I am a little bit late with this replace as soon as once more, and this time I do not actually have a good excuse for it! Sure, I have been touring a bit, however largely I am discovering that the second half of this yr is simply whizzing proper by and I barely even realized it was October!
I’ve continued to be fairly busy in the previous couple of months – I feel I am positively on monitor to be again as much as my pre-COVID frequency of journey this yr.
This roundup covers the final weeks of my 2 months in Europe (it is nonetheless loopy to me that I used to be in Europe for two weeks this summer time!), plus all the standard enterprise and running a blog updates.
July and August: The months in journey
- International locations visited: 2 or 4 relying on the way you measure it – UK (Scotland, Wales, and England) and the US
- States visited: 1 – Michigan
- Flights taken (incl. connections): 2 (to get dwelling from London)
- Days spent on the highway: 20
Journey highlights
Re-visiting favourite spots in Scotland – My final replace left off with me arriving in Scotland to begin a UK highway journey with my associates Keryn of Twist Travel Magazine and Tamara of Your Time to Fly. We hung out in Edinburgh, Inverness, Isle of Skye, and Glasgow – all locations I have been earlier than. However the beauty of highway journeys is that you may all the time see new issues! For instance, this was my first time going to the Fairy Glen and Neist Level on Skye, and my first time seeing the Hogwarts Specific cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct. I am going to by no means tire of visiting Scotland.
Highway tripping round Wales – From Scotland, we lower by way of the Lake District in England to spend per week driving round Wales. We noticed castles and seashores within the north, and gorgeous coastlines and colourful cities (and extra castles) within the south. A few of my favourite issues we did included strolling out to the lighthouse on Ynys Llanddwyn, doing two hikes alongside the Pembrokeshire Coast close to St. David’s, exploring the colourful city of Tenby, and visiting the book-obsessed city of Hay-on-Wye.
Discovering a brand new a part of Michigan – After recovering at dwelling from such a busy summer time for a pair weeks, I hit the highway once more for a fast trip to Ludington, Michigan. This pretty city sits proper on Lake Michigan, and I had enjoyable attending to comprehend it. It is the right Nice Lakes seashore city, with a cute downtown space, an enormous public seashore, and a improbable state park close by.
Journey lowlights
Not-great climate within the UK – Summer time within the UK can really be hit and miss with regards to climate. We had pretty days for about half the journey, however have been met with chilly and moist climate the remainder of the time – together with more often than not on the Isle of Skye. That is simply the way it goes, although, and also you in a short time study to all the time have a rain coat and heat further layers with you always.
July and August on the weblog(s)
I often begin to see a visitors stoop on my important journey weblog within the latter a part of the summer time, as persons are really off *taking* journeys as a substitute of researching them. This yr, although, the dip did not actually seem as anticipated – however that might additionally simply be as a result of I used to be affected by some algorithm updates earlier within the yr, and my visitors has been down general anyway.
July was additionally the primary month that Google Analytics formally converted to its new GA4 reviews. This implies nothing to anybody who does not run an internet site, nevertheless it’s been annoying for these of us who do as a result of it is meant attempting to study a wholly new reporting system that does not all the time make sense.
A Harmful Enterprise visitors: I am unable to correctly report July numbers, as a result of my GA4 analytics weren’t reporting appropriately for the primary few days in July. However numbers have been up a bit from Might and June. After which I had 124,000 distinctive guests and 187,000 pageviews in August.
As for brand new content material, my objective recently has been to publish one new submit per week, and I have been largely profitable at sticking to that schedule.
Hottest submit: 15 Things to Know Before Visiting the Lofoten Islands in Norway – All of the vital issues to know in the event you plan to go to this stunning a part of Norway!
Different posts revealed:
My Cleveland area of interest website has stayed fairly regular over the summer time. I anticipate a back-to-school-season dip arising, although, earlier than visitors takes off once more going into the vacation season.
Cleveland Traveler visitors: 59,000 distinctive guests and 84,000 pageviews in July; and 56,000 distinctive guests and 79,000 pageviews in August.
If you wish to see what I have been as much as on Cleveland Traveler recently, visit the site here.
I am fairly far behind on sharing my summer time travels on social media (and have been struggling to share a lot on my Cleveland accounts generally). I largely shared Norway and Slovenia content material on my @dangerousbiz accounts.
Hottest submit on Instagram (@dangerousbiz): By far my hottest submit was this reel I shared on August 31 about my obsession with Scotland. It is nonetheless getting shared day by day, so I clearly struck a relatable chord!
Hottest submit on Instagram (@clevelandtraveler): This reel a couple of new immersive artwork set up within the metropolis received probably the most views and engagement – and it is actually cool!
July and August enterprise replace
Bear in mind, I report my earnings after they hit my checking account, that means these promoting earnings are from April and Might, and the affiliate earnings are largely from June/July journey.
Advert income was down this summer time (as a result of my visitors was down within the spring), however every part else largely made up for that drop, and my earnings remained actually regular general. We like to see it.
A Harmful Enterprise July earnings report:
- Promoting: $6,682.45
- Associates: $7,807.39
- Course/product gross sales: $155.81
A Harmful Enterprise August earnings report:
- Promoting: $6,525.68
- Associates: $4,956.88
- Course/product gross sales: $241.68
- Different: $5,651.68
(Be aware that that is my earnings earlier than deductions/bills and taxes.)
On Cleveland Traveler, advert earnings is beginning to tick again up, which is encouraging to see. I am curious to see what this vacation season will appear like!
Cleveland Traveler July earnings report:
Cleveland Traveler August earnings report:
- Promoting: $2,213.39
- Different: $31.24
(Be aware: A Harmful Enterprise was began in 2010, and has been monetized for greater than 11 years; Cleveland Traveler was began in 2019, and has been monetized for 3.5 years.)
Enterprise highs / lows
Nothing tremendous notable to say this summer time – which is an effective factor in my eyes!
Upcoming journey plans
November: Galapagos – Prepare for an additional Journey With Dad! I have not traveled with my dad since Turkey in 2019, however we have been speaking about going to the Galapagos for years. So I lastly determined to only ebook it! We’ll be happening a 10-day journey in early November that features 7 nights on a small, purpose-built ship within the Galapagos Islands. I am unable to wait to see all of the fascinating wildlife!
December: Christmas markets – I have been saying for a number of years now that I actually need to do one other Christmas market journey. So when my good friend Tamara requested if I needed to affix her for one 2 months from now, I did not need to suppose very lengthy about it! The plan is to spend about 10 days visiting cities and markets largely in Germany, with a facet journey to the Alsace area of France, too. Will probably be enjoyable to check this journey with the Christmas market river cruise I took in 2015.
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