Fame and recognition

[Chiny]

Congratulations... Notes from Spain has gone mainstream and been recognised as useful by the Guardian (UK national daily newspaper). The reference appears on page 5 of the travel section of the 6 May 06 issue.

http://travel.guardian.co.uk/cities/story/0,,1768424,00.html for those that want to read the article online.

Should be a boost to getting new members :smug:

--
Chiny

[richardksa]

Oh, he didn't do it justice. If it hadn't been for Ben and Marina's blogs and podcasts I would have missed out on soooooo much. Tourist guides cater only for what there is to see. Ben gives a more in depth, personal view. I loved the visit to the market and the trip by the teleferico. Both things which I have now done myself. More of these please Ben. What I like is when my Spanish associates ask me, "Where did you hear about that?" Notes from Spain, that's where!

[Ben]

Thanks to both of you! I saw the article, not exactly pouring praise on us but a link none the less! Richard, I'm really happy to hear we are useful, more soon!

[Davood]

It,s very nice news. Hope Ben and Marina be successful in their way!

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[lumpsuckerpig]

What did he want from the podcast? A full guided tour with a glass of sangria thrown in? The 'casts throw in tons of atmosphre and more than enough background 'noise and chatter' to enable you to close your eyes and imagine you are there anyway.

Ben 1 Guardian 0 (Red Card Sean Dodson of the Guardian, serious foul play)

[Alan]

Ach, he only has so much space to write in. The site was mentioned, was called useful and Ben has his link. But the author is right! Listening to a podcast can spoil the atmosphere. If I'm away experiencing some lovely new place, I would not want Ben chatting away in my ear!

(no offence, Ben, you know I'm an avid listener :P)

[richardksa]

Alan, I disagree. I learned long ago that the best way to get to know somewhere is follow the locals. They can tell you so much that does not appear in any guidebook. If the tourist office has a guided tour I always sign up. The National Trust in the UK does this with recorded audio guides, as do museums and sites of interest all over Europe. What is that if not a form of Podcast?

Purely by chance I found a number of short length podcast from the Madrid tourist office, which are now all downloaded on my MP3 player, and they are a wonderful accompaniment to my walks around Madrid. In fact during my last visit my Spanish friend was sure I knew more about Madrid than she did.

I visited one town in France where the tourist office published a list of phone numbers that could be called when you visited a place of interest which would give you a short programme about the place. If the voice is as charming as Marina's (sorry Ben) so much the better!!