Go for the Gold! Part 1

As the world gets ready for this summer’s Olympics in Beijing, the Viscape community of world travelers has already started competing for the gold when it comes to destination reviews! Who will win the coveted prize? Which review will be picked as the BEST review and earn the writer a trip to Key West or Belize?

Viscape’s best writers, photographers and travelers have written crazy, insane, hilarious, heart-stopping, action-packed, must-see destination reviews. Some of the best reviews have come from our newest members like MaxFocus, LNathan, MostlyElena and Crowe. I can guarantee that there will be sweat, blood and tears as Viscape community members battle it out to see who will write the winning story and be awarded the grand prize trip.

Do you have what it takes to compete with these talented travel writers? Do you have what it takes to be an award winning Viscape travel writer? Come on and find out! All you have to do is write a review. Not sure how to get started? Check out our winning tips below!

Our tips for writing GREAT destination reviews:

1) Add personality, wit and sass to your review. If you love a vacation destination, your review should take the reader there. Paint a vivid picture with detail that appeals to the senses.

2) Title, title, title! “Paris in nice,” or “Pan-handling your way through Paris in pajamas?” Which one’s going to get more attention?

3) Travel writers are not tour guides, so please, no advice. “Show don’t tell” is more convincing than, “If you don’t go to “Marcella’s Pizza” and order the goat cheese and anchovy pie you should consider your vacation a waste of time.” Sharing experiences and expertise is the best way to convey enthusiasm for a destination.

4) Of course we want to “see” the pristine white beach you are gushing about. As least one photo is essential, and several to give the reader the full perspective is even better. Remember, our goal is to offer a “visual escape,” so let’s help our readers see where you have been.

5) Crop your pictures: use a 3×4 aspect ratio. This will help enlarge the image to fit the photo screen perfectly.

6) Ever heard of YouTube? Add video footage to snaz up your review. We love the snow tubing clip MostlyElena posted with her Vail review. Nicely done Elena! (And nice form!)

7) More is less: Limit your review to 150 words.

Stay on topic, please. These are destination reviews, not sidebars on what bathing suit you wore (or didn’t wear) to the beach in Nice. Rambling submissions will be removed per our community guidelines.

9) Skip the generalities and give us the beef. Write like you’ve really been there (because you have). We know the beach is “nice.” Pretty much all beaches are. We need to know why.

11) One quality review per destination.

12.) RATE the destination fairly.

13.) Remember: you cannot edit your reviews, SO PROOF READ at least three times. If you need to re-write a review, flag the old review once the new review is up and we will remove it.

14.) To increase your chances of getting noticed by our Travel Editors and Judges, get your friends and family on the site to rate your review as “Useful”

STAY tuned for Tuesday’s blog, Go for the Gold! Part 2,  where we will give an exclusive preview of  some the top destination reviews from some of Viscape’s most talented travel writers.  Will yours make the cut?