Round the World Travel with Books
The following article is a guest post from Suzi at Packabook.com. If you would like to have your travel-related article, journal or review appear on the AirTreks travel blog click here.
Can there be anything more exciting than the idea of setting off on a Round the World journey – or even a Part of the World journey?
You are just filled with the anticipation of all the amazing places you will see, and fascinating people you will meet. You can’t wait to get that rucksack packed, to buy your travel towel and pegless washing line, to get some money in an exotic currency….
But the problem is – while your trip is booked – it might still be MONTHS before you are actually on the road.
So – what to do in the meantime?
Stories From Around the World is a CBS News item where journalist Steve Hartman randomly picks a person from the phone book in a randomly selected town around the world and does a story about them. Gleaned from the same idea he had several years ago when he tested the idea in towns around America, this time he ups the risk factor and sets out to meet people around the globe.
If you have some time this afternoon, 12 minutes, it’s absolutely worth the watch. These three wonderful vignettes, from India, Latvia, and Oman, are guaranteed to make your world a little smaller and your day a little brighter.
Video after the jump…
Dream...
The travel consultants currently employed at AirTreks have a vast pool of travel experience. Today we start a new series entitled “Your Agent’s Dream Trip” conceived to bring the readers of this blog planning suggestions and possibly some dreams of their own.
The question was put to the travel consultants, “without having to state your reasons, and if cost was of no importance, what would be your dream around-the-world trip in 10 stops or less.”
If you’ve never been to Switzerland, here’s your reason to go – and it’s not for fondue.
Celebrating 80 high-altitude years, the Glacier Express gives riders the Swiss alps, on a platter. Even if you’re normally put off by enterprises set up solely for the tourist, the passage will probably impress you. It’s hard not to be humbled by a majestic mountain landscape no matter where it is. Dramatic, steep, snow-covered and picture perfect.
Not an “express” in the formal sense of the world, the train takes passengers from the foot of the Matterhorn in Zermatt to the Engadin ski resort in St Moritz in about 7 and a half hours, crossing 291 bridges and 91 tunnels in the meantime and vaulting over the Oberalp Pass at 6,670 feet.
Image credit: Ghost of Kuji
Working with travelers over the years helping set up their trips-of-a-lifetime, I’ve managed to pinpoint some of the more problematic issues they subject themselves to before they come to us. Most of the time their research is been spot on and the trip looks wonderful – they have realistic goals and are honest about their expectations. Other times a little work is needed to get a solid, cost-effective itinerary, one that won’t end up driving them crazy in the long run.
In order to avoid itinerary problems before they come to the fore, here are a few of common mistakes people make during their trip planning stages and how to see yourself out of them:
Japan as you’ve never quite seen it. Photographer and artist Eric Testroete takes you on a 7 and a half-minute journey through this fantastic country via his lens and discerning eye.
Have a great weekend!
If you’re like us, you can’t get enough of the travel blog universe. And what a big universe it is. So big in fact you may have a hard time wrapping your mind around it, discovering what’s out there and which ones will serve your interests best.
Well fortunately TravelBlogSites.com finds them for you.
Their short bios summarize them to help you find out who’s doing what research for you every day.
They also have a ranked list (below) to see just which are the most popular (aka, better). The list is ranked in order of popularity using metrics data from Alexa and Compete and is updated weekly.
Travel Blog Sites is brought to you by Travel Pod, the web’s premier travel blogging service and lists the 100 most popular travel blogs out there, so get yourself a snack and your bifocals. You’re gonna be here awhile.
Enjoy!
If you happen to be in New York next weekend, the NY Times is again hosting its annual New York Times Travel Show in Manhattan. And yes, it’s a big deal.
From their site:
Come to The New York Times Travel Show. The only place where you can:
- Explore more than 500 destinations, cruises, tours, adventures and travel services
- Receive exclusive deals and giveaways
- Enjoy live cultural performances, tastings, travel seminars and more
- Learn about the best tours and locations for your schedule, travel style and budget
- Book your adventure!
Admission: $15* (Free for those under 18)
It’s all happening February 26 – 28, in New York’s Midtown West neighborhood.
Friday is only open to invited industry professionals. Saturday and Sunday are open to the public.
“Continue Reading” for a discount code!
Image credit: mason bryant
Ah, the 21st century. It doesn’t seem possible we made it through the stone ages of the nineties without the online conveniences we currently have. But we did, and now here’s a list of great travel tools for the modern international traveler.
Make your traveling life a little easier and bookmark these 10 essential websites:
Image credit: nosha
There’s little doubt it’s a great time to be a traveler. With so much available to the modern nomad it’s amazing everyone’s not dumping their possessions and flagging down the next nonstop to Points Unknown.
Because travel is currently so accessible and cost-effective, you may want to take advantage of this time. But being among the new traveling masses, it should also be important to be as sensitive and considerate as possible while on your journey. Being a courteous traveler is the new standard, and it says a lot about your character just how you travel. You owe it to yourself, and the world, to be as thoughtful as possible in the face of the unfamiliar.
So how do we do it?
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