Three Haute Writing Tips!

So, you want to be a travel blogger, you’ve launched your blog, now what? Well, content is KING, but your voice is QUEEN. There is absolutely nobody else on the planet with your voice. The way you tell stories is your currency into the world of travel blogging.

The key is simple, be your authentic self and tell your stories with passion. People love great stories; they will come to your blog or site to learn more about travel from your perspective. Remember, travel is an escape for many people and there is no better way to step away from their daily lives than a trip to your blog.

Here are three things that I do to capture my Haute Travels readers and followers’ attention to keep them coming back for more.

Knowledge of Travel

Your stories should reflect your knowledge and love for travel. Tell the reader what you know about your destination, experience, etc. And keep in mind, there are many ways to tell a story, just be accurate and timely.

Travel Pics

Your stories should be supported by photography or video, take the viewer with you. When you take pictures, keep your story ideas in mind. If you want to feature your hotel for example, make a list of images that will support it. Always write to the images that you have so that your stories reflect your journey.

Information and Inspiration

Travel stories are best packed with a little bit of inspiration and information, give people news they can use. If you find out about a great hotel or restaurant, share it. If you discover a hidden gem, share it with your readers. It will keep them coming back for more!

When telling your stories, remember your audience and why they come to your blog. What are you sharing with them that will inspire them to travel? Your stories don’t have to be long, but they must communicate something to your audience that fulfills your brand promise. If you write about adventure travel, your stories should reflect that subject matter.

Haute Jamaican Escape!

I started my summer travels with a trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica for a little R&R. I wanted to spend more time on the island and less time getting there. So I checked in with American Airlines and used my miles for a first class ticket to paradise. 

Once on the island, a driver picked me up and delivered me to the Half Moon Resort where I checked into my Prestige Ocean Junior Suite. This suite comes with generous space and a very nice spa bath, along with a gorgeous round balcony with beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea.  

I love this resort because it offers a level of exclusivity and privacy that's unmatched at most 5-star resorts on the island. The 400-acre property offers two miles of beachfront, perfect for someone who loves a cool breeze and warm sea water. It's like having parts of the beach all to yourself. 

If you want to spend a few days on the beach without interruption, this is one of my favorite places to relax and exhale. 

Here are some of my travel photos.

BONUS PICS:  My spa day at the Fern Tree Spa at the Half Moon Resort:

Haute Tips for Beach Day Bliss!

Summer beach vacays are the best, but I’m not fond of the crowds. If you’re the kind of girl that wants the beach all to yourself, you may want to plan your trip a little differently. Travel addicts know that the best way to soak up the sun without tourists is to switch it up.

Here are My Four Haute Tips for Quiet Beach Getaways:

Tip #1

Find a resort that offers exclusivity before the crowds check-in.  I recently traveled to Montego Bay, Jamaica and I had the beach all to myself for most of my stay at the 400 acre Half Moon Resort.  It was nothing short of heavenly bliss. 

Tip #2

If you can swing it, opt for a villa instead of a guest room. Villas are typically away from the crowds and usually come with a pool or private beach access. My all-time favorite resort with amazing villas is Shangri-La's Villingili Resort & Spa in the Maldives. When you travel slightly off season, you can get great deals. 

Tip #3

Skip the big tourist spots and travel to a beach town that’s along the coast with fewer crowds.  Places like California or Florida have plenty of options.

Tip #4

Jet off to an island that offers a safe-haven for travelers who want more solitude. I’ve been to a few lovely islands in the Caribbean that were perfect for quiet moments by the sea like Bonaire and Nevis.  I had a perfect afternoon at the beach at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, West Indies. 

Celebrating My Birthday in Paris!

When it's time to celebrate my birthday there's no place like Paris to set the scene. This year, I decided to make my special day a little more fun and cross the pond. 

One of my friends flew in from Chicago and met me in London for a week of celebration. Afterwards, we headed to Paris for sightseeing, shopping and girl talk. It was great fun and full of all things that girls love to do like meeting for lunch at haute spot with the City of Light as our backdrop.

On another night, one of my friends, who happens to be a fashion designer in Paris, and I decided to go to an original champagne bar near the Eiffel Tower. So I put on a black dress and my favorite evening shoes by Pierre Hardy that I bought in Paris a couple of years ago, at a private sale, and headed out the door. Simple and chic is always the best way to go in Paris! Champagne toasts and a few selfies later created new birthday memories in one of my favorite cities.