Travel Writing

Writing warm up exercise comparing articles:

• The article about Blackpool is built around facts and giving the reader all the necessary information, whereas the article about coming to England is more satirical and paints a picture through the eyes of the traveller.
• The extract about Barkerville is more about telling the story of what happened there instead of actually describing the physical features of the place. It is meant to attract people who are interested in the story instead of appealing to those who want to know the finer details.

Visit Rhodes, Greece

The Greek isles is just one of those places that you just have to visit once in a lifetime. Rich in culture and history, crammed onto small pieces of Mediterranean paradise. As the largest island in the group of Greece’s Dodecanese islands, Rhode’s is popular for its vast amount of pristine beaches and classic whitewashed buildings that dot the islands arable areas and larger towns. Anyone with a taste for a classic Greek experience must visit, as the atmosphere of town’s such as Lindos are unrivaled anywhere else in Greece. Keeping to the topic of the town of Lindos, it is simply magical. Wedged into a small rocky cove in the islands coastline, this sprawling mass of classic Greek homes and restaurants resembles that of a village back in the age of the Greeks dominance as a world empire. The cobbled streets of the town climb up the incline on which Lindos sits and are all but inaccessible to anything larger than a donkey or small motorcycle. Many of the shops sell locally made produce such as meats and cheese’s which are a must try for visitors. Why not buy some handmade cotton clothes whilst you’re at it, as the prices are good and can be negotiated with many of the friendly shopkeepers. As for the restaurants, there is a mix of classic Greek and tourist orientated bars where you can relax, drink, eat and soak in the sights and sounds of one of Europe’s cultural gems. As an added bonus, why not climb to the top of the hill and check out the old fortress which sits in ruins, looking out over the sea.

Now some of you may be saying- “What about those beaches you mentioned?” Well you won’t be disappointed when you see them. The clear blue, warm waters of the Mediterranean gently lapping at the shores are fantastic for keen swimmers and snorkelers. Many of the popular beaches offer a variety of water sports – from jet skiing to speedboat rides. Why not bask in the sun, sipping a cold drink, watching sea shimmer in the sunlight. Personally I couldn’t think of anything better. One of the most highly recommended beaches on the island is Tsambika which is located 25km South of Rhodes town. It’s golden sand and turquoise waters are a holiday maker’s paradise, and the perfect place to set up for a day of rest and relaxation. In the summer however, it does get quite crowded but that is to be expected in Rhodes, which relies heavily on the tourism industry to fund its economy.

I have used showing in this extract through the use of vivid descriptions of the sights around the place I am describing. I have used descriptions such as “Pristine” to describe the beaches which gives the image of a perfect, smooth sandy beach. I feel that I could improve on my writing by adding in more sounds and smells to really enhance the way in which I put the reader into my story. I could add lines such as “The smell of blackened seafood” or “The gurgling of motor boats in the cove”.