New App Delivers National Geographic News To The iPad

by Kraig Becker on

For decades the National Geographic Society has been on the cutting edge of exploration and science, and its iconic yellow-bordered magazine has delivered news from those fronts into American homes for nearly 125 years. With the advent of the Internet age, the organization brought that wealth of knowledge online at NationalGeographic.com and has delivered daily updates on topics that included everything from space travel and the environment to scientific expeditions and beyond. Yesterday, the Society launched a new app for the iPad that delivers that same award winning content in a new and beautiful way.

The new app is called National Geographic Today and it is designed from the ground up to deliver daily news, videos, articles and more directly from the Nat Geo site. It does an excellent job of formatting all of that content for the iPad’s screen and includes support for the Retina Display on the New iPad. That means the text is crisp and easy to read and the high-resolution photos – a trade mark of National Geographic – simply pop off the screen.

Launching the app brings up a dynamic columnar view that lists dates for the past week and provides a brief glimpse of a photo from each of those days. Tapping one of the columns causes the others to smoothly slide out of the way, revealing the full image underneath. A pop-up window provides information on the photo itself including when and where it was taken. That image is just the cover shot for the day, however, and readers can access all the daily news, videos and other interactive content through an unobtrusive and intuitive interface that falls along the right side of the screen.

Of course, this is the age of social media and the app has its bases well covered there as well. All of the articles, photos, videos and various other content can be shared via Facebook, Twitter and email, and readers can also “Like” stories and post comments quickly and easily.

If you’re a fan of National Geographic and own an iPad you’ll definitely want to add this app to your tablet. It is absolutely free and will likely provide you with hours of education and entertainment. Download it now by clicking here.

New Experiential Moroccan Hotel Brings Chic Luxury To Traditional Berber Style

by Jessica Festa on

In Morocco, the indigenous people are Berbers, and their traditional architecture uses rammed Earth and wood. Aside from in big cities, the Berber-style is plentiful across the country. While this rooted design may be popular, however, the country has never seen it done in a modern and luxurious way – until now.

At the end of March, Max Lawrence opened a brand new experiential hotel, Chez Max. Located 45 minutes outside of Marrakech, this all-inclusive catered villa is offered exclusively through Lawrence’s company, Lawrence of Morocco. The property takes principles of Berber building techniques and infuses them with dramatic effects and trendy accents. For example, while Berber rooms are customarily long, low and narrow, Chez Max features squared or curved rooms with high ceilings, giving them more space and light.

“Normal Berber properties are built around the Islamic principle that strangers and prying eyes cannot look in, but the problem is that this means you can’t look out, either,” explains Lawrence. “But Chez Max is able to flaunt that rule, and offers views for kilometers, over the local hamlets towards the hills, from inside and from its terraces.”

While this is the designer’s third Moroccan property, the style of hotel is one-of-a-kind in the country. Along with the tradition and luxury infusion, the property works to help guests feel completely at home. For example, the housekeeper, Saida, makes sure the rooms are tidy and also prepares delicious home-cooked cuisine. Additionally, there is no bill to pay on departure, as the designers do not want to intrude on the peaceful and relaxed feeling of the villa.

“There’s absolutely nothing else like this in Morocco,” says Lawrence. “Other Berber impersonations aren’t nearly as stylish or dramatic, nor are they situated in a such a quiet spot in the country, but within easy reach of Marrakech.”

10 Volunteer Programs For Budget Travelers

by Jessica Festa on

Pay to volunteer? While many people assume volunteering is always free, going abroad to participate in community service projects often costs money. I realized this the first time I volunteered abroad teaching English in Thailand. After doing weeks of research, I found there are a lot of companies charging a small fortune ‒ sometimes thousands of dollars ‒ to have travelers come over and spend their time helping other communities.

Every program is different. Some are completely free but offer no housing or meals. Others may charge a program fee but set you up with accommodation and a local chef. Sometimes programs will also include orientations, airport pickup, language courses, cultural activities and 24/7 support. Keep in mind what you want to get out of your experience while browsing the following list of budget-friendly international volunteer programs.

WWOOFing

WWOOFing is one of the best networks to use for having a worthwhile volunteer experience on a budget. The acronym stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, and allows volunteers to browse countries from all over the world to choose an organic farming project that most interests them. In exchange for labor, volunteers usually receive room, board and the chance to experience a culture from a local point of view. Opportunities can be anything from strawberry picking to working with animals to harvesting grapes on a vineyard and making wine. By participating in these types of projects, you’ll be contributing to positive ecotourism and helping to create a healthier planet.SE7EN

SE7EN is a free and low-cost volunteer opportunity network. Their focus is on social and environmental projects from around the world. What makes this option so affordable is that the middleman is cut out, as SE7EN simply lists the projects on their site and allows you to contact hosts directly. Usually, room and board is either provided or very cheap. Some project examples include:

International Volunteer Headquarters

I’ve used International Volunteer Headquarters many times and highly recommend them. Their placements are very reasonably priced, and are especially great for people who have never volunteered abroad before, as full-time support, an orientation and airport pickup are included. Instead of putting you in a fancy hotel, they allow you to stay with local families and in local villages to really get to know the culture and help the people. Furthermore, certain recreational activities are often included in the price. Their programs, which generally include room and board, are located all around the world and range from about $200-$2,300, depending how long and where your program is. Some placement examples include:

Peace Corps

If you’re really interested in doing community service abroad, have a couple years to spare and want to earn some money; Peace Corps may be for you. There are placements in 75 countries, and volunteers get the chance to work with a community in need for 27 months. The Peace Corps’ mission is to “promote world peace and friendship,” and areas of focus for programs include: health, education, youth and community development, business and information, and communications technology, environment and agriculture. What’s great about going overseas with Peace Corps is they provide you with language, cross-cultural, and technical training, so it can be great for your resume. There are also a lot of benefits, like possible deferment or partial cancellation of your student loans, a monthly stipend and $7,245 payment once the project is completed, free flights to and from the country, vacation days, free medical and dental care during the project and affordable health insurance for 18 months after. It’s more like having a very proactive job than the usual volunteer experience, and you won’t have to pay any kind of fees to participate.

VAOPS

VAOPS is a directory of free and low-cost volunteer opportunities, which allows you to save money by cutting out the middleman. Because everyone has different needs and wants, their programs vary in price, style, and what’s included. Some examples include:

United Nations

The United Nations is one of the most famous organizations in the world for helping communities in need and working to keep moral responsibility in check. What some people may not know is along with their staffed projects, they also host a volunteer program called United Nations Volunteers (UNV). Volunteers usually work for six to 12 months and can choose from placements in about 130 countries. Projects focus mainly on human rights, agriculture, education, health, information and communication technology, community development, popular, industry and vocational training. It’s free to volunteer with the United Nations and you’ll also be given a monthly stipend, medical insurance and annual leave.

Volunteer South America

Want to volunteer in one of the most naturally beautiful continents in the world? Volunteer South America is designed with backpackers and budget-travelers in mind. There are no middleman or agency fees associated with the programs, making them drastically cheaper than many others that exist. Although room and board will not always be included, being able to choose how you will live and eat for yourself can help you save a lot money, especially if you opt for a homestay. Some projects available include:

Winrock

While a bit more competitive than some of the other programs, Winrock places volunteers in diverse programs all around the world and even pays for airfare. When a volunteer position opens up, Winrock places the most qualified individual in the program. Some of their current volunteer opportunities include:

UBELONG

UBELONG offers one week to six-month volunteer opportunities throughout Latin America, Africa and Asia. While not free, their programs are very affordable and offer all accommodation and meals, orientation, 24/7 support and project supervision. There are also recreational and cultural activities included to help volunteers get to know the country better. Prices for placements range from $250 for two weeks in Peru to $4,320 for six months in the Galapagos, although most six month placements average around $2,300. Some program examples include:

Katelios Group

Located in Greece, the Katelios Group works to help sea turtles. The main objective of the group is to “protect the natural environment on the island of Kefalonia, Greece.” There is no program fee to participate, although room and board is not included. The organization does work to provide volunteers with low-cost accommodation and suggests that participants cook meals together to save money. To give you an idea of how much you will spend, accommodation is usually about $200-$250 per month, while food is normally about $40 per week.

Travel Planning: Choosing Between A Big City Or Small Town

by Jessica Festa on

One dilemma I often face when traveling is whether to take a trip to a big city or a small town. While both worthwhile, each provides its own inherently unique experience. Before booking your next vacation, take these factors into consideration.

Finding things to do

In a big city, you’re never at a loss for things to do. There are street performers, markets, parks, shops, theaters, clubs, bars, restaurants, museums, art galleries, spas and more. Doing something as simple as riding the subway or people watching at a cafe can provide hours of entertainment, as big cities tend to attract some of the most interesting people in the world.

This doesn’t mean small towns are boring. You just may have to get creative or choose a place that offers an activity that you will be happy doing often. For example, on a trip to Germany I spent some time in the tiny, cobblestoned village of Bacharach. While there were no shopping malls, big theaters or nightclubs, there were endless opportunities for hiking, wine tasting and sailing on the picturesque Rhine River. Most importantly, not a moment went by that I felt bored or unhappy with my travel decision.Finances

For the most part, big cities tend to be more expensive than small towns. Accommodation, activities, food, and transportation will usually cost more. Even if they don’t, you’re less likely to enjoy the free things nature has to offer – like in a small town – and more likely to splurge on costly shows and events. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, depending what your budget is and what you want to get out of the experience. It is just something to keep in mind.

Getting to know the culture

Every place has a culture. Whether you’re in a highly populated, bustling metropolis or in a rural village with a population of 10, the inhabitants of the area have certain ideals, beliefs, customs and behaviors. When I visit a new place, it’s always on my agenda to learn as much about its culture as possible. I ask locals what their favorite foods are, hostel owners what a normal day for them is like and taxi drivers how they went about asking out their last boyfriend or girlfriend. What I’ve found during my travels is, while there are more people to bombard with my incessant questions in big cities, it’s easier to have an in-depth conversation with a local when you’re in a small town. In small towns, you usually end up seeing the same few people, who all go to the same few places. Your bonds become closer and you’re able to ask more personal questions. Furthermore, whether you do a homestay or stay in a hotel in a small town, it’s usually a very cozy accommodation. Big-brand chain hotels tend to favor big cities, so there are more family-type hotels in small cities where you can really get to know the staff. However, if you’re more on the shy side or don’t love the idea of interacting with strangers, big cities may be a better option for you, as you’ll be able to frequent many educational museums, theaters and institutions.

Atmosphere

In a big city, you’ll feel a constant buzz. There’s a lot of energy, a fast pace, a lot of noise and many people moving about at all times. It can be hard to focus sometimes, in a good way, as different things grab your attention all at once. Maybe you’re hungry and you see someone barbecuing and it smells really good, but then you notice an Ethiopian restaurant serving food you’ve never tried. Then again, there’s always the eatery down the street that features live bands and free tapas.

In a small town, the pace of life is usually a lot slower. People aren’t in a hurry and it can be easier to take things in one at a time. This can be in your favor, as it means locals usually have a lot of time to spend with visitors. Many small towns also have a lot of natural experiences to take in, which can help to relieve stress and find an inner peace.

Comfort

In a big city, you’ll be able to find any type of accommodation, tour, or restaurant your heart desires. Whether you want frivolous luxury or comfort on a budget, you’ll be able to find it. Depending on how rural you go when staying in a small town, this may or may not be the case. For example, when I was in Ghana I started my trip in the capital city of Accra. Here I stayed in a hotel with amenities like flushing Western toilets, hot water, and onsite restaurants and bars. When I traveled two hours out of the city and into the rural village of Achiase, however, these comforts were not as easily found. What I do find is when staying in a small town or rural area is that a homestay is a great accommodation choice. You’ll at least get the comforts of home, even if it’s not the same you experience in your own. Best of all, you’ll really get to know the area firsthand.

Why not do both?

If you can’t make up your mind and have the time, why not opt to do both? There are a few ways you can go about this. First of all, you can opt for a homestay and then take weekend trips to other cities. You could also simply travel continuously during your trip, starting in one type of city and then moving on to another. Personally, I think having a homebase to come back to is always comforting, but that usually works out better if you’re traveling for a minimum of two weeks. If a week is all you can spare, separate the trip into two parts and spend half your time in a big city and half in a small town, giving you two unique experiences and the best of both worlds.

Lafayette, Louisiana, Named ‘Tastiest Town in the South’

by Jessica Festa on

Looking to plan a delicious food-focused trip? While the southern United States is well-known for its mouth-watering soul food and rich flavors, Southern Living has recently named Lafayette, Louisiana, the ‘Tastiest Town in the South.” The criteria for choosing the winner was based on how the food identified the culture, how the area’s cuisine influences the local community and tourism, an array of price points, sustainability, media buzz on local chefs and an abundance of food-related events and festivals.

Writers Senior Editor Paula Disbrowe, “Lafayette’s distinct culinary identity as the capital of Cajun country, its spicy, sausage-laden roots, and a new generation of locals devoted to preserving their heritage while putting a fresh spin on tradition have made it an incredibly satisfying place to eat.”

So, where should you go to get some of the city’s best cuisine? First there is the French Press Cafe, a trendy eatery serving dishes like smoked duck breast with sweet potato spaetzel and prime filet mignon with blue cheese, fried poached egg, caramelized onion, potato pancakes and a Cognac demi. Their signature dish is Sweet Baby Breesus – biscuits stuffed with bacon, cane syrup and fried boudin. There’s also Johnson’s Boucanière, a BBQ joint serving items like fried boudin-stuffed grilled cheese with BBQ sauce, slow-smoked beef and pork sandwiches loaded with the works and smoked brisket cooked for 13 hours.

Want to taste the flavors of Lafayette for yourself? The magazine is running a contest until April 30, 2012, where one lucky traveler can win $2,500 toward a trip to their favorite tasty town. For details and to enter, click here.

[Photo via French Press Cafe]