I’ve recently learned about five travel contests that can score you killer trips around the world. Learn about them below. Good luck!

WorldNomads.com 2012 Travel Writing Scholarship: Southeast Asia
This annual scholarship provides an aspiring travel writer to learn from professional writers and explore the world.
Prize: Go to Singapore on assignment for five days under the mentorship of Rough Guides author, meet the founder of Travelfish in Bali, spend six days exploring Indonesia, and finish up in Malaysia with a former local and cookbook author. You’ll be writing about Singapore, and your writing will be considered for publish for Rough Guides’ next Singapore guidebook.
How to enter: Submit a personal travel essay on one of their four chosen themes and explain why you should be awarded the scholarship.
Deadline: April 23, 2012 at 2pm AEST (UTC +10).
Eligibility: 18+, and you must be available to travel from June 18-July 6
ENTER HERE

Grand Marnier® “Lift Your Spirits” Sweepstakes
Prize: Grand Prize: All-expense-paid 3-day 3-night winter getaway to a ski resort in Vail, Colorado, for one winner and three guests, including travel, lodging, meals, lift tickets and equipment rental; 1st Prize: Snowboard or pair of skis + a Grand Marnier shot ski; 2nd Prize: High-end Grand Marnier bar set with accessories + a Grand Marnier shot ski
How to enter: Like them on Facebook and enter your information. You can enter as many times as you want.
Deadline: March 30, 2012 at 11:59:59 p.m. PST
Eligibility: US resident (except California), 21+
ENTER NOW

One&Only Resorts’ Cape Town Contest
Prize: Grand prize: A four-night stay at One&Only Cape Town including round-trip airfare via South African Airways, dinner for two at Reuben’s with wine pairings selected by Cape Classics, and private tour services by award-winning Micato Safaris. Second prize: Dinner for the winner and five of their friends at a Peppadew fruit 15-acre winery in New Jersey. The prize winners will dine in the quaint farmhouse that dates back to the late 1800s while enjoying a selection of wine pairings and a taste of one of South Africa’s favorite fruits, the Peppadew. Third prize: A One&Only Gift Basket complete with a signed Reuben Riffel Cookbook, Peppadew products, and Micato Safari amenities.
How to enter: Like them on Facebook and enter your information. You can only enter once.
Deadline: March 25, 2012 at 11:00 p.m. ET
Eligibility: US or Canadian resident (except Quebec), 21+
ENTER HERE

Travel Channel’s Australia Sweepstakes
Prize: The winner and a guest will be flown to Australia where they’ll spend an amazing 6 days and 5 nights enjoying first-class hotel accommodations. The trip will also include a 2-hour Sydney Harbour dinner cruise and a Hop-On-Hop-Off double decker bus tour.
How to enter: Take a daily multiple-choice quiz about The Travel Channel
Deadline: March 31, 2012
Eligibility: US resident, 21+
ENTER HERE

Friendly Planet’s Win the World Sweepstakes
Friendly Planet is doing six drawings over six months. They already gave away trips to South Africa and Peru. After this China trip, the next prizes are trips to Turkey, Ireland, and India.
Prize: One lucky winner will receive their Taste of China tour package for 2. The package includes round-trip flights from Los Angeles via Air China, ground transportation, flights, and transfers within China; 8 nights in 4 & 5-star hotels; 8 buffet breakfasts, 3 lunches & 1 dinner; a professional English-speaking tour director; and comprehensive touring, including entrance fees.
How to enter: Like them on Facebook and enter your information.
Deadline: US or Canada resident, 21+
Eligibility: March 31, 2012 @ 11:59 pm (EDT)
ENTER HERE

When I was younger, I went on a life-changing mission trip to Mexico that taught me to be forever grateful for everything I have. I know that everyone would benefit from such an eye-opening experience. I just learned about an opportunity that will give another young person the chance to go on a volunteer trip in Kenya, so I wanted to share the details.

TakePart, a social action network, has launched World Changers 2012, a youth initiative that inspires and encourages young adults to “see and serve” in their local and global communities. They’re hoping to increase civic engagement within young adults and lower the barrier to entry for youth involvement in exploring the world and shaping it for the better.

To kick things off, TakePart along with MetoWe.com is giving young adults between 18-22 the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime, three-week volunteer adventure in Kenya.

The prize:

• Round-trip airfare to Nairobi
• Accommodation and three meals daily
• Cultural immersion including a full-day safari adventure, Swahili lessons, environmental walks
• Facilitated volunteer experiences such as building schools, teaching local children, and planting shade trees

Eligibility:
You must be a United States resident between the ages of 18-22.

How to enter:
Visit www.takepart.com/world-changers and enter by Sunday, February 26 at 11:59pm EST. One entry per person. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, February 29.

On the same site, you can share and read about travel and volunteer experiences, offer travel advice, interact with fellow adventurers via text, photos and videos, and discover new ways to take action.

It’s time for another travel giveaway! This time, I’m giving away five guidebooks for the country of Wales. I’ve been all over Scotland and England, but Wales is one part of the United Kingdom that I have yet to visit.

The books being given away are Alastair Sawday’s Special Places to Stay: Wales (pictured right). To enter, leave a comment below by January 22, 2012 telling me why you want to visit Wales. The winner will randomly be selected using random.org.

Harlech Castle

Wales has a gorgeous landscape, with mountains, coastal areas, many in large stretches of national parks. It also has many stunning castles. The country also has its own language, Welsh, which you may be lucky enough to hear spoken in the northern part of the country. Though don’t worry–all of the signs are also in English.

Don’t forget–leave a comment below by January 22 to be entered to win!

Why not head to the Visit Wales website for lots more inspiration about romantic breaks away?

Me in my Pentonvillain thermals top

****This contest has ended! Comments 34 and 31 were selected by Random.org as the winners.****

The temperatures have finally tumbled here in Austin, Texas, and it really feels like winter. So when the Australian company Pentonvillain asked me if I would like to try a pair of their thermals to try and some to give away, I jumped at the chance.

They gave me two sets of women’s thermals to give away to two lucky readers (valued at AUD $160 each set), so check out the instructions at the bottom of the post to learn how to win them!

Their thermals, or what Americans often call long underwear and longjohns, are made from the wool of Australian merino sheep. The thermals are small and compact–perfect for travel–but are made to insulate you in weather of all seasons. I’d previously only heard of thermals meant for cold weather.

The high-quality fiber has great moisture wicking abilities, breathability, insulation, softness, elasticity, durability, and UV protection. It is also biodegradable and natural. Plus, I learned that it’s renewable, since merino is a natural fiber shorn off the sheep and every year another fleece grows back. Pretty cool.

The thermals come in a cool tin box (like the one I’m holding to the right) that can be re-used for a number of things. While the white top is a wee bit see-through, I really like the texture–not too thin like many long-sleeve white shirts tend to be, but not too hot. It is soft on my skin and moves easily. It’s the type of top that will definitely keep me warm without taking up much space in my suitcase or backpack. And it’s form-fitting enough that it will go well under sweaters and jackets.

The only real downside is that you can currently only buy Pentonvillain products on their website, but I love supporting a small business. The smell of the fabric when I opened the box was a little unusual, but I could tell it was because it was fresh wool–not some generic cotton shirt I bought at Target. Learn about the cool origin of their company name here.

GIVEAWAY:

Pentonvillain is providing a set of thermals to two of my lucky readers for this giveaway! They will provide whatever size you need. Each pair is valued at AUD $160!

To enter, leave a comment below and tell me where in the world you would wear your Pentonvillain thermals! Leave your comment by December 20, 2011. I will select the winner randomly using Random.org.

I haven’t done a post about travel contests in a while. Here are a few going on right now! I’m making this easy on you: all three end on December 16. Win some travel money, a tropical getaway, or a London vacation.

Win $500 for the Holidays from Enrout.com (a new search engine for alternative lodging)
Prize: $500 to spend however you choose (if you’re here, probably for a vacation, right?)
How to enter: There are six ways to enter, most of which involve Twitter and Facebook. Find the list of ways to enter here.
Dates: Now through 12/16/2011, 11:59pm PST
Eligibility: You must be a US citizen and 18+

The Aruba Marriott's adult-only pool

“Aloe Can You Go” Twitter contest from Aruba Marriott Resort
Prize: Two free nights at the Aruba Marriott Resort
How to enter: Follow @arubamarriott and figure out which is a true or false statement about the aloe plant, one of Aruba’s top exported products. Re-tweet the statement with an answer of “true” or “false” and use the hashtag #ALOE. On December 19, the winner will be randomly selected and announced via Twitter.
Dates: Runs 12/12-16

Win a London Getaway from Anytrip.com
Prize: A two-night stay in a London hotel, a meal with champagne at Grand Imperial Chinese restaurant, a Sandeman’s London tour of your choice, and £300 travel money
How to enter: Like them on Facebook and tell them what you and a friend would do on your perfect day in London as a comment on their wall post. You’ll need to finish this sentence in your comment: “On a perfect day in London, @[your friend’s name] and I would [description of what you would do].” Here’s the important part: you have to tag the Facebook friend you’d bring along.
Dates: Now through 12/16/2011.
Eligibility: 18+
Full contest details here

A message from our partners: Before you travel, make sure you book some backpackers insurance. With over 50 hazardous activities covered as standard, you can enjoy your trip knowing you are protected.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED

In August, I spent three nights in Vancouver, British Columbia for the first time. My husband and I loved the cosmopolitan feel of the city, the phenomenal food, and the gorgeous waterfront views.

I bought two guidebooks for my trip before we left, but they are only very gently used, so rather than selling them, I’ve decided to give them away. I no longer have the pull-out map that was in one of them, but other than that and a few slightly worn corners, they’re good as new.

I’m also throwing in a pack of Travellers Deck cards called “100 Best Local Places to Eat and Shop in Vancouver,” which is new and unopened (I sadly forgot to take it with me!). It’s like a guidebook, but a series of cards. It says on the box that you can also present the cards for exclusive discounts.

The books are:

• The Rough Guide to Vancouver, with Victoria, Whistler and the Gulf Islands (published May 2010)
• Vancouver Encounter by Lonely Planet (published October 2009)

The total value of all three is around $45. If you want to win, leave a comment below by Wednesday, November 2, telling me what activity you’re most looking forward to doing when you visit Vancouver.

I will use Random.org to randomly select a winner on November 3, and I will contact the winner by email. No purchase is ncessary.

Good luck!

I found out about a few recent travel contests that are worth entering, so I wanted to share these with you!

USA Road Trips Competition from HostelBookers.com
Prize: Free accommodation for you and a friend for three nights in San Francisco, three nights in Los Angeles, and three nights San Diego, plus $300 for travel expenses (gas/food) and a free tour in each city. Package worth $1,000.
How to win: Watch the videos on this webpage and follow the instructions there (you will have to email HostelBookers.com answers to questions that you will find out from watching the videos).
Eligibility: Open to anyone age 18 or over.
What else you should know: The accommodations are for dorm rooms at hostels, so don’t enter if that’s not your style. The accommodations don’t have to be used consecutively.
Deadline: June 10, 2011

Hampton Where to Weekend Sweepstakes
Prize: Grand prize is 10 free weekend stays (20 room nights) at any Hampton hotel worldwide. Ten first-place winners will get one weekend stay (two room nights) at any Hampton hotel worldwide.
How to win: “Like” Hampton on Facebook and use the “Where to Weekend?” application to discover your top weekend destinations based on your hobbies and interests.
Eligibility: Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 years of age.
Deadline: June 30, 2011

Kaleidoscopic Wandering’s City Go Card Giveaway
Prize: Two three-day City Go Cards to the city of your choice (11 to choose from)
How to win: Leave a comment here saying which of the 11 cities you would want to win passes for.
Eligibility: Readers worldwide can enter
What else you should know: The cards expire approximately one year after the winner is drawn, but once the three-day cards are actually activated, they must be used over the course of the following three days.
Deadline: June 17, 2011

I just found out about these two travel contests with killer prizes, so I wanted to spread the word to fellow travel lovers! The first is really quick and easy to enter. The second requires a little more time and creativity.

1) The Dealy World Tour Contest

• Prizes: The grand prize is a world tour to 10 international cities worth $20,000! Your hotels and flights will be paid for, and you’ll get three Dealy deals for free for each city. The runner-up wins an iPad 2. For third place, 10 people will win $100 towards Dealy deals in their city.
• How to enter: Easy–just fill out a form! And invite friends and share on social media for more entries.
• Enter by: April 15, 2011
• Enter here

2) Sony Reader $10K Getaway Giveaway
Sony has partnered with several travel bloggers for this contest. You will enter on a widget on one of the blogs, but all entries will feed into the same pool for the grand prize. Each blog will also select an additional winner for a smaller prize.

• Prizes: The grand prize is a $10,000 travel stipend (to be used to take a dream vacation), plus a Sony Reader Pocket Edition and $100 Reader Store gift card. Each blog will also choose an individual to win a Sony Reader Pocket Edition.
• How to enter: Pick a dream destination, and in 400 characters, say where you are, what you’re up to, and what you’re reading.
• How to win: The public will vote on the entries, and the one with the most will be the grand prize winner. The bloggers get to select the Sony Reader Pocket Edition winner for their blog based on their own criteria.
• Enter by: April 19, 2011
• To enter, start here. Then cick through to one of the blogs and enter directly on their entry widget (it will likely be in a blog post they wrote about this contest). You can enter as many times as you want on all of the blogs.

Itching to travel the world? If you have some writing or photography talent, you might be able to globetrot for free. Here are two great travel contests currently running:

WorldNomads.com/Rough Guides Travel Writing Scholarship

Prize: Join Rough Guides writer Terry Richardson on a trip to Turkey and be mentored by him. You’ll be flown to Istanbul to meet him, and he’ll give you a writing assignment there. You will be expected to review many things in the area. Your work will be considered for the next edition of the Rough Guide to Istanbul. You will also get to go on a 12-day Turkish Delight Tour with BikeHike Adventures.

How to enter: Submit a maximum 500 word travel essay on one of their nominated topics and tell them why you should be awarded the scholarship. Enter here.

Ends: March 28, 2011

Other important info: You must be available to travel June 7-28, 2011. You will not be with Terry the whole time, so you must be comfortable with some solo travel. Note that it is not guaranteed that your writing will be published.

iExplore Photo Safari Contest

Prize: Grand prize is a safari for two to Kenya valued at $9,000. Runner–ups and judge favorites will win $250 travel vouchers and adventure gear from iExplore and their sponsors.

How to enter: Upload your best travel photo. People vote on the submitted photos, and the pictures with the most votes will win. Create an account and submit your photo here.

Ends: Submissions must be received by April 15, 2011. After that, the 20 photos with the most votes will go on as finalists, and a panel of judges will select the winner.

Other important info: You can submit more than one photo, but only one can go on to the final round.

Wedding at the Alyeska Resort in Alaska

I’m getting married in late March, so weddings have been on my mind! Last month, I published a series of posts on destination weddings. This included:

• Tips for planning a destination wedding
• The pros and cons of destination weddings
• Great locations for destination weddings

In celebration of that recent series, MissNowMrs.com has offered a free gift card for five of my readers. MissNowMrs.com is a service that streamlines and simplifies the frustrating name-changing process that newlyweds go through. The company says it can save you up to 13 hours of time, and they’ve helped over 70,000 brides change their last names. This service normally costs $29.95, but you can enter to get it for free by commenting below.

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment below by January 31, 2011, telling me where you’re going on your honeymoon or where you plan to go on your honeymoon. Five winners will randomly be selected to win a gift card. Be sure to give your actual email address so I can contact you (it won’t be displayed on the site)!

Mikey Kavalus, an avid world traveler, and three of his friends recently launched a travel film festival.  Their new Nomading Film Festival is aimed directly at regular travelers like you and me–not necessarily professional filmmakers.

Brooklyn, New York will be home to the film festival on June 17 and 18, 2011.

The fledgling film festival’s slogan is “Engage. Explore. Record.” Rather than looking at travel as merely a leisurely activity, the festival creators see it as the opportunity to explore the planet and engage with people. This festival strives to give traveler lovers a great platform for sharing their stories.

Here’s what else Mikey says about why they created this festival:

Traveling has shaped each of us (as I’m sure it has you), especially during those moments when we are out of our comfort zone and totally insignificant in the local culture and moment, and we wanted a way to unite travelers to celebrate the art of traveling and to connect with like-minded people. In this day and age, our mobile phones can record moving images and sometimes some of the best travel stories are recorded by non-filmmakers, so our message is that if you have a video story to share, come one, come all. In travel we trust.

Submission information (submit here)

• Films can be up to 15 minutes.
• The submission fee is only $10 if you submit by January 31. The fee goes up to $20 starting on February 1 and will remain there through April 30.
• You can be from any country and the film can be made in any country.
• You can shoot the film with anything that records video.

What they’re looking for

We are looking for authentic non-fictional travel experiences.  We don’t want you trying to film Rob Roy. You can film vistas, animals, weird people, yourself, locals, tourists and anything and everything else. The point is to engage and explore in whatever manner you so choose.  When you leave your comfort zone and you get the camera rolling, amazing thing tend to happen.

The prizes
The audience attending the festival do the voting–no panel of uppity judges. The grand prize winner will receive two spots on a trip to Egypt with Intrepid Travel. Category winners will win travel items such as flights, gear, and more (no details yet).

The categories
1) The trip I wish I was on
2) The trip I’m glad I wasn’t on
3) The nomad(s) I want to travel with
4) The most enlightening trip
5) Simply put, that trip makes me want to travel, now!

SUBMIT your film now!

Find them on Twitter @NoFFnyc

photo credit: Mecookie

Will you submit something to the festival?

I’m a sucker for travel contests, and this one is no exception. I just found out that HostelBookers.com is running a contest with an awesome travel prize.

All you have to do is fill out a survey for HostelBookers.com that asks for some of your thoughts on travel, such as where you travel, why you go there, and what you do there. The contest deadline is October 31, 2010. Last year, 10,000 people filled out the survey. This year, they’re offering a contest to get more people to take the survey.

When you complete the survey, you are entered to win a “round-the-world” airline ticket worth £3,000 (~$4,746 USD), plus £1,000 (~$1,582 USD) in spending money for the trip. After reading the fine print, I can tell you that what the prize actually is is two round-trip tickets from the UK to anywhere, as long as it costs no more than £3,000.

While I’m sure more than 10,000 people will sign up this year since they are heavily promoting the contest, I still think the odds will be good. Anyone can easily enter a contest where you just fill out a short form with your contact information. Completing a full survey takes more time and brain power, so I think less people will enter it than a normal contest.

What’s the fine print? Here are the major points you should be aware of:

• As mentioned above, the flight has to originate and return to the UK, so this wouldn’t be as great of a deal for someone living outside of Europe.
• You don’t get the spending money until you’ve booked your flights.
• Your flights must be booked at least four weeks before travel and travel must be completed by September 30, 2011.
• “In the unlikely event that the passengers are downgraded or offloaded due to high load factors, they will be responsible for any costs incurred and Flight Centre will not be held responsible.” I doubt that’s likely, but yikes.

Will you be entering the contest? I did!

Photo by Yuichi Kosio