Sunday, December 12, 2010

Just launched! DowntownTraveler.com features arts, culture and adventure

As you may have noticed, I haven't updated the LeslieTravel blog in several weeks. I've been focused on developing a new travel website, downtowntraveler.com.

I'm proud to announce that Downtown Traveler has launched! At just over two weeks old, the site is already attracting a growing community of independent travelers who crave arts, culture and adventure.

My new travel website, downtowntraveler.com.

Learning curve

Downtown Traveler is a self-hosted WordPress blog with 100% original content. In the course of creating the site I've become a webmaster and amateur CSS coder. It's been a true learning experience!

Although I've been blogging since 2008, I've never created a site from scratch. (The Jake and Leslie "Round the World" blog was hosted by travelblog.org. I went into the html code to write my NY Destinations column, but Examiner.com provided the framework.)

I admit I experienced some intense moments of frustration while developing the site. Fortunately, I found a great design template-- Arras-- which perfectly suits Downtown Traveler's photo-heavy format.

Your feedback

My goal is to provide entertaining travel stories, thoughtful advice and reviews on the latest attractions and gear.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions or story ideas.  If you would like to contribute to Downtown Traveler, you'll find my email on the contact page.

I appreciate your feedback and hope you enjoy the site!

***

>> Click here to read my first article, "Downtown Traveler turns one day old today"

>> Follow Downtown Traveler on Twitter (@downtowntravel) and Facebook .


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Sunday, November 21, 2010

GotSaga.com names the 50 most inspirational travelers on Twitter

Online travel community GotSaga.com recently named the Top 50 People on Twitter who Inspire the Travel Industry.

I was pleased to discover I made the cut! "LeslieTravel" is listed alongside such travel luminaries as Evelyn Hannon, the editor of Journeywoman.com, and JD Andrews of earthxplorer.com. Evelyn has over 9,000 Twitter followers while 40,000+ people follow JD.



I'm honored to appear alongside these writers and the other bloggers on GotSaga's list. Many of the featured blogs have personally inspired me, including cumidanciki.com (for its high quality photography and design) and Jeremy Branham's column on Examiner.com (for his ability to produce interesting, well researched travel posts every day).

I began travel blogging during my round the world trip in 2008 and haven't looked back since. I love sharing my experiences, mishaps and tips with other travelers. I'm pleased to discover that my pieces have inspired people to live their dreams and travel the world!

>> For the full list of inspirational travelers, visit Gotsaga.com.

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Monday, October 25, 2010

Photo Essay: The 20th Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade

This Saturday I covered the 20th Annual Halloween Dog Parade in Tompkins Square Park for The Local East Village, a new "hyperlocal" website from the New York Times.

Eli the Chihuahua as an Egyptian pharaoh. (Photo: Leslie Koch)

I met interesting New Yorkers and took photos of their fashion-savvy pets. Standout costumes included Gracie the Pug as Scarlett O'Hara, Sauce the Pomeranian as Tron, and Leo the Dalmation as Slash (of Guns N' Roses fame).

For additional photographs of the Halloween parade, check my photo essay on The Local East Village.

>> Photo Essay: Beyond the Dog Run | Howloween

Do you have a favorite Halloween dog costume? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.


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