy and Scott decide to abandon the idea, they are faced with some of the worst customer service. Their story is a good reminder to be careful where and with whom you book.

“A Village of Death and Memory in France” From Finding The Universe

Submitted by Laurence

Laurence visits the ruined town of Oradour-Sur-Glane in France, the victim of a German invasion just four days after D-Day. Essentially, the entire population of the town was tortured and killed. Laurence wanders the streets, left as they were on that day. His photographs and words offer a chilling look war firsthand.

“Not Knowing Where I’m Going” From Pack Your Passport

Submitted by Beverley

Beverley deals with a topic every traveler must face at one point or another, uncertainty. As she battles feelings of enjoying having a home base in Australia, she also must tackle her reasons for packing up and leaving that 9 to 5 job to travel. She presents the idea of embracing the uncertainty of life travel lends, even if it might terrify you.

Don’t forget to leave your submission in the comment box below. You have until the end of the day on Friday to submit.

Just a few things to keep in mind, please only submit one post per person each week. Your submission must be travel related. Leave a link to your entry in the comment box below. I will promote all articles submitted each week by the end of the day on Sunday. You have until the end of the day on Friday to leave your submission. If you leave your submission past Friday, I will just carry it over into next week’s submissions. Be sure to follow me on Twitter, subscribe to my stumbles on Stumbleupon and “like” me on Facebook to make sure I give your post the attention it deserves. Check back next Monday to see if your post made my favorite submissions of the week.

The 5 Favorites of Last Week

“Inside Earth’s Depths” From My Walkabout

Submitted by William

William heads out to explore lonesome Nevada in the winter, covered in old gas stations and towns left behind in time. He stumbles upon the Lehman Cave, lending down to a walk inside the depths of the earth.

“How I Fell in Love With Travel (aka That Time I Sang For Pope John Paul II in the Vatican)” From Green Global Travel

Submitted by Bret

Bret shares a unique story as to how he discovered the magic of travel. After meeting Pope John Paul II when touring with the Atlanta Boy Choir, Bret recalls his first moments of traveling through Italy.

“The Writing on the Ceiling” From L’appel du Vide

Submitted by Elizabeth

Elizabeth deals with the Catch 22 of trusting people while traveling. After being scammed in Morocco by a local “guide”, she wonders how travelers, especially solo female travelers, can keep open-minded about people and not fall into scams.

“And Now For Something Completely Different: 7 Reasons to Slag Off Jordan” From The Working Traveller

Submitted by Shane

With all of the press trips and blogger promotion swirling about Jordan, the Working Traveller shares a different side to the country, a viewpoint that might not, as of recent, been fully represented. This satirical post presents a few reasons why the country might not be the right choice to visit for everyone. The piece also calls into question the hotly debatable subject of press trips.

“Visiting The Sand Dunes of Mui Ne, Vietnam” From Always Twirling

Submitted by Peter

Peter ventures across the sand dunes of Mui Ne, Vietnam. Not exactly the landscape I expected to see when I think of the country, he climbs across these dunes for the views of lush forested trees surrounding a lake of water. A rare landscape indeed, the only aspect dampening the setting is the inevitable gusts of sand up one’s nose.

Don’t forget to leave your submission in the comment box below. You have until the end of the day on Friday to submit.

Just a few things to keep in mind, please only submit one post per person each week. Your submission must be travel-related. Leave a link to your article in the comment box below. You have until the end of the day on Friday to leave your submission. If you leave your submissions past Friday, I will just carry it over into next week’s round of submissions. I will read, comment and promote your submission by the end of the day on Sunday of each week. Be sure to follow me on Twitter, subscribe to my stumbles on Stumbleupon and “like” me on Facebook to make sure I give your post the attention it deserves.

The 5 Favorites of Last Week

“An Evening Stroll Through Historic Rome” From Travel For Love

Submitted by Laura

A couple finds that Rome’s walkability is only just the beginning on a evening stroll through the city. From the ruins and monuments all lit up in a soft glow, Laura presents some of Rome’s most classic moments in the evening hours.

“The Gift of Learning Something New” A Sense of Place

Submitted by Ehalvey

Also on the Rome kick, Erin uncovers something about the city you seldom read about, Bianchini’s meridian found in Michelangelo’s Santa Maria degli Angeli. The sundial on steroids measures Rome’s time through the placement of the sun’s ray along a defining line on the church’s floor. Erin’s discovery proves there is always something new to see even in the most ancient of places.

“5 Things To Do At Lake Titicaca” From The Time Crunched Traveler

Submitted by Ellen

While the majority of those spending two weeks in Peru focus on Machu Picchu, the Time Crunched Traveler presents another worthy contender in the country, Lake Titicaca. The post presents five things to see and do on the lake, from folk festivals to limitless islands.

“Becoming Forgettable, How absence doesn’t always make the heart grow fonder” From Globetrotter Girls

Submitted by Globetrotter Girls

The Globetrotter Girls tackle the issue of staying in touch with loved ones while traveling long term. Rather than pointing out ways in which to do so, the traveling duo present questions as to why family and friends can lose touch with travelers. If you have ever felt forgotten while traveling, the Globetrotter Girls tackle those emotions and provide a bit of rationale.

“Photo Shoot on the Magic Tamil Tea Bus in Sri Lanka” From Migrationology

Submitted by Stephen

Mark finds an impromptu photo shoot on a bus in Sri Lanka. After an old woman asks him to take a photo of her grandson, the ride turns into multiple passengers mesmerized by his camera and hungry for their big moment in the sun. Mark captures some powerful emotions and faces all around the bus.

Don’t forget to leave your submission in the comment box below. You have until the end of the day on Friday to submit.

Just a few things to keep in mind, please only submit one post per person each week. Leave your submission in the comment box below. Your post should be travel related. You have until the end of the day on Friday to submit your article. Those submitted after Friday will be carried over into next week’s submissions. I will read, comment, tweet, stumble and post to Facebook throughout the week and weekend. Don’t panic if you don’t see your article promoted until Sunday. Be sure to follow me on Twitter, subscribe to my stumbles on Stumbleupon and “like” me on Facebook to make sure I give your post the attention it deserves.

The 5 Favorites of Last Week

“It’s Official, Today I Quit My Job!” From GQ Trippin

Submitted by Gerard

Kieu of GQ Trippin goes over the emotions of quitting a job she loves to travel long term. While she is not the first to do so, I found this post to be so true. She is leaving a great job and there are bound to be some mixed emotions associated with just a life-changing move.

“It’s Okay Not to Travel” From Nod ‘n’ Smile

Submitted by Nod ‘n’ Smile

Nod ‘n’ Smile muses over the idea of not wanting to travel. Sometimes it can seem in the travel blog world everyone wants to travel, but that is not always the case. She outlines some of the reasons people say they want to travel, but never do, lending support for not traveling.

“Visiting The Dog Café in Seoul” From Never Ending Footsteps

Submitted by Lauren

Lauren conquers her fear of dogs and heads to the Dog Café in Seoul. A café that allows dogs to roam freely, Lauren discovers amidst all of the dog hair the countless people-watching opportunities at hand.

“Tell Your Dad You Love Him Day” From The Dropout Diaries

Submitted by Barbara

Barbara shares a personal story of missing her dad on Christmas. As she goes through the tough emotions of his passing, she recalls the importance of telling loved ones, especially dads, you love them as you travel. So often I read travel articles and posts where the author is trying to escape their families and friends back home. This is a good reminder that there is still a part of your life back where your family can be found.

“12,600 Monks, One Street—Chiang Mai” From Skinny Backpacker

Submitted by Dustin

Dustin attends a ceremony in Chiang Mai that calls for thousands of monks to gather and collect donations for victims of the flooding in Thailand. Throughout his photographs, he tells a great story of the event, one you certainly don’t see everyday.

Don’t forget to leave your submission in the comment box below. You have until the end of the day on Friday to submit.

Just a few things to keep in mind, please only submit one post per person each week. Leave your submission in the comment box below rather than sending it to me on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Your submission should be travel related. You have until the end of the day on Friday to submit. If you leave your submission after Friday, I will just carry it over into next week’s stumbles. I will stumble all submission by the end of the day on Sunday. Be sure to follow me on Twitter, subscribe to my stumbles on Stumbleupon and “like” me on Facebook to make sure I give your post the attention it deserves.

The 5 Favorites of Last Week

“Gifts for Travel Gurus in Your Life” From Shereen Travels Cheap

Submitted by Shereen

If you are last minute shopping for the holidays this year, you might want to take a look at Shereen’s list of gift ideas for travelers. From a memory card with WiFi to a wrist charger, she provides some great ideas for gifts for the traveler, or for yourself.

“Saying Goodbye For the Second Time” Pack Your Passport

Submitted by Beverley

Beverley details the emotions of having to say goodbye to a close one for the second time while traveling. As she goes through those moments with her parents in Australia, she brings an incredibly human emotion to travel, the more trying times of separation.

“Hitting the Wall” From Katie Going Global

Submitted by Katie

The comments on Katie’s post are enough to make any traveler realize just how relatable this moment is, when you hit the wall. Katie outlines some of the reasons why she has come to this barricade after over 100 days on the road.

“Photography: Exploring the mangrove biome on Itamaraca Island, Brazil” From 3^rd Culture Children

Submitted by Raquel

The family at 3^rd Culture Children set out for Itamaraca Island, set up in the northern coast of Pernambuco in Brazil. They share this unique landscape with readers, one that had me wishing on was on that boat.

“The Highest I’ve Ever Stood” From That Backpacker

Submitted by Audrey

In another awe-inspiring photo post, Audrey makes her way up 4,170 meters in Jujuy, Argentina. It is the highest point she has ever stood and with that experience, she journeys through some diverse landscapes.

Don’t forget to leave your submission for this week in the comment box below. You have until the end of the day on Friday to submit.

Just a few things to keep in mind, please only submit one post per person each week. Leave a link to your article in the comment box below. Your submission should be travel related. You have until the end of the day on Friday to leave your submission. I will promote your article throughout the week and over the course of the weekend so don’t panic if you don’t see your submission promoted until Saturday. Leave your submission in the comment box below rather than sending it to me via Twitter, Facebook, etc. Keep in mind, I don’t discriminate. I stumble every submission. If you don’t see yours stumbled, it either went to my spam folder or you left it in the wrong place. Contact me if so. Be sure to follow me on Twitter, subscribe to my stumbles on Stumbleupon and “like” me on Facebook to make sure I give your post the attention it deserves.

The 5 Favorites of Last Week

“{Mexico} Exploring the Underwater World Cozumel, a Top Scuba Diving Destination” From Idelish

Submitted by Jeremy and Shirlene

Jeremy and Shirlene make two dives while in Cozumel, the Delilah Reef and Chankanaab. While I am not a scuba diver, their shots of Cozumel’s underwater world are enough to inspire me to become one.

“How to not be cold in the Highlands” From Outta Town

Submitted by Kelsey

In a post appropriate for the season, Kelsey outlines the only way to stay warm in the Highlands, by building a fire. Throughout a rather poetic description, she uncovers the whole mentality of building a fire, the work, the frustration and the ultimate accomplishment for returning back to the “olden days”.

“December 7, The Day That Will Live in Infamy” From L’appel du Vide

From Elizabeth

Throughout a series of photographs and words, Elizabeth shares her experience at Pearl Harbor. Her details explain the events of the day that will live on in infamy along with insights into the memorial itself, all from the perspective of someone from a military family and who has lived in Pearl Harbor for several years.

“Downtown Sound—The joy of discovering a record shop” From Nomads on the Road

Submitted by Mike

Mike hits the gold mine of record shops while in Innsbruck, Austria. He discovers not Mozart and Strauss but a very lively music scene. Mike’s act of popping in a store not so much of a tourist destination is a good tip for travelers. Look in unsuspecting places for insight into your destination.

“The Final Leap—Jumping Covered Bridges” From The Joyful Shoehorn

Submitted by Kelsey

Kelsey adds a rather unusual bucket list item to her list, jumping into the air for a freeze frame photo on Oregon’s covered bridges. While traveling through some of the state’s most jaw-dropping scenes, Kelsey achieves her final jumping shot.

Don’t forget to leave your submission in the comment box below. You have until the end of the day on Friday to submit.

Just a few things to keep in mind, please only submit one link per person each week.Your submission should be travel-related. You have until the end of the day on Friday to leave your submission. If you leave your submission past Friday, I will just carry it over into next week’s stumbles. Make sure are submitting your link for the right week. Leave your submission in the comment box below. Be sure to follow me on Twitter, subscribe to my stumbles on Stumbleupon and “like” me on Facebook to make sure I give your post the attention it deserves.

Keep in mind that I do have a life. I might not get to your submission until the weekend so don’t panic if you don’t see your post stumbled by Friday. I have received several inquiries on Saturdays as to why something wasn’t stumbled. I don’t pick and choose what I stumble. I would never discriminate. If you submitted to the right week, I promise I will get to it before Monday. If you don’t see your submission stumbled, it either went to my spam folder or you left it in the wrong place. If you think that is the case, please drop me an email. Now, let’s get traveling…

The 5 Favorites of Last Week

“The Qur’an Incident” From My Walkabout

Submitted by William

William spends his last day in Lamu, Kenya wandering its cobblestone streets and appreciating its architecture, people and culture. However when he makes a request for a Qur’an to take home as a souvenir of his experience, he is met with a great deal of hostility and anger. William’s account of the events remind the traveler of tolerance wherever they may go.

“Walking—The Best Way to Experience Place” From Bohemian Traveler

Submitted by Stephen

In a beautifully written snippet, Stephen explains why he prefers to walk when he travels, rather than taking trains, buses or motorcycles. After walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain, he realizes walking allows the traveler to connect with a place on a level you can’t find by any other means.

“Finding Heaven in Seefeld in Tirol, Austria” From Aviators and A Camera

Submitted by Kirsten

Kirsten enjoys some time in the town of Seefeld in Tirol, Austria. From its picture-perfect postcard views, delicious cuisine to its spa treatments, Kirsten finds a modest slice of paradise on earth.

“Leaving My Boyfriend at Home to Travel Solo” From Nod’n’smile

Submitted by Nod ‘n’ smile

Nod ‘n’ smile takes a solo trip to Turkey, leaving behind the boyfriend. For anyone considering solo travel or for anyone who has traveled alone, her words are extremely relatable. As she gets through her first night of solo travel, usually a little bit lonely, the trip turns into one of tremendous accomplishment and confidence. Who needs a boyfriend to travel with, after all?

“A Fat Kid’s Dining Guide to San Francisco” From Landing Standing

Submitted by Meg

The couple at Landing Standing make a trip to San Francisco, only to find their stomachs overloaded with the city’s delicious cuisine. From multiple gelato trips to markets and fine dining, if you are headed to San Francisco and love to eat, this is your guide.

Don’t forget to leave your submission in the comment box below. You have until the end of the day on Friday to leave your submission.

Just a few things to keep in mind, please only submit one post per person each week. Leave your submission in the comment box below. Your articles must be travel related. You have until the end of the day on Friday to leave your submission. Any link left later than Friday will be carried over into next week’s submissions. Be sure to follow me on Twitter, subscribe to my stumbles on Stumbleupon and “like” me on Facebook to make sure I give your post the attention it deserves.

The 5 Favorites of Last Week

“Lincoln Castle: Home of the Magna Carta” From See. My. Travels.

Submitted by Alison

Alison shares her visit to Lincoln Castle, home to priceless editions of the Magna Carta. From tragic prison stories in the Castle to roaming the walls of the edifice, the piece proves just how monumental this piece of England is to the foundations of liberty. The photographs of the Lincoln Cathedral Alison captures from the Castle’s walls also make this well worth a read.

“The Agony in the Air Con” From Man On The Lam

Submitted by Raymond

Raymond shells out a bit more to take the luxury bus in Cambodia. What he finds inside the ride is a neighbor usually only found in travel hell. From his neighbor’s bear claw Crocs to elbows that know no boundaries, Raymond finds luxury travel isn’t always so. Most travelers can relate to these bus, train or plane rides where the clock cannot move fast enough.

“Exploring Granada Photo Series Part 1” From Pause the Moment

Submitted by Ryan

Ryan shares a telling photo essay while wandering the streets of Granada in Nicaragua. After trolling through the street markets in town, he finds a colorfully mix of characters, from blindingly pink candy to three friends just trying to sell vegetables.

“It’s Always Sunny at Lake Baikal—Unless It’s Snowing” From Katie Going Global

Submitted by Katie

Katie makes a trip to the deepest lake in the world, Lake Baikal and Olkhon Island, the largest of its islands. While covering the island, she finds winter wonderlands and dramatic snow covered cliffs.

“The Ugly Side of Travel” From Ordinary Traveler

Submitted by Christy

The Ordinary Travelers make the necessary plans to spend some time in Panama. When their accommodations bail on them a few days before their flight, they try to make it work. Without accommodations due to a holiday, they make the decision to just head back home. This story is a good reminder that there is no shame in bailing on a trip when you are not getting the most out of it, or without a roof over your head. Travel is not all sunshine and roses.

Don’t forget to leave you submission in the comment box below. You have until the end of the day on Friday to leave your submission for this week.