[Sticky] Travel

12 Steps to Narrate Your Journeys Through Travel Writing

Do you want to become an accomplished travel writer? Do you want to know what makes an article stand out? If yes, read this article to find out how you can make your living as a successful and prolific writer by publishing your travel stories.

Introduction 

Out of the countless childhood memories, we always cherish the ones in which we remember travelling to faraway places in unknown lands. Travelling broadens our perspectives about life, people, and other cultures. Travelling also adds to our existing knowledge of a society or a country. If travelling is an experience, then travel writing is all about expressing that ‘experience’. This is what travel writers are best at doing.

To begin writing your first travel piece, you need to follow the below steps:

1. Write regularly: Remember, practice makes a man perfect. The same goes true for writing. Writing regularly enhances your English grammar and language skills. Being consistent in your writing also helps you craft better stories in a short period of time.
2. Be inspired: If you feel unsure about how to go about writing your first travel piece, it will be in your best interests to read up on the works of some notable travel writers and take inspiration from them. Reading them will definitely open your eyes to a lot of new learnings that you can then incorporate into your travel writing.
3. Keep a notebook and pen handy: Keep taking notes as and when you feel like jotting down your thoughts and experiences. These notes will become a valuable asset once you sit down to pen your travel piece. You can collect notes about almost everything you experience at a destination, such as a delectable dish that you enjoyed sampling at a restaurant, trekking and other adventure sports, tourist places, off-the-beaten-path places and many more. These notes will certainly enable you to craft out the exact narrative of a place.
4. Read Regularly: Remember, good writing always goes along with good reading. Depending upon what you want to write, find your inspiration in different types of writers and read up on blogs, travelogues, journals, books and everything else that you can get your hands on. Every good writer has always been a voracious reader. This is what you need to develop as a habit to become a successful writer.
5. Improve language and writing skills: Reading regularly will not only develop your writing skills but also expose you to different writing styles. This is a bonus for new writers.
6. Be passionate about writing: To become a successful writer, you need to be passionate about writing. Only true passion for this art form can make you successful in this field. Your passion should reflect in your words, descriptions and settings to make your readers glued to your narrative.
7. Eye for Detail: Any writer should possess an eye for detail, meaning you should be able to describe and record things and experiences that an average person tends to miss. The more you go into the details and make your narrative interesting, the better it is for your readers.
8. Be disciplined and motivated: Any writing requires self-discipline and self-motivation, so make sure you remain devoted to your stuff.
9. Resolve Writer’s Block: If you encounter writer’s block, be sure to take the help of mentors, coaches and read up on how great writers used to overcome their writer’s block. There’s no point brooding over the trauma of being in the Writer’s Block as it won’t help. So, the best piece of advice is to take some motivation and write something else until you find your way back to your original piece. It happens, believe it or not!
10. Find your Niche: If you want to become a successful travel writer, it’s better to carve out your niche since travel writing is a very competitive field and there are millions of travel writers across the globe.
11. Avoid Verbosity: While crafting your travel piece avoid verbosity or wordiness, as it can make the article too confounding to be understood by the readers. Use words that capture the essence of a place and its ambience, without compromising on the effects that these words create on your reader’s mind.
12. Be original: Last but not the least, always write from your own experiences since it adds authenticity and credibility to your written stuff. Nobody likes to read a plagiarised work!

Conclusion

Many writers present their travel experiences in form of travel content to woo their readers. Therefore, travelling has often been termed as a soul-enriching experience by many, making for a well-written stuff which can not just inspire but also woo new and avid travellers to take on the journeys that you have presented them in form of your travel writing. Therefore, writing a good travel piece is of immense importance in this industry.

Written by : Abhishek Pathak

Edited by : Rajinder Soni

#travel #abhishekpathak #travelwriting #journeys #digitalwritopreneurs #travellers #tipsfortravellers #tipsforwriting

10 Ways To Explore the Spirit and Culture of Varanasi

Want to explore Varanasi, but can’t decide from where to start? Do you want to know which are the best places to discover and hang out in Varanasi? If yes, then read on to find out how the ancient city of Varanasi never seems to disappoint even the most cosmopolitan traveller.   

Introduction 

Considered one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, Varanasi sits on the west bank of the River Ganges and is the centre of Indian culture and spirituality. Also known to the world as Kashi and more popularly as Benares, the city is famous for its ghats, temples, Benarasi Silk Sarees, Benarasi paan, etc.  It is here that people from all corners of the earth and from all faiths come to learn about Indian culture and its deep-rooted spiritualism that traces its origin to more than 3,000 years ago.

1. Exploring the Famous Temples

It’s quite unbelievable that the city boasts an estimated 23,000 temples, out of which some of the most famous ones are –  Kashi Vishwanath Temple, New Vishwanath Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple, Bharat Mata Temple, and Durga Kund Temple. Explore the different architectural styles in which these temples are built along with the unique bazaars famous for their antiques, curios, clothes, old and new eateries, sweetshops, etc.

2. The Serene Life at Ghats on River Ganges

Life comes at a standstill at Ganga Ghats in Varanasi. More than 80 ghats are dotted on the shore of River Ganges in Varanasi, some of which are Dashashwamedh Ghat (the main ghat), Assi Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Scindia Ghat, Chet Singh Ghat, Darbhanga Ghat, etc.

3. Witness Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat

Don’t forget to witness this cultural kaleidoscopic fest during the evening when the whole city converges to gather at the ghats to pray its obeisance to River Ganges. It is one of the most spectacular things to witness in Varanasi. Do take Ganga vihar (boating) while aarti is in full swing at the ghat for a panoramic view.

4. The Burning Ghat

Manikarnika Ghat is the main cremation ghat in the city, and people believe that the dead achieve salvation if they’re cremated here.

5. Alaknanda Cruise

Travel around the ghats in this 5-Star luxury tourist cruise at Khidkiya Ghat. The 2-hour ride costs Rs. 750, including GST.

6. Spend a Night at Assi Ghat

Take the hues of sunset enjoying the scenic views all around you. If possible, try spending a night in one of the hotels on the Assi Ghat overlooking the River Ganges to experience calm and serenity amidst the coolness of the night sky and gentle breeze. Nothing can beat this experience for sure!

7. The Colourful Gullies (Alleys) of Varanasi

The Benarasi gullies are famous from the days of yore. Probably no other city in the world is as famous as Varanasi when it comes to its alleys. People can be seen chewing a Benarasi paan devouring its full flavour, or talking endlessly about music, culture, politics, economy and spirituality. When in the city, do try and get lost in one of these fascinating alleys, transporting you to an altogether new world where reality and dream fuse together to draw up a colourful fantasy. At Vishwanath Gully (leading to the main temple), shop for garments, pooja goods and sweets. You can also relish lip-smacking chaat, lassi, thandai in the nearby Godowlia Market.

8. Varanasi – A Gourmet Paradise

When it comes to food, Varanasi steals the show with its flavourful delights. In fact, some of the food items that you will find here, you’ll find nowhere else in the world. Begin your day with Kulhadd wali chai with malai in the bylanes of Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Start your culinary journey in the city with a sumptuous breakfast comprising Puri, sabzi and jalebi at Godowlia-Luxa road. Fan of South Indian food? If yes, Head over to Sonarpura Crossing and try Fried Idli (Rice Cakes). Don’t forget to try Kachori bhaji (not to be confused with Puri Bhaji) in the bylane next to Jaipuria Bhawan on Bansphatak Road.

In the evening, try Varanasi’s exclusive Tamatar Chaat, Aloo Tikki Chaat, or Palak chaat, perhaps the most famous street foods in the city. Try these delectable chaats at Deena Chaat Bhandar or Bhokal Chaat. You’d be surprised to know that Tamatar Chaat is a speciality dish of Varanasi found nowhere else in entire India. Do try Bhaang lassi at Green Lassi, for an effective and sedative taste. Alternatively,  you can try Rabri and lassi at Pahalwan Sweets.

Head over to Assi Chowk to have the flavourful paan customised according to your taste to digest all that you’ve savoured during the day.

9. Visiting Weavers Village in Sarai Mohana

Enjoy a craft session at this village as you admire the weavers spinning their needles while weaving the famous Benarasi Silk Sarees.

10. Take a Stroll in Banaras Hindu University

Famous for its clean and green environs, Banaras Hindu University, or BHU as it is popularly known, is one of the oldest universities of India. The campus of BHU is spread over 1300 acres and houses the famous New Vishwanath Temple along with other eye-catching, heritage institutional buildings. Take a stroll around the campus and bask in the look and feel of old Banaras.

Conclusion

Today, the holy city of Varanasi is a hub of tourism activities in Eastern India, attracting millions of tourists from all over the world to experience the Indian culture, philosophy, traditions and spiritual ethos. Since times immemorial, this epic city has remained an epitome of rich Indian culture and faith. So, pack your bags and get set, go!

Written by : Abhishek Pathak

Edited by : Rajinder Soni

#varanasi #culture #food #travel #abhishekpathak #assighat #digitalwritopreneurs #travellers #explore #banarashinduuniversity #dashashwamedhghat #kashivishwanathtemple #alaknandacruise #riverganges

My dear Abhishek ji,

               Thank you very much for giving a  vivid picture of Varanasi in your article. By the grace of Lord Vishwanath, you will surely win laurel in the field of writing. Good. Keep it  up.

@rajeev1632

Dear Rajeev ji,

I’m so glad to hear your views about my article. Have you been to Varanasi?

Thank you so much for your blessings.