Welcome to #TheWeeklyPostcard!
Just like the postman once delivered updates from friends and family traveling around the world, we’re delivering weekly posts from travel bloggers all over the globe!
A Brief Introduction
The Weekly Postcard Pinterest Board ~ TravelLatte’s Favorites ~ Link Up ~ How to Join & FAQ
Quick question: When was the last time you got a postcard from a friend or family member who was traveling?
We couldn’t remember, either. I clearly remember the last time I sent a postcard while traveling: It was at Ben Franklin’s Post Office (the nation’s first!) in Philadelphia, in 2006. If it weren’t for all of the signs telling me my family back home would love seeing a postmark from the First Post Office, I probably wouldn’t have done it. I’m glad I did though, because they were right: Dad loved the update. (Dad’s a history nerd, too.)
I contemplated sending him a postcard from the Vatican, too, until we saw the line. So clearly, some people still send postcards. I am willing to bet that we are in the majority who just email or text a photo from their phone, or post something to Facebook or Instagram. In fact, we do both, sending a photo that is personally relevant for our friends and family.
You can probably tell where I’m going with this. We still love the idea of postcards: brief dispatches from all corners of the world, with a glimpse into the local culture and landmarks. And we love getting them as much as writing them. (Maybe more, to be honest!)
That’s why we enjoy being a host for The Weekly Postcard! We get to play postmaster, receiving and sending on those weekly dispatches from some of the best travel bloggers around. Just like we did with physical postcards, we pin our favorites up for everyone to admire! You can see some of our favorites from last week down below, along with our Weekly Postcard Pinterest board. But first, here is the new batch of The Weekly Postcard:
Let’s Get this Party Started!
A Few of our Faves
Although the last issue of The Weekly Postcard was filled with amazing places, there are three that really made us say “Wow!” Two are places we’ve wanted to visit for ages, and the third was one we had never heard of before – but is firmly on our Travel To Do list now. Meanwhile, our own post concentrated on the act of traveling – or, specifically, packing.
- Near the top of our travel wish list is Austria. And near the top of that wish list is a day soaking in the Opulence of Melk Abbey! Thankfully, our co-host Lorelei at California Globetrotter has mentioned this beautiful landmark a few times, and finally devoted a whole post to just how amazing this abbey is. We’ve read this post dozen times this week…maybe more. Just beautiful!
- Another of our cohosts, Anisa at Two Traveling Texans took us Inside Holyrood Palace, another historical and cultural icon that’s long been on our wish list. Not only is it the Queen’s Official Residence in Edinburgh, it’s a symbol of Great Britain in Scotland, and a palace of historical importance. And it’s just plain magnificent!
- We mentioned last week that we really love temples, and wow – our friend Bryna at Dotted Line Travels highlighted a temple complex that we’d never heard of. We’re pretty sure everyone’s heard of Angkor Wat, but also in the Angkor Archeological Park is the beautiful Banteay Srei, the Lady Temple. She took this temple from Unknown to Must See for us. It’s the first in a series that Bryna’s doing, and we’re looking forward to the rest!
- While everyone else was trotting the globe, our attention was captured by a couple that was grounded when they packed their passports in checked luggage. There are some other items that should only go in your carry-on, but we don’t see Do Not Pack lists. So we made one, and you can see it in our post, What NOT to Pack in Checked Luggage.
If you have a favorite from last week – or even this week – be sure to share it on Social Media, and let us know in the comments.
See The Weekly Postcard on Pinterest!
If you have a favorite from last week – or this week – be sure to share it on Social Media, and let us know in the comments.
How Does It Work?
There’s a new batch of blogs ready for reading every Friday afternoon. You can find them on TravelLatte, and at our co-hosts: Travel Notes and Beyond, Toddlers on Tour, Two Traveling Texans, and California Globetrotter.
Each one of us will have links to all of that week’s featured blogs. Find a few that look interesting, and click to read – it’s really that simple! Don’t forget to leave a comment – bloggers love comments, and that’s how we build a community of like-minded travel lovers! Feel free to share with your friends on Social Media, too. You can Pin, Tweet, or share on Facebook right from the thumbnails, or from each post you click on. I know all of the bloggers truly appreciate it when you read and share.
What if I have a blog, too?
Then join the fun! Participating in #TheWeeklyPostcard is a great way to reach new readers, and build your comments and social shares. Plus, you get to know some of your fellow travel bloggers, network, and learn about tons of destinations, travel tips, and more.
Housekeeping Rules for Bloggers
- Can I use an older blog post?
- Sure! #TheWeeklyPostcard is a great way to show off a new post, but also to show an older piece some love.
- Does it have to be travel related?
- Well, it is about travel, so yeah. Show off your favorite destination. Teach us how to take a train or save money on airfare. Tell us your favorite travel tips. You get the idea! Posts that are not travel related may be removed.
- Where do I get that snazzy badge for #TheWeeklyPostcard?
- We know, it’s cool! And it’s easy: Just copy the badge html code (from the gray box on the page where you add your link) into your editing program. You can add it to the bottom of your page or in a sidebar.
- Uhm, that code thing isn’t working for me.
- No worries. If you have issues adding the code, add the badge as a picture and include text saying that you have linked up with #TheWeeklyPostcard, along with a link back to one of the co-host’s blogs.
- Do I have to add the badge?
- You want people to know you’re part of the cool crowd, right? The badge helps get the word out and identify community members. Having the badge on your sight lets readers know you’re part of an established, respected community of travel experts. Plus, posts without a badge will be removed.
- When can I add my post?
- #TheWeeklyPostcard opens each Friday at 12n Pacific / 3pm Eastern, and closes on Sunday at 3pm Pacific / 6pm Eastern.
- Anything else?
- You can help spread the word by using the hashtag (#TheWeeklyPostcard) in your tweets. We will like and re-tweet your Tweets when we see the hashtag, and encourage everyone to do the same.
Helpful Hints for Bloggers
- Be sure to include a nice, tall portrait-orientation Pin so everyone can add you to their Pinterest boards! Here at TravelLatte, we’ll use that to add you to our board for #TheWeeklyPostcard, and may feature you on next week’s roundup!
- When you do make a Pin for your post, be sure to give it a name that includes the post title, blog name, and keywords. That will help your Pin (and post) travel farther.
- Not up with the Pinterest? No worries, but do try to include at least one portrait orientation image that people can use if they’d like to Pin your post.
- Be sure your posts have your Social Media channels, so readers can find and follow you right from The Weekly Postcard linkup!
