Gadling + BootsnAll – Picks of the Week (3.27.09)

If it’s Friday, it must mean it’s time for another installment of our Gadling and BootsnAll Picks of the Week, a weekly series where we take a look at some of the top stories from the past seven days from our travel partners at BootsnAll. Let’s take a look at what made the list this week, shall we?

  • Wild for Wildlife – for many of us, the only place we’re likely to see majestic animals like a polar bear or a rhinoceros is within the confines of a zoo. Not true, says Abigail King – she’s got a list this week of Seven Endangered Species You Can Find Outside a Zoo. If you’ve ever wanted to catch a sea turtle or panda in its natural habitat, here’s a good place to start.
  • Travel Religiously – holy sites are perhaps the original tourist destinations. Many years ago, pilgrims would travel from miles around to visit sites of religious significance like Mecca or Santiago de Compostela. Deanna Hyland takes a look this week at the Top Ten World’s Most Religious Cities. It’s a great list, whether you’re devout believer or just plain curious.
  • Head for the Coast – there’s something about the ocean that makes it a constant source of attraction for travelers. Whether its the beach, the salt air or the majestic vistas the coast never seems to disappoint. If you want to learn about some of the most beautiful coastal vistas worldwide, check out Nellie Huang’s list of 8 of the world’s most beautiful coastal towns.
  • Walking the Walk – to truly get a sense of a place, many travelers will tell you, you need to walk its streets with no particular purpose. What you encounter will tell you as much about that location as any museum or cultural site. Whether it’s the smells of fresh baked bread, the clanging of church bells or the sneak peek of hawkers at the market, your senses will reveal the tiny details you might otherwise miss driving through in a car or flying past in a train. Check out Andy Hayes’ list of his favorite small cities for walking to try some out for yourself.

That marks the end of this week’s Gadling and BootsnAll Picks of the Week. Stay tuned next Friday for another installment in our ongoing series.