A good travel article is shaped like a good short story, with a clear beginning, middle and end.
(Don George, The Lonely Planet Guide to Travel Writing)

• not necessarily in chronological order
• may be structured around a theme or a narrative
• thematic pieces are less chronological

The beginning (1st half of 1/3)

• The doorway to the story
• Sets the story’s scene
• Where we are
• Why we’re there
• The quest / challenge ahead of us
• The theme of the piece
• The ‘characters’ who will accompany us or we will encounter
• Must ‘hook’ reader
• Set ‘active questions’ – tempts reader to want to know more
• May jump straight into the action – medias res (in the middle of things)
• The writer sometimes only finds the beginning at the end!

The middle (2/3 of story)

• The long and winding road
• Destination is brought alive for the reader
• The writer’s experience is a filter / conduit for the reader to vicariously experience the place – use all the senses!
• If thematic structure used: ascending series of examples reaching overriding point
• If narrative: chronological series of anecdotal incidents that embody the angle you have chosen (eg the delights of Cantonese cooking)
• Choose incidents that bring the point / angle to life.
• Keeping with the short story analogy, the middle should rise in tension to a dramatic / thematic climax.

The end

• Bring the focus of the story to a satisfying conclusion
• The aftermath of the climax
• A reflection on the inner experience; lessons learnt etc
• A summing up of whether or not goals / expectations have been achieved or met.
• Tie the story back to its beginning
• Deliver your reader back to the world.

You can read more travel writing tips, including potential markets at The Crafty Writer.