There’s no better time to give back to my fabulous readers than during the holiday season! With 2017 quickly approaching, I wanted to take a moment to thank every single person who has ever visited my website and taken the time to read, comment, and share my content over the past three years. While I wish I could send a Christmas present to each and every one of you, only one lucky reader can win this giveaway! Stick around until the end of the post to find out how to enter. It’s simple to enter and the prize is definitely worth it!
Traveling is one of my biggest passions. I love to share my adventures with all of you, but most importantly, I want to inspire you to go out and explore this beautiful world. With that being said, I’m giving away a copy of ‘Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2017’ guide!
This travel book will highlight the best places to visit right now, at this very moment in travel history. The Lonely Planet team strives to explore almost every destination on the planet in order to discover new things for travelers to see or do. This book shares with you places that are overlooked or underrated. It also offers insight into the world’s best-value destinations, the most exciting family adventures, and the most incredible places to stay.
I hope this book can help inspire someone to make 2017 their year of incredible travel experiences. To help you get started, I’m also giving away a $50 American Express Gift Card!
While we’re speaking of future travel plans, I want to share something very exciting that I’m trying to add to my own 2017 itinerary! It’s always been a dream of mine to travel to India. I’m currently in the running to join a trip to Kerala – an Indian state on the tropical Malabar Coast. It’s known for its palm-lined beaches, backwaters, a network of canals, and nearly 600 kilometers of Arabian Sea shoreline!
If I win, I’ll be traveling around Kerala with 30 other bloggers over the course of two weeks. In other words, it’s the trip of a lifetime! That also happen to be their hashtag 😉 #tripofalifetime
If you’d like to win the Lonely Planet book and $50 gift card, all I ask is for you to take one minute (or less…it’s easy) to vote for me! Please click HERE and simply press “Vote Now” with the thumbs up button. Once you do that, it will take you back to my profile page on the Kerala Blog Express website and will display the word “VOTED” with a thumbs up symbol underneath my photo. Go ahead and take a screenshot image of that page and email to carmen@carmensluxurytravel.com so I can put you in the running to win these two prizes!
And that’s it! Again, I appreciate everyone taking the time to read Carmen’s Luxury Travel and thank you ahead of time for your votes. It means the world to me.
***The last day to vote is January 20th, and the following day I will email the winner of this giveaway. The contest is only open to U.S. residents! That gives everyone a month to vote. Good luck!***
Ticker Eats The World
December 11, 2016 at 7:42 amWish you all the best for the competition. I’m sure India will prove to be quite a wonderful experience for you. Lovely giveaway. Lonely Planets are always perfect travel companions
Carmen Edelson
December 11, 2016 at 8:55 amThanks! I hope I get the opportunity to go, I need all the votes I can get. Make sure to vote for me, the link is posted above.
Eric || The Bucket List Project
December 11, 2016 at 5:26 pmVoted for you, good luck, I will be in India in on December 30th for a rickshaw run race for 2 weeks long…cant wait
Eric || The Bucket List Project recently posted…Gift Guide for the Bucket List Adventurer
Carmen Edelson
December 17, 2016 at 8:26 pmI’m jealous, I’m sure you will have an amazing time. Thanks for voting for me!
Indrani
December 11, 2016 at 9:30 pmVoted! It went to 287! All the best to you! Kerala is a beautiful state of India you will love it. 🙂
Indrani recently posted…Faces of India – 295
Carmen Edelson
December 17, 2016 at 8:26 pmThanks for voting for me! I getting my fingers cross that I get selected to go.
Nancy
December 11, 2016 at 11:59 pmGood luck, Carmen! The prizes are wonderful and perfect for travellers to use on their next adventure.
Carmen Edelson
December 17, 2016 at 8:28 pmThanks Nancy! Did you vote for me? I’ve heard from other bloggers that went last year that the trip was incredible. I hope I can go!
Meg Jerrard
December 12, 2016 at 4:39 amHave voted for you for the trip to Kerala … would love to follow your adventures if you get a spot on the trip! Will keep our fingers crossed. Merry Christmas XX
Meg Jerrard recently posted…5 Reasons You Should Consider Travel Insurance in the USA
Carmen Edelson
December 17, 2016 at 8:29 pmThanks Meg for your vote! I’m keeping my fingers cross too that I’m selected, and remain on the top 15 on the list.
Anita Hendrieka
December 12, 2016 at 7:42 amGood luck with the Kerala Blog Express! I was picked last season and had the most amazing time. Such a beautiful part of India and it’s a fantastic opportunity to meet a bunch of bloggers and make new friends. I learnt a lot from that trip!
Carmen Edelson
December 17, 2016 at 8:31 pmThanks Anita! I keep telling everyone to vote for me till the very end. I hope I’m one of the few that will be selected to go.
Mags
December 12, 2016 at 5:00 pmThat’s so cool. Best of luck with the Kerala Blog Express! That sounds like an amazing adventure.
Mags recently posted…3 Ways to Save on Safari in South Africa
Carmen Edelson
December 17, 2016 at 8:32 pmI’ve always wanted to travel to India. It’s such an interesting country. Hopefully, I get the chance to go.
Carla Abanes
December 13, 2016 at 7:30 amI hope you get in and win that fabulous travel experience! Goodluck to you and happy travels!
Carla Abanes recently posted…[Review] Richmonde Hotel Iloilo Philippines
Carmen Edelson
December 17, 2016 at 8:33 pmThanks Carla! I hope I win too. 🙂 It looks like it will be a wonderful experience.
Alyssa | Adjust Your Focus®
December 14, 2016 at 12:34 amGood luck, it sounds like an amazing adventure. I actually found this last week and am waiting for them to approve my submission. Who knows, maybe we’ll both be on it… that would be amazing! Regardless, wishing you all the best.
Carmen Edelson
December 17, 2016 at 8:35 pmThanks Alyssa!! I hope you get selected too. It’s going to be an amazing trip.
Samantha
December 14, 2016 at 1:53 amToo bad this is only open to US residents…as it usually is 🙁
I did vote for you though. Best of luck!
Carmen Edelson
December 17, 2016 at 8:20 pmThanks for voting for me Samantha! Hopefully, I get the chance to go.
noel
December 17, 2016 at 12:25 amLooks like some fun prizes and hope you get to go to Kerala – I haven’t been but I’ve heard it was spectacular and the accommodations are also quite beautiful
Carmen Edelson
December 17, 2016 at 8:19 pmI’ve heard from other fellow bloggers that went previous years that it was the trip of a lifetime. I hope I get the chance to go.
Punita
December 17, 2016 at 12:48 amKerala is truly God’s own country, as you will agree after you complete the trip. I voted for you..
Carmen Edelson
December 17, 2016 at 8:17 pmI appreciate you taking the time to vote for me! I hope I get the chance to go and experience it first hand.
SindhuMurthy
December 17, 2016 at 12:02 pmVoted ! God luck Carmen. Kerala is indeed one of the best destinations to visit in India. It sure will be an amazing experience exploring Goda own country with fellow bloggers!
Carmen Edelson
December 17, 2016 at 8:13 pmThanks for the vote! I’ve always wanted to travel to India and this would be such a great experience to see the country with fellow bloggers.
anna
December 17, 2016 at 9:52 pmGood luck!! The trip sounds amazing. Voted! x
anna recently posted…Best Places to Stay in Yangon | Top Hotels & Hostels
Carmen Edelson
December 27, 2016 at 5:52 pmThank you!!
Venkat Ganesh
December 17, 2016 at 10:17 pmVoted for you! Kerala is a great place to visit and I’m sure you’ll agree after your ride through the state.
Carmen Edelson
December 27, 2016 at 5:54 pmI appreciate it, I hope I get to visit!
Nathan
December 18, 2016 at 2:08 amGood luck! I’m also hoping to win the trip so maybe I’ll see you there! That would be so cool!
Carmen Edelson
December 28, 2016 at 8:31 amThanks Nathan! I hope I win too! It’s such a great opportunity that I don’t want to miss out on it.
Tracy McConnachie Collins
December 18, 2016 at 5:37 amHi good luck! I have voted and it looks like an amazing opportunity!
Tracy McConnachie Collins recently posted…Visiting KrKa National Park in Croatia
Carmen Edelson
December 28, 2016 at 8:32 amThanks Tracy! It’s a tight race, and we have another 13 days to go before they announce who the winners are.
Himanshu
December 18, 2016 at 6:06 amAll the best. Would vote for you. Welcome to India.
Carmen Edelson
December 28, 2016 at 8:34 amPlease tell all your friends to vote for me. I really want to go to India. 🙂
Lynne
December 18, 2016 at 12:43 pmI voted for you! This is such an amazing opportunity for 30 bloggers to visit India. I hope you win so I can read all about it. And so generous of you to reward those voting for you! Best of luck and happy holidays!
Carmen Edelson
December 28, 2016 at 8:35 amThanks for the vote Lynne! I hope I win too! I’ll find out soon enough, another 13 more days to go.
JEM
December 18, 2016 at 2:48 pmVoted! Wishing you all the best.
JEM recently posted…My thoughts on Ryanair free flights
Carmen Edelson
December 28, 2016 at 8:35 amThanks Jem for the vote!
mark
December 18, 2016 at 3:15 pmOnce again an American competition ah well bad luck for the rest of the world. Good luck with your quest to go to Kerala. I love lonely planet they have great basic information that all travellers need
Carmen Edelson
December 28, 2016 at 8:37 amMaybe, next time I’ll open it up to everyone. I hope you voted for me regardless. 🙂
Mike
December 19, 2016 at 1:43 amGood Luck Carmen! I just voted for you and I hope you win. I love reading your blog and you’d be great in the Kerala Blog Express. I was thinking of entering but I already planned a trip to India for the Rickshaw Run that starts just after the Express which means that’s one less blogger you’re competing with 😉
Mike recently posted…A brand new look and winning a Liebster Award!
Carmen Edelson
December 28, 2016 at 8:38 amThanks Mike for the vote! I’m trying to stay on the Top 30 list, and hopefully I’ll win.
Jordan
December 19, 2016 at 10:02 amHope you win – Would be amazing to explore India. And awesome plans for 2017…I look forward to seeing them come true!
Jordan recently posted…Epicurean Escapades: Gluttonous, Gourmet Arequipa
Carmen Edelson
December 28, 2016 at 8:38 amThanks Jordan! Another 13 more days to go before I find out.
Lydia@LifeUntraveled
December 19, 2016 at 1:35 pmVoted – good luck! India is such an incredible country and Kerala is a beautiful region. Hope you win!
Carmen Edelson
December 28, 2016 at 8:39 amThanks Lydia! I’ve never been to India, and am looking forward to the trip. Hopefully, I get the chance to go.
Karla at GlobalETA
December 19, 2016 at 7:19 pmThat really does look like the trip of a lifetime! It’s always been a dream of mine to visit India as well. Best of luck.
Carmen Edelson
December 28, 2016 at 8:40 amThanks Karla! India has always been on my bucket list.
Sandy N Vyjay
December 20, 2016 at 12:54 amBest wishes for the competition. Kerala is a beautiful state , you will definitely have great time here. It will be an amazing experience to travel with fellow bloggers.
May you travel more , blog more and share your experiences. Voted for you.
Carmen Edelson
December 28, 2016 at 8:41 amThanks Sandy for the vote! It’s a great opportunity not only to explore the Kerala region of India, but to not do it alone.
Alessandra
December 20, 2016 at 7:28 amI just voted for you. Good luck darling! 🙂
Carmen Edelson
December 28, 2016 at 8:41 amThanks Alessandra for the vote! I hope I win. 🙂
Chris
December 20, 2016 at 8:08 amBest of luck to you! India seems like the place to be
Carmen Edelson
December 28, 2016 at 8:42 amThanks Chris! My neighbors went this year to India and they said it was one of the best trips they have ever been on.
Elena
December 22, 2016 at 4:12 amVoted! Best of luck and Merry Christmas! 🙂
Elena | http://www.inspiredtoexplore.com
Carmen Edelson
December 28, 2016 at 8:43 amThanks Elena for your vote! Happy New Year!!
Vishal Vashisht
December 23, 2016 at 5:55 pmI’m in Canada. Can I win? Whether I win or not my best wishes to you. Good luck
Carmen Edelson
December 28, 2016 at 8:43 amSure you can win. Thanks for voting for me.
Faith
December 24, 2016 at 5:46 amFingers are crossed for you to win – I voted and shared…
Carmen Edelson
December 28, 2016 at 8:44 amThanks Faith for the vote! I keeping my fingers crossed as well. 🙂
Sara Broers
December 24, 2016 at 10:23 amCongratulations and I wish you the best of luck!
Carmen Edelson
December 28, 2016 at 8:45 amThanks Sara for your vote! I need all the luck I can get.
Kenny
December 25, 2016 at 9:56 pmThat’s exciting and it’s also exciting to start thinking about my travel plans in the year of 2017 🙂 @ knycx.journeying
Kenny recently posted…Frozen: Niagara Falls
Carmen Edelson
December 28, 2016 at 8:46 amThanks Kenny for the vote! I’m looking forward to see what 2017 brings too.
Alice Teacake
December 28, 2016 at 6:27 amGood luck Carmen! I’m also running for this competition so fingers crossed we both get there! I’ve heard nothing but excellent things about Kerala 🙂
Alice Teacake recently posted…10 Things You Need To Know For The Adventurists Mongol Rally
Carmen Edelson
December 28, 2016 at 4:33 pmThank you, Alice! Good luck to you, and here’s hoping I see you in Kerala.
sarah ricks
December 31, 2016 at 4:54 pmGood luck in the competition! I haven’t visited India since I was a kid, and hoping to get back one day.
Carmen Edelson
January 3, 2017 at 9:06 pmThanks Sarah! I’ve never been to India and I’m looking forward to going. I hope I get selected.
ROSHNI
December 31, 2016 at 6:12 pmYou will definitely love India and Kerala is a beautiful place 🙂
Carmen Edelson
January 3, 2017 at 9:07 pmI hear it’s a fascinating place to visit, and I hope I get the chance to go.
Lara Dunning
December 31, 2016 at 8:11 pmGreat idea for a giveaway! I’ve been thinking about doing some myself. I’ve voted and I hope you are chosen to go. Good luck!
Lara Dunning recently posted…16 Favorite Foods From 2016
Carmen Edelson
January 3, 2017 at 9:08 pmThanks Lara! I hope I get chosen as well.
Nathan
January 1, 2017 at 2:23 amI’m competing for the same competition! Hope to see you there! It would be great if we both got to explore the area. You have so many votes! That’s great.
Nathan recently posted…Best Meals of 2016
Carmen Edelson
January 3, 2017 at 9:09 pmThat’s wonderful that you are competing with me. It would be great to have a few bloggers that I know go on the trip. Good Luck!!
Hra
January 1, 2017 at 8:32 amGreat experience!! Its a great contest and i am a participant too! Good luck! Happy New Year
Carmen Edelson
January 3, 2017 at 9:10 pmThanks Hra! Good luck to you too! Hopefully, we get selected and can experience it first hand.
Amy
January 1, 2017 at 11:47 amWhat an experience and opportunity! Happy to vote and support you on your journey, wishing you the best of luck, and a fabulous travel year in 2017!
Carmen Edelson
January 3, 2017 at 9:11 pmThanks Amy! Hopefully, I have the opportunity to go to India. It’s been on my bucket list for a while.
Tamara
January 1, 2017 at 1:24 pmGood luck Carmen! Kerala is on my list of places to see too 🙂
Carmen Edelson
January 3, 2017 at 9:13 pmThanks Tamara! I hope you get the chance to go to one day to Kerala.
Mar Pages
January 2, 2017 at 10:52 amHave voted for you. Looks like you have a good chance of winning. Looking forward to reading your journeys if you make it 😉 Good Luck!
Carmen Edelson
January 3, 2017 at 9:17 pmThanks Mar for the vote! It’s a very close race, and I’m trying very hard to stay on the Top 20.
Helena
January 2, 2017 at 5:29 pmGood luck! I have voted for you. I am also trying to get on this trip (but quite far behind you!). Hope to see you there!
Helena recently posted…2016 in Review
Carmen Edelson
January 3, 2017 at 9:18 pmThanks Helena! You still have a few days to get as many votes as possible. Good luck and hope to see you on the trip.
Joan Torres
January 3, 2017 at 5:28 amI wish you the best luck! Kerala is an amazing state of India, adaptable to any kind of traveler (either luxury or backpacker). You’ll love the coconut curries and the apam. All the best 😉
Joan Torres recently posted…Is it safe to travel to Lebanon? Need to know
Carmen Edelson
January 3, 2017 at 9:23 pmThanks Joan! Kerala is such a wonderful part of India with so much to see. I can’t wait to see it all.
Gokul Raj
January 3, 2017 at 2:05 pmCan not participate in the Giveaway as am not a US resident but have voted anyway. All the best !!!
PS : I am from Kerala 🙂
Carmen Edelson
January 3, 2017 at 9:25 pmThanks for the vote! If you have any tips or recommendations on Kerala, I would love to hear them.
Chrysoula
January 3, 2017 at 5:28 pmUnfortunately not from the USA and I love the lonely planet books. Good luck!
Carmen Edelson
January 3, 2017 at 9:31 pmThe Lonely Planet books have always been a great travel tool for me. I’ve referred back to them on several occasions.
Rezmin
January 4, 2017 at 8:08 amVoted and Good Luck Carmen.
Waiting for your amazing experiences with the trip to Kerala.
Rezmin recently posted…15 Best Things to do in Putrajaya
Carmen Edelson
January 4, 2017 at 3:39 pmThanks Rezmin for your vote! It will definitely be an amazing experience if I get to go. I’ll find out soon. 🙂