Susan Barnes

Tampa, FL USA
Contact

Professional Experience

I am a travel writer based in Tampa, Fla. It's what I do. It's who I am. You see, travel is my passion. It's in my blood. As a (proud) Army brat, I've lived all across the United States, traveled internationally, and have an unquenched wanderlust. I want to go everywhere. I want to experience everything. I want to discover new destinations. And I will. I thoroughly enjoy sharing new places with people, and relish the challenge of relaying what I've found to readers in a way that is informative, engaging and entertaining. Visit www.travlingirl.com/clips to read some of my recent work, and feel free to follow me on Twitter: @travlin_girl.

Expertise

Account manager
10 Years
Editor
14 Years
Writer
14 Years

Specialty

Lifestyle
8 Years
Travel
14 Years
Other, Specify
9 Years

Industries


Magazine - Large Consumer/National magazines
7 Years
Magazine - Local/Regional magazines
7 Years
PR (firm) - Small to mid-sized corp. clients
8 Years

Total Media Industry Experience

14 Years

Media Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)

Healing Lifestyles & Spas (3-5), Forbes Travel Guide (3-5), girlsgetaway.com (10+), AARP.org (3-5), Afar (1-2), ALuxuryTravelBlog.com (1-2), CheapoAir.com (1-2), Denver Life Magazine (10+), My Midwest (Midwest Airlines' inflight magazine) (1-2), New York Post (3-5), up! (WestJet Airlines' inflight) (1-2), USAToday.com (10+), Womens Adventure Magazine (1-2), Women's Health & Fitness (1-2), duPont Registry (10+), GO Magazine (Airtran's inflight magazine) (10+)

Corporate Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)

Pelco (3-5), Managing Editor - Nikki Style (Nikki Beach) (1-2)

Other Work History

director of communications, public relations manager

Computer Skills

Word, InDesign, Dreamweaver

Equipment

laptop, digital camera

References

Available upon request

Associations

PRSA (APR)

Showcase

General

Snorkel with Susan B. Barnes as she swims with the migrating whale sharks as they make their way through the Caribbean waters off the coast of Cancun
Daytona Beach, Flagler County, Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, Miami, Pensacola, Sarasota, St. Petersburg/Clearwater
Often coupled with its neighboring city, Washington, D.C., Baltimore is certainly a destination in its own right. A city rich in history, culture and cuisine, not to mention the picturesque Inner Harbor, there is much to see and do—and eat!
Just half an hour outside Charleston, this town offers fun shopping without the crowds. Visit on Third Thursdays, when stores stay open until 8 p.m.
Walking towards Brussels' Grand-Place, a UNESCO World Heritage site, my senses were overwhelmed. It might have been the jet lag that first day, but the sounds of the bustling city streets, the masses of people darting about like schools of fish and the cool air all had a dizzying effect.
You may have seen them gliding atop the waters of the Bay area—in downtown Tampa, along the Intercoastal, out in the Gulf. They’re not surfing; they’re not windsurfing; they’re not kiteboarding. What is it that they’re doing? They’re stand up paddling, or SUP!
Jupiter is a quiet beach town tucked along Florida's east coast, just about an hour and a half north of glitzy South Beach and Miami. Though it's quiet and more eco-oriented than its sizzling sister to the south, Jupiter is big on fun, delectable food and ample opportunities for relaxing...
ome to the increasingly popular South by Southwest (March) and Austin City Limits (September) music festivals, it’s no wonder that Austin, Texas, is known as the Live Music Capital of the World. But the city has so much more to offer, throughout the year!
A jaunty look at Knoxville, Tenn.
You may have heard about a little golf tournament held each spring in Augusta, Georgia, set amidst azaleas blooming in all their glory and impeccably-manicured greens. Well, let me tell you, there’s more to the Garden City than tees and links. My college roommate Nikki and I had a chance to spend a few days in Augusta, and found not only a lot of outdoor activities to fill the daylight hours, but tempting restaurants and energizing pubs once the sun set.
Indulge in breakfast at Brennan’s Restaurant, a New Orleans breakfast tradition. Head down to the French Quarter and order your three-course breakfast with the Banana’s Foster for dessert, a Brennan’s creation.
A visit to Maui can't be complete without getting out on, in, or below the water's surface. Whether you're a surfer (board or kite), snorkeler, SCUBA diver, or sailor, the waters that surround Maui and the Hawaiian Islands are spectacular, and certainly command time to discover.
Most times, the only way I experience a place by air is when I fly in. But not during my recent trip to Maui! During the week I was on the magical island, I had the chance to experience the island by air - in three different ways!
When approaching Maui by air, it's immediately apparent that the island is filled with extreme varieties of landscapes. From the verdant, rolling hillsides to the waves thundering against the hard volcanic cliffs to the roads that weave their way across and around the island. The best way...
Annually, tens of thousands make their pilgrimages south during the winter months to warmer weather, brighter sun and richer feeding grounds. And those are just the snowbirds!
For a state filled with 663 miles of beaches, theme parks featuring mice, boy wizards, killer whales, LEGOs and space travel, it may be surprising to learn there are also world-famous museums and myriad cultural gems in Florida. Here’s a look at a few that ought not to be missed during a visit, wherever travel plans may take you.
Top 10 things to do in the Tampa Bay area.
A multi-page feature in the August edition of GO in anticipation of the political conventions in Tampa and Charlotte.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, who was shot in Washington, D.C. on April 14, 1865; he died early the next morning. Though his presidency was cut short, his legacy is as strong as ever, as is evident in the countless books published...
Contributor: Get the new year started off right and unplug at one of our recommendations for Travel's Best All-Inclusive Resorts 2015. From the rustic Ranch at Rock Creek to the luxe Parrot Cay and Como Shambhala Retreat, our coveted list has something for every type of traveler...
Close your eyes and picture your perfect tropical island. Do you see waters of imaginable shades of blue? Lush foliage and bright flowers surrounding you? Private beaches with no one else in sight? Intimate, luxurious accommodations from which to take it all in and enjoy the splendor of your private retreat?
One hundred years ago, English and German soldiers put down their weapons and used their feet - they played a soccer/football match in the fields of Belgium.
There are plenty of options when it comes to exquisite resorts throughout Florida... Polo is primarily known for its social aspect, from half-time divot stomping to the big parties that are thrown before and after the matches..
As is custom, my arrival into Moloka'i's Halawa Valley is announced with the echoes of a conch shell. Upon my entrance, my host, Anakala Pilipo Solatorio (Uncle Philip) greets me with a chant, in his native Hawaiian tongue. My guide responds with her family's chant, and we are welcomed ...
Have you ever dreamt of living like a media mogul, jet setting across the world to exotic destinations? Dining in world-class restaurants? Enjoying the privacy and seclusion often afforded to the elite? Is this a dream of yours? It certainly is of mine! But it doesn't have to be a dream.
When asked if I wanted to take a trapeze class while on a girls getaway to Sarasota Florida, without hesitation or really even much thought, I exclaimed "Yes!" What could be more fun than flying through the air, ideally with grace and strength? I recruited my friends Dawn and Robin...
For a girl who doesn't like to shop (yes, we do exist), a visit to the Mall of America can be quite intimidating, what with its more than 520 shops spread throughout 4.2 million square feet and four floors.
“All the world’s a stage…”, Shakespeare wrote hundreds of years ago in As You Like It. With the recent Royal Wedding and the upcoming 2012 Summer Olympics, that sentiment couldn’t be more true than it is right now for London, and the city’s shining bright in the spotlight.
Thinking about a girlfriend getaway in Florida? Tucked in between the understated elegance of West Palm Beach and the high energy of South Beach in Miami is a beach town that sets itself apart from all others in Florida. Don’t be mistaken, however – Delray Beach sits confidently on A1A and isn’t overshadowed in the least by its swanky neighbors to the north and south.
The Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, is channeling Willy Wonka this holiday season. In celebration of its 85th anniversary on 31st December 2010, the historic property will surprise one guest each night with a Golden Ticket.
Renovations can renew the look and feel of a house, making it home again.
When I told family and friends about my trip to St. Kitts, the most common responses were “Where’s that?� and “Is that part of St. Thomas?� Truth be told, I didn’t know much about this sugar-plantation-turned-getawaydestination, but I was ready to give it a try.
As a few of my close girlfriends and I neared significant birthdays (ahem, the big 4-0), we decided that we’d plan getaways to celebrate. Never ones to plan a trip based solely on relaxation – though that’s never ignored! – we decided to plan adventures.
Each time I hear about a remote island accessible only by boat, the “Gilligan’s Island� theme song pops into my mind, along with images of the fated three-hour tour. Though the premise of the show was that the passengers were stranded, I think all of us occasionally dream of being deserted on an island, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
The Bastogne War Museum opens in Bastogne, Belgium, commemorating World War II.
New Orleans is seemingly made for the holidays. The architecture and ironworks found throughout the city are magically strewn with greens, garlands and twinkling lights, setting just the right scene to celebrate the holidays.
Five years ago, a small, three-month old dolphin found herself with a crab trap wrapped around her tail. Fortunately, some fishermen came upon her and worked with others to rescue her. Fortunately for her, she made her way to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA), where she was cared for 24/7 by staff and volunteers (yours truly, included!)—and named Winter.
When the hectic page catches up with us, the stress is a bit too much and we’re harried beyond belief, we’re fortunate to have a number of spas to turn to in the Tampa Bay area to melt our cares away.