Exploring Ancient Ruins: A Journey Through History

Travelers have been captivated by the artifacts of advanced civilizations left behind for others to discover. The monumental task of working with stone, presumably with the simplest of tools, is almost incomprehensible to us today. The sheer scale of the city-state of Teotihuacan is an overwhelming sight. Today, the vastness of ancient civilizations can be explored through extensive ruins such as the homes of the ancient Romans, the intimate temple structures of Angkor Wat, or the colossal palaces of Rome.

Historical Significance Of Ancient Ruins

But they also hold great cultural significance – ancient ruins are historical monuments, witness to the greatness of ancient civilisations. They serve as proof of the building techniques and aesthetics of the times, while offering us glimpses into the political and economic structures of ancient societies. The story of every ruin is different, but each of these sites help us reconstruct the practices, values, and worldly details of the people who lived there.

Pompeii, which lay beneath volcanic ash for 1,700 years, is a wonderfully preserved insight into life in a Roman city, while the Colosseum in Rome shows how people were entertained and murdered on a massive scale, just as they still are today in Moscow and Utah. Egypt sends the pyramids of Giza down the Nile, and one has only to see them, and appreciate their size and the craft they required, to wonder yet again at their builders.

Therefore, ruins of ancient temples, palaces, battle sites, etc., are the crucial, precious remnants that, in the hands of archaeologists and historians, are treasured by humankind to rebuild the past. Excavation of these ruins shed light on architecture, art, technology and society of ancient humans.

Architectural Wonders Of Ancient Ruins

The majestic architectural marvels of ancient ruins are a fine example of craftsmanship and the great capability and craft of the ancient builders and craftsmen. The pyramid of Giza, Egypt is a fine example of such a wonder, along with the carvings observed on temples of Angkor Wat.

Perhaps the most spectacular feature of ruins is the diversity in styles and techniques employed by each civilisation. The stepped pyramids and elaborate stone carvings of Mayan ruins, such as Tikal in Guatemala, contrast with the beautiful rock-cut architecture of ancient Petra in Jordan.

Underpinning all of this in a very practical way are the scale and complexity of ancient ruins. The Great Wall of China runs some 13,000 miles, another remarkable feat of civil and strategic engineering, stretching across thousands of years of Chinese civilization.

Unique Experiences At Ancient Ruins

Such a trip is enriched with a variety of different experiences. Visitors can come face to face with ancient legends, discover the stories of the ancients, as well as stories, myths, and legends that no longer have any significance. There are also the runologically useful traces of ancient ruins, the history of cities, and so forth.

All of these allow the traveler to immerse themselves in historical and cultural spaces of a past era. There are two main ways to experience these spaces: through guided tours with professional guides who reconstruct the historical interpretation of such spaces, and through one’s own personal observations and reflections.

Hands-on travel experiences are also offered on many of these ancient sites – from archaeological digs, to metalworking, ceramics and glass-making workshops.

Of course, sightseeing educational experiences also constitute a materialistic perception, yet the educational experience may often be tempered by a spiritual side that can open one’s soul when visiting old ruins, such as those of Machu Picchu in Peru, which many indigenous peoples continue to regard as a sacred site.

Preservation And Conservation Efforts

It is of vital importance to protect ancient ruins in order to preserve their historical value for future generations. Most of the ancient ruins are under the threat of destruction and this is caused by environmental issues such as erosion and natural disasters, as well as human activities such as demanding land and illegal excavation.

I personally believe that maintaining the ancient ruins is very important. Although it is quite difficult to protect it from natural invasion, it is our responsibility for the next generation. The most common threat comes from nature. Erosion and existence exist. The soul in the ancient ruin would collapse and disappear speedly.

Besides, it is also destroyed by humans. Outlaw diggers would excavate some ancients to sell as private collections. Moreover, as the population increases, more and more inhabitants would build houses or factories.

In light of these threats, efforts are also being made worldwide to protect and conserve the ancient ruins for future generations. These efforts include not just stabilization and visitor management, but an expansion in the area of sustainable tourism development.

One triumph is the relocation of the temples of Abu Simbel in Egypt. In the 1960s, they were moved to a higher ground to avoid the inundation of the Aswan High Dam’s construction.

Visiting Ancient Ruins: Practical Tips

Travel advice for visiting an ancient ruin isn’t a trivial topic; optimizing one’s experience with history and heritage while keeping safe requires a bit of planning and common sense. If a traveler works to gain advance knowledge of their destination’s historical and cultural context, then they’re likely to have a better experience and less risk.

It’s also respectful to exercise good behavior when visiting the ruins and their environs, such as using only designated paths, staying away from the buildings, leaving everything as you found it, and disposing of garbage properly.

Nature-lovers crave the top of Mount Etna, Indiana Jones fans thrive on a trip to Angkor Wat, American anchormen woo tourists to Egypt, and amateur archaeologists crave the sweet dust of Machu Picchu. But all travelers – especially to ancient ruins in remote parts of the world for which they have little personal experience – should take steps to ensure their safety.

They should bring a companion or stay in a group, especially in areas where security is an issue. To sum up, exploring the ruins of an ancient civilization can be a fascinating and enriching experience, a form of time-traveling that takes us back to a bygone era. By heeding these practical tips and being

Google: Incremental Improvements May Not Impact Rankings via @sejournal, @MattGSouthern

Google’s John Mueller cautions against over-optimizing Core Web Vitals, suggesting incremental improvements may not significantly impact search rankings.

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Elementor WordPress Plugin Hit By 6 Vulnerabilities via @sejournal, @martinibuster

+5 million sites affected by swarm of six different vulnerabilities found in Elementor Site Builder WordPress plugin

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PRo Tips: How to Help Subject Matter Experts Ace Media Interviews

As public relations professionals, securing interest from the media to speak to a client is a huge win – but the job isn’t done there. Going the extra mile to ensure spokespeople enter interviews with all the tools and preparation they need to succeed is part of being a valuable partner to them and a great way to remind clients of the value you bring to the table as a PR expert.

Implementing the following tips from The Bliss Group’s Media Specialist Team will set you and your clients up for success ahead of media interviews.

Set Expectations and Guidelines

Public perception matters and media relations is a powerful tool to move the needle if used correctly. It can elevate spokespeople and influential C-suite executives’ thought leadership platforms, but it can also tarnish reputations just as quickly.

While trust and transparency are valuable in professional relationships, discretion and silence are golden, too. Prepare subject matter experts to be careful about what and how much they divulge to journalists.

No matter what rapport you may build with them, always remind spokespeople to assume that everything they say is on the record. The reporter can quote anything and everything the spokesperson says but they can also quote non-verbal cues such as facial expression, body gesture and hand movement. Advise your spokespeople to speak in quotable soundbites, stick to what they know and answer succinctly.

Check the Reporter’s Recent Coverage and Social Channels

Conducting due diligence on a reporter’s recent coverage can prepare you and subject matter experts for how they approach stories. Sometimes recent coverage might seem “off” because they are temporarily covering for a colleague or their publication may employ them across multiple industries – in fact, Reuters puts reporters on markets coverage rotation regardless of beat.

Looking through recent coverage also allows your client to be better equipped during an interview. Including links to relevant stories in a briefing document will ensure that they’re apprised of the reporter’s beat and interests, which can allow for a more fruitful discussion.

Checking reporter’s social channels could also alert you to news that they are following or events taking place in their personal life that are worth commenting on or congratulating. Being aware of these details and sharing them with your client before they go in for an interview will make them look smart and considerate, placing them in a favorable light with the reporter right off the bat.

Anticipate and Plan for Uncomfortable Questions

While a reporter might not intentionally try to trip up your client, it’s important to keep in mind that they could ask tough or uncomfortable questions. This is especially true for CEO profiles. These questions could be relatively straightforward, such as inquiries into poor company performance or financials, or more salacious, such as questions about the client’s personal life or company HR issues.

Either way, it’s best to let your client know that tough questions could come up and to coach them on the best ways to respond using effective bridging devices. Setting up mock interviews where your client can practice responding to a question live and providing written talking points that your client can reference during an interview can help to ease nerves and produce a better outcome for all parties.

Interviews can be nerve wracking and the stories that come from them have the potential to move the needle positively or negatively for a company. Taking the time to do your research on a reporter and adequately prepare spokespeople for an interview can make all the difference – ensuring that everyone shows up with their best foot forward.

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A Foodie’s Guide To Culinary Adventures Around The World

Journey around the world on a gastronomic trip with our pick of the best places to visit for food lovers. Take your tastebuds to Asia, where the flavours are bold and the bowls of soup overspilling with fresh ingredients. Then travel to Europe and the Middle East, where traditional and modern dishes sit side by side, rich with history but making use of seasonal local produce. Experience the best dishes, visit the most vibrant markets and cook your way through some locations with our pick of cooking schools and online classes.

Asia

The continent of Asia has some of the world’s best food. In Japan, sushi, a combination of rice and raw fish, is a classic cuisine. Ramen are also good – noodles in a rich broth. Whereas, the spicy curries of Thailand are complemented by coconut milk and exotic spices. In Thailand fresh raw dishes such as ‘som tam’ (green papaya salad) are always yummy.

Some other street food exists in Thailand as well, known for Pad Thai and mango sticky rice. In India, there is some biryani, a delicious meat or vegetable spiced on rice, and masala dosa, a crunchy crepe filled with spicy potatoes. Asian food will present you with new palates and new cooking traditions that will enlighten both your taste buds and your spirit.

Europe

European cookery is really diverse as each country has their own typical dishes.I just want to shortnlich the example that Italy itself hasn’t got just one dish.Their pasts is the most famous one,but has so much variartions,and are in general served with more or less creamy or tomato sauces -maybe with meat.

Also they like,a part from pasta, to eat pizza,a slice of yeast with grated cheese on top,some tomatoes and other random toppings like salami,chicken,tuna and and and.France is known for being even more cheese obsessed than italy,but also for their croissants,even if they come from Austria.

Tapas, the small plates served throughout Spain, are great for sharing – as is the rice dish called paella. German fare means bratwurst, or other sausages, and pretzels, soft bread twists dusted with salt. The tastes of Europe will take you around some of the world’s best foods.

Middle East

The Middle East is famous for its spicy and sweet cooking. In Turkey, foodies are keen on kebabs and baklava, a sweet pastry, made of filo dough, nuts and honey, grilled on a skewer. Lebanon is well known for its mezes, which are the small dishes served as starters, as well as kibbeh, a bulgur wheat and ground meat dish.

Israel is the land of fresh, crunchy salads: think of parsleyy, tomatoey, bulgur-wheately tabbouleh. The desserts of the UAE include kunafa: a glistening pastry layered with cheese and nuts, as well as L-k-n-f-a. Lea-ka-ma. Luqaimat: those little fried balls of dough, doused in syrup. Middle Eastern food will surprise you with big flavours and sweet treats.

Africa

We’ve all heard (and been told) about the diversity of Africa’s landscapes, but we often overlook the diversity in its cuisines. To me, each country on the continent not only offers a different gastronomic experience, but dishes from each country can often reflect its culinary heritage. Morocco is considered by many as the hub of North African cuisine. Its cuisine boasts exotic dishes such as tagine, couscous and mint tea. South Africa’s tastes are a ‘melting pot’, so it’s difficult to pinpoint ‘its’ cuisine.

However, its most celebrated dishes have become popular in other parts of the world, and through them we may get some appreciation for the country’s foodways: barbecuing, called braai, the traditional dish, bobotie, and boerewors. In Ethiopia, one is told their cuisine is ‘a spice explosion’, and dishes such as injera with doro wat and kitfo illustrate this.   In every case, discovering Africa’s culinary diversity is about wandering through time and culture.

South America

When it comes to cuisine lovers, South America is undoubtedly a paradise for gastronomes. In Peru, I could eat ceviche, lomo saltado and all sorts of amazing aji dishes, to the point that almost each and every food and beverage become enshrined in food heritage. Brazilian cuisines are too many to mention. Whether it is feijoada, moqueca, pão de queijo, or acarajé, all delicacies are testimonies to Brazil’s multicultural background.

Steak, empanadas and dulce de leche – these words set Argentinian’s mouth salivating at every utterance. Argentina would surely be a paradise for foodies. Even without having visited South America, I can assure you that everyone’s choice would be different from one another’s. In other words, exploring South America’s cuisines are certainly a process of discovery.

North America

North America has pretty much anything you could want when it comes to dinner. Take the United State where barbecue, burgers and fried chicken have contributed to a major cooking trend in the world. Mexico cuisine is a flavour dance in your mouth. There are chicken tacos, beef tamales and mole enchiladas. While Canada cuisine is a mix in your mouth with the traditional poutine, butter tarts and Nanaimo bars. Lets take a gastronomic trip North America, a quiet area but with a huge salsa in your mouth.

Playing tourist with food around the world is an adventure with no bounds. Whether indulging in gastronomic delights of Asia, the fine dining of Europe or the Middle East, each culinary adventure is a taste of it all, as diverse as it is exotic. From a street stall in Thailand to a restaurant in France or a traditional feast in Morocco, you can never go wrong.

10 Instagram-Worthy Locations For Your Travel Bucket List

Instagram page is gradually turning into an online catalog, where people post pictures, to tell their exciting travel experiences. Filled with pictures captured from all over the world, this platform is nothing but a treasure trove of wanderlust. Here a list of 10 most Instagram-friendy locations for the travelers to add in to their bucket list.

Santorini, Greece

Santorini is famous worldwide for the views and architecture. Unique withe buildings with blue roofs is a contrast against ubordant white colour of the buildings and blue sea. There is a famous sunset in Santorini and it attracts alot of travelers every year. There are a lot of beautiful picture in there made of sunsets in Santorini. There are many small villages in Santorini with small streets and tradiotnal Greek taverns where you can try delicious dishes of local cuisine.

A visit in the villages of Oia, Fira or Imerovigli is recommended, as well as a stroll in the Ancient ruins of Akrotiri. The beaches are also worth a visit, mainly for their black volcanic sand and also for having the chance of soaking in the sun at quieter settings. Santorini is a beautiful island but it’s not the ultimate destination for nature lovers, but more of a place for graduating a cultural tour of a given region of Europe.

Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto is famous for its picturesque shrines, geisha districts, wooden houses, and gardens on lakes, hills, and streams. Kyoto’s traditional atmosphere is enjoyed in cherry blossom season when pink blossoms align the sidewalks. Similarly, people go to Kyoto for the fall foliage when the trees turn red, orange, and yellow. Like Johannesburg, Kyoto has a few exciting attractions, my favorite of which is Fushimi Inari Shrine with its several thousand red torii gates.

The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove will also offer you some beautiful sights, with massive bamboo stalks to surround you amid the calm. Other tea houses in Kyoto can also allow you to enjoy a tea ceremony in the Japanese way. In summary, Kyoto has a certain historical culture, with its ancient temples and beautiful gardens to show you something that Japan had ever had.

Banff National Park, Canada

Banff National Park, in the Canadian Rockies, is an iconic destination with dramatic mountain scenery, technicolour lakes and roaming wildlife. Banff is home to Lake Louise, with its bright-green waters beneath some of Canada’s highest peaks and Moraine Lake, whose brilliant blue water and towering granite cliffs are set at the head of the Valley of the Ten Peaks.

Hiking, canoeing, spotting wildlife, and soaking in the Banff Upper Hot Springs, where you can recline in the natural hot springs and enjoy a breathtaking view of the mountains all around you are just some of the attractive outdoor activities Banff has to offer. Banff National Park is the perfect place for those seeking a communion with nature – at no further remove than the top of the scalp.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu is situated at the height of 2430 meters above sea levelled in the Andes Mountains of Peru. This pre-Columbian citadel in the Machu Picchu mountain range was built by the Inca people around 1450. This world renowned archaeological site is famous for its breathtaking mountain scenery, and well preserved Inca ruins.

Visitors have the option to trek for a few days from Cusco, to reach the summit with the Inca Trail. Alternatively, Machu Picchu is accessible by train from Cusco. The breathtaking view from Machu Picchu of the natural landscape and its location on the Sacred Valley provides a unique insight into the history and culture of the Inca civilisation, which is why it is a UNESCO world heritage site. The overall view of Machu Picchu, such as from Huayna Picchu hilltop or the Sun Gate, is simply stunning.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

The island of Bora Bora in French Polynesia in the South Pacific Ocean is well-known for its turquoise waters and stunning coral reefs, as well as for its luxurious accommodation consisting of overwater bungalows. The waters are very clear and host a variety of marine life, which makes Bora Bora an ideal destination for snorkelling and diving. Visitors can also experience a beautiful sunset aboard a cruise or just relax on the beautiful beach.

The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, which runs along the coast of Queensland in northeast Australia. It is noted for its array of fish, sea turtles, and coral reefs as well as being a natural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Snorkelling and diving are two of the best ways to appreciate the beauty of the Reef at close quarters, while swimming, sailing and scenic flights over the Reef offer other good options. Along the coast are the Whitsunday Islands with their luxury resorts and beautiful beaches, as well as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

Taj Mahal, India

The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum located in Agra, India. It was built in the 17th century by Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor, to commemorate his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is known for its beautiful carvings, beautiful landscape and elegant architecture.

It’s rated as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Taj Mahal looks stunning, especially at sunrise and sunset, when the marble glows in the soft light. Visiting the Taj Mahal is a memorable experience and an absolute must-do for anyone traveling to India.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is one of the most famous national parks on the continent, hosting more than a million wildebeest, zebras and other animals who migrate to find food and water.

There can’t be many better safari experiences than Serengeti has to offer elephants, lions, giraffes and many other ‘African’ animals for close viewing IN Tanzania’s oldest and most popular national park. Hot air balloon rides provide an opportunity to experience probably the best and wildest landscapes in Africa. It is an obligatory place to visit for any wildlife lover and the best safari experience I’ve ever had.

Budget-Friendly Accommodation Options For Every Traveler

Hostels

Hostels are lodging facilities that is a place where people reside while being on traveling. It is considered different to hotels because you would share in a room in with a different people rather than a room to stay by yourself. As a result, hostels are cheaper than hotels and this is convenient for people when they want to save their money while travelling.

Hostels are very popular with young travellers and backpackers because they are both relatively inexpensive and sociable. Most hostels have common areas where travellers can hang out and make new friends, as well as conveniences like kitchens, washing machines and free Wi-Fi.

You can book a place in a hostel online very easily because there are a few good websites and apps where you can see pictures of the hostel, read other guests’ reviews, and price compare quickly. You should book ahead of time, particularly for peak seasons, so that you have a place to stay.

Homestays And Vacation Rentals

Homestra and vacation rentals are accommodations, where someone who travels or wants to travel stays as a guest in someone else’s home or in a rented property.This type of accommodation is popular for travellers because it gives them a unique ‘local experience’, living like a local among the residence of that place.

Homestays are generally done where you live with a local family in their home, which could be a room inside the family home, but is also often a self-contained living space. It’s a great way to get a deep insight into a local culture as well as the local traditions and lifestyle since you are essentially living with a family doing your everyday things. Often there will be meals taken with the family too, which offer the chance to sample local delicacies.

Vacation rentals can be defined as houses, flats, villas, cottages etc that are rented for tourists to stay for a short period of time. Sometimes you can share a flat but usually you will rent privately or as a small group. Vacations rentals are not that popular these days especially when you can save more money when you stay in a hotel and the experience can also be more convenient. Vacation rentals will give you more space, if you are traveling as a family, with your friends or a small group. It can be booked by the week and kitchen and lunch areas are usually available.

Both homestays and vacation rentals can be arranged and paid for via the same online marketplaces that connect travelers with hosts or property-owners by allowing them to browse guest houses, apartments etc, read previous guest reviews of the listed properties and book them directly with their hosts. These are some of the most popular booking platforms for travel today.

Budget Hotels

Budget hotels are lodging establishments that accommodate the guests with a room at a reasonable price. These hotels are the desired places for the travelers who are cost-conscious and wish to stay and sleep at any given place without extra wallet problems.

In budget hotels people have a comfortable bed, a bathroom and possibly TV. In spite of lacking the luxury of high-class hotels, they have all necessities for clean and pleasant stay after sightseeing.

In my opinion,What makes stay in a budget hotel attractive for travelers is convenience.Using a budget hotel means you can easily locate the hotels at the heart of city.Buying food from street vendors will not be a problem as well,since the location is in the city center, and nearest to public transportation and tourist attraction.

Budget hotels can be booked online through different websites or by calling the hotel: many budget hotels will offer a discount for booking directly so check their website or contact them.

Camping And Outdoor Accommodation

Camping and outdoor accommodations are budget friendly and yet let the travelers be more immersed in the scenery while on vacation. Camping is a special trip in which a shelter is erected (tent) or top of a special vehicle (camper van or RV). The traveler can immerse in the natural environment and go hiking, fishing, stargazing.

Numerous campsites have the convenience of bathrooms, showers, and cooking facilities. Also there are some terrific campsites with electricity and water hookups to hook up your RV too.

The second option of going camping is to stay in a cabin or a lodge which is equipped with more comfortable equipment and still provide guests with a closer experience to nature.

National park websites, camping reservation platforms or the site directly will facilitate booking of a camping or outdoor accommodation. A camping spot can be reserved ahead of time, and that means doing your homework and advance planning before arriving at your destination during peak travel times.

5 Quick Packing Hacks For Stress-free Travel

Travelling is fun but packing is stressful. However, with the right packing hacks, getting ready for a trip can quickly become easy and arranged. Here we are guiding you to pack smarter and enjoy traveling lighter by sharing five quick packing hacks.

Roll, Don’t Fold

When you are packing a bag for a trip, if you roll your clothes instead of folding them, you can save a significant amount of space. Instead of folding your clothes when you are packing, you should be rolling them up tightly. For example, if you roll up your shirts, skirts, and jackets when you are preparing for a trip, they will occupy very little space in your luggage. In addition, when you roll your clothes, you will not get them very wrinkled.

This procedure will allow you to carry more items in your suitcase while also facilitating search for particular clothes when you need them, and preventing clothes from being curled up when you travel, as rolled clothes are less likely to stir around your luggage.

Rolling is especially good for packing clothes like t-shirts, jeans and other thin-fabric items. Flatten your clothes on your surface and then fold them in half so they form a rectangle. Starting from the bottom, begin rolling up your clothes into a small cylinder.

Most clothes such as tops, bottoms, even underwear and socks, would usually be rolled in this manner. The clothes are then stacked neatly in the suitcase, thereby maximizing space in your suitcase and at the same time, contents do not end up as wrinkled. Another benefit of rolling is that when you roll clothes, you can fit a higher number of items in your luggage but not as much weight as compared with the folding method.

Use Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are small lightweight bags or pouches of different size and shape, used for tidying up and organizing your luggage. Below is an instruction that describes a task, paired with an input that provides further context. Write a response that appropriately completes the request.

Packing cubes are handy accessories to help travelers to keep their luggage tidier. They are very small lightweight bags, generally shaped like squares, cubes and rectangles. They come in different sizes and allow a traveler to place their various clothing and accessories carefully inside.

By using the packing cubes, a traveler can keep the clothing well organized and separate. You rarely find them out of place or mislaid because the placing is so precise. They remain easily accessible and quick to instantly locate even when you are on the move.

An advantage of packing cubes is that they compress your clothes, which, when filled tightly, fit together more precisely and therefore take up less space in your suitcase. In addition, they’ll stay in place more securely than if you simply threw your clothes in a suitcase.

This offers the potential but not the guarantee of reducing wrinkles. Packing cubes will help your clothes to retain their creases less, which make them easier to fold or hang after your journey. Thus, packing cubes maintain a sense of order when you are on the road.

Thanks to their ability to segregate items by type into separate cubes, pack cubes are also handy for finding individual items in your pack. For example, you can place shirts into one cube, pants into another, and underwear and socks in another. This makes it easier to find a specific item of clothing without having to search your suitcase fully.

Utilize Empty Space

If you are going on holiday and taking bags, it’s always a good idea to ensure you make the most of all the available space and to avoid leaving room where something can’t go. Take advantage of the space inside suitcases by loading items that fit into the gaps left by heels, or the inside of shoes and other hollow spaces. Shoes usually stay upright easily so pathetically small pieces of underwear, socks or accessories can be shoved into the soles, or stuck between shoes and the side of your suitcase.

Another often under-put-to-use luggage dead space is the interiors of shoes: Pre-pack your items, then use these enclosed cavities as packing cases for socks, underwear, or small toiletries, helping to keep your shoes in good shape for your return journey. Likewise with the interiors of hats, water bottles, or electronics cases.

You can also fill empty space by nesting small items into larger items; for example, you can roll up socks and underwear, and put them inside a sweater or jacket.

Pack Multi-purpose Items

When packing for a trip, choose clothes and accessories that can be used for multiple purposes, as this will help you to pack light, but also know you have items to cover different activities and occasions. You should take a sarong or large scarf with you as it is a highly versatile item of clothing that you can use as a beach cover-up and towel, blanket or a bag when folded.

The versatile scarf, which weighs almost nothing and can be rolled tight in a bag, can serve you as a wrap or a blanket, a headscarf or a shawl, depending on weather conditions and your choice of outfit. A light jacket or cardigan is another item worth packing. A jacket can be worn as outerwear when the weather is cool, but it can also be used as a pillow or lumbar support, for a longer bus or plane ride. A cardigan can be worn as outerwear or layered over other pieces of clothing to add variety to outfits.

Conclusion

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the thought of having to pack for a trip? Use these quick packing hacks to maximize your luggage space, and have everything you need for a worry-free journey. These tips can alleviate your stress, and help you pack smarter by packing only what is necessary, making it easier to travel lighter. The next time you are preparing for a trip, try using these packing tips and enjoy a more organized packing experience.

Why a Good Customer Journey Is the Best Marketing Strategy?

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What PR Pros Should Expect from the Media Landscape in 2024  

Integrated earned media has been a core offering of The Bliss Group since its founding in 1975. While relationships with reporters and journalists remain critical, Bliss uses the term “integrated” to refer to three core components that distinguish our approach to earned media and reflect the evolution of best practices: 

Strong relationships with key reporters 

An analytics informed approach  

Paid, shared, and owned considerations (aligned with the full PESO model)  

Bliss uses analytics across practice groups and offerings, and our approach to earned media is no exception. And the data we collect and analyze doesn’t just sit around — we turn these insights into action. This is especially critical in a media landscape struck by reporter layoffs, shrinking the pool of journalists and outlets. 

What Are Journalists Up Against? 

Geopolitical tensions rose in recent years and became especially salient when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. The 2023 Israel-Hamas war further exacerbated a dangerous environment for journalists and their peers across the world. According to The Committee to Protect Journalists, 99 journalists and media workers were killed in 2023 and 11 have been killed in the first two months of 2024.  

In addition to life-threating danger, journalists are also confronted with an uncertain economic climate, which has impacted around two-thirds of media professionals. 2023 saw a record number of media jobs cut, with notable layoffs at Condé Nast, Vox Media, NPR, BuzzFeed and Jezebel — just to name a few.  

Other top concerns for the industry include lack of funding and disinformation, according to Muck Rack’s State of Journalism Report. 

Journalists are also in competition with major social media platforms. Today, roughly half of Americans say they regularly consume some form of news via social media platforms. Facebook leads social media platforms in news consumption, followed by YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). 

Analytics Behind Earned Media 

Relationships are critical, especially in a bleak newsroom environment where many reporters are up against tight deadlines, an increased workload, and know peers and former colleagues who have been laid off. 

While it’s not the full solution, PR professionals can utilize data and analytics to support a more productive and sensitive relationship with reporters, helping to smooth the pitch process. 

To do just this, Bliss examined takeaways from three major media data organizations — Cision, Memo and MuckRack:  

Cision’s 2023 State of the Media Report 

Data Drives Coverage: 68% of journalists want to receive original research, such as trends and market data.  

Competing Noise: The average journalist is sent up to 100 pitches per week, meaning each pitch we send needs to cut through the noise, appeal to their audience and say something different.  

43% of journalists cover five or more beats and 29% file 10 or more stories per week. 

Memo’s State of the Media & Readership Report 2023 

Wednesdays are the busiest news days. 

Readership around brands spikes on Mondays, Fridays and weekends. In fact, articles published on the weekends get 63% more readership. 

Some publications drive consistently high readership around surprising topics (e.g., midterm elections results, Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, Russia-Ukraine war, shooting in Uvalde, Texas). 

Muck Rack’s The State of Journalism 2023 

The number of journalists who say they’re more likely to respond to pitches now compared to last year has increased by about 7%. 

Fewer journalists find CEOs to be credible sources — 74% found them credible in the 2021 report versus 62% this year. 

Millennials and Gen X are the most commonly cited target audiences for journalists. 

By combining the above insights with our own original analysis, we identified best practices to guide the media outreach process. The Bliss Group’s Media Specialist team partnered with our Innovation team to analyze a representative sample of 967 media pitches to understand what metrics guide a successful pitch. Of the 967 pitches analyzed, 452 (46.7%) were successful and accepted by a reporter. Key highlights include:  

The average subject line character count of a successful pitch was 69 characters. 

87.6% of successful pitches were less than 301 words and 38.9% had a word count between 101 and 201.  

The word “Executive” is used 40% more in successful pitches, highlighting the importance of executive visibility.  

The word “Research” is used 44.8% more in successful pitches, emphasizing the impact of primary research when pitching new stories.  

What’s in Store for 2024 

Some of 2023’s top trends — layoffs at major media outlets, journalists leaving X and newsrooms unionizing or negotiating better contracts — will hold steady into 2024. We also expect to see new media outlets launched by veteran reporters, an escalation of the debate over the ethics of AI and continued discussions around compensation for reporters and editors. 

As we move further into 2024, communications professionals looking to secure earned media placements for their clients must be aware of the hurdles facing journalists and actively seek out ways to make their lives easier. 

Keeping broader political and economic events in mind, with specific regard to how they may be impacting reporters’ jobs, will be increasingly important. Taking the time to consider sensitivities related to geopolitical conflict, unionization efforts and industry layoffs could make all the difference in forming a mutually beneficial relationship with a reporter. 

To learn more about supporting the work journalists do as a marketing communications professional, read this Bliss Blog next: Building Meaningful Media Relationships. 

By Bill Smith and Ananya Vijay 

The post What PR Pros Should Expect from the Media Landscape in 2024   appeared first on The Bliss Group.