Jan 23
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
19,000 people fit into the new Barclays Center to see Jay-Z perform. This blog was viewed about 66,000 times in 2012. If it were a concert at the Barclays Center, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Oct 28
Many of you might remember my review of Susan Van Allen’s 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go. If you haven’t gotten it yet, go now! Imagine my delight when she asked that I take part in her Golden Days in Italy with my ideal day in Vernazza.
To see my full article click here and make sure to follow her blog!
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Copyright 2012 Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel
I realized just the other day that I have been blogging for just over a year. I didn’t even want to start, my husband made me. Kicking and pouting but trusting in his marketing prowess I began my journey in the world of the blogger.
Little did I know that within a month, disaster would strike my beloved Cinque Terre and through my writing I would be able to reach thousands of readers. The networking and relationships built and made through the experience remain strong twelve months later.
A few months after beginning, I soon became ‘on-line’ friends with other writers and authors of books I loved. Their stories became my inspiration and I began to write even more. With my writing came followers and with followers came encouraging feedback and comments. The fire and passion to share began to burn brighter, and so the cycle began. WordPress added fuel to the obsession with its detailed stats page and the ability to track favorite posts, clicks and likes. Although I no longer check my stats hourly, it is the last thing I look at before turning out the lights.
I want to thank everyone who has been a part of this journey and growth. A blog the started with only my mom following me has grown to over 200 subscribers with at least that many views daily, over 300 Facebook followers and twice as many on twitter. I am nearing 100,000 views and my busiest day to date was 1,123 views. My posts have brought people together, help to Vernazza, made preparing for travel to Italy easier and hopefully a smile to everyone’s faces. This blog even got me on the Dr Oz show, although embarrassingly it was for a personal poo story not as a travel expert. If you can find me on Facebook then you might find the video link! I can’t WAIT to see what the next 12 months bring! To celebrate I have a few fun and …. well…. interesting facts about my blog. Enjoy!
Most Interesting Key Words: These are real life snips of real life keywords that brought readers to my blog. Unfortunately, I am sure many were disappointed.
Now that I would like to see.
All at once?
I don’t even WANT to know
Another disappointed viewer. I would hate to see what would happen if I DID write a post about a penis.
My blog read around the world
Top Posts
| Views | ||
|---|---|---|
| Home page / Archives |  |
8,089 |
| Vernazza Flood | |
6,700 |
| Cinque Terre, Vernazza Flooding: Before and after photos and videos | |
5,598 |
| Understanding Italian Culture | Handling Money, Shopping, Computers and Staying in Line | |
2,402 |
| Cinque Terre Flood: Vernazza Clean Up Progress | |
2,254 |
| Cinque Terre, Vernazza flood update: Disaster Relief | |
1,882 |
| Learning When To Run | |
1,785 |
| Cinque Terre: Vernazza Flood Update | |
1,764 |
| Top TenI’m obsessed with feedback, let me know what you think.Love it?? Pass it on!Copyright 2012 Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel |
When people ask me where my very favorite restaurant in Vernazza is, without hesitation I say Sandro’s. It is one of the only restaurants without a view of the harbor, but that doesn’t keep it from being packed every evening. The crowd Sandro’s draws is also important: locals and Italians. Going where the locals go has always been my secret for finding the best places and I wasn’t disappointed here. So much so that almost one year ago I placed it on my Top Ten Favorite Places to Eat list.
The village of Vernazza
But when the floods hit Vernazza last October, I was afraid Sandro’s would be lost for good. This restaurant was one of the hardest hit and the owner barely escaped with his life. The location of the restaurant and the way the kitchen was set up meant a difficult clean up and recovery.
This hardship makes announcing Trattoria da Sandro’s re-opening even more exciting. If anyone is getting ready to travel to the Cinque Terre, make sure to stop by Vernazza and spend an evening here. Let them delight you!
For the most recent photos from Trattoria da Sandro, I invite you to my blogging friend’s mouth-watering article at Cultural Comments. I have been trying not to be too jealous of Nicole, but come on! Those photos are just NOT FAIR!
Courtesy of Cultural Comments. And I’m not jealous at all. Really.
I’m obsessed with feedback, let me know what you think.
Love it?? Pass it on!
Copyright 2012 Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel
I just can’t seem to let a good thing go. So here is my last day in the series. There are loads of sites out there that focus on travel, not just Italy. I wanted to share my favorites, especially my go to places when I am planning my next adventure.
The Big Three
Trip Advisor My favorite place to get candid reviews for accommodations from travelers like myself.
Slow Trav They target a more specific traveler, one that isn’t always following the main stream points of interest.
Rick Steves Europe I’ve been a fan of this guy since I started traveling to Europe when I was 19. He is an inspiration.
Travel Inspiring Sites
Photobotos
PhotoBotos A lovely photo everyday, I never know what to expect.
Bagni di Lucca and beyond So the one and only reason this blog wasn’t on my to 30 list is because the articles aren’t exclusively about Italy. The only reason!
I’m obsessed with feedback, let me know what you think.
Love it?? Pass it on!
Copyright 2012 Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel
When I first set out to make my list of thirty sites I thought I might struggle a bit to come up with that many.
54 blog and travel sites later I realized I may have bitten off more than I could chew.
I decided I would have to somehow narrow my selections and I did so by adding only those that I have not previously mentioned before. That was almost too much for me and it feels unbearable to just move on without a mention to these amazing people. So without further ado, here are the very first websites to steal my Italy obsessed heart. Do not miss a single one!!
At Home in Tuscany She makes you feel like you are right there in the midst of it all.
Bell’Avventura Love this blog, a must for anyone traveling to the Amalfi Coast.
Golden Days in Italy Not only does this woman have a fantastic book out that I have featured, but she manages a blog that does just what it says…presents to the reader delightful golden days found only in Italy.
Italofile This blog makes my mouth drool. It has everything here. If you like what she has done, check out her other site at Miss Adventures.
Margie in Italy I have been a devoted follower to this lovely lady.
Umbria Lovers These two are an amazing source of true, non touristic information in Umbria. Very entertaining as well.
What to Eat in Rome - Who doesn’t love a good food blog??
Dark Rome Blog - Several articles about places to see, things to do in Rome.
The Pines of Rome - Another American who has made her home in Rome. She has a helpful section listing exhibits currently on display.
Feel like you belong on my list or have a favorite link to share? Let me know!!
I’m obsessed with feedback, let me know what you think.
Love it?? Pass it on!
Copyright 2012 Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel
Welcome to Day 30 of my 30 days of Italian websites that will draw you in and keep you dreaming.
I found this blog through the wonderful owners of La Grande Quercia B&B. A very well done, informative site about the lesser known area of Abruzzo. A must for any planning to travel to this region, a blog to tempt those who might otherwise passed it by. Life in Abruzzo.
Feel like you belong on my list or have a favorite link to share? Let me know!!
I’m obsessed with feedback, let me know what you think.
Love it?? Pass it on!
Copyright 2012 Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel
Welcome to Day 29 of my 30 days of Italian websites that will draw you in and keep you dreaming.
Another writer living the dream of Italian life. She has tons of posts on all topics imaginable. Enjoy life through her eyes, click here.
Feel like you belong on my list or have a favorite link to share? Let me know!!
I’m obsessed with feedback, let me know what you think.
Love it?? Pass it on!
Copyright 2012 Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel
Welcome to Day 28 of my 30 days of Italian websites that will draw you in and keep you dreaming.
Sometimes all I need is just a little sip of Italy. I found this site and I couldn’t be happier. Almost daily photos from Rome. Click here for your tiny taste.
Roma everyday
Feel like you belong on my list or have a favorite link to share? Let me know!!
I’m obsessed with feedback, let me know what you think.
Love it?? Pass it on!
Copyright 2012 Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel
Welcome to Day 27 of my 30 days of Italian websites that will draw you in and keep you dreaming.
Hold on to your shirt tails, this ain’t your average warm and fuzzy Italian travel blog. The writer gives a real look into life in Rome. My kinda gal. So if you are looking for something more than flashy pictures and top ten hotels, click here.
Feel like you belong on my list or have a favorite link to share? Let me know!!
I’m obsessed with feedback, let me know what you think.
Love it?? Pass it on!
Copyright 2012 Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel
Dreaming of Italy
