Known as ‘Rapa Nui’ by the locals – who, to a large extent, still oversee the island’s tourism activity – the island is, in fact, a great pit stop when travelling the South Pacific and holds plenty of allure to warrant a four or five-night stay.

It is, in fact, the perfect haven for adventure travellers looking for new and exciting challenges – which present themselves, on the island, in the form of trekking, biking, cruising, sailing and wild swimming in the warm Pacific.

Needless to say, Moai (or the monolithic human figures which date back to between 1250 and 1500BC) are the main attraction – comprising hundreds of brooding – almost sinister – stone statues reminiscent of a Pink Floyd album cover.

But that’s not all there is to see. Check out some of our other suggested activities:

Ballet Kari Kari – this ballet is unlike any other you’ve seen before and culminates in 90 minutes of traditional Polynesian dance to the Easter Island beat. The show is staged three times a week in Hanga Roa and there’s a great seafood restaurant just down the road.

Rano Kau – hiking to the peak of this 400m former volcano is a must for Munro and other mountain baggers, who won’t be disappointed with the panoramic views it offers of the South Pacific. Only from here can you get a true grasp on just how small and isolated this volcanic island is.

Anakena Beach – for wild swimming, Anakena Beach is THE one. Like a little Treasure Island, the sandy beach with its few palm trees is very pretty and again, being there, really hits home just how desolate Easter Island is. Perfect for living out any shipwrecked fantasies!

Orongo – this lake-filled crater, which was once the preferred site of the infamous Bird Man cult of the 16 and 1700’s, is a sight to behold and a joy to walk round. It gives yet another insight into the history of the island and there are more great views from its peak.

In short, the island is pretty and steeped in ancient mythology, cult legends and mystery – and there are more hotels offering round-the-year accommodation than you might think.

It might not be a dream destination, but if you’re in the vicinity of the South Pacific, it’s well worth checking out.

Picture credit: www.wikitravel.org

The post Of monoliths & mystery: The allure of Easter Island appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

F1 World Championship – Melbourne

The programme will see a number of V8 Supercars take to the tarmac, a special appearance from global stunt masters Nitro Circus Live, a number of Australian celebrities go head to head in the Mazda 6 Celebrity Challenge, and the return of the Porsche Carrera Cup.

Find out more by visiting the official Formula One website.

‘Baa Baas’ World Tour – Hong Kong and Australia

Next up on our sporting calendar is the Barbarians Rugby Team tour, which kicks off with the Baa Baas taking on England in Twickenham.

Then the touring club will jet off to Hong Kong to throw down the gauntlet to the British and Irish Lions on 1 June before heading Down Under as part of a regional play-off before a three Test Series against the Australian Wallabies on the 22nd.

Check out the website for full tour dates.

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship – St Andrews

Between 26 and 29 September, Scotland will see the world’s golfing greats tee off at St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie – on some of the most famous greens in the UK.

As one of the world’s leading golf events, the Dunhill Cup is not be missed and has also become popular with the people of St Andrews as well as tourists visiting the East Neuk of Fife.

In fact, because it’s such an international championship, it draws golfers from all corners of the globe and is one of the most talked about tournaments on the European Tour.

Again, for full times and events, go to the website.

Formula One Indian Grand Prix – Delhi

The F1 Indian Grand Prix revs into action on 25 October in the delightful city of Delhi. It promises to be a true show stopper on the still relatively new F1 India track, which is nearly 6km in length with one of the fastest average speeds of any Grand Prix circuit.

Cars can reach speeds up to 200 miles an hour on the $350 million circuit built by Formula One’s foremost race track designer Herman Tilke, who is also responsible for circuits in Sepang, Shanghai, Bahrain, Turkey, Korea and Valencia.

Book tickets, or find out more, via the official website.

The other following events below are, of course, also ones to watch:

Cricket:

The Masters 11-14 April
The Ashes (England) 10 July – 25 August
The Ashes (Australia) 21 November – 7 January, 2014

Tennis:

Wimbledon 24 June – 7 July

Cycling:

Tour de France 29 June

Horse Racing:

The Grand National 6 April

Athletics:

World Athletic Championships (Moscow) 10-18 August

Picture credit: commons.wikimedia.org

The post The biggest sporting events of 2013 – and where to find them! appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

1) The Love Hotel Paris

This hotel – found on Rue St Dennis – is so naughty it rents themed rooms by the hour. It’s a one-stop-shop where lusty couples can escape into a fantasy world of Bollywood, Ventian gondolas, a Maharajas’ palace, or a real S&M dungeon with its own fantasy swing – depending on which room they fancy. Each uniquely designed space is equipped with sexy toys and other love-making accessories for a shameless night – or just an hour – of fun. Apparently there are 7,200 official ‘Love Hotels’ in Tokyo but this is the only branded counterpart in Paris.

2) Adam and Eve Hotel, Turkey Antalya Coast

Its primitive style name kind of says it all because the Adam and Eve Hotel has been specifically designed with couples in mind. Its sexy, minimalist style is complemented by quirky and seductive touches, such as aphrodisiac incense and carefully put together ‘fantasy boxes’ which can be chosen for the room. Whatever you do – Valentine’s Day or not – make sure you leave the kids at home because this is indeed an unashamed fantasy hotel.

3) Vice Versa Hotel, Paris

Vice Versa has been designed with ‘The Seven Deadly Sins’ in mind with each of its six floors representing a cardinal sin – what could be more wickedly sexy? Its floor to ceiling themes are stunning and its piece de resistance errs on the side of gluttony. Bank notes are abundant on the walls and ceilings as part of its ‘Averice’ theme, while ‘Passion’ and ‘Anger’ are reflected in its red, black and gun-themed decor. There are even bathrooms tiled in gold and marble while more lusty rooms consist of carefully planned boudoirs laced with black and pink.

4) The Witchery, Edinburgh

It’s been described by Dannii Minogue as the ‘perfect lust den’ – which comes as no surprise to us as The Witchery in Edinburgh screams medieval charm and sexiness. Its Guardroom suite gives an air of aristocracy with its romantic four-poster bed and decadent brocade and velvet bedroom furnishings and even has an antique double bath with giant mirror. Found on the Royal Mile, it’s a wickedly lust-worthy bolthole in a city which has been dubbed one of the ‘hottest destinations for 2013’ by online travel community Gogobot.

5) Qbic Amsterdam WTC

Although a budget hotel, this bolthole is far from cheap when it comes to its contemporary, futuristic design and romantic touches. It’s the perfect venue in which to realise your sci-fi and futuristic fantasies in its cubed and very sophisticated ‘living’ space. Our favourite elements, however, are the different light settings – comprising Mellow Yellow, Red Romance and Deep Purple Love – which change the mood from soft and romantic to wildly passionate and indulgent.

6) Alla Vite Dorata, Venice

It doesn’t get more romantic than Venice – with the exception of Paris, of course – and this small inn is the epitome of exactly that. It’s softly sexy with its Venetian canal views and four-poster beds adorned with long drapes. It’s an intimate venue in which to be seduced by the one you love in one of its uniquely decorated rooms – one of which is decked in gold fabric and, we think, is the stuff of dreams. Add to that a romantic breakfast on the terrace overlooking the city and what more could you want?

Heading to Europe for Valentines day and want the best euro exchange rates? Compare  & save on your travel money!

Follow our co-founder:

Daniel Abrahams on Google +

The post The six sexiest Valentine’s Day boltholes in Europe appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

Yet the French capital still has that certain je ne sais quoi which makes it one of the most captivating and frequently visited cities in the world – and it’s not dubbed Europe’s romance capital for nothing.

Believe it or not, there are still some secrets to unlock if you look hard enough – and, if you haven’t already stayed, a room at the Secret de Paris boutique hotel is one of them.

This relatively new hotel sits on Rue de Parme, just a few streets from Montrematre’s Moulin Rouge and a stone’s throw from the Metro at Place de Clichy.

Its exterior is so understated that you could be forgiven for walking past it. There are no neon lights, no pretentious artwork and no outlandish claims of perfection.

During my trip, I eventually stumbled upon it down a darkened street off the main square and soon discovered that it couldn’t be more apt for a pair of lovebirds on a weekend break to Paris.

I was charmed by its stylish interior and by its front of house staff, which couldn’t have been more helpful on my first – and very wet – weekend in Paris in a long time.

But the real luxury lay in the rooms – each of them themed to reflect the best of the City of Light.
Eiffel, Moulin Rouge, Opera Garnier, Trocadero, Musee d’Orsay and Atelier d’Artiste themed boudoirs conjure up an undeniable atmosphere and had me in no doubt of the city’s artistic charms.

My room had all the hallmarks of a Parisian love nest and all the staples for a 48-hour retreat.

Sadly, my lover couldn’t make it, but my friend was more than happy to take his place for the night by occupying the right-hand side of the bed.

I slept against an Eiffel Tower backdrop, complete with faux metal-look nuts and bolts – or at least I would’ve done had my best friend not snored from dusk till dawn and consumed most of the bed.

That’s why Secret de Paris is best enjoyed with a lover or, if you’re travelling with friends or business associates, in a room of your own.

The rooms are compact and cosy and ours had a shattered glass effect-encased bathroom which is, inevitably, see-through unless you get the lighting just right.

Typically for me, I found out the hard way and at the peril of the poor porter who delivered our luggage and probably got an eyeful more than he bargained for.

But, for the ambience savvy, there are actually four light settings to create the perfect mood and avoid any bare-bottomed mishaps.

I could go on and on about how the power showers are amazing and how the lavender-infused steam room with twinkling French flag-coloured lights will be the best you’ve ever experienced (which you also get entirely to yourselves if you book 30 minutes ahead at reception) but, instead, I’ll leave you with the above picture of one of the rooms in what could possibly be Paris’s best-kept ‘Secret’ and a run-down of a few things you might want to do if you can actually tear yourselves away from the bedroom:

• Breakfast at Landemaine Rodolphe Patisserie & Boulangerie
You can’t travel to the Trinite quarter without paying a visit to the Landemaine Rodolphe Patisserie and Boulangerie on Rue de Clichy – just a few steps from Secrets de Paris. The coffee shop-come-bakery is stocked with so many pretty pastries, milles feux, croissants and macaroons that you could end up just buying the lot and heading back to your room – although you might find that the old adage ‘les yeux plus gros que le ventre’ comes into play.

• A stroll down Pigalle Place
A short walk from Secrets de Paris takes you to the notorious sex district that is Place Pigalle. This street is best pounded by long-time lovers who are comfortable enough in each other’s company to laugh at the visual assault which inevitably ensues. There are so many tongue-in-cheek X-rated adventures to be had, including a look around the Musee d’Erotisme which, be warned, isn’t for the faint hearted!

• Lunch at Fuda
The Fuda Chinese restaurant at 63 Rue de Clichy serves up all the usual Eastern delicacies as well as a frogs-legs- in-spicy-sauce dish. It has a great, friendly atmosphere and is really popular with the locals.

• Afternoon drinks at Le Chat Noir
This is a pretty funky brasserie which is popular with young, gay Parisians. It’s a great place to sit and enjoy a few well-earned al fresco glasses of wine as you watch the world go by. You’ll find the uber-trendy bar, which even has unisex toilets, on Place Pigalle.

• Dinner at Le Mont Liban
My piece de resistance of discovery on this particular trip was Le Mont Liban – a Lebanese restaurant on 42 Boulevard des Batignolles. You’ll find that cocktails, carefully-marinated chicken and cous cous are the order of the day.

• Cabaret at the Moulin Rouge
For this you’ll need to head back to Place Pigalle and splash out but, trust me, it’s well worth it. Expect loud music, elaborate feathered costumes and all the fun of the fair.

Perhaps the best bit, however, is that Secret de Paris is only one of a number of themed hotels in the City of Light which are geared towards lovers. There are more hotels of this description in Paris than in any other European country. Just check out the competition…

The Paris Love Hotel
Vice Versa
Hotel Montmartre Mon Amour
The Five

The post Why Paris will always be THE top Valentine’s Day destination appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

The highlight of events up and down the country will be a hearty serving of haggis, neeps and tatties – but only after the dish has been addressed with the thanksgiving Burns’ poem ‘Ode Tae a Haggis’, a tribute to the controversial offal and sheep’s stomach lining delicacy.

Lads will ‘address’ the lassies – to which the lassies will, in turn, reply before raising a whisky glass to the man who penned the likes of ‘Tam O’ Shanter’ and ‘Auld Lang Syne’.

But it’s not just Scotland which celebrates the legendary ‘people’s poet’ each January 25.

Believe it or not, Burns’ Suppers are popular throughout the world – with many of them organised by longstanding Burns Societies in the US and Canada where more than eight million people are thought to be of Scottish descent.

In Oregan, for example, the Coastal Celtic Society in Coos Bay will present its 11th annual Scottish Burns Night celebration – complete with bagpipes, harpists and Highland dancers.

Not only will the group’s menu feature haggis, neeps and tatties, but other native Scottish dishes including cock-a-leekie soup and ‘chicken in the heather’.

Scottish dress is encouraged and the event will be as authentically Caledonian as it might be across the miles.

Kilted swordsmen, ‘Ode Tae A Haggis’, ‘Selkirk Grace’ and an ‘Auld Lang Syne’ sing-a-long all top the bill while ticket sales raise cash for the Society’s Scholarship Fund – a national charity promoting Celtic culture through music, dance, education and the arts.

Surprised? Then how about this…

In Russia, the first translation of Burns’ literary works sold more than 600,000 copies in 1924 and the former Soviet Union was the first country to honour the poet with a commemorative stamp in 1956.

That’s why some parts of the country have been holding their own Burns’ Suppers for a number of decades – not least The St. Andrews Society in Moscow.

Last year, to celebrate Burns’ 253rd birthday, Scottish Muscovites and those with Celtic connections living in Russia laid on a supper at the Marriott Royal Aurora in Moscow.

Scottish group The Glenhoulachan Midge Band (also known as the ‘Midgies’), which travels the world to spread its love of Scottish music, were drafted in to provide the entertainment while a traditional Burns’ Supper and many a dram were the order of the night.

John MacGregor, who plays the mandolin in the band, said at the time: “Russia has embraced the work of Robert Burns more than any other country in the world – with the obvious exception of Scotland.

“That Burns’ work is so revered in a country in a country such as Russia, which has so many literary giants of its own, is a huge compliment.”

The night saw a number of Scottish expats living in Moscow recite Burns’ work and turn the occasion into a real community celebration.

A little closer to home, guests in Gloucester celebrate Burns’ Night in true Scottish style too.

Despite being more than 200 miles from the Scottish border, Bowden Hall Hotel is marking the occasion in a way it claims “a true tartan-wearing Scot could be proud of”.

The hotel’s previous Burns’ celebrations have seen haggis, neeps and tatties served up in its elegant Dearmans Restaurant – a feast which, this year, will be serenaded by live music from some suitably Scottish pipers.

It’s just one of a number of Burns’ Suppers being staged in England and, in fact, across the world (we’ve only named a couple). Did you know Burns even boasts more statues around the world than any other national bard?

The world is indeed a small place – and getting smaller all the time. We think it’s great to be able to share such an occasion on a global scale and will certainly be tucking into haggis, neeps and tatties this year.

We’d love for you to share your Burns’ Night experiences with us – wherever you are in the world.

Get in touch – we do love a good tweet!

Find us @MyTravelMoneyUK

The post Burns’ Night – a worldwide celebration appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

So if you’re thinking of grabbing a last minute deal to escape the twinkling lights, bustling shops, drinking games and gluttony, check out our non-Christmassy list to go…

1) The Maldives
If you’re sick of the British weather and fancy languishing on a white beach rather than clearing irksome white stuff off your car windscreen each day for the next fortnight, then you should definitely consider The Maldives. With 99 per cent of the population being Muslim, there’s neither an antler nor cracker in sight at this time of year. Instead, you can expect warmer climes, some great pampering packages and exotic seafood rather than karaoke and obligatory left-over turkey.

2) Marrakech, Morocco
Again, Marrakech is primarily Muslim so December 25 is just another day for Moroccans in this vibrant city. Don’t expect to escape the colourful lights and sing-song altogether, however, as this jewel studded hub is decorated with brightly coloured lanterns and the mantra-like notes of the ‘adhan’ (the Muslim call to prayer) echo round the streets on a regular basis. But this, of course, all adds to the experience and makes a welcome change from having to endure cheesy cracker jokes and ill-mannered relations.

3) Kyoto, Japan
While Tokyo embraces everything kitsch, including Christmas (despite only one per cent of the Japanese population being Christian), the ancient and traditional former capital of Kyoto in the south east is quite the opposite. Expect Shinto shrines, impressive Shogun palaces, real life working Geishas and plenty of green tea and sashimi but don’t expect mince pies or repeats of The Royle Family. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it?

4) Bangkok, Thailand
Although there is a growing Christian population in Bangkok, its residents are largely Buddhist so Christmas Day isn’t a major holiday. It’s such a diverse destination otherwise, however, as its traditional temples sit effortlessly alongside today’s modern skyscrapers, which tower above the city. This bustling metropolis is a great place to escape Christmas without losing the indulgence and sense of wonder altogether.

5) Agra, India
It’s safe to say that December 25 passes relatively unnoticed in Agra, whose population is vastly Hindu. This makes Christmas the perfect time to explore the city of rickshaws rather than reindeer sleighs and check out no end of outdoor markets, ornate buildings, shopping malls and, of course, the Taj Mahal.

Wherever, you’re travelling to over the festive period, be sure to shop online at MyTravelMoney.co.uk for the best travel money deals across all the major currencies, including the Euro, Yen and Rupee.

The post Top five least festive places in the world appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

TUI, Accor, Kuoni and ITB have all joined forces with GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft fur International Zusammenarbeit) and The Code to develop a code of conduct for the tourism industry to help combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

As part of the voluntary code, worldwide tourism industry members will be asked to adhere to the following six new rules:

1) Establish an ethical policy when it comes to children
2) Train personnel
3) Introduce a code-related clause in contracts with suppliers
4) Provide information to travellers
5) Provide information to key persons at the destination
6) Report annually to The Code on the initiatives undertaken

India airline passenger arrested after anti-landing crusade
A passenger on an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Delhi has caused uproar as he ran from his seat, assaulted fellow passengers and crew members and tried to enter the cockpit as he tried to stop the flight.

The 40-year-old passenger, who is thought to have had mental health problems, struck a flight attendant in his crusade before he was stopped by a food trolley and ‘talked down’ by crew and passengers.

Although he was not carrying any weapons, he was arrested in Delhi and faces charges of assault, criminal intimidation and outraging the modesty of a woman.

Guatemalan earthquake devastates more than 50
More than 50 people have lost their lives in Guatemala after an earthquake hit the country’s Pacific Coast.

Many more are missing and feared dead after the quake, which ranked 7.4 on the Richter scale, hit all but one of the country’s 22 states.

The epicentre of the quake was Champerico, which has encountered a number of aftershocks.

Maldives set to expand to meet international demand
The Maldives is set to build hotels on 14 uninhabited islands within the next two years.

It plans to meet the demand, primarily for three and four-star venues, from both the UK and China although is still to begin the bidding process for its developments.

The post Travel news of the week appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

1) Get spooked at Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania
What could be creepier than visiting Dracula’s lair in Transylvania – deep in a remote corner of the Carpathian Mountains in the heart of the Romanian countryside? Bran Castle (pictured above), otherwise known as Dracula’s Castle and the real life setting for Bram Stoker’s blood curdling book, sits upon a precipice among the razor-sharp peaks of the surrounding mountains – a venue which you’re invited to explore at your own peril.

The medieval town of Brasov is also a great place to learn local tales, hear ghost stories and warm your chilled blood with a much-needed hot chocolate. It really is the stuff of nightmares.

Those intrepid enough to dare to go there should book via Untravelled Paths.

2) Go Batty at Kasanka National Park, Zambia
Each evening at sunset, between October and December, the skies blacken in a little-known National Park in Zambia as millions of hungry fruit bats descend on the fruiting trees. It’s said to be one of the largest migrations of mammals in the world and is possibly one of the best Halloween sights you could ever see – that’s if you don’t mind the flapping and squeaking en-mass. Hide out in a tent at Kasanka National Park and tell ghost stories and try not to get spooked by the call of the wild which, undeniably, comes to life at night.

For a wildlife safari like no other, book via Trip Travel Africa.

3) Brick or Treat?
For a tamer, more family friendly way to get your spook on this Halloween, make for the brand new LEGOLAND Florida and make history as you become one of the first visitors ever to celebrate Halloween at the park. Each Saturday and Sunday in October continues to come alive with the un-dead as ghouls and goblins descend on the 150-acre park until the 28th. The Miniland attraction is also home to the largest Jack-O-Lantern in the world and, needless to say, there’s trick or treating, costume contests and prizes galore. What’s more, the park is exorcising (see what we did there?) later opening times for the whole of October.

4) Walking with the dead in New Orleans
Once dubbed ‘the most haunted city in America’, New Orleans has a whole host of spooky treats in store for families looking for a break from the norm. Many of its homes and taverns have already been checked out by real paranormal investigators – in whose footsteps you can follow as you discover why these buildings featured on the likes of the History and Discovery channels. Visit the reportedly haunted Bourboun Orleans Hotel, a former ballroom, theatre, orphanage and convent, which has been known to host some uninvited guests, and see if you can spot any spectres in the hallways. And while ghosts can’t be guaranteed, we challenge you not to feel a chill down your spine as you pass through the French Quarter in which, when it rains, a beautiful voice is said to penetrate the mist.

Check out the Ghosts & Spirits Nighttime Walking Tour from Go, See, Do.

5) Halloween in The Caves on the Cote d’Azur
At first sight, the French Cote d’Azur might not seem like the scariest place on earth but come the end of October, Belambra Club The Caves will become a ghoulish go-to because it’s laying on what will be the most spooktacular Halloween party on the continent. Geared towards families with children aged three months to 17 years, face painting, trick or treating, costume parades and live music will be the order of the day and night. Even better, the kids can celebrate the witching hour as part of the free kids club while mums and dads relax in the heated pool or lounge bar.

For more information, or to book, visit Belambra Clubs.

Don’t forget to grab your currency before you travel and take the mystery out of trick or treat. Check checking MyTravelMoney.co.uk for live rates.

The post Halloween activities abroad: Top 5 holiday haunts to die for appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

Whilst the general perception from the outside was that our motivation was purely a knees up in Genoa, I wanted to make it a personal mission to prove the doubters wrong. Truth be told, as it was our first travel conference abroad, I was 10% skeptical too on how productive this could actually be. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The top 5 messages from #TBE12. 

This post will focus on the similar challenges faced by travel bloggers & an online travel business like MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

1. Focus on a niche, believe in it & crush it!

I haven’t seen anyone’s metrics or media kit, but it seemed plainly obvious the most successful travel bloggers at TBE12 are the ones crushing it by focusing on a certain area of travel. Take Kash’s BudgetTraveller.org for budget travel and Mrs O’s MrsOAroundTheWorld at the polar opposite for the more shprawnsy (that’s Yiddish for higher end!) audience. Train lovers around the world? Not for me, but Jools’ TrainsOnTheBrain is your man.

By focusing on crushing one niche, any type of online business or blog has so much more leverage to close deals and win pitches with relevant partners, advertisers, tourist boards and other relevant parties. Being known as the ‘go to place for X’ becomes an extremely powerful unique selling point & marketing tool. You become an expert, a maven, trusted and believable.

For us to crush it, we couldn’t be generalist and compare against the likes of MoneySupermarket. For us to try and compete with them on car insurance and home insurance would be impossible and pretty foolish. So we like our niche, and becoming the leading experts on foreign exchange. Strategically, we focused on a big niche, with currency being one of the largest traded market in the world!

2. Think commercially from the outset but don’t forget where you came from!

In the workshop ‘How travel bloggers can work with brands’ Jayne Gorman made a brilliant point when she told us how every pitch to tourism boards or hotels is treated like a business proposal. Her media kit is updated twice a week and ensures the stats are presented as clearly as possible. However, Jayne also said she’ll minimize her risk of compromising on impartial content by not taking a trip if it doesn’t fit into the mould of 40before30.com brand. Highly commendable!

On MyTravelMoney.co.uk, we wouldn’t list a company if we didn’t feel comfortable using them ourselves. We identified with this approach & that’s what we went for on day 1. Why? It protects the integrity of our product and search result tables.

3. Prepare to pivot!

Kash made a great point on being open to the idea of ‘pivoting.’ I’d imagine this applies to tech entrepreneurs as much as travel bloggers. It’s better to fail fast and start again, or take a different direction, than drag on for the sake of it.

We always had the goal of just offering money transfer comparison via MyCurrencyTransfer.com – but we quickly learned we could build a much more complete currency comparison brand with the addition of travel money comparison via MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

4. Building a personal brand is key!

Enter the CrazySexyFunTraveler – a marvelous example of how to leverage your personal brand! No fake, no phony, no hiding behind words. Key to building a successful brand is being yourself and transparent. You don’t want to be seen as an actor.

As an online business, we try to do the same where appropriate. My twitter handle is @dan_currency, I want to be known as ‘the currency go to man’ always open to anyone who just wants to ping over a question related to travel money or international payments. I will always reply personally. When we guest blog o or do mystery currency shops for sites, I put my name to the article rather than hiding behind the company name.

As a matter of fact, we are never going to make travel money the sexiest subject in the world. But we are personally extremely proud of what we do, and know how many thousands of pounds we save people on travel money every day. By being open in the travel community & personally standing behind our brand, we try to build trust and authenticity.

5. Quality over Quantity. Big content projects will pay off versus short termism!

Quality will always, always, always triumph over quantity. It’s very comfortable to fall into the trap of keeping it nice and safe, churning out content for the sake of updating your blog every day. However, big content projects will always pay off versus short termism. Big content is ALWAYS worth the risk.

Kash’s Luxury Hostels of Europe project is a great example of an ambitious ‘big content’ project that has the potential of building fantastic buzz and fan engagement. Big content has longevity, creates a barrier to entry and has the power to make a difference.

*Kash and Jayne Street Partying Away!

Thank you Genoa, see you next year!!!!!

So Stevan and I set off from Stanstead Airport with Ryanair (much better experience than expected!), with no real agenda other than to learn from talking to everyone & network! We wanted to meet with you all, mingle, see what bloggers want from brands, how partnerships could be formed, and of course, have a bloody good laugh. It ticked all the boxes.

For this to work for MyTravelMoney.co.uk, it can’t be a ‘one hit wonder.’ We need to work hard, keep building relationships, attend more conferences and build our brand equity amongst the travel blogging community. We can’t wait!

So… what a brilliant three days in Genoa! Thank you to Michele for inviting us as a media partner, and we hope to come again same time next year. You rock! So I guess we did it. We lost our travel blogger conference virginity at TBE12 …. And liked it!

Grazia Mille.

Daniel Abrahams,
Co-Founder at MyTravelMoney.co.uk

The UK’s Favourite Travel Money Comparison Site

If you’d like to reach out or talk more about this post, you can find me on twitter @dan_currency OR @mytravelmoneyuk

The post I lost my travel blogger conference virginity at #TBE12.. and liked it! appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

Check out our top list for the tee off…

1) Hilton Chicago/Lakes Resort
Why not base your stay in Bloomingdale, Illinois? The Hilton Chicago is a great hotel, just 30 minutes from Chicago and O’Hare Airport. Enjoy newly renovated and oversized guest rooms with 27 holes of championship golf nearby. There’s the state-of-the-art Cave Bar for sophisticated cocktails against a backdrop of waterfalls and perfectly landscaped gardens. The hotel screams of luxury and there’s an extensive wine list from which to take your pick. Take advantage of the 24-hour fitness centre and indoor and outdoor swimming pools, as well as volleyball and a number of other sports. We can’t recommend this hotel highly enough.

2) Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort
Although part of a chain, this hotel is far from typical and offers an undoubted luxury retreat in the heart of Chicago. Previously named the 2009 Marriott Golf Property of the Year, it doesn’t disappoint. Its grounds have also been cited as one of the Top 40 Public Golf Courses by Chicagoland Golf. Enjoy body, mind and environment revitalisation here – we can recommend!

3) KeyLime Cove Resort Waterpark
KeyLime Cove is every bit as idyllic as its name suggests. It’s an island getaway just a short drive from both Chicago and Milwaukee – so take your pick! Its Lost Paradise indoor waterpark is any aqua baby’s dream, offering 65,000sq ft of splash-tastic fun. Not only that, but there are plenty of top notch shops nearby, not to mention (although we are) a number of signature restaurants and slightly less classy entertainment arcades. In short, there’s plenty to do here – particularly for families.

4) The Westin Chicago North West
Don your Stetson hat because this hotel has a Western-themed title to die for. But sadly that’s where the Wild West ends. It’s great news, however, for holidaymakers looking to relax because this is a great haven in which to escape the stress and exhaustion of travel and rejuvenate yourselves in a way that only this hotel knows how. This 4-star, 4-diamond hotel will exceed your expectations no end as it transports you to luxury heaven. There’s also a great kids’ club, steak house and work-out area.

5) Hotel Arista
If you’re looking for discreet luxury then this boutique hotel is it. It’s stylish, sophisticated and, above all, contemporary. It’s in a great location amidst a popular business hub, arts centre and many high end retail outlets and coveted restaurants so you can be assured of a high class experience. It’s great for travelling and isn’t far from O’Hare Airport – but more than that, it’s an experience never to be forgotten.

The post The Ryder Cup 2012: Top hotels in Medinah appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.