The 12 Best Stories of 2012
The year 2012 was a big one for me. It was a year full of losses, yes, but a lot of travel breakthroughs as well. I’ve rounded up the best posts I’ve written (most popular or most commented). Take a look and check out any that you might have missed.
Thoughts/Reflections
A local took my picture, with the Schönbrunn Palace behind me.
Date a Girl Who Travels. This is by far my most popular post, with over 360,000 page views. It has been shared 36,000+ times in Facebook, tweeted almost 2,000 times, and pinned 90 times. It has been printed in Mabuhay, the inflight magazine of Philippine Airlines, and translated to at least two languages (that I know of), Chinese and Portuguese. I’ve also met a lot of really cool people through this post, too.
Best of Travel Photos–My 7 Super Shots. Last year was also a year for me of joining online “contests” with travel bloggers worldwide. This is one of my personal favorites because I got to use some of favorite travel photos taken in Europe, from Pisa and Santorini, to Rome, Bruges, and Czech Republic.
Bittersweet Memories of my Solo Backpacking Trip in Europe. Serving as a year-ender, this post tells of stories of heartbreak and redemption, of meeting people and seeing places I’ve only dreamed about before.
I Was Interviewed by Peter Greenberg, CBS News Travel Editor. Peter Greenberg is a very well known and well established persona in the travel industry. Just to learn that he has read (and liked!) my blog is already an honor, much less to be interviewed by him live over the radio! This post is the transcript of that interview.
Tips and How To’s
Get a Schengen visa now to go to Santorini!
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa in Manila. This post details the application process for a Schengen visa, focusing specifically on the purpose of visiting a friend. It has become one of my most commented posts, with readers asking me (and asking each other!) for information about their visa application.
How to Travel Cheaply in Europe. I’m really proud of this post. I have used all the tips I put in here to travel in Europe for less than 3,000 euros (including the return ticket!) for almost three months.
How to Prepare for Your First Euro Trip. Thinking (dreaming??) of going to Europe soon? I have outlined eight (8) tips on preparing for it, from building your credit, to networking with other travelers even this early.
How to Build Your Travel Fund. Want to learn what you can do to beef up your travel fund? I have shared 5 tips on funding your wanderlust, from cutting your monthly expenses, to investing your extra income.
5 Safety Tips for Women Traveling Alone. Is it safe to travel by yourself if you’re a woman? I have always been asked this, not only by my friends and relatives, but by my readers, too. I wrote this post partially to share my strategies on keeping safe on the road, as well as to elicit answers from other solo female travelers too.
Destination Guides
The Fontana di Trevi in Rome.
Things to Do in Bruges, the Most Romantic City in Belgium. I was very surprised about the popularity of this post. The link must have been shared somewhere popular, because I don’t see it being shared much on Facebook or Twitter. I love this post; it reminds me of the time I spent in Bruges, one of the most beautiful cities I’ve seen in Europe.
7 Beautiful Fountains You Must See in Rome. Rome, Italy is a very beautiful city with a long history. In my 4 days’ stay there, I just went around and tried not to get carried away by all the things that I could see. In this post, I shared some of the beautiful fountains of the eternal city.
Yee Peng/Loy Krathong, the Floating Lantern Festival of Chiang Mai, Thailand. A fairly recent post, this has nevertheless captured the fancy of readers. Who doesn’t like floating lanterns? They look magical, especially if there are thousands of them floating in the night sky. I was lucky enough to get sponsored to witness the festival in Chiang Mai, and this is my account of it.
My Personal Favorites
The following don’t count among the top 12, but they are some of my favorite posts for the year.
A beautiful cat in the picturesque town of Oia in Santorini, Greece.
The Cats of Europe. Obviously, I love cats. Missing the company of these furry creatures was one of my concerns before I left for Europe. It was a good thing a lot of the cities I’ve been to were friendly to these cuties, and my post is a collection of photos and tales about my encounters with them in my travel.
The Loneliness of the Long-Term Solo Traveler. Do solo travelers get lonely? Of course we do. I shared in this post how I deal with loneliness.
I Was a Pilot for One Day in Malaysia. While backpacking solo in Europe is one item in my bucket list that I’ve successfully ticked off (though it will always remain in that list!), flying a plane is also another item. With the generosity of a Singaporean friend I met through my blog, I was able to fulfill this wish.
Which of these posts do you like best?
Aleah Taboclaon is a freelance writer and editor. She likes running (completed one marathon, training for the next!), diving (PADI open water diver), and traveling with her Kindle. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus. You can also email her; she would love to hear from you! Share and Enjoy
Happy New Year! I remember many of these posts, particularly the one about Bruges. Brought back memories for me, too. Congratulations on the success of your “Date a Girl Who Travels” post — awesome stats!
What a lovely list of top blog posts. I admire the fact that you can travel so much at your age and gain so many adventures. You are even getting published and interviewed!!!!! Definitely, you are doing something right even as you pursue your favorite hobby.
@ Cathy Sweeney: Thanks, Cathy. I wish I could have a viral post once a year. It would do wonders to my funds
@ Monisima: Thank you. So much more to improve though. Happy new year!
Aleah recently posted..The 12 Best Stories of 2012
I love your blog, really inspiring and useful! Keep working on it, I’m waiting for more and more post this year!
Happy New Year Aleah! Last year seems like an interesting one. Here’s to many more happy moments this year!
Salika Jay recently posted..Important Public Holidays 2013 In The US
@ Annabel: Thank you for visiting and commenting. I’ll try my best to be better in blogging this year
@ Salika Jay: Happy new year to you too! Best wishes this 2013
Aleah recently posted..The 12 Best Stories of 2012
Indeed 2012 was a lot of fun! Wow, you have a lot of clicks! Way to go Aleah! Cheers for 2013!
The Pinoy Explorer recently posted..2012′s Top 10 popular travel stories
Just found your “Date A Girl Who Travels” post and shared it on my Facebook. Probably my favorite travel post ever written
Jessica Festa recently posted..#FoodPorn: Hearty Lomo Saltado In Peru
@ The Pinoy Explorer: Thanks, Ding! Happy new year to you too!
Hope to see you here again in my blog!
@ Jessica Festa: Thank you
Aleah recently posted..Going Solo for Archaeology Travel
I look forward to catching up with the ones I missed (not many)!!! Happy New Year!!
Red Nomad OZ recently posted..12 Killer Australian Sunsets of 2012!
@ Red Nomad Oz: Happy new year to you, too, Red!
Aleah recently posted..Going Solo for Archaeology Travel
“Date a Girl Who Travels” – my favorite and my friends’ too!
And we’ve all shared it in facebook, hehe.
2012 was a great blessing for you aleah!
what we are still dreaming to set foot on, you’ve already conquered.
docgelo recently posted..CHIANG MAI SERIES : DRAGONS WITH COILS
@ Joann: Thanks
@ Gelo: Ah it wasn’t enough though. Want to go back soon!!
Aleah recently posted..Snapshot Sunday—The Spiral Staircase at the Vatican Museum
Hi Aleah, I just read your post “Date a Girl Who Travels” for the first time. Oh my gosh, that’s just so beautiful and spot on!! It something I could have written myself before I met my husband!!! Really, it’s wonderful. A real classic.
Congratulations for a wonderful year. Wishing you more great travels and post in 2013. Happy New Year!
Marisol
Marisol@TravelingSolemates recently posted..Vietnam: The Colorful Hilltribe Market of Bac Ha
@ Marisol: Thanks! That post had a story behind it haha Hope you have a wonderful 2013!
Aleah recently posted..Remembering the Unforgettable Beauty of Santorini
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