We’re excited to be announcing the sixth contest in our yearlong series of monthly Grantourismo travel blogging competitions. This time we want you to create an inspiring blog post comprised of one (1) portrait photograph* of a person you’ve met on your travels who touched you in some way and 250 words* describing the moment you took the photo and how it affected you.
If your post also touches on some of our other themes, and motivates people to connect with locals, learn to live like locals, explore more authentic and enriching ways to travel, get beneath the skin of a place when they travel, and travel more slowly and more sustainably, then that’s great too.
Your story and photograph must be your own, must be original, should derive from a firsthand travel experience you had, and should not have been published elsewhere. *Make sure you do not submit more than 250 words and you only post one (1) photograph, otherwise your entry will be disqualified.
FIRST PRIZES A stay at a HomeAway Holiday-Rentals property of your choice anywhere in the world valued at UK£500/US$750, a Context tour voucher worth US$100, and an Olympus FE-4040 compact camera worth £125/US$190.
SECOND PRIZE a Viator tour voucher worth £100/US$150 and a private half-day tour with a local guide in a destination of your choice anywhere in the world from Our Explorer.
THIRD PRIZE an annual subscription to AFAR magazine.
The winning entry will be featured on Grantourismo, HomeAway UK’s Facebook page, and we, HomeAwayUK, Viator and Context will tweet your success on Twitter.
To be eligible to enter
Entry submission is by posting and linking, and communication is through the Comments below and by Twitter, which means:
1. You must have your own blog/site, contribute to a group blogging site, or post your blog to sites like www.matadortravel.com, www.bootsnall.com,
www.travellerspoint.com, www.travelpod.com
2. You need to subscribe to Grantourismo via email/RSS, join our community on Google Friend Connect (sign up from http://grantourismotravels.com/ not from this post’s URL as it won’t work); and join HomeAway Holiday Rental’s Facebook page to enter.
3. Follow @Gran_tourismo and @HomeAwayUK on Twitter, then alert us on Twitter that you’re following us for the #GrantourismoComp and we will follow you back.
How to enter
1. Upload your original entry to your blog before end of 29 August. The sooner you do it the better it is for you, because we’ll visit your site to read your post, tweet about your entry, and other entrants will visit your blog for inspiration.
2. Identify at the end of your post that “This post has been entered into the Grantourismo and HomeAway Holiday-Rentals travel blogging competition” and link to this post (so your entry appears in the Trackbacks below) and www.homeaway.co.uk. Tag the post with ‘Grantourismo’ and ‘HomeAway Holiday-Rentals’ so we, the judges, and others can easily search for it.
3. Leave your name and link to your post in the Comments below – this serves as your submission.
4. Use Twitter to tweet us @Gran_tourismo and @HomeAwayUK to tell us your post is up, using#GrantourismoComp in your tweet, which makes it easy for others to find your entry also.
5. Encourage your blog readers and followers on Twitter to engage and re-tweet your entry post. We’re keen to hear their thoughts.
Winning Entries
1.We will notify winners by Twitter or email during the first days of September.
2.Winners will be required to email us a high resolution photograph and text for publishing.
3.The winning entry will be posted soon early September.
For more details, read the fine print below. If you have any questions, pop them in the Comments below.
The Fine Print – Terms and Conditions
1. Grantourismo monthly competitions are open to anyone aged 18 years or over, except anyone professionally associated with this competition or the sponsors.
2. All information detailing how to enter the competition forms part of these terms and conditions. It is a condition of entry that all rules are accepted as final and that the competitor agrees to abide by these rules. Submission of an entry will be taken to mean acceptance of these terms and conditions.
3. Submissions must be original, should not have been published before, should not appear on other blogs or websites, and should not infringe any copyrights.
4. Winners will be chosen by a judging panel consisting of HomeAway Holiday-Rentals staff; Scott McNeeley, Editor of the Viator blog; Context Travel staff; and Lara Dunston and Terence Carter. Judges decisions are final. The criteria used will include creativity, originality, quality of writing and photography, ability to engage an audience, and ability to inspire.
5. HomeAway Holiday-Rentals is offering a prize of £500/US$750 towards a stay in one of their properties listed on the HomeAway Holiday-Rentals website. The stay must be a minimum of 2 nights, although it can be longer. The winner must use http://www.homeaway.co.uk/ to book the property. HomeAway Holiday-Rentals will release the funds to the property owner and transfer the remainder to the winner to be used toward the trip.
6. Winners will be required to blog about their prizes, link back to Grantourismo, HomeAway Holiday-Rentals, and the sponsor of the prize they’ve won, and tweet about the post, using #GrantourismoComp.
7.Property stays and tours must be used within 12 months of notification.
8. While copyright of all submissions to the Competition remains with the entrants, winning entrants give permission to Grantourismo, HomeAway Holiday-Rentals, and the sponsors to feature the winning entries on their websites, blogs, or in any publications or promotional materials connected to this Competition.
56 comments
13 pings
Heather says:
August 9, 2010 at 4:13 am (UTC 11 )
http://www.yummysushipjs.com/2010/08/lemons-the-size-of-your-head/
Lara Dunston says:
August 15, 2010 at 7:05 pm (UTC 11 )
Thanks for your entry, Heather! (Love those lemons!) Good luck!
Erica says:
August 9, 2010 at 5:14 am (UTC 11 )
I love this month’s competition! You write that the photograph can’t have been published before. Does that include one’s own blog?
Terence Carter says:
August 9, 2010 at 5:54 am (UTC 11 )
Yes.
Ant Stone says:
August 16, 2010 at 1:48 am (UTC 11 )
I don’t mean to sound pedantic; but does it also mean Flickr or other online photo sharing apps?
Terence Carter says:
August 16, 2010 at 7:45 am (UTC 11 )
It’s not pedantic, it’s a perfectly reasonable question! Flickr etc are not blogging apps, so It’s fine.
Tricia says:
August 14, 2010 at 1:56 am (UTC 11 )
Thanks for the great blogging contest! Here is the link to my post: http://tinyurl.com/2ct8b5n
Happy Travels!
Terence Carter says:
August 14, 2010 at 6:12 am (UTC 11 )
Cool, got it, good luck!
Kasia Dietz says:
August 15, 2010 at 1:46 pm (UTC 11 )
Great subject this month! Here is my post for the contest: http://www.loveinthecityoflights.com/travel/the-laughing-man/
Lara Dunston says:
August 18, 2010 at 12:06 pm (UTC 11 )
Thanks, Kasia! So nice to see you here again!
Good luck!
Cheryl says:
August 18, 2010 at 7:24 am (UTC 11 )
I’ve never entered a contest like this before, but there’s a first time for everything, right?:
http://dearfamily.typepad.com/dear-family/morocco/
Thanks for the inspiration!
Lara Dunston says:
August 18, 2010 at 12:07 pm (UTC 11 )
There is! And no problem – we’re here to inspire!
Thanks for your entry – beautiful! – best of luck!
Cheryl says:
August 18, 2010 at 8:47 am (UTC 11 )
I’ve never entered a contest like this before, but there’s a first time for everything, right?:
http://dearfamily.typepad.com/dear-family/morocco/
Thanks for the inspiration!
Lara Dunston says:
August 18, 2010 at 2:35 pm (UTC 11 )
Got it!
Joy Engdahl says:
August 18, 2010 at 9:10 am (UTC 11 )
Just uploaded my post!
http://bindingthebroken.blogspot.com/2010/08/meet-net.html
Lara Dunston says:
August 18, 2010 at 2:33 pm (UTC 11 )
What a cute kid! Thanks for your entry, Joy! Best of luck!
Cheryl says:
August 18, 2010 at 9:41 am (UTC 11 )
Thanks for the opportunity to enter your contest:
http://dearfamily.typepad.com/dear-family/morocco/
Hannah In Motion says:
August 18, 2010 at 10:23 am (UTC 11 )
Re-submitted as promised!
http://hannahinmotion.wordpress.com/2010/06/10/perfect-vista-a-childs-eyes/
Lara Dunston says:
August 18, 2010 at 2:37 pm (UTC 11 )
Great! As it didn’t qualify for the comp you originally entered it into and we sadly had to disqualify it, we’ll consider it for this one. Thanks for re-entering. Best of luck!
Dania Ryezel says:
August 20, 2010 at 8:49 am (UTC 11 )
Finally! It’s uploaded
http://wanderlustheories.blogspot.com/2010/08/candid-sensation.html
Dania Ryezel says:
August 20, 2010 at 9:29 am (UTC 11 )
Ok, I got confused – do you mean we should break the words into more than one paragraph or just stick to one para? Sorry for the stupid question!
Lara Dunston says:
August 20, 2010 at 2:26 pm (UTC 11 )
Um, we haven’t said anything about the words, Dania… just asked you for 1 portrait, and 250 words… what you do with them is up to you! Thanks for your entry!
Dania Ryezel says:
August 20, 2010 at 7:06 pm (UTC 11 )
Sorry! I had a blonde moment by mistaken photograph for paragraph *slaps head*
lara dunston says:
August 27, 2010 at 6:03 am (UTC 11 )
No worries at all! Have those often
Lilliane says:
August 20, 2010 at 6:34 pm (UTC 11 )
Followed this blog a long time but only able to write something now. Here’s my entry for the month. It would be very helpful to have a Homeaway Villa when I start my RTW.
http://www.wanderlass.com/2010/08/walking-the-nostalgia-lane.html
lara dunston says:
August 27, 2010 at 6:07 am (UTC 11 )
I’ve often wished I could play ‘tourist’ and visit the places of my parents’ early lives – how wonderful that you could do that! Nice. Thanks so much for your entry. Best of luck!
Sophie says:
August 22, 2010 at 10:42 am (UTC 11 )
Does it have to be a portrait of just one person – or can it be of, say a family?
Terence Carter says:
August 22, 2010 at 11:26 am (UTC 11 )
Sophie, it says “one (1) portrait photograph* of a person” in the first paragraph. That’s one photograph of one person – just like the one at the top of the post
Michael Hodson says:
August 23, 2010 at 11:54 am (UTC 11 )
I hope I did this correctly. I think I’m following all the things I need to be — and got the link right. But then again, I’m a tech dummy. If I don’t have something correct — would love a brief “Ummm, Mike, do this please” email or something.
http://mobilelawyer.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-favorite-photo-of-entire-trip.html
lara dunston says:
August 27, 2010 at 6:11 am (UTC 11 )
Love this pic! It really takes me there. Because it’s three kids though, it won’t meet the requirements of “1 portrait of a person”, I’m sorry. Perhaps if you cropped it for the competition?
Liv says:
August 24, 2010 at 5:37 am (UTC 11 )
Hi, GranTourismo! Have just posted my entry for this month’s competition. It’s called The Mime & I and here it is: http://ieatmypigeon.wordpress.com/2010/08/24/the-mime-i/
Thank you for your time and for another great opportunity!
Terence Carter says:
August 24, 2010 at 9:14 am (UTC 11 )
Thanks for your entry! Good luck. Love the story.
Terence Carter says:
August 24, 2010 at 9:17 am (UTC 11 )
Hilarious. Love it. Good luck!
Sarah says:
August 24, 2010 at 9:11 am (UTC 11 )
My entry is posted ‘Queen of Sapa’
http://sarahwarwick.com/2010/08/24/queen-of-sapa
: )
Terence Carter says:
August 24, 2010 at 9:19 am (UTC 11 )
Great entry, thanks Sarah! Good luck.
Alison Bell says:
August 25, 2010 at 7:11 am (UTC 11 )
Hello, here’s my post featuring a lovely lovely man.
http://alisonbell.net/2010/08/25/in-safe-hands/
Lara Dunston says:
August 27, 2010 at 6:30 am (UTC 11 )
Such a touching story. I wonder how the village is managing now? Best of luck, Alison!
Travel'n'Stuff says:
August 27, 2010 at 5:01 am (UTC 11 )
My entry, ‘The Lugu Lake Lady’ is up for August contest!
http://www.travelnstuff.com/asia/the-lugu-lake-lady/
Lara Dunston says:
August 27, 2010 at 6:32 am (UTC 11 )
Travel’n'stuff – thanks for your entry! I can see that you’re still constructing your site… you currently have comments off so I can’t leave a comment, and I can’t see an email address or About info & you leave your Twitter address here, so we know for sure that we have it and can get in touch with you if we need to? Thanks! Lara
Travel'n'Stuff says:
August 27, 2010 at 3:48 pm (UTC 11 )
Thanks Lara,
I’ve activated the comments section for the blogpost. My Twitter address is @travelnstuff.
Mike says:
August 27, 2010 at 12:03 pm (UTC 11 )
My story and photo are up! This is a great way to get more followers, nice idea!
The post is here:
Terrifying Old Dragon Man
http://www.quarteryear.com/terrifying-old-dragon-man/
Enjoy!
Terence Carter says:
August 27, 2010 at 12:08 pm (UTC 11 )
Great photo! Thanks so much for entering. Good luck.
Sophie says:
August 28, 2010 at 6:35 am (UTC 11 )
Here’s my entry – The boy from Sarandë. http://www.sophiesworld.net/the-boy-from-sarande/
Terence Carter says:
August 29, 2010 at 10:14 am (UTC 11 )
Thanks Sophie – a nice story! Good luck.
cathy says:
August 28, 2010 at 11:59 pm (UTC 11 )
Hi,
I love your blog and have followed it all year, even stayed at the Penthouse in London (wonderful). I would really like to enter the contest as I travel extensively and post stories and photos from all of our trips on our blog, http://www.donaldandcathy.typepad.com/, BUT – I don’t do facebook or twitter – can I still enter?
Cheers – Cathy in Brussels
Lara Dunston says:
September 3, 2010 at 2:24 pm (UTC 11 )
Hi Cathy – I visited your site and left a comment and visited on the link above, but I’m not sure if you ended up entering a portrait or not. Do email us if you see this. best, Lara
jiffer says:
August 29, 2010 at 6:28 am (UTC 11 )
love this category, love portraits in general. jiff’s entry from smashandsniff
http://smashandsniff.blogspot.com/2010/08/valiko-jan.html
cheers!
Jiff
Terence Carter says:
August 29, 2010 at 10:08 am (UTC 11 )
Another fine entry. Thanks for that. Good luck!
Fiona Laughton says:
August 29, 2010 at 6:29 am (UTC 11 )
Hi Lara and Terry.
1) I started a blog!
2) Hope I’m not too late to enter this. Being in Australia gives me a distinct deadline advantage and I do like to work under pressure.
3) I hope you enjoy my words and picture.
http://www.hellofiona.com/post/1014475077/i-dont-remember-this-girls-name-but-i-do
Keep up the great work.
Fiona
Terence Carter says:
August 29, 2010 at 10:02 am (UTC 11 )
Cool Fiona! That’s awesome. This is the kind of thing we’d hope that we’d inspire people to do. Evocative post! Good luck.
Frank McMains says:
August 29, 2010 at 12:39 pm (UTC 11 )
Here is my entry, A New Cazuela
http://www.lemonsandbeans.com/?p=1497
Terence Carter says:
August 29, 2010 at 12:56 pm (UTC 11 )
Thanks Frank, so glad to have you enter. Good luck!
The big question is, if you won would you go back to San Miguel?
Frank McMains says:
August 29, 2010 at 1:47 pm (UTC 11 )
I’d love to go back to San Miguel. Great town, this time I would keep my camera a bit better hidden as I got beaten up and had my 5D stollen the last time I was there. But, it was kind of my fault… if walking around drunk, by ones self at 2AM with $2k worth of camera gear on your back could be considered culpability. But, it was a great trip all the same and I got my first black eye!
Terence Carter says:
August 29, 2010 at 1:55 pm (UTC 11 )
Wow. I walked around there drunk at 2am, with Lara and several thousands of dollars worth of camera gear and all I got was a CD of Benjamin Lara’s music.
You did get some great shots there though and thanks for entering the comp!
Note to insurance company: I wasn’t really drunk and I take great care of my camera gear.
Ashley Hooker says:
August 29, 2010 at 2:22 pm (UTC 11 )
Sliding in last minute with an entry…..
http://smashandsniff.blogspot.com/2010/08/alejandrina.html
Terence, I loved the post on portrait photography– a lot to take away. Thank you,
Ashley
Terence Carter says:
August 29, 2010 at 2:55 pm (UTC 11 )
Ashley, thanks for your comment and your entry.
I don’t think you need any help from me in the portrait department – that’s a wonderful photograph.
Lemons the size of your head | Yummy Sushi Pajamas says:
August 9, 2010 at 4:12 am (UTC 11 )
[...] post has been entered into the Grantourismo and HomeAway Holiday-Rentals travel blogging [...]
Summer Contests, Giveaways and Hot Deals | Viator Travel Blog says:
August 11, 2010 at 4:26 pm (UTC 11 )
[...] (including some Viator.com tours). Each month there is a new theme, often involving photography. August’s travel blogging competition, for example, asks writers to create an inspiring blog post based on the photograph of someone they [...]
What We’re Reading: August 13, 2010 | Two Go Round-The-World says:
August 13, 2010 at 4:59 am (UTC 11 )
[...] Win! Travel writers Lara Dunston and Terence Carter are excited to be announcing the sixth travel blogging contest in their year-long series. This time they want you to create an inspiring blog post comprised of one portrait photograph of a person you’ve met on your travels who touched you in some way and 250 words describing the moment you took the photo and how it affected you. For details, click here. [...]
the laughing man says:
August 15, 2010 at 1:44 pm (UTC 11 )
[...] post has been entered into the Grantourismo and HomeAway Holiday-Rentals travel blogging competition. (Mudarta is one of the favorite people [...]
Walking the Nostalgia Lane | wanderlass travels says:
August 20, 2010 at 6:23 pm (UTC 11 )
[...] This post has been entered into the Grantourismo and HomeAway Holiday-Rentals travel blogging [...]
The Mime & I « I Eat My Pigeon says:
August 24, 2010 at 5:35 am (UTC 11 )
[...] This post has been entered in the GranTourismo and Home Away Holiday Rentals August Travel Blogging Competition. [...]
Queen of Sapa « Sarah Warwick says:
August 24, 2010 at 9:07 am (UTC 11 )
[...] has been entered into the Grantourismo and HomeAway Holiday-Rentals travel blogging competition (http://grantourismotravels.com/2010/08/08/grantourismo-travel-blogging-competition-august) [...]
alisonbell.net » In safe hands says:
August 25, 2010 at 7:08 am (UTC 11 )
[...] Have you met an equally inspirational person on your travels?. Please do write in the box below if you have any comments or questions about this post. This post has been entered into the Grantourismo-HomeAway travel writing competition. [...]
Travel 'n' Stuff says:
August 27, 2010 at 5:06 am (UTC 11 )
The Lugu Lake Lady…
Our driver is circling the beautiful Lugu Lake which has an intriguing azure mist lingering on the surface of the water. We’re on our way to his relative’s house for a local visit. The car stops outside a traditional log-cabin wooden house and we a……
The Lugu Lake Lady | Travel 'n' Stuff says:
August 27, 2010 at 4:56 am (UTC 11 )
[...] post has been entered into the Grantourismo and HomeAway Holiday-Rentals travel blogging [...]
Quarter Year » Terrifying Old Dragon Man says:
August 27, 2010 at 11:58 am (UTC 11 )
[...] post has been entered into the Grantourismo and HomeAway Holiday-Rentals travel blogging competition. Share or Save this [...]
My New Cazuela | Lemons And Beans says:
August 29, 2010 at 12:35 pm (UTC 11 )
[...] post has been entered into the Grantourismo and HomeAway Holiday-Rentals travel blogging competition. // This entry was posted in [...]
Describe the Clouds » Periphery’s Important – LemonsAndBeans.com says:
September 6, 2010 at 8:02 am (UTC 11 )
[...] over at Lemons and Beans, just won Grantourismo.com’s portrait contest with an entry about buying an earthenware pot, a cazuela, in Mexico. Here’s the closing [...]