Image: T-FIZ.
Now that we've shown you your favorite posts this year, we're going to share ours. Of course, we love all our posts, just the same, we have our favorites. So as 2009 begins in earnest, enjoy our favorite picks from 2008.
January 2009
The blogosphere is full of travel inspiration and ideas... here's our favorite finds from the past week.
Image: yeogigeogi.
The Art of Nonconformity: How to Travel Rogue States and Other Interesting Places
Not everywhere in the world is beach resorts, shopping, and five star hotels. Chris gives some great advice on what do you do when the travel industry and your government tells you "don't go there."
Image: flight001.
When we were writing our gift guides last month, we found ourselves returning to Flight 001 to lust after the chic, modern travel goods they purvey. If you're on the market for some new travel gear in the new year, be sure to check out Flight 001.
The great monuments of the past are sights to behold, but what about those built in the last century? On your next trip, don't miss one of these modern monuments.
Image: marktop.
Built in 1965 by the German Democratic Republic, the Fernsehturm (or TV tower) is an iconic landmark in Berlin. A visual reminder of the not-so-distant Communist past of the city, while leading the way to a new, modern Berlin.
Real life travel advice from around the web. Have you written about a travel experience and want to share? Send us a link and we'll feature it here.
Have you ever tried to picture the ideal guide? I've always preferred someone friendly, down to earth, well-spoken, and knowledgeable. Dan McCoig of Dan Traveling, is all that, plus he tops it off by throwing in a soft, familiar (for me at least) southern accent. Every week, Dan shows you around Appalachia through his videos and photos of his trips around Virginia, North & South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
Image: CDrewing.
Think about how you visit cities for a moment. You might find yourself drawn towards the big attractions: the monuments, the museums, what you're "supposed to see." Rinse, wash, repeat. The world becomes a homogeneous place filled with McDonalds, Starbucks, and the Gap. But what about the parts that aren't in the guidebooks, that doesn't get the attention it deserves? On your next trip, take a moment, or heck, take a whole day, and get to know the heart and soul of a neighborhood through its own eyes.
Image: Suzanna.
An afternoon in the gardens of the Belvedere Palace may leave you feeling like you've just left Paris. That may be because of the common history the two share. The Belvedere Gardens' architect, Dominique Girard, was a pupil of André le Nôtre, the man behind Versailles.
Join our round table discussion and let us know your thoughts, strategies, and ideas.
Image: John Starfire.
There are travel necessities and travel luxuries, and how that's defined depends on who you talk to. Rick Steves wont leave home without his sink stopper and bungee clothes line, while we just scratch our heads. Do you really need it? Couldn't you go MacGuyver and just make it all out of duck tape and a paperclip?
Image: vgm8383.
There's a lot of excitement in the air surrounding the upcoming inauguration. Millions of people are expected to make their way to the capital for the big event on January 20th, including many people who've never visited before.
Before moving to Seattle, we lived and worked in DC for several years. Along the way, we picked up quite a few valuable tips for dealing with all that the capital city can throw at you. So, if you're planning on being part of the inauguration crowd, check out our advice later today for surviving the inauguration without losing your mind.
Image: JamesCalder.
Ok, guys we need to get off NOW.... it's the Smithsonian stop and these doors might just close in on us and eat us alive. Run!!! Grab the children and run. The rest of the train sits unphased, motionless and glassy-eyed, much like the zombies above. These are the real DC metro riders, the commuters; and a tourist is their worst nightmare. They don't know the rules, they get in the way, and they're all too cheery about riding around the city when the rest of the train just wants to get to work. I was that zombie for six years when I lived and worked in Washington, DC. And over the course of it all, I learned a few lessons that make the ride just a bit smoother. So, the next time you head into the nation's capital, keep these tips in mind. Please, don't be that guy.
Image: andrew.deci.
Whether you're in Washington D.C. for the Fourth of July fireworks, an inauguration, a march, or something smaller like Folk Life Festival, eventually you've got to leave. Instead of heading out of the city en masse with everybody else, consider taking a deep breath, getting a beer and some food someplace nearby, and let everyone else fight their way out. Give it a few hours to clear out, then you can hop on the Metro (or in your car) and leave without feeling like a caged animal.
You're at the Smithsonian for a killer day of sightseeing and lunchtime arrives, where do you eat? Skip the cafeteria at the National Gallery and the food trucks hawking hot dogs, stale pretzels, and overpriced sodas. If you're on the Mall, you need sustenance. And with all the serious sightseeing to attend to, a stale $3 pretzel is not going cut it. Here are some tips for quick and inexpensive eats in the area.
Do you have a travel photo you want to show off? Join our Flickr Group and we'll post our favorites here.
Image: taivasalla.
Iceland is a land of contrasts: white and green, water and mountains. This kind of view makes me want to hop on a plane and go hiking.
Every day, the world of travel is affected by things all over the globe. We've selected the best news tidbits that help you stay informed, inspired, and ready to travel.
Image: Chuckumentary.
International Herald Tribune: A budding revival in the land of Obama's roots
Obama-themed tourism seems to be all the rage. I even heard this week that Obama and his mother lived in my Seattle neighborhood at one time, will it become a historic landmark? Would you center your trip around a political figure?
The blogosphere is full of travel inspiration and ideas... here's our favorite finds from the past week.
Image: Ronn ashore.
Indie Travel Podcast: Plan Your 2009 Travel
Here are some good tips for helping you plan your travels this year.
Image: Norma Desmond.
Although I'm sure you don't need science to tell you, being in the city can be tiring. With all of the distractions, the lights, noise, and crowded streets, our brains get fatigued quickly when exposed to urban environments, even for short amounts of time. So what's the urban traveler to do?
Image: Spongelle.
When I received a Spongelle as a Christmas gift, I'll admit I was a bit skeptical. It had made its run in the beauty magazines and is seemingly wasteful (a sponge that lasts a finite amount of washes and comes pre-loaded with soaps named pretentious things, like French Lavender-Meyer Lemon Infusion.) As a gift it was appreciated, but not something I'd consider investing in as a permanent bathing solution. However, in the age of liquid bans and baggage charges, I'm always thinking about packing alternatives. And, after a few uses, this bathtub frivolity quickly turned into a must pack travel necessity.
Image: Yelp.com.
We've been fans of Yelp for awhile now. The social networking review site has provided loads of advice for us when we moved to Seattle a few years ago. Looking for a place to eat, a new store to try or even a hotel? Yelpers are ready and willing to dispense advice in their thorough, thoughtful and sometimes humorous reviews. So, if you're headed to the US, Canada and now in the UK, head over to Yelp first. Or, if you're on the road, pick up the iPhone app or your laptop and find that great, local place for dinner.
Museums aren't the only place where you can check out the masterpieces. Here's our series guide to seeing the arts....for free.
Image: gmpicket.
To me a great building is no different than a great work of art. It's something to be observed, studied and enjoyed. One of my favorite things to do on a trip is to take in a walking tour of a city, while enjoying its architecture. Not an architectural historian? Get some help from the experts at the American Institute of Architects and build your own guided walking tour.
Image: jasonEscapist.
A great hotel room is easy to find in New York, but a room that's both adequate and affordable, now that's a rarity. Check out some of our picks for a place to lay your head when you're in the Big Apple.
Image: artolog.
I've spent a lot of time in art museums, probably more so than the average person. And, while some may consider the art museum a place of rest and reprieve while traveling, for others like myself, it can be a complete headache. We want to cram it all in, look at everything, and appreciate it all. If you've ever left an art museum light headed, blurry eyed and completely drained, this post is for you.
Image: BigGolf.
Is the cold and dreary winter weather getting you down? A little sand, some good local food, and warm, sunny days are just what you need. Here are some of our favorite beaches from around the world.
Join our round table discussion and let us know your thoughts, strategies, and ideas.
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Flying in coach isn't a fun experience, after all, most of the seats are cramped and uncomfortable. But there are some that give you a tiny bit more leg room, closer access to the bathrooms, or a coveted window spot. Do you normally pick your seats when you book flights in coach, or do you leave your fate to the gods?
Image: cloveras.
Food in New York comes in all shapes and sizes ranging from the uber-expensive and good to the overrated. If you don't have the bankroll for five star cuisine, here are some cheap, yet tasty New York institutions.
Image: Arte Luise Kunsthotel.
An art gallery, a hip hotel, or budget accommodation? The Arte Luise Kunsthotel in Berlin is all three.
Image: EJP Photo.
For some odd reason, uneducated tourists tend to treat New York like a playground, where money is no object and they don't need to think about how much they spend. They end up leaving the city penniless, effectively having emptied their entire wallet's contents into Times Square. But, before you take that carriage ride through Central Park, hop on the Sex and the City bus tour, or pay full price for a Broadway show, check out our tips. There are plenty of things to do in New York that give the full experience and won't leave you bankrupt.
Image: joiseyshowaa.
Wondering how you can begin to prepare for travel while you're still at home? It may be as simple as changing your driving habits. How you drive, especially under trying conditions, is likely a reflection of how you deal with stress in your travels. Do you freak out when you sit in a traffic jam? Chances are, you won't do well in a crowded marketplace. Do you curse when someone cuts you off? Don't even get near a line in Italy.
So what's a stress-prone traveler/driver to do? I've got three tips that will prepare you on for a more enjoyable, less anxious travel experience.
Image: Antonio Caselli.
We've got some of the best readers out there. Sometimes we will get a comment that is so great, it don't deserve to be stuck at the bottom of a post. Our friend and frequent commenter, Kahlil, left such a thought provoking comment in response to Getting Ready: Change Your Driving Habits. He makes some great points about how driving in the Middle East really changed the way he behaved, both abroad and at home. For me, traveling in general requires many of the same considerations. Check out his thoughts below.
The blogosphere is full of travel inspiration and ideas... here's our favorite finds from the past week.
Image: Dey.
Globespotters: Snack Attack, Mumbai. Eating Safe Street Food.
Street food in Mumbai is delicious. But, it seems that some restaurants there are making an attempt to standardize and sanitize the idea of street food by setting up chains of vendors all over the city. While I'm all for the idea of making street food safer, isn't there a risk of turning them into the equivalent of McDonald's? The fact that individual vendors choose how to make the food, have a stake in making it good, and enjoy the fruits of their labors are what makes street food so enjoyable. What happens when you take that away for the sake of perceived safety?
Image: Thomas Hawk.
Every guidebook has one. That tiny list of phrases in the back for common tourist scenarios, like ordering lobster in a restaurant or making sure you know the difference between a single and a double hotel room. But what about real life situations, like a creepy guy hitting on you in a bar or a hostile border crossing? Well that's where the Wicked Travel series comes in and fills your vocabulary gaps with offbeat phrases. Unlike your standard guidebook, the phrases within are amusing or useful, or in some cases, both.
Whenever I'm hitting the road, my first thought is always "who do I know there?" I often go to locals for advice, but my circle of friends can't cover the entire globe. So, when I spied the site Spotted by Locals, a series of cityblogs written by locals, I was excited to find some new virtual friends to point out the best a city has to offer.
Image: mudpig.
Last week we took our budget-friendly tips to the streets of New York. If you missed any of our posts, check out our thoughts on how to sleep, eat, and see New York without breaking the bank.
Do you have a travel photo you want to show off? Join our Flickr Group and we'll post our favorites here.
Image: kelsandtom.
Kelsey and Tom caught this great photo while staying in Marzatlan, Mexico. They are cruising through Central and South America in Marlin, their VW Golf. You can keep up with them at their blog, JoyDrive.
Every traveler has a different story, each shaped by where they've been, what they've done, and who they've met. Inside the Traveler's Mind highlights stories from some of the unique travelers we've met.
Jessica Stewart must have thrown a coin in the Trevi on her first visit to Rome. As legend has it, those who toss a coin into the famous fountain, will undoubtedly return. She lives and breathes Rome, sharing her photos of La Città Eterna on RomePhotoBlog, and works with Context Travel to share a different view of Rome to those who visit. Check out our interview below to see this Italophile's take on the art of travel.
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The first major expense you'll make when planning a trip is getting there, usually in terms of an airline ticket. It's not always about getting the cheapest ticket, but finding the best deal for you. Instead of blindly buying a ticket, do some soul searching first. Think about what you want, then do your research, and merge the two into the best possible solution. Airfare is easily the largest expense on your budget, so negotiating the best deal will allow you more flexibility when planning money to be spent on the road.
Image: Phil Dragash.
We've been thinking a lot about budgeting lately, and wondered do you make a travel budget? If you do, what helps you keep things in line? If you don't budget, why not? Join in the discussion in the comments.
The great monuments of the past are sights to behold, but what about those built in the last century? On your next trip, don't miss one of these modern monuments.
Image: Edgar Barany.
Just like its namesakes, Fred and Ginger by Frank Gehry dances along Prague's skyline. Even if you're not typically a fan of Gehry's bold curves, this building is sure to amaze.
Welcome to Travellious!
We just found out we were featured in the Guardian this weekend and are more than thrilled. We absolutely love their travel section, so it's an honor for them to write about us. If this is your first time here we'd recommend that you check out what we're about. Or jump straight into our archives.
And if you like what you see, we welcome you to subscribe to our feed or get in touch.
It's a big world out there, get inspired, get educated and get on the road!
Image: Malingering.
It was a dark and stormy night...and you're starving. Or, like I've experienced many times, you've freshly arrived in a far away country and are jet lagged like crazy. You need to eat, but don't have the energy to sit down at a proper restaurant. You saw that little fast food place down the street, but resorting to that makes you feel almost...guilty. After all, aren't you in a place with great local cuisine? Shouldn't you be eating something fabulous?
Image: Photocapy.
What's the first thing you do when you enter an art museum? Do you quickly tether yourself to an audio guide or glue your eyes to the wall text? No matter your level of knowledge, I am a strong believer letting your eyes do the looking. So put down that handset, direct your gaze to the art, and resist the urge to be told what to see.
Real life travel advice from around the web. Have you written about a travel experience and want to share? Send us a link and we'll feature it here.
Image: sandra juto.
Sandra Juto is an illustrator/artist and crocheter extraordinaire, but I think she needs to add photographer to her lists of accomplishments. On her site, Smosch, she gives us a peek into her world of Gothenburg, Sweden with her stunning photographs and shows us there's much more beauty to Sweden than Ikea might lead you to believe.
Every day, the world of travel is affected by things all over the globe. We've selected the best tidbits that help you stay informed, inspired, and ready to travel.
Image: paolomagari.
International Herald Tribune: When Train Stations Were Majestic Temples of Rail Travel
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Is it a phone, or a computer? As mobile phones have gotten more complex, they have more to offer us as travelers: navigation assistance, communication apps, even translation tools. These new features means that we have more reasons than ever to consider them as crucial travel companions. Check out my six reasons that you need a Google G1 phone for your next adventure.
We got an exciting surprise here last week, our blog made it through the nomination phase to be one of the finalists in the "Best Travel Weblog" category for the 2009 Bloggies. Thanks for everyone who nominated us, you guys rock!
The blogosphere is full of travel inspiration and ideas... here's our favorite finds from the past week.
Chris Brogan: Airline Security is Toy-Worthy
Has airline security really gotten so bad that we need a toy to teach our children about it? For a good laugh, check out the toy's reviews at Amazon
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If you've only ever encountered "Mexican" food in the United States, you'd be understandably underwhelmed by the prospect of eating it while you're traveling. However, the reality of Mexican cuisine is that it is as delicious, diverse, and amazing as anywhere in the world. Don't assume that it's the same all over; the food you get if you visit Mexico City isn't the same as you'll get in another province. If you're lucky enough to be visiting the capital city of Mexico, check out our list below and we'll help prepare you to take full advantage of this remarkable cuisine.
Do you have a travel photo you want to show off? Join our Flickr Group and we'll post our favorites here.
Image: *L*u*z*a*.
We've got a great interview coming to you from Barranquilla, Colombia later this week. Until then, check out this exquisite interior of a church in Antioquia
Museums aren't the only place where you can check out the masterpieces. Here's our series guide to seeing the arts....for free.
Image: Gret@Lorenz.
When we're in a new city, I always want to check out its artistic treasures. Instead of always turning directly to the museum, I like to look outside of the big white box. After my eyes (and my wallet) have had their fill of art on the wall, I seek out lesser known venues. Public spaces always offer a wide variety of art to see, often for free, regardless of what country you are visiting.
This week's (nearly) freebie....the Churches of Italy.
Every traveler has a different story, each shaped by where they've been, what they've done, and who they've met. Inside the Traveler's Mind highlights stories from some of the unique travelers we've met.
Image: Fly Brother in the Louvre.
Have you ever you ever wondered what it would be like to live and work in South America? Ernest is currently teaching in Colombia, writing about his life and travels on his site, Fly Brother, and changing the misconceptions about African-American people and culture, one person at a time. We caught up with Ernest and got him to share his thoughts and photos of life on the road.
Image: Dopplr.com.
Have you ever been traveling and missed a connection with a friend? If only you had known they were there! The travel social networking site, Dopplr, lets you keep your travel plans up to date and provides a great way for you to make sure you never miss another meetup on the road.
Join our round table discussion and let us know your thoughts, strategies, and ideas.
Image: Quan the Pooh!.
What's next on your travel agenda? Where haven't you been, but are dying to go? Let us know in the comments!
Image: japi14.
When times get tough, smart travelers get smarter. If you want to keep travel affordable, there are plenty of good tips & habits that you should keep in mind when you're thinking about planning a trip. In the most recent Conde Nast Traveler, Wendy Perrin dishes out 25 great tips on saving money on your next trip in her article: The World On Sale.
Image: velo city.
When you're setting aside a budget for an upcoming trip, it's easy to remember all the fun things that you'll need money to do, but what about those expenses incurred at home? If you can't beg, borrow, or steal to get something taken care of for you while you're away, paying for a specialized services can quickly add up. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind to keep unwelcome financial surprises at bay.
Image: canonsnapper.
Amidst all the planning, packing, and stress, what is the last thing you likely feel like doing? Cleaning your house. However, despite your reluctance, taking the time to straighten up before you depart can help ensure a calmer, less frustrating homecoming.
Image: preciouskhyatt.
At the heart of every rushed itinerary, every tiring trip, is the idea that you've got to see everything. After all, what if you never go back? That means you'll never see that statue, the famous museum, or that great little neighborhood that everyone says you should visit. How will you ever do it all?
Every day, the world of travel is affected by things all over the globe. We've selected the best tidbits that help you stay informed, inspired, and ready to travel.
Image: The Guardian.
The Guardian: Having a ball in Berlin
The Guardian takes us on a virtual tour of the sights and sounds of the Berlin treasure, the Clärchens Ballhaus. It's really well done, drawing me in and making me want to join the party on my next trip there.
