Greatest Hits: Our Most Popular Articles of 2014
As one of the Looptail’s editors, this is my favourite post of the year. After all, the holiday season is a perfect time to consider where we’ve been, what we did and what we made. It’s our chance to see what really resonated with you, our readers! So in the run-up to 2015, here are our top seven stories as measured by the number of people who read them and the number of times they were shared.
I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you for reading, commenting, and sharing the Looptail. I am proud to be part of such an engaged, hardworking and innovative community of travellers, enthusiasts and writers!
You are the heart of the Looptail, and you are also trailblazers for the rest of the world—you have shown that incredible things are possible when you embrace the freedom and boundless opportunities that travel can bring. I look forward to seeing all the wonderful things we will accomplish together in 2015, and I hope the New Year is a happy, healthy and prosperous one for all of you!
So with no further delay—here are our greatest hits from the past twelve months!
5 of the World’s Greatest Journeys by Train
5 of the World’s Greatest Journeys by Train
October 28, 2014
Before we took to the skies, we rode the rails. The steam locomotive connected the world like no technology that came before it, linking isolated communities to the big cities. The magic of train travel hasn’t diminished with time, yet most of us have forgotten it. So, climb aboard and see your world in a new way all over again! From the world’s slowest express service to the longest continuous service in the world, Daniel Sendecki shares five must-do-before-you-die train journeys that are among the best our planet has to offer.
Top 5 Experiences in Jordan
Top 5 Experiences in Jordan
April 21, 2014
From ancient Nabataean and Roman cities to camel rides through the desert to floating on water, Jordan packs quite a lot into a small land mass. And while listing off top five experiences might help you get started in exploring Jordan, we encourage you to keep going past five! Wanderers-in-Residence Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott weigh in with five not-to-be-missed experiences in Jordan. Check out their recommendations!
Tackling Solo Travel
Tackling Solo Travel
July 24, 2014
The beauty of solo travel is the freedom of choice, the ability to explore along a theme of your making, to deep-dive into an esoteric aspect of culture or history, to trace the routes of one particular dish or person that fascinates you. Wanderer-in-Residence Jodi Ettenberg dispels some common fears and shares some tips for those determined to set out alone.
The 7 Stages of Inca Trail Trekking
The 7 Stages of Inca Trail Trekking
August 11, 2014
So you’ve decided to take on Peru’s famous Inca Trail, huh? It’s worth taking some time to reflect and think, “why did I do that?” Your friends probably think you’re crazy to have voluntarily subjected yourself to such abuse on your leisure time. G Adventures’ very own Phil Wild walks you through the the ’7 Stages of Inca Trail Trekking’ for a first hand account of the famous trail—and the self-recrimnation that often makes itself your hiking partner.
Solitary Refinement: Solo Travel Today
Solo Travel Today
July 21, 2014
Last year was a record-breaking one for travel, clocking over 1b tourists—a greater-than-ever proportion of whom travelled solo. From Toronto to Tasmania, researchers have identified travellers who live alone but travel in a group as the fastest growing type of ‘solo’ traveller. Here’s an infographic that maps this trend—follow its route to explore some of the factors at play, discover the nationalities most likely to travel solo, and take in a plethora of interesting stats about how and why people travel solo.
Mother-Daughter Bonding at the Taj: Travelling India
Mother-Daughter Bonding at the Taj: Travelling India
March 3, 2014
The seeds of Jodi Ettenberg’s India trip began almost a year prior, when she asked her mother what sight she would want to see in her lifetime but was nervous about visiting alone. “The Taj!” she exclaimed almost immediately. They struck a compromise when Jodi suggested taking a G Adventures trip together—Jodi in the role of Wanderer-in-Residence and her mum joining as official “Mother-in-Residence.” Check out Jodi’s trip here.
Should I Bring a Tripod on my Next Trip?
Should I Bring a Tripod on my Next Trip?
February 3, 2014
There is no one answer for this question that fits everyone but Peter West Carey lays out some pros and cons for so you can make a more informed decision on your next trip. Consider how much use you will get from your tripod compared to the amount of time you’ll spend taking it out of bags and packing it again. Also, make sure you can use your tripod in the locations you will visit, as most museums and high traffic areas won’t allow them. Check out Peter’s recommendations here.
Looking for fresh content to keep you entertained this holiday season? Stay tuned! We’ll be publishing blog posts throughout Christmas and New Year’s, so grab a glass of eggnog and keep visiting the Looptail!
