As any BlogCarnival host will tell you, putting one of these editions together is pretty time-consuming and can be a real pain in the neck. But, this edition’s entries reminded me once again why I do this.

Once again, thanks to everyone who submitted their articles! I couldn’t accept all of the submissions because some of them just weren’t appropriate for people interested in using travel to grow. (If your article wasn’t accepted, and you’re curious why, feel free to send me a message, and I’ll be happy to clarify.) However, some great content did rise to the top, and I think you’ll especially enjoy the three ‘best of’ picks below.

Oh, and before I forget, in the last carnival edition, I gave you all a heads up that BlogCarnival.com was for sale. Well, I’m pleased to say that the new management appears to be doing a good job, not to mention modernizing the look of the site. And I expect more good things from them in the future. 🙂

The Best of BTBC #14

As I said, there were some wonderful posts submitted this time. If you’re new to blog carnivals, they’re a smart way to discover new writers that you wouldn’t normally come across. And each time I publish a new edition of BTBC, I highlight three articles that stand out from the crowd, the ones you shouldn’t miss. And there were so many great submissions, it was hard to narrow it down!

1. 5 things you shouldn’t miss in Berlin by Andy Higgs is a wonderful collection of little-known gems within Berlin with tips on how to find them and wonderful photography to go with it. The Schlangenberger Strasse, which is an apartment complex built that goes directly over a highway.
2. Foxing around the Bahamas by Katie includes a radiant series of photos of exploring Nassau. (The best part is when she goes spelunking in a cave once used by pirates for hiding booty. That’s right, I said booty.)
3. Cozumel, Mexico by Laura is a great story of her Mexican cruise experience, visiting Key West, Tank Island, Grand Cayman, and finally Cozumel, Mexico — complete with lovely photos along the way. The bit about non-attachment and being flexible at the end of the article was a great touch. 🙂

A Reminder & A Win-Win-Win

One last thing: if one of your articles is in this month’s edition, I’d really appreciate it if you would tweet, stumble, and “Like” this carnival on Facebook. Remember, spreading the word multiplies the reach of this blog carnival which in turn helps more people discover your article, as well. Thanks in advance!

So without further yadda-yadda, here are the lovely submissions:

Travel Stories

Zhu presents:
Do You Speak British English? posted at Correr Es Mi Destino, saying,

“In London, we were also confused by expressions such as “single ticket” (one-way ticket), “hand luggage”, “fat chips” (French fries) and “crisps” (potato chips). It was sometimes a real headache trying to figure out that new vocabulary… but hey, these kinds of linguistic adventures make travel more fun, right?”

Jennifer Miner presents:
Berlin Bike Tour – Private Guided Bicycle Tour in East Berlin posted at The Vacation Gals, saying,

“Berlin, and East Berlin in particular, is best experienced by bike. Taxis and rental cars are too pricey, tour buses too impersonal, and the underground in East Berlin has several detours and closing this summer. Renting a bicycle or getting a tour by bike is recommended.”

Coco presents:
Similar Threads Between French & Southern cultures posted at DIXIEINPARIS.

Travel Photography

Laura Burnett presents:
Cozumel, Mexico posted at Living the Clever Life, saying,

“The idea of a cruise is unique. One hotel room, many different locations. One of the first days on the ship, I was deeply confused at the sun’s ability to be in a completely different position at the same time that I had been outside the day before with respect to my stationary lounge chair. Then I remembered the concept of movement and the fact that I was on a ship, which moved. What can I say? It was the beginning.”

Foxy presents:
Foxing around the Bahamas posted at TheGoldenFoxGirl.com, saying,

“My adventures in Nassau, Bahamas.”

Lauren Roerick presents:
Southern California- What To Do posted at miller mémoires, saying,

“Ideas on what to in the Orange County area in Southern California.”

Laurence Norah presents:
Capture the Colour Photo Contest posted at Finding the Universe, saying,

“A round up of some of my favourite travel photos.”

Foxy presents:
Art of the Bahamas posted at TheGoldenFoxGirl.com.

Travel Destinations

Alicia Began presents:
Eureka Sky Tower posted at AliciaGoesAussie, saying,

“This article is part of a series about my 5 month trip from the US to Australia to play water polo. This specific post is about going to the tallest viewing deck in Melbourne!”

Jim Liston presents:
London, UK travel pictures posted at jimsgotweb.com, saying,

“London, what a great city! Once you learn how to use the Tube you can have a great time traveling around the city. Here are some of the sites we had the chance to visit while we Big Ben in Londonwere there.”

Travel Tips

Jeremy Biberdorf presents:
Managing Your Finances On Your Travels posted at Modest Money, saying,

“Life on the road can wipe out your life savings in what seems like no time at all. However, there are a few ways to reduce your costs so that you can travel for longer on less money, making your return a bit easier.”

Debbie Denard presents:
A Nanny’s Guide to Packing for a Daytrip posted at Nanny.net, saying,

“For many nannies, trips to the zoo, farm, museum, or other age-appropriate venues are part of their weekly adventures with the children they watch.”

Lauren Roerick presents:
Hong Kong Jade Market posted at miller mémoires, saying,

“Pictures of Hong Kong Jade and tips for purchasing jade.”

Katy Cousins presents:
RTW Trip: Now Panic and Freak Out (or why travelling at 28 is different to 18) posted at Ordinary Days.

David Leonhardt presents:
An Excuse to Travel posted at MillerCathy.com.

Andy Higgs presents:
What to do in Berlin: 5 things not to miss in Berlin posted at Grown-up Travel Guide.com.

Hi. Let me ask you a question. You got BC?

If you write well (and you’ve written something that relates to travel), and you haven’t submitted to the BTBC before, can I ask you a question? What are you waiting for? Blog Carnivals are an amazing and free way to get more exposure to your work. (And to those of you who continue to submit month after month: thanks again for supporting the BTBC!) By doing so, you reach multitudes, many of which have never even seen your site before, so it’s a real win-win-win situation.

I know this from firsthand experience because blog carnivals have been helpful in spreading the word about Byteful Travel. So if you’re a writer, and you’ve written something that relates to travel, submit a piece you’re proud of to the next BTBC by going to the submission form. (If that link doesn’t work, you can contact me.) Just remember to read the simple ground rules.

Also, I’m considering discontinuing the Byteful Travel Weekly Recap. If you have no idea what it is, or never read it, please let me know in the comments. It’s basically an auto-generated periodical from writers I’ve hand-picked from around the web, but lately I’ve been questioning it’s true usefulness. Should I kill it?

So until next time, may your travels spark your soul to even greater heights. 🙂

Believe it or not, it’s been over two years since I started the Byteful Travel blog carnival.

And now, we’ve come to the 13th edition, containing a whopping 21 entries! It’s definitely growing, and I am truly thankful that my fellow travel writers continue to support what has become one of the few travel-themed blog carnivals left.

However, I feel it’s my duty to give you a heads up about an announcement that BlogCarnival.com put out on Sunday. Basically, they’re putting the entire website up for sale and looking for new management. Now, depending on who ends up with the site, this could potentially be really bad for the blog carnival community. I doubt it’s simple to maintain such a popular site with such a huge database (see also: the outages BlogCarnival.com has had this year), so it’s very possible that the site could be shut down or mismanaged by whoever buys it.

If you care at all about blog carnivals or have found the site useful, you may want to email the BlogCarnival.com guys and encourage them to go with a buyer that will continue to maintain the community. Just thinking out loud here.

Anyway, even in a worst-case scenario, the Byteful Travel blog carnival doesn’t need to go away. I’m open to accepting submissions through my contact form. And I have to accept the possibility that this may be the only way for you to submit to the next BTBC carnival. So if you read this in the future and you can’t find the “byteful travel blog carnival” on BlogCarnival.com, you might want to contact me to submit.

So there’s your heads up on the ‘sitch. I for one am going to keep a positive attitude about this. It is possible that whoever buys it will actually improve the site. 🙂

The Best of BTBC #13

As I said, there were some really high-quality posts submitted this time. If you’re new to blog carnivals, they’re a smart way to discover new writers that you wouldn’t normally come across. And each time I publish a new edition of BTBC, I highlight three articles that stand out from the crowd, the ones you shouldn’t miss. There were so many excellent submissions that it was hard to narrow down!

1. That Time I was Shipwrecked by Laurence Norah is a pure shot of adventure if there ever was one! Not only was Laurence shipwrecked in the middle of nowhere, but he had to swim in shark-infested waters to signal help. Classic.
2. The Gohemians Guide to India: Part 2 – Agra by Emma is a wonderful continuation to her first India story. Once again, she included a lot of stunning photos, including the Taj Mahal. Best of all, we find out the stunning reason behind why the Taj Mahal is truly the most romantic monument ever built.
3. My Most Incredible Food Experience by Emily is a visceral retelling of her trek to Gangabal Lake, complete with stunning views and a reward at the end. There’s nothing like eating mystery meat served to you by a guide named Mushtak! Wonderful photos, as well.

A Reminder & A Win-Win-Win

One last thing: if one of your articles is in this month’s edition, I’d really appreciate it if you would tweet, stumble, and “Like” this carnival on Facebook. Remember, spreading the word multiplies the reach of this blog carnival which in turn helps more people discover your article, as well. Thanks in advance!

So without further yadda-yaddas, here are the lovely submissions:

Travel Destinations

Emma Goho presents:
The Gohemians Guide to India: Part 2 – Agra posted at GohemianTravellers, saying,

“Here is my account of Agra and the marvelous Taj Mahal. Lots of tips to sink your teeth into — it really is a must for your travel wishlist. :)”

Tim Leffel presents:
Tim Leffel’s Cheapest Destinations posted at Tim Leffel’s Cheapest Destinations, saying,

“A rundown on current prices for travelers in one of Europe’s great capital cities: Budapest.”

Violeta Matei presents:
Greeks of Kayakoy, Go Home! The Bitter Meaning Of Going Home posted at Violeta Matei, saying,

“The ghost town of Kayakoy makes the traveler think of war cruelties and casualties. Entire populations were forced to leave their country just because they belonged to a different church.”

Violeta Matei presents:
Searching for Dracula: Bucharest to Bran and Return posted at Violeta Matei, saying,

“If you visit Romania, take this tour to see old fortresses and Dracula’s castle.”

Annie presents:
5 Ways to See Ghosts in Savannah posted at NerdWallet Travel, saying,

“Go see some supernatural residents of beautiful historical Savannah, Georgia.”

Danielle A. Hall presents:
10 Budget & Family Friendly Things To Do When You Visit Orlando posted at Cents Making Sense. (Site Down.)

Travel Photography

Tui Snider presents:
iPhone Photo Essay: Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, Texas posted at Tui Snider’s travel blog, saying,

“I hope you enjoy this iPhone photo essay about my recent trip to The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. The TFFC is more than just a place to view fish: it includes a freshwater fish hatchery, a hiking trail, several aquatic exhibits and outreach programs dedicated to the preservation of Texas wetlands. And yes, you can even go fishing there!”

Zhu presents:
City Under Siege posted at Correr Es Mi Destino, saying,

“The French love to rebel against the establishment, and spring is generally the start of “protest season”. But while the protest itself was fairly innocuous (the mayor wants to build a brand-new airport, some argue that they are being expropriated), the police force deployed seemed pretty disproportionate. It felt like being under siege.”

Zhu presents:
NYC: Wall Street and The WTC Site posted at Correr Es Mi Destino, saying,

“As we walked toward the site of the WTC, under a clear blue sky like this fateful day of September, I was offered a whole new perspective.”

Travel Stories

Henry presents:
La Selva Animal Preserve in Playa Carrillo, Costa Rica posted at Finding Freedom, saying,

“This article examines La Selva Animal Preserve in Playa Carrillo, Costa Rica. The preserve cares for animals injured in the wild or kept illegally as pets, and then releases the animals back into the wild. La Selva does wonderful work and provides photographers and storytellers of all levels with ample material.”

Shanna Schultz presents:
Having Trouble Coming Home: The Dark Side of Travel Addiction posted at There and Back Again, saying,

“This is a very personal piece that I wrote after coming home from France last week. I think that it is relevant to many regular travelers (and I am curious to know if other people have felt the same way that I did after coming home this time).”

Flashpacker presents:
The Payas of Mandalay: Monks and Monasteries posted at FlashpackAtForty, saying,

“On our recent visit to Burma Myanmar, as part of our around the world trip, we travelled to the Monks and Payas on Mandalay. We’d initially been underwhelmed by Myanmar, but there was something magical in the air that changed our minds.”

Katie Sorene presents:
My Most Incredible Food Experience posted at The Flying Fugu, saying,

“This writer tells the story of her most incredible food experience: home cooked curry en route to Gangabal Lake, Kashmir.”

Ken Lange presents:
3 Folksy Stories from a Small Fishing Village posted at Kenneth Lange, saying,

“Three small stories about life in a small fishing village. I think they show that all places, regardless of size, are worth visiting. :)”

Laurence Norah presents:
That time I was shipwrecked posted at Finding the universe, saying,

“A blogpost detailing the time I was shipwrecked!”

Andi presents:
Southwest Road Trip 2012 Day 2: Zion National Park (Part 2) posted at Misadventures with Andi.

Bastiaan Reinink presents:
Houston, I have a problem (with you!) posted at Perpetual Wonder.

Travel Tips

Toni Graybill presents:
Pyramid of the Moon – Beware these 2 tricks posted at A Fun Travel Cat.

JourneysintheCloud presents:
27 Things Travel can Teach You posted at Journeys in the Cloud.

Hi. Let me ask you a question. You got BC?

If you write well (and you’ve written something that relates to travel), and you haven’t submitted to the BTBC before, can I ask you a question? What are you waiting for? Blog Carnivals are an amazing and free way to get more exposure to your work. And to those of you who continue to submit month after month: thanks again for supporting the BTBC! By doing so, you reach multitudes, many of which have never even seen your site before, so it’s a real win-win-win situation.

I know this from firsthand experience because blog carnivals have been helpful in spreading the word about Byteful Travel. So if you’re a writer, and you’ve written something that relates to travel, submit a piece you’re proud of to the next BTBC by going to the submission form. (If that link doesn’t work, you can contact me.) Just remember to read the simple ground rules.

Also, if you enjoyed the carnival, you’ll probably enjoy the Byteful Travel Weekly Recap, as well. It automatically collects the best content from writers I’ve hand-picked from around the web (most of which I’ve discovered because they’ve submitted to the BTBC).

So until next time, may your travels spark your soul to even greater heights. 🙂