Taking off Travel blog

It’s been just over a year since I officially became a travel blogger here on the Taking Off Travel Blog, the travel blog belonging to off airport parking firm, Park Ride Fly USA. Sure, I’d blogged about travel before and had written travel articles too, but it wasn’t a regular occupation as it is now.

During the year, I have kept an eye on popular posts and comments, thanks to a couple of great analytics tools, and have learned a few things about what the Taking Off Travel Blog readers like.

It Never Hurts To Rant

You might think that when blogging for an organization you would need to keep things meek and mild to avoid offending anyone. But here on TOTB, it’s clear that readers appreciate it when you take a position on an issue of interest. My evidence: Three Travel Trends That Tick Me Off, a post I wrote when I was feeling particularly annoyed about one travel experience.

Keep It Topical

If you can manage to keep your travel blog topical - sometimes a challenge when you update twice a week - then more people will be interested in what you say. My evidence: Would You Work For Free To Save Your Company?, a post on one of British Airways’ schemes to stop money from sliding down the drain. Didn’t quite work, did it? Read more »

Ah - the glory days of travel: excitement, romance and luxury. The first time I stepped onto a plane, the experience was alluring. Seating felt roomy (I was young), there was food on little trays, and the cabin crew visibly loved their jobs - or put on a good show of doing so. Not any more. Here are three (plus one) things that take the shine off air travel.

Mealtime Woes

On most flights these days, you don’t get a meal unless you are flying long haul. Perhaps that’s good for our waistlines in a more health conscious era, but there are some flights where you could do with a bit of sustenance. I’ve spent a lot of time on AA flights this year. Sure there are food choices available, but the range of sandwiches, cheese and crackers, chips and cookies available is not exactly inspiring. As a semi-vegetarian, I’d love to have more choice on board. Since it’s not there, I have to prowl the airport looking for something decent or starve. Let’s not talk about the prices - this is a money spinner, pure and simple, and it increases the feeling that you’ve been had. Read more »

I spent almost a month in New Jersey and at the start of the month, I shared some of the photos I had taken. Here are a few more.

I visited Hoboken while I was there and made a discovery in the shape of the Karma Kafe, an Indian bistro with a great Zagat’s rating. They serve an all you can eat lunchtime buffet for a very reasonable price and the food is excellent. Here’s a photo of my meal (I admit, it’s not arranged artistically) and of the intricate table top.

On my way back to the station, I passed a beautiful building and couldn’t resist taking a photo of it. Read more »

The countdown to Halloween has begun so it’s also time to check out Halloween vacation options. There are some great shows, attractions and deals at this time of year. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Photo credit: serpico from morguefile.com

Disneyworld got Halloween off to an early start with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Running on selected dates until November 1, the event is suitable for those who want to participate in Halloween without the scare factor. Kids will love seeing their favorite Disney characters in special costumes for the season. There is Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade, which starts with the Headless Horseman and the Magic Kingdom will be transformed, with haunted hollows at intervals around the park. Read more »

The area where I’m staying in New Jersey is really beautiful, with views of the Hudson, the New York skyline and the Statue of Liberty. Here are some of the photos from my first ten days.