These 20 European destinations have just been voted the best places to visit in 2025
Monaco is No.1 and you can see the others here https://www.wanderlustmagazine.com/news/european-best-destinations-2025/
Monaco
#traveljunkies #wanderlust
After spending a year exploring Melbourne and Sydney the time came for her to earn some money.
A friend in Sydney said she should work for herself and I should help. Great!
Nevertheless it was good advice and she found a small business running jet skis in Mission Beach, a small town near Cairns in Far North Queensland.
We bought the business and Alison, now known as Ali, became a first-time business owner.
Every morning, at the crack of dawn, Ali and her friend Joe drove a tractor from their lockup towing 6 jet skis and unloaded them on the beach. They rode two skis and towed the other four 7kms across beautiful clear blue waters to Dunk Island in the Great Barrier Reef Heritage area.
On the island was a large holiday resort that supplied our customers.
Each day, Ali and her team ran tours round the beautiful island accompanied by exotic birds, colourful fish, and the occasional whale, to places that could only be reached in small boats and jet skis, and it was a great lifestyle.
Larry was a Category 5 Cyclone that built up in the Pacific Ocean and roared ashore right over Mission Beach demolishing almost everything in its path, and that included the resort that supplied our customers.
Luckily our jet skis were back in the lockup on the mainland so all was not lost, except we no longer had any customers.
Along with other businesses hit by the cyclone we struggled on for a while.
We hired out jet skis from the beach encouraged by the news that the resort was being rebuilt and would soon reopen, and after several delays it reopened eight months later.
But it had it’s own jet skis.
On that fateful day in March 2006 we went from having a great lifestyle business to having no business at all. A cyclone and a big company had put us out of business.
Back in 2002 we had produced a small newsletter promoting our jet ski business and a few other businesses in the North Queensland area.
In 2006 with our jet ski business gone we broadened the range of activities including articles about the Great Barrier Reef, the tropical rainforest and activities such as scuba diving, fishing, 4wd trekking and sky diving onto the beach. We also extended the area we covered and interest grew rapidly and with the advent of social media, the word spread and we were soon getting enquiries from beyond Australia.
By this time Ali had moved to NSW and gone back to her first love, caring for animals. She had many years experience as a vet nurse in the UK and was much in demand in Australia, so she had little difficulty in finding employment.
So it fell to me to continue to develop Traveljunkies which I treated like a hobby rather than a business and I’ve made many friends and contacts around the world.
Then I heard from a friend in Honduras.
Hello Cliff,
The information is correct although we have sad news. Tyll’s Dive will close down begin May this year.
Our small business could just not survive and compete against new dive businesses with a good money back up.
As of now we have no one interested in buying the name and the permit owner of the building is not interested in new tenants, which makes it difficult to sell the business as a whole package.
After we close down we will take a couple of weeks to relax and enjoy the island again, then most likely going back to Denmark for a while and find out what will happen from there and what options we have.
Thank you for your support over the years.
Dorte
Tyll’s Dive
Roatan, Honduras
A big company had closed down her business and that prompted me to do what I could to help small businesses. After all, we were once a small business that was shut down by a big company.
So I started promoting small businesses in the travel and activities industries giving them free one-line adverts in Traveljunkies. A bit like yellow pages.
We’ve been doing this now for nearly ten years and have made more than a quarter of a million referrals to small businesses around the world, and you can see some of our customer’s comments in Testimonials.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, we were asked if we could do more to help our clients, and with small businesses finding it hard to get customers I decided to offer premium adverts for a small fee.
We carried out tests posting simple adverts and this was very successful, increasing “Getting Found” by an average of 425%.
Bringing my story up to date, we are redesigning the Traveljunkies website to include Premium Listings for a small annual fee that in most cases will be quickly recovered by additional customers. In fact, just adding one extra customer will usually recover the fee we charge to display a Premium Advert for a whole year.
With lockdowns and travel restrictions worldwide, timing has been important and we will be offering this option in 2023.
In the meantime, if you own or manage a small business that qualifies for a free advert in please take a look.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story and I hope you found it interesting and helpful.
If you think joining us at Traveljunkies could help your business we’d be delighted to welcome you.
With my very best wishes
Cliff Chapman
Traveljunkies
Helping you find customers by helping customers find you
So remember, if you’re looking for new places to go, or exciting things to do, or you just want somewhere to stay, hop over to Traveljunkies.
And if you own or manage a travel or adventure business and you don’t have a free advert then Traveljunkies is the place for you.
The Purpose of Your Landing Page: Capturing Attention Beyond the Obvious
A Landing Page is more than just a place to promote your products or services. It’s an opportunity to spark curiosity, engage visitors, and keep them exploring. While it’s essential to highlight your offer, widening the scope beyond your specific niche can attract a broader audience and build lasting interest.
Visitors decide within seconds whether to stay on your page or leave. A clear, compelling tagline in your Landing Page grabs their attention and tells them what to expect.
It should answer these questions: What’s in it for me? and Why should I care?
Your Landing Page is your marketing page with the specific aim of getting as many visitors to your website as possible by including content that appeals to your audience’s wider interests instead of focusing only on what you sell,
For example:
A diving business in Bali should include fascinating facts about Bali’s culture, cuisine, events and festivals in their Landing Page. Visitors who come with these interests could be attracted to the idea of trying scuba diving or snorkelling and booking a diving course with you.
Attract Through Curiosity
People often search online without a specific goal. Capture their attention by offering valuable insights or experiences that tie into your services. Blog articles, guides, or videos can create opportunities for engagement.
Example topics for a travel service:
These will draw in travelers who may not have been looking for a diving course specifically but are now inspired to add one to their trip.
Build Trust and Authority
By sharing helpful information beyond your service, you become a trusted resource. Visitors see you as an expert, making them more likely to choose you when they’re ready to book.
Final Thought:
A Landing Page that goes beyond the expected captures hearts and minds. It’s about storytelling, inspiring curiosity, and building connections. Widen your scope and you’ll widen your reach, bringing more people to your business.
#Traveljunkies #LandingPage
Marketing is all about visibility, credibility, and influence. When it comes to travel and adventure businesses, partnering with the right platform can make all the difference. That’s where Traveljunkies comes in.
1. Be First
Traveljunkies has been a leader helping small businesses find customers since 2006, giving it nearly two decades of experience in the travel industry. When customers search for adventure and travel content, Traveljunkies appears on page 1 of Google and most major search engines. That kind of visibility means instant exposure for your business.
2. Be Respected
A brand’s reputation matters. Traveljunkies isn’t just another travel site, it’s a trusted name in the industry. When your business is featured, you’re aligning with a platform that travelers trust, giving your brand added credibility.
3. Be Influential
Traveljunkies doesn’t just rank high; it has influence. With a strong following and respected presence, it connects businesses with adventure-seekers worldwide. Being part of this platform helps businesses stand out and reach the right audience.
For small businesses in travel, adventure, and hospitality, marketing with Traveljunkies means instant visibility, credibility, and influence. If you want to grow, getting featured on a trusted platform is one of the most powerful marketing moves you can make.
If you’re new to Traveljunkies you can get your website listed for free at https://www.traveljunkies.com/freeads
#marketing #traveljunkies #freeads #tjmktg
‘
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka, came in at No. 1.
By Taryn White
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Topping the list as this year’s most welcoming destination is Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.
Located in the heart of Sri Lanka’s “Cultural Triangle,” Sigiriya, a quaint village of 1,000 residents, is most accessible to international travelers via a scenic three-hour drive from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo, the capital of the island nation.
The town is renowned for the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a formidable landmark rising 1,200 feet above the landscape. This ancient fortress, which served as a royal capital in the late 5th century, houses the ruins of a once-elaborate palace at its summit, which you can climb 1,300 stairs to reach.
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PHOTO: Gita Kelpsiene/Getty Images
Your tagline is one of the first things people see when they discover your business. It’s a short, powerful phrase that tells people what you do, helps them remember you, and makes them want to learn more.
1. Say What You Do
A great tagline quickly communicates your business’s purpose. Whether you offer adventure tours, cozy lodging, or unique dining experiences, your tagline should make it clear. Example: “Unforgettable Adventures, One Trip at a Time.”
2. Be Memorable
A strong tagline sticks in people’s minds. The easier it is to remember, the more likely customers are to think of you when they need your product or service. Simple, catchy phrases work best.
3. Spark Interest
Your tagline should make people curious. It should invite them to explore your website, social media, or storefront. A compelling tagline makes visitors want to learn more, leading to more engagement and sales.
Don’t overlook the power of your tagline. A few well-chosen words can set your business apart, make a lasting impression, and bring in more customers. Keep it clear, catchy, and inviting!
#Traveljunkies #tagline
Many small businesses think marketing and selling are the same, but they’re not. Selling is about closing a deal, while marketing is about creating demand, building relationships, and setting the stage for future sales.
1. Marketing vs. Selling
Selling happens when a customer is ready to buy. Marketing, on the other hand, happens before that. It’s what attracts people to your business, educates them, and makes them trust you—so when they’re ready, they choose you.
2. Marketing Builds Relationships
People don’t buy from businesses they don’t know. Marketing helps you connect with potential customers long before they need your product or service. Whether through social media, content, or branding, good marketing makes people feel familiar with and loyal to your business.
3. Marketing is Pre-Selling
When done right, marketing answers questions, solves problems, and creates desire before a customer even considers buying. By the time they reach out, they’re already convinced you’re the right choice.
Marketing isn’t just an expense—it’s an investment in your business’s future. The more effort you put into building trust and relationships, the easier selling becomes.
#traveljunkies #marketing #freeads
The Power of Power: Why Being First, Best, and Influential Matters
In business, power isn’t just about strength—it’s about positioning. The strongest brands are the ones that lead, set trends, and influence their industry. Small businesses can harness the power of power by focusing on three key areas:
1. Be First
The first to market often wins. Whether it’s a new product, service, or marketing trend, being ahead of the curve sets you apart. Customers remember innovators, not imitators.
And if you can’t be first, be at the top.
2. Be at the Top
Quality matters. If you can’t be first, be the best. People naturally gravitate toward top-rated businesses. Invest in your brand, improve your offerings, and provide top-tier service.
Be the leader, not a follower.
3. Be Influential
The most powerful businesses influence their customers and competitors. Build authority by sharing insights, creating valuable content, and engaging with your audience. When people trust you, they buy from you.
Power in business isn’t just for big corporations. Small businesses that position themselves as leaders can dominate their space, attract more customers, and create long-term success. Be first, be the best, and be influential—because power belongs to those who claim it.
# Traveljunkies #power #powerofpower #befirst #beatthetop #beinfluencial
Looking for a great walkable city? Here’s why you need to make your way to Florence, Italy.
By Stacey Leasca
For Travel & Leisure
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Photo: Maremagnum/Getty Images
Ready to take a stroll? A new list is uncovering the most walkable cities in the world, including the No. 1 pick, where the top five local attractions are all within a half-mile radius.
Earlier this year, the financial website Insider Monkey shared its list of the most walkable cities in the world, which it created using sources like Tourlane and WalkScore. It then took those scores, mapped the distance between each destination’s top five tourist attractions, and checked its air quality using IQAir data and crime and safety indexes to further ensure walkability. After looking at all the information, it named Florence the most walkable place on earth.
“Topping the list is Florence, Italy — a city that offers Renaissance history and timeless architecture with each step,” the findings shared. “Florence’s walkability seeps through in its historic center, where narrow lanes lead to landmarks like the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio.”
According to the report, the city’s air quality is also ranked well. Its major landmarks, including the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Piazza del Duomo, and Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, are all within 0.5 miles of each other, making it easy to walk to them all within 10 minutes.
Joining Florence at the top of the list is Riga, Latvia, in the No. 2 spot, with its top tourist destinations all within 1.5 miles; Hamburg, Germany, in third with its spots within two miles; and Porto, Portugal in fourth, with its best attractions within 2.2 miles.
Rounding out the top five is Madrid, where travelers will find all the best attractions within 2.2 miles. The city came with a slightly lower air quality index than Portugal, dropping it just one spot further down the list. Still, it’s a place the team notes is well worth walking around.
See which other cities ranked in the top 30 most walkable cities at insidermonkey.com.
#traveljunkies #insidermonkey #travel&leisure #walkablecities
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Here’s what you need to know to plan a trip to the glamorous, sun-soaked Mediterranean retreat of Marbella, Spain.
Marbella, Spain, is a beloved spot for Europeans seeking sun, and it’s gaining popularity for Americans in recent years looking to escape the crowds and high prices in other Med hotspots like Italy’s Amalfi Coast and Santorini in Greece.
Nestled on Spain’s storied Costa del Sol, saturated with sun for much of the year, Marbella is the answer for a quieter yet still luxurious beach getaway with excellent food, shopping, golf, and nightlife. Plus, it’s near some of Spain’s best cultural destinations in Andalucía, including Malaga, Picasso’s birthplace; Ronda, known for bullfighting and its dramatic ravine; and the Alhambra palace complex in Granada.
“People love Marbella because it offers the great energy of a jet-setter Mediterranean beach resort town without being pretentious,” says Jack Ezon, founder and managing Partner of EMBARK Beyond. “You’ll still find all the fabulous shops, great restaurants, beach clubs, and resorts, though at a cost of about 30 to 40 percent less than you would get in France or Italy.”
Thanks to Travel + Leisure
#T+L #Traveljunkies #Marbella #Spain
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