The Bradt Guides New Travel Writer of the Year  2024: Shortlisted Entries

From Head Judge Hilary Bradt: "Stories ranged from extreme adventures in northern latitudes to a short, but disastrous walk to work; from a celebration of the carnival in Cologne to a reflection on the plight of San Francisco’s homeless; and from hitchhiking in the Kalahari desert to risking tantrums on a kids’ sightseeing trip round Europe." 

Enjoy this selection of short stories from new travel writers.

GREAT TRAVEL LINKS

The SIM Card Is Going Away. That Might Be Annoying. The days of physical SIM cards—the tiny plastic circuit boards inside cell phones that contain the phone number—are coming to an end. Phone makers and wireless carriers are making the move to embedded SIMs, or eSIMs, which promise to make your life easier for international travel. According to Wirecutter, they can also be frustrating to use. Here’s what you need to know.

Mobility-Friendly Travel Guide For anyone who relies on mobility aids like wheelchairs, walkers, and canes, the idea of travel can seem daunting. The good news is that accessible travel is not only possible but also increasingly more common and doable. This guide from the National Council on Aging in the US aims to empower you with actionable information for a smooth and enriching journey that meets your mobility needs.

Hidden Cameras: What Travelers Need to Know This month, Airbnb announced that, starting April 30, the company would ban the use of surveillance cameras in its rentals. The news was welcomed by those concerned about privacy. The New York Times Travel talked to security and privacy experts about Airbnb’s new ban on surveillance cameras, your privacy rights and how to find a hidden camera.
 

Contest

Take a Radical Sabbatical with Exodus

The most clicked-on link last month:

The Best Podcasts to Listen To in 2024 There's nothing better than cosying up on a flight ahead of a long-awaited holiday and getting that escapism in early by disappearing into your favourite podcast. Condé Nast Traveller has put together a list of their picks that are ideal for listening to while travelling anywhere. Here is a selection of podcasts to keep you company on your next flight, train, or walk.

TOP POSTS ON SOLO TRAVELER 

Here are the newest articles published on our website.

Solo Travel Destinations

Solo Travel Paris on a Budget: Great Wallet-friendly Options
Here are great tips to solo travel Paris on a budget. From where to dine to what to see and do, we’ve got budget-friendly options for you.

Cancun Solo: It’s Easy to Leave the Resort and Explore
If you’re traveling to Cancun solo, you may be staying at a resort. Here’s how to use it as a base to explore Cozumel and Isla Mujeres.

Hiking Destinations for Solo Travelers: Safe, Easy, Stunning Options
Here are safe, easy, and gorgeous hiking destinations for solo travelers covering Europe, the UK, North America, Australia, Chile, and more.
 

Solo Travel Planning

A Solo Point of View

Here Are the Fundamentals of Solo Travel Safety
Here are the 5 fundamentals of solo travel safety. Sometimes you don’t need all the tips. You just need safety principles to live by.

How to Cut Travel Costs with Memberships You Already Have
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Resources for Your Future Trips

• Solo Travel Deals Page Updated monthly, to our knowledge this is the only list of tours with no or low single supplements on the Internet.
• A Complete Guide to Travel Insurance for Solo Travelers Where to buy and not buy travel insurance. How to make sure you get the right coverage and a price comparison of two recommended providers.
• How to Plan a Solo Trip 2024: Trends, Checklist, and Budget Spreadsheet From checklists, resources, and tools to how to use ChatGPT for itinerary creation, here’s how to plan a solo trip in 2024. 
• Solo Traveler’s Recommended Trip Planning Resources
• Dreaming of travel? Make it happen with these trip planning resources. Here’s our shortlist of travel planning tools to get you there.
• How to Plan Your Travel Budget: Luxury or Frugal Travel budgeting made easy whether you're splurging on luxury or keeping a sharp eye on expenses. Includes a free interactive spreadsheet. 
• Best VPN for Travel: What, Why, How and New Recommendations Protect your identity when you travel. Here’s what to look for in a VPN, a simple use guide, and new recommendations.
• Carry-on Packing List that Makes Sense: Traveler Tested Carry-on packing lists for women and men with tips for