TOP 100

Top 100 Indy Travel Websites and Blogs: Volume 40

Let’s talk about Sex…ism

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve found myself face-to-face with a disturbing trend in the online travel world: sexism towards men.  On several occasions I have been denied opportunities due to my masculinity.  Advertisers only willing to work with women, PR agents only looking for female travel bloggers, and the list goes on.  At first I joked about being hurt and it didn’t really bother me.  But as the weeks have progressed and the oppression has deepened I have to say that a good part of my heart felt excluded by a part of the online travel society.  I felt like perhaps my voice was being muffled, oppressed, and in some cases just outright blocked and ignored.

The injustice has to end.  Women have fought too hard for gender rights equality for men to be treated in this way.

I understand, it’s a supply demand thing.  The vast majority of people who read travel blogs are women, in many ways I am a man in a female dominated world.  But I will tell you, I have had enough.  I’m going to wear a skirt to work and don’t you dare tell me that I’m not allowed to because society says that my gender is meant to wear pants.

Thus, I implore you, men of travel, stand with me in burning your jockstraps.  Enough is enough.

The Update

Ok, now that I’ve lost all credibility due to that minor rant, let’s look at the update.

It’s been a couple months since I’ve updated the list, so the turnaround that resulted should have been expected.  What you’ll notice, however, is that the top dogs seem to remain forever in control of the top of the list.  It is that type of sustainability you should endure to achieve in creating any project.  Most of these travel blogs and eZines have built such a strong readership that they could leave their sites for a couple weeks and not see a blimp in their traffic stats.  For others, if you neglect your travel blog for a couple days your traffic disappears.  That being said, when looking to build your travel site don’t jump to the quick traffic grabs, push for sustainable traffic and a steady readership.

The eBook

Content

I had about 40 new travel sites to go through this week, about 30 of those sites were travel blogs.  For the most part, the new travel blogs all were committing the classic errors in writing a travel blog.  To create great content you need to scratch below the surface of the experience.  Writing dear mom articles will only really appeal to your friends and family.  If you want a greater readership you need to dig deep into the travel experience and expose the emotion involved.

Remember that content is the only thing I judge every update.

Alexa

Since it’s been over a month since the last update of the Top100 there have been a lot of changes in Alexa score. What I have noticed, is that whereas early on only a handful of sites had scores under 100,000 there are now a heap of them. In Fact, having a score under 100,000 doesn’t even guarantee a site a spot on the list, not even close. Also, remember that alexa only makes up a small percentage of the rank so just having a great, or poor, alexa score doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be on, or off, the list.

Newbies

Lots of newbies this update, but lots of sites were also cut out.  There are now over 440 travel sites in the math process.   Please people, if your website has an Alexa score under 1,000,000 don’t send it in until you can start driving enough traffic to get it under than marking point.

Sponsor

I am my own sponsor on this update.  The first issue of travel magazine Vagabundo Magazine is up for sale.  Check out my travel eZine!

The List

Ok, I think I’ve probably put the 1% of people that actually read the intro to the list asleep so I’ll just give you the list. Here it is:

  1. yTravel Blog Score:  92.59 Last week: 92.57  Previous Rank: 1
  2. UnCornered Market Score: 92.44 Last week: 91.52 Previous Rank: 3
  3. Everything Everywhere Score: 91.82 Last week: 91.88  Previous Rank: 2
  4. Nomadic Matt Score: 91.37 Last week: 91.51 Previous Rank: 4
  5. The Planet D: Score: 91.22 Last week: 91.2 Previous Rank: 5
  6. Fox Nomad Score: 90.92 Last week:  91.16 Previous Rank: 6
  7. Land Lopers Score: 90.46 Last week: 90.47 Previous Rank: 8
  8. Wild Junket Score: 90.27  Last week: 88.5 Previous Rank: 17
  9. Trans-Americas Journey Score: 89.59 Last Week: 89.63 PR: 10
  10. Bacon is Magic Score: 89.43 Last week: 89.32 Previous Rank: 11
  11. 2 Backpackers Score: 89.11 Last week: 90.62 Previous Rank: 7
  12. Johnny Vagabond Score: 89.02 Last week: 88.06 Previous Rank: 19
  13. Wandering Earl Score: 89 Last week: 88.74 Previous Rank: 16
  14. Beers and Beans Score: 88.98 Last week: 90.09 Previous Rank: 9
  15. Go See Write Score: 88.73 Last week: 88.76 Previous Rank: 15
  16. Go Nomad Score: 88.54 Last week: 88.94  Previous Rank: 12
  17. Velvet Escape Score: 88.45 Last week: 87.94 Previous Rank: 21
  18. Otts World Score: 88.41 Last week: 88.89 Previous Rank: 13
  19. Never Ending Voyage Score: 88.34 Last week:  88.86 Previous Rank: 14
  20. Go Backpacking Score: 88.28 Last Week: 88.04 Previous Rank: 20
  21. Hecktic Travel Score: 88.28 Last Week: 86.22 Previous Rank: 35
  22. 20 Something Travel Score: 88.17 Last week: 87.5 Previous Rank: 24
  23. Fevered Mutterings Score: 87.93 Last week:  84.6  Previous Rank: 46
  24. Adventurous Kate Score: 87.91 Last week:86.48 Previous Rank: 31
  25. Traveling Canucks Score: 87.89 Last week: 87.93 Previous Rank: 22
  26. Almost Fearless Score: 87.78 Last Week: 86.85 Previous Rank: 28
  27. Ordinary Traveler Score: 87.76 Last Week: 86.88 Previous Rank: 27
  28. Art of Backpacking Score: 87.44 Last Week: 88.47 Previous Rank: 18
  29. Wandering Educators Score: 87.34 Last week: 87.68 Previous Rank: 23
  30. Dangerous Business Score: 87.23 Last Week: 85.99 Previous Rank: 38
  31. Hole in the Donut Score: 87 Last week:  86.39 Previous Rank: 33
  32. Over Yonderlust Score: 86.83 Last week:  86.13 Previous Rank: 36
  33. The Travel Dudes Score: 86.82 Last week: 86.55 Previous Rank: 30
  34. Nomadic Samuel Score: 86.38 Last week: 85.04 Previous Rank: 42
  35. Wandering Trader Score: 86.37 Last Week: 87.46  Previous Rank: 25
  36. Chris Around the World Score: 86.23 Last Week:  85.5 Previous Rank: 39
  37. Inside the Travel Lab Score: 85.69 Last week: 85.42 Previous Rank: 40
  38. Pause the Moment Score: 85.51 Last week: 84.63 Previous Rank: 45
  39. Wanderlust & Lipstick Score: 85.22 Last week: 86.38 Previous Rank: 34
  40. Globetrotter Girls Score: 85.15 Last Week: 83.27 Previous Rank: 57
  41. Legal Nomads Score: 85.04 Last week:  84.51 Previous Rank: 47
  42. A Little Adrift Score: 84.9 Last week: 85.28 Previous Rank: 41
  43. The Aussie Nomad Score: 84.79 Last week: 87.21 Previous Rank: 26
  44. My Beautiful Adventures Score: 84.51 Last week: 84.86 Previous Rank: 44
  45. Inspiring Travellers Score: 84.45 Last Week:  83.59 Previous Rank: 55
  46. No Place to Be Score: 84.38 Last week: 83.9 Previous Rank: 50
  47. Travel with a Mate Score: 84.13 Last week: 81.02 Previous Rank: 84
  48. As We Travel Score: 84.11 Last Week: 86.81 Previous Rank: 29
  49. The Travel Chica Score: 84.08 Last Week:  80.11 Previous Rank: 80
  50. Travels with a Nine Year Old Score: 84.07 Last Week: 84.09   PR: 71
  51. Runaway Jane Score: 84.04 Last Week: 78.27 Previous Rank: 81
  52. TravMonkey Score: 83.98 Last Week: 76.26 Previous Rank: 76
  53. Runaway Juno Score: 83.95 Last week: 86.07 Previous Rank: 37
  54. What’s Dave Doing Score: 83.77 Last Week: 79.29 Previous Rank: 96
  55. Grantourismo Score: 83.68 Last week: 82.49 Previous Rank: 83
  56. Budget Travel Adventures Score: 83.64 Last Week: 83.43 Previous Rank: 56
  57. Never-Ending Footsteps Score: 83.57 Last Week: 77.22 Previous Rank: 77
  58. **Newbie** Our Oyster Score: 83.52 Last Week: 76.82 Previous Rank: 142
  59. Travelated Score: 83.38 Last Week: 82.3 Previous Rank: 66
  60. Off Track Planet Score: 83.32 Last week: 82.51 Previous Rank: 64
  61. Travels of Adam Score: 82.86 Last Week:  83.6 Previous Rank: 54
  62. Solo Traveler Blog Score: 82.67 Last Week: 83.77 Previous Rank: 51
  63. **Revival** D Travels ‘Round Score: 82.6 Last Week: 78.73 PR: 107
  64. Suzy Guese Score: 82.47 Last week:  82.53 Previous Rank: 75
  65. Wild About Travel Score: 82.42Last Week: 77.29 Previous Rank: 74
  66. Spunk Girl Monologues Score: 82.41 Last Week: 76.46 PR: 88
  67. Indie Travel Podcast Score: 82.38 Last week: 83.97 Previous Rank: 49
  68. Phil in the Blank Score: 82.37 Last Week: 81.76  Previous Rank: 68
  69. **Newbie** My Destination Score: 82.3 Last Week: — PR: –
  70. **Newbi2** Hejorama Score: 82.13 Last Week: 77.24 PR: 124
  71. Raising Miro Score: 82.11 Last Week: 79.89 Previous Rank: 100
  72. Don’t Ever Look Back Score: 82.1 Last Week: 79.98 Previous Rank: 79
  73. Maitravelsite Score: 82.07 Last Week: 81.42 Previous Rank: 70
  74. Go Mexico Guide Score: 82.01 Last week: 82.33 Previous Rank: 65
  75. Man on the Lam Score: 81.95 Last Week: 79.11 Previous Rank: 89
  76. Positive World Travel Score: 81.93 Last week: 84.89  Previous Rank: 43
  77. Ken Kaminesky Score: 81.9 Last Week: 83.23 Previous Rank: 58
  78. Migrationology Score: 81.86 Last Week: 83.72 Previous Rank: 52
  79. Longest Way Home Score: 81.82 Last week:  80 Previous Rank 92
  80. The Road Forks Score: 81.74 Last Week: 80.84 Previous Rank: 82
  81. **Newbie** Tourist 2 Townie Score: 81.52 LW: 79.24 PR: 104
  82. No Vacation Required Score: 81.49 Last Week: 81.93 Previous Rank: 67
  83. **Newbie** Just Travelous Score: 81.34 Last Week: 79.14 PR: 105
  84. **Newbie** Green Globe Travel Score: 81.34 LW: 78.88 PR: 112
  85. **Revival** Family on Bikes Score: 81.11 LW: 79.25 PR: 104
  86. Nomadic Chick Score: 80.84 Last week:  82.58 Previous Rank: 90
  87. Rocky Travel Score: 80.84 Last Week: 80.3 Previous Rank: 94
  88. The Dropout Diaries Score: 80.56 Last Week: 79 Previous Rank: 93
  89. Cumi & Ciki Score: 80.48 Last week: 82.94 Previous Rank: 62
  90. FOGG Odyssey Score: 80.41 Last week: 86.48 Previous Rank: 32
  91. Chicky Bus Score: 80.4 Last Week: 81.49 Previous Rank: 69
  92. The Vacation Gals Score: 80.21 Last Week: 82.69 Previous Rank: 63
  93. **Revival** Breakaway Backpacker Score: 79.96 LW: 79.25 PR: 103
  94. **Revival** Grounded Traveler Score: 79.9 Last Week: 78.83 PR: 114
  95. **Revival** Finding the Universe Score: 79.73 LW: 78.8 PR: 115
  96. Career Break Secrets Score: 79.69 Last Week: 83.02 Previous Rank: 59
  97. Delicious Baby Score: 79.61 Last week: 80.72 Previous Rank: 78
  98. Nerdy Nomad Score: 79.59 Last Week: 80.35  Previous Rank: 97
  99. Canvas of Light Score: 79.58 Last week: 83.68 Previous Rank: 53
  100. **Newbie** Travel Yourself Score: 79.49 Last week: 77.9 PR: 130

Click here for more information on how to get yourself listed.

Click here for more information on the scoring system.

 

112 Responses to “TOP 100”

  1. Bethany #

    Thanks for the update Brendan and the tour looks awesome. I checked it out and would love to do something like that – have fun!
    Bethany recently posted..Traveling Long Term – 8 Things I’ve Learned On The Road

    January 26, 2011 at 5:27 pm
  2. Gillian @OneGiantStep #

    Yay!! I’m so stoked to be on the list finally! And determined to stay there (and move up). Thanks again Brendan for all the work you do on this. Cheers!
    Gillian @OneGiantStep recently posted..Remember That Time…We Visited The Dead

    January 27, 2011 at 12:43 am
  3. Phil #

    Sweeet. Psyched to be in such good company. B well, Phil
    Phil recently posted..A Guide to Music in West Africa- Mali Part III

    February 8, 2011 at 10:05 pm
  4. Leigh Barnes #

    Great list. Really helps me find content to tweet and Facebook about. Thanks for promoting the competition.

    Cheers,

    Leigh

    February 9, 2011 at 12:22 am
  5. Anthony #

    Well done ytravelblog. You guys are doing a great job!

    February 9, 2011 at 2:33 am
  6. crazy sexy fun traveler #

    As I see I still have to follow many more blogs :) Thanks for the list!
    crazy sexy fun traveler recently posted..THE SKY IN ALICANTE AND ARENALES DEL SOL

    February 9, 2011 at 8:27 pm
  7. Michael Figueiredo #

    Very cool list, Brendan! I already follow many of these, but now I know of even more.
    Michael Figueiredo recently posted..Off the Beaten Path Europe- Gradara- Italy

    February 11, 2011 at 6:51 am
  8. manonthelam #

    Oh dear. Looks like I’ve got some work to do. Thanks Brendan! Your list is going to keep me reading for the rest of the cold Canadian winter…:>)
    manonthelam recently posted..Paris Love Locks

    February 15, 2011 at 7:11 am
  9. Tawny #

    I’m always looking for new travel blogs to follow. This is a great list. I know what I’ll be doing over the next few days.

    February 15, 2011 at 1:43 pm
  10. Rease #

    Yay Travelated made some big moves! Thanks Brendan.
    Rease recently posted..Unfortunate Sightings in Argentina- Volume 1

    February 18, 2011 at 8:57 pm
  11. David @ Malaysia Asia #

    Hah! down to #50. All because I update once a week. It’s all good and great work as usual Brendan :) I always wonder how you manage the time to do this.

    David
    David @ Malaysia Asia recently posted..Light and Water Show Wonder Full at Marina Bay Sands

    February 19, 2011 at 7:44 pm
  12. Charles McCool #

    Wonderful list. Some more blogs for me to follow.
    Charles McCool recently posted..McCool Travel Week in Review – Feb 21 – 25- 2011

    February 26, 2011 at 10:20 pm
  13. Turkey's For Life #

    Hooray, hooray. We’ve finally crept into the lovely company of the top 100. Thanks for the inclusion! :)

    March 11, 2011 at 7:20 am
  14. Lalagee51 #

    If you are looking for an Australian trip check out this

    @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weiPoK76Dkg

    beachside township just
    outside Brisbane

    March 11, 2011 at 10:26 am
  15. Aviewtoathrill #

    I am so excited to have made the top 100! Yippee!! Thanks, Brendan!

    March 11, 2011 at 3:35 pm
  16. Jeremy B #

    Throw my hat in the ring with the new blog – Budget Travel Adventures. I know you know but I have to officially add it! :) http://www.budgettraveladventures.com/

    March 12, 2011 at 1:15 am
  17. Michael Figueiredo #

    Congrats Renee on making The List! :)

    March 12, 2011 at 1:52 am
  18. Michael Figueiredo #

    Congrats on making the list! :)

    March 12, 2011 at 1:53 am
  19. Turkey's For Life #

    Cheers Michael. Not sure how long we’ll hold on though with the blogspot ban in Turkey…

    March 12, 2011 at 7:55 am
  20. Erik Gauger #

    I’d like to add my travel blog for consideration. Thank you!

    Erik
    http://www.notesfromtheroad.com

    March 12, 2011 at 11:29 pm
  21. Mike Cotton #

    Great idea – first time I’ve come across this site. How do add my site for consideration?

    March 13, 2011 at 8:10 pm
  22. Anonymous #

    Hi Mike, For inclusion in the math for the listing please make a post here: http://www.brendansadventures.com/top-100/want-your-site-included/

    March 13, 2011 at 8:28 pm
  23. Anthony #

    WOW! We are so excited! We haven’t even launched our new website yet! We have loads of new content on the way. Thanks for including us on this list! Woo Hoo!

    March 14, 2011 at 1:45 pm
  24. Melcook3 #

    Hey Brendan!
    Awesome site you have created and great for the people like us (me really) that come across it! I have now been sitting here for about 1 hour going through your top 100 and there are not just amazing sites on there but the people as well!
    I am a newbie to it all but have my own ‘lil site- http://www.meltravelled.com.au
    (and that is yep…as in Well travelled)

    Check it out and if anyone has any suggestions…feel free to let me know!

    Thankyou for inspiring others!
    M

    March 17, 2011 at 11:58 am
  25. Indigo Airlines #

    hey really wonderful list thanks for sharing……

    July 14, 2011 at 4:28 pm
  26. Federico #

    Thanks for the update Brendan! A lot of work here, much appreciated!

    July 29, 2011 at 5:10 am
  27. Roy Marvelous | Cruisesurfingz #

    My goal is to get into the Top 100 before the end of the year :)

    August 1, 2011 at 1:51 am
  28. Brendan van Son #

    It’s a good goal! Best of luck!

    August 1, 2011 at 2:04 am
  29. Jro's World travel blog #

    Awesome list. I’ve just submitted my travel blog. Hope to make it onto the list soon!

    August 3, 2011 at 11:44 pm
  30. Peru Travel #

    i have just started working on travel blog and I think this is wonderful list of great blogs and hope to post my view and knowledge there.

    Thanks for sharing this cute list.

    August 8, 2011 at 9:25 am
  31. TripFab #

    Quite an interesting list! I was glad to see some familiar faces I currently follow as well discovering a few gems.

    Nice work!

    August 30, 2011 at 2:34 am
  32. Skott and Shawna - Get Up & Globe #

    An awesome list – I swear there is at least one glaring omission :) , but still a pretty damm powerful list!!! Keep kicking a** everybody!
    Skott and Shawna – Get Up & Globe recently posted..Camino de Santiago Week 3: Getting By With a Little Help From Our Friends

    September 1, 2011 at 5:43 pm
  33. Jarmo @Arctic Nomad #

    Now that is a good list! Found so many travel blogs I need to follow from this list :)
    Jarmo @Arctic Nomad recently posted..Sneak Preview of Angkor Temples

    September 3, 2011 at 9:48 am
  34. Erik #

    I’m sure my tiny blog doesn’t belong on the list, but I wonder how much improvement I would need to get close.
    Erik recently posted..Northern California- Day Four

    October 6, 2011 at 12:31 am
  35. Brendan van Son #

    Only one way to find out Erik!! Submit it!

    October 6, 2011 at 6:59 pm
  36. Abundant Journeys #

    Kudos to you for all of your ventures. My blog is by far not ready for submission, but it is my goal to learn, build, then submit. Thank you!
    Abundant Journeys recently posted..Experience Oceania Cruises

    October 11, 2011 at 3:59 am
  37. TACA Regional #

    excellent post, Brendan!! Fantastic collection. Thank you for sharing it with us. Actually we read lots of them everyday, and of course, yours, is in our top.
    cheers,
    @TACARegional team :)
    TACA Regional recently posted..Fundacion Infantil Ronald McDonald Guatemala y TACA Regional en jornada especial en Puerto Barrios

    October 11, 2011 at 8:47 pm
  38. TACA Regional #

    excellent post, Brendan!! Fantastic collection. Thank you for sharing it with us. Actually we read lots of them everyday, and of course, yours, is in our top.
    cheers,
    @TACARegional team
    TACA Regional recently posted..Fundacion Infantil Ronald McDonald Guatemala y TACA Regional en jornada especial en Puerto Barrios

    October 11, 2011 at 8:50 pm
  39. Micamyx|Senyorita #

    Nice to see Flipnomad and Nomadic Samuel on the list :D
    Micamyx|Senyorita recently posted..Six Lessons Learned From My White Water Tubing Experience

    October 15, 2011 at 3:59 am
  40. OE Travel Blogs #

    Hi all,
    Great idea putting this list together. We’d also like to be thown in with all the others above. OE Travel Blogs offers unbiased travel reviews and advice from like minded travellers that have been there and done that! First hand reviews and advice, passionate travellers sharing their experiences and recommendations. OE stands for Overseas Experience. Visit http://www.oetravelblogs.com and see what where talking about.
    Cheers
    Nick

    October 22, 2011 at 9:24 am
  41. Sam #

    Well done mate. Excellant information. Out of all the research i have done found yours to be in top 10 in relevence.
    Thank you

    October 31, 2011 at 1:18 pm
  42. Jeremy (The Travel Apprentice) #

    Great list, i will now proceed to follow, like, add and subscribe to those i’m not already…. and when i crack the 1 million mark i’ll let you know… just another million to go!

    November 30, 2011 at 8:28 pm
  43. Kjell #

    Great list you made there. Hoping for a inclusion in the next edition. ^^

    December 1, 2011 at 2:50 pm
  44. Chris #

    Making this list is my new goal! Love it, wish there were more hours in the day to read them al!
    Chris recently posted..Backpacking Cambodia – Scams to Avoid Part 2

    December 8, 2011 at 5:22 am
  45. Cole @ FourJandals #

    Awesome list Brendan. Definitely read most (if not all of those blogs) at the moment. Well worth the effort. Love following along and will see how we get on in the future.
    Cole @ FourJandals recently posted..Stuck at the Airport? Our Top 6 Alternative Airport Boredom Busters

    December 10, 2011 at 1:58 pm
  46. Rahul #

    looking forward to make it in this list one day….
    Rahul recently posted..Agra Diaries: Taj Mahal in Moon light

    December 29, 2011 at 5:28 pm
  47. Alexa -- 52Perfectdays.com #

    Fun list and great way to keep up with the best travel blogs out there. I found several I hadn’t read before.
    Alexa — 52Perfectdays.com recently posted..Palm Springs Best Happy Hour

    January 13, 2012 at 7:12 pm
  48. Anthonee #

    A cool list.. certainly adding a few more to my list.
    Anthonee recently posted..Bee inspired (pun intended)

    January 15, 2012 at 7:34 pm
  49. Sam #

    Just got here from Nomadic Samuel’s site; look forward to the next update.
    Sam recently posted..Sioux Falls

    March 5, 2012 at 1:56 am
  50. Brendan van Son #

    If the internet starts smartening up the update should come in the next couple days Sam. Thanks for stopping in!

    March 5, 2012 at 3:24 pm
« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

Leave a Reply

CommentLuv badge