Best of National Geographic Traveler Jan/Feb 2010
Rome - credit to Flickr Pedro QTC
When we’re not traveling, travel magazines can fill that void. Last year, we were on a Budget Travel kick but in the past few months, we feel it’s declined substantially in many ways. The good news is there are plenty other mags to take its place in our heart.
And happily, National Geographic Traveler magazine lately has been just as good as ever and in fact, better than ever. The Jan/Feb issue of NGT has some truly great articles, photos, and information. Here are some worth noting:
- 1. We are not cold weather people, ergo we are not skiers. And unfortunately, downhill skiing is not exactly known for being environment-friendly. There are the resorts that most people must fly to to reach, the snow machines that use way too much energy, and the big resort mentality (and with it, development) that a lot of ski meccas take on. But Linda Burbank writes about “skiing green,” including the Sustainable Slopes program of the National Ski Areas Association. Burbank also gives a list of resorts that are serving as models for how ski resorts can address sustainability.
- “Three Faces of Rome” – this article by Andrew McCarthy (yes, children of the 80s, that Andrew McCarthy although I get the feeling he wouldn’t be thrilled to be serenaded by quotes from Pretty in Pink or St. Elmo’s Fire [by the by, why would The Great John Hughes decide to have Molly Ringwald end up with {spoiler alert!} Blane and not Duckie in PiP? Blane is way too blahtastic to be a compelling character, don’t ya think?]). Anyhoo, McCarthy is a good, albeit sometimes overly flowery, writer. However, it’s his story idea and its setting (Rome, sigh) that struck us the most. He decides to spend time in three different Rome neighborhoods in three different types of lodging: fancy shmancy hotel, family-run pensione, and solo apartment. McCarthy’s few days in the city are punctuated by pizza, walking, gelato, people-watching, and introspection. It may sound boring in a review like this, but the actual article is quite a lovely read.
- Finally, NGT gives us a useful article on winter escapes in places such as Jamaica, Bimini, Cartagena, and more. We loved reading about all the possibilities for this and future winters. Have we mentioned we’re not fans of the cold weather? Did you know that, hmm, didja?
Sadly, because this is the rare double-month issue of National Geographic Traveler, we’ll have to wait too long to read the next issue but in the meantime, we’ll have thoughts of warm beaches, quaint Rome neighborhoods, and for some reason, re-imagined, hand-sewn, pink prom dresses to sustain us.
Body language tells me Andie should be with Duckie.
