STA Travel has been shortlisted in the National Travel Retailer of the Year category at the British Travel Awards 2010.

The awards were created to reward the best companies in the travel sector and are the largest in the UK,

“The British Travel Awards are widely referred to as the “Oscars” of the travel industry and are easily the most recognisable of all travel industry accolades amongst consumer and industry professionals alike.”

To vote for STA Travel (and make them ever so grateful) just go to the voting form page, where you can register and then cast your vote (you will need to scroll through to the National Retailer of the Year category). Registering a vote will also see you entered into a draw for a chance to win from the ever-growing prize chest.

Thanks, and if you happen to be voting from a distant destination let us know. Be cool to hear about votes coming from thousands of miles away!

Our explorers have been busy this week, here’s a run down of what they’ve been up to…

New explorer, Emma Jones, left yesterday for her South American adventure. After having talked about it for the past five years, she’s finally doing it and has reflected here on the reasons for her trip and her aims whilst she’s away.

Ever travelled as part of a couple? Amar over at Gap Year Escape reflects on travelling with a partner and how important it is to maintain your independence as individuals. He also gives a list of 30 travel blogs about people travelling in couples. If you’ve travelled with your partner or a loved one before and have any tips about how to make sure it works and you come back as happy as you went away, let us know, leave us a comment!

And finally, it seems Chris has been extremely lucky and had a pretty amazing day last week, skydiving, surfing, relaxing on the beach and a spot of volleyball all crammed into one day – we’re not jealous at all! Jump over to his blog to find out more about his skydiving experience.

Anyone else been up to anything exciting this week? Let us know : )

This week we’re sending our Travel Tuesday love in the direction of Jeannie from Nomadic Chick. Jeannie has done what most of us only dream of: pack in her day job and head off on a trip around the world. Jeannie we salute you!

Jeannie’s blog is a great place to check out if you’re planning to head off into the wild unknown. She covers everything from accommodation to travel books and tips on traveling alone to social responsibility. As she’s been blogging since December of last year documenting her preparation for her trip, she has a wealth of knowledge to share with others preparing for that live-changing journey.

She is also a girl after our own heart in that she has weekly features on her blog such as Gypsy Wednesday (and Worst Washroom of the Week!):

“Every Wednesday, I strive to highlight all the juicy morsels related to travel and beyond.”

Take a look at her latest Gypsy Wednesday post featuring an interview with Oli Broom who is cycling (yes cycling!) his way across the world from Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, UK to Brisbane, Australia for the start of the Ashes this winter, raising money for his chosen charities.

Jeannie’s also keen to point out that although she’s in her late thirties, you’re never too old to follow your dreams and travel the world:

“Because travel is doable at any age!”

She hasn’t been out on her travels long and is keen to hear from other travelers so pop over and find her on Twitter @nomadicchick and facebook, and say hi!

Running with the T theme of #traveltuesday (or #tt, we’ll leave that one up to you) we are very excited to introduce the terrific, Todd’s Wanderings.

Todd is a really interesting fellow who has not lived at home for the past 10 years (well apart from studying at graduate school, did we not mention he’s American?) If his day job as a conflict resolution and human rights expert doesn’t intrigue you, then his fantastic knowledge of Japan and other the countries he’s experienced certainly will.

As well as being an excellent travel resource, Todd’s Wanderings offers a great opportunity to swot up on your international politics knowledge via his Travel – Politics articles. And trust me, Todd is not a stuffy teacher type, but instead brings to life relevant, (and often overlooked) social and political issues facing countries such as East Timor and Kosovo.

His travel articles are full of ace advice which includes Todd’s recommendations on when to visit the destination, how to get there and accommodation suggestions. And if Japan is your thing, like it is for me, Todd is your man.

Arriving in Japan to teach English, Todd ended up living there for 5 years and even met his wife K there. Check out K’s Asian inspired recipes over at K’s Kitchen and once you stop drooling, read about his Shikoku Pilgrimage.

Beautiful photography also brings to life Todd’s travel tales and once you’ve stopped umming and aahhing, get involved with his weekly historical place photo competitions every Friday.

We raise a #traveltuesday toast to you, Todd!

Obviously for a while you’ve been able to get involved with STA Travel via ourselves through our twitter feed @statravelbuzz. However, those who follow us will note that some of the STA Travel stores are now getting on board in the 140 character conversation.

@statravelbath have racked up over 300 tweets already and are an old hand when it comes to offering advice and helping out those eager to travel,

Also getting involved has been @statravbristol (thanks to a crash course on Twitter ettiquette from Ned at STA Travel Bath), a truly fledgling account who are currently firing out news of their latest deals, so keep your eyes peeled. And this isn’t just a UK initiative either, with @statraveldc who despite being releatively new to Twitter have wasted no time in giving us some tips, specifically in regard to Vietnam,

As I said you can follow these guys @statravelbath, @statravbristol and @statraveldc where you’ll be able to pick up on what is currently hot and not in the travel sphere besides asking any questions you may have requiring some expert travel knowledge. Of course, don’t forget to follow us @statravelbuzz too!

Becky and Matt are on their way, today is day one of their epic four month trip discovering and documenting their journey across South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America and finally Miami where they’ll get the chance to soak up some sun and relax before returning home.

You can keep up to date with them on the STA Travel UK 2010 World Traveller Internship site, but don’t forget to check in on their personal sites. Be sure to send them a quick 140-character shout across Twitter were you’ll find them @MattM337 and @BexSTA2010, and to leave them a comment or two on their blogs No Thinking or New Thinking and Final call for passenger Higgins.

Their blogs are already being updated covering the anticipation of departure. In Matt’s case this has been shared in the posts Leaving University Round 1 and Leaving Exeter Round 2. Part of the goodbye party took place on Exmouth beach,

“Had a BBQ, got burnt, and had a few beers. The sky was blue all day, not a cloud in the sky, and we all stayed there until the sun almost went down. It was a great way to spend one of the last days I would be spending in Exeter as a student.”

Becky too has spoken of today’s beginning and the hectic nature of weeks leading up to it. However she’s well aware that all the angst and stress of University exams and organisation involved in being prepared will soon disappear,

“[…] finally the nerves and trepidation mingled with an adrenaline buzz will kick off [just] as soon as we depart.”

I have no doubt this will be the case and I can’t wait to hear about it…

We’ll be checking in with the guys throughout their journey, so come back to follow their adventure as the STA Travel UK 2010 World Traveller Interns!

As you know, alongside STA Travel and Very Gold Coast, we are raising awareness all about the Gold Coast by setting up a pretty exciting Wiki page to feature anyone’s and everyone’s experiences, from the best beaches to the hottest hotels! And seeing as Chris recently hit his 4 month anniversary in Australia, what better way to celebrate than to making his way to the Gold Coast?

So far he has used his photographic skills to the highest of their ability on their way to Newcastle:

“After a good nights sleep by the lake we hit the road again for a quick breakfast stop (well a supply stop at Coles!) in Gosford and then ploughed up the coast to Newcastle. On the way there we couldn’t bring ourselves to avoid an amusing photo stop at Mooney Creek ”

Beautiful!

They also had a bit of a disappointing fishing trip in Forster:

“Our first stop was the beach side town of Forster. After a quick drive around we found ourselves at a little fishing spot just round the corner from the harbour. We busted out the lines and past the afternoon trying to hook some Spanish Mackerel for tea…the cruised around taunting us but we hooked nothing but annoying little bream ”

And had an awesome surf in Coffs Harbour:

“I was soon wettied up and headed down the shoreline for a surf. What resulted was the kind of surf I’d headed to Oz for, slowly peeling but with enough punch to get my turns out All with a headland backdrop and orange sky…. and it was made even better when I was greeted with a cup of coffee when I got out!”

It all sounds pretty amazing, and that isn’t even the start of it as:

“The road trip has well and truly begun…”

If you have any wonderful adventures about your travels in, to and from the Gold Coast, then get blogging, tweeting, snapping and podcasting all about it!

#ExperienceGC