July 2008
We're hitting the beach....virtually...for the month of July. Stay tuned for a new seaside destination every day.
Image: rougerouge.
Who doesn't love the beach? When summertime rolls around we begin to reminisce of the days of our youth. Long days on the beach making sandcastles, playing in the surf and nights of long walks, games, and cotton candy. We're not heading to the beach this summer, so instead we've decided to dedicate the month of July to all things sunny and sandy. We'll be taking a virtual tour around the world, trying to find inspiration for our next great adventure.
We'll be sharing our favorite sandy shores with you every day for the next month, so grab your towel and join us on our virtual tour.
Sardinia (or Sardegna in Italian) is a land of rugged beauty and a melting pot of culture. Located off the coast of Italy, it's home to 1.7 million Sardinians (whose ancestry is varied and ancient), over 9,000 nuraghe (conical towers dating from 1000 BC), and a whole lotta white sand. Whether you're an outdoorsman or prefer a tropical drink, the island of Sardinia offers a plethora of sandy locales. Today we're daydreaming of Italia....Sardegna-style.
Image: PnP!.
"Those who seek paradise on earth should seek it in Dubrovnik" - George Bernard Shaw
Dubrovnik, which lies on the southern Dalmatian coast, nestled along the shores of the Adriatic Sea, is gifted with more than its fair share of beauty.
Museums aren't the only place where you can check out the masterpieces. Here's our series guide to seeing the arts....for free.
Image: sandcastlematt.
When we're in a new city, I always want to check out its artistic treasures. Instead of always turning directly to the museum, I like to look outside of the big white box. After my eyes (and my wallet) have had their fill of art on the wall, I like to seek out lesser known venues. Public spaces always offer a wide variety of art to see, often for free, regardless of what country you are visiting.
This week's freebie....the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.
Image: ehpien.
I heard you really got sick, Sick in Santorini, You found a greek who liked martinis, You used the olives for bikinis -Dada
The Cyclades are a grouping of Greek Isles, located southwest of Athens and north of Crete. Gifted with ancient history and gorgeous climate, these islands have enough to hook almost anyone.
Every day, the world of travel is affected by things all over the globe. We've selected the best tidbits that help you stay informed, inspired, and ready to travel.
Image: A Boy And His Bike.
It's a holiday here in the US of A, so we're taking the day off to relax and celebrate the birth of our nation with some good eats and fireworks. We'll be back on Monday with more beaches and travel tips for the rest of your summer travels.
The blogosphere is full of travel inspiration and ideas... here's our favorite finds from the past week.
Image: phitar.
Image: role1943.
If you've ever wanted to stay in a spaceship, the Capsule Hotel in the Netherlands may let you live out your fantasy. Not a spaceship, but a recycled TEMPS (totally enclosed motor propelled survival craft) often used in offshore drilling. It offers a cosy and offbeat place to rest your weary bones while in the Netherlands.
Image: pocarropilla.
"It is not worth the while to go round the world to count the cats in Zanzibar." -Henry David Thoreau
Floating to the east of Tanzania, Zanzibar is a grouping of islands well known for its spices, its monkeys (and cats), and more importantly, its beaches.
Real life travel advice from around the web. Have you written about a cultural experience and want to share? Send us a link and we'll feature it here.
Image: -RobW-.
Meeting locals isn't always an easy task when you're visiting a country. Brave New Traveller gives some great tips on what to pack to make meeting a local a bit more likely.
Image: killthebird.
While some of the most remote in the world, Seychelles' beaches are also some of the most beautiful. Hidden almost 1000 miles northest of Madagascar, this collection of 115 islands can satisfy even the most seasoned beach bum.
Every week, Francesco Serra, our good friend and expert on all things Italian, gives us perspective on Italian culture. Residing in the northern city of Padova, but being a fiercely proud native Calabrian, he brings a unique perspective on all things Italian.
Image: Dystopos.
Our question today for Francesco....I'm planning a trip to the Veneto in a few months, do you have any advice for something unique and different to see? I'm already planning to check out the sites of Venice and Padova, but wondered what you would consider off the beaten path for a regular tourist?
Have a question about Italy? Send Francesco an e-mail and we'll have him answer your question here.
Image: ImageBang!.
Formerly known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka is well known for producing some of the best tea in the world. Unbeknownst to many travelers, it also has some of the best beaches.
Every day, the world of travel is affected by things all over the globe. We've selected the best tidbits that help you stay informed, inspired, and ready to travel.
Image: Shelby PDX.
Located in southern Thailand, Phuket enjoys the distinction of being both its largest island and its most popular tourist destination. People flock to enjoy the sand, surf, and to party down. Although it was devastated by a tsunami back in 2004, Phuket has bounced back and remains an awesome place to visit.
Image: muha.
We've been virtually crossing the globe for the past two weeks, checking out all of the sandy destinations we've longed to see while we're stuck at home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Last week, we started out in the Mediterranean where we checked out Sardinia, Dubrovnik, and the Cyclades. And this week we've crossed into the Indian Ocean hopping from the island of Zanzibar, through the Seychelles, off to Sri Lanka, to the island of Phuket and we'll end up in Bali later today.
The blogosphere is full of travel inspiration and ideas... here's our favorite finds from the past week.
touched echo from Markus Kison on Vimeo.
Oh Gizmo: Touched Echo Exhibit in Dresden
Image: sektordua.
Tahiti has been spoiled for many years, but Bali is one of the few cultures with origins in one of the great ancient cultures which is still alive. -Arthur Erickson
Just one of thousands of islands (13,000 to be exact) that make up Indonesia, Bali has become renowned a little slice of heaven here on earth. This "Island of the Gods" offers pristine beaches, incredible vistas and a vibrant Hindu culture that leaves you reveling in its beauty.
Does this look like Paris to you? Me neither, but Huttopia Versailles is just five minutes from the Palace of Versailles and a mere twenty minutes from the Eiffel Tower. (By car, we're assuming.) If you're into camping, the Huttopia may be the perfect solution for a peaceful retreat just steps away from civilization.
Image: ogwen.
Located at the far northwestern tip of Australia, Darwin is part beach town and part capital city. You can have your cake and eat it too, as the beaches are pristine and the city is hoppin'.
Image: Jasmic - I am back! (Sort of...).
Whenever I travel I always end up finding something I want to photograph. Anyone can take a picture, but it takes some skill to capture a photograph that you'll want to look at later. One of my favorite subjects while I'm traveling is the local architecture: churches, houses, or whatever really speaks to the essence of a place. This isn't always easy, as getting that perfect shot can be tricky. I've got a few tips that will help you improve your architectural photos.
Image: Dave77459.
When it comes to planning a cheaper trip, a lot of attention is given to the more prominent costs: airfare, trains, and hotels. But let's say that you've found a way to make all those costs fit into your budget and you're Europe-bound. How will you make the most of your money when you arrive? To help you, I've got five little suggestions for saving money in Europe.
Image: ~Prescott.
A group of islands off the Eastern coast of Australia, the Whitsundays offer a relaxing holiday conveniently situated near one of the greatest dive sites in the world, the Great Barrier Reef. With one look at the aquamarine waters, it's easy to see why this is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia.
Every day, the world of travel is affected by things all over the globe. We've selected the best tidbits that help you stay informed, inspired, and ready to travel.
Image: Thushan Amarasiriwardena.
Boston Globe: The Long Jaunt. Follow three bloggers around the world.
The blogosphere is full of travel inspiration and ideas... here's our favorite finds from the past week.
Image: Jean-Sébastien Roy.
With over one hundred islands in the South Pacific, French Polynesia is home to a slice of paradise. From larger islands like Tahiti, as well as more remote locales like Bora Bora, they all allow you to bask in the sun and get it away from it all...at a price.
Image: IceNineJon.
If you carry around a professional (or professional-looking) camera when you're on travel, you've undoubtably been asked to take a picture of random strangers. It seems like no matter where I go, whether it's in Singapore or Seattle, I'm the friendly looking guy who has a cool camera. I must have a clue, right? I've got a few tips for you so that the next time you're asked, you can give those folks more than the standard travel snapshot.
Image: Eneas.
As many travelers can attest, walking is a huge part of traveling. Planning a walking route can be difficult, because it's difficult to tell if a road is walkable. Well, wonder no more, because Google Maps now has a "Walking Directions" feature that should help everyone avoid getting lost. Now if they could just add a feature that would prevent you from having to walk up steep hills...
Do you have a travel photo you want to show off? Join our Flickr Group and we'll post our favorites here.
Image: will hybrid.
The vibrancy of India has inspired artists for ages and their attempts to capture what they see results in a array of breathtakingly beautiful colors. Whether it be in a shot from a travel photographer or a film approach, like in Wes Anderson's Darjeeling Limited we always wonder, has anyone ever been successful? Have you been to India? Does India live up to its representation?
Every week, Francesco Serra, our good friend and expert on all things Italian, gives us perspective on Italian culture. Residing in the northern city of Padova, but being a fiercely proud native Calabrian, he brings a unique perspective on all things Italian.
Image: volpe fatata.
Our question today for Francesco....I've heard Italians go on vacation for the entire month of August. What about you, where are you going? What will you be doing? Will you spend the whole month of August at the beach?
Have a question about Italy? Send Francesco an e-mail and we'll have him answer your question here.
Museums aren't the only place where you can check out the masterpieces. Here's our series guide to seeing the arts....for free.
Image: lopolis.
Black Sun by Isamu Noguchi in Volunteer Park
Public art can be, well, bad. If you've had a chance to visit any major American city in the last few years, you've most likely seen the city's attempt at public art geared for tourists. Every summer, they roll out a cast animal sculpture, ask local artists to decorate it, and place them around town in heavily visited tourist attractions. Washington, DC had the pandas, Seattle had its pigs, and Berlin even had bears. While these may have given local artists a chance to express themselves, all-in-all they were pretty uninspiring.
Instead of checking out what the local tourism board has deemed good art, Seattle has plenty of public art to inspire you....for free.
The blogosphere is full of travel inspiration and ideas... here's our favorite finds from the past week.
Image: josstyk.
I'll be the first to admit that when I travel I tend to get a little bit anxious. My triggers are typically planes or trains, or anything else that has a schedule. But you know what, it doesn't really matter if you miss that train...another will come.
Image: Squiggle.
With planes, trains and a hobbit hole, Woodlyn Park in New Zealand offers unique retreats just a few hours south of Auckland.
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