# Blocks Overview

The Itinerator plugin provides two main categories of blocks to display tourism content on your WordPress site.

## Block Categories

### Content Blocks
Individual content display blocks that show specific pieces of information.

**Use these when you want to:**
- Display a single piece of content
- Show specific information about an item
- Create custom layouts with individual elements

**Available Content Blocks:**
- **[Title](content-blocks/title.md)** - Display custom titles
- **[Content](content-blocks/content.md)** - Show rich content areas
- **[Contents](content-blocks/contents.md)** - Display multiple content items
- **[Description](content-blocks/description.md)** - Show description text
- **[Carousel](content-blocks/carousel.md)** - Create image carousels
- **[Map](content-blocks/map.md)** - Display interactive maps
- **[Filter](content-blocks/filter.md)** - Add content filtering
- **[Form Block](content-blocks/form-block.md)** - Create contact forms
- **[Socials](content-blocks/socials.md)** - Display social media links
- **[Tags](content-blocks/tags.md)** - Show content tags
- **[Tasks](content-blocks/tasks.md)** - Display task lists
- **[Listing Info](content-blocks/listing-info.md)** - Show business information
- **[Listing Buttons](content-blocks/listing-buttons.md)** - Display action buttons
- **[Listing Website Button](content-blocks/listing-website-button.md)** - Show website links

### Collection Blocks
Blocks that display multiple items from your Itinerator content.

**Use these when you want to:**
- Show lists of content (itineraries, listings, events)
- Display multiple items in grids or carousels
- Create browseable content sections

**Available Collection Blocks:**
- **[Itineraries](collection-blocks/itineraries.md)** - List multiple itineraries
- **[Itinerary](collection-blocks/itinerary.md)** - Display single itinerary with map
- **[Listings](collection-blocks/listings.md)** - Show business listings
- **[Listings Featured](collection-blocks/listings-featured.md)** - Display featured listings
- **[Listings Additional](collection-blocks/listings-additional.md)** - Show additional listings
- **[Events](collection-blocks/events.md)** - Display event listings
- **[Event](collection-blocks/event.md)** - Show single event details
- **[Challenges](collection-blocks/challenges.md)** - Display challenge listings
- **[Challenge](collection-blocks/challenge.md)** - Show single challenge details
- **[DMOs](collection-blocks/dmos.md)** - Display destination marketing organizations
- **[DMO Itineraries](collection-blocks/dmo-itineraries.md)** - Show DMO-specific itineraries
- **[Regions](collection-blocks/regions.md)** - Display region information
- **[Related Posts](collection-blocks/related-posts.md)** - Show related content

## How to Choose the Right Block

### For Single Items
Use **Content Blocks** when you want to display:
- A specific title or heading
- Individual content pieces
- Custom forms or maps
- Social media links
- Business contact information

### For Multiple Items
Use **Collection Blocks** when you want to display:
- Lists of itineraries
- Business directories
- Event calendars
- Challenge listings
- Regional content

### For Custom Layouts
Combine both types to create:
- **Hero sections** - Title + Map + Description
- **Content grids** - Multiple Content blocks in columns
- **Business pages** - Listing Info + Listing Buttons + Map
- **Event pages** - Event details + Related Events + Socials

## Block Configuration

### Common Settings
Most blocks share these configuration options:

**Display Options:**
- `Show Title` - Display/hide the title
- `Show Description` - Display/hide description text
- `Show Image` - Display/hide featured images
- `Show Tags` - Display/hide content tags

**Layout Options:**
- `Columns` - Number of columns for grid layouts
- `Alignment` - Left, center, or right alignment
- `Custom CSS Class` - Add custom styling classes

**Content Options:**
- `Content Type` - Filter by specific content types
- `Tag Filters` - Filter by specific tags
- `Sort Order` - How to sort the content

### Block-Specific Settings
Each block has unique settings relevant to its purpose:
- **Map blocks** - Zoom level, map style, marker options
- **Form blocks** - Form fields, submission settings
- **Carousel blocks** - Auto-play, navigation options
- **Filter blocks** - Filter categories, display options

## Shortcode Usage

Every block can also be used as a shortcode for page builders and classic editors.

### Basic Shortcode Format
```
[tourismo-[block-name]]
```

### Example Shortcodes
```
[tourismo-itineraries]
[tourismo-listings show_title="true" columns="3"]
[tourismo-map zoom="12"]
[tourismo-title text="Welcome to Our Region"]
```

### Getting Shortcodes
See [Editor Options](editor-options.md) for detailed shortcode usage instructions.

## Best Practices

### Content Organization
- **Use consistent settings** across similar blocks
- **Group related content** with appropriate blocks
- **Consider user flow** when arranging blocks

### Performance
- **Limit the number** of blocks per page
- **Use appropriate caching** settings
- **Optimize images** in your Itinerator admin

### User Experience
- **Test on mobile devices** to ensure responsiveness
- **Use clear titles** and descriptions
- **Provide clear calls-to-action** with button blocks

## Troubleshooting

For detailed troubleshooting information, see the [Troubleshooting](troubleshooting.md) guide.

## Next Steps

- **[Getting Started](../getting-started/getting-started.md)** - Create your first page
- **[Editor Options](editor-options.md)** - Choose your editing method
- **Individual Block Guides** - Learn about specific blocks