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Behind the Lens: Macduff Everton in Japan

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:00:13 +0000

Chiiori guest house in the Iya Valley of Shikoku

Travel photographer Macduff Everton has been around the world to cover stories for National Geographic Traveler magazine. His most recent assignment took him to the island of Shikoku in Japan for a January/February feature story. Our photo editor Krista Rossow asked Macduff to tell us more about his experience while photographing the island.

Krista Rossow: You first went to Shikoku as an 18-year-old hitchhiking around the world. Were your impressions different this time around?

Macduff Everton: There’s a world of difference. Japan was much less worldly then — I was the first foreign hitchhiker that many of the Japanese said that they had met. There wasn’t the U.S. influence of McDonald’s, KFC, television, MTV. No one had been to Disneyland. A lot more people worked on farms and lived in the countryside than now. When I went around the world, people talked about culture shock as if it was a symptom that every traveler would come down with, especially upon returning home. You rarely hear that anymore. So I was pleasantly surprised on this trip to discover that traveling around Shikoku was probably closer to my first experience than I expected, especially once I got off the high speed motorways.

KR: You shot with your panoramic camera and a DSLR camera for this assignment. How do you determine which camera to use? Do you have a personal preference?

ME: I think that the panoramic camera is very good for giving a sense of place — it covers what the human eye sees with peripheral vision. But you don’t always need that, and the DSLR camera is best for everything else. As far as my preferred camera, it really depends on what I’m covering.

I think my two new photography books answer your question by example. The Modern Maya Incidents of Travel and Friendship in Yucatán documents the lives of my Maya friends over a period of four decades. There are 385 images in the book and most were intimate images taken with a 35 mm SLR, with only a few panos. Patagonia, La Última Esperanza covers the Chilean province of Última Esperanza, which is larger than Switzerland but has only 20,000 inhabitants. There are 144 photographs in the book and nearly all are panoramic in order to capture such wild and sweeping vistas.

KR: Did you feel that the language barrier was a problem while in Shikoku? How did the locals receive you?

ME: I remembered a few words and phrases from previous trips, and my wife Mary knows a few words too, mostly from ordering sashimi. Very few people speak English on Shikoku, but it wasn’t a barrier at all. Most traffic signs are in both Kanji script and Roman letters, so I could find my way around. Our rental car had a GPS device that could be programmed in English, but it would stop giving directions once you were within a mile of a place! You’d get this computer voice saying, “Your hotel is coming up soon,” and that would be it. In one town, we were looking for our hotel and I finally stopped the car in traffic and got out and there was a truck behind me. I repeated the hotel’s name to the driver, hoping he might understand. He told me that he didn’t speak English, but, using his hands, suggested that I follow his wife, who got out of the truck and walked down the street until she could point to the hotel. We both ran back to our vehicles. I offered profuse thanks, made a U-turn and proceeded to the hotel. No one honked their horns in anger or impatience — they were so nice and gracious. Obviously you can’t get into a deep conversation using gestures, but you can have a wonderful time while also learning something.

Don George, the writer, suggested places that I should go to photograph. One was an early morning fish market. I wanted to find it the night before, so I could drive straight to it the next morning, but we were having trouble finding it. So Mary drew a picture of fish and a man that we’d stopped understood what we were looking for (or we hoped he did), pantomimed for us to follow him, jumped in his car and drove us to where the fish market would be. Maybe this goes back to your first question — about the difference between Japan then and now. This is the Japan that I remembered and loved.

Squid cooking over charcoal grill in Shikoku, Japan

KR: What was your favorite discovery while on this assignment?

ME: We were not expecting to find the geological sandstone coastline near Cape Ashizuri. That was amazing! The shapes that the rock had been worn into were so intriguing. And then, just down the coast, there was this futuristic Jetson-like building sticking out on the water that seemed so incongruous, but there it was (you can see it on page 73 in the magazine). Another thing we discovered were stalls selling octopus grilled over coals at seaside stands. It was so good!

KR: Do you have a favorite image that didn’t make it into the story?

ME: This coastline near Cape Ashizuri was so interesting. I don’t even like this one better than the one that ran in the story — they are different and everywhere I looked it was special. My wife and I really loved walking around and exploring, and of course it changed as the light changed.

The geological sandstone coastline near Cape Ashizuri

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India in New York

admin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:00:07 +0000

By Megan Snedden

On the corner of Broome and Crosby in SoHo, a quiet sanctuary celebrates one of India’s spiritual traditions: the Broome Street Hindu Temple. Inside, the community recites the Bhagavad Gita, practices pujas, meditates, connects with the divine. Days after September 11, Eddie Stern opened the temple, which began as a yoga studio the year before. When the Twin Towers fell, it became a refuge to pray for hope amidst the ash-covered streets of lower Manhattan, and it has certainly been a place of transformation for Stern himself.

As a former punk rocker, Stern used to play guitar in three bands, one of them called Losers of a Dying World. Once he began exploring Indian culture, he said his life took a dramatic turn.

“Within a few months of learning about a vegetarian diet, starting to do a little bit of meditation and a little bit of chanting … everything began to change for me,” Stern said. “I felt like I was alive. I could explore and get to know myself in a new way because before I was covering it up.”

Stern has traveled to India around 25 times in his lifetime. He began teaching yoga in 1989. “I didn’t know anything about India at all, but I went and I loved it and I didn’t stop going back,” he said.

And it’s people like Stern who bring elements of India’s culture, history and traditions to the U.S. for others to learn about and enjoy. Here are five ways to experience India in New York City:

The Dazzling Dosa: It’s the eye-catching spectacle during a southern Indian meal — the dosa. Crispy, spicy and delicious, this crepe-like staple made of fermented rice or lentil batter will take up nearly half the table. For a classic masala dosa, try the Dosa Hutt in Flushing, Queens or the Jackson Diner in Jackson Heights where a dosa is included in the $12 lunch buffet. For fusion fare, swing by the Hampton Chutney Company in SoHo; their melding of southern Indian and Western flavors really spices things up. The curry chutney chicken, spinach and balsamic-roasted onion dosa is a popular favorite, as is their chai tea.
A Little India in Queens: Off the seven train, an eclectic mix of South East Asian culture awaits on 74th Street and Roosevelt Avenue. Primarily dominated by elements of Indian culture, Jackson Heights is also punctuated by communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Bollywood music blares, brilliant red and orange saris glimmer in window displays and turban-wearing Sikh men chat in the streets in Punjabi. Stop by the Indian grocery stores Subzi Mandi or Patel Brothers to pick up sugared fennel seeds, fresh naan bread or a chilled mango lassi (the classic Indian drink made of yogurt and tangy mango puree).
India’s Hollywood: A fast-action melodrama that dazzles audiences with color and catchy music, Bollywood dancing steals the stage. In Bangalore’s Hollywood, this dance style, usually performed during musical breaks in Bollywood musicals and movies, combines modern techniques with classical Indian dance. Instructor Pooja Narang at Bollywood Axion in Midtown opened one of the first Bollywood dance studios on the East Coast in 2003. Get coached in high-cardio dance moves that will get your heart pumping or try Punjabi-style Bhangra. Other popular studios include Dhoonya Dance and Bollywood Funk NYC Dance School.
City in a Curry: If you’re seeking the flavors of India, stroll around Curry Hill in Murray Hill or Curry Row in the East Village where door to door the scent of cumin and coriander teases the nose. The blinking rainbow lights at Panna II Garden on First Avenue beam through the window like the Aurora Borealis. Inside, a chaotic cluster of Christmas lights hangs so low, patrons have to duck their heads to squeeze through the narrow passageway. The experience, prices and food here, however, are a thrill. In Curry Hill, there’s the more modern and spacious Dhaba on Lexington or Chennai Garden on 27th Street with its cone-shaped dosas and Gujarati curries.
A Tour of Temples: At most Hindu temples in New York City right now, the sound of saws and chisels as renovations are underway. A new exterior edifice is being carved by hand for the Ganesh Temple in Flushing; the Broome Street Temple is retrofitting its second floor temple to make it more green; and The Radhe-Shyam Temple in the East Village closed and reopened as the Ramakrishnananda Yoga Vedanta Center in Astoria, Queens on 38th Street. During construction, however, services continue. Find your way there to chant, meditate, practice yoga or learn more about Hinduism, the majority religion in India.

Megan Snedden is a curator at Wanderfly. Her work also has appeared in the Huffington Post and Santa Ynez Valley Journal. Connect with her at www.megansnedden.com or on Twitter @megansnedden.

Kerrin Sheldon is the content manager at Wanderfly and he enjoys swimming with sharks and climbing mountains. Catch him at blog.wanderfly.com or on Twitter @kerrinsheldon.

[French New York]

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Cruising to St. Petersburg

admin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:00:05 +0000

I could have taken an airplane from Stockholm to St. Petersburg, but instead I find myself in the middle of the Baltic Sea. The ship lurches sometime after midnight and, abruptly wide awake, I rush to my cabin window and pull back the curtain. Outside, the sky is licorice black, and the Big Dipper hangs low, as if deliberately speckled with silver leaf on a planetarium map. The ship churns forward on dazzling, star-sprinkled waters, and I quickly fall back asleep.

St. Peter Line—what I call a cruise-ship-slash-ferry—hops around the Baltic Sea, connecting St. Petersburg with Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; and Tallinn, Estonia on overnight journeys. You can buy a round-trip fare or depart from one port to St. Petersburg and return to another. There are two unique, amazing things about this operation. One, you can stay in a hotel in each city you visit, meaning you can explore the city long after most normal cruise passengers would have been obliged to return to the ship. And two, you can stay for 72 hours in St. Petersburg visa free. That’s right, visa free! Trust me, given the horrendous difficulties (and expense) involved in obtaining a Russian visa these days, this possibility is a godsend. St. Peter Line, which has negotiated a deal with the Russian government, has several different (and relatively inexpensive) packages that will help you out with hotel options and shuttling back and forth, if you desire.

I’m not surprised that a bit of Baltic flair comes with this Finnish-owned enterprise, including the shipload of Russians, Swedes, and Finns (you won’t find many Americans on board). There’s caviar, champagne, and other delicacies in the restaurants (check out how inexpensive the vodka is in the duty-free shop). You can get a Soviet-style massage, the masseuse very businesslike in her presentation—no burning incense or zen music here. Of course there’s a sauna. And every evening there’s a glittery stage show with both contemporary and Russian folk dancing, including some authentic Cossack squats.

Photo: Barbara Noe

Among several different restaurant offerings, my favorite is the smorgasbord –Swedish table– at the Seven Seas restaurant. As I sit by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the pine-dotted isles of Stockholm’s archipelago sail past, the chef explains how to attack this long, intriguing buffet—start with the cold dishes: first fish (including herring prepared in a myriad of ways), then meat and poultry cold cuts, then salads of mushroom, seafood, and cheese. Then come the hot dishes, including roast beef, chicken, salmon, vegetables, lots of different kinds of potatoes, and the like. Dessert includes cheese followed by cakes, berry and fruit salads, and ice cream. All is accompanied with vodka, of course.

The ship’s decor isn’t the most up-to-date that you’ve ever seen, though there are plans to renovate. The point is, I could have flown from place to place—it certainly would have taken less time. But if I had, I wouldn’t have woken in my berth in the morning to look out the window and see the gleaming gold spires of St. Petersburg greeting me as we sail into one of the world’s greatest cities. Now that’s a tribute to the age-old glory of travel.

Stockholm City Guide

Estonia Country Guide

Finland Country Guide

St. Petersburg City Guide

Photo: Grazia Pezzini/My Shot

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I Heart My City: Iain’s Manchester, England

admin — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:00:05 +0000

Iain Mallory used to be a warrant officer in the Royal Army Physical Training Corps — a job that took him on adventures all around the world. He tried his hand at running a public house after leaving the armed forces, but it wasn’t long before his wanderlust got the better of him, leading him to his current career as a freelance writer and photographer. Check out this local’s take on Manchester — a former industrial giant that has undergone a recent face lift to become a don’t-miss destination for anyone traveling to North West England — then leave a comment below if you have anything to add.

Manchester is My City

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is The Teacup — a cool independent coffee shop.

Manchester Wheel (Photo: Iain Mallory)

When I crave some snow sports, I always go to the Chill Factore at the Trafford Centre.

To escape the noise, I visit Heaton Park.

For complete quiet, I can hide away in Chetham’s Library, the oldest public library in the English-speaking world.

If you come to my city, get your picture taken with anybody but a footballer — the street performers are the best fun.

If you have to order one thing off the menu from Sam’s Chop House it has to be the shepherd’s pie.

The Trafford Centre is my one-stop shop for great shopping, complete with a cinema, and decent restaurants.

Locals know to skip the MEN Arena and check out the Lowry at Salford Quays instead.

When I’m feeling cash-strapped I go to Chinatown for an all-you-can-eat buffet.

For a huge splurge I go to the bank manager and — in the unlikely event they agree to the loan — head to ‘Australasia.’

Photo ops in my city include the Cathedral and Old Trafford, home of Manchester United football club. The best vantage points can be found at the Manchester Wheel and Cloud 23 cocktail bar in Deansgate’s Beetham Tower.

If my city were a celebrity it’d be Salma Hayek. Sexy, sassy, cosmopolitan — with a hint of attitude.

The most random thing about my city is that the University of Manchester is the largest single-site university in the UK.

In my city, an active day outdoors involves walking the 10 feet from Sinclair’s Oyster Bar to the Old Wellington (they share an outside seating area).

Imperial War Museum (Photo: Iain Mallory)

My city’s best museum is the Museum of Science and Industry or the Imperial War Museum North at Salford Quays.

My favorite jogging/walking route is in and around Heaton Park.

For a night of dancing, go to Cuba Cafe. For those that prefer live music, check out Band On The Wall. Afterward, don’t miss what Curry Mile has to offer. It’s definitely the spot for great late-night eats.

To find out what’s going on at night and on the weekends, read ‘creativetourist.’

You can tell a lot about my city from watching ‘Coronation Street’ …. actually don’t. Try sitting in Piccadilly Gardens on a sunny spring or summer day instead.

You can tell if someone is from my city if they sound a little like one of the Gallagher brothers from Oasis.

In the winter you should visit the Hanging Ditch for one of their wine-tasting evenings. On second thought, it’s perfect any time of year.

In the spring you should take a walk along the Bridgewater Canal to the farming area of Boothstown for a chance to see some newborn lambs.

In the summer you should spend a day visiting Castlefield Urban Heritage Park. It’s free and there’s plenty there to interest all.

In the fall you should visit neighboring Cheshire to enjoy some leaf peeping UK-style.

'Hidden Gem' (Photo: Iain Mallory)

A hidden gem in my city is actually the ‘Hidden Gem’ which is the name given to St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, a small, concealed house of worship in the backstreets of the city centre.

A great breakfast joint is the Chorlton Eatery. Or skip breakfast and go for a decent brunch at the Koffee Pot (not to be confused with The Teacup).

You simply should not miss the Manchester International Festival (July 4-21, 2013). If you can’t wait that long, there are smaller events held throughout the year, including its own small ‘fringe’ festival.

Just outside my city, you can visit the Peak District, one of the UK’s best national parks.

The best way to see my city is on foot, because it’s fairly compact. And the Metro is always available if you want to visit places outside the city centre.

If my city were a pet it would be a frog as it has plenty of ‘watering holes’ to choose from.

If I didn’t live in a city, I’d live on a remote Scottish island with a boat and enjoy orca spotting every day.

The best book about my city is Manchester by Kevin Cummins, a really fascinating read.

When I think about my city, “Round Are Way” by Oasis comes to mind.

If you have kids, you won’t want to miss Legoland Discovery Centre. I might even try and sneak in myself!

A Manchester derby game, between the current two biggest teams in the country, could only happen in my city!

My city should be featured on your cover or website because it’s the ‘Cock of the North’ — an industrial city that has learned to become more ‘user friendly.’ It is aware of its limitations but is ambitious to rise above them.

**What do you love about Manchester? Leave the details in the comments section below.**

Want to see your city on Intelligent Travel? Copy and paste our list of fill-in-the-blank questions into an email, fill in your answers, and send your responses (with any photos, videos or links) to IntelligentTravel@ngs.org.

Related:

[Your England Photos]

[U.K. National Parks Guide]

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#FriFotos: It Takes A Village…

admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:00:16 +0000

This week’s #FriFotos* theme is VILLAGES, and Sweden boasts a lot of them – as people who have seen The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo can attest. Smögen is one such place, a thriving “summer town” – like Girl’s Hedestad – that becomes a sleepy, snow-covered ghost town come winter. This photo of the bright fisherman’s cottages that line Smögen’s harbor was submitted to our My Shot community by Torsten Muehlbacher.

Want to see one of your photos featured on our website or Intelligent Travel blog? Make it happen by uploading your favorite travel pics (don’t forget to add a caption!) to ngm.com/yourshot. Tag all your submissions #travelshot – then look for your photos in one of our My Shot galleries or on our blog.

* What’s #FriFotos, you ask? It’s a weekly themed Twitter chat founded by @EpsteinTravels where travelers share their favorite pics. Search #FriFotos on Twitter to see the latest submissions or tweet one of your own!

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Where To Travel in 2012?

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:00:12 +0000

Would you like to go somewhere new in 2012? National Geographic Traveler editors deliberated on the next up-and-coming places and published the Best of the World 2012 special section in our November-December issue.

Across the pond, Travel PR UK collected the bucket lists of various other travel experts, such as Frommers, Lonely Planet and World Travel Market, and helpfully plotted the color-coded results on their Hot Destinations Map.

Richard Mellor of Travel PR kindly added most of Traveler’s Best of the World picks (green pins), while Frommers is represented by yellow pins, Lonely Planet by red, World Travel Market by pink, Travel PR by blue, and News.com.AU by purple. If you click on the pins in the enlarged version of the map, you will get info about each destination. Happy clicking!

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Can You See Disney World in a Day?

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:00:11 +0000

Even though Walt Disney World Resort offers a one-day “park hopper” pass that gives you unlimited access to Animal Kingdom, Disney Studios, Epcot and the Magic Kingdom, visiting all of them on the same day is almost impossible.

But not entirely.

Seeing it all requires careful planning, triathlete-like endurance and the kind of determination not typically found in a family of five on vacation.

We’ve come to call this the Kissimmee Challenge — and yes, it is doable.

Four years ago, we dragged our three kids — two of whom were still in strollers — to four parks while on assignment for the Miami Herald. We pulled it off, hitting three rides in each place. It was totally exhausting, and by the end of the day, we vowed never to try it again.

But then we started to wonder if our achievement was a fluke. Did we have an unfair advantage, with kids in a double stroller? Could we do it again, now that the children were a little older and, um, more independent? On a recent visit to Kissimmee, we decided to find out.

The Magic Kingdom (9 a.m.)

We started at the original Disney theme park because it’s the busiest. If we wanted to hit three rides, we’d have to choose carefully and get there early. Each child picked an attraction. Aren, our oldest, wanted to ride Pirates of the Caribbean. Our son Iden requested Small World. And our daughter Erysse wanted Peter Pan. We hit them, one-two-three, and were out of the park in less than two hours, despite the throng of people who, like a slow-moving river, were flowing toward Cinderella Castle.

Epcot (11 a.m.)

Epcot is only a short monorail ride down the line, and even though it is the least impacted of the parks, it probably has the best food options for kids. So after riding The Land (with no wait) we had an early lunch and then headed over to Nemo and Friends and the aquarium area. Alas, Nemo was briefly closed, so we strolled through the aquarium and then caught our ride. We were still on schedule!

Disney Studios (1 p.m.)

No wait for Tower of Terror, which we could all ride on (it freaked Aren out). Our plans to hit Toy Story fizzled when we saw a one-hour wait, so we zipped over to watch the 3D Muppets show, which is one of our favorites. In places, the park was filled wall-to-wall with guests. Although I wanted to check out the renovated Star Wars ride, there simply wasn’t enough time. On to the next park.

Animal Kingdom (3 p.m.)

We were starting to get nervous. Animal Kingdom was closing soon, and we needed to spend some meaningful time in the park. Plus, there was a parade coming our way. We started at Bug’s Life, which was practically deserted (but as amusing as ever) and then zipped over to Kilimanjaro Safaris, the open-air ride that gets you up close with giraffe, gazelle, lions and other African wildlife. By the time we reached the Tree of Life, a tide of visitors was emptying out of the park. We were swept away, back to the buses that returned us to our parking spot at the Magic Kingdom. We finished at around 5:30 p.m.

“So, what did you think?” I asked the kids as they slumped in their seats.

“I’m hungry,” said Iden.

“I’m tired,” said Erysse.

“Too much,” said Aren.

Too much? Well, good thing we only try this only once every four years.

(Photos: Kiraca/Flickr; Christopher Elliott)

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Of Manatees and Mermaids

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:00:16 +0000

Being a National Geographic photographer for the past 30 years, Brian Skerry has some great stories about his assignments in the field, most of which have taken place under water. Here he talks about one of his favorite characters, the manatee.

If you liked that snippet, you can watch the complete video of Skerry’s half-hour talk on Nat Geo Live.

A mesmerizing exhibit of Skerry’s photos are currently on display at National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., but only until February 11!

If you miss the show, you can purchase his book, Ocean Soul, which contains all the photos (and many more) in the exhibit.

For upcoming Nat Geo Live events in D.C. and around the U.S., check our calendar.

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The Radar: Where to Ski With Wildlife, iPhone Photo Apps, Insiders’ Guide to Beirut

admin — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:00:09 +0000

Take to the slopes to spot a bald eagle in New York, swans in Idaho, or lynx in Alaska. Go skiing or snowshoeing at one of these 10 national wildlife refuges across the U.S. [USAToday]

Jazz up your travel photos with these great iPhone apps. [Matador Network]

Get an insider’s guide to Beirut–a local chef, designer, architect, and singer all recommend their favorite spots in Lebanon’s stylish capital. [WSJ]

Got Radar? Follow us on Twitter @NatGeoTraveler and tag your favorite travel stories from the web #ngtradar. Check back in the morning for our daily roundup.

Photo: Linda Skeen/My Shot

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Deals: Where to Stay in Montreal

admin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:00:05 +0000

By Janelle Nanos

From the January/February issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Le Petit Hôtel › Historic district

With sleek bamboo floors, clear glass sinks, and huge windows, Le Petit Hôtel feels more as if you’ve borrowed a fortunate friend’s loft for the weekend than merely checked into a hotel. Much like Montreal itself, this 24-room boutique property is a wonderful mix of old and new. The hotel’s two buildings date to 1867, and each suite features contemporary details such as exposed stone walls and curvy neon orange chairs. Breakfast, included with your stay, is served in the café or delivered to your room. From $160.

Hôtel Chez Swann › Downtown

The Tudor-style building, which has served as both a garment shop and an Irish pub, today is a 23-room boutique hotel within walking distance of chic shops, restaurants, and the Museum of Fine Arts. Local artists decorated every room, so expect touches of whimsy like grassy rugs and inviting window alcoves where you can people-watch. Wi-Fi and breakfast are included with your room, and a Bixi station, the city’s $5-a-day bike-share program, is located just across the street. From $175.

L’Hôtel › Historic district

No matter which art collection you decide to see while wandering the city’s museum district, a visit to L’Hôtel may beat them all: Where else can you snuggle beneath a Chagall or wake up beside a Warhol? With one of the largest private art collections that’s open to the public in North America, L’Hôtel goes beyond art installations in the lobby and puts works created by Lichtenstein and Miró in the guest rooms themselves. The elegant Victorian building is just a block from the Notre-Dame Basilica. From $150.

Where is your favorite place to stay in Montreal? Tell us all about it in the comments section below.

Subscribe to National Geographic Traveler magazine.

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Grooving in the Galápagos with National Geographic Expeditions

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:00:07 +0000

Do you dream of cavorting with sea lions, meditating with giant tortoises, sunbathing with scaly marine iguanas? There’s only one place to do that: the Galápagos islands of Ecuador. Did you know that the National Geographic Society has its own fleet of small, comfortably outfitted ships to take you there, with National Geographic experts aboard to help you get the most out of the experience?

Find out about our Expeditions during the free webinar coming up Wednesday, February 1. This online presentation will be led by one of our veteran National Geographic Galápagos expedition leaders, Lynn Fowler, and you can ask her all the questions you want. Lynn has been working with the Galápagos National Park since 1978 and was recently elected to the Charles Darwin Foundation’s general assembly. She’ll be joining several of our 2012 Galápagos departures.

We offer special Galápagos trips just for families, as well as for people particularly interested in photography. And if you go, be sure to bring your video camera so you don’t miss moments like this.

National Geographic Expeditions: Galápagos

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I Heart My City: Matt’s Washington, D.C.

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:00:07 +0000

Hello city-lovers! Today we’re exploring our own backyard with an I Heart My City guide to Washington, D.C. Today’s tour comes courtesy of travel blogger Matt Long, Editor-in-Chief and creator of LandLopers.com and co-host of the D.C. Travel Tweet Up (In the D.C. area? Join the Tweet Up tomorrow night!). Get Matt’s insider’s take on the nation’s capital, then tell us what you love about D.C. in the comments section below. Plus, for more great travel tips, follow Matt on Twitter.

Washington, D.C. is My City

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is the Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum, where the oversized air- and spacecraft are featured.

When I crave kabobs I always go to Moby Dick House of Kabob, a local chain of Iranian restaurants in D.C.

To escape the tourists I head to Wolf Trap, an amazing outdoor concert venue.

If I want to eat my lunch in the park I go to the Summerhouse, a quiet sanctuary in the shadow of the Capitol.

For complete quiet, I can hide away in Rock Creek Park.

If you come to my city, get your picture taken with the President of course! Or barring that, one of the many cutouts lining Pennsylvania Avenue.

Ben's Chili Bowl (Photo: Matt Long)

If you have to order one thing off the menu from Ben’s Chili Bowl it has to be a chili half-smoke.

The Freer and Sackler Galleries gift shop is my one-stop shop for great stocking stuffers.

Locals know to skip Hard Rock and check out Good Stuff Eatery for the best burgers in town.

When I’m feeling cash-strapped I go to Cafe Asia for their sushi happy hour.

For a huge splurge I go for a day of shopping in Georgetown.

Photo ops in my city include the White House, Washington Monument, and the U.S. Capitol building. Walk down the National Mall to captures scores of great photos.

If my city were a celebrity it’d be Martin Sheen, from the West Wing days.

The most random thing about my city is the art deco Titanic Memorial along the waterfront in southwest D.C.

My city has the most fabulous but not necessarily fashionable men.

My city has the most determined and intelligent women.

Chinatown (Photo: Matt Long)

In my city, an active day outdoors involves kayaking on the Potomac or biking in Rock Creek Park.

My city’s best museum is the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

My favorite jogging/walking route is along the National Mall at night; I never get tired of seeing the monuments illuminated at night.

For a night of dancing, go to Habana Village. Or, for live music, check out the 9:30 Club.

Pizza Mart is the spot for late-night eats.

To find out what’s going on at night and on the weekends, read the Washington City Paper.

You can tell a lot about my city from what we read. Be sure to check out the racks at some of our quirky independent bookstores.

You can tell if someone is from my city if the first thing they ask you is what you do for a living.

Wolf Trap (Photo: Matt Long)

In the winter you should make your own s’mores at any of the many Cosi cafe locations.

In the spring you should enjoy the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin.

In the summer you should escape the heat by wandering through the museums along the National Mall.

In the fall you should walk around as much as possible, this is the best time to enjoy D.C.

A hidden gem in my city is people watching at Dupont Circle in the summer.

For a great breakfast joint try Founding Farmers.

Don’t miss the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in July.

Just outside my city, you can visit Mount Vernon, George Washington’s estate.

The best way to see my city is by boat, take a cruise along the Potomac for a unique view of the city.

If my city were a pet it would be a cuddly panda.

If I didn’t live in a city, I’d live (where?) in the mountains with my Huskies.

The best book about my city is: Worthy of the Nation, a fascinating look at Washington’s history of design and urban planning.

When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is “You’re So Vain”.

Being late due to a motorcade could only happen in my city.

My city should be featured on your cover or website because D.C. is about a lot more than politics and some pretty buildings. D.C. is a city proud of its past and excited about its future and all of us who call it home love sharing it with the world.

What you love about the District? Leave the details in the comments section below.

Want to see your city on Intelligent Travel? Copy and paste our list of fill-in-the-blank questions into an e-mail, fill in your answers, and send your responses (with any photos, videos or links) to IntelligentTravel@ngs.org.

[D.C. Guide]

[D.C. Photos]

Photo: Jim Moore/My Shot

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The Radar: Australia’s Treasured Islands, L.A. Free Museum Weekend, Great Restaurants in Budapest

admin — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:00:11 +0000

Australia has more than 8,200 islands. Don’t miss these five stand outs. [Lonely Planet]

Los Angeles’s seventh annual “Museums Free-For-All” weekend will take place Saturday and Sunday, January 28 to 29. Eighteen area museums will waive admission fees on one or both of these days. [Museum L.A.]

Chow down at one of these four great Hungarian restaurants in Budapest. [Inspiring Travellers]

Got Radar? Follow us on Twitter @NatGeoTraveler and tag your favorite travel stories from the Web #ngtradar. Check back in the morning for our daily roundup.

Photo: Melissa Minucci/My Shot

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Hotel Central: New England’s Snug Ski Lodges

admin — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:00:08 +0000

Throw another log on the fire and get cozy at these four Northeastern getaways

By Jackie Caradonio

From the January/February issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

As winter’s first heavy snows bury New England under a fluffy blanket of white, the region’s best ski resorts come alive with the crackling of firewood and the humming of chairlifts.

Vermont Old farm buildings dot the hilltops surrounding the Wildflower Inn (from $149), located just 10 minutes from Burke Mountain ski resort in the quiet village of Lyndonville. Innkeepers Jim and Mary O’Reilly oversee the day-to-day activities at the 515-acre property, where the federal-style main house features a farm-to-table restaurant. Its 24 cozy guest rooms are housed in a converted coach house, blacksmith shop, schoolhouse, and carriage house. Cross-country skiing starts in your own backyard, with the area’s Kingdom Trails running along the property. Beginning in early March, trade skis for snowshoes and enjoy a quiet walk through the inn’s maple forest to the local sugarhouse, where David Dolloff, the neighboring sugar maker, teaches visitors about syrup tapping and grading, and often provides samples of the freshest batch.

New Hampshire Woodrow Wilson, Thomas Edison, and Alfred Hitchcock have all stayed at this elegant hotel in Bretton Woods, now known as the Omni Mount Washington Resort (from $189). Today, guests return to this grand resort for its stately Spanish Renaissance architecture and its location next to the highest peak in New England. Gilded Age accents—Tiffany stained glass, ornate crown moldings, and brass fixtures modeled after Edison’s first electric lamp—highlight the resort’s National Historic Landmark status. Take a break from the slopes with a ride down the zip line, which races through Rosebrook Canyon’s snow-covered valleys.

New York A catastrophic fire ravaged the 19th-century Lake Placid Lodge (from $500) in 2005, but following a painstaking three-year reconstruction, this Adirondack Mountains landmark has been restored to its original refined splendor, accentuated with Hudson River school paintings, exposed wood beams, and fieldstone fireplaces. Tucked along the edge of Lake Placid, the lodge’s 17 cabins and 13 guest rooms now feature designer touches like Persian rugs, handcrafted log-and-twig beds, faux fur throws, and picture windows that frame the lake or Whiteface Mountain, whose slopes are just a 20-minute drive away.

Maine Upon stepping into the log cabin-style Great Room at the rustic Loon Lodge (from $110) on Rangeley Lake, you’ll find things as they were more than a century ago when the family camp first opened in 1909. Adorned with handmade quilts and Old Hickory furniture, this nine-room retreat in Maine’s western mountains unplugs from modern-day intrusions like televisions and telephones. The slopes at Saddleback Mountain are a short drive away. Closer still are the region’s top-rated snowmobile trails, which travel as far north as Canada.

Subscribe to National Geographic Traveler magazine.

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The Radar: Top U.S. Travel Destinations 2012, Mini Guide to Montreal, Beautiful Tramways

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:00:09 +0000

Visit before the crowds come in. TripAdvisor recently named 15 U.S. destinations on the rise in 2012 (including Scottsdale, Arizona, above). [TripAdvisor via Travel Daily News]

Plan an impromptu visit to Montreal this weekend with this mini guide, packed with essentials like what to see, where to stay, and how to find the best in food, shopping, and entertainment. [BBC Travel]

Take in stunning views along the world’s most beautiful tramway rides. [Got Saga]

Got Radar? Follow us on Twitter @NatGeoTraveler and tag your favorite travel stories from the Web #ngtradar. Check back in the morning for our daily roundup.

Photo: Harry Taylor/My Shot

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#FriFotos: Huli Wigmen Take New York

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:00:08 +0000

This week’s #FriFotos* theme is EXOTIC, and New York City recently was the exotic playground for two visitors far, far away from home.

To a Huli Wigman of Papua New Guinea, the streets of Manhattan have got to seem pretty exotic. And vice versa. Even among the blasé denizens of New York, the warriors manage to turn a few heads.

Papua New Guinea, an island nation in the southwest Pacific Ocean, is one of the most culturally diverse countries on earth and home to some 800+ languages. To the American eye, its peoples’ traditions appear exotic and intriguing, especially those of the Huli Wigmen, warriors who craft elaborate headdresses out of their hair, feathers, and plants, and the Asaro Mudmen who cover themselves in mud and don ghoulish masks to hearken back to a legendary defeated tribe who tried to recover stolen land by wearing such “earthy” disguises. The Wigmen and Mudmen usually materialize during celebrations and rituals in PNG so it was surprising when they showed up last month in New York City of all places.

We touched base with Ally Stoltz of the PNG Tourism Promotions Authority, who hosted the special visitors, to learn more about them and their NYC sojourn.

Meg Weaver: How long did it take for the Wigman and Mudman to travel from PNG to NYC?

Ally Stoltz: They flew Port Moresby to Auckland to Los Angeles to New York–roughly 40 hours.

MW: Where did they go in Manhattan? What did they see?

AS: The first day we got to New York we went straight to the Flower District to buy plants for their costumes because they packed TONS of plants & dirt that was obviously confiscated along their travels! They were like kids in the candy store with all the plants. They bought ones just for their hotel room . . . not for the costume! They also had pizza for the first time. They went on the Staten Island Ferry by night so they could see the city from another angle (honestly, they wanted to get away from all the noise) and to see the Statue of Liberty.

MW: What did they think of what they saw/did?

AS: The most interesting part of their trip to U.S. was that they didn’t have much to say at all about it. Journalists and the people at the party kept asking them, “WHAT DO YOU THINK OF NYC?!” and, as Papua New Guinea is known for its quiet, modest culture (until you make them mad), they just would almost whisper, “Yes, it’s good . . . or very busy” and that’s about it. They are really not extroverted people because in village life, extroverts stir up trouble and it’s all about maintaining balance in communities like theirs. And there’s respect issues and the language barrier as well–only the Mudman really spoke conversational English. But back home they speak two to three languages, Tok Pisin and then their town/village languages.

MW: What did New Yorkers have to say about them?

AS: They encountered a wide variety of responses. Some people couldn’t be bothered as they had places to go. An old man in SoHo nearly lost his mind, couldn’t say he had seen anything like them ever before. The Wigman and Mudman definitely turned heads in Times Square. The most common response people had was one of reverence and fascination–their costumes are very intricate and they managed to bring more teeth, bones, feathers, and hair into the country than I ever thought possible.

Related: Dance with the Huli Wigmen

Meg Weaver is a senior researcher for National Geographic Traveler.

*What’s #FriFotos, you ask? It’s a weekly Twitter chat founded by @EpsteinTravels during which travelers share their favorite pics. Each week has a theme. Search #FriFotos on Twitter to see the latest submissions or tweet one of your own!

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Impressions of Cuba

admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:00:11 +0000

Jen Beasley

Reporter Jen Beasley is just back from Cuba and shares her impressions below.

In December, I was so proud to be traveling to Cuba on a “People to People” exchange that I insisted, with a forlorn “por favor?,” that the guard stamp my passport—not standard practice for Americanos since we’re usually sneaking in. The stamp burned hot pink, my sanctioned rebellion against the U.S. embargo. I went to Cuba drawn to the idea it was a time capsule, standing still as world events ticked on. I wanted to see that before it changed.

Cuba’s retro streak is not only expressed in Chevrolet tailfins and fedoras. 1959 is now. Ubiquitous signs proclaim “Year 53 of the Revolución”—”of”, you see, not “since.” No inkling the “revolución” may, somewhere along the way, have settled in to a less-romantic status quo. Che lives on, lionized, like in any American t-shirt shop. Viva Fidel.

This makes being American in Cuba disorienting. Streets ooze with propaganda–“Socialismo o Muerte”– and one grapples with question of our principles vs. theirs. Once at a hospital, the guide boasted 400 kidney transplants were performed there, “all successful.” “All successful?” No deaths, no rejections? Yes. Somehow everything in Cuba is always successful.

Constantly, Cubans are admonished that the U.S. is “making every attempt to subvert and destroy the revolution.” Yet, being an American in Cuba actually felt safer than being an American in many of our own cities. Cubans welcomed us warmly. They were eager to talk, really wanted to sell us things. A man said, “We are so happy to greet our lovely enemies. Enemigos!” And smiled.

We met many prominent Cubans through the people-to-people format: Party bigwigs, wives of Cubans jailed in the U.S. for espionage, doctors running free clinics. But we met the other Cuba, too–beggars asking not for coins, but soap, realizing the item so scarce due to their rations was free to us at hotels. We weaved between the “real Cuba” and the “tourist Cuba,” our accommodations too nice, our food too abundant. We came home with more questions than answers.

But the question I set out with–What’s it like?—was answered. It’s complicated, and it’s 1959, and I’m glad I saw it. Because it won’t be forever, and maybe not even for long.

Want to see Cuba yourself? Try a people-to-people tour licensed and conducted by National Geographic Expeditions, Insight Cuba, or Friendly Planet Travel.

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I Heart My City: Kelli’s Salt Lake City

admin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:00:23 +0000

Welcome back city-lovers to another Wednesday edition of I Heart My City. We return stateside this week with an insider’s guide to Salt Lake City, Utah, sent to us by Intelligent Travel reader Kelli N. Read Kelli’s tips on where to eat, drink, shop, and play in Utah’s capital, then share your own favorite things about Salt Lake City in the comments section below.

Salt Lake City is My City

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is Temple Square.

When I crave a good beer I always go to the Beerhive. They have over 200 beers served in a comfortable setting. Plus there is a strip of ice on the bar to keep your beer nice and cold all night.

To escape busy city life (and the wintertime smog), I head to Park City for serenity, nature and to feel like I’m on vacation.

If I want a relaxing meal paired with a great glass of wine, I go to Pago, a farm-to-table restaurant.

For complete quiet, I can hide away at the main library downtown. An architectural feat in itself, it has a peaceful, calming aura to it. It’s a great place to read, have coffee, people-watch, or sit outside by the fountains.

If you come to my city, get your picture taken with the Olympic torches from the 2002 Winter Games.

If you have to order one thing off the menu from Red Iguana it has to be one of their famous moles. They are known for their delicious, home-made moles with the perfect combination of sweet and spicy.

Caputo’s Market is my one-stop shop for great artisan foods, especially cheese. The little market has an impressive selection of goods like imported olive oil and chocolates, as well as an in-house salami maker and one of the country’s few cheese caves housing over 200 cheeses. Caputo is staffed with incredibly knowledgeable foodies that love to share their passion for all things delicious. And if you just want a great sandwich or bowl of pasta, there is a deli inside too.

Locals know to skip the film screenings at the Sundance Film Festival and check out the films showing in the downtown venues instead. Same great indie films without the celebrity-hungry tourists.

When I’m feeling cash-strapped I go to Lucky 13. This dive bar has the best burgers in town. Order them with a side of rosemary garlic fries for an $8 meal you won’t soon forget.

For a huge splurge I go to Forage for their 14-course tasting menu. The chefs of this molecular gastronomy restaurant were recently nominated for Best New Chef of the Southwest by Food & Wine magazine.

Wasatch Mountains (Photos: Marie Andree Simard/My Shot)

Photo ops in my city include the gorgeous mountains and the LDS Temple, and the best vantage points are from the temple grounds.

If my city were a celebrity it’d be Jennifer Aniston–beautiful, conservative and unpretentious but still fun.

The most random thing about my city is the number of breweries. For a state known for its non-drinkers, we have several breweries (Epic, Red Rock, and Wasatch to name a few), an urban winery (Kiler Grove) and even a whiskey distillery (High West) right in our backyard.

My city has the most eclectic men.

My city has the most beautiful women.

In my city, an active day outdoors involves anything and everything you want! Skiing or snowboarding, snow-shoeing, hiking, water-skiing, fishing, rock-climbing, golfing… you name it, you can do it here. And if you time it right in the spring or fall, you can even golf and ski in the same day!

My city’s best museum is Utah Natural History museum. Dinosaurs, Native American artifacts, and animals, oh my!

My favorite jogging/walking route is Memory Grove Park. This downtown park sits at the mouth of City Creek Canyon, with paths into the wilderness right from the city!

For a night of dancing, go to the Hotel, where each of its four floors has a different type of music. Or, for live music, check out the Tavernacle, the dueling piano bar whose name is a play on the LDS Tabernacle Choir.

The Bayleaf Bar & Grub is the spot for late-night eats. Located downtown near many of the bars, it’s open 24 hours on the weekend and serves an assortment of American, Cajun, and Asian food, along with late-night staples like chicken and waffles, omelets, and burgers.

To find out what’s going on at night and on the weekends, read City Weekly.

You can tell a lot about my city from how much construction is going on. It’s definitely getting bigger and better!

You can tell if someone is from my city if they say, “oh my heck!” or, “honest to goodness!”

LDS Temple (Photo: Steve Cypert/My Shot)

In the winter you should spend the day skiing at any of the area ski resorts, then stroll through the LDS Temple grounds to see the Christmas light display, and finish the night with one of the costume-themed pub crawls (like the Lumberjack Pub Crawl, the Santa Pub Crawl or the Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl).

In the spring you should enjoy a day of spring skiing, then watch the AAA baseball team, the Bees, play at Spring Mobile Ball Park.

In the summer you should take advantage of all there is to do outside. Attend a free concert outside at Pioneer Park (called the Twilight Concert Series) or the open-air symphony concerts at Deer Valley ski resort. Listen to blues under the stars at the International Jazz Festival or check out the art and music at the Utah Arts Festival.

In the fall you should start the day at the Downtown Farmer’s Market then take a drive up the canyon through the changing leaves to the Oktoberfest beer festival at Snowbird ski resort.

A hidden gem in my city is Frida Bistro, a colorful restaurant with incredibly creative Mexican food.

For a great breakfast joint try Les Madeleines Patisserie and Cafe. Try the kouing aman pastries–they are so addicting that rumor has it, tourists plan lay-overs in Salt Lake City just to make a quick stop at the patisserie.

Don’t miss the city’s architecture. There are some really beautiful buildings if you know where to look. Some of my favorites are, the OC Tanner Building, the court houses, City & County Building, the LDS Temple, the downtown library and the outdoor mall with the retractable roof (called the City Creek Center, opening in March 2012).

Bonneville Salt Flats (Photo: Jeff Hershkowitz/My Shot)

Just outside my city, you can visit the Bonneville Salt Flats.

The best way to see my city is by bike (weather permitting!)

If my city were a pet it would be a lab–loves the outdoors and knows how to relax and have fun.

If I didn’t live in a city, I’d live (where?) somewhere quiet and peaceful in the mountains.

If you have kids, you won’t want to miss the Clark Planetarium or the Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum, both located in the Gateway shopping mall.

The Spring Gruv Pond Skimming Contest could only happen in my city (skiers and snowboarders dressed in costume compete to make it across a 100-foot pond.)

My city should be featured on your cover or website because it is not just a destination for outdoorsy types or families; the nightlife, shopping, and food scenes are really exciting.

What you love about Salt Lake City? Leave the details in the comments section below.

[Utah Guide]

Photo: David Moore/My Shot

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The Radar: New Orleans Travel Tips, International Food Customs, Top Travel Literature of 2011

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:00:19 +0000

Get handy tips for your next trip to New Orleans including how to order your po’boy, what to wear to Cafe du Monde, and where to find great, live music. [BootsnAll]

A month-by-month guide to food customs around the world. [Huffington Post]

Can’t travel this year? Explore new places without leaving your living room by picking up the top travel books from 2011 as chosen by the editors of Lonely Planet. [Lonely Planet]

Got Radar? Follow us on Twitter @NatGeoTraveler and tag your favorite travel stories from the Web #ngtradar. Check back in the morning for our daily roundup.

Photo: Arletta Baxter/My Shot

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Last Chance: Vote for Your Favorite Adventurer of the Year

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:00:23 +0000

Over the last few weeks here on Intelligent Travel, we introduced you to the 2012 Adventurers of the Year– twelve outstanding athletes with remarkable achievements in exploration, conservation, and adventure sports.

We want to hear from you! Vote for the person you think best embodies the spirit of adventure to win the People’s Choice award. Voting ends this Wednesday, January 18.

Will the winner be…

Adventurer Alastair Humphreys who embarked on a year of microadventures—small, local trips that began and ended at his doorstep– to prove that adventure is accessible to everyone.

Climber Cory Richards who, after becoming the first American to successfully summit an 8,000-meter peak in winter, not only survived an avalanche on the way down, but captured the entire ordeal on film.

Hiker Jennifer Pharr Davis who defied conventional wisdom to break the Appalachian Trail record by 26 hours.

Ultimate descent team Sano Babu Sunuwar and Lakpa Tsheri Sherpa who not only climbed Everest, but paraglided down (setting a new record) and then paddled to the sea.

Mountaineer Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner the first woman to climb all fourteen of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks without supplemental oxygen or porters.

Rider Danny MacAskill whose flips, jumps, and tricks seem to defy gravity.

Skier Nick Waggoner a filmmaker who conducted a grueling human-powered ski survey of South America.

Snowboarder Travis Rice who took the staggering aerial tricks usually reserved for the relative safety of the manicured, avalanche-controlled terrain parks and applied them to the big mountains.

Surfer Carissa Moore the first woman in the modern era to compete in the men’s Triple Crown of Surfing, at just 19 years old.

Kayakers Jon Turk and Erik Boomer who circumnavigated all 1,485 miles of Ellesmere Island, the world’s largest island.

You may cast one vote a day through Wednesday, January 18, 2012. We will announce the People’s Choice Adventurer of the Year in February 2012.

See photos of all the Adventurers of the Year, and submit your own: Upload your favorite adventure photos with a caption to My Shot. Tag all submissions#adventure, then look for your photos online in one of our community galleries or on our blog.

[Vote]

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10 Questions to Ask Before Booking Your Next Family Trip

admin — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:00:23 +0000

Family travel writer Rainer Jenss shares his New Year’s resolutions when it comes to planning trips with his family.

For 2012, instead of making my usual bucket list, I’m concentrating mostly on which places and activities are going to benefit my kids and enrich their lives. With that in mind, here are a few questions I ask myself when evaluating a trip idea:

What kind of trip will bring the family closer together? Given our busy work and school schedules, we make it a priority to spend our vacations in each other’s company.
Which destinations will strengthen our connections to wildlife and nature? Going to a zoo or aquarium is a great start, and you can take it even further by hiking in a state or national park or snorkeling in the Caribbean.
What activities will spark their curiosity? Sometimes it’s a simple as trying new foods. You might not think the kids will like steamed dumplings, but you’d be surprised what a visit to Chinatown can do to expand their palates.
Where can we expose our kids to new cultures and perspectives? This doesn’t necessarily require leaving the country.
Where can we learn new life skills? Surfing in Hawaii? Horseback riding out West?
What activities will enhance the kids’ education? We looked at their upcoming curriculum: American history, volcanoes, Greek mythology. Great trip ideas there.
How can the trip promote self-discovery? You can learn a lot about yourself by visiting a house of worship different than your own.
Will we meet new people? We have formed lasting friendships with people we’ve met while traveling.
Is the itinerary/destination safe? Everyone has their own threshold, so respect it.
Will the kids have fun? Trust me from experience; don’t underestimate what kids will enjoy.

What about you? What factors do you weigh when booking a trip for your family?

Follow Rainer on Twitter at @JenssTravel

[Photos: Best Family Trips]

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The Radar: National Parks Free This Weekend, London With Kids, Ski Resorts for Non-Skiers

admin — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 20:00:15 +0000

All 397 national parks across the U.S. will be offering free admission this weekend from January 14 through 16 to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Special events will be held at various sites including the new MLK Memorial in Washington, D.C. [NPS.gov]

Check out these five kid-friendly things to do in London. [Travels With a Nine Year Old]

You don’t have to be a professional skier– or a skier at all– to enjoy a trip to the moutnains. These top 10 ski resorts for non-skiers offer plenty of alternatives to keep you occupied off the slopes, from spa services to cooking classes and wine tastings. [Shermans Travel]

Got Radar? Follow us on Twitter @NatGeoTraveler and tag your favorite travel stories from the Web #ngtradar. Check back in the morning for our daily roundup.

Photo: Michael Flick/My Shot

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#FriFotos: Where’s Your Happy Place?

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:00:11 +0000

Denmark. Singapore. Mexico. San Luis Obispo. Are these the happiest spots on Earth? In his book Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way, Dan Buettner explores these four places, identified by researchers as world hot spots in happiness—pockets around the globe where people report more happiness, enjoyment, interest, and respect.

As it fits with this week’s #FriFotos theme, we want to know what is your happy place– the destination that always puts a smile on your face; the one place you’d drop everything to visit if you got that free plane ticket. Or perhaps you travel there once or a few times a year because the excitement of it never fades.

What destination makes you smile? Share your happy place in the comments section below.

*What’s #FriFotos, you ask? It’s a weekly Twitter chat founded by @EpsteinTravels during which travelers share their favorite pics. Each week has a theme. Search #FriFotos on Twitter to see the latest submissions or tweet one of your own!

Photo: Sophia Haynes/My Shot

[Photos: World's Happiness Hot Spots]

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Checking In: Big Island B&Bs

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:00:07 +0000

Unwind and power up for your next Hawaiian adventure at these four tropical escapes.

By Meg Weaver

From the January/February issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Holualoa Inn › Holualoa, Kona foothills

Set on the slopes of Mount Hualalai among 4,300 coffee trees and an organic vegetable garden, the inn’s six guest rooms are furnished with pieces the owner collected on her travels. Holualoa lures guests with views of the Pacific and details such as hardwood eucalyptus floors, stained glass panes that capture sunlight, and an inviting pool. Tour the inn’s coffee farm, or walk to the nearby artists village for local crafts—handmade ukuleles and paintings of native birds. From $285.

Ka’awa Loa Plantation › Coastal Kona

Overlooking Kealakekula Bay, this start-up coffee farm also grows 42 varieties of fruit including bananas, mangoes, papayas, and white pineapples that are served at the breakfast table alongside homemade baked goods. The inn’s five earth-toned rooms and one cottage have access to the shared 1,500-square-foot wraparound lanai with panoramic views of the south Kona coast. After an active day of exploring volcanoes, refresh outdoors in the lava rock showers. From $129.

Kalaekilohana › Na’alehu, south coast

One of the Big Island’s few Hawaiian-owned B&Bs, the plantation-style inn offers on-site workshops, including traditional weaving, hula, and lei making. Co-owner Kilohana Domingo received a fellowship from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian and is known for his feather art, which is displayed in the inn’s library. The four suites are cozy with soft, hypoallergenic blankets and pillows, locally milled wood floors, and personal lanais. Located at South Point, where it’s thought that Polynesian seafarers first set foot on Hawaii, Kalaekilohana is minutes from the southern entrance of Volcanoes National Park. From $249.

Waianuhea › Honokaa, Hamakua Coast

Halfway between Kona and Hilo, high on the slopes of volcanic Mauna Kea, Waianuhea is practically off the grid, capturing its water from the rain, its electricity from the sun, and its fertilizer from composted food. Three of its five guest rooms include gas or wood stoves for chilly nights; two rooms offer soaking tubs. Enjoy nightly wine and pupu appetizers by the roaring fire in the common room, and wake up to views of Mauna Kea. From $210.

Tell us about your favorite Big Island retreats. Leave us the details in the comments section below.

Subscribe to National Geographic Traveler magazine.

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I Heart My City: Katie’s Rome

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:00:23 +0000

Buongiorno city-lovers! Welcome back to another Wednesday edition of I Heart My City. Today’s insider guide to Rome was sent to us by American expat and foodie Katie Parla, who writes about mouthwatering eats in Italy and beyond on her Parla Food blog. Discover Katie’s favorite places to eat, shop, and play in the Italian capital, then download her Rome for Foodies app to get more delectable tips on eating, drinking, and food shopping in Rome.

Rome is My City

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is for a stroll around Monti, the neighborhood near the Forum and Colosseum where I have lived for the last five years. It has a sort of village atmosphere, has lots of nice cafés, and maintains its character in spite of being next to the heart of the tourist center.

When I crave great beer I always go to Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fa’ in Trastevere. It’s a bit of a dive, but they have the best selection of beer in Rome and are routinely named among the best pubs in Europe.

To escape the oppressive summer heat I head to the Piscine delle Rose, an Olympic-size swimming pool in EUR (Rome’s business district). I don’t have A/C and some days you just need to take a dip without leaving the city.

If I want to buy a gift I go to Spazio Artigiano on Vicolo dei Serpenti in Monti, a shop that sells ceramics from small Italian producers and scarves woven by the owner, Cristina.

For complete quiet, I can hide away in the Parco della Caffarella where sheep and goats graze just outside the city walls.

If you come to my city, get your picture taken with a gladiator in front of the Colosseum. Just kidding. Don’t do that. They are predators with unruly hands.

If you have to order one thing off the menu from Da Danilo it has to be spaghetti alla carbonara (with egg, pecorino romano and cured pork jowl), a drier version of the classic recipe and one of my favorite dishes in town.

The Mercato di Campagna Amica is my one-stop shop for great local produce. There is also excellent cheese, meats, and honeys, and you can grab a beer and some prepared food to eat in the courtyard adjacent to the market.

Locals know to skip the market in Campo de’ Fiori, which is overpriced and packed with junk, and check out Mercato Trionfale or Mercato di Testaccio, two neighborhood markets with better selection, instead.

When I’m feeling cash-strapped I go to I Porchettoni in Pigneto. They serve olives, slices of roast pork, cheap wine, and massive bowls of pasta for next to nothing.

For a huge splurge I go to Il Sanlorenzo for fish. This place in the historic center has some of the freshest fish in Rome, much of which is local to Lazio (Rome’s region).

Roman Forum (Photo: Katie Parla)

Photo ops in my city include the Colosseum, Pantheon, Piazza Venezia, Piazza Navona, St. Peter’s Square and the best vantage points are the Janiculum, Monte Mario, and the dome of St. Peter’s (or so I’ve heard—it’s one of the few major destinations I’ve never visited!).

If my city were a celebrity it’d be Sofia Loren: tax evading, past her prime, but still alluring.

The most random thing about my city is the 200 cats living in Largo Argentina, one of the most ancient archeological sites in town.

My city has the most eyebrow conscious men. I swear mine will never be as perfectly sculpted as those of most 20-something males I see out and about.

My city has the most metabolically blessed women– physique I will never match, no matter how many laps around the Circus Maximus I do.

In my city, an active day outdoors involves cycling to work, strolling with clients through the Vatican Museums, biking home, strolling through Monti or Pigneto with friends.

My city’s best museum is the Musei Capitolini, which is home to a stunning collection of ancient marble and bronze sculpture.

My favorite jogging route is from the Circus Maximus to the Via Appia and through the Caffarella Park.

For a night of dancing or live music go to Circolo degli Artisti, a polyfunctional venue in Pigneto.

(Blank) is the spot for late-night eats. (I’m leaving the blank there, as not that much open after midnight is worth recommending).

To find out what’s going on at night and on the weekends, read www.06blog.it/, Roma C’e’ (at newsstands), and http://roma.2night.it.

You can tell a lot about my city from its traffic: a disorganized mess that inexplicably manages to work without self-destructing.

You can tell if someone is from my city if they can effortlessly multitask on a scooter.

In the winter you should always carry an umbrella. Some winters it starts raining in November and doesn’t quit until the spring.

In the spring you should eat braised or deep fried artichokes.

In the summer you should book seats for the Opera at the Baths of Caracalla.

In the fall you should eat lots of puntarelle, a type of chicory typical of Rome dressed with a pungent anchovy-garlic sauce.

Gelato (Photo: Katie Parla)

A hidden gem in my city is the Centrale Montemartini, a former power station that was turned into a museum for ancient sculpture and mosaics. The contrast is really interesting and there are hardly any visitors. Most days I have the place to myself!

For a great breakfast joint try…I don’t think there really is one. Rome isn’t really a breakfast city and the brunch spots don’t really do it for me. I’d say hit La Caffetiera, grab a seat outside in view of the Temple of Hadrian, and enjoy a coffee and a pastry in one of Rome’s most beautiful squares.

Don’t miss the bigne (fried choux pastry filled with custard) made for the Feast of San Giuseppe in March.

Just outside my city, you can visit the spectacular ruins of Ostia Antica, Republican Rome’s former port and imperial era commercial center.

The best way to see my city is undoubtedly on foot. By bike is amazing but a death wish is a prerequisite.

If my city were a pet it would be one of those fat cats in Largo Argentina living in the ruins.

If I didn’t live in a city (and I had unlimited funds!) I would live on a vineyard in Bozcaada, Turkey or a dairy farm somewhere remote.

The best book about my city is (this is where my nerdiness shows) Krautheimer’s Rome: Profile of a City, 312-1308. I am obsessed with the middle ages.

When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is something out of tune on the accordion. In Rome, it’s unescapable.

Seeing a prominent politician walk down the street licking scoops of gelato from a cone could only happen in my city.

What you love about Rome? Leave the details in the comments section below.

[Rome Guide]

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