Behind the scenes of press trips - 11 events we never dared tell you about

Writer: Helena Bergström

What happens behind the scenes on press trips? Well, we can promise you a lot! We haven't usually dared to tell you about the craziest things that happen, because we don't want to single out individual individuals or organisers. But now we'll tell you... without revealing where it all happened or who was involved!

Many press trips over the years

We have been on many press trips over the years. In fact, the very first press trip we went on was to Morocco in 2014. Since then, we've gone on a few press trips a year - mostly shorter trips, mostly in Europe, and often in groups with other travel writers or digital creatives.

Behind the scenes of press trips

So how do you is What about on a press trip? It's often a lot of fun, but it's far from a holiday. There are early mornings, late evenings and very little time for rest. You get to experience a lot, but at the same time you have to be alert and listen, take photos and take notes.

You're often travelling close together, which often leads to laughter and great friendships, but sometimes also to irritation and crazy events. Plus, you're in a new culture, with guides you've never met before. Anything can happen!

We tell you about eleven events that happened during 12 years of press travel, but in order not to single out guides, writers or destinations (which may not be relevant in themselves), we tell you without revealing the country, place, name or year...

1. an ”accident” with burnt soles ...

Type of journey: Tour of a country. Large group of travel writers and influencers.

One evening we were driven to a restaurant in the countryside, where there would be both local food and traditional performances. The latter consisted of a show where people walked barefoot on hot coals. When the show was over, one of the (drunk!) writers started to trigger one of the others ”You would never dare do that!” And then what happened?

I don't know anything about walking on hot coals, but I do know that it can go wrong. For the rest of the press trip, the writer was barely able to get around, as his feet were filled with blisters ...

2. ”No thanks! - I'll stay in the car and surf on my mobile”

Type of journey: Tour of a country. Small group of bloggers.

We drove long distances through the countryside (often several hours a day) and every now and then we stopped so the guide could show us different sights and viewpoints.

”No thanks! I'll stay in the car” said the blogger and refused to come along, instead surfing on his mobile phone. Again and again. ”Maybe we can take a photo together?”, the guide asked. Nope, that wasn't interesting. ”Maybe stay and do an activity...?” No, not that either ... Why go on a trip like this, we wondered?

3. Invited to the President's home (but forgot the fancy dress)

Type of journey: Big city adventure. Large group of bloggers.

”Has everyone read the latest version of the programme?” asked the guide on the bus. ”Then you know that tonight is the night to put on the ’presidential clothes'”. I wondered if the guide was joking, or if we had missed reading the last version of the programme ...?

It turned out to be the latter. We are should actually on a visit to the President of the country. Help, we hadn't packed for that! But, what can you do? On this kind of trip, there's no time for shopping, so it was just a case of putting on the best that was in the suitcase...

4. really bad food - let's write it!

Type of journey: Travelling around a country. Just the two of us.

What do you do as a blogger if you don't like what you see on a press trip? We sometimes get asked this question. Actually, it's not a very difficult dilemma. You can simply not write about it or perhaps describe who you think the experience is suitable for (unless it is bad, but you just feel that you are the wrong target group).

This time, however, we were annoyed. The food was really so bad. Not only was it tasteless, but it was accompanied by a super boring set-up and soulless service. We were itching to strongly advise against this restaurant, and then we did! And no, no sour faces from the organisers, they rather seemed to take the criticism to heart.

5. Forced to throw the Michelin dessert in the bin

Type of journey: Big city adventure. Large group of bloggers.

Getting the chance to eat a tasting menu at a Michelin-starred restaurant is fantastic. All the dishes were incomparable - both in terms of flavour and appearance - and when we left, we each got a sweet in a small cardboard box.

It was midnight when we got back to the hotel, and the next day continued with new restaurants, wineries and cafes with pastries. We city of course eat the Michelin dessert, but it just didn't work out and we ended up throwing it away. But it still hurts my soul a bit when I think about it ...

6. Fellow journalists called the home country and ”gossiped”

Type of journey: Tour of a country. Large group of travel writers.

Not all press trips are perfectly organised and this time it was a bit of a mess. Information was unclear and there were a few instances of long waiting times. Some of the writers in the group became overly agitated. Soon they were moaning about ”everything”, including that the view from the hotel (where we arrived late and then left early the next morning) ”was below reproach”.

The writers called the organisers in their own country and the criticism landed back on our guides. Then a wet blanket settled over the group and the atmosphere became slightly uncomfortable ...

7. ”We like to try local food!” (Was that wise ...?)

Type of journey: Sun and beach holiday destination. Just the two of us.

”What do you want to eat?” asked the local guide. ”Preferably something local at a local restaurant” we thought. It sounded exciting ... and exciting it was! Not only did we get a whole bird served on our plate - we also learnt that they usually eat all, including legs.

In just a few minutes our guide had wolfed down everything on the plate - bird with bones and all - and the plate was so clean it looked like it had been washed. We thought the food tasted just fine, but we didn't manage to eat it all in the local way ...

8. open brawl ...

Type of journey: Tour of a country. Small group of bloggers and influencers.

Several of the group had different suggestions of things they wanted to see and do - in order to write, or create content that could be suitable for their respective channels. The guide, on the other hand, had meetings with various local managers on the agenda.

The group was passed from hotel manager to hotel manager, with whom we had coffee. The group timidly wondered when we might go to that attraction that was mentioned in the programme? Ok, ok ... but ”max 5 minutes!”. The atmosphere became more and more tense, and one day there was an open fight between the guide and some of the group ...

9. I vomited between starter, main course and dessert

Type of journey: Travelling around a country. Just the two of us.

What do you do when you have a migraine and you're invited to a fancy dinner because the local managers at the tourist office want to meet you? You grit your teeth! I told Peter to do the talking, as I can't think when I have a migraine. Between each course I was vomiting.

10. Sooo much alcohol!

Type of journey: Tour of a country. Large group of bloggers.

”Would you like a drink?” We hadn't even had time to pick up the bags on the conveyor belt when the question came the first time. Then it went on like that for a number of intense days. Champagne? Wine? A beer perhaps? Drink tasting!

One evening, the guide took the most festive people out and the party returned home at around 4am. The programme started early the next day, and the guide was on hand (albeit a little pale). After a few glasses of champagne with breakfast, we recognised our guide again... happy and energetic!

11. The programme was invented along the way

Type of journey: Sun and beach holiday destination. Just the two of us.

Some countries deliver detailed programmes months in advance. Others are a bit more laid-back. In this destination, we had no programme at all. Our guide met us on arrival, and at the same time some of the guide's local friends happened to stumble by. ”Hi! You have a cosy place! I have journalists here. Maybe I can send them to you tomorrow? Perfect!”

The programme was simply invented along the way. It was just a matter of adapting and letting go of the need for control ... That you then end up on the hiking trail in a dress and at the fine dining restaurant in shorts (because you don't know what to plan for), well you have to take that sometimes ...

Behind the scenes of press trips ...

So things do happen on press trips sometimes, which is perhaps not surprising when you are travelling in close proximity to people you may never have met before and have an intense programme. Most of the time, however, the atmosphere is good, with lots of laughter!

And, thinking back on all the press trips, we have to say that we have seen a lot and learnt a lot about local culture. Fantastic! Then it's probably lucky that we alternate the press trips with private trips (most trips we make), when you can take it a little more calmly ...