Delving into Google Analytics has become a fun little exercise this time of year. As always, I’m a bit baffled at which articles do well. Yet again, some of the older ones do. From this, I can draw two conclusions about readers of Sophie’s World:
- You’re interested in places off the beaten path, especially in Eastern Europe. That’s as it should be – part of this blog’s focus is the world’s curious corners.
- You’re interested in the Arctic.
Let’s get on with it.
Your 13 best of 2013
13. Svalbard – polar bear country
The Svalbard archipelago continues to fascinate. At number 13, this post about Longyearbyen – at 78° N, the most northerly town in the world – remains popular also in 2013.
12. Barentsburg highlights
… just barely surpassed by this article of the only remaining Russian settlement in the Arctic, also in Svalbard.
11. Things to do in Skopje
Moving on to the world’s curious corners, the capital of Macedonia drew readers’ attention and interest.
10. Road trip in Arctic Norway
Back in the northern world – albeit only as far north as at the Arctic Circle this time, you seemed to enjoy my summery road trip in Northern Norway. I was quite taken back myself at the beautiful scenery I encountered every step of the way. It would have been practically impossible to take bad photos.
9. Pizza night in the Italian countryside
Curious corners and the Arctic aside, you’re interested in Italy. And food. But then who isn’t…
8. What to do in Kyiv
Back to the quirkier corners of Eastern Europe, another article that remains popular is about what to do if you – for some peculiar reason – have only 24 hours in the capital of Ukraine. I want to see more of Kyiv and surrounds, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if a Ukrainian opportunity showed up in 2014.
7. Pyramiden, an Arctic ghost town
Another Svalbard article that also did well in 2012, is this one on Pyramiden, the Russian Arctic mining town that was suddenly abandoned in 1998, leaving so much behind it feels as if the inhabitants just stepped out for a minute.
6. 12 best of 2012
Oddly, the equivalent post to this one – with readers’ favourite posts in 2012 – clocks in at number 6. Maybe it’s a question of numbers.
5. Auckland harbour bridge
From the Arctic, we’re taking a detour to the other end of the world. Oddly (again), this little Sunday photo of the harbour bridge in Auckland proved popular.
4. Friedensreich Hundertwasser and his toilet
Remaining in the land of the long white cloud, readers continue to be fascinated by this toilet in Kawakawa on the North Island. Not so odd, perhaps – I was fascinated, too. So unexpected. So cool.
3. Republika Srpska: Pretty Trebinje
Moving back to Europe, another lesser-known part of Eastern Europe drew your attention – this time Trebinje in Srpska, the Serbian part of Bosnia & Herzegovina.
2. Arctic Sortland: Norway’s Blue Town
The second most popular post in 2013 was from the Arctic. No surprise there. In fact, as readers seem to be so interested in Norway and the Arctic, what’s surprising is that we don’t write about it more.
1. Exploring the temple at Edfu
Finally, out of the blue, this year’s headline act is this little temple along the banks of the Nile.
Wow, what a post to be introduced to your blog through! I guess there goes my afternoon. Seriously, your travels look amazing! I go to Norway often to visit family, but haven’t been up to the far north since I was a child. Hoping to change that soon, if I can stomach the heavy price tag of traveling through Norway. Also, love your site name!
Thanks for having a look, Silvia – and nice to meet you, if only virtually. 🙂
Sophie, I share your fascination with why people read what they read. But in your case, every article is so well written,enticingly illustrated, and interesting, I’m betting that all are almost equally popular. Happy New Year.
Thanks so much for the kind words. A compliment indeed, coming from you.
Love these best of posts. They give me a chance to catch up on some of the posts I have missed over the year.
I enjoy reading travellers’ summary posts, too – it’s that time of year 🙂
Getting excited about reading more. Great article.Really getting excited about read more. Continue writing.
Thank you.
[…] — of 2013″ posts have been popping up all over the travel blogosphere. From posts chronicling 13 travel bests of the year to a post about a blogger’s “13 Best Hate […]
Wow ! Your journey of 2013 was pretty awesome and beautiful especially Barentsburg highlights
Barentsburg certainly is a unique place.
That’s a great compilation! Sounds your 2013 was incredibly rocking!
🙂
Great list Girl, my favourite from all those is Norway. It is a country I can visit again and again 🙂
Happy to hear you like it here in the northern world 🙂
To be honest I have completely felt in love with Norway from my first visit in 2012! Been couple of times already 🙂 Waiting for more to come 🙂
Glad to hear it 🙂
What an interesting year! Thank you for sharing. The photos are breathtaking. I hope 2014 treats you well. Happy New Year!
And to you 🙂
I can see from this compilation that 2013 was a great year. Hope you will have a prosperous 2014!
Thank you. And you, too.