Image: naturalkinds.
Today's gift selection is for that newly budding travel addict that's about the head out into that great big world and you want to be sure they have the essentials.
December 2008
Do you have a travel photo you want to show off? Join our Flickr Group and we'll post our favorites here.
Image: tricky.
A beautiful day, a good hike, and great views....sounds pretty wonderful doesn't it? This photo was shot in the hills of the Lake District in England. After hikes like this, you'll need to refuel and the Lakes offer no shortage of dining opportunities.
Image: Joran Pecher.
The Italians invented it, Pizza Hut globalized it, and pretty much the entire world has appropriated pizza into their local cuisine. When I set out to write this, what I expected to find was adaptations on the classic tomato and cheese using local ingredients. What I found, however, was a descent into the absurd. What's revealing about a culture is what they are willing to put on their pizza. Click below to see my strange pizza finds, ranging from crocodile to corn, from the exotic to the disgusting.
(I will admit, being an American, I am bit more tolerant of strange pizza toppings. An Italian, however, might find any of these pizza variations unusual and punishable by death.)
Image: Kettukusu.
Today's gift guide is focused on the backpacker, the encumbered nomad, the freedom-seeker.
We've given you a ton of great gift guides this week for the holiday season, but we're not the only ones. Check out some more great gift guides for travelers we've found on the web.
Image: Controversy Tram Inn.
Old McDonald had a...tram? Only at Controversy Tram Inn can you sleep in a retired train or tram, sit in a sombrero hot tub, and commiserate with donkeys, all in the same place.
Image: Mosieur J..
Budgets may be tight this year, but we think making a gift is better than buying one any day. If you're short on cash, but still want to spoil your travel addict, we've come up with some ideas for gifts to make for them. (Warning, sewing skills may be needed.)
The blogosphere is full of travel inspiration and ideas... here's our favorite finds from the past week.
Image: Mr Wabu.
Globespotters: Top Restaurants in Asia? Depends on who you ask.
Globespotters sheds some light on typical food critic practices in Asia and why you should be wary of them.
Image: Erin O'Connor.
One of the most obvious ways you to identify yourself as a tourist is to whip out a map, unfold it all the way, and stand there gawking. This unfortunate habit is a great way to put a target on your back, but is also one of the least effective, and most stressful ways to figure out where to go.
If you want to prevent a few headaches while seeing the sights, follow some of our tips for using a map without looking like a tourist.
Image: birdinhehand.
Packing can be the most painful part of any trip, especially if you do it badly. Pack too much, and you will regret it. Have you ever heard anyone complain that they didn't pack enough?
Do you always get stuck with that hotel room. You know the one next to the icemaker with the tiny bed. TripKick aims to help you find the perfect room for you in major hotels across the US.
Image: looking4poetry.
Ok. It's set. You're going on a trip. Sure, it's a few months down the road, but you can do something to prepare, right now.
What I'm proposing is simple: months ahead of time, pack your backpack like you're leaving in a few days. Clothes, toiletries, electronics, put it all in there. Then, throw it on your back and head out the door. Why, you may ask? To see if your packing (and back) is up to the challenge.
Image: thedarienplan.
The Darien Plan: Fear the Sheep, Not the Devil
The Darien Plan explores one of Guatemala's most popular Sunday Markets.
Francesco Serra, our good friend and resident expert on all things Italian, provides us with valuable insights on Italian culture. Residing in the northern city of Padova, but being a fiercely proud native Calabrian, he brings a unique perspective on all things Italian.
Image: sshingler.
Our question today for Francesco....why is it that Italians never seem to get in an orderly line, say like the British or Americans do? When I'm in Italy I never know what to do, and feel intimidated to tell someone, hey, I was here first. Can you give me some insight and some advice on how to survive waiting my turn around a bunch of Italians?
Have a question about Italy? Send us an e-mail and we'll have him answer your question here.
Image: crazscout.
Preparing for an impending trip isn't all budgeting, list-making, and packing. In the middle of it all, you've got to tend to your mental preparation, as well. If you're going to a country that doesn't speak your language, giving your brain a chance to get used to the new language can go a long way towards having a smoother trip. We've got some tips to help you immerse yourself, before your trip even begins.
Do you have a travel photo you want to show off? Join our Flickr Group and we'll post our favorites here.
Image: Eduardo Amorim.
If bucking broncos and cowboys are what you're searching for, skip Texas and search out the famous gauchos of southern Brazil. With adventure like this, how can you resist?
Join our round table discussion and let us know your thoughts, strategies, and ideas.
Image: austin.
Budget travel gurus often promote off-season travel as the ultimate bargain. After all, a three star hotel in Rome costs only 70 euros in February, a steep discount from their 120 euro summer price tag.
However, off-season travel can come at a price, leaving you with limited options and bad weather to contend with. The money you save on hotels in the height of Hawaii's rainy season won't make the sun shine. And a trip to the beach in the dead of winter may let you avoid the crowds, but you may discover your favorite summer haunts boarded up like a ghost town.
Image: Ammar Abd Rabbo.
We just spotted a new museum to add to our list of must sees, the Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar, designed by renowned Chinese American architect, I.M. Pei. At 91, this prolific architect has designed many of the museums you've passed through in your travels. If you're not familiar with his work, you should be and we've selected some of our favorites for a virtual tour.
Image: Rick Steves.
Looking for an easy way to calculate the time and cost of rail travel across Europe? Rick Steves has a great map that can help you decipher the web of trains in Europe. His handy map lets you know general fares in US dollars, as well as the average time it takes between cities.
Image: Zach_ManchesterUK.
People travel, but often forget to do it like the humans we are. This year, we've touched on a few of the aspects of travel that are close to our heart, so enjoy a look back at Travel Like A Human Being for 2008.
Image: Isobel T.
Getting there is half the fun and some of our favorite posts from the past year have focused on that aspect of travel. Whether by plane, train, or even boat, we've shared our tips on all types of transit.
We've shared a lot of great travel photos with you this past year. If you're in need of a little inspiration, click around the map above or check out some of our favorites below.
Image: matt.hintsa.
An impending new year means it's time to start setting your goals for 2009. Instead of coming up with a laundry list of places you'd like to go, why not look at how you travel and how you can improve in 2009? This week, we're going to share our own personal travel goals for 2009.
Image: Dustin Diaz.
When you think of culture and travel, the first thing that comes to mind might be art museums, architecture, or music. But what about something more mundane, like the grocery store? National Geographic Traveler introduces the idea of a grocery store as a cultural resource, in an article titled "So What's For Dinner?"
Image: *spo0ky*.
On my next trip, do something I haven't done before that takes me out of my comfort zone.
Image: mdumlao98.
There's no one single secret to learn when it comes to travel. From sleeping to eating well, in 2008 we've shared our tips on many small ways you can learn to travel better.
Image: ~FreeBirD®~.
Forget the itineraries, the packing lists, and the endless maps. This year, even if only once, just pick up and go.
Image: SpreePIX-Berlin.
Sometimes numbers speak for themselves. Here's a look at our most popular posts, as determined by you, the reader.
