Travel Writing

Section One: What is Travel Writing and why do it?

Travel writing is writing that reviews places of interest. Its main purpose is to convince people to visit certain places. Take a look at these examples of travel writing to get an idea of what you're aiming for. As you read them, think about these questions:

- - - How does it involve the reader?
    - How are descriptions formed into pictures in your mind?
    - What things do they talk about?
    - What is the tone of the piece

Ice, fire and feuds: on the trail of Iceland's sagasThe tales of heroes and feuding families in Iceland’s founding chronicles inspire this countrywide walking, hitchhiking and camping trip

Iran: 'Welcome to my country'"It is a bit of secret, they do not know what they are missing until they have been."

World Famous in New Zealand: Fiordland's Milford TrackWhether roughing it or travelling in luxury, the scenery is the same and no-one comes away disappointed.

Canterbury's new slides: Slide your way into summerTwo of New Zealand's biggest water slides have just opened in time for summer.

Section Two: Tips for travel writing

Tips for travel writingIf you fancy entering this year's travel writing competition – or just want to improve your work – check out these handy tips from the Guardian Travel team Writing courses to inspire you, from Croatia to Scotland

Explore coveted job of a travel writerIt's a dream job but you'll need creativity, a thick skin and perseverance to make it come true.

Section Three: Your task

Your task is to write a piece of travel writing that is around 600 words long and welcomes people to Waitara (or your town) and its surrounding, highlighting the top spots and activities to hit while people are here.

Why do your local spot? Well, you know it best and the trick to succeeding in this activity is to be really detailed - don't just think of the places to eat, think of the best things to order of the menu! This allows the reader to feel like you are taking them on a personal tour.

Here is an example about Inglewood (Miss Knowles' hometown):

Brainstorm of things to do and see in Inglewood

Great coffee at the shell, Swimming – is not crowded, Great little park, Putting green, Windsor Walk - 4kms, Windsor Caffe (Macfarlanes), Small range, Cold, wet – Inglemud, Great Xmas parade – Blinglewood, Cross road, Great trees, Train station, Band rotunda, TET stadium, The big hill, Americarna, Everett Park

When you you find yourself at the Crossroads in Moaville

Inglemud. Blinglewood. Moaville. Inglewood, it’s the little town with a million names and a whole lot of soul. This small town of 5000 people, nestled under majestic Taranaki Mounga, has a whole lot going on for it.

One of the greatest things about Inglewood is its annual Christmas parade every early December. Organised by the local Lions’ club, it boasts a large number of floats, lots of lollies, bagpipes and of course, the Red Baron and Snoopy in their flying contraptions. But Inglewood is not just a Christmas town.

During the summer, there is no place like Everett Park for a dip and a cool down. A great place to take your dog, you can swim, have a picnic, and perfect your manu off the cliff face. It is popular with locals and visitors alike. The water comes straight off the mountain, it is emerald green and the sand is warm.

Once you’re finished swimming, and can eat a horse, Inglewood has many great food establishments. One of the greatest is the Windsor Caffe. Locally known as Macfarlanes, they serve up delicious coffees, great cakes, and their speciality, eggs benny. But if that’s not your style, head a couple of meters down the road to the Funk Fish Grill for the best fish and chips in town,

Inglewood is at a crossroads where you can drive through or “stop, shop and enjoy”. Do stop, do enjoy because this little Moaville is one of New Zealand’s hidden gems.

Section Four: What to do

Start with a wander around your town. What is it that you love about this place? Where do you hang out? Where's the best place to get food? Take some pictures to add to your final piece of writing.

Now that you've got your brainstorm, think about ordering all the places that you would visit. You may also want to add in some of the places that are around your town. Group similar places together - like where are all the great places to get a feed?

Check out this interactive Google Map to help you remember Waitara's highlights.

Start writing

introduce your place
say where it is
say why it is cool
give some insider tips - for example, what's the best thing to order on the menu?

Then write about all of your places on your brainstorm - this will give you the body of your article. Small details that only you notice matter here - it brings your writing alive for your reader and makes it feel like a personal tour.

The final two pieces to the puzzle are your introduction and your conclusion

in your intro, you need to be really enthusiastic. Think of nicknames, words to describe the place, where it is and what type of people live there.
in your conclusion, sum up why absolutely everybody needs to visit the place.

Lastly, editing is crucial so be sure to check out the editing page to make sure all of your spelling and punctuation is correct and, more importantly, that every word has earned its place and every sentence sings.

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