A Nominator for National Geographic Traveler

I love unique hotels; they do not have to be fancy or big bucks to be great. I was honored with an email from Beth Lizardo from National Geographic Traveler, to see if I would be interested in being a part of a panel of nominators for hotels in the British Isles and Ireland. Indeed my recent trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland provided a few that fit the bill.

The criteria for possible inclusion in the April 2010 issue are:

As a travel professional, you are in a unique position to nominate one or more hotels (with 6 or more rooms) within the British Isles and Ireland that enhance a traveler's "sense of place" experience. And by "sense of place" we mean hotels that wholeheartedly reflect the spirit of their locations both in practice and aesthetic. When thinking about which hotels to nominate, useful questions to ask yourself are: Does the architecture reflect its location? Does it engage in eco-sustainable practices? Serve local food? And most important, does it offer guests good service and a unique experience as opposed to one that could be had anywhere in the world?

China, Maybe, Upstate NY Beer Trail, Plan B

My stomach is tighter than a fiddlehead fern, just on the inside. My mood changes like the recent winds swirling around Ulster County. I know that traveling often requires mega bursts of patience, but the truth is I am not a patient person, even under the best of circumstances. Character flaws also tend to be brought to the surface when a traveler. Two days till my departure to China and due to the changes to visas requirements said to be because of the swine flu; I sit and impatiently wait, perhaps pace fits better. I need a visa!

In my mind I go over what I could have done differently, short of being a diplomat or related to the Premier of China, very little. I pick up the new issue of National Geographic Traveler in the hopes of a calming read on the back deck. The gods are laughing at me I realize when I thumb straight to an article called Are Your Papers in Order by Christopher Elliott. I love his pieces but bummed when he hit on visas and how quickly the rules change. My peaceful period on the porch is done.

As often happens when on the road something good pops out of nowhere, a plan B forms. The same issue had in the Cutting Loose section a piece about the beer trail in Upstate NY. Local brewer Tommy Keegan and his fine ales from Kingston get a lot of well deserved praise. Okay I think if my visa doesn’t get here in time, I will hit the beer trail. No visa required and I can base in an old farm house dating from 1845, my own. I’ll get to see my wife nightly and go back to the newly reopened restaurant at the old stone Hasbrouck House just down the road. I think about what Max said at the NY Times Travel Show, start local. Old habits die hard and the lure of China strong, the wind and mood have changed, the road calls and I need to answer.

Facebook for Travel Editors and Writers

Once again Max Hartshorne has dragged me into this century kicking and screaming, similar to years ago when he suggested doing this blog. This time it is Facebook and I love it! To become friends with traveling people like Keith Bellows, Peter Greenburg, Christopher Elliott, Rudy Maxa and Rolf Potts is amazing. Sure I know they really don’t need another editor/writer as a friend but still they accepted my hand, at least symbolically.

More amazing is the ability to keep up with writers that really are friends, even though we have met face to face. I can finally see where Johnny Jet is before his newsletter. I can find out when David Farley is having a reading at Lolita’s in NYC or if Sean E Keener is on the East Coast. I would have put links on all the names but instead look me up on Facebook and I will fill you in. I always am looking for friends.

Intelligent Travel, National Geo Traveler, Great Stuff

National Geographic Traveler has a blog Intelligent Travel that is great to read and filled with info, it is no secret that I am a huge fan of the magazine. I would have to recommend that if you are really a travel buff a subscription is a must. I rarely make such statements like this but in these tough days of publishing I felt I must. Meanwhile take advantage of their great blog and keep up on travel trends and tips, it is well done! If you happen to live near NYC stop in to the NY Times Travel Show, Max and I will be giving a seminar on Travel Writing Saturday at 4:30.

Thanks Marilyn Terrell, An Honor

I have say that getting a comment from Marilyn Terrell is such a complement, better yet an honor. Marilyn is the chief researcher for National Geo Traveler, no walk in the park. Imagine the work that that entails. She is what makes the travel world go round and most likely the reason I count on NGO Traveler as such a prevalent source of info, the work involved is astounding. In fact Donovan Webster had many great things to say about you.

I will be at the NY Times Travel Show speaking and would love if I could introduce you to the audience; I salute you and all you do. Thank you for checking in!

Best Safari Book

There is no doubt that some of the best travel adventures I’ve ever had were on safari in Africa. The thrill of watching wildlife at their untamed best can’t be beat and every sighting a thrill. The magic of place is overwhelming! The two places I visited were South Africa and Kenya and I would love to add Botswana to the list.

One of the books I received for Christmas was What Ever You Do, Don’t Run by Peter Allison. It was advice I was given by my guides in both places. Peter was a safari guide in Botswana as well as a leader for safaris featured in National Geographic Traveler and Conde Nast Traveler. The book is filled with mishaps and adventures written in a humorous style. Before heading out into the Veldt, bush or even Nairobi check out this book, it would also help pass the time on your next flight to Las Vegas!

National Geographic Traveler, Best of 109 Places, Love them All

I recently read the new issue of NG Traveler and their list of 109 rated destinations, the 5th annual. I was overjoyed to see that one of my favorite towns I spent some time in the Best Rated List, in excellent shape, relatively unspoiled and likely to remain so. Parati, (Para-chee) Brazil provided a great place for me to explore after a press trip to Rio, often I extend my trip to go solo. I loved the 250 year old city and its unchanged look. I stayed at a small B&B overlooking the Ilha Grande Bay and Bicaina Mountains, damn fantastic! I paid the cousin of my B&B’s owner $35 for a small tour of some of the 300 beautiful beaches by small boat. I was also so glad to see that Lyon, Cesky Krumlov, Dijon, Aix and Stockholm’s Gamla Stan are all on the Best–Rated List. Max and I spent some time last Dec. checking out Stockholm. With travel magazines like Town and Country Travel going down I urge people to buy NG Traveler, especially when they cover the state of the destinations like they do. I would like to think that future generations will have the ability to experience the joys of special places as I have.