Earlier this week, I nominated some of my favourite blog posts of 2013… for a HostelWorld Travel Story Award. Not quite big-headed enough to choose only from an assortment of my own posts, I think I broke some unspoken rule by actually nominating other people. Read on for the dazzling content I trawled my memory banks for. They will all be appearing again soon on my new ‘Recommended’ page, along with many other things.

Recently, a few travel bloggers and I made a Youtube video full of great travel photography tips for beginners. Using Google Plus, we recorded a live streaming ‘Hangout On Air’ on the subject of travel photography; what camera to buy, what camera equipment is best for backpacking, and how to take the best photos in different situations.
In this episode of Room For Travel…, your hosts are Alexander Koval from Out-n-About.de, Ash Clark from TheMostAlive.com, Flavio Alagia from NonSoloTuristi.it, and myself  - Peter Parkorr, from Travel Unmasked.

With only a few more days until ITB Berlin 2013 kicks off, I’m sure many of my fellow bloggers are feeling a similar mixture of trepidation and excitement about attending the worlds largest travel trade show…. Having read lots of great advice from bloggers with experience and industry professionals that work with bloggers, time will tell if I’m adequately prepared for this huge event.

3… 2… 1….
‘Happy Hogmanay, Happy Hogmanay!’ – The cheers went up, the smiles grew wide, and the thousands of people gathered in Edinburgh all tried to hug each other at once. We sang Auld Lang Syne with enthusiasm, after being dazzled by hundreds of stunning fireworks that blasted the black sky into colour. Edinburgh Castle sat smoking above us…, and on the main stage Simple Minds started up their instruments again.

When I headed to London in early November for the World Travel Market 2012, it was my first time seeing the capital properly for a few years. The week’s accommodation was kindly provided for me by London’s newest hostel outfit, Safestay in Elephant & Castle. After a busy few days pitching tourist boards and many a PR person, it was good to let off steam at the Hostelbookers Travel Blogger Awards, taking some cheeky snaps while socialising with a few industry people and heaps of bloggers….