Natalie Compton

Instagram tells me this video “won’t be shared with new audiences” because it’s TOO LONG but I hope it finds new writers and young people anyway!! (But yes, it IS LONG. You can always watch it on 2x speed 🤓) I’m sharing this story because I want to demystify the media industry, and show you don’t have to go to journalism school or have inside connections to break in. That being said, it can still come down to a lot of luck (and a lot of privilege just to get to try). So how did I get here? The short answer is: I always loved writing; I practiced; I took some writing classes in college; after school, got different jobs to pay the bills at first, then started freelancing on the side; I’d find editor/or outlet email addresses on the internet, and send pitch after pitch; I finally took the plunge to freelance full time; and one day, almost five years later, The Washington Post said there was a job I may be a good fit for, would I like to apply? The longer answer is this video. I’ll be sharing more behind the scenes writing on my Substack — if you comment with a newspaper emoji 🗞️ I will DM you the link! Anyway, thank you for following along. Every click, every second watched or article read helps keep me pursuing my dream. THANK YOU.

Today on my substack: Where would I send a visitor to eat in Washington? I decided to make a list from my perspective as a DC resident of 6+ years and travel writer forever in search of places that feel special. Not only restaurants, but bars and fun shops, too 🍝💘 I made this to keep handy for visitors, and also to shout out some small businesses that work so hard to delight their customers and communities. It’s a hard time to be in hospitality. Comment with the 👀 emoji and I will send you the link to the full list (and google map!) ~all photos by me except the wedding photo, which was @shot_by_bam 📸✨

Dan and I got married on 5.4.24. Our families got us to the aisle. Our Nick officiated. We accidentally French kissed to really seal the deal. 
 Bobby Muncy played “My Funny Valentine” on the sax — a tribute to my late grandpa Willard and also a perfect song, with the apt ending: 
 
“But don’t change a hair for me Not if you care for me Stay little valentine stay Each day is Valentines day.” 

 Thank you Bryan Martinez who captured it all on camera, Leah Debber who essentially produced, and Mo Rodman who played last-minute videographer!!!

I’ve spent years testing travel gear for the @washingtonpost . Most of it overpromises and under-delivers. But not the Armbie, a glorified tube top I now pack on every long haul. Comment with a newspaper emoji 🗞️ and I’ll send you a link to my article explaining how I went from thinking “this is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen” to full convert. (FYI: This is not a sponsored post or even an affiliate link, it’s just a tip from me to you.) Video by @mo__ranaway for @bytheway

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY DAN LET’S KEEP KISSING

Could camping through Europe help you avoid summer crowds and save some money along the way? A few Google searches after hatching this plan, I realized it was $$$$ to pick up a rental car in one country and drop it off in another. Then I found a reasonable camper van rental — which meant we didn’t need to buy or rent camping gear, or pay for other transportation — and the dream was back in business. Could we have done the trip better (and cheaper)? Yes. Did we have a great time? Also yes. Comment with a newspaper emoji 🗞️ and I’ll send you a link to read more about the experience, and a Google Map with all of the spots mentioned.

What does a $100 hotel room look like in Rome? The average hotel rates in the Italian capital, as of April, are $299, which is up about 14 percent year over year. Does that mean you can’t find a good room on a budget? I tested properties in three price categories to see what you could get for around $100, $200 and $300, staying at: - Lazy Gio Guest House: $95 - @hotelemonaaquaeductus : $182 - @residenzamaritti : $303 * edit: some places let you pay the tourist tax by card! To read my full @washingtonpost article on finding cheap(er) hotels in Rome, comment with a newspaper emoji 🗞️ and I’ll send you a gift link.

Yes, calling anything the “best” of something is very tired. But gelato may never get better than what we ate at @Fattoria_Cerini . Just look at their beautiful brown alpine dairy cows, munching dreamily in the hills of Piedmont, Italy. Everything they make is a blessing from the gods. Here’s their address to bookmark for your next trip: 📍AZIENDA AGRICOLA CERINI, FRAZIONE ANICETI 11, 13019 Varallo VC.

What do you do when America’s favorite travel guides ask you to be their tour guide? I took a cue from episodes of @RickStevesEurope and @SamanthaBrownTravels to show them around DC for a night. Where would you take them? To read my @washingtonpost story on how Rick *actually* shoots an episode, comment with a newspaper emoji 🗞️ and I’ll end you the link!

11 countries, many breakfasts (the best meal of the day). Sharing six highlights here, and more thoughts on my Substack. Comment with a newspaper emoji 🗞️ and I’ll send you the link 💫 ALSO WHOOPS MY BARCELONA SANDWICH WAS FUET OR SALCHICHÓN MAYBE NOT JAMON, WRONG PORK NAME

TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is a separate lane from regular PreCheck that uses facial recognition to verify your identity. It might be your only way to skip huge airport lines as the country continues facing TSA staffing shortages, bad weather and a spring break travel surge. 🚨 Huge caveats: 0. I’ve gotten multiple notes that this is currently not working at ATL. 1. It’s not available at every airport 2. It’s not available with every airline 3. It’s not always available where they say it’s available 4. You must be a PreCheck member 5. You have to opt-in to the program through your airline’s app BEFORE you check in for your flight, or it won’t show up on your boarding pass and you won’t be allowed to use the lane. Of course, not everyone will be comfortable using facial recognition technology. You can opt out of biometric screenings at the airport at any time by asking a TSA officer to do a standard check instead. To read more about TSA PreCheck Touchess ID, and where it’s available, comment with a newspaper emoji 🗞️ and I will send you the link to my @washingtonpost article.

Tonight on my substack: the long version of how I became a travel writer. Comment with a newspaper emoji and I’ll send you the link to read it 🗞️