Oct/Nov Call for Content
Wilderness, Wildlife and Wellness
Thoughts and Prayers: Let me preface my newsletter by sending my thoughts and prayers to those affected by the attacks in Israel. What they are going through is unthinkable and beyond tragic.
Here, There and Everywhere in September
September was an incredibly busy travel month for me, with three press trips…my husband was wondering where I was! Luckily, our dog Charlie kept him company (he’s a great snuggler!). With my travel writing focusing on wellness, adventure and luxury, I traveled to both coasts of Canada (love that country!), as well as the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. My daughter has settled in to her fall semester as a junior in college - it’s so hard getting used to an empty house after having her home all summer. And, as an empty nester, I haven’t been motivated to pull out our Halloween decorations yet. After a cool summer here in Laguna Beach, the weather has warmed up this fall, but I’m still getting out and enjoying our beautiful hiking trails with my friends.
Where I’ve Been:
Holland America Cruise from Boston to Quebec
In early September, my husband joined me for a press trip aboard the Holland American Zuiderdam for a 7-day cruise. Here’s just a little of what we experienced at our port stops:
Bar Harbor, Maine: Hiking in Acadia National Park
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada: Peggy’s Cove lighthouse and Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada: Walked along Cape Breton Coastal Trail near Baddeck
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada: Anne of Green Gables Heritage Place
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada: Petit-Champlain, Île d'Orléans, High Tea at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. We stayed a couple extra days in Quebec at the Auberge Saint Antoine - a historic and charming hotel with modern amenities.
We did have one day at sea, with more things to do than we could fit in. Activities included spa treatments, pool time, checking out the books in the library, art classes, hitting the all-you-can-eat buffet, shopping at the on-board boutiques, playing pickle ball, gambling at the casino, watching a show, listening to live music - and so much more.
Vancouver Island
As a pre-trip for the Travel Classics conference, I went on a tour that explored the outdoors, wildlife, art, culture and the indigenous communities of Vancouver Island North. We went on a grizzly bear tour (saw five bears!), snorkeled with salmon, did a boat tour where we saw more than 30 adorable otters (with babies!), two humpback whales and five killer whales - beautiful! We also stayed at the indigenous-owned Kwa’lilas Hotel, visited the U’Mista Cultural Center and met with indigenous master carver Bill Henderson.
Wellness Roadtrip in Arizona
My last trip was in search of wellness near Phoenix, Arizona. My first stop was at CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa, about 45 minutes north of Phoenix, with classes that focus on personal growth (amazing instructors!), outdoor adventure and an amazing spa offering unique treatments, such as Gemstone Balancing, Sonoran Rain Dance and Sound Bowl Healing. Another stop was at the historic Castle Hot Spring, a little more than an hour northwest of Phoenix (you’ll need a SUV to make it down the bumpy dirt road, but its well worth it!). Here you’ll find modern cabin-type accommodation, farm-grown meals, outdoor adventure (including the only Via Ferrata in Arizona), creekside spa treatments and the beautiful, healing and relaxing HOT springs. Two other resorts offering wellness in the Scottsdale area include the luxurious Sanctuary Camelback Mountain and the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North surrounded by the scenic Sonoran Desert.
If you’re interested in visiting any of the above mentioned destinations, feel free to reach out to me. I’d be happy to provide details about where to stay, eat and activities to do in the area.
Call for Content
The following are assignments that I'm currently working on – for most of my assignments, I’m working directly with DMOs or PR agencies for specific destinations or resorts. If you have content that would be a good fit for the topics listed below, please email me at sharaelkolberg@gmail.com with the appropriate subject line.
Send separate emails for each topic. Please respect deadlines.
Best Travel Gear for 50+ (Matador Network)
Items that can be packed and that provide ample added value to the intended audience (travelers over 50, in this case). These items should be listed for sale on either Amazon or REI, etc.Deadline: Oct. 13.
Best Girls Weekend Getaways (U.S. News & World Report)
Destinations within/close to the U.S. only. Please list WHY it is particularly good destination for a girls getaway.Deadline: Oct. 13.
Surprisingly Cheap Beach Vacations (U.S. News & World Report)
Destinations in the U.S., Caribbean and Mexico. What about the destination makes it budget friendly - accommodation, activities, food? Is it a good destination for families, couples, girlfriends? What is special about the area, beach?Deadline: Oct. 13.
Recently Published Articles
U.S. News & World Report
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Even After the ‘Titan’ Submarine Disaster, Demand for Extreme Travel Has Never Been Higher
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This article was syndicated and published in more than 100 newspapers nationwide, including the Orange County Register, Boston Herald, Pasadena Star-News, Monterey County Herald, Oakland Press, Orlando Sentinel, Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Laguna Beach Magazine
7x7
The Other Side of Reno: An Urban Base Camp for Outdoor Adventure
Tips for Working With Me
If a press release does not state the city, state, and country (other than US), of a destination or hotel, in the first paragraph, I will not continue reading it. I realize that the person writing the press release knows where the destination is located, but it might not be clear to me (it’s a big world!). I get so many emails, I won’t have the time to look up where the destination is located, to see if it’s a good fit for me to write about. Please make it easy for me to write about what you’re pitching.
I typically book my press trips about three months in advance. For now, I am booked through February. I do occasionally get a last-minute openings in my schedule, but if you are asking me to attend a trip that takes place in a month, its likely that I won’t be able to attend.
As a freelancer, I typically don't get an assignment prior to a press trip. since I won't know what my angle will be without having experienced it firsthand. My editors typically like me to pitch after I get back, so that I have a full understanding of what angle would work best for a specific publication, based on my experience at the destination/resort, rather than going with the angle that the PR rep suggests. But I can assure you that, rather than having one confirmed assignment, I look at this as a long-term relationship that could result in multiple articles over a 12-month period. Also, I am assigned multiple articles a month. I never know what they are going to be, but it's likely that the destination/hotel will fit in with one of my round-up pieces in the future, which typically garner more traffic online than one-off reviews.
Where I’m Off to Next
Cyprus
As a media delegate for the Adventure Travel Trade Association, I will be attending a press trip to the island of Cyprus next week. This Mediterranean island is known as the birthplace of Aphrodite. The destination offers activities such as snorkeling with underwater statues, hiking the Aphrodite Trail, agrotourism, embroidery and silversmithing. It is also a foodie destination, known for its honey, bread made with Cypriot flour, wine country, and halloumi cheese. Looking forward to exploring this amazing country!
Get the VIP Treatment on Your Next Vacation!
I recently became a certified travel advisor and am having so much fun getting the VIP treatment for people I know! We're talking free room upgrades, breakfast for two, bottle of wine, and more! You pay nothing extra, the hotel or cruise line pays me a small commission. Everybody wins! I look forward to making your trip even more memorable - just as you do for me when I'm on press trips. : ) I can also do the same for any of your clients, family or friends. And if you need any advice on which hotels and cruises offer the best perks for upcoming trips, just ask! Find out how to get free perks for your next trip.
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