What do you look for/enjoy/dislike in a trip report?
 

Hello all,

Having received so much good travel advice here, and having recently read the thread about people not posting trip reports, I thought that I would give it a try. To write one that might be interesting to other people has been more difficult than I thought it would be... And so I was wondering, what do you like most about trip reports? Dislike? Do you read the ones that are on places you've already been, or places that you haven't been?

Every trip report is a gift to someone new or old to this forum.

There are the old curmugeons on this board that will cry about the spelling of cermugeon and then tell you how to compartmentalize, stick with the facts, not obsess with food and don't go on about anything personal....

Good riddanze do dem!!!!

Write however you are comfortable, share what you want to share. I have found the best useful information to be something others would find completely disposable.

Be true to yourself. Share your zest for life and your intrepid adventures or couch potato adventures. We may not get immediate responses, but will never know whom we may have inspired along the way.

Oh, and pleeeeze use paragraphs!!!!

Especially if you are going to talk about the Hellhole Kauai and other mid pacific islands of the aloha persuassion!

Write on! Right on!
kealalani

Everybody has their own style. In the past, questions of this type have revealed that some people like long trip reports, some like short ones; some want details about price and factual things, others want people's reactions to their experiences.

In writing my own reports, I have found that people respond the most enthusiastically to the ones where I take my time and describe the daily adventures of travel. When I wrote shorter, more factual reports, fewer people replied to them. However, many people do say they prefer to read concise reports.

When reading trip reports, I enjoy all sorts of different types. People find their voice in different ways, and I most enjoy the ones in which a person's voice speaks through the report. I want to know what a person thought about his or her experiences.

I like to read reports on places I've visited as well as those for upcoming trips and destinations on my (for my) list of potentials.

I like to see photos!!!!

For places I've visited it brings the trip back up to the front of my mind. Great to relive trips thru others' reports.

For destinations I'm close to visiting more detail is what I want to read about.

For locations on my futures list or potentials for my futures list I just want to get a feel for the atmosphere.

For whatever the reason, paragraphs, paragraphs, paragraphs!!!!

I once switched newspapers because there wasn't enough white space on the pages and I found it difficult to read.

I don't think there's one right style.

I tend to write in much (probably too much) detail. I'm sure some really benefit from this style while others find it tedious to read.

Just keep them coming!!!!

Somebody will enjoy it.

Everybody enjoys photographs. I'm sure.

paragraphs

Big agreement to paragraphs!!! It's very hard to read those run-on reports, no matter how well written or interesting.

I prefer the factual info first (reviews of hotels, restaurants, travel arrangements, sights visited) and then the day by day journal or "color commentary."

But trip reports in all shapes and sizes are appreciated.

When many people write trip reports they make assumptions - that the reader knows who they are and has the same view of value/costs/ways of doing things etc.

What I find especially helpful in a trip report are 2 things that help account for that:

First, something about the poster and the other travelers (whre you're from, if you've been to a place before, if you travel a lot, if it;'s your first visit to a big city or a specific area of the country)

Putting in costs where possible (lots of people talk about value or what things are worth - but don;t say - dinner cost $100 or $200 or hotel was $250 or whatever). Specific info helps readers put things in the context of how they like to travel.

There are good tips here... I will incorporate them into the report I'm currently working on. Thanks!

I like trip reports that are short rather than long and that highlight activities, restaurants, or hotels that are highly recommended.

I appreciate web links (URLs) so I can find detailed information and answers to specific questions.

I enjoy any style of trip report. Funny ones, detailed ones, long, short -- whatever. Everyone has their own styles so I really don't care the format - or even the type of content/.

My #1 and only requirement is <u><b>Paragraphs</b></u> - otherwise I'll just skip it.

Don't worry about it. Write the report you want to write. And even if you may not get immediate feedback, you will be adding to the resources of the board.

Tnes I like include an upfront summary..where, when, how much, etc., then a long day to day journal with all the details.

But I also appreciate a short review too.

I also like to see the sort of details that help others know 'where you're coming from'. Prices really help...whether you did a 50$ a night hotel or a $500 per niight makes a difference is how useful your info will be to many of us. Same on your restaurants...if you typically have dinner tabs of $200, it will help to know that that includes a few bottles of wine (or not..).

Just write how you feel though. These are tips. The main thing is to get it written!

Paragraphs!

Lots of details about food!

I don't care to know what you had for dinner unless it is the absolute best you've ever had. I'm a bit of a foodie but I prefer a general overview w/specifics incorporated only when relevant. I don't care if you had to buy a $30 umbrella because you forgot yours. I don't care about the guy that snored next to you the entire flight. I very much DO care about great finds, interesting stories &amp; good advice. I read lots. Never know when I may stumble across some new place that I didn't even realize was a destination.

I want a reasonably descriptive title. Where did you go? Give me a name of a city, state, and country. When did you go? If I want to go in June and your trip was in January, your information may not be very pertinent to me.

Sample title: Grand Canyon, March 2006 Trip Report

How many people went and how did you travel to get there? Did you have separate rooms or a suite? How much did it cost and how did the cost compare to perceived value? Did you stay in one place or move to different locations?

What were the highlights of your trip? Was it something that appeals to many people or only a few who have this kind of hobby?

Now lets get on with the day-to-day details.

Paragraphs.

As for food, I like the dining details if the trip was in China, Russia, Chile, Egypt, etc. Not so important to me if it was a US or Canada trip.

Readers totally unfamiliar with US cuisine may feel differently.

Oh, and use paragraphs.

I agree with starrsville. Don't worry about it. Write it however you want to, and don't worry about writing in paragraphs. If you don't, someone here will probably insert them for you.

No, No, NO!!!!

Do write in paragraphs.

If somebody fixes it they'll be accused of changing the report.

Writing in resonable paragraphs isn't a writing skill. It only requires a small effort.

I like them all, but if they are going to be long (and YES, please use paragraphs), I kind of like the ones that do different &quot;aspects&quot; of the trip.
First the information on how you got there, etc.
Then all the hotels.
Then the excursions.
Then the restaurants.
Etc.

Somehow I enjoy going through those or using them for research more than a day by day account of everything you did. But those are OK too. I also like it when people mention things they'd do differently if they had it to do over again.