TRAVEL FAVORITES
These are personal recommendations, not paid endorsements. If you have a travel-related item or service that is in keeping with the spirit of this site, I'd love to hear from you.
Travel Photographers Network
Travel Photographers Network (TPN) is a very supportive online community for photographers who want to learn more about travel photography and improve their skills. It is full of interesting articles about travel destinations and photography techniques, offers an Image Critique forum where members can post and comment on images, and open forums for discussions on other photography related topics.
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Travellerspoint
Travellerspoint is one of the most comprehensive resources out there for world travelers. Aside from destination guides, a hotel reservation service, travel forums, packing lists and other travel tips, you can create your own travel blog as well as a personalised map that incorporates your photos and blog entries.
What stands out about Travellerspoint is the incredibly easy navigation and visually appealing layouts. Unlike so many free travel sites, the folks at Travellerspoint have really paid attention to both form as well as substance. Love that.
www.travellerspoint.com
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H.E.L.P. (Human Experience Linking Project)
H.E.L.P. (Human Experience Linking Project) is an organization based in Ziguinchor, Senegal that is promoting a new type of alternative tourism that ties together a specific humanitarian mission with discovery of this region of Africa and its people.
It has created basic and simple missions lasting one or two weeks designed to assist local populations. The unique goal of these missions is to create links through humanitarian action and direct assistance and the development of human relationships as travelers get a chance to know the people they are helping.
For additional information, please visit their website or contact Luca at infos@helpassociation.org
www.helptravel.org
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The 100 Friends Project
Every year the 100 Friends Project takes contributions from 100 people to a third world country to donate to someone in need. Since 1990, it has delivered over $65,000 to thousands of people in many countries. It tries to find people who are not already being helped by someone else and also donates to grassroots organizations for medical, educational and vocational projects and emergency assistance.
www.100friends.com
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Art Space
Art Space is a contemporary art gallery on the Greek island of Santorini that is housed in cave like dwellings that once served as a tomato processing center. Today, the owner makes wine and raki as well as exhibiting the works of Greek and foreign artists in one of the most interesting and unique gallery settings I've seen anywhere. It's an unexpected find on this beautiful island.
www.artspace-santorini.com
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Europe from a Backpack
Europe From a Backpack, edited by Mark Pearson, is a collection of 58 tales from young travelers, representative of the the millions of backpackers who set out across the continent every year. The first-hand accounts are well-written and entertaining and for those who have gone through this rite of passge, a fun reminder of the experience.
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Il Castello di Poreta
In 1998, six friends in the tiny Umbrian town of Poreta got together to save the town's abandoned church. They converted the chapel into a space for concerts and art exhibitions then added eight simple rooms and a restaurant on the property, creating Il Castello di Poreta.
The rooms are rustic and have amazing views across the Spoleto Valley, the restaurant serves wonderful food with an emphasis on local ingredients and the staff are warm and congenial. All in all, a great Italian country getaway.
www.ilcastellodiporeta.it
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TheTravelzine
TheTravelzine is a collection of non-commercial travelogues by Canadians Don and Linda Freedman. They have written about their personal travel experiences in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and USA.
While covering all the well-known attractions, the main emphasis of TheTravelzine is on local culture and little-known "finds" gleaned from the locals they befriend along the way. With in-depth reporting on hotels and restaurants, Don and Linda pull no punches in calling it as they actually experience it, seeking out good value choices in various price categories. Rounding out the site, Don offers his planning tips and Linda her personal packing hints and wardrobe ideas. They even run a travel discussion group (membership is free).
www.thetravelzine.com
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Château des Reynats
I can't say enough good things about Château des Reynats. Located in Chancelade, France, it is a beautiful 19th century castle with exceptional service, large, pretty rooms and the fantastic l'Oison restaurant.
After a day of touring the lovely Dordogne region, you can enjoy cocktails in the lounge before heading into the ballroom-like dining room where you will enjoy one of the finest meals in France. While the quality and service are top-notch, Chateau de Reynats is very relaxed and incredibly affordable - a combination you don't find very often. The only drawback is that the town of Chancelade is a bit of an eyesore but it is a good base to tour the region. Drive 15-minutes in any direction and you will be in one of the gorgeous little villages for which the Dordogne is famous.
http://chateau-hotel-perigord.com/
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Among Warriors
Among Warriors is the story of one woman's journey to eastern Tibet in search of the legendary Khampa warriors. Pam Logan bikes, hitchhikes and walks through mountains and snowstorms while battling illness, loneliness and the Chinese police. Everyone from adventure travelers and expeditioners to Buddhists and pilgrims will appreciate this book about pushing one's physical and spiritual limits.
Pam Logan is a wonder woman who is not only a scientist and martial artist but is also the founder of Kham Aid, an organization that has been helping the people of the Eastern Tibetan plateau since 1997.
*Among Warriors can be purchased on the Kham Aid website and the proceeds will go to fund their programs.
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Take Me With You
Take Me With You by Brad Newsham is the story of a 100-day backpack trip around the world to find someone to invite back to America for a visit. Full of compassion, humour and even suspense, It is a wonderful tale that takes us to the Philippines, India, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
www.bradnewsham.com
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The $10 Club
The $10 Club is a group that pools together donations of $10/month to be used for a poverty alleviation project. The premise is that while we may not be able to make a big difference individually, by joining forces, we can. It's a wonderfully simple and effective idea.
www.thetendollarclub.org
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Around the Bloc
Around the Bloc is the debut memoir of wunderkind Stephanie Elizondo Griest. Published when she was just 20, Around the Bloc is the story of a four-year, twelve-nation tour of the Communist bloc. Part travelogue and part political commentary, it is an absorbing read about a remarkable journey full of humour and insight.
www.aroundthebloc.com
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Dodo Travel Log
The Dodo Travel Log is a cleverly designed, illustrated spiral bound journal with a whole host of features. It has pocket dividers, a clear pouch, a laminated page where you can write and wipe-off, an address book, and even photo corners for pasting your favorite snapshots. With a plastic cover and elastic tie, this book is sturdy. The front cover can even be torn out, revealing a plain one for you to personalize. Excellent.
www.dodopad.com
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Travelers' Tales
Travelers' Tales has got to be the most prolific publisher in the business. They have hundreds of titles and something for everyone. Recent titles include The Gift of Travel, How To Eat Around the World, and The Thong Also Rises.
www.travelerstales.com
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Chasing Matisse
In Chasing Matisse, James Morgan sets out to follow his dream of living a true artist's life and seeing the world from an artist's perspective. He traces the creative path of the great painter Henri Matisse which takes him all over France and Morocco. An entertaining read, especially for artists, art history buffs, and francophiles.
www.chasingmatisse.com
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Backpack Nation
Backpack Nation is an organization that sends backpackers on goodwill missions around the world with donations to deliver to one compelling individual, family, organization, or village that he or she encounters while traveling. This fabulous organizaiton was founded by Brad Newsham, a San Francisco writer, taxi driver and all-around one of the good guys whose book I also recommend.
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Eland Books
Eland Books publishes great travel classics including such titles as Travels into the Interior of Africa by Mungo Park, Chantemesle by Robin Fedden, A Year in Marrakesh by Peter Mayne, Golden Earth by Norman Lewis, and The Caravan Moves On by Irfan Orga. For the best travel literature, head over to their site.
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Roughly Speaking Language Guides
Roughly Speaking Language Guides are simple, inexpensive, downloadable guides that "offer the language you mostly need and easy explanations of how to actually use it to understand and be understood." The idea is to get you to start talking immediately which, as all intrepid travelers know, is key.
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Favorite Travel Bookstores
The travel publishing industry has been hit hard over the years and specialty bookstores are becoming more and more difficult to find. Three of my favorites are The Complete Traveler (no website; Madison Avenue at 35th Street) - the best in New York; Get Lost - a fun store in San Francisco; and Stanfords - a mega store that has everything. Three locations in the U.K.
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