The 20 most inspiring travel blogs of 2007

Which travel blogs inspire me to travel, and to write about it? I’ve already weighed in on the most influential blogs of the year and hotel blogs worth bookmarking. But a lot of you have asked me which sites I read just for the fun of it (in other words, because I think they’re really good). Here’s your answer — my very own list of travel blogs that inspire me.

I’m listing them in alphabetical order, along with the reason I’m hooked:

Aviation Daily on Airports

Benet Wilson gets it. When it comes to airlines, it’s not what happens in the air that’s important — it’s what happens on the ground.

Barrier Free Travels

Candy Harrington’s blog is the ultimate authority on disability and travel.

The Best Travel Photographers

Look! Pretty pictures. No, I mean really pretty pictures.

Flight Wisdom

This blog dissects the day’s travel news with the insights of a travel insider. Very clever.

Gridskipper

Chris Mohney and his team are the last word on coolness for the jet set.

Intelligent Travel

If you want to travel smarter, this is the only blog you need to bookmark.

LL World Tour

Lisa Lubin is not just a first-rate videographer. She’s also one of the bravest bloggers I know. You go, girl!

Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet. Blog. Enough said.

Safe Cruise blog

Everything you never wanted to know about cruising, but should.

Ship Critic

Anne Campbell is a cruise goddess.

Tim Ferriss

Author of The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich shows you how it’s done.

Tim Leffel’s Cheapest Destinations

If you want to save money on your next trip, Tim’s blog can help. But be warned: you’ll want to travel after reading it.

Travelblog

An inspiring collection of destination narratives, photos and personal reflections.

Travelpod

An overload of travel blogging goodness.

Travel Babel

Claire Walter’s travel blog delivers a compelling mix of consumer travel news and destination information.

Travel Maven Blog

David Molyneaux, a master of old media, has also mastered new media.

Travel Rants

Darren Cronian writes a terrific, pro-consumer travel blog.

Travels with Jane

Can you edit one of the best newspaper travel sections on the planet and blog at the same time? Why, yes! Jane makes it look easy.

Vagablogging

Rolf Potts and his colleagues have created a must-read travel blog that features a nice blend of news, tips and notes from the road.

World Hum

So good, the Travel Channel had to buy it. Can’t blame ‘em.

Comments

5 Responses to “The 20 most inspiring travel blogs of 2007”

  1. On December 21st, 2007 at 5:46 pm David Molyneaux said

    One of the most influential travel bloggers of 2007 is Christopher Elliott. And what a terrific idea to look at the influence of travel bloggers. As traditional print publications continue to cut their travel writing staffs and diminish their expertise, their influence on the public will wane. Here’s a holiday salute to all the travel bloggers all over the world and to the future influence of travel blogging.

    David Molyneaux, former newspaper travel editor and now editor of TravelMavens.net and blogger at TravelMaven.typepad.com

  2. On December 22nd, 2007 at 3:58 pm Claire Walter said

    I second everything David Molyneaux wrote in his comment. I would add that the same traditional print publications that are cutting their writing staffs are also shaving their freelance budgets and thereby not tapping into the expertise and experiences of freelance writers. Editors and staff writers cannot be everywhere at once. They cannot be authoritative on the many complexities of travel and knowledeable about every destination or type of destination. Freelance journalists like yours truly have also turned to the blogosphere, where we can report and write for an audience that appears to growing too.

    Thank you Chris for including Travel Babel in this list. I’m beyond flattered. And it gives me something more to shoot for in 2008.

    Claire @ http://travel-babel.blogspot.com

  3. On December 24th, 2007 at 12:39 pm Candy Harrington said

    OK, now I’m embarrassed. I told Claire about her inclusion and she beat me to the punch with a thank you. Belated, but still very sincere, thanks for inluding me as well Chris. As I wrote in my blog today — you’ve managed to keep me on my toes over the years!

    Candy Harrington

  4. On December 26th, 2007 at 5:44 pm Kango Suz said

    Elliot, This list is wonderful! I had not Timothy Ferriss’ new book, but got it during my delay at O’Hare last weekend and I’ve LOVED it (as well as the website you mention). I was just looking to ‘update’ my blog feeds, thanks for the always timely and insightful comments.

    Kango Suz, freelance travel writer for the new travel search engine, Kango.com and blogger at http://www.startgo.com.

  5. On January 2nd, 2008 at 10:25 am Mike said

    Thanks for the kind words, Chris. Here’s to a great 2008 for everyone.

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