We ask the questions: Q&A with microblogging travel gurus Trazzler
Posted by Lucy on March 5th, 2009
Adam Rugel is the travel-industry dynamo behind online portal Trazzler, where the Twitter world goes to share its real-experience-inspired travel microblogs (Mr & Mrs Smith have been known to post insights on their favourite away-from-home moments there, too). We spent a few minutes catching up with this globetrotting web guru, and quizzed him on travel trends, Woodstock and Scarlett Johansson…
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Hi Adam. Tell us a bit about yourself: why did you set up Trazzler? What’s the big idea?
I’ve been in online travel off and on since 1995, when I started with AOL Travel. A couple of years ago, I was working for a podcasting company called Odeo, which has since morphed into Twitter. After the transformation, I stuck around the Twitter office as a squatter for about a year and worked on my own project, 71Miles. During that period, I occasionally spent some kitchen time chatting with Biz Stone, one of Twitter’s founders. One day, Biz suggested a crazy idea involving ‘virtual teleportation’. It didn’t take me long to realize Biz was onto something: online travel should inspire, yet most travel sites simply don’t. We were off and running. Evan Williams’ company, Obvious Inc, invested in us. From there, we created a Facebook app, then a website, then we got a grant from the fbFund. Our goal is to place you emotionally into specific moments and locales all over the world. All of our trips are hand-picked.
Which is what makes you online entrepreneurs after our own hearts! Hand-picked hotels in inspiring destinations is what we’re all about. Which are the most popular destinations with Trazzler readers right now?
With the world’s economy the way it is, weekend trips that don’t require a lot of money are big hits; that said, everybody loves to dream, so expansive treks and boutique hotels (of course!) also remain popular.
We’ve found the same – in fact shorter trips closer to home is one of our top 10 budget travel tips, and it’s interesting to see that this actually reflects what many Mr & Mrs Smith members want to do. And yes, there is an increasing polarisation towards the far ends of the travel spectrum, so bookings at our most exotic escapes and luxury hotels are up, too. What are your travel-trend predictions for the future?
We think there’s a big opportunity to help steer travellers to the best outfitters who can help with unique, complex trips. We also continue to believe in weekend travel. The vast majority of trips people take are within a short drive from home, and this will only increase in the near future. Travel sites that can address this need will do well.
Glad we’re on friendly terms then! Mr & Mrs Smith’s original raison d’être was sexy weekends away; that romantic seed has now grown to incorporate bespoke travel-concierge services for our GoldSmith members – it’s so important to be able to deliver a truly unique and personalised travel experience now. Do you have a favourite worldwide destination?
I don’t think you can go wrong in driving around Portugal in the summer… party towns, laid-back towns, wine regions and incredible seafood and beaches everywhere you go. When the dollar is strong, it’s very affordable, too.
Of all the places to stay you’ve seen, do you have a personal favourite?
I’d have to say the happiest I’ve ever been at a hotel was the Su Hotel in Bodrum, Turkey. It wasn’t a fancy place, but something about it – low-key, inexpensive, fun, and colourful – captured the mood of the trip. Last November, I stayed at a cross between a B&B and a vacation rental about 45 minutes outside of Puerto Vallarta in Mexico – Casa Rincon. It doesn’t get any more relaxing than a week or two at this place.
Share some more secrets from your travel address book with us…
Washington DC – For a moody evening, visit the USMC Marine Memorial in Virginia at night and view the lights and sights of the Washington DC mall across the river. Walk west and skirt Arlington Cemetery in the dark.
Rent a house at PGA West during the Coachella music festival… pool all day and music all night… it’s simply impossible not to have a great time.
Those are great! Tell me more: describe your perfect weekend – where do you go, what do you do when you get there?
I love to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco and explore the hiking trails in Marin County and Wine Country. Staying over for dinner or the night with my girlfriend Angie makes it even better; we love Hotel Healdsburg in Sonoma County. The weekend Healdsburg Farmer’s market is not to be missed.
If you could time travel, where would you go and why?
How about the Woodstock Festival in 1969 to party? Original Shakespeare production at the Globe Theatre in 1594? Failing that, I guess it would have to be 1989, to the backyard party where I sliced my foot open on a rusty horseshoe post playing soccer – I wouldn’t do that again.
Ow. Let’s move on, away from all those painful memories… Where’s next on your holiday wish-list?
A Buenos Aires/Punta del Este combo.
Right with you there – they’re both high up on Mr & Mrs Smith’s agenda, too. In a perfect world, who would be your ideal travel companion?
My friend Dino, Scarlett Johansson, and Natalie Portman.
Funny – you’re not the first man to name Scarlett as a fantasy travel date. Although think you might be being a bit greedy to want Natalie Portman too! What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done with your real-life partner?
Stoked the fire in the wood-burning stove on a freezing Saturday night at Deetjens Big Sur Inn with my girlfriend Angie. (Sorry about that Scarlett Johansson/Natalie Portman thing, honey. I was kidding).
What do you never leave home without?
Sneakers (always be prepared to run, you just never know!)
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