Social Action
Hobbies & Interests
Miscellaneous
News
Regional
Search
Shopping
|
|
|
Adventure Travel
Global Exchange Reality Tours - Socially Conscious Travel
The idea that travel can be educational, fun, and positively influence international affairs motivated
the first Global Exchange Reality Tours in 1989. Their tours provide individuals the opportunity to
understand issues beyond what is communicated by the mass media and gain a new vantage point from which
to view and affect US foreign policy. Travelers are linked with activists and organizations from around
the globe who are working toward positive change. They also hope to prompt participants to examine related
issues in their own communities.
Today Global Exchange Reality Tours organizes trips to over 30 countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia
and the Middle East. Participants learn about women’s struggles in Afghanistan, the impact of oil
exploration on Ecuador’s indigenous communities, fair trade in Tanzania, the struggle for peace and
justice in Palestine & Israel, and more. Global Exchange Reality Tours also provide opportunities for
Americans to travel as "citizen ambassadors" to countries like Syria, Iran, Libya, and Cuba, breaking
down the stereotypes and misinformation that can lead toward hatred and war.
All Global Exchange Reality Tours are coordinated by locals working in the host communities we visit. Their
tours are directed by qualified trip facilitators and typically include two meals per day, double room
accommodations, translation of all programs, reading and preparatory materials, all transportation within
the country, program and entrance fees.
|
The French Alps: Spring Snow in Val d?Isere and Chamonix
[24 Jul 2008 at 4:14pm]
On my arrival in Val d?Isere I noticed immediately that one is there to ski and as much as possible. True there are restaurants, bars and shops galore, but it is the slopes that rule. In fact there are twelve slope-side restaurants alone, but diners are decked in ski gear, a sure sign.
The clop of ski boots can be heard just about everywhere, even in a disco. The resort is actually two as Tignes can be reached and skied on the same pass. The whole package is named L? Espace Killy, after French skiing superstar Jean-Claude Killy.
|
Gay Travels in the Muslim World: An Interview With Michael Luongo
[24 Jul 2008 at 4:13pm]
Travel writer and photographer Michael Luongo, author of Gay Travels in the Muslim World, has been to more than 80 countries and all seven continents. Luongo is an avid traveler and has traveled extensively all throughout the Asia and the Middle East.
He has visited Afghanistan three times and has even been through Osama Bin Laden?s caves.
Gay Travels in the Muslim World is a collection of essays by gay Muslim men and non-Muslim men.
I had the opportunity to talk with Michael Luongo and discuss his book, and his experiences as a gay traveler throughout the East.
|
Oxford, England: Walking With a Vengeance
[24 Jul 2008 at 4:11pm]
went to Oxford in June 2008 for work, but that has never stopped me from exploring a place. It also helped that this was my second trip to Oxford, so the city was a little familiar to me.
What I like most about Oxford is that I can walk to my heart?s content. Try doing that in Delhi and you will realize the difference.
I decided to explore the Thames Walk starting near the Folly Bridge on Saturday and was pleasantly surprised. I had explored part of it earlier on Wednesday but I was in a hurry as I had a train to take to Leeds later.
On Saturday I had no such compulsions. From the afternoon I devoted myself completely to the walk. There was no end point in my mind and I decided that I would walk for two hours in one direction and then walk back for two hours! I love walking that much.
|
The Valley of Viñales: Cuba's Hidden Shangri-La
[23 Jul 2008 at 3:10pm]
My expectations were high as we drove westward from Havana on a four-lane highway. The fertile and affluent looking countryside kept us company as we made our way westward from Havana. I had a feeling of elation thinking of the ?dream valley of Cuba? that impressed me so much during my first trip to this part of the country.
After about 70 km (44 mi) we reached the Las Terrazas complex - a rural community of sustainable development.
Our first stop was at the Moha Hotel, located on the edge of the village of Las Terrazas and the center of the leisure industry in the region. Entering the swimming pool area we were greeted by schoolgirls offering us souvenirs while a band played rousing Cuban music.
|
Boston With Kids: A Real Family-Friendly Destination
[22 Jul 2008 at 4:05pm]
Sure, there's lots of history here. The Freedom Trail, the historic battles, the Old North Church, Paul Revere's ride... but what else can you find in Boston? Blue men, enormous swans, and a green monster. How about whales, seals, and robots? It's all here.
Here are a few tips for the whole family, for those with kids under 12 and for the difficult tweeners and teens.
|
British Columbia's Harrison Hot Springs: The Perfect Girlfriend Getaway
[21 Jul 2008 at 3:54pm]
British Columbia?s Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa is the perfect nosh spot for a girlfriend getaway. Not only do they offer family-fun packages and getaways to generate romance, but there?s a blissful retreat to lure us ladies.
The sweet two-night deal includes some gourmand grazing ? at both the highfalutin Copper Room and Lakeside?s breakfast buffet, a Zen-filled experience in the Healing Springs Spa and use of the resort?s five mineral pools. What a sure-fire cure for any frenzied female!
|
Wiltshire, England: Standing Stones, Crop Circles, and Visits From Outer Space
[18 Jul 2008 at 4:22pm]
One of the most spectacular regions in the world, Wiltshire, in Southern England, is famous for the “unexplained.?
UFOs, crop circles, standing stones and white horses in the mountain-side are topics of mass-conversation and much speculation.
UFOs have been recorded in the region for centuries, but one of the most memorable experiences was in the 1960s when the small town of Warminster became the epicentre of a phenomenon called “The Thing.
It began in 1963 when residents heard a loud, unidentifiable whine in the sky at night. No one saw anything, but word spread and soon people began to fear it.
In the year that followed there were more than a thousand sightings of UFOs and these continued for more than 10 years, as Warminster became a place of pilgrimage for people searching for the truth.
Since the mid-1970s, reports have been slowed to just a few sightings every year.
|
Cycling Chile?s Lake District
[17 Jul 2008 at 10:20am]
If you could, would you be 28 years old again?
That question, among others, occupied our time while we cycled through Chile?s Lake District in November, 2007.
We were on a seven-day guided bicycle tour of southern Chile?s lakes and volcanoes, enjoying a spring-time glimpse of one of the most beautiful places on earth, accompanied by a 28-year-old guide.
So we cycled past blue mountain lakes and snow-capped volcanoes and debated the pros and cons of being 28 again.
|
Learning to Fly: A Bird's-Eye View of the Pioneer Valley
[17 Jul 2008 at 10:18am]
We flew at an altitude of 3,000 feet along the Connecticut River, and above the lush green hills and farmland of the Pioneer Valley.
The lakes and rivers glittered as the sunbeams fell upon the surface. Mountains bordered the horizons in every direction. The soft hue of purple peaks blurred in the distance. The view was spectacular.
The buildings looked so small, and cars were the size of ants. I snapped some aerial photos.
The flight instruction lasted about an hour. I learned how to steer the plane, gently guiding the yoke to one side then to the other. It was a surreal feeling when Foster let go of all the controls and I was flying the plane myself.
|
[Sarawak, Malaysia: Adventures on the Island of Borneo
[14 Jul 2008 at 4:16pm]
I usually pack for a one-week trip. But last night I stuffed my biggest suitcase fuller than usual because my trip tonight will take me far, far away on the longest non-stop flight you can take.
I'll take off from Newark tonight and go over the pole to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Then another flight to Kuching in the heart of the Sarawak province, on the right side of this sprawling republic of nine distinct regions.
|
Life-Changing Travel Adventures
[11 Jul 2008 at 5:06pm]
Volunteer vacations, a popular trend in travel, can be a cost-effective and rewarding way to see the world. They allow travelers to engage with the people, and experience the culture of a destination, in a way that would be otherwise impossible.
Suzanne Stone and Pam Jones's book, Volunteering Around the Globe: Life-Changing Travel Adventures, features inspirational stories from volunteers who have worked on a wide range of projects, from saving sea turtles in Costa Rica, to teaching English in Thailand, from building a school in Tanzania, to working on an archeological dig in Israel. The book also contains practical information on volunteer organizations and things to consider before you go.
|
Banaue, Philippines: The Imbayah Festival Celebrates Ifugao Culture
[10 Jul 2008 at 6:00pm]
The US government advises caution when travelling in the Philippines. Banaue is generally safe with few tourists reporting problems but in the event of illness, accidents etc it?s a long way back by road to Manila.
Accepting the risks I decided to visit the world famous UNESCO rice terraces during the three-day Ifugao tribal gathering known as the Imbayah festival in April.
|
Two Psychiatrists at a Nudist RV Park
[10 Jul 2008 at 5:59pm]
This excerpt from Doreen Orion's book Queen of the Road: The True Tale of 47 States, 22,000 Miles, 200 Shoes, 2 Cats, 1 Poodle, a Husband, and a Bus With a Will of Its Own provides a sample of the author's hilarious style of living and writing. You can find out more about this talented "princess from the Island of Long" at her website QueenoftheRoadTheBook.com. You can even watch videos of her trip by clicking on the travelogue link.
|
The Crazy Horse Memorial: Larger Than Life in South Dakota
[10 Jul 2008 at 5:58pm]
Who was Chief Crazy Horse, the subject of the colossal sculpture being carved out of a mountain in the Black Hills of South Dakota?
And who was Korczak Ziolkowski, the creator of the chief's still-unfinished monument?
They were giants of men who devoted their lives to huge tasks, both of them knowing that they wouldn?t live long enough to see the end of their efforts.
|
Stepping Back in Time: A Visit to Historic Deerfield
[10 Jul 2008 at 5:57pm]
As I turn onto Old Main Street in Deerfield, Massachusetts, the mile-long strip of road on which the Historic Deerfield Museum is located, it feels as if I've stepped back in time. Centuries-old restored houses share yards with private family homes, the architecture so traditionally beautiful that it would be hard to tell the difference, save for the minivans in some of the driveways.
It is as if the place has been in a bubble for hundreds of years, waiting patiently to be rediscovered and explored. And in a way, this is not far from the truth.
|
Learning the Secrets of Tuscan Cuisine
[3 Jul 2008 at 11:56am]
Visitors from all over the world come to enjoy the cuisine of Tuscany and to learn more about local cooking techniques. One of the very best places to do this is a cooking school called Good Tastes of Tuscany.
Located in the historic 14th-century Villa Pandolfini, Good Tastes of Tuscany offers a wide range of options from a single-day cooking class to a seven-day culinary/cultural adventure.
The English-speaking Italian chefs all have extensive professional training and have also learned the secrets and traditions passed on in their families from generation to generation.
The 370-acre estate includes a private forest, vineyards and olive groves. Antiques, frescoes, beautiful loggia (porches) looking onto a breathtaking renaissance garden and an elegant castle that has accommodated guests like Napoleon Bonaparte and King Charles VIII of France
|
Port Antonio, Jamaica: Not Your Typical Seaside Town
[3 Jul 2008 at 11:55am]
Port Antonio is the ideal town on an ideal island. It has the best of everything Jamaica has to offer: great restaurants with local cuisine, dozens of natural attractions nearby (think waterfalls, hidden coves, private islands, wandering rivers), friendly people and tons of fantastic hotels.
At the same time, it's somewhat concealed location keeps it away from hordes of tourists. There are no lines, no Señor Frog's - only honest-to-goodness tropical fun.
There is also a rich history and culture which all the locals are extremely proud of. Anyone will tell you about the rich German baroness who built a castle and a shopping center before being whisked away to jail for mysterious reasons. And Errol Flynn's legendary romps mean that everyone is his distant cousin.
|
Walking on Roses with
[3 Jul 2008 at 11:54am]
The excitement is palpable as the first maidens in traditional dress round the corner. They are followed by colorful carts called “traccas? pulled by flower-covered oxen.
Flowers and handmade rugs cover the carts representing more than thirty communities throughout Sardinia. Each one displays produce and crafts local to its region and woven baskets overflow with colorful flowers. Entire families in traditional dress ride on the traccas.
It is a great honor for a village to be chosen and each year communities around the island vie for the coveted spots. Faces of the riders reflect the many populations that have influenced this island in the middle of the Mediterranean... Phoenicians, Romans, Pisans, Catalans, Greeks... such is the mix of Sardinia.
|
A Conversation in the City of Poets and Nightingales
[27 Jun 2008 at 4:31pm]
Shiraz is called the city of poets and nightingales in Iran. I had been in this city of nearly one million people for three days since arriving from Esfehan.
I was walking towards the bazaar in the late afternoon, when a voice suddenly said, “Ex?coose me, do you speak Engleesh??
“I am English,? I said, turning towards the speaker who emerged from the crowd. He, a Shiraz youth of late teens with dazzlingly white teeth and wearing a yellow sleeveless shirt, looked confused by my answer.
“Engleesh,? I said pointing at myself.
“Ah, you Engleesh, ah good, me speak Engleesh with you??
|
Gorgeous Greenville, South Carolina
[25 Jun 2008 at 3:15pm]
Greenville has followed in the footsteps of other Southern cities that were able to turn around their image by refurbishing its older structures and creating architecturally pleasing new ones.
Sure there are tacky buildings from the 1960s and 70s, but the storefront brick facades and tree-lined streets drown out the drab exteriors to buildings like the structure that houses the town's newspaper.
Whether you're driving, walking or taking the town's trolley, getting around town is easy. Even for the "navigationally-challenged," it's tough to get lost in Greenville.
|
Tales of Travel in Panama
[25 Jun 2008 at 3:14pm]
Darrin DuFord, a past contributor to GoNomad, ventures through the tropics of Panama. In his recent book, Is There a Hole in the Boat? Tales of Travel in Panama Without a Car, DuFord mucks through muddy trails, encounters native tribes, samples local delicacies and becomes immersed into the thriving culture of Panama. Read more below for a taste of DuFord's adventures at the infamous Darién Gap.
|
A Guide to Tipping Around the World
[20 Jun 2008 at 10:08am]
A tip, or gratuity, is defined as a gift of money given to someone for performing a service or menial task, over and above the payment due for the service.
Tips, which are not required in all countries, are expected in some denomination for good service from those in the industries where tipping is expected.
In discussions with my family, friends, and teachers I brought up the topic of tipping to get an idea about what they thought the standard procedure should be.
|
Australia: Rafting The Nymboida River
[20 Jun 2008 at 10:07am]
I've seen the kangaroos, I've tasted most of the local beers and I have visited at least a dozen beaches. My journey through Australia was going quite well so far.
Topping the drink and sun-drenched coast, though, was my trip to Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, to go whitewater rafting down the Nymboida River.
I had never put Australia and whitewater rafting in the same thought before, and I wasn't sure it was even possible to do here. Well, I was wrong.
|
The Best of Beijing, 2008: What to See, Where to Go, What to Do
[16 Jun 2008 at 12:52pm]
Are you headed to the Olympic Games or considering a trip to China? About two million visitors are expected in Beijing for the games which begin on August 8 and run through August 24. Learn more about summer travel to this ancient and intriguing capital.
Beijing is not the largest city in China. It isn?t the richest and it isn?t the oldest. But a trip to China without a visit to the capital city of Beijing would be to miss the chance to get a glimpse into the heart and soul of China.
|
The Marble Super Dome of Monroe County, Kentucky
[13 Jun 2008 at 11:37am]
Lost your marbles?
Have no fear ? you can find them again, along with a draw-string pouch full of childhood memories, in Monroe County, Kentucky.
Simply head down a country road to the Monroe Marble Super Dome, where every afternoon brings a chance to shoot homemade marbles and meet the “marbleous? men who “whipped the world? in an international marbles tournament.
Nothing Fancy
The Monroe Marble Super Dome isn?t like any superdome or sports complex you?ve ever seen. To say it?s nothing fancy is an understatement; it?s more shack than arena. But one thing is certain ? it?s magical.
For every day, just before sunset, time stands still while grown men and kids alike get down on their knees in fools gold-colored sand. With childlike glee, they flick homemade flint marbles with their thumbs until nightfall.
|
Among the Sámi: A Visit to Finnish Lapland
[11 Jun 2008 at 5:44pm]
The chance to delve deeper into Finland has occurred to me since my first visit to Helsinki a few years ago. I wanted to go beyond that city?s sleek design scene and see what the land of lakes would offer. Plenty, I would learn after my journey through some wild spaces and new travel modes.
Traveling by snowmobile, dog sled, ice cutter and four wheel drive was a fantastic trip, challenging at times but oh so worth it. To experience nature among the Sámi People was a never-to-be-forgotten experience.
|
GoNOMAD Book Excerpt: The Wild Places
[11 Jun 2008 at 5:43pm]
Are there any genuinely wild places left in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales? That is the question that writer Robert MacFarlane poses to himself as he embarks on a series of breathtaking and beautifully described journeys through some of the archipelago?s most remarkable landscapes.
As he climbs, walks and swims in all manner of weather ? sleeping on cliff tops and remote beaches, deep in snowy wildwoods and ancient meadows, and bathing in phosphorescent seas or hiking frozen rivers at night ? his understanding of nature is transformed.
With lyrical elegance and passion, he entwines history and landscape in a bewitching evocation of wildness and its vital importance.
|
VibeAgent: A Growing Social Network for Travelers
[10 Jun 2008 at 2:31pm]
VibeAgent is a fresh and innovative hotel search engine that helps savvy travelers find the hotel that's right for them from the website?s unique social network. Anyone can become an agent and get the inside scoop on hotels from the community.
“I came across VibeAgent while reading a review of it on a blog; I can?t remember which one. My experience so far has been good. There is more interaction with other members than on typical travel sites and I like that,? said John Allen of Dallas.
|
Cambodia: The Floating Villages of Chong Khneas
[9 Jun 2008 at 4:27pm]
She?s about four years old and she has sad eyes, tattered clothes and a smile that would melt anyone?s heart. I wonder where her parents are, and how she managed to stay afloat with a cooler full of soft drinks on the floor of her tiny tin boat.
Breathless, she examines us one by one with her big brown eyes.
“Coca-Cola??
I reach down and take the ice cold can from her tiny hands. I slip her a dollar bill and a fist full of coins, while other passengers empty change purses, bags, pockets and anything that has money in it
It?s mind blowing to imagine that this youngster has probably never owned a Barbie, a new pair of shoes or a pretty dress. Instead her family probably worries where she?ll get her next meal, or if she and her tiny tin boat will return home safely after a hard day?s work.
|
The Centuries Meet in Tours, A Vibrant City on the Loire
[9 Jun 2008 at 4:25pm]
I'm back from a different market, this one located just east of the train station, a quick walk from Madame Barnard's apartment. She had a family joining us last night, and at breakfast they sat in the sunny porch and had their coffee while their two young sons chattered in French.
Again at a market, I was shopping for one.... a tiny handful of haricot verts, one slender zucchini, a taste of rillettes, Tours' most famous product (masticated pork spread) and white asparagus. Oh, and the smallest little wheel of chevre I could find.
I was packing for a picnic to bring with me while I bike ride along the new trail that's been built by the Loire, and thinking about tonight's dinner. It's now about 100 km but there are plans to make it much, much longer, and eventually to connect to Budapest on a network of trails.
|
The Savor of the Sun: A Wine Tasting in Moravia
[5 Jun 2008 at 5:07pm]
There is a small, quiet town of merely four thousand inhabitants, located picturesquely atop green, vine-covered hills -- a place where grape fields have dominated people?s livelihood for several centuries and where winemaking secrets are passed from father to son with sacred attention.
How far is it from Bordeaux? Far enough to make this wine heaven refreshingly distinguished from the snobbish world of chateaux, sommeliers and grands crus.
Velké Bílovice, wine capital of the Moravia region and one of the warmest places in Czech Republic, every spring invites oenophiles from all over Europe to explore its fruity treasures during an event called "ze sklepa do sklepa" ? from cellar to cellar.
|
"Death to Hatred and Militarism"
[5 Jun 2008 at 5:06pm]
I?m working in Iran, part of the “axis of evil? (as defined by my president) in a land whose own president leads chants of “Death to America.? This has me thinking about bombast and history.
Of course the word “axis? conjures up images of the alliance of Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito that our fathers and grandfathers fought in WWII. Many locals in each country believe that each president maintains his power only by his ability to stir the simplistic side of his electorate with such bombast.
Bombast hogs the headlines, skewing understanding between the mainstream in each country.
|
Gringos in Paradise
[4 Jun 2008 at 3:13pm]
Barry Golson and his wife Thia had a dream -- move to a Mexican beach town and build their dream house. In this book, we follow the retired magazine editor and his wife as they do just that.
But they didn't count on the endless delays, sweet relationships, and the thicket of Mexican red tape that would turn the job into an ordeal.
Through it all, we get to experience the day-to-day excitement of the progress of the building and the pitfalls. This book is full of fun stories and is a memorable read for anyone who loves Mexico and the adventure of building a dream house in Sayulita, Mexico.
|
Visit the North Pole Aboard a Russian Icebreaker
[3 Jun 2008 at 12:35pm]
Adventure Life of Missoula, Montana, organizes expedition cruises to remote regions of the globe, and their latest trip will take passengers to the North Pole on a Russian icebreaker called 50 Years of Victory, named for the victory over the Nazis in World War II and completed just last year after 20 years of construction.
The ship is powered by two nuclear reactors and equipped with an indoor swimming pool, a gym, two saunas, a library, a bar, a dance floor, a wood shop, an elevator, a helicopter, satellite communications and massage service.
While traveling to the pole in comfort, passengers can learn from the on-board experts about the role the Arctic plays in the world's ecosystem and the abundant and diverse wildlife the region supports. An artist-in-residence leads interactive art workshops and passengers can attend the "90N Wildlife Film Festival" named for the latitude of the North Pole.
|
Centre Loire, France: An Ancient Valley Full of Fascinating People
[2 Jun 2008 at 10:56am]
Chartres is a jewel among religious shrines of the world. These panes are among dozens of intricate stories that are told by images made by glass pieces. It's hard to do justice to the famous "Chartres blue" which is the most dominant color on the 12th century windows that face the main entrance.
At night the city lights up this magnificent building with a light show that projects images such as these on the outside of the whole building. Chartres also lights up 17 other buildings, bridges and other large outdoor areas every night from May 1 through September. The images move across the buildings and it is a mesmerizing experience to see a lightshow on such a huge building.
|
Melbourne Australia:
[2 Jun 2008 at 10:55am]
It has football?s laterals and lots of punts. It has soccer?s precision passing and nonstop action. Add in rugby?s aggressive tackling and wide open field, and you?ve got Australian rules football.
On a recent trip to Melbourne Australia, I decided to find out what this game is all about. The day I staggered off the plane after the 15 ½ hour flight, I found myself in the standing room section of the Melbourne Cricket Ground while the raucous cheers of 72,000 fans roared up from the large circular green below. It was a Sunday match between Richmond and Collingwood, and it seemed like the center of action in the city at that moment.
|
CouchSurfing.com: Finding Friendship and Hospitality Around the World
[22 May 2008 at 3:30pm]
In today?s social climate, virtual encounters are more trusted and popular via increasingly well-honed homepages geared for easy navigation. This creates more legitimate opportunities to meet other individuals that earlier could have only happened by pure chance.
More specifically, sites such as CouchSurfing.com promote meeting face to face, making experiences together, or helping one another. This is not an online environment that people tinker on for endless hours to chat or kill time, but one which members use to learn from others and transform themselves into flesh and blood friends or acquaintances. And I just experienced this myself.
|
France 1918-2008: Remembering the American Offensive in World War I
[22 May 2008 at 3:29pm]
During a recent visit to France, which was planned more for viticulture than history, it became impossible to ignore all the military monuments and cemeteries set in the green fields and vineyards of the beautiful farmland north of Paris.
Vague references to the Western Front, the Maginot Line, and the Battle of Verdun, remembered from my history lessons of so long ago, became clearer as the historic markers and museum displays explained the course of two world wars and the role Americans played in them.
Finally the realization that “It all happened here!? woke me to the importance we (meaning Americans) had in this region, especially for the Great War, World War I.
|
Zaragoza: Spain's Oldest City Looks to the Future
[20 May 2008 at 4:35pm]
This was my third trip to Spain. Like many other foreign travelers, I had been to the more popular destinations of Bilbao, Madrid and Barcelona, but had skipped by Spain?s fifth largest city, the capital of the autonomous community of Aragon, that lies almost directly in the middle of the three cities in the valley of the River Ebro.
Flying into Zaragoza [also known as Saragossa in English] you see a patchwork landscape of beautiful brown and green rolling hills, dotted with sheep leading up to an ancient city surrounded by wind farms.
This city has been a crossroads since 24 BCE when Roman legions named it for their emperor Caesar Augustus. More of a trading center than a destination, some are calling Zaragoza the new Bilbao.
|
Switzerland, Austria, Germany: The Three Faces of Lake Constance
[16 May 2008 at 3:22pm]
One lake and three countries, all different yet all share a shore. Zipping between Switzerland, Austria and Germany is a breeze when done using Europe?s third largest lake as a focal point.
The flags of each nation billow as passenger ferries ply busy routes past villages and castles hugging the curves of Lake Constance (Bodensee in German). The Rhine flows in and the Rhine flows out.
|
A Pirate Pub Crawl Aboard a Canal Boat
[20 May 2008 at 4:32pm]
“Canal-boat for ten near Rugby, Easter weekend, 2 spaces free, you up for it?? read the text message from my friend sometime in mid-February.
Silly question, really. A pub crawl, sailing, (well, motoring,) for my supper? This adventure simply sounded too good to miss.
Apart from our crew?s complete inexperience when it came to navigating the open seas, (ok, the canals of Warwickshire), I had other reasons to be slightly nervous. Our captain, a close friend from university days, had stated in her invitation, “Full nautical costumes are encouraged at all time when on board ship. Feeble excuses not accepted!?
|
An Open-Water Swimming Vacation in the British Virgin Islands
[16 May 2008 at 3:22pm]
Sure, it?s really nice to go the British Virgin Islands to relax, but in my opinion it?s even better to go to the BVI and swim! Lucky for me there?s an outfit called SwimTrek.
There are many choices for people looking for active vacations: biking, hiking, kayaking, etc., but I had never heard of a vacation that catered to swimmers.
Based in the UK, SwimTrek is the brainchild of Simon Murie. Murie started his company in 2003 after a successful English Channel crossing in 2002, and now offers trips in over ten countries
|
The Very Latest Travel Gadgets
[16 May 2008 at 3:21pm]
These new products were tested and approved by GoNOMAD staff. We think many of these are the kinds of products that will make your travels easier. Some people rely on websites and photos, but we actually use each product, so you can be sure this information is real and not just puff.
|
Huntington Beach, California: A Surfer's City
[13 May 2008 at 10:24am]
Huntington Beach California is the ultimate surfer's paradise. The eight and a half mile long stretch of beach in this city of about 200,000 south of Los Angeles is lit up at night with campfires.
Small circular barbecue pits dot the beach for miles and the locals love to sit beside them, casting an eery glow on their faces as you drive by on the seaside Pacific Coast Highway.
Nowhere else in California's long coast can you legally build a campfire and sit by the warm glow like this.
|
Ljubljana's Hotel Celica: A Night in a Slovenian Prison Cell
[12 May 2008 at 12:49pm]
The door shut behind me with a resounding clang. I put my bag on the floor and climbed up onto the bed. Then nothing. Silence. Light poured in through the bars of the window. I was left all alone with my thoughts, penned in between four very thick walls.
I?d landed myself a stay in the notorious Slovenian prison cum Ljubljana hostel, Hostel Celica. And far from being sent there against my will as punishment for my crimes, I was paying for the privilege of spending a night behind bars!
Ljubljana is a tiny city, dwarfed by most of its European neighbors. But what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in beauty. Although Celica is considered to be on the outskirts of the city, it?s an easy, ten-minute walk to the Triple Bridge and the delights of the Old Town.
|
Visiting Ensenada: A Bus Trip to Mexico?s Wine Country
[12 May 2008 at 9:37am]
I was jonesing for a getaway. And not just any kind of getaway. A foreign one.
The problem was my husband and I didn?t have a lot of extra cash to be kicking around. Plus, we were short on vacation time and the days we did have free we?d already booked to San Diego to visit family over the Christmas and New Year?s break.
Just a week before we got on that holiday plane bound for Southern California, I came up with a getaway plan designed to soothe my wanderlust: Ensenada, Mexico.
|
Boston's Chinatown: An Uncommon Treasure
[12 May 2008 at 9:36am]
Located between the Financial District, the Boston Common, the Theater District and the Leather District, this is one of the most vibrant Chinese communities in the US.
Except for New York City and San Francisco, you will not find a larger, more diverse Chinatown anywhere in your stateside travels.
Whether it's a dim sum brunch, a Vietnamese sandwich or a satisfying bowl of noodles and dumplings, you will find always find a delicious and inexpensive meal; come hungry or leave sorry.
|
Sardinia: Notes From a Big Wild Island
[6 May 2008 at 2:25pm]
Imagine eating an entire dinner that all came from within 50 feet from your house. In the US, we pat ourselves on the back for the 100-mile diet, and it's hard to do even that. But tonight we met a family that runs a museum, a farm, and a restaurant in central Sardinia where everything they serve comes from their own land and their own hands.
Agostina Vargiu and his 79-year-old mom plus various staff and other family welcomed us with a glass of fruity white wine served from ceramic pitchers as we walked up the cobblestoned driveway in the town of Orroli, near the middle of this large island. It's called OmuAxiu, and it is a memorable place to spend the night or just a few hours over a long dinner.
|
Exploring the Ancient Tibetan Kingdom of Gu-ge
[6 May 2008 at 2:22pm]
Gu-ge 9pronounced 'googay') was established in the 10th century along he banks of the Sutlej River at the bottom of this tremendous canyon system. It was an important and powerful center of commerce and Buddhism for 700 years, and then it mysteriously disappeared.
There are theories of outside invasion or internal political strife leading to its demise, however, a sense of mystery still surrounds the place and the ruins left behind.
There are several well-preserved monasteries that the caretaker will unlock for you to explore. These are rather amazing in themselves, as they contain some of the best-preserved examples of Tibetan Buddhist art. It seems that during the Cultural Revolution in the 1960?s, the Chinese left much of Gu-ge undisturbed, as it was a “dead? kingdom and posed no direct ideological threat.
|
Traveler's Tool Kit: Mexico and Central America
[2 May 2008 at 10:13am]
Rob Sangster and Tim Leffel have written the definitive guide to traveling in Mexico and Central America. It's a smart roadmap for any south-of-the-border traveler."
?Christopher Elliott, National Geographic Traveler
|
Nairobi to Mombasa: Kenya's Safari Trail
[2 May 2008 at 10:12am]
Traveling down one of Kenya?s major thoroughfares toward several of Kenya?s game reserves was a great way to see how the rural side of Kenya lives; at least once you get beyond the truck cluttered Nairobi section.
While you can take the clear shot to Mombasa it is to two of Kenya?s premier game reserves that we are headed.
Once we cleared the traffic it wasn?t long before the occasional Maasai herder could be seen in the distance and the patterns of waves to our vehicle began.
Ostriches soon appeared as well as occasional zebras. Soon we passed through the village of Namanga for a dirt road that paralleled the Tanzanian border to Amboseli Park. The friendly waves continued.
|
Pack Your Lipstick: New Guidebooks Target Women Travelers
[2 May 2008 at 10:11am]
The travel industry is just waking up to the economic power of women, says Marybeth Bond, writer, editor, speaker and women?s travel guru extraordinaire.
She knows of what she speaks. Her female-focused travel guide, 50 Best Girlfriend Getaways in North America, sold through its first print run in six weeks and sent her publisher scrambling.
|
Tracing Gaudí around Barcelona
[25 Apr 2008 at 3:07pm]
While many artists remain content displaying their masterpieces in galleries and museums, one of Spain?s most profilic and world renowned artists, Antonio Gaudí, made the entire city of Barcelona his living, breathing museum with instantly recognizable landmarks ? series of twisting structures, colorful tiles and mosaics, and undulating patterns.
|
[Avoiding Nightmare Hotels: TVTrip Takes the Guesswork Out of Travel Planning
[24 Apr 2008 at 11:19am]
But one vital component of travel planning is finding the right place to spend the night. There is nothing like having a good night's rest in a good hotel.
Sometimes the hotel you choose turns out to be a nightmare.
TVtrip.com has taken the guesswork out of the equation. No longer will the average traveler have to stress about the quality and condition of his/her lodging.
This website provides viewers with videos of hotels at their destinations showing exteriors, dining areas, lobbies, rooms, and even the view from the window.
|
Desire, Los Cabos: The World's Best Couples-Only Resort
[22 Apr 2008 at 9:52am]
It?s not just that we?ve had 17 feet of snow this winter in my part of Canada, that has me wishing I could emigrate to Mexico. I have fallen in love with the lifestyle, and culture of our southern neighbors.
The Mexico I experienced was absolute paradise. Los Cabos, Mexico, where I spent a week in March this year, is home to the most charming Latino waiters, almost perfect weather, the world?s yummiest coconut ice cream, and now arguably the best couples resort in the world.
|
Digging Up The Past in Utah's Flaming Gorge
[22 Apr 2008 at 9:50am]
As you may remember from that scene where hundreds of people are digging in Raiders of the Lost Ark, archaeology is a labor intensive enterprise. Unlike in Indy?s world however, there are few real riches to be discovered that would provide motivation for large numbers of people to dig in the heat.
Faced with this problem, the US Forest Service came up with a unique resolution to the problem of finding budget to support the masses of people necessary to properly conduct a dig.
They decided not to find the budget. Instead, Passport in Time was born. Passport in Time (or PIT) allows anyone to apply to help on digs throughout the county, throughout the year. The leader of each program reviews all applicants and selects the people he needs, who happily come from across the country to provide free manual labor.
This summer I channeled my inner-Indy and joined a crew working at Dripping Springs in Utah.
|
The York Harbor Inn: History, Luxury and Spectacular Seafood
[22 Apr 2008 at 9:48am]
Looking to get away this summer without increasing the size of your carbon footprint? Just an hour north of Boston on Coastal Route 1A, you can relax on the deck overlooking the Atlantic, stroll on the cliff walk and sample New England?s finest seafood at historic York Harbor Inn, just a few steps from the beach.
There's a lot to do in and around York Harbor. Besides touring museums and historic buildings, and strolling among the roses on the world-famous cliffwalk, there are the popular Long Sands and Short Sands Beachers, and the more secluded Passaconaway and Harbor Beaches.
There are three 18-hole golf courses in the area, as well as opportunities for deep-sea fishing, horseback riding, kayaking and mountain biking.
|
Melbourne, Australia: The City of Arts, Sport and Fun
[17 Apr 2008 at 11:49am]
I sat next to two young women on the long flight to Melbourne. One of the things they told me I should see while I was here was Australian Rules Football. So despite the jetlag, I took the tram down to Melbourne Cricket Grounds and soon I was holding a beer, chomping on a meat pie and watching the action.
It's a fun game that to me blends many of the best aspects of other sports. It has football's laterals and punts, soccer's precision passing and nonstop action, and rugby's tackling and shirt grabbing.
|
Drive-Through Liquor: Exploring the Bourbon Trail
[17 Apr 2008 at 11:47am]
Kentucky may be in the limelight because of its gleaming thoroughbreds racing down a track to glory in the annual fashionable gala that is the Kentucky Derby, but there is another draw the state is famous for: bourbon.
I have never before been to a liquor store that has an entire wall devoted exclusively to bourbon, or driven through a drive-through liquor window, until I visited the bourbon-loving state of Kentucky.
|
Living Large and Giving Large: Promoting 'High-End' Travel Philanthropy
[15 Apr 2008 at 2:16pm]
While some people's idea of a great vacation is a beach chair and a cold drink, many travelers want to explore and understand the cultures of the places they visit, and to give something back to the communities that have welcomed them.
Elevate Destinations of Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a tour company aimed at the high end of the philanthropy travel market, which caters to "luxury-oriented travelers seeking once-in-a-lifetime adventures to exotic destinations where they also have an opportunity to better understand the places they visit."
A percentage of each trip is given directly to local non-profit organizations to sustain grassroots community efforts and make a positive impact on the community.
|
Poland's Sopot Spa: The Pearl of the Baltic Sea
[15 Apr 2008 at 2:13pm]
Although widely known as the summer capital of Poland, out of season the renowned Sopot Spa is a true mecca for peacefulness and natural beauty seekers.
If you pop in there in July, you will find a lively vibrant town crowded with international tourists and joyful street musicians. Travel in winter or early spring and you will get lost among deserted beaches, melancholic alleys and little cozy cafes.
I was fortunate enough to be rewarded by a fluffy snow layer on an early morning of mid-March in Sopot ? something not completely unusual for the northern outskirts of Poland.
Believe me that a walk on the beach with sun reflecting from white glistening piles and snowflakes landing playfully in bustling waves can make serious competition for Hawaii-style strolls.
|
Dubai: In With The New?
[14 Apr 2008 at 9:51am]
The first thing that struck me when I arrived in Dubai was how utterly friendly the people were.
Rather than the unsmiling and slightly intimidating officer who usually presides over passport control, we were greeted with a grin and a welcoming chat while being stamped into the UAE?s tourist hub.
I was further amazed that evening when, hailing a taxi to take us to dinner, the driver announced that the traffic was too heavy, a cab would be too pricey and recommended that we head to a restaurant within walking distance.
|
The Road to Lalibela: Cycling Ethiopia?s Ancient Heartland
[14 Apr 2008 at 9:50am]
Riding out of Addis Ababa, the world?s third highest capital, I?m totally stoked. Completing this route a year earlier, my Canadian cycling mate Scotty Robinson has promised me 450 miles of verdant views, epic climbs, screaming descents and cheap smooth beer in a region of Africa with virtually no tourist footprint.
Our goal? Go on a low-carbon diet and pedal these two mountain bikes north from here through the mountains (“bumps in the road? in Scotty?s parlance) to the historic 2,600-meter settlement of Lalibela in Ethiopia?s northern fringes.
|
Koh Samui, Thailand: Great Beaches, Spicy Food and Mummified Monks
[14 Apr 2008 at 9:48am]
I had been to Thailand many times before but had yet to visit Koh Samui. I put that right after friends said that they loved the place so much they had bought a house there and invited me to stay.
They loved the people, beaches, the spicy food, phallic rock formations, culture and the strange mummified monks. It was a short direct 1.5 hour flight away by Bangkok Airway.
Koh Samui is the third largest island in Thailand at 280 square kilometers (108 square miles). It has a population of 40,000, but over a million visitors a year. Most of the population and activity is dotted around the coast and the island only takes a few hours to drive round.
The interior is tropical jungle and hills covered by millions of well established coconut trees. Most visitors are beach lovers, bar and party hoppers or sun worshippers and rarely leave the main resorts of Chaweng and Lamai.
|
A Guide to the US Virgin Islands
[8 Apr 2008 at 4:24pm]
Despite increasingly modern infrastructure, the USVI are still a long way from the level of mass commercialization and development so characteristic of the American mainland.
Even busy St. Thomas, overrun by cruise ship passengers on some days, is still fit to be explored and enjoyed island-style. Then there is breathtaking St. John, widely considered to be the most beautiful within the USVI group.
This nature hotspot, two-thirds national park thanks to Rockefeller?s land donation of the 1950s, is known for its lush forests and wild animals (even including the occasional donkey or mongoose).
|
Annie Palmer: The White Witch of Jamaica
[7 Apr 2008 at 4:09pm]
It was a hot humid afternoon on a lazy Jamaican day. My Mom and I had arrived by cruise ship at Montego Bay earlier that morning.
When faced with an abundance of choices for shore excursions, we decided to go with one of the most popular tourist attractions in Jamaica, the famous Rose Hall.
Located high on the hillside in lush St. James, Jamaica, Rose Hall is a dramatic looking three- storey white washed Great House.
My Mom and I eagerly awaited our visit to the mysterious plantation (originally 6,600 acres in size) hoping the catch a glimpse of the famous Annie Palmer, the White Witch of Jamaica, who lived, or should I say ?ruled? the plantation and its inhabitants.
|
Biking Through Baja
[4 Apr 2008 at 1:49pm]
The Baja peninsula is a long, narrow spit of land cleft from mainland Mexico by the San Andreas fault. Two states comprise the peninsula: Baja California and Baja California Sur.
Though portions of the peninsula support agriculture, most of Baja is remote, desolate, and largely unpopulated desert. In many towns, amenities such as hot water and electricity are absent. On the other hand, cell service is practically everywhere.
The best way to see Baja is on a motorcycle, preferably one equipped for off-road riding. On a bike, you immerse yourself in the scenery.
You smell salt in the air, vegetables in the fields, and every taco shop you pass. You sense changes in coastal coolness and inland warmth. And perhaps because you are more unusual and less threatening on a bike, you are quickly accepted by the locals.
|
What-a Ball-a in Guatemala
[4 Apr 2008 at 1:48pm]
Hands down and without equivocation, Guatemala is the gem of Central America, offering more to the traveler than any of its half dozen neighbors, even if the equatorial heat had melted them into a tropical glob.
World class sites stretch from the most fabulous Mayan ruin at Tikal in the north to the Rio Dulce and Lago Izabal in the south, sandwiching polychromatic markets and variously active volcanoes from Antigua to Lago Atitlan.
This short list barely scratches the surface of flashy and vibrant Guatemala, a country I found safe and carefree outside the habitual suspects in the nighttime ghettoes of the ugly megalopolis pedantically named Guatemala City.
Best of all the bulk of Guatemala sits high at altitude, a good place to be in the tropics, away from the sweltering lowlands of unfortunate neighboring countries.
|
Alternative Spring Break: Building Houses in Uruguay
[1 Apr 2008 at 2:46pm]
As many college students took their spring break to head off to popular beach destinations, a group of 30 students from the University of Massachusetts, the University of Illinois, and Yale University chose instead to travel to Montevideo, Uruguay, and construct emergency houses for the poor.
Through Hillel Uruguay, the three schools participated in a program called Un Techo Para Mi País ? Uruguay, which means A Roof for My Country ? Uruguay.
Working on the outskirts of Montevideo, we spent two days of our community service trip working with Techo in 24 de enero (24th of January), a barrio that has been set up for Uruguayans living below the poverty line.
|
GoNOMAD's Step-By-Step Passport Primer
[1 Apr 2008 at 2:43pm]
Changes in passport requirements for travel to and from the US have changed a lot in recent years, largely due to new regulations promulgated by the Department of Homeland Security.
So travelers need passports to go to a lot of places -- notably Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean -- that they used to be able to visit without them, or rather, they need passports to return from those places. It's all rather confusing. And there are still more changes to come in the near future.
To make sense of the whole situation, especially for the first-time traveler, GoNOMAD turned to an expert, Robert Lee of Swift Passport Services, to explain when you need a passport and how to go about getting one.
|
More of The Stories Behind Strange Airport Codes
[1 Apr 2008 at 2:41pm]
Air travel today has lost much of its romance and sense of adventure. Yet when it comes to the destinations that travelers flock to for business or pleasure, an air of mystery still can be found over many three-letter codes which don?t seem to make any sense:
BNA -- Nashville
Today?s Nashville International Airport still retains the airport code of BNA, which honors World War I veteran and air transport advocate Colonel Harry S. Berry. He was Tennessee?s WPA Administrator.
The WPA was one of Frankin D. Roosevelt?s alphabet soup programs that helped put people to back to work during the Great Depression, and was responsible for the building of Berry Field in 1937. So despite the name change to Nashville International Airport in 1988, the three letter airport code remains to remind people of Berry Field NAshiville.
|
Jallikattu: Taming the Bulls in India
[1 Apr 2008 at 2:40pm]
A sea of humans swells and ebbs in Thammampatti, a small town near Salem in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.
There are people everywhere, easily tens of thousands; they flood the roads filling the narrow alleys, their eager faces gaze down from rooftops, they are perched precariously on bamboo scaffoldings to get a better look.
And then comes the juggernaut, the bull.
Festooned with gulal [colored powder], ribbons and garlands and moving its head agitatedly showing off the razor-sharp horns it tears past the mass of humans.
A hush engulfs the crowd and the excitement is palpable. The not-so-brave scamper to shelter themselves from the onslaught; the barricades are no match to the brute force of the beast.
|
Route 66: The Main Street of America
[28 Mar 2008 at 10:15am]
My boyfriend Claus and I have gotten on a flight to America, rented a white Chevrolet, and set out from Oklahoma City on Route 66 to Los Angeles.
To Europeans like us, the Historic Route 66 is somewhat mysterious, legendary and almost synonymous with the American way of life - the freedom and adventure of the open road. This is the real, authentic America.
|
Turku and Helsinki: A Tale of Two Cities in a Young Republic
[28 Mar 2008 at 10:14am]
As in other Scandinavian countries, you won't find poverty, illiteracy or tacky tourist crowds in Helsinki.
Everyone here enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world and all those under 40 usually know how to speak three languages including English.
When Finland joined the European Union in 1995 it showed the world just how evolutionary Helsinki was with a trajectory in nightlife, design, cuisine and accommodations.
|
No-Man?s Lands: One Man?s Odyssey through The Odyssey
[25 Mar 2008 at 4:09pm]
In June 2001, NPR contributor Scott Huler read an essay on the radio
show "All Things Considered" in which he made a simple claim: that he would forever give up trying to read James Joyce's Ulysses.
Little did he know that his public claim not only would land him exactly where he had promised never to be - in a reading group slogging through Joyce's impenetrable modern masterpiece - but would launch an obsession with the book's inspiration: the ancient Greek epic The Odyssey, and with the lonely homebound journey of its Everyman hero, Odysseus.
Odysseus made a long journey, and for millennia people have speculated on the Mediterranean sites where those adventures occurred. Seeking such heroic adventure, Huler stuffed a
backpack with clothes, guidebooks, and the Odyssey. And he headed for the wine-dark sea.
|
Habla Ingles? English Language Immersion in Spain
[25 Mar 2008 at 4:07pm]
What if I told you that I just had a whole week?s vacation in a four-star villa in a small beautiful village near Salamanca, Spain and it included three full meals a day with wine and it came with about forty new best friends? all for free? Well, I did.
I know what you?re thinking, ?What?s the catch?? Well, there was one -- all I had to do was speak English. And considering it is my native language? how hard could that be?
Pueblo Inglés is not exactly a school for English. It?s more like an intense English ?experience.? It?s a unique opportunity for native English speakers to immerse themselves in Spain?s culture and people firsthand in exchange for just chatting with Spaniards.
|
How to Avoid Altitude Sickness
[25 Mar 2008 at 4:06pm]
You are overlooking the most breathtaking scenery in the world and the valley below looks like a tiny, indistinguishable speck. You begin to sway, have a headache, feel light-headed and dizzy and your legs begin to tremble.
You think you?re about to toss your cookies and you can?t seem to think straight. Is it a heart attack? Are you dying?
Chances are, you are experiencing altitude sickness. The mountain patrol has been called, you?re strapped into the rescue basket and the snowmobile whisks you down to a lower elevation and into the medic?s office for water and oxygen.
|
Quebec City: Getting to Love Being Outside
[25 Mar 2008 at 4:05pm]
The signs being waved by costumed teenagers during Quebec City's Winter Carnaval Night parade said it all. "We get people outside for Carnaval!" I must agree, there is something fun about bundling up and taking on winter head-on.
On my first afternoon in this city, that this year celebrates 400 years of settlement on the St. Lawrence River, I took a walk in the blowing snow. I had come prepared; hey, I live in New England, and we know cold. Not this cold!
|
The Four Corners Region: Exploring the Mysteries of Hillerman Country
[25 Mar 2008 at 9:13am]
Three years ago, popular, award-winning mystery writer Tony Hillerman did something almost unheard of for an author of his stature: he endorsed a special “Hillerman Country tour offered by Scottsdale-based Detours of Arizona.
This laid-back literary road trip takes travelers, for five days and four nights, through miles of high desert mountain lands and rocky canyon paths that fictional characters, like Navajo Tribal Police Jim Chee, Officer Bernadette Manuelito and Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn have covered hundreds of times in Hillermans stories.
|
New Orleans is Back and Better Than Ever
[17 Mar 2008 at 1:09pm]
Consistently rated as one of the world's top culinary destinations, New Orleans has more restaurants open today than before Katrina. The French Quarter (“Vieux Carre) is where you'll find many of the well-known destination restaurants, as well as spots frequented by locals.
Just beyond the Vieux Carre, other neighborhoods hold delicious rewards for diners willing to hop in a cab for a good meal.
Ask anyone in New Orleans what their favorite restaurants are, or where they think you should have a meal while visiting and the answer will likely be, “How many days do you have? Then, they proceed to tell you their top five places and another few you might try to fit in.
|
Fogo Means Fire: A Cape Verdean Road Trip
[17 Mar 2008 at 1:08pm]
Our first trip to Ch das Caldeiras had been in an air-conditioned tourist bus. Upon returning home, satisfied, and with a knowledgeable air of superiority, we explained to our friends and family, what a mysterious, odd, and surprising place Cape Verde was.
We vowed to go back and try to understand better this not quite African, not quite Brazilian, not quite Portuguese, and not quite Caribbean country.
Four months later almost to the day, we were on our way to Ch once again. This time not in an air-conditioned mini-bus, but in the back of a pick up truck filled with shouting children, squeaking chickens, and food provisions that would become dinner that night.
Our heavy boxes, loaded with books and school supplies for the kids in the village, were the reason for our return to Fogo.
|
Tracing the Rise and Fall of the Inca Empire
[17 Mar 2008 at 1:06pm]
GoNOMAD Book Excerpt - Inca Trails by Martin Li
Inca Trails tells the story of a thrilling journey by mule through some of the most remote, rugged and beautiful wilderness in the Bolivian and Peruvian Andes.
My quest was to trace the rise and fall of the Inca empire through a journey from its birthplace in Lake Titicaca, through the remote Apolobamba range of the Andes, to its pinnacle at Cuzco and Machu Picchu, and beyond to the scene of its final stand against the Conquistadores in the densely forested mountains of Vilcabamba.
|
Trekking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal
[17 Mar 2008 at 12:55pm]
Cars and roads are still a fairly recent phenomenon in Nepal. Just ten years ago, Kathmandu was a sleepy little city of a few million people running around on foot, bicycle and rickshaw. On any given morning outside of the monsoon season, clear views were to be had of the distant Himalaya.
Today the place is choking in traffic, fumes and smog, and a new new road promises to bring more of the same to the Annapurna Sanctuary, possibly killing the goose that laid the golden egg, and driving away trekkers who come to see a region of beauty and grace.
|
|
Stage 18: St Etienne
by bethschneider
[24 Jul 2008 at 11:39am]
Stage 18: Bourg d’Oisans – St Etienne Today was a tough day to shoot the race in a car. The route from Bourg d’Oisans was a two lane road with no room to pass. I’m exhausted so I just drove to the finish. The peloton mostly stayed together except for a break with Astarloza, Burghardt and Barredo. Burghardt and Borredo duked it out the last kilometer with Burghardt winning the stage. Tomorrow is another sprinters’ day and then the time trial on Saturday which will probably determine the race.
|
Stage 17: Alpe d'Huez
by bethschneider
[23 Jul 2008 at 1:18pm]
Stage 17: Alpe d’Huez Alpe d’Huez is always exciting. I drove up last night, through hordes of drunk partying fans. It’s great not to have to spend 5 or more hours in traffic trying to get down the mountain after this stage. Everything changed again in the race today. Carlos Sastre from CSC attacked on Alpe d’Huez and managed to stay away the whole mountain, win the stage and the yellow jersey. He’s enough ahead of his nearest rivals that if he has a good time trial on Saturday will win the Tour. Frank Schleck is 1’24” behind, Bernard Kohl 1’33” and Cadel Evans 1’34”. It will be exciting to see if any of them can make up that much time. Christian Vandevelde was with the chase group up the mountain but has dropped back to 6th place and is now 4’41” behind and unlikely to make the podium in Paris.
|
Stage 16: Cuneo - Jausiers
by bethschneider
[22 Jul 2008 at 12:10pm]
Stage 16: Cuneo – Jausiers Today we left Italy after a much needed rest day. The route was practically empty until the base of the first climb, the Col de Lombard, where it was packed with Italian racing fans, better known as tifosi. I continued on ahead to the Col de la Bonette-Restafond which is the highest road in Europe. Schumacher from Gerolsteiner attacked on the Col de Lombard and stayed away with a lead of 4’40” but was caught by a group which included Evans, Vandevelde, Hincapie, Valverde, Menchov, Sastre, Sanchez, Schleck and Kohl. Frenchman Dessel and his group were ahead and he won the stage. Frank Schleck is still in yellow. Kohl and Evans are 07 and 08 seconds behind so depending upon what happens tomorrow at Alpe d’Huez, it could all come down to the time trial. Christian Vandevelde lost a lot of time and is now 3’15” behind.
|
Stage 15: Embrun - Prato Nevoso
by bethschneider
[20 Jul 2008 at 12:32pm]
Stage 15: Embrun – Prato Nevoso Today was cool and wet, totally the opposite from yesterday which was sunny and blistering hot. I left early, so I wouldn’t have to negotiate around the publicity caravan on the Col d’Agnel. The weather when I drove over the pass was miserable, but apparently eased up when the race crossed. I waited at Prato Nevoso in Italy, a ski resort. Everything changed today in the race. Cadel Evans lost the yellow jersey to Frank Schleck and another Australian, Simon Gerrans won the stage. American Danny Pate was in the group of 3 with Gerrans and Martinez first to the finish. Tomorrow is a rest day in Italy.
|
Stage 14: Nimes - Dignes-les-Bain
by bethschneider
[19 Jul 2008 at 11:42am]
Stage 14: Nimes – Digne-les-Bains About 30 minutes before the race start today, a local photographer canceled his day on the motorcycle so I got a bonus day. The course was really uninteresting and we spent way too much time looking for lavender. But at least we finally found some. We had to stay behind and couldn’t pass to the finish but were able to get a few shots on the way in. Tomorrow is Italy and some big mountains. I’ll be surprised if things aren’t more disorganized there; in the past that’s how it’s been. But a lot of people are looking forward to it – good coffee and good food!
|
Stage 13 : Narbonne - Nimes
by bethschneider
[18 Jul 2008 at 12:24pm]
Stage 13: Nimes-Narbonne Today was a pretty flat, uninteresting stage. It was really hot, at least 100 degrees. The peloton was mostly together and there was a bunch sprint at the finish with Mark Cavendish winning again. Yesterday morning the entire Saunier Duval team was thrown out of the race because of a positive test from Riccardo Ricco. It was pretty obvious when he was on the podium-he had been really nervous, never smiled and didn’t seem happy to be there. Today the gossip is that his teammate Piepoli was almost positive-internal controls showed some irregularities, so he was fired from his team. And so, it continues….
|
Stage 12: Lavelanet ? Narbonne
by bethschneider
[17 Jul 2008 at 1:20pm]
Today was my stage on the motorcycle. It was a hilly day with tight roads and difficult to pass. We were able to make a couple of passes but then at around 100k we got stuck behind the peloton for around 40 kilometers, until it was time to speed to the finish. The morning was scandal time. Apparently Riccardo Ricco was doping, so he and his whole team were thrown out of the race. Hopefully that's the end of it, but who knows. I guess they never got the memos.
|
Stage 11 - Col de Portel
by bethschneider
[16 Jul 2008 at 11:44am]
Stage 11: Lannemezan – Foix Today was a pretty unexciting day in the race. There was an early break of 12 guys. The peloton didn’t expend much energy chasing as the weather has finally stopped raining and it’s beginning to get hot. There was a cat 1 climb, the Col du Portel. The first guy over the top was Moinard from the Cofidis team but he was passed on the descent to the finish. The stage was won by Arvesen from CSC and Cadel Evans is still in yellow. I’m on the moto tomorrow and hope there will be some scenery and good opportunities for photos.
|
2008 STP wrap-up
by kais
[15 Jul 2008 at 5:07pm]
The Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic... check. The ride was a blast, the company was great, the weather was perfect (nope, not too hot!) and blogging about it here was my pleasure. Will I come back and do it in one day instead of two? Doubt it. But I am inspired to ride more, ride farther, and ride faster because of my STP experience. Here are a few more photos, just for the heck of it.
|
Stage 10 - Montee du Hautacam
by bethschneider
[14 Jul 2008 at 1:29pm]
What a great stage. Lots of Spanish fans and lots of energy. Juan Jose Cobo Acebo and Leonardo Piepoli came up the Hautacam together and Piepoli won the stage. Cadel Evans is now in yellow. He was really emotional stepping on the podium and receiving it. He was fighting back tears of emotion and ended up kissing the stuffed lion really hard! Christian Vandevelde is still in third place and gained about 6 seconds from yesterday. He’s the only American in contention.
|
|
And we're done.
by kais
[13 Jul 2008 at 5:46pm]
The real finish line... In the beer garden.
|
|
|
|
Stage 9 - Col d'Aspin
by bethschneider
[13 Jul 2008 at 12:02pm]
Stage 9: Toulouse-Bagneres-de-Bigorre The race is finally beginning to take shape. Cadel Evans crashed at 105k, changed his bike and continued. The doctors said he might have some problems climbing but that remains to be seen. He’s still in second place in GC. Sebastien Lang came over the top of the Col d’Aspin ahead of the eventual winner, Riccardo Ricco. Kim Kirchen finished 9th and he now has the yellow jersey. The weather is beginning to ease up and tomorrow may actually be the first day without rain.
|
|
JAS Design team...
by kais
[13 Jul 2008 at 11:25am]
Looking ready to go early this morning.
|
STP: Day 1
by kais
[12 Jul 2008 at 11:11pm]
Overall, it was a good day. I finished in 5h 40m, got a shower and a
good dinner at el Tarasca, Centralia's finest Mexican establishment.
Tomorrow is a bit of a longer day, but Portland is in sight.
|
There's even a tent...
by kais
[12 Jul 2008 at 6:11pm]
in the beer garden with a TV showing the Tour de France stage from
this morning.
|
Centralia midpoint
by kais
[12 Jul 2008 at 6:03pm]
Centralia College is where we're camping tonight.
|
Can't beat the weather
by kais
[12 Jul 2008 at 5:58pm]
Luckily we got an early start, because it only got more hot as the
ride wore on.
|
|
|
Stage 8 - Figeac-Toulouse
by bethschneider
[12 Jul 2008 at 11:53am]
Today was an incredibly miserable day. It rained all day long. It was too dangerous to drive as fast as needed to get ahead of the peloton, so I waited at the finish. There were some breaks that didn’t hold and non-serious crashes. This is the last day for the sprinters until after the Pyrenees, which start tomorrow. Steegmans of Quickstep was expecting to win but he was eclipsed by Mark Cavendish who managed to get around him and win the stage.
|
Puyallup
by kais
[12 Jul 2008 at 11:21am]
Stop before the big hill.
|
|
Countdown...
by kais
[11 Jul 2008 at 6:07pm]
T minus 12 hours (give or take a few...)
|
Stage 7 - Brioude - Aurillac
by bethschneider
[11 Jul 2008 at 12:25pm]
Today was kind of a gloomy day. It threatened rain all day and actually rained a little bit. On top of the biggest climb of the day it was so foggy that you could see only about 1 car ahead. This region, the Massif Central, is very hilly and lots of tight, windy roads. There were some attacks today, including one by some of the stronger riders-Evans, Sastre, the Schlecks, Vandevelde and several others. Lampre was the main force that reeled them back in. At 4 k from the finish, Luis Sanchez from Caisse d’Epargne broke away and won the stage. Kim Kirchen still has the yellow jersey.
|
Stage 6 - Super Besse
by bethschneider
[10 Jul 2008 at 12:56pm]
Today began some climbing with tow cat 4 climbs and two cat 2 and a climb to the finish. There were several breaks that all were reeled in by the time the reached the climb to the finish. En route to the finish line, Schumacher crashed by himself and Riccardo Ricco made it to the finish first. Kim Kirchen from Team Columbia is now in both the yellow leader jersey and the green sprint jersey. I’ve just arrived from the US after traveling all the way across the country, across the Atlantic Ocean and having had to drive more than 500 kilometers to get here. I made it through the police barricades without my yet having gotten my credentials, but was so worried about getting through early enough, I didn’t stop for gas and am worried that I’m going to run out during the traffic jam on the way down. If you don’t hear from me tomorrow, you’ll know why!
|
|
|
Eastern Spirituality for Sale in Vanity Fair
by Tom Thumb
[14 Jul 2008 at 6:30am]
Sexy yoga modes, Zen meditaiton in minutes, multiple choice Ayurvedic constitutions, yup, Vanity fair proves that you can sell anything these days, no matter how sacred.
|
|
Health Map - Diseases and Destinations
by Roadjunky
[8 Jul 2008 at 6:21am]
Now the traveling hypochondriac can check out all the latest outbreaks of their favourite diseases and avoid the hot spots.
|
|
|
Bad Mescaline trip in a Peruvian Forest
by Morgan Lloyd
[30 Jun 2008 at 10:31am]
Morgan gets ripped out of his mind on a large dose of san pedro that leaves him thinking the ground has turned into water. Dropping cactus just aint good for kids.
|
An Indian Princess
by Tom Thumb
[28 Jun 2008 at 12:13pm]
Amira was a young women from a rich Indian family who wanted to go it alone and hang out with freaks.
|
|
The Traveler Ghetto of Phomn Penh, Cambodia
by Morgan Lloyd
[25 Jun 2008 at 12:06pm]
When guesthouse rooms are priced on how high they are above the sewage in the street, you know you’ve arrived in the biggest traveler ghetto in the world. Welcome to Cambodia.
|
|
Eco-adventures
[24 Jul 2008 at 10:30am]
[quote]There are many definitions more or less related: eco, sustainable, fair, community-based, responsible. I think people should be helped via tourism while not damaging the environment.[/quote]
you are f------- true !! :shock: :!: :!:.
|
Chitwan National Park Safari (Nepal)
[23 Jul 2008 at 10:32am]
Another thing to add is that the monsoon season is not the best time to go visit this national park. I don't have a complain, but I was told that there are better seasons to go safari, though there is no guarantee that you'll be able to see the wild life in these 'better' seasons..
|
Define Adventure
[22 Jul 2008 at 5:20am]
Action
Desire
Viva la vida !
Excitement
Nature
Tempting
Unique
Road
Excellent.
|
Have you done SKYDIVING?
[22 Jul 2008 at 4:53am]
here near Barcelona, in catalua there are quite a lot of places to jump
[url]http://www.skydiveworldwide.com/school/jump-europe-4458.php[/url].
|
|
|
|
|
|
Best place for river rafting?
[1 Jul 2008 at 3:19am]
another place to consider is Philippines.
It has four distinct places for white water river rafting: Cagayan Valley, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Quezon province. After rafting, most locations offer other adventure activities such as rapelling, spelunking and zipline rides.
Russell.
|
Rock Climbing
[27 Jun 2008 at 4:50pm]
Hi!
I used to climb a lot, mostly in Slovenia and Croatia (Europe). Rock formations in Canyon Paklenica near Zadar in Croatia are particularly good for beginners. It is a great place for free climbing. Slovenian Alps (Julian Alps) are so beautiful for climbing. Triglav in Julian Alps is the highest point in Slovenia (2864m or 9396ft) and one of the popular climbing destinations for rock climbers from all over the world. The best season to climb in Slovenia is from the beginning of July till the middle of October, but the best months are August and September.
The Julian Alps are also the great place for ice climbing and skiing..
|
Taking A Year Or More Out Later In Life To Go Travelling
[6 Jun 2008 at 6:41am]
[quote:ba01afe73c="Frida"]Wow.. you're planning your travel 7 years ahead? Why wait? A lot of things can happen during 7 years, that might stop you from traveling for a whole year.
But your plan is good, though. I want to do the same thing, and I'm kinda doing it next year, although I won't be gone for a whole year.
I'm going to Asia and South America.. spending about 3 months or so, before I head back and save more money before I probably head back to Brazil to do som studying.[/quote:ba01afe73c]
Frida I love your sentence : I have a passport and I am not afraid to use it !!
:clap: :king:.
|
Do you think you can win the Amazing Race?
[5 Jun 2008 at 4:01am]
well, the perfect partner for me would not be my boyfriend. he doesn't drive either! we'll never get past the application part....DENIED!
but then, there's no one else I'd rather go with than him. so i guess we'd have to tough it out, learn how to drive, and try not to tear each other's heads off with the stunts. we both have different strengths and under stress would be a perfect time to show it off...i think..
|
uzbekistan ? Anyone knows about trekking and climbing there
[4 Jun 2008 at 3:57am]
[quote:c3e921140d="himadventures"]uzbekistan ?
Yes- himalayas top notch- can anyone provide information about chances of trekking and climbing chances there ?
I am sure world knows very less about this region of himalayas.[/quote:c3e921140d]
Uzbekistan has no Himalayas here. We have Pamir, Alay and other mountain systems. Trekking and climbing is pretty well developed. Right now my friend who immigrated to the USA is going to get a rank by climbing a mountain here..
|
How ADVENTUROUS are you when you TraveL?
[29 May 2008 at 9:17am]
no problem, everything which is different to the everydays life , I m IN :-)
this king of plans are most of the time the ones where you have the most fun, not everything planned because most of time its never like it was planned..... thats life.....
|
Worlds 10 Highest Bungee Jumps
[28 May 2008 at 12:09am]
I can only tell you what I felt.
Have you ever been on a roller coaster when it reaches the top and you're suddenly looking at the drop you're about to take? I get a feeling of dread at that point and a massive adrenaline dump and that's pretty much what happened when I was about 2 inches off the platform. It was a feeling of "oh this isn't going to be good and there's no escaping it". The fall was pretty much a huge rush of fear and adrenaline and then enormous relief that I wasn't going to die as I gently decelerated at the bottom of the jump.
I thought to myself "Oh my god! I've survived, I'm OK" in the brief instant that the bungee was at full stretch (there's no violent snap, its all very gentle) and then I started accelerating upward. For some reason that was just cool, until I got to the top and was hanging weightless for a brief instant and then I suddenly realised that what goes up, must come down again and I was in for another fall complete with fear/adrenaline, etc.
|
My Trek through Spain
[23 May 2008 at 4:38am]
I live in Barcelona since 3 years if you need any advises, just ask
happy to help :-).
|
What would be/has been your ultimate travel adventure......?
[15 May 2008 at 6:13pm]
Ok, so I know loads of people will have some brilliant stories or ideas for a topic like this, so please feel free to spend a few mins telling us about them, I love travel stories!
As for mine: At the moment, a Cycle ride from the Uk to cape town, but only because im planning it as we speak, however one day I would love to go deep into the jungle and learn as much as my ignorant western arse could about living with nature!
Anyone else?!.
|
Your 1st SOLO Travel -- Agony or Ecstasy??
[14 May 2008 at 11:07am]
[quote:c04d8324f4="jon1401"]I have never been away solo before but in a few months time I'm going to Spain for a year to backpack all over the county and take in the sights and the sun!
I'm really looking forward to it, but at the same time I'm kind of nervous about the idea of being on my own for so long?
Do you meet people doing similar things on these kind of trips or is it hard to meet people?[/quote:c04d8324f4]
by the way I live in Barcelona if you needs advises, etc...... when are u coming ? :-P.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
