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The Radar: Climbing Volcanoes, ‘Dirtiest Hotel’ Sues TripAdvisor, Beyond Napa Valley

admin — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:00:09 +0000

Bathe in hot springs, marvel at lava fields, and climb the rocky slopes of these 11 famous volcanoes in the Americas. [BootsnAll]

The owner of the Grand Resort Hotel in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is suing TripAdvisor for $10 million after his property was named the “Dirtiest Hotel in the U.S.” TripAdvisor’s annual list is based on user ratings. [Overhead Bin]

Move over Napa Valley, California’s other wine regions are making a name for themselves. [BBC]

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: Ilona Berzups/My Shot

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Beyond Paris: Toulouse’s Modern Inspiration

admin — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:00:07 +0000

Toulouse, France, located nearly 400 miles southwest of Paris, is known as the Ville Rose (the Pink City) as many of its buildings are made of reddish-pink bricks. On clear summer evenings when the sun descends, the city’s buildings blush. Though it’s an old city (the university here was founded in 1229 and the Romanesque Saint-Sernin Basilica was a stop for medieval pilgrims en route to Spain’s Santiago de Compostela), Toulouse is home to a bunch of high-tech industries, such as Airbus, and offers up a lot for those seeking to be artistically inspired.

The Museum of Natural History reopened in October after an extensive renovation and upgrade that made it hip and high-tech (think CSI-inspired interactive exhibits of a Mesolithic burial and apps to help navigate and translate the displays). The museum contains 2.5 million items and artfully guides visitors from the birth of the earth, through the dawn of man, to a thought-provoking exhibit that examines contemporary society’s effect on the environment. On my visit, the museum’s curator and paleontologist Doctor Francis Duranthon told me that he believes museums have an important role to play in society; Toulouse’s revamped natural history museum certainly does that, instilling in visitors, young and old, the notion of being conscious of one’s actions and how they’re connected to the fate of our earth. After your mind-nourishing visit, relax in the museum’s botanical garden. The museum’s cafeteria offers hearty, healthy fare at reasonable prices.

Next up, leap from the Stone Age to the space age at La Cité de l’espace, Toulouse’s space-themed adventure park. The park offers non-French speaking visitors headphones that translate all exhibits. It contains an IMAX theater, planetarium, a replica of the MIR Space Station (that visitors can ramble through), and interactive exhibits such as one that attempts to determine how flying saucers may work through levitation and magnetism.

After all this science, it’s time to be artistically inspired. For that, head across the Garonne River to the contemporary art museum les Abattoirs. The museum houses 3,500 pieces (painting, sculpture, installations; somber to quirky) created primarily by artists born after World War II. Picasso’s 1936 massive stage backdrop, “La Dépouille du Minotaure en costume d’Arlequin,” dominates les Abattoirs’ basement six months out of each year, due to the work’s fragility. The highlight of the museum for me was the mosaics on the grounds. Their playfulness and vibrant colors enchanted me and got me to linger outside in the 100-degree late-June heat. The art also inspired, helping me realize how much I love mosaics– all those tiny, multi-colored pieces, some jagged, others smooth, positioned this way and that, coming together to create a unique take on reality. I left les Abattoirs and France thinking I’d like to try my hand at making mosaics and have been researching how to begin since getting home.

Have you been inspired to pick up a new hobby, craft or art form after a trip? What was it and what place sparked your creativity?

[France Guide]

Photos: Meg Weaver

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Cheap First Class Tickets To Edinburgh and Beyond

admin — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 06:01:33 +0000

Book by Tuesday, 28 June and you could enjoy a first class rail trip from London all the way to Aberdeen or Inverness for just £25 one way. East Coast Rail are offering promotional first class tickets for travel between July 14 and September 9 (excluding the August bank holiday). The company has set aside more than 100,000 tickets for the deal.

East Coast lines from London travel to Leeds, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh (and

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Cheap First Class Tickets To Edinburgh and Beyond originally appeared on About.com United Kingdom Travel on Friday, June 24th, 2011 at 14:44:16.

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New on Hawaii’s Big Island for June 2011 and Beyond

admin — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 06:09:20 +0000

In less than two weeks summer will officially be here. Living on the east coast, you can’t convince me that it’s not summer already with temperatures already in the 90’s. In fact, today we’re expecting temperatures to near the 100 degree mark.

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Hoppin’ Good Singapore Hotel Deals for Easter and Beyond.

admin — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:31:21 +0000

Photo of the Esplanade Theatres courtesy of the Singapore Tourism Board, Singapore in Pixels Photo Contest.

Singapore hotels are offering some awesome discounts and specials, beginning in the month of April and continuing into the next few months. The Singapore hotel deals covered here range from three-star business hotels to the finest five-star hotels near the Marina Bay district. Now you can catch that luxurious hotel room for so much less than you’d expect!

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View full post on About.com Southeast Asia Travel

New on Hawaii’s Big Island for March 2011 and Beyond and Tsunami Damage Update

admin — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 06:09:14 +0000

As I’m sure you know, the Big Island of Hawaii did sustain some damage as a result of the tsunami of March 11, 2011 which did such terrible damage and cost so many lives in Japan.

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Out of Office: Chile Wine Tourism Beyond the Vine

admin — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 20:00:10 +0000

Traveler staffer Giovanna Palatucci writes about her trip to Chile,
where she quickly discovered there’s more to this South American
country than the dry Atacama Desert to the north and the snowy peaks of
Patagonia to the south. This is the second post about her trip. Read the first one here.

It’s summertime in Chile, which means vineyards are gearing up for a busy harvest season. The ripe, plump grapes are ready for picking, and wineries welcome travelers to roll up their sleeves and help with the process. Although the popular and obvious choice of activity when visiting a winery is typically grape-centric, Chilean vineyards offer a host of other experiences that go beyond the vine.

Horseback Riding
Touring a vineyard by horseback is a fun and leisurely way to spend an afternoon in the Colchagua Valley, Chile’s wine-growing region 150 miles south of Santiago. At the eco-friendly Clos Apalta Winery, take in dramatic mountain views that surround the vineyard on three sides. Warning, based on my experience, riding tours don’t come with lessons. Although accompanied by professional riders, you’re expected to simply climb up and go. If riding a horse makes you nervous, wineries often offer bicycle tours as an alternative.

Astronomical Tours
Astronomical tours are popular in the Colchagua Valley due to the region’s clear
atmosphere devoid of artificial light. At Viña Santa Cruz, ride a cable car up to the Cerro Chamán Observatory for a spectacular nighttime show. The winery’s small astronomy museum houses an impressive collection of meteorites from Chile and other parts of the world. Sit for a short lecture, then head up to the roof where two powerful telescopes zoom in on the craggy craters of the moon.
Chilean Rodeo
Rodeo is the national sport of Chile and an
integral part of life at the family-run Viña Casa Silva. For just
$25, including a wine-paired lunch, the winery’s professional team of
riders will demonstrate Chilean rodeo riding and handling skills– quick

stops, figure eights, and bull wrangling.

Make Your Own Wine
Okay, so this activity is
about wine but it’s more hands-on than any tasting. At the beautiful
Viña Mont Gras, learn how to make your own wine. Sample three
varieties– Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot– then combine the
perfect percentage of each into your personal blend. Once you’ve mixed
and matched, learn how to bottle, cork, seal, and label your wine. It’s the perfect souvenir to bring home and share with friends.

A trip to Chile’s wine regions doesn’t have to be all about the wine or exclusive to wine connoisseurs. Horseback riding, astronomy, and rodeo will keep any group entertained. Of course, that’s
not to say these activities can’t be enjoyed with a glass of wine before,
during, or after.

Photo: Horseback tour through Casa
Lapostolle’s Clos Apalta Winery (above); Wine bottle labels and sealing tool (below) by Giovanna Palatucci

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New on Hawaii’s Big Island for February 2011 and Beyond

admin — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 06:08:34 +0000

While the mainland is experiencing one of the worst winters in recent years, the weather is just great on Hawaii’s Big Island.

You may see snow on the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, but the weather’s just fine on all of the island’s beaches and the Big Island’s hotels, resorts and other accommodations are ready to welcome you with lots of aloha and the Big Island’s activity providers are ready to make your Big Island visit truly memorable.

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Bali: Beyond the Beaches, To the Peaks.

admin — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 21:31:17 +0000

[Photo by leafbug / Creative Commons]

The sun and sea seem so intimately tied up with the essence of Bali, that newbie tourists may forget that the heart and soul of the island is really found far in the island’s center, at higher elevations.

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Romantic Vacations in Italy and Beyond

admin — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 06:23:01 +0000

With Valentine’s Day just a month away, it’s a good time to plan a romantic vacation. My colleague on Honeymoons and Romantic Travel has put together a Valentine’s Day blog carnival featuring the best romantic vacations around the world to help you plan your Valentine’s Day getaway.

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Berlin and Beyond

admin — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 06:21:12 +0000

Are you a seasoned Berlin traveler and can walk through the Brandenburg Gate with your eyes closed? Then steal yourself away from Berlin and take a day trip to one of these destinations,…

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Strange Planet: On Beyond Zebra

admin — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 20:00:00 +0000

Ever wonder what it would feel like to go sightseeing in Washington, D.C. while dressed as a zebra? William Shubert, who works for National Geographic international editions, satisfied his curiosity by zipping himself into a full-body Morphsuit and heading out on the town. He filed a report, with more photos, on National Geographic’s Pop Omnivore blog.

For real zebra action, check out these zebra video clips from National Geographic’s seven-episode documentary series Great Migrations, being broadcast this month on the National Geographic Channel.

And for a chance to witness zebra migration in Botswana for yourself, enter our Great Migrations Sweepstakes and you might win a 12-day trip for two with National Geographic Expeditions.

Photo: Sam Pepple

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New York Beyond the Big Apple

admin — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:01:38 +0000

For many years, my exposure to the state of New York was limited to the view from inside an air-conditioned car heading north from Ohio to my summer camp in Maine. My family’s annual drive through the Empire State became somewhat of a joke over time, as my brother and I held contests to see who could sleep the longest through the seemingly never-ending pattern of rolling hills, rocky Adirondacks, rest stops, and tiny towns. To our teenaged eyes, New York State was beautiful but boring.

I’m a little older now, and the appeal of the New York that lies beyond the Big Apple has become more obvious. It’s one of our country’s most populous states, and it offers a similarly expansive variety of sights and experiences for locals and tourists alike. I spoke with Sascha Zuger — who, as the author of the Moon New York State Handbook, has seen the state from top to bottom — to find out her favorite spots. She shares her recommended locations after the jump.

Hudson Valley

I think the charm of browsing through the mom-and-pop shops and cafés of the Hudson Valley and Catskill villages is tough to top. In Rhinebeck (of recent Chelsea Clinton nuptials), stroll through the farmers’ market, filled with organic meats and greens, wildflowers, hand-crafted raw milk cheeses, gourmet chutneys (created in an 1850s farmhouse) and artisan breads. Visit the village green of the iconic artist colony of Woodstock on a Sunday evening to join a drum circle alongside a resident hippie or stray belly dancer.

Finger Lakes

There is little that can beat taking in the view of the lovely Finger Lakes region from the sipping stool of a vineyard’s tasting table — unless you count taking in that same view from an 800-lb. sailplane as it soars overhead. The Harris Hill Soaring Center in Elmira offers public glider rides every weekend through October 31, and its junior program gives local kids the chance to earn a pilot’s license early by helping out around the club. Another area highlight: Pulling molten glass into petals in the art studio at the Corning Museum of Glass.

Hamptons

My preconceived prejudice against the Hamptons — likely earned from various news stories and reality shows spotlighting privilege gone bad — was totally altered when I visited the Hampton Ocean Resort. A family-owned beachfront gem, the resort won me over with cushy towels, personalized service, and sweet, friendly staff members (as well as the Dove chocolate bars they brought right to my beach chair). Tip: Online rates can be found at discounts up to 65%.

Niagara

Niagara’s obvious draw is its natural beauty, though most would find re-enacting Jim and Pam’s famous Maid of the Mist cruise (from a recent episode of The Office) somewhat lacking (or worse, downright cheesy). Fortunately, three of the Niagara region’s state parks have given a nod to city folk with ConTENTment Camping. The service offers Hemingway-inspired safari-style tents preset with all the essentials, including cots. An a la carte rental menu adds coffeemakers, coolers and bikes to the mix, so you can enjoy a more comfortable camping experience away from the throngs of tourists.

[New York Travel Guide]

Sascha Zuger’s Moon New York State Handbook is available now. You can follow the author on Twitter @Sascha_Zuger and on Tumblr. Photos courtesy Sascha Zuger.

New York – Ohio – Maine – New York City – United States

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The Road to Hawaii Statehood Part 2: 1952-1959 and Beyond

admin — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 18:08:39 +0000

It was 51 years ago today that Hawaii became the 50th state. As we learned in yesterday’s feature, it was not an easy journey.

In the second part of our special feature, which was written last year for the 50th anniversary, we look at the events that took place from 1952 until 1959 including what turned out to be a major complicating factor to Hawaii Statehood in the form of a place called Alaska.

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Greek Airports Beyond Athens

admin — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 06:15:58 +0000

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To Yosemite…And Beyond!

admin — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:00:13 +0000

Today National Geographic and local partners reveal a unique and interactive way to explore Yosemite National Park: The
Yosemite Gateway MapGuide. NG worked
with the Sierra Business Council and Sierra Nevada Conservancy to
gather area residents’ secrets–more than 800 of the best places to visit off-the-beaten tourist path. The
MapGuide points out “one-of-a-kind coffeehouses” and deserted historic sites
otherwise undetected by folks visiting the usual spots like Kings Canyon and
Lassen Volcanic National Park or Lake Tahoe.

Take your status from tourist to geotourist when you visit spots like the “oldest continuously
family-owned and operated farm in the area,” Larsen Apple Barn, or relax at the
Yosemite Bug Mountain Resort & Spa, affectionately known as “the Bug” by
regulars. The WebMap has
features that allow you to tell your friends–via Twitter or Facebook–what
you’ve discovered. You can comment,
suggest, and add content to the “living and breathing, constantly being updated”
map after you’ve seen the place for yourself.

Project directors divided the 400-mile-long Sierra Nevada
region into four parts; the Yosemite Gateway MapGuide is the first of four, so
stay tuned for the next guide to the Tahoe Emigrant Corridor area of the Sierra
Nevada due out this summer.

Also, be sure to check out the other geotourism MapGuides
from National Geographic for California’s Redwood Coast, Central Cascades, Montreal,
Greater Yellowstone, Crown of the
Continent, Sonora Desert,
Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Appalachia, to name a few.

Photo: Campers enjoy the High Sierra, southeastern portion. by Josh Feinberg/National Geographic.

Sierra Nevada – Yosemite National Park – United States – California – National Geographic Society

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Adventure Travel in Tuscany and Beyond

admin — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 06:24:35 +0000

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Saint Patrick’s Day in Italy and Beyond

admin — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 06:22:44 +0000

Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17, is a huge Irish festival so of course you’ll find lots of parades and parties in Ireland. But Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated in other parts of the world, too, often brought by emigrating Irish to their new homeland. So where can you go on Saint Patrick’s Day if you’re not in Ireland? Bernd’s Ireland Travel Blog has a round-up of places to celebrate in Ireland, elsewhere in Europe, North America and a few more distant lands – Saint Patrick’s Day Goes Global.

Some Italian cities hold an Irish Day or Irish Week festival around March 17. Rome’s Irish Day 2010 is March 14 and in Florence and Bologna there’s Irlanda in Festa with events from March 17 through the weekend. If you’re longing for some Guinness, Italy has a number of Irish pubs. We have a round-up of festivals and pubs in Saint Patrick’s Day in Italy.

Saint Patrick’s Day in Italy and Beyond originally appeared on About.com Italy Travel on Saturday, March 13th, 2010 at 11:31:12.

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Vancouver: Beyond the Games

admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 20:12:27 +0000

British Columbia has always been a must-see for outdoor enthusiasts. The Northwest province is as big as California, Oregon, and Washington combined, but with only a fraction of the population, making its wilderness all the more enticing. Check out Adventure’s guide to all things outdoors in Vancouver, from kayaking, to hiking Canada’s highest falls, and more.

Can’t get to Vancouver to ski with the Olympians this winter? No worries. Adventure’s listed the top ten ski vacations in the U.S., from California and Colorado to the Eastern Seaboard. Plus, check out their interactive winter gear guide here.

British Columbia – Oregon – Washington – Canada – Vancouver

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Aruba, Curacao Look Beyond Oil, Seek Green Energy

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:50:46 +0000

Even the biggest fans of Aruba and Curacao must admit that it’s jarring for visitors to see the big oil refineries on these islands spewing tons of pollutants across the otherwise brilliant blue Caribbean skies.

It’s part of the reality of living in a world fueled by hydrocarbons, and some of the fuel made here is destined for U.S. gas tanks. However, its good to know that both islands are also taking steps toward a greener future.

The Tera Kora and Playa Kanoa wind farms in Curacao, for example, will soon put out a combined 30 megawatts of clean power, and Aruba also is building a 30 megawatt wind farm — a great legacy for future generations of residents of two islands where Dutch heritage and steady trade winds makes alternative energy projects like these a natural fit.

Learn More About Wind Power

Aruba, Curacao Look Beyond Oil, Seek Green Energy originally appeared on About.com Caribbean Travel on Sunday, February 7th, 2010 at 10:44:52.

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Romantic Travel in Italy and Beyond

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:11:03 +0000

With Valentine’s Day coming up, romantic travel comes to mind. You’ll find ideas for where to celebrate Valentine’s Day and for romantic travel any time of the year in Susan Breslow Sardone’s Love Makes the World Go ‘Round, a look at romantic destinations from About.com Travel sites.

According to a recent survey, 22% of travelers said that their romantic destination of choice would be Italy (see Where do You Travel for Romance?). Plan your romantic Italian vacation with our guide to Top Romantic Destinations in Italy.

Romantic Travel in Italy and Beyond originally appeared on About.com Italy Travel on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 00:45:57.

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Unique and Unusual Accommodations in Italy and Beyond

admin — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 10:40:54 +0000

Staying in unique hotels is one way to enhance your vacation experience. Jane McClean, About.com Canada, has a round-up of Weird and Wacky Accommodations from About.com travel sites including lodging in caves, castles, ice hotels, and even a prison.

In Italy you can stay in the unique trulli of Puglia, cave hotels in Matera, castle hotels, or monasteries. If you’re looking for the ultimate in luxury, we have that too. Choose your favorite in our Unusual Italy Accommodations.

Unique and Unusual Accommodations in Italy and Beyond originally appeared on About.com Italy Travel on Sunday, January 10th, 2010 at 20:15:03.

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