February 2009
The Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington, DC has set the tone for what we expect of a modern memorial. Austere lines and lack of ornament define this work designed by then architectural student, Maya Lin, in 1981. Whether or not you agree with this direction towards minimalism, it has been absorbed into our modern day lexicon of what it means to memorialize.
Travelers Notebook: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting an Indian Home
For the traveler with a bevy of gadgets in tow, the concept of charging via USB is a godsend. As long as you have the right cables, you can leave home without being encumbered by hordes of dedicated chargers, no matter where you're traveling. This arrangement is great as long as you've got a laptop nearby, but what about when you're sans-computer or don't have enough ports? To help keep you and your gadgets going on the road, check out our list of six great USB power adapters.
What's the longest road trip you've ever been on? A few days, or maybe even a week? We managed to catch up with Kelsey and Tom, who are on a road trip spanning two continents. Despite the fact that they're on a voyage of massive proportions, they've managed to create an excellent blog, Joydrive, where they share their experiences, photos, and funny stories from their trip. For more on them and their trip, check out our interview below.
What's the most basic food, common to almost all cultures? The carrot. We've found it used in almost every way possible, check out the photos below for some of our favorites.
Do you prefer a hike in the mountains or the sunny shores? Are you a nature lover or a beach bum? Why do you prefer one over the other? Do you take a side or do you remain neutral?
Taking you past the kimonos and sushi, Nihon Sun highlights the culture, food, and lifestyle that makes Japan a wonderful place to both visit and live.
Would you cross the Taklamakan Desert via motorbike? Vic Swift caught this scene while working for the International Dunhuang Project, a project digitizing all archaelogical and archival artifacts from the Eastern Silk Road. Check out the entire set of photos from their latest Silk Road adventure.
The Guardian: Rebel With A Cause
Charlie Connelly walks through Wales tracing the steps of history and coming across a little "trail magic" along the way.
Are You Gonna Eat That?: Hong Kong: Seafood in Sai Kung
Curious to learn more about seafood in Hong Kong? Head over to Are You Gonna Eat That? for both a photo tour and a few good places to try.
If you're trying to decide on a guidebook for your next trip, it's important for you to find one that suits your travel style. How do you do that? Don't just pick up the most well known guide or the one a friend recommended. The next time you're perusing the travel section in the bookstore, keep these three questions in mind.
If you're a design addict, then you're probably already familiar with the popular blog, Design*Sponge. Grace Bonney turned her obsession into a full-time job, featuring some of the best independent artists and designers from around the globe. But that's not all they've been doing lately, Grace and her team of designhounds have been creating stellar city guides for the past few years. If you love Eames, all things handmade, or indie artists; look no further. The next time you're on the road, these guides will point you to the best shops, snacks and sites to get your design fix.
Imagine yourself packing for your next trip. How many pairs of socks are thrown in your bag? For a 2 week trip, especially if you're not planning on washing your clothes, they can quickly pile up. Socks have always been my arch-enemy when packing; they take up a lot of space, don't air dry quickly, and can stink up your luggage. I dreamed of finding a sock that I could wash & dry overnight, enabling me to cut down on my sock bulk and letting me save room for other necessities. Little did I know, that Fox River Mills already makes socks that do all that and more.
If you're heading to a new country, ask anyone for advice and they'll be sure to tell you not to miss some great, local cuisine. "You've got to try the pizza in Italy or a curry in India," they might say. But, what about the other cultural options available? How about kebab in Berlin, or Indian food in London, or even Chinese in Italy? All of these foods, despite the fact that they're not native or "authentic" to the place they're in, are cultural experiences all their own. By all means, go to Italy and eat their pasta and don't miss the chicken rice in Singapore. But, the next time you're on a trip and hungry, don't limit yourself to having an "authentic" experience, be sure to try everything the locals are having, regardless where the cuisine originated.
Do you have trouble sleeping when you're away from home? If you do, what do you do to help you sleep?
The wide variety of food in the Philippines is a reflection of the history of its people. It's a mixture of native, Chinese, and Spanish tastes, all rolled into a delicious, tempting cuisine. Our examples below are but the tip of the iceburg, what you'll find when you arrive will blow your mind (and tongue) away.
Taking a plane may be faster, a train more elegant, but to get a real sense of a place you need to consider taking the bus. On a bus, you can you slow down and see somewhere away from the rails and closer to where people live, work, and play. If you've never been a bus passenger, we've got five great reasons to take the bus on your next trip.
Have you ever procrastinated on buying a flight because you thought the price might drop? You can usually get a refund if that happens, but who wants to keep checking after you buy? For you chronic procrastinators, as well as everyone else interested in saving money on flights, Yapta is a site worth trying.
Do you like to drive when you go abroad? If you're even remotely contemplating driving on your next trip, one of the best ways to get ready is to learn how to drive a manual transmission.
Italylogue Italian Food Markets: Rules, Vocabulary & Market Days
Curious on how to handle yourself in an Italian market? Jessica gives some great advice on how to handle yourself and the produce.
Audrey and Dan have been traveling the world, one step at a time (and have the counter to prove it.) We asked them to share their travel tips from their adventures around the world, and you can read more about their travels on their site Uncornered Market.
The ruins of Machu Picchu aren't the only reason to visit Peru. With scenery and wildlife like you see above, how can you resist?
MSNBC: United Airlines Ditching Complaint Line
United Airlines is disconnecting its complaints call center, and instead directing frustrated customers to write letters or email their issues. Smart move or short sighted?
ikangaroo Ryanair and Easyjet: 5 Issues to Consider
Budget airlines can come with major headaches. Check out these tips for what to keep in mind before you book your next flight.
Storm King Art Center, Mountainville, NY
Who says you have to appreciate art indoors? Many of the great museums across the world have taken their sculptures outside to be appreciated. The next time you head out of town, be sure to look out for a local sculpture garden where you can appreciate art and nature. Featured above is Storm King Art Center, an hour's drive from New York City, and home to many great modern masters situated in 500 acres of lawns, fields, and woodlands.
Whenever I get my hands on a new National Geographic Traveler, I always look forward to reading the latest article by Daisann McLane. This month's, Traveling In Stride, touches on a simple, but overlooked, aspect of traveling: walking. One of the best ways to connect with the place you're visiting is by putting your feet on the ground and exploring. Daisann writes, quite eloquently, about all the beauty she's found, simply by taking walks wherever she goes.
Kristin is lucky enough to travel the world for a living. What she doesn't cover with her day job, she shares on her blog Camels & Chocolate. With 40 countries and 44 US states under her belt, we figured she might know a thing or two about the art of travel. So, we asked her to stop by and share her tips for traveling the globe.
If you can make it through a trip with someone, chances are you'll be friends for life. Close quarters, uncertain circumstances, and individual agendas. Nothing tests a friendship quicker than a trip abroad, and we want to know have your friendships stood the the test of travel? Do you have a horror story or criteria someone has to meet before you'd even think about setting out on the road with them?
A hostel like no other, Jumbo Hostel puts you back on the airplane as soon as you land. A decommissioned Boeing 747 serves as lodging for over 80 guests just a mere ten minute walk from Stockholm's Arlanda airport.
Waiting for your flight can be one of the most stressful parts of traveling. People are milling around and stressing, eventually spreading their worry, making you feel even more anxious. So why not wait somewhere else and break free from all those bad vibes?
Tired of searching out an electrical port for your cell phone or laptop at the airport? Plan ahead with this site, AirPower Wiki, which lists the location and quality of electrical outlets world wide. An added bonus...many users give the cost and location of wifi connections.
Thanks to scottkimber for this tip!
The Guardian: Cherry Blossoms Arrive Early in Taiwan
Thanks to some unusually warm weather, many of the cherry trees in Taiwan are blooming early. Check this story out for some great photos.
Laptop totes and travel pouches by Track and Field, Vancouver, BC
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