We’re the voice for people who think ‘all-inclusive’ is a dirty word, who’d rather chase a sunrise from the back of a rickety tuk-tuk than watch it from a resort balcony. We celebrate the unpolished, the unexpected, and the unforgettable corners of the planet, the ones you find when you throw away the guidebook and get gloriously, hilariously lost.

Authenticity

Tell the truth, even when it’s messy. Especially when it’s messy.

Curiosity

Ask questions, dig deeper, go beyond the obvious.

Irreverence

Poke fun at yourself, at travel clichés, and sometimes at the world, but never at people or cultures.

Humanity

We’re not guidebooks. We’re storytellers. Make it personal, relatable, and deeply human.

Adventure

Celebrate risk-taking, courage, and the joy of stepping far outside the comfort zone.

They want depth and discovery without the dullness.

They’re intelligent but not pretentious, well-travelled but still curious, and they appreciate writing that speaks to them like a friend over beers, not like a brochure.

Conversational

Write like you speak, naturally, warmly, and with personality. Use contractions (“we’re,” “you’ll”), rhetorical questions, and a wink of humour.

First-person & personal

Whenever possible, write from experience. Bring the reader along for the ride. (“I’m sweating bullets halfway up the mountain, wondering why I said yes to this.”)

Irreverent & humorous

Don’t be afraid to poke fun at yourself, the situation, or travel clichés. A little sarcasm is welcome but just don’t be mean.

Descriptive & vivid

Make the reader feel it. Use sensory detail. Describe smells, sounds, textures to transport them into the story.

Honest & opinionated

If something was awful, say so. If it was magical, gush about it. Authenticity builds trust.

Informed but not preachy

Share interesting context and cultural insights without sounding like a textbook. A fact or two can be great, a lecture, not so much.

• Be bold, witty, and engaging.
• Write in the present tense when telling first-person stories. It adds immediacy.
• Include personal reactions, thoughts, and emotions.
• Capture the quirks; the strange, hilarious, or chaotic moments that make travel memorable.
• Show respect and curiosity toward local people and cultures.
• Swear sparingly and purposefully if it fits the tone — we’re not PG, but we’re not crass for the sake of it.

• Sound like a travel brochure or corporate press release.
• Use clichés like ‘hidden gem,’ ‘melting pot,’ or ‘breathtaking views.’
• Talk down to the reader or assume they know less than you.
• Overuse adjectives. One well-chosen image beats a list of buzzwords.
• Reduce people or places to stereotypes.

✓ get lost style:

The tuk-tuk wheezes up another alleyway, past a woman frying something that definitely isn’t chicken and a monk scrolling TikTok. I’m drenched in sweat, two beers deep, and I’ve completely lost the temple. And honestly? I’ve never felt more alive.

✗ Not our style:

Phnom Penh is a vibrant city with many cultural highlights. Visitors can enjoy a range of delicious street foods and traditional experiences, including visiting temples and local markets.

See the difference? One tells you what to expect. The other takes you there.

Every word should sound like it was written by someone who’s actually been there, preferably someone who got mildly lost, accidentally drank the local moonshine, and made a few new friends along the way.

• Does this sound like a conversation, not a lecture?
• Have I included my personal perspective or emotional reaction?
• Would I want to read this aloud to a mate over a drink?
• Is it irreverent but still respectful?
• Does it make someone want to go?

If you can tick all those boxes, congratulations — you’re writing like get lost.