5 travel bloggers you need to know now
Planning a vacation to someplace new can be complicated. These travel bloggers can draw you a map and point you in the right direction. Be inspired, satisfy your wanderlust and live your own travel story.
Husband and wife duo, Dave and Debra, lives by the motto 'Adventure is for Everyone'. Inspiring readers to step out of their comfort zones since almost a decade back, Dave & Deb were named one of the Top 10 Travel Influencers in 2017 by Forbes. The dynamic couple started out as musicians but things did not go as planned. They changed their game plan and entered the then-booming film industry, but found themselves working 14 to 16 hours a day and only able to dream of their next vacation.
"We were caught in the rat race, feeling trapped by our lives and constantly searching for something more."
They eventually figured out that travel, writing and photography are where their passions lie.
Today, they travel for a living, inspiring hundreds of thousands of readers each month with their stories and photos. Their travel recommendations are based on personal experience, offering not just the good but the less idyllic too, to present the real faces of travel. They've taken some stunning photos in Turkey, which give a glimpse of the beauty of Cappadocia and Istanbul, an architectural paradise for photographers. And as chance would have it, they caught their best shot of the Blue Mosque on their way to dinner, with the setting sun
If you're venturing to Istanbul, rest in elegant comfort at Somerset Maslak Istanbul at the end of a day of adventure. The residence is conveniently situated in one of Istanbul's main business and leisure districts, and is a stone’s throw from the prestigious Istnye Park mall.
Inheriting his love
In 2009, he bought a one-way ticket to Bangkok. He recalled how starting a travel blog and living on passion wasn't easy.
“I’ll admit that I had to live on cheap. Really cheap.”
His turning point came when he published his first e-book, The Eating Thai Food Guide. He met his wife in Thailand and has since sunk his roots there. But he is still a global foodie at heart. He's taken his readers on an epic food adventure in Singapore; and the Adam Road Nasi Lemak, Beach Road Scissor Cut Hainanese Curry Rice and Zam Zam Murtabak are among the famous local eats that he has curated and personally vouched for.
Follow Mark’s food trail, then relax in the comforts of Ascott Orchard Singapore. Book your stay in advance and enjoy promotional rates. Now here's a lesser known tip, head over to the link bridge for your #OOTD shot - 'cause we all need good photos for our
Ally’s Instagram account and travel blog share a common goal - to inspire people to live a healthy, happy lifestyle. The San Franciscan immerses herself in travel, food and fashion, transforming her experiences into practical and applicable advice for her followers.
Her love for fashion stems from her dad, who used to work at a clothing factory. To her,
“that’s where the magic began.”
The tenacious digital media influencer has wandered the streets of Paris in a romantic ball gown with a bouquet of roses in hand, and she's shared her experience staying in the fashion capital, along with tips on how to take picture-perfect shots at the Louvre. She's inspired many through her blog, YouTube channel, as well as Instagram and Twitter accounts. And this girl's only 25.
Pamper yourself at La Clef Louvre too. Book now and enjoy a complimentary bottle of champagne, macaroons and more when you arrive. The romantic city offers a plethora of amazing photo opportunities. The iconic Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral aside, how about visiting the manicure lawns at Luxembourg Gardens and Jardin des Tuileries? They definitely make for super Instagram-worthy photos.
Traveling for work doesn't need to be a dread. Chris, who travels more than 200 days in a year, turns his travels into 'Bleisure' – a mix of business and leisure travelling. His ultimate aim? To see every country and all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
And he's well on his way. He's seen over 60 countries and plans to visit at least five new ones each year. Not just scraping the surface of these destinations, but planning each trip in detail or hiring a guide to make the most of each experience.
Notably, Chris relates his Bleisure trip to Xiamen, China. He recommends spending a full day on Gulangyu Island, where the view from a vantage point and the diverse architectural styles from its vibrant past take centre stage. The rather untainted scenery complemented by the clean air gives this part of Xiamen an authentic charm quite unlike any other. It’s no wonder it's been recently inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Take a leaf out of Chris’ book and see Xiamen’s old world charm for yourself. In the heart of the city, Somerset Software Park Xiamen lets you recharge for the night in luxury. You can reach Gulangyu and several other attractions with ease, and return to your modern sanctuary to revitalise.
Another global foodie, Melissa is the Girl in Girl Eat World. She moved to Singapore alone after college in California, and hasn't looked back. As her blog name suggests, it is where she shares her voracious appetite for all the adventures this world has to offer.
You may also know her on Instagram - where her reluctance to take the conventional selfies paved the way to her unique food + destination photographs. You won't find one without the other.
In her Taj Mahal post, Melissa takes us briefly on a visual journey to Agra, showing us there's just so much more to India. There is Chennai, lined with temples, churches and long sandy beaches where you can just sit and behold the spectacular sunsets. There is old world charm in the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, with its intricate shrines that will have you discard your city troubles and find your inner peace. Then there is the 10-acre Cholamandal Artists' Village with its assortment of beauty portrayed by the local artists.
Citadines OMR Chennai is conveniently located to provide all the urban conveniences you need. It is right in the heart of Chennai's scenic East Coast Road dotted with restaurants and quaint cafes; and Velachery, a suburb of Chennai that has emerged as a shopping, dining and recreation hub. Enjoy promotional rates when you book in advance.
Staying at any of our Ascott properties? Share your photo experiences with us and tag us @CapitaLand! And check back here next week for more travel stories.