Meet Take A View’s Landscape Photographer of The Year: Robert Fulton

by Elizabeth Seward on

Robert Fulton considers himself to be a ‘serious amateur’ photographer, but I think he’s just being modest, which is a perfectly decent way to be. But despite whatever might qualify Fulton as an amateur photographer, his work feels professional to me. Fulton was recently awarded the ‘Landscape Photographer of The Year’ title from www.take-a-view.co.uk. 10,000 British Pounds later, Fulton is only the fifth person to win this accolade.

His imagery is wet. When I sit still and soak in the scenes from his landscape shots in the slideshow on his website, I feel immersed in the respective places, immersed as if in water, with the colors draping over my own skin. And no matter how poetic I think photography is, this sort of arousal in a viewer isn’t an easy one to work up. Fulton’s images make one thing certain: he is a landscape photographer head over heels in love with nature. And isn’t that the way it should be?

For anyone interested in seeing his photography in person, his award-winning landscape series will be on display at The National Theatre in London from December 5th, 2011 until January 28th, 2012. Admission is free and the exhibition will feature over 100 photos taken by Fulton.

Will Canada dump the beaver?

by Kraig Becker on

For more than 35 years, the official national animal of Canada has been the beaver. The creature earned that lofty honor due to its industrious behavior and the importance that the trade in beaver pelts played in the country’s history. But now, if one Canadian Senator gets her way, the beaver may be replaced as a national symbol with another animal – one that is also closely associated with Canada.

Last week, Senator Nicole Eaton made an impassioned plea to her colleagues asking them to consider changing Canada’s official animal to the polar bear. Calling the beaver “a dentally defective rat,” Eaton said the creatures are a nuisance, citing her own issues with the beasts gnawing on the dock at her lakeside cottage. She went on to argue that the polar bear has “strength, courage, resourcefulness and dignity,” qualities which would make it the perfect symbol for Canada.

Environmentalists have been quick to criticize the suggestion, saying that Eaton’s Conservative party supports environmental policies that could spell the end of polar bears before the 21st century is over. Eaton countered by saying that Canada has an excellent track record for managing its polar bear population, demonstrating its commitment to the endangered creatures.

It’s too early yet to know if the rodent will be replaced with the ferocious predator, but this is essentially akin to the U.S. dumping the eagle in favor of another animal. There is sure to be all kinds of discussion, both for and against.

Enter to win a trip to New Zealand’s Rhythm & Vines Music Festival

by Jessica Festa on

STA Travel is hosting their Ultimate Break Sweepstakes which gives travelers the chance to win a trip for two to New Zealand to ring in the new year at the three-day Rhythm & Vines Music Festival. The winner will receive round-trip airfare, luxury campervan rental, grounds pass, and tickets to the festival.

To enter, click here to enter your information. Want to learn more about the music festival? Check out this 2011 line-up announcement video:


3 events to check out in Holland this November

by Jessica Festa on

This November, 2011, Holland is full exciting events. Whether you want to experience art, music, literature, or photography, you can find it in Holland. Here are three must-attend happenings in Holland this Fall.

GLOW 2011
Eindhoven, The Netherlands, November 5-November 12, 2011

The city center of Eindhoven is transformed into a stage of light design with GLOW 2011. Enjoy surreal and interactive art installations, performances based on artificial light, interventions, and architecture.

The Future of the Photography Museum
Foam Amsterdam, Amsterdam, November 5-December 7, 2011

Foam Amsterdam is celebrating their 10th anniversary by hosting The Future of the Photography Museum, a collaboration of four different experts from the cultural field to discuss how photography can be presented in a museum. The four results are each radical and provocative and will be presented in the same space at the same time.

Crossing Border, The Hague
The Hague, Netherlands, November 15, 2011

Crossing Border The Hague is one of Europe’s main international music and literature festivals. Watch live performances, hear lectures, see exhibits, and attend after parties. To see a full schedule of events and to order tickets, click here.

Friendly Planet Travel begins offering authorized travel to Cuba

by Jessica Festa on

After several years, Americans are now able to travel to Cuba again under a new program from the U.S. Treasury Department. The aim of the program is to help Americans interact with locals of Cuba through educational exchanges focused on art, culture, music, and more.

As one of a handful of travel operators who have been granted a people-to-people license, Friendly Planet Travel will be operating two educational trips to Cuba that will allow people to immerse themselves in Cuban culture as well as learn about the country’s past, present, and future. The first trip is a 5-day “Discover Havana” trip ($1,899) that allows Americans to interact with locals and learn about Havana’s rich culture and history. The second trip, an 8-day “Colors of Cuba” trip ($2,899) is more in-depth and visits many culturally significant sites, such as Old Havana, Cienfuegos, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Trinidad.

Both of the trips include round trip airfare from Miami, a letter of authorization, entrance visa into Cuba, all land transportation, superior hotel accommodations, all meals, comprehensive educational programs, translator, and Friendly Planet guide. Trips will begin departing in March, 2012. For more information to see exact dates, click here.