Nov
10

Grantourismo Travel Blogging Competition: November

For our ninth contest in our yearlong series of monthly Grantourismo HomeAway Holiday-Rentals travel blogging competitions we want you to create a blog post on the theme of Living Like Locals.

Your post should consist of one (1) photograph* and 250 words* that gives us a taste of an experience you had when you travelled where you lived like locals. Whether you were staying in a holiday rental, house swapping or staying with a local family, whatever it was, tell us why it was special. Was it shopping at the local markets? Getting to know your neighbours? Hanging out at the local pub? Or just taking in the ebb and flow of an everyday neighbourhood? Your post should inspire our readers to want to try to live like locals when they next travel.

It’s important that your story and photograph(s) are your own, they must be original, and they should not have been published in print or on other websites. *Make sure you do not submit more than one (1) photo and no more than 250 words.

FIRST PRIZE A stay at a HomeAway Holiday-Rentals property of your choice anywhere in the world valued at UK£500/US$750, a Viator tour voucher worth £100/US$150, an Olympus FE-4040 compact camera worth £125/US$190, and a Trourist Moleskine travel notebook.

SECOND PRIZE A Context tour voucher worth US$100, a private half-day tour with a local guide in a destination of your choice anywhere in the world from Our Explorer, and a Trourist Moleskine travel notebook.

THIRD PRIZE an annual subscription to AFAR magazine and a Trourist Moleskine travel notebook.

The winning entry of our November competition will feature on Grantourismo, HomeAway UK’s Facebook page, and we 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 Twitter, which means:
1. You must have your own blog/site, contribute to a group 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 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 30 November. We’ll visit your site to read your post, tweet about your entry, and other entrants might visit your blog for inspiration.
2. Identify at the end of your post that “This post has been entered into the Grantourismo HomeAway Holiday-Rentals travel blogging competition” and link to this post’s URL (so your entry appears in the Trackbacks below) and www.homeaway.co.uk. Tag the post with ‘Grantourismo’ and ‘HomeAway Holiday-Rentals’ so the judges can easily search for it if Trackbacks don’t work.
3. Leave your name and link to your post in the Comments – 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. This also makes it easy to find your entry.

Winning Entries
1.We will notify winners by Twitter or email during the first days of December.
2.The first prize winner may be required to email us a high-res photo and text for publishing.
3.The winning entry will be posted here early December.

For more details, read the fine print below. Any questions, pop them in the Comments.

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. We’ll visit your post and tweet about it.
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.

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED POSTS:

Categories: Grantourismo Competition

55 comments

7 pings

Amber DeGrace says:

November 10, 2010 at 8:18 am (UTC 11 )

I entered the November travel blogging competition and my entry can be see here
1. Terence Carter says:
  
  November 10, 2010 at 8:50 am (UTC 11 )
  
  Thanks Amber! You’re nice and early. Good Luck.
Keith says:

November 13, 2010 at 10:50 pm (UTC 11 )

My entry is up at http://travelrat.wordpress.com/2010/11/14/living-like-a-local/
1. Lara Dunston says:
  
  November 19, 2010 at 10:09 am (UTC 11 )
  
  Thanks for your entry, Keith! Best of luck!
Wendy Miller says:

November 17, 2010 at 5:08 pm (UTC 11 )

I’ve posted my entry at http://luggagetag.blogspot.com/2010/11/living-like-locals.html
1. Terence Carter says:
  
  November 17, 2010 at 11:52 pm (UTC 11 )
  
  Excellent Wendy, good luck!
Lisa Bergren says:

November 19, 2010 at 8:28 am (UTC 11 )

Here’s our post for this month’s competition: The Pulse of Jerusalem! http://theworldiscalling.com/2010/11/the-pulse-of-jerusalem/
1. Lara Dunston says:
  
  November 28, 2010 at 10:11 am (UTC 11 )
  
  Thanks, Lisa – best of luck!
Jenna Makowski says:

November 21, 2010 at 12:48 pm (UTC 11 )

I invite you to view my blog post for November’s competition! http://jennagmakowski.wordpress.com/2010/11/21/local-trends/
1. Terence Carter says:
  
  November 21, 2010 at 10:08 pm (UTC 11 )
  
  Thanks Jenna, good luck!
jiffer says:

November 21, 2010 at 2:45 pm (UTC 11 )

So early this time! here is mine .. http://smashandsniff.blogspot.com/2010/11/as-local-as-ill-never-be.html.

The Christmas markets are opening here tomorrow – too bad you won’t make it to Germany until after the holidays!

best,

jiff
1. Terence Carter says:
  
  November 21, 2010 at 10:07 pm (UTC 11 )
  
  Excellent! I’m sure you’ll be spending that prize in an African cow-dung hut if you win – I’ll have to check if HomeAway have any on the books…
  T
2. jiffer says:
  
  November 22, 2010 at 5:49 am (UTC 11 )
  
  actually, i was thinking of upgrading…
3. Terence Carter says:
  
  November 22, 2010 at 6:49 am (UTC 11 )
  
  LOL shouldn’t be a problem, although we did see a new version of the classic cow-dung digs in Kenya…
Aida Hatem says:

November 24, 2010 at 1:23 pm (UTC 11 )

I blog about my 4-month stay in Hawaii at http://aidashawaii.blogspot.com
My contest entry is “The Charm of the City”
1. Aida Hatem says:
  
  November 24, 2010 at 3:00 pm (UTC 11 )
  
  Correction: the title of my entry is “I’ll Miss You, Honolulu”. Sorry for the mistake.
2. Terence Carter says:
  
  November 30, 2010 at 1:43 am (UTC 11 )
  
  Aida, Thanks for your entry. Good luck!
  PS: Hope you’re headed to Oahu – I’d love to experience a North Shore winter!
3. Aida Hatem says:
  
  November 30, 2010 at 9:54 am (UTC 11 )
  
  Yes! We are in Oahu, and in fact, we saw some surfers on the Banzai pipeline braving some 20 ft plus waves. It was so cool. There’s a little video in my “One in a Million” post (just after my entry) if you are interested.
  
  Aida
4. Terence Carter says:
  
  November 30, 2010 at 10:28 am (UTC 11 )
  
  Awesome, I will check it out – I’ve always wanted to go.
Nicole says:

November 26, 2010 at 9:05 am (UTC 11 )

Hi Lara and Terrence,

Here’s my entry:

http://nicoledurbin.wordpress.com/2010/11/26/white-woman-on-st-vincent/
1. Lara Dunston says:
  
  November 29, 2010 at 1:35 pm (UTC 11 )
  
  Thanks, Nicole! I love your entry! Especially considering our recent Diani Beach experience
Agnes Trzak says:

November 27, 2010 at 4:41 am (UTC 11 )

My contribution: Bill and the Beer with the Hand http://atrzak.wordpress.com/2010/11/27/antwerp/
1. Terence Carter says:
  
  November 27, 2010 at 9:28 am (UTC 11 )
  
  Thanks for your entry. Love the dog. Too cute. Good luck.
  PS: We have your trackback (below).
Food Lover Kathy says:

November 27, 2010 at 2:44 pm (UTC 11 )

Here’s my entry: New Year’s Eve Dinner in Paris – Living Like a Local

http://foodloversodyssey.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/11/new-years-eve-dinner-in-paris-.html
1. Lara Dunston says:
  
  November 29, 2010 at 1:38 pm (UTC 11 )
  
  Loved your entry! Now wasn’t cooking with some friends and hosting a dinner party so much more fun that spending a tonne on an expensive NYE party with strangers?! Good luck!
2. Food Lover Kathy says:
  
  November 29, 2010 at 2:26 pm (UTC 11 )
  
  Lara – Thank you. Cooking at home with friends always trumps dining out (as long as they help with the dishes), especially on those overly busy nights like NYE. Thanks for hosting the competition!
Liv says:

November 29, 2010 at 6:19 am (UTC 11 )

Hi Lara & Terrence,
My local experience: http://wilt.posterous.com/sunday-at-st-peters
1. Lara Dunston says:
  
  November 29, 2010 at 1:47 pm (UTC 11 )
  
  Thank you so much for entering our competition. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve been tempted to do the same thing! Good luck!
Laura says:

November 28, 2010 at 9:11 pm (UTC 11 )

Hi Lara and Terence! I am linking my entry to the contest (better late than never right?) about the time I spent on a farm in Brazil. Thanks for the opportunity!

http://travel-for-love.com/2010/11/29/life-on-the-farm-in-brazil/
1. Lara Dunston says:
  
  November 29, 2010 at 1:43 pm (UTC 11 )
  
  Late?! Why it’s only the 29th! Our entrants are typical travel writers and usually leave entering until the last day, so relax.
  
  Love your post! Hoping you two will be united on common soil soon.
Meghan says:

November 29, 2010 at 6:31 am (UTC 11 )

Monday greetings to both of you!

I’ve entered your November blogging contest, and you can find my entry here:
http://www.meghanmhicks.com/2010/11/29/living-indolent/

Happy continued travels and thanks for the opportunity,
Meghan
1. Terence Carter says:
  
  November 29, 2010 at 11:45 am (UTC 11 )
  
  Thanks Meghan – you’re trying to get an unfair advantage with this subject! Writing about Capuchin monkeys is considered cheating as I love them so much!
  Good luck!
Rachel Denning says:

November 29, 2010 at 10:47 am (UTC 11 )

Here’s my entry!

Living Like Locals in Las Galeras, Dominican Republic
http://www.discovershareinspire.com/2010/11/living-like-locals-in-las-galeras-dominican-republic-2/
1. Terence Carter says:
  
  November 29, 2010 at 11:40 am (UTC 11 )
  
  Cool, a great entry. Cute pig! Good luck!
Nikki Hodgson says:

November 29, 2010 at 10:52 am (UTC 11 )

My post is up…

“Breakfast in Nablus”
http://neveradullmoment-nikki.blogspot.com/2010/11/breakfast-in-nablus.html

Thanks for holding the contest!
1. Terence Carter says:
  
  November 29, 2010 at 11:12 am (UTC 11 )
  
  Nikki, what a lovely piece of writing. This kind of writing is why we’re holding the contest. Good luck!
Tiffany Weber-Stahlbaum says:

November 29, 2010 at 12:23 pm (UTC 11 )

Here’s a last minute entry: http://bit.ly/hmMWeG
Living local during Germany’s Karneval.
1. Lara Dunston says:
  
  November 29, 2010 at 1:51 pm (UTC 11 )
  
  Well you settled in there quickly, didn’t you?! Dressing up and letting strangers use your loo?!
  
  Thanks for your entry! Best of luck!
Aida Hatem says:

November 29, 2010 at 4:30 pm (UTC 11 )

Hi Terrence and Lara,

Just checking to see if you “received” my entry since there doesn’t seem to be a trackback and there is no “reply” from either of you. Just in case, here it is again, http://aidashawaii.blogspot.com The title is “I’ll Miss You, Honolulu.”

Thanks,
Aida
1. Terence Carter says:
  
  November 30, 2010 at 1:45 am (UTC 11 )
  
  Hi Aida,
  We’re working our way through the entries now. Have your entry but can’t see the trackback anywhere, even though I see the link from your site.
2. Aida Hatem says:
  
  November 30, 2010 at 10:04 am (UTC 11 )
  
  Mahalo
Cathy Sweeney says:

November 29, 2010 at 10:44 pm (UTC 11 )

My entry for the November travel blogging competition is here: http://travelingwithsweeney.com/2010/11/29/my-manhattan-affair/

Thanks!
1. Terence Carter says:
  
  November 30, 2010 at 1:37 am (UTC 11 )
  
  Lovely post. I definitely think you haven’t seen NYC until you’ve seen it *really* covered in snow. Locals bitch about it (especially by February if they get another storm!) but there is something magical about it.
  Thanks for your entry, good luck!
Prêt à Voyager says:

November 30, 2010 at 6:36 am (UTC 11 )

Better late than never!
Live like a local. Go to a {Greek} wedding: http://pretavoyager.blogspot.com/2010/11/live-like-local-go-to-wedding.html

cheers!
Anne
1. Lara Dunston says:
  
  November 30, 2010 at 8:24 am (UTC 11 )
  
  Thanks, Anne! So glad you entered. Best of luck!
pam || @nerdseyeview says:

November 30, 2010 at 8:28 am (UTC 11 )

Done and done!

http://www.nerdseyeview.com/blog/2010/11/30/local-transit/

I loves me some vacation rentals, I REALLY REALLY do.
Sabina says:

November 30, 2010 at 9:52 am (UTC 11 )

Hi Lara and Terence,

Here is my entry http://www.solofemaletraveler.com/the-sounds-of-sharjah/
It’s right at 500 words. I see you have another sounds of the city entry. I didn’t know that when I wrote this. Oh, well. I hope you don’t tire of reading about city sounds
John says:

November 30, 2010 at 11:10 am (UTC 11 )

My entry is up at: http://ghosts.eurapart.co.uk/living-the-dream

Thank you for running this competition.
Kirsten Alana says:

November 30, 2010 at 1:23 pm (UTC 11 )

Hello! Thanks for hosting this great contest! You can find my entry here http://www.kirstenalana.com/archives/3031 about living like a local in San Francisco!
ashley says:

November 30, 2010 at 8:03 pm (UTC 11 )

Hi Lara and Terence,

Here is my entry– http://smashandsniff.blogspot.com/2010/11/south-indian-local-spice.html

Happy judging! xo ash

Oh, and I did take the pic with a timer (it is me on the bike). Notice the people on the bus. It is my favorite travel photo of me– classic.
Larissa says:

November 30, 2010 at 8:10 pm (UTC 11 )

Here are my entries. I did two versions of the same story and couldn’t decide which one to submit so I did both and here they are. Cheers!

http://sunkissedwanderer.tumblr.com/post/2055829650/on-chorizo-churros-shots-and-salamanca-in-between

http://sunkissedwanderer.tumblr.com/post/2056095637/do-you-see-the-frog
Vera Marie Badertsch says:

November 30, 2010 at 8:55 pm (UTC 11 )

My Living Like a Local Entry, At Home in Paris, is at http://atravelerslibrary.com/2010/11/30/at-home-in-paris/

Vera Marie Badertscher
ATravelersLibrary.com
Mike Goldstein says:

November 30, 2010 at 11:28 pm (UTC 11 )

Before there were markets there was…

http://www.quarteryear.com/before-there-were-markets/

Enjoy!
nomadic dreamer says:

December 1, 2010 at 3:29 am (UTC 11 )

Hey Lara and Terence,

Sent an entry but not sure you got it since no reply tweet or can’t see here in the trackbacks. But here it is, if it can still be counted. Just trying out. http://thenomadicdreamer.wordpress.com/2010/11/30/living-like-a-local/
Thanks!
Sarah says:

December 1, 2010 at 12:16 pm (UTC 11 )

As I said to Lara earlier…I had problems uploading my pic yesterday…it’s up now: http://bit.ly/hBo6g1

Hope ok!

Sarah x

Living Like a Local « Travelrat's Travels says:

November 13, 2010 at 10:48 pm (UTC 11 )

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The Pulse of Jerusalem « The World is Calling says:

November 18, 2010 at 3:44 pm (UTC 11 )

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November 26, 2010 at 9:00 am (UTC 11 )

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November 27, 2010 at 4:35 am (UTC 11 )

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November 29, 2010 at 6:06 am (UTC 11 )

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