Blake Snow

writer-for-hire, content guy, bestselling author

As seen on CNN, NBC, ABC, Fox, Wired, Yahoo!, BusinessWeek, Wall Street Journal
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Tagged Fodors

Published works: Minimalist packing, overtourism, nude beaches, Minnesota

Thanks for reading (and sharing) my latest batch of stories:

Recent travel articles I’ve published for CNN, NatGeo, USA Today, LA Times, and more

Over the last decade, I’ve written and published hundreds of travel stories for CNN, National Geographic, USA Today, LA Times, Washington Post, Lonely Planet, Fodor’s, Expedia, Orbitz, Frommers, and Travel Weekly. For the same period, I was the weekly travel columnist for Paste Magazine, which took me to all 7 continents, over 50 countries, an equal number of national parks, and hundreds of cities.

For recent clippings, click here. For some of my personal favorites, take these:

Best of 2024

  1. My Journey to Antarctica with National Geographic (Paste)
  2. A fanny pack is the only travel bag you need (Washington Post)
  3. You don’t hike” Utah’s Fiery Furnace. You get lost in it. (LA Times, syndicated on Aol)
  4. How to keep phone service while traveling abroad (Lonely Planet)
  5. Sailing Scandinavia on the most “Viking” cruise in the world (Paste)
  6. The Grand America hotel lives up to its name (Paste)
  7. Hollywood basics: Tinseltown’s top attractions (Paste)
  8. 5 lessons learned after visiting every country (Blake Snow)
  9. 5 reasons to sail Greece and Turkey with Royal Caribbean (Paste)
  10. Eating my way through Chicago’s most famous foods (Paste)
  11. Why can’t I poop on vacation? 5 ways to avoid travel constipation (Paste)
  12. Ski resort in summer? Montage Deer Valley delivers (Paste)
  13. Classic Cairo: 5 Things to Know Before Visiting The Pyramids of Giza (Paste)
  14. 11 things to do in Las Vegas with kids (Marriott Traveler)
  15. Cancun, Cabo, or Vallarta: Which Mexican resort is right for you? (Washington Post)
  16. Eating my way through Detroit’s most famous foods (Paste)
  17. Garden of the Gods: I can’t quit Colorado’s top-rated park (Paste)
  18. Is it safe to travel outside of America? (Paste) | 5 ways to sleep on planes (Paste)

Continue reading…

Published works: Everything you need to know before visiting Christ The Redeemer

Courtesy Shutterstock

Here’s my latest for Fodor’s: 

Published works: 25 Things to Do in Utah

Courtesy Shutterstock

My latest for Fodor’s Travel: “Utah does two things remarkably well. Its unique climate catches the driest, fluffiest snow in the world, which is terrible for snowballs. But it’s heavenly for skiing—like gliding on clouds. Secondly, it stars some of the most fascinating rock formations and canyons on the planet–the former is out of this world, the latter legitimately rivals the Grand Canyon. More than 60% of Utah lands are public, and about 100% (give or take) of those public lands are otherworldly, photogenic, recreational paradises.” Continue reading…

Published works: 10 reasons this might be America’s best lake

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My latest for Fodor’s: “America is home to a glut of amazing lakes. Tahoe, Crater, Flathead, and Havasu just to name a few. But in terms of sheer adventure, nothing beats Lake Powell for its houseboats, water-skiing, cliff jumping, swimming, boat-hiking, extra elbow room, and limitless exploration. Here’s what makes Lake Powell the most fun-loving body of water in the country.” Continue reading…

Recent clippings: Surviving recessions, travel restrictions, and COVID winters

Courtesy Shutterstock

Thanks for reading and sharing the ones that interest you the most:

Utah less-traveled: Going extinct in Dinosaur National Monument

My latest for Fodor’s: With so many other national parks and recreation areas overshadowing it, northeastern Utah is easily overlooked, especially when compared to Southern Utah. But with many of the same features minus the crowds, little-known Vernal is like Moab before it became overrun with tourists. From remarkable hiking, surreal canyons, and amazing arches, to prehistoric digs, whitewater rafting, and legalized cliff jumping, there’s so much to like about this so-called “Dinosaurland.” Continue reading…

The trouble with travel in an “open” pandemic

Courtesy Shutterstock

My latest for Fodor’s: “Shortly after coronavirus restrictions closed international borders last spring, I asked a dozen travel experts on when those borders might reopen. The immediate answer was discouraging: sometime in 2021 at the earliest. Many of those same experts accurately predicted, however, that domestic borders would reopen this summer and fall, which is exactly what happened.

“So how have travel forecasts changed over the last half-year, if at all? Are there any silver linings or is there any good news on the horizon for those hoping to travel as we did in the past? And what will it take to regain access to the places we lost this year?

“While there’s no easy answer to those questions, this is what many of those same experts say now: Everything is subject to change in this hesitant, inconsistent new world.” Continue reading…

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Published works: The rise of “travel shaming” and how to combat it

Shutterstock

My latest for Fodor’s about people who don’t think other people should travel in pandemic: “I think shamers are just scared, probably a little jealous, and don’t know how to handle their frustration or anger,” says travel blogger Kristin Addis. “The only way to handle it is to be OK with disagreeing. Shaming won’t fix anything. It won’t help communities that depend on tourism, and it won’t stop people from traveling either.” Continue reading…

Published works: Parks vs Monuments, coping with no travel, best quarantine trips

Courtesy Shutterstock

Although several of my international travel stories are still on hold, a handful of domestic ones recently published that I hope you enjoy. Thanks for reading and sharing any you like:

Published works: 10 vacations to safely book this summer (Fodor’s)

Courtesy Shutterstock

My latest for Fodor’s: Ready or not, the world is starting to reopen to both shoppers and travelers, after more than three months of quarantine. Although international borders are still largely closed, most state borders are open to domestic visitors. Granted, it will take a lot more time and research to pull off a successful interstate trip these days. But for many, the added hassle, increased risks, and fewer options are still worth it. They aren’t perfect. But until further notice, this is as good as it gets. Continue reading…

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Recently published: The Colosseum, origin of Japan, best of Belize, lasting digital detox

Excluding non-bylined commercial writing, here are my most recent media clippings:

Thanks for reading and sharing.