Backlink: http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2011/06/10/the-radar-vancouver-edition/
Showing posts with label radar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label radar. Show all posts
Friday, June 10, 2011
The Radar: Vancouver Edition
Vancouver, Canada is the it-city of the moment. Vancouver’s NHL hockey team, the Canucks, face off at home tonight in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals, and travel bloggers are flocking to the city for this weekend’s TBEX conference. Heading to Vancouver? Check out these resources from around the web, then learn more from National Geographic Traveler and Travel & Cultures online.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
The Radar: U.K. Edition
Today’s Radar is all about the United Kingdom. Check out these great travel stories from around the web, then use the links below to access even more U.K. content from National Geographic Traveler and National Geographic Travel & Cultures Online.
Backlink: http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2011/05/10/the-radar-u-k-edition/
Thursday, November 25, 2010
The Radar: Dickens Reading, Best Airports to be Stranded, Artifacts Returned
- Cozy-up inside Boston's historic Omni Parker House Hotel for an animated reading of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Actor Al LePage, in full Victorian dress, will present the story in the very room Dickens gave the first American reading of his timeless classic in 1867. Catch one of the four performances between November 26th and December 5th. Tickets are $18.67 and can be purchased online at brownpapertickets.com. Proceeds from the event will go to The Greater Boston Food Bank.
- The amenities at these airports leave us begging for flight delays. Matador's "20 Best Airports to be Stranded" includes Hong Kong International with its nine-hole golf course, 3D movie theater, and, yes, this is not a typo, free Wi-Fi. [Matador]
- Yale University and the Government of Peru have come to an agreement to have several artifacts from Machu Picchu returned by early 2011. After a lengthy dispute over whether the artifacts were removed from the country legally, the University has agreed to the return archaeological materials that were excavated by Hiram Bingham III nearly a century ago. [Inside Higher Ed]
Photo: Courtesy of the Omni Parker House
The Radar: Dickens Reading, Best Airports to be Stranded, Artifacts Returned
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
The Radar: Green Edition
- New York City's High Line-- a public park built on an abandoned, elevated train track-- recently received a $1 million donation from Google, Inc. to support the park's maintenance, operation, and future construction projects. The High Line, one of the longest green roofs in the world and a model of sustainability, is open to the public from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. [Friends of the High Line]
- The Chicago Architecture Foundation debuted a new green exhibit last
week. Neighborhoods Go Green! Scaling Up Sustainability explores
easy and innovative ways communities can be more sustainable. The
exhibition is free and open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through
February 15, 2011. [CAF]
- There's no better way to tread lightly on a destination when you travel than to explore it by foot. Check out these Top 10 Walks & Hiking Tours on our Travel & Cultures page. [Traveler.com]
Photo: Washington Grasslands, between Little West 12th Street and West 13th Street, looking South; Courtesy of Friends of the High Line
Monday, November 22, 2010
The Radar: Green Your Flight, Checking-In, Choose the Best Seat
- This Thanksgiving, you may not cut any calories but you can cut your carbon footprint. CarbonOffsetList.org-- part of the Environmental Defense Fund's Innovation Exchange-- has compiled a list of vetted projects where travelers can buy carbon offsets to make their holiday flights a bit greener. [The Green Life]
- Are you plugged-in when you travel? USA Today reports on survey results
showing 60% of people use social media when traveling--in lieu of phone
calls or emails--to check-in with loved ones at home. The survey also
found that 64 percent of respondents use social media tools when
planning a trip, a number which jumps to 76 percent in the 25-34
year-old bracket.
[USA Today]
- Frommer's has put together a list of seven ways to choose the best seat on an airplane. Select at booking, avoid the middle, and stick to the front are among the suggestions. [Frommers.com]
Got Radar? Tag your favorite travel stories from the web #ngtradar
and follow us on Twitter @NatGeoTraveler
and @IntelligentTrav.
Photo: Yan Gluzberg/My Shot
Photo: Yan Gluzberg/My Shot
The Radar: Green Your Flight, Checking-In, Choose the Best Seat
Friday, November 19, 2010
The Radar: Animal Eco-Tours, London Zoo Bedbugs, D.C. Craft Show
- Eco-Tourism is growing in popularity with travelers eager to give back to the places they visit. BBC Travel has put together a list of five eco-tourism locations with an animal twist. Interact with sea turtles in Central America, snow leopards in Central Asia, or whale sharks in Mozambique and know that after you leave each habitat will be better preserved. [BBC]
- This sleepover gives a whole new meaning to "don't let the bedbugs bite." The London Zoo's BedBUG program allows visitors to spend the night in its Insect House. The package includes a tour of the insect house, animal party games, animal-themed bedtime stories, a torch light tour of the zoo grounds, and breakfast the next morning. The BedBUG sleepovers run every Saturday night from March through October 2011. [Daily Mail]
- Kicking off tonight in the nation's capital is the 23rd Annual Washington Craft Show. Over 190 of the country's top artists have gathered to showcase and sell their art. Find crafts made from ceramics, metals, woods, and more fashioned into everyday wares, home decor items, and jewelery. [Crafts America]
Post originale: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/11/thurs-radar-sleep-with-the-bug.html
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The Radar: Bobsled in Utah, Rockefeller's Tree, Child-Free Flights
- Midway, Utah's Blue Boar Inn is adding another "B" to B&B: bobsledding. With the Bed, Bobsledding, and Breakfast package, guests can fly down the entire length of the Utah Olympic Park bobsled track at speeds of up to 80mph. Rates for a one night stay plus bobsled excursion start at $575/double occupancy. Valid December 21-March 19. A minimum 45-minutes wait after consuming the complimentary European breakfast is recommended before hitting the racetrack.
- Rockefeller Center's Christmas tree has arrived. The 74-foot Norway spruce from Mahopac, N.Y. was installed last Friday, with the lighting ceremony set to take place on November 30. After the holiday season, the tree will be cut into lumber and used to build homes. [CBS.com]
- An August, Skyscanner-- a fare comparison site--conducted a survey of 2,000 travelers and found 59 percent of fliers support special flight sections for families and nearly 20 percent would support child-free flights. Some travelers go further to say they'd even be willing to pay extra for a ticket on a child-free flights. [NYTimes via MSNBC]
Photo: Lindsey Harline/My Shot
Post originale: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/11/the-radar-bobsled-in-utah-rock.html
The Radar: Check Your Surfboard, Car Rental Tips, Europe's Christmas Markets
- Know before you go. Serious surfers looking to catch some waves in a sunnier locale this winter should research checked luggage policies before they fly to find surfer-friendly airlines. To check a surfboard, some airlines will charge up to $200 each way. However, on three carriers-- Air New Zealand, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic-- you can check your board for free. [LATimes via @WashingtonFlyer]
- The Independent Traveler has broken down the first 10-minutes of a car rental, tracing by the second, essential steps every traveler should take before they hit the road. From tuning the radio to checking for dents and scratches, these steps help prepare for a safer journey. [The Independent Traveler]
- Get in the holiday spirit with this list of Europe's best Christmas markets from the traditional to ones with a twist. [The Telegraph]
Photo: Paul Procaccio/My Shot
Post originale: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/11/tues-the-radar-surfboard-trave.html
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Radar: Thailand Best for Expats, Atlanta Eye, Napa Valley Goes Mobile
- Pack your bags, HSBC Bank's 2010 Expat Explorer report names Thailand as the best place to live the expat life. The report based its rankings on a survey of 4,127 expats from more than 100 countries who answered questions about the ease of setting up finances, work-life balance, entertainment and ease
of integration with the local culture. Canada and Bahrain ranked second and third. [WSJ via 27Clouds]
- A replica of the London Eye-- the towering Ferris wheel tourist magnet on the south bank of the River Thames-- is being proposed for downtown Atlanta. The "Atlanta Eye" is estimated to cost $200 million and would be located near Centennial Park and the Georgia Aquarium. [Gadling]
- Napa Valley wineries and SCVNGR--the mobile geo-location game--have announced a new partnership to provide rewards for SCVNGR users who complete challenges at 50 local businesses and wineries. VIP tastings, free tours, and discounts are among the prizes visitors have the chance to win by checking-in and completing challenges on their mobile phones. [Mashable]
Photo: derrick tong kok wah/My Shot
Post originale: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/11/the-radar-thailand-best-for-ex.html
Friday, November 12, 2010
The Radar: Montmartre Open House, Living Social Escapes, Google Map Error
- Artists residing in the famed Parisian neighborhood of Montmartre will open their studios to the public this month. The weekend of November 19th to 21st is the annual Artists' Studios Open House Days: Anvers to Abbesses, which began in 1990. 124 artists in 74 locations will open their studios to the public to talk about their work and sell pieces. [NYTimes.com]
- Clear your calendars. Not satisfied with brokering cheap rates on everything from restaurants to yoga classes to housecleaning, group buying site Living Social dipped their toe into the travel pool yesterday when they announced the launch of their weekend Escapes program. Their packages to hotels across the country include fun activities like cooking classes, ski passes and champagne breakfasts. [Living Social Escapes]
- A Google Map error of up to 2.7 kilometers was enough to raise a border dispute between Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Last week Nicaraguan troops crossed the border and took down a Costa Rican flag, raising their own, because Google Maps said the land belonged to Nicaragua. The Organization of American States and UN Security Council are being called in to mediate the dispute. [Wired.com via Infoconvulso]
Photo: Anna Koszeghy/My Shot
Post originale: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/11/the-radar-montmarte-open-house.html
The Radar: Busiest Airports, Wild Winter Trips, Cruise Ship Makes it Home
- Thanksgiving is around the corner with travelers gearing up for plenty of turkey, stuffing, and airline delays. Orbitz' Insider Index recently released its list of the 10 busiest and least busy airports for Thanksgiving travel based on arriving, departing, and connecting flights. Not surprising, Chicago's O'Hare was named the busiest Thanksgiving airport, while neighboring Midway ranks fourth on the least busy scale. [Smarter Travel]
- Trying to escape the winter doldrums? BBC Travel has put together a list of "Five wild ways to spend the December holiday season." Among the suggestions are swimming with orcas in Norway and zip-lining in Costa Rica. [BBC]
- The luxury Carnival cruise ship that experienced engine failure leaving thousands of passengers stranded out on the Pacific for three days, has finally reached shores, docking in San Diego Bay yesterday morning. Passengers were happy to be back on land since the experience at sea had been anything but luxurious. An engine room fire had left the ship without electricity, food, and running water. [Huffington Post]
Photo: Jim ODonnell/My Shot
Post originale: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/11/the-radar-busiest-airports-liv.html
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The Radar: Vatican Library Opens, Gap Years More Popular, National Parks Fee Free
- This winter the recently restored Vatican Library will open its doors to the public for the first time, giving visitors the unique opportunity to view rare historical texts, ancient coins, and manuscripts that are typically accessible only by scholars. Open from November 11, 2010 to January 31, 2011 reservations for the exhibit, "The Vatican Library: A Story Open to the Future," must be made in advance. [Jospers' Posterous]
- More U.S. students are taking gap years according to an MSNBC report. Gap years-- a break taken by students between graduating high school and starting college-- are becoming more popular as organizations and educators work to spread awareness about gap year opportunities and the related advantages. [MSNBC.com via @lostgirlsworld]
- National Parks that charge admission will waive the fee tomorrow in honor of Veterans Day. In addition, several parks have special events, deals, and prizes being offered in conjunction with the holiday. This is the last of the popular fee free days in 2010, but the NPS plans to continue the service next year. [Gadling]
Photo: Ron Giacone/My Shot
Post originale: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/11/the-radar-vatican-library-open.html
The Radar: Frommer's Mobile App Guides, Free Holiday Wi-Fi, Ugly Foods
- For a limited time only Frommer's mobile app guides to London and San Francisco are available in the iTunes store for free. Download the apps for restaurant and hotel recommendations, maps, and expert travel advice. Normally priced at $4.99, this offer can't be beat. [Frommer's via iTunes]
- This holiday season, Google Chrome--the in-and-out of beta Web browser--is partnering up with Gogo Inflight Internet to sponsor free Wi-Fi on AirTran, Delta, and Virgin America flights. Between November 20, 2010 and January 2, 2011, passengers traveling on domestic flights with one of these air carriers will receive complimentary Internet access. The free in-flight Wi-Fi will be available on 700 aircraft, reaching 15 million passengers. [Tnooz]
- Calling all daring diners. World Hum has put together a photo slideshow of "Five Ugly Foods You Should Eat." How many have you tried? [World Hum]
Post originale: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/11/the-radar-frommers-mobile-app.html
Monday, November 8, 2010
The Radar: Writing Tips from Susan Orlean, Skip the Line at Customs, Spectacular Places of Worship
- Tonight at Nat Geo HQ, Contributing Editor Don George sits down with Greg Mortenson, the best-selling author of Three Cups of Tea, at our sold-out NGLive! event. Don last took to the stage to interview Susan Orlean where she dished these travel-writing tips: find a connection, be in the moment, and value surprise. Read more about Don's interview with Susan here and stay tuned to IT for a re-cap of tonight's chat.
- Global Entry, a two-year pilot program run by the U.S. Customs and Border Control, helps you breeze through arrival security check points, eliminating the dreaded customs line that typically weaves itself around international arrivals terminals. For $100 and after a government background check and round of finger printing, U.S. citizens and permanent residents can skip the line and go through customs at Global Entry kiosks that take an average of 40 seconds to clear. Hoping to make the program a permanent feature by the end of the year, U.S. Customs says Global Entry helps separate out low-risk travelers allowing them to focus more resources on those travelers who might be considered a risk. [WSJ.com]
- Matador has put together a photo essay of "The World's 12 Most Spectacular Houses of Worship," including the Sagrada FamÃlia in Barcelona, Mecca in Saudia Arabia, and Il Duomo in Florence. [Matador]
Got Radar? Tag your favorite travel stories from the web #ngtradar and follow us on Twitter @NatGeoTraveler and @IntelligentTrav.
Photo: National Geographic by Mark Thiessen
Post originale: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/11/the-radar-writing-tips-from-su.html
Saturday, November 6, 2010
The Radar: Americans Least Adventurous, Floating Hotel, Amtrak's New Fleet
- According to new study results released by Intrepid Travel, Americans are the least adventurous when they travel compared to travelers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Kiwis topped the list as the biggest thrill seekers. In the States, Californians are most adventurous, while New Englanders were found to be twice as likely than the national average to try deep-fried tarantulas. In other findings, residents of the nation's capital are the least likely to want to sleep under the stars in a desert camp at only 26.5 percent compared to astronomy-loving San Diegans (68.4 percent). [Intrepid Travel via PR Newswire]
- An Italian architect revealed his futuristic designs for a structure that's part hotel, part cruise ship. Called MORPHotel, like its name, the hotel "morphs" to fit into specific ports of call or to adjust to weather patterns. A flexible spine and interlocking wings allow the hotel to change shape. Check out more photos on the architect's website. [USA Today]
- Seventy new locomotives will hit the rails in February 2013 along Amtrak's Northeast Regional route from Boston to Washington and its Keystone route in Pennsylvania. The cars set to retire are between 20 and 30 years old and have logged an average of 3.5 million miles each. The new fleet, built with renewable energy, will provide cleaner, more efficient travel. Amtrak travel reached a new ridership record of 28.7 million in September, up 5.7 percent over the previous year. [Huffington Post Travel]
Photo: Dainius Pilypas/MyShot
Post originale: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/11/the-radar-americans-least-adve.html
Friday, November 5, 2010
The Radar: Vintage Monorails, Pilots Revolt Against TSA, Budget Travel Errors
- When it comes to the popularity of various modes of transportation, the monorail is certainly not sitting at the cool-kids table. Time to show it some love. Check-out these nine photos of vintage monorails and vote for your favorite. [Oobject via 27Clouds.com]
- American Airlines pilots are revolting against TSA's revamped pat-down policy. The President of the Allied Pilots Association (APA), which represents 11,000 American Airlines pilots, has written a letter to his members asking they demand greater "privacy and dignity" in the airline security screening process. He demands private pat-downs and urges pilots to refuse "back-scatter" screenings which expose individuals to higher levels of radiation. [The Atlantic]
- Mark Kahler writes about the "Top 10 Budget Travel Errors" on his About.com Budget Travel blog. On the list: trading safety or cleanliness for a low price, failing to check airfares from nearby airports, and (my favorite) expecting to win big in Vegas. [About.com]
Photo: Alberto Pelliccione/MyShot
Post originale: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/11/the-radar-pilots-revolt-agains.html
The Radar: Star Wars Travel, Unusual Berlin Hotel, TNI Canadian Rockies
- Most travelers today are familiar with the iconic travel posters of the art deco era, advertising Monaco's Grand Prix and Rio's sunny beaches. It's the kind of art that makes you wistful for a ride on a PanAm flight or... the Millennium Falcon? Illustrator Steve Thomas has created these hilarious and fabulous Star Wars-inspired travel posters that combine the films' out-of-this world destinations with the art deco glamour of travel's yesteryears. Now about getting that light saber through security... [Paste Magazine]
- Guests at Berlin's Propeller Island City Lodge will find unusual rooms designed in themes ranging from the wacky to wild. In the coffin room, sleep under a closed lid or sleep securely in jail-cell themed diggs. [Spot Cool Stuff]
- Twitter's TNI (Travelers' Night In) is this afternoon from 3:30-5:00pm Eastern, sponsored by Banff Lake Louise Tourism. Follow along and tweet to win awesome prizes including a three-day heli-hiking adventure in the Canadian Rockies, and a photo op with the Banff Squirrel. [ZipSetGo.com]
Illustrations courtesy of Steve Thomas
Post originale: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/11/the-radar-star-wars-travel-unu.html
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The Radar: LP's Top Countries for 2011, TSA Secure Flight Policy, Places You'll Never Visit
- Hope you wrote that bucket list in pencil. Lonely Planet has culled the knowledge of its in-house travel experts to put together an "it-list" of top ten countries to visit in 2011. Coming in at number one is Albania, the off-the-radar Balkans' country stepping-out with a new tourist motto, "Albania: A New Mediterranean Love." Rounding off the list: Brazil, Cape Verde, Panama, Bulgaria, Vanuatu, Italy, Tanzania, Syria, and Japan. [Lonely Planet]
- On Monday, TSA's Secure Flight program took full effect meaning all travelers making airline reservations-- whether booking online, over-the-phone, or with a travel agent--must provide complete passenger data before a boarding pass will be issued. TSA will use this data (name, date of birth, and gender) to conduct an identity check and cross-reference with the no-fly list. Read more on TSA's website, but the most important thing to remember is the name on your reservation must match the name on your government-issued ID. [IndependentTraveler.com]
- Inspired by Ian Frazier's Travels in Siberia, Flavorwire put together a list of "10 Books About Places You'll Never Visit." Sounds like a challenge. [Flavorwire]
Got Radar? Tag your favorite travel stories from the web #ngtradar and follow us on Twitter @NatGeoTraveler and @IntelligentTrav.
Photo: Elenita Roshi/MyShot
Post originale: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/11/the-radar-lps-top-countries-fo.html
Saturday, October 30, 2010
The Radar: Street-Food Eating Tips, Traveling While Fat, Ten Great D.C. Restaurants
While traveling, I strive to stick to the wise (and diarrhea-free)
traveler's adage: "If you can't cook it or peel it, forget it!" and order my
drinks without ice. Maybe there's a little more leeway than that; check out Laurel
Miller's five tips to successfully eating street food here.
- Getting ready to travel this holiday season? Dreading having to sit next to an "oversized" passenger on a long-haul flight to Grandma's? Rob Goldstone--5'7" and 285 pounds--shows us the other side of the coin in "The Tricks and Trials of Traveling While Fat." He explains how he's adapted his traveling techniques (buying two seats, beseeching flight attendants for a seat-belt extender at the start of flights) and details some of the surprises he's encountered while traveling the world while fat: being told not to ride Vietnam's rickshaws, struggling to pass through a bus's turnstile en route to a Rio beach, and being playfully poked in the belly by curious kids in China who thought he resembled the Buddha.
- For those coming to D.C. for this Saturday's Jon Stewart Rally on the National Mall, you'll be sure to get hungry from all of your sanity restoring. Check out this list of ten great D.C. restaurants and put our D.C. City Guide to good use.
Photo of National Mall by Photo Phiend on Creative Commons.
Post originale: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/10/the-radar-streetfood-eating-ti.html
Friday, October 29, 2010
The Radar: Esotouric Tours of L.A., Coral Transplant in Florida Keys, Travel to China
- Hip and erudite, wacky and at times lurid, Esotouric leads unpredictable bus tours of L.A.'s fascinating and neglected neighborhoods. Tour themes mix crime and social history, literature and film, rock n' roll and architecture and explore the L.A. of Raymond Chandler, Tom Waits, James Ellroy, John Fante, and Charles Bukowski.
- Scientists are growing coral in nurseries and hope to transplant the coral to Islamorada's Davis Reef in the Florida Keys. If all takes, such a procedure could be a way to re-establish reefs damaged by humans.
- Internet travel provider Friendly Planet Travel has announced an ultra low-price trip to three of China's most fascinating spots: Beijing, Xi'an (haunt of the Terra Cotta warriors), and Shanghai. The Taste of China itinerary starts at $999 per person and includes round-trip airfare to and from L.A.
Post originale: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/10/the-radar-esotouric-tours-of-l.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)