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in National Geographic Traveler
by
Bernice Notenboom, May/June 2008
Notenboom joins a group of eight intrepid adventurers, a mix of mostly Brits and Americans, who are hoping to ski the 70 miles of the last degree of latitude to the geographic North Pole. The group leaves from the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen, setting out on the "endless ice," where temperatures plummet to 35 degrees below zero at night. One night, while the team sleeps, the ice they are camped on drifts 1.7 miles west and 4.6 miles south on the ice -- wiping out the progress they made during the day. Notenboom sprinkles in historical quotes from arctic travelers, enriching what might otherwise be just another trek narrative.
Posted 10:14, 5 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Emily Fisher
and edited by Brijit.
in National Geographic Traveler
by
Rachel Howard, May/June 2008
Portuguese wines are "the next big thing," according to Howard, who takes her boyfriend on a self-guided hiking tour through the country's Douro valley wine district. The couple embarks, appropriately, from the town of Porto, whose "faded grandeur" charms them as they wander the riverside Ribeira. They drink white port (what you drink "when you're waiting for the others to mature") and hike through olive groves and cork trees. Howard's prose is predictably florid, and the piece leaves the reader remembering more about the honeymoon quality of the trip than the actual wine culture in Portugal.
Posted 9:25, 5 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Emily Fisher
and edited by Brijit.
in National Geographic Traveler
by
Karen Catchpole, May/June 2008
Catchpole sounds the alarm on the funding shortfalls facing America's National Parks. While natural beauty comes free of charge, other popular services (emergency responders, secure parking areas, functioning restrooms) have slowly bled funds from the National Park Service's long-neglected coffers. Officials are seeking creative ways to work around the trouble, dishing out $15 "GPS Rangers" that play educational videos whenever a car nears a landmark, and paying close attention to the fortunes of Arizona's glass-bottomed Skywalk. Though Catchpole seems wary of such "thrill-rides," the situation sounds truly grim: "At some parks, we're trying to find money to buy toilet paper for the restrooms," says NPS spokesman Jeff Olson.
Posted 4:48, 1 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Matt Munkacsy
and edited by Brijit.
Subjects/Tags:
in National Geographic Traveler
by
John Briley &
Frank Bures &
David Swanson &
Kelly Bastone, April 2008
The authors recommend that "desk jockeys" scope more scenic and relaxing locales by scuba diving, a sport that requires little athletic ability, as divers needn't be strong swimmers. They offer a varied list of recommendations for this weightless experience -- including Bonaire, the number one diving site in the Caribbean, which features clear waters in its designated marine park. Beginners might want to check out John Pennekamp State Park in Florida first, where the shallow waters delight novices with diverse sea life. For a taste of the exotic, scuba enthusiasts can dive in Hawaii, where you'll find manta rays, monk seals, and even humpback whales.
Posted 9:18, 3 April 2008
This abstract was written by
Francis Merlie
and edited by Brijit.
in National Geographic Traveler
by
National Geographic Traveler, April 2008
Overviewing some overlooked world cities, the authors include recommendations for Liverpool, a cultural center with wealth of art galleries and buildings that reveal the history of one of Imperial Britain's greatest ports. Another segment gives an inside look at Washington DC's National Mall, including tips for little-known but intriguing sites like the Old Post Office Pavilion, the city's first skyscraper, which still offering a panoramic view of city. And despite the common notion that no one walks in Los Angeles, they apparently do downtown, where foot is the best way to travel from Grand Central Market to Olvera Street. These are some intriguing new spins, even more interesting for readers who know any of the cities well.
Posted 5:10, 2 April 2008
This abstract was written by
Paula Jolin
and edited by Brijit.
The main segment of this piece focuses on Australia, where hotels traditionally have minimized their decor, unwilling to compete with the city's world-class architecture or incredible harbor views. Many hotels have recently taken a turn toward the ethnic or unusual, however, such as the Indian-tinged BLUE Sydney, the bright-colored boutique Medusa Hotel, and the ultra modern Hilton Sydney, with its Japanese aesthetic. The authors also take a look at prisons-turned-hotels in Boston; Oxford, England; and Taylors Falls, Minnesota. The article seems aimed at the world-class traveler looking for something different; although there is a section for "stays under $150," it's brief and uninspiring.
Posted 4:48, 2 April 2008
This abstract was written by
Paula Jolin
and edited by Brijit.
in National Geographic Traveler
by
P.F. Kluge, April 2008
Inspired by the stories of Somerset Maugham, Kluge heads to Malacca, hoping to find an ageless and tranquil refuge in the midst of the noisy, gritty, high-rise cities of modern Asia. His lyrical travelogue describes the food, trade, and sights of modern Malacca where the colonial houses, narrow lanes, and cultural mixture of the past centuries are still present. But Kluge is never quite clear about the future -- does he see Malacca fading away, merging into a modern metropolis, or remaining an isolated hamlet? Focused on Kluge's personal perspective, but lacking a sense of his hopes or goals, this beautifully written article is ultimately unsatisfying.
Posted 4:37, 2 April 2008
This abstract was written by
Paula Jolin
and edited by Brijit.
in National Geographic Traveler
by
National Geographic Traveler, April 2008
This article rounds up half a dozen short-trip destinations and roots them in local culture, from the expected (such as the rum-soaked atmosphere of Bermuda and the outdoor challenges of West Virginia) to the surprising: a Mississippi town steeped in literary culture and the 100-plus Asian restaurants on offer in Pasadena. While Lourdes, France seems a little far afield for weekenders from North America, the sanctuary town sounds unforgettable. And the focus on rivers and wildfowl gives a whole new spin on Essex, Connecticut. These brief blurbs will encourage readers to reconsider their options before heading out for the next weekend.
Posted 4:36, 2 April 2008
This abstract was written by
Paula Jolin
and edited by Brijit.
in National Geographic Traveler
by
James Conaway, April 2008
Conaway took nine "classic" walks across America with local guides who knew their area's history and could tell their story well -- in this first of three parts, Conaway visits extremes. He snowshoes across Lake Onawa in Maine, bundled up against below-zero temperatures and 25 mph headwinds; he becomes "misplaced" in Big Cypress Swamp in Florida while his guide regales him with stories of alligators and cottonmouths; and he visits a cemetery in an Appalachian valley in eastern Tennessee. Though there aren't many memorable stories told in these short anecdotes, they serve as nice puzzle pieces of Americana.
Posted 10:48, 27 March 2008
This abstract was written by
Francis Merlie
and edited by Brijit.
in National Geographic Traveler
by
Margaret Loftus, April 2008
In an era where only 16 percent of family-owned businesses see success through the third generation, family-owned hotels are decreasing in number. In this brief but informative piece, Loftus offers three main reasons for the decline: a lack of succession planning, the prohibitive price of maintaining such properties, and the aggressive pursuit of developers to get their hands on choice real estate. Operators also must figure out how to strike a balance between long-time patrons, who want everything kept exactly the same at their favorite getaway, and younger generations of guests, whose demands could include Wi-Fi and an upscale lounge bar.
Posted 10:16, 27 March 2008
This abstract was written by
Karen Cosgrave
and edited by Brijit.