By Mark Hodson, Editor of 101 Holidays

Wales has some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK, and here’s how to enjoy it. Rather than gaze from behind a car windscreen, rent one of these 6 amazing properties, each set in a unique stunning landscape.

Beautifully restored farmhouse and barn

Knightsfield is hidden away in the Black mountains within the Brecon Beacons National Park nestled at the foot of magnificent Hay Bluff and close to Hay on Wye. From the outdoor seating areas and the hot tub you can admire the view down the valley or gaze at the stars in the inky black night sky in this secluded location or venture out straight from the door on to Hay Bluff or part of Offa’s Dyke path.

Knightsfield sleeps 10 and is £2800 for 7 nights & £1350 for 3 nights

Hike from your front door in the Brechfa Forest

A stunning farmhouse set in the peaceful surroundings of the Brechfa forest, just 20 minutes from Carmarthen, Manal offers the ideal getaway for those wanting to recharge as it is located “away from everything” and surrounded by farmland. Discover the delights of the Brechfa Forest walking or mountain biking from the door. Though it is secluded and remote, Manal is just 8 miles from AA Rosette and Egon Ronay starred restaurant Y Polyn offering great local, home grown and cooked food in relaxed surroundings.

Manal sleeps 4 and is £1145 for 7 nights & £525 for 3 nights

House on a dramatic headland in Anglesey

Rhoscolyn House is located as far as you can go on Anglesey, where the rocky coastline meets the sea in Rhoscolyn Bay, a favourite place of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Sitting on a private headland, you reach the house across the sandy beach across which you can have stunning views of the Snowdonia mountain range. You can watch cormorants and oystercatchers from the garden, walk the Anglesey coast path from the front gate or kayak from the beach next to the house. The picture above shows one of the views from the house.

Rhoscolyn House sleeps 10 and is £2950 for 7 nights & £1500 for 3 nights

Remote cottage in the beautiful Dyfi valley

Wayside sits on its own by the side of a quiet lane in the stunning Dyfi valley. Outside, in this peaceful setting, the sheltered patio area is perfect for alfresco dining with views along the valley. Enjoy a stroll or a challenging walk in the Aran mountains from the front door. Alternatively fish in the river in front of the cottage. Mountain biking is also on offer nearby at the renowned Coed y Brenin centre.

Wayside sleeps 6 and is £1475 for 7 nights & £720 for 3 nights

Mountain cottage near the beach

Cragside is located on a hillside at the end of a private dirt track between Nefyn and Caernarfon not far from the beach (the photo above shows the track leading to the house). Big open spaces surround the house with wonderful views to Snowdonia and Caernarfon Bay. Walk to the top of the hill for even better views of the coast and mountains and the ancient hill fort. Enjoy walks on the beach near Nefyn and along the Lleyn peninsula coastal path.

Cragside sleeps 4 and is £1145 for 7 nights & £525 for 3 nights

Rustic hilltop cottage near Betws y Coed

Located on the crest of a hill at the end of a private track, Hilltop is a rustic cottage restored from original farm buildings. In this tranquil and private place the enclosed garden makes a perfect place to relax and enjoy the view. Hilltop is ideal for walkers with paths from the door in the Penmachno valley and to the moonscapes of Migneint.

Hilltop sleeps 4 and is £1145 for 7 nights & £600 for 3 nights

Find more cottages at Sheepskin.

By Amy Watkins, specialist cruise writer

Despite the recession, the cruise sector is booming. Almost 1.7 million Britons took a cruise last year – and four out of every 10 of those were first-timers, according to the Passenger Shipping Association. Although the cruise industry has suffered some bad publicity lately, it’s still one of the fastest-growing sectors in travel. Here, cruise expert Amy Watkins gives us her tips for first-timers.

Why go on a cruise?

Do you assume cruises are for rich retirees with pots of cash? If so, think again! Cruises actually offer great value for money as they include accommodation, transport, food and entertainment. And due to the plethora of activities on board they suit everyone – from a multi-generational family searching for an active break, to a couple looking for a romantic holiday.

Choosing the right ship and itinerary are the key, so pick your destination and then check who sails there. Consider what’s included in the fare, whether the ship is for adults-only or families, how much time you get in ports and whether you want a big ship with lots of amenities, or a smaller ship that can reach more remote destinations.

Getting the best deals

The best cruise deals are typically about early-bird offers although you do come across the occasional last-minute bargain. The cheapest inside cabins that have no windows or balconies often sell out quickly, as do the most expensive suites. Newer ships feature more balconies; so seek out the ships that have a higher percentage of these cabins as they’ll work out cheaper.

Whilst accommodation and food are included in the price of your cruise, you can find that extras such as dining in speciality restaurants, spa treatments and shore excursions really add to the cost of your trip. An electronic card acts as your cabin key and credit card on board for many cruises and some deals include pre-loaded credit on the card. So, see if you can find a deal that offers credit to keep those extras in check.

Look out too for offers that include pre-paid tips, and make sure to pre-book any shore excursions you know you want to do as it’s almost always cheaper to do so. Once on board, check the daily newsletter in your cabin for spa offers (especially on embarkation and port days), drinks packages and free fitness classes and lectures.

Who goes on cruises?

Cruising once had the unfair reputation as being for “newlyweds and nearly-deads”, but now that couldn’t be further from the truth. You’ll still find cruise veterans whose mission in life is to sit at the Captain’s table and berate you for calling the ship a boat, but cruises are a great option for extended families and younger couples, with ships specifically designed for each market and some appealing to both.

Adults-only ships focus more on fine dining, top-notch spas and relaxation, whereas family-orientated ships have extensive kids’ areas with free clubs for all ages, including teens, and plenty of family-friendly on-board activities.

Dress codes and formal evenings

Dress codes can be off-putting, but a quick glance at your pre-cruise information can help decipher them. A lot of American cruise lines, especially on really large ships, have dumped dress codes all together, but more traditional cruise lines (especially the British ones) typically retain them. You can expect one formal night per week of your cruise and the rest of the time will be semi-formal or smart casual.

If you don’t want to dress up in a ball-gown and tuxedo, the good news is that there are usually casual eating options available, even on formal nights, but check your pre-cruise information to make sure. Many first-time cruisers, especially men, initially don’t like the idea of formal nights but actually enjoy the occasion once on board.

What else to pack

Remember to take a jumper or two with you, because even in a hot climate the air-con is usually very effective on board ship. Consider your destination too. If you’re going to be visiting churches in Europe or temples in Asia, make sure you take long shorts and sleeves to be respectful. A pashmina is a good idea for women to cover up in religious sites and it can double up as an evening shawl as well.

Casual wear is best for days at sea, for most cruises you can pack clothes that you would take on a city break or to a beach resort – but do double check the dress requirements. And don’t forget your gym gear and swimming costume if you want to take advantage of the spa and health clubs on board!

Food glorious food

One cruising adage that is true is that you can eat 24 hours a day –from breakfast buffets to lunchtime themed restaurants, afternoon tea, fine dining and midnight snacks, you’re not going to go hungry. All cruise ships have inclusive dining options in large ornate dining rooms and some have set seating, while others offer more flexible options. Speciality dining is usually extra on cruises, but it makes a nice change to eat in a celebrity chef’s restaurant for a more memorable evening. Many cruise deals include some meals in their speciality restaurants, so choose one of these if you’re a foodie.

What happens during days at sea?

Most cruise itineraries feature at least one day at sea and some first-time cruisers worry that they’ll be bored on the ship, but sea days are often the key to converting newcomers into cruise addicts as there’s so much going on; from art lessons and sports activities to film screenings and cooking demonstrations.

Days in port are often really quite hectic too, so for many people sea days are a great way to just relax by the pool, have a massage or simply enjoy the view and the cooling sea breeze.

* 101 Holidays recommends P&O Cruises. Check out its cruise holidays and the latest cruise deals.

About the author

Amy Watkins is a freelance travel journalist specialising in writing about cruising for national newspapers, magazines and websites. She covers all types of cruising from adventure expedition trips in the Arctic and Borneo to big ships in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Follow Amy on Twitter.

By Matt Davis, Mark Warner

Matt is the Manager of Mark Warner’s Chalethotel L’Aiguille Percee in Tignes. Mark Warner has been taking adults and children on family ski holidays for 35 years – Matt explains how best to prepare yourself and your family for a ski holiday.

Ski and snowboarding holidays are more energetic than your typical break. When you are on the slopes you can expect to burn between 350-650 calories an hour.

Whether you decide to ski all day every day, or just take it easy and do a couple of hours each day, you’ll burn more calories than you would at home – and have fun at the same time.

As with any new exercise, it is best that you prepare your body with a variety of exercises to help you make the most of the time you are on the slopes.

Flexibility exercises will help prevent injuries while strengthening exercises will leave you feeling less sore and achy at the end of each day.

Stretch

Stability is important in keeping you upright. Dynamic stretches lubricate your joints and help with stability. It is easy to fit these stretches into your warm up. Make sure you stretch the muscles which will be most used – your calves, quads, hamstrings and hips. You may also want to try Pilates lessons – most are designed to help stretch and strengthen your core muscles.

Squats and lunges

Squats help you build muscular endurance in the thighs, mainly the quadriceps, which are heavily relied upon when skiing and snowboarding. Stand approximately 12 inches from a wall with your back leaning against it. Then slide your body down the wall until your knees reach 90 degrees. In this position, your thighs should be parallel to the floor. Hold for 30-60 seconds before standing up again.

Lunges help muscle endurance in a similar way to squats but with the added benefit that they also help with mobility. Take a step forward with your left foot, approximately two to three feet forward of your right foot and slowly kneel by bringing your right knee down towards the floor, letting it touch the ground and then stand up again keeping your body upright the whole time.

Cardio

Most ski accidents happen in the afternoon when skiers are suffering more fatigue and a lack of concentration. Before your ski holiday, I recommend regular runs of approximately 30 minutes – it’s a good way to raise your cardio fitness so you can stay out on the slopes for a full day of skiing.

Balance

This is especially useful for beginners. Place a tennis ball under the ball of each foot and try to balance on the tennis balls, not allowing any other part of your foot to touch the ground. When you first do this, I recommend that you hold on to something solid until you are balanced.

Skiing vs Snowboarding

Skiing and snowboarding use different muscle groups, so if you are planning on boarding or skiing there are a few different exercises you may want to add into your routines. For snowboarding, add more exercises to strengthen and stretch your calves. Skiers should look more to strengthen thighs and upper legs.

Preparing children

Children are used to running around so fitness is usually less of a problem. With less weight to carry they do not need to do as many strengthening exercises. However, it is still important to prepare children so they know what to expect. Take them for pre-holiday introductory lessons at your nearest ski centre. It will give them a chance to learn the basics, gain some confidence and get used to wearing ski boots and skis.

Mark Warner has led the way in activity holidays for over 30 years. Mark Warner provides superb childcare with kids clubs for all ages and free evening crèche service. Its chalethotels in top ski resorts are hand-picked for their location and charm.

By Mark Hodson, Editor of 101 Holidays

Setting up a travel blog is easy, and tens of thousands of people have been inspired by their journeys to publish their own writing. For some it’s a personal indulgence, for others it’s a dream of turning a hobby into a source of income.

Making a living out of publishing a travel blog isn’t easy, but many people have made it work. Some have given up 9-to-5 jobs and now travel the world funded entirely by income from their blogs.

So how do you become a success? We asked some of the most successful travel writers and bloggers to tell us their secrets. If you dream of blogging for a living, these insider tips will be invaluable. And if you just want to improve the quality of your own writing, you can pick up some priceless advice.

Create a plan and stick to it, says Keith Jenkins

“Consistency is key. Identify your niche and create your brand. Then ensure that your blog content, tweets, Facebook posts, etc, consistently reflect your brand. Being consistent helps you to grow your brand and establish your blog as an authority within your niche. Create a plan. This plan should include what your blog is about (your niche), how you intend to create and establish your brand, the types of content you intend to publish, your marketing strategies and growth targets. Creating a plan keeps you focused and motivated.”

* Keith Jenkins is editor and publisher of Velvet Escape.

Follow Keith on Twitter.

Write evergreen articles, says Durant Imboden

“Don’t worry about monetising your blog immediately, because you won’t earn revenue until you have a critical mass of traffic. However, if you hope to earn a living or part-time income from your blog in the future, give some thought to your topic and audience before you start. A blog with ‘evergreen’ content that helps active travelers plan their trips is more likely to generate clicks on ads and affiliate links, and to attract sponsorships or banner ads, than a blog that’s primarily a diary of your own travels.”

* Durant Imboden is publisher, editor, and co-owner of Europeforvisitors.com.

Follow Durant on Twitter.

Offer something for everyone, says Lara Dunston

“People will drop into your blog for different reasons depending on their interests, so vary your content and establish series of posts. For example, on Grantourismo we write narrative-driven pieces, but we also post music playlists, recipes, travel tips, interviews with locals and experts, such as eating out guides by chefs or shopping guides by fashion designers, and even the occasional list post when it makes sense, such as safety or photography tips.”

* Lara Dunston blogs at Grantourismo.

Follow her on Twitter.

Get advice from free ebooks, says Janice Waugh

“Watch and learn from successful bloggers. Get all the free information you can. Two free ebooks that I highly recommend for new bloggers are Creating Killer Cornerstone Content by Chris Garrett and 279 Days to Overnight Success by Chris Guillebeau. These two guides will give you a jump start on travel blogging.”

* Janice Waugh publishes Solo Traveler and is author of The Solo Traveler’s Handbook.

Follow Janice on Twitter.

Go multimedia, says Heather Cowper

“Adding slideshows, videos and podcasts to your site will make you stand out from the crowd. If video seems scary, start by making your photos into slideshows from your Flickr, Picasa or Smugmug photo hosting account, or use free software such as Animoto that lets you add music and upload to YouTube. Use the video option on your smartphone or digital camera to capture short interviews or impressions of the places you visit, upload them to YouTube and embed them in your articles. You can also use a free package like Audioboo to record audio sound scenes and embed them in your posts.”

* Heather Cowper publishes Heather on Her Travels and My Blogging Journey.

Follow Heather on Twitter.

Pick the right platform and plugins, says Abigail King

 ”After a brief dalliance with Blogger, I soon realised that WordPress makes blogging much easier. It offers great flexibility in terms of both appearance and function, with a dash of support thrown in if you’re new to the technology. Out of all the plugins on offer, I’d recommend Akismet to ward off spam, Broken Link Checker to spot problems and W3 Total Cache to speed up your site.”

* Abigail King publishes Inside the Travel Lab.

Follow Abigail on Twitter.

Entertain your readers, says David Whitley

 ”Most bloggers try to enlighten, inform, educate and impart useful information. That’s all well and good, but the one thing that’ll keep people coming back is that they enjoy reading it. In the multi-blog stampede to appear authoritative or spark debate, it’s easy to forget to entertain. But ‘entertain’ shouldn’t be a dirty word. Writing that proceeds at a fair old gallop, makes people laugh and the odd sparkling turn of phrase can only add to what you’re trying to say – and it’ll probably make you stand out from the crowd.”

* David Whitley is a full-time travel writer. He blogs at www.grumpytraveller.com.

Follow David on Twitter.

Market yourself, says Todd Wassel

 ”You can write the best articles in the world and still only have your mum reading your work. Amazing content will help attract and retain visitors but you need to market your work to build long-term sustainable traffic. In the short term your best bet at attracting visitors is to network with other bloggers, comment on other related websites and make friends, answer questions on relevant forums and invest time in social media. In the long term you should target A-list bloggers for guest posts, get into print newspapers, and market yourself as part of stories and events happening wherever you happen to be. This will enable you to get on the radar of journalists, news channels and the like.”

* Todd Wassel has spent more than 10 years on the road writing and publishing Todd’s Wanderings.

Follow Todd on Twitter.

Do your own thing, says Melvin Böcher

“Listen to feedback – which you will get – but don’t let it influence you too much. Consider who is giving it to you. Any feedback is useful, but some more than other. More important is to do your own thing. The blog/site must represent you and not someone else. But even more important is to stay (very) patient, work hard and have fun!”

* Melvin Böcher is founder of Traveldudes.org.

Follow Melvin on Twitter.

Get a performance boost, says Matt Preston

“The loading time of your site is an important factor in SEO now. Google loves fast loading sites! A fancy theme for your blog may look great but if it’s too complex it’ll slow down your site and annoy your visitors. Use Pingdom to find out how fast your pages load. You can also get optimisation tips from Google Webmaster Tools. Compress your images for the web before you upload them and remove code for features people don’t use. It’s worth testing the impact of plugins before settling on them too as they can make a big difference to how fast your site appears. Remember a fast website equals happy visitors!”

* Matt Preston is editor of Travelwithamate.com.

Follow Matt on Twitter.

HAVE YOU got a tip for travel bloggers? Perhaps you also run a successful blog. If so, please leave a comment below. We will promote the best tips to the main article (and give you a followed link!).

By Mark Hodson, Editor of 101 Holidays

Last week I took part in a careers advice Q&A for aspiring travel writers at Guardian Online. It was a lively discussion that ran for three hours – with a panel made up of some of the UK’s leading travel writers and editors.

Although the experts came from different backgrounds, working on various types of publications, there was a lot of agreement on how to break into travel journalism. Here are the key takeaways.

1. Select a niche and start your own blog

All the panellists agreed that aspiring travel writers should write their own blog in order to demonstrate their commitment, writing ability and areas of expertise.

Jill Starley-Grainger, a successful freelance writer and editor, said: “Do not even think of pitching to editors until you have had a blog for at least six months, posting interesting, thought-provoking articles at least twice a week.”

But don’t just write general musings about your travels. Pick a niche that you know well. This could be a region of the world or a type of travel (I would choose something with mass market appeal such as UK camping or cross-Channel ferries). Do this well and you can quickly become an expert, get quoted and get commissions.

Peter Grunert, editor of Lonely Planet Magazine, said: “Too many blogs focus on the writer obsessing about their own emotions. I’m most interested in blogs that take an original angle and introduce me to something new.”

Blogging can be an end in itself. Here’s a great post by Heather Cowper on how to make money from a travel blog.

2. Don’t be over ambitious

If you were an aspiring fine artist, you wouldn’t make your first approach to Tate Modern. Yet many wannabee travel writers begin by approaching the Guardian or Lonely Planet. Instead, think of all the other lesser-known publications that cover travel.

Jill Starley-Grainger advised: “Start small with local newspapers, small websites, etc. You probably won’t get paid, but it is a foot in the door.”

Amanda Statham, travel editor at Cosmopolitan and You & Your Wedding, said: “I’m always amazed by people who are snobby about writing for various publications. If you want to make a living from travel writing you need to be flexible and keen to work for a wide variety of titles.”

New York-based freelancer Lance Richardson added: “Find a modest publication and pitch an article. Sometimes you’ll have to write the whole thing before they’ll say yes. Just do it. Then you have a clipping. This is the holy grail – it shows you’re the real deal (and ambitious). Go to a slightly better publication. Repeat. One day you’ll end up at the big fish.”

3. Learn how to pitch a story

Pitching a story idea to an editor is a vital skill. Pat Riddell, editor of National Geographic Traveller (UK), said: “Find out who to pitch to first – deputy editor, commissioning editor, features editor, etc. Understand the publication, the type of destinations and features it covers, its style and readership.”

You need to present your ideas clearly and succinctly. Summarise your proposal in a paragraph with a clear “angle”, and explain briefly why you are the best person to write the piece. Look for “newsy” hooks but never paraphrase a press release – it’s likely the editor will have seen the same release.

Jill Starley-Grainger said: “As an editor, I am amazed at the number of people who just randomly pitch city guides to me. You need to pitch specific, unique, quirky angles, but that still have broad appeal.”

Pat Riddell added: “Most importantly, when pitching, be politely persistent. Be prepared to be rejected or ignored – it’s rarely personal. Persistence is often rewarded.“

Wanderlust Magazine has an excellent page of writer guidelines which is a must-read for any wannabe travel writer.

4. Be original

Editors are constantly looking for new ideas – and that’s where aspiring writers can contribute. Ben Hatch, who has written travel for the Guardian, the Daily Telegraph and The Times, said: “Be original, specific, timely and brief. There is nothing worse than wading through paragraph upon paragraph before getting to the actual idea for the feature. Don’t pitch going to China, pitch the specifics of what you will do when you get there and why others will find it interesting.”

Amanda Statham added wearily: “Amazingly, backpacking around Thailand has been covered before.”

5. Read the publication first

The biggest mistake made by writers pitching ideas is not actually reading the publication. Emily Mathieson, Word of Mouth editor at Condé Nast Traveller, said: “I am constantly surprised by how many people send me ideas that are clearly not relevant to the section I edit (no, we don’t review youth hostels).”

Amanda Statham added: “I’m always being offered pieces for my Cosmopolitan travel news page. There isn’t a Cosmopolitan travel news page!”

6. Use Twitter to engage with editors

Most panellists agreed it’s a good idea to try to build a relationship with an editor before pitching a story idea, and the best way to do this is by engaging with them on Twitter – following them, retweeting their posts and answering their questions.

Peter Grunert at Lonely Planet Magazine, said: “I definitely believe it’s a good idea to build a rapport with a commissioning editor before sending them a pitch. They will need to know that you share a wavelength and will also want to see evidence of the quality of your writing.”

Emily Mathieson, who admits she is “totally addicted to Twitter”, said: “In theory, having a relationship with your editor before pitching is a good idea. I am always encouraged by people who email me in advance of a pitch to ask for guidelines, which I am happy to send out to anyone who wants them.

“In practice I find it almost impossible to remember the names of everyone who emails me, and what correspondence may have gone before. I find it really helpful if writers have a signature at the bottom of their email telling me about them, the specialisms and where they live (and it’s also often helpful if you can remind me at the beginning of an email who you are too). This will often jog my memory, or help me decide why a particular person is suitable for a certain piece.”

7. Consider a postgraduate course in journalism

The panel agreed that it doesn’t matter whether you’ve got a “relevant” degree such as English or Media Studies, or a science degree, providing you’re the right person. However, it’s clear that a postgraduate course in journalism is important to many employers.

Lonely Planet Magazine offers year-round work experience placements and National Geographic Traveller has an intern scheme – but both require a qualification from an accredited journalism course.

Sam Shead, an editorial intern at Wanderlust magazine, commented: “I started getting work experience offers thick and fast as soon as I put down that I was doing a postgrad degree in journalism at Cardiff.”

Find journalism courses accredited by the Periodicals Training Council.

8. Hone your writing skills

Like all skills, writing requires practice. If you wanted to become a professional tennis player, you wouldn’t stand much of a chance unless you practised several hours a day. Writing is similar. But it’s not just finding your own personal voice, it’s also about learning the techniques of journalism and the requirements of editors.

Jill Starley-Grainger said: “So many people think that because they are passionate about travel and can string a sentence together, that qualifies them to be a travel journalist. It doesn’t. You need to understand how to dig out facts, how to find hidden gems and insider info. It’s a skill and not everyone has it. But you can learn it.”

Pat Riddell at National Geographic Traveller (UK) had a slightly different view, drawing a distinction between travel journalists and travel writers. He said: “Journalists generally come from a more formal background, starting off on newspapers or magazines, often ending up in travel with a skillset suited to editing or writing. Travel writers come from a broader field — often with a passion and love for writing more than anything else — and, in many cases, spend all their time travelling and writing rather than being office-based as staffers are.”

9. Explore alternative routes into the industry

The panellists agreed that internships are great way into journalism – though not easy to come by. Emily Mathieson said: “Interning is a great opportunity. You have the chance to meet the editors you’ll be pitching in the future, to ask them face to face what they might be looking for.”

Glen Mutel, editor of ABTA Magazine and a columnist for National Geographic Traveller, said: “Internships have real value. If you’re applying for an entry level job in travel journalism, you’ll be up against applicants who have completed internships. If you’re lucky enough to land an internship on a travel magazine, it could lead to a job, providing you can write.”

April Hutchinson, editor of the trade magazine, TTG Luxury, said interns that have proved themselves “responsible, resourceful and good writers” can be sent on press trips within only a couple of weeks.

However, it’s important to remember there are other ways into travel journalism. Many writers – myself included – started as sub-editors – fact-checking, rewriting and editing other people’s writing. This is a great way to hone your own writing skills.

Seasoned travel writer Richard Trillo also pointed out that guidebook publishers such as Rough Guides, Lonely Planet and Bradt offer a foot in the door for writers. “They frequently need to find updaters who have travel experience, knowledge of the destination and a confident writing style. I had a desk job at Rough Guides for many years, and we always needed good writers. The publishers’ websites always tell you how to get in touch.”

Andy Mossack, a travel writer and broadcaster, added: “Radio can be an enjoyable route into broadcasting provided you can be a believable talker. It might well be worth contacting your local radio station and suggesting you have a slot about travel. They won’t pay you but you can earn your spurs.”

10. Make yourself a dream to work with

One of the reasons I survived so long in the higher echelons of travel journalism was that I always submitted “clean” copy. I don’t consider myself a great writer, but I deliver well-structured, factually-correct articles that aren’t littered with spelling mistakes or unanswered questions.

Editors will love you if make their lives easier. That means researching all the “nuts and bolts” information that makes up fact boxes and sidebars.

As freelancer Lance Richardson commented, “Go the extra mile. Never get lazy. Make the first lot of copy you submit a home run. Fact check everything. If you make yourself a dream to work with, they’ll work with you.”

Mark Hodson spent 12 years as a full-time freelance travel writer for The Sunday Times where his byline appeared above more than 500 articles. He is editor and co-founder of 101 Holidays and still contributes to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and The Times.

* DO YOU have any tips for travel writers? Would you like to share your own experiences? Please leave a comment.