At the end of the year, I always like to look back on what I did—or didn’t—accomplish. And I think it’s safe to say that, as much as I felt like it was impossible to “get it all done,” 2012 was a big year for Revealed Rome.
So much of that was thanks to my readers and followers, who have helped me with ideas and support—and, not least of all, with the inspiration to keep going even when it all felt overwhelming. So a huge thank you. Seriously. I couldn’t have done it without you.
What am I talking about? Let’s see. In 2012, Revealed Rome…
Began a travel consulting service, helping dozens of people plan their trips to Rome and around Italy. It turned out to be one of my best decisions in 2012: Unsurprisingly, I love helping people make the most of their Italy trips… and the amount of positive feedback from clients who had travel chats with me has been seriously blush-worthy!
Published my first video blog post, and followed it up with a video on what to do over Christmas in Rome.
Appeared on the History Channel as an expert on the sex life of scandals of Emperor Caligula, on M.S.N. UK’s homepage as the host of a video on Rome’s hidden secrets, and in Fodor’s Rome 2012 as one of the main guidebook contributors.
Wrote some very fun Italy-related stories—including an ode to beautiful Napoli for Mariner, the best pensioni in Rome for National Geographic Traveler, the best cornetti in Rome for Serious Eats, and what to do and see in Verona for the Guardian.
Thought a lot about what those who work in the travel industry, including travel bloggers, owe to the places that sustain them. And tried to adjust accordingly.
Helped raise more than $110,000 with Passports with Purpose to build five wells for disaster-stricken areas of rural Haiti. (Congratulations again to David Colin and Laura Hoffman of Washington, D.C., the lucky winners of the Revealed Rome travel package!).
Swore off chain stores, focusing my shopping posts on Rome’s best artisans and independent shops and sharing any vintage or handmade outfits that I’d found.
Brainstormed new ways to make my site easier for would-be travelers to navigate, including this interactive map of Rome sights and by organizing my most-useful posts in one handy list.
Oh, and: I wrote a book. (It’s got all five-star reviews so far! Woo!).
And 2013 is looking to be just as busy! Stay tuned for more video blog posts, more tips and tricks, more articles, and (possibly) a site redesign. And keep that feedback coming: Feel free to leave comments anytime, message me on my Revealed Rome Facebook page, or email revealedrome@gmail.com.
Thank you again for all of your support in 2012…
And here’s to 2013 being the best year yet!
