One for the Road: Moon Spain Handbook

by Kelly Amabile on

One flip through the first few pages of the Moon Spain Handbook and I’m itching to get back there. The intro to this new book begins with a colorful overview of a country bursting with life — the Plaza Mayor, Costa Brava, La Rioja, Galicia. A smart color-coded map marks Spain’s regions in a rainbow, an appropriate way to introduce the diversity that exists throughout this Iberian gem.

The guide starts with a short summary of each region, followed by a few suggested itineraries. It then gets meaty, beginning with the very heart of Spain. After dissecting nightlife, shopping, accommodations, sports, cultural offerings and food (of course!) for Madrid, the guide moves on to do the same for Castilla-La Mancha, Cataluna (including an expanded chapter on Barcelona), Aragon, Valencia, Andalucia, the Islas Baleares and other regions. The 900-page handbook wraps up with a section of county background information – logistics, cultural tidbits, history and popular festivals. It’s comprehensive, but still lightweight enough to accompany you on a visit to any or all of these areas.

Moon’s Spain handbook is one of three European guides that were released recently — a first for the popular guidebook series. Ireland and London were also published this spring.

Microlight Trip to Acoma Pueblo

by Jamie Rhein on

Now, here’s one way to get to Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico. This You Tube video of Damien Beresford and Jeff Gilkey’s trip in their microlights is more of the landscape on the way there and back. I don’t think they actually stopped at Acoma. The effect of the shots of Damien’s microlight against the New Mexico scenery is surrealistic. Damien’s commentary along the way is laced with humor and landmark details. He has also included music to create a mood. He said it’s the longest ride he’s taken so far. This video makes me want to try a microlight flight one of these days.

One for the Road: The Naked Tourist

by Kelly Amabile on

I read Lawrence Osborne’s The Naked Tourist last year when it was released. I noticed that it’s now out in paperback — just in time for you to throw in the summer beach bag! And since we have not mentioned it yet here at Gadling…no better time than now: Subtitled, In Search of Adventure And Beauty in the Age of the Airport Mall, the book is a fascinating read, although dry at certain points. (Or maybe those were the parts that were just a tad bit over my head? It’s a smart read.)

During his six-month journey from Dubai to India, followed by visits to Bangkok, Bali and Papua New Guinea, Osbourne shares his personal insights about “the psychological underpinnings of the tourist trade.” He focuses on the why of travel — why the heck do we do it? He wanders while pondering “whereverness”. There is much to contemplate from his travel observations. If you’re in the mood for this kind of deep thought summer reading, than be sure to get your hands on a new softbound copy.

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of June 24

by Adrienne Wilson on

Some of these are still pretty recent posts that you SHOULD NOT have missed if you’ve been a good little Gadling reader checking in everyday. In the event you somehow slipped and missed a day or two here are five worthy of review.

5. Only in OZ: Irwin’s Whale Watching Boat:
Still feeling melancholy over the death of Steve Irwin? Don’t! Chances are he wouldn’t want you to be and if you find yourself heading to OZ soon this featured activity may be your chance to remember Steve and learn a lot about whales which he loved just as much as the famed crocs.

4. A Canadian in Beijing: Vegan Mandarin Language Survival Guide:
After reading this little language survival guide Ember whipped up, my head is full of useful new words to help out at the dinner table in China. I’m not vegan, but it never hurts to know.

3. Swimming with Manatees: Life in the Slow Zone:
When my friend invited me to swim with manatees the first time I laughed not really knowing what they were or thinking she was serious. After hearing how fun her trip was and this tale by Gadling guest blogger, Dolores Parker, I wish I were closer to Crystal River, FL to swim with them myself. If you’re searching for fun ways to hang with the family in Florida this one is sure to please all.

2. Traveling Tips from a Backpacking Geek:
No matter how prepared you think you are for your big trip ahead looking over some one else’s tips never hurts. Here are a few ideas from a backpacking geek on how to save digital photos and important documents from being lost forever.

1. Hilarious Hand-Written Airline Complaint:
In need of a good laugh? This has to be one of the funniest complaints I’ve ever seen in regards to that horrible seat next to the lavatory that some ‘poor soul’ gets stuck with on a completely packed flight. In this situation the poor individual decided to share the experience with the airlines in a laugh-out-loud hand-written complaint with pictures. A MUST READ.

Tivoli Gardens

by Jamie Rhein on

I heard or read somewhere that one of Walt Disney’s inspirations for Disneyland was Tivoli Gardens in Denmark. Why not? Tivoli is a charming place. Sounds good to me. When I was in a foriegn exchange student at Copenhagen University, Tivoli was one of my most favorite places to go. I think I went three times in two months.

This is a place with a history of people watching, flower gardens and attractions. Opened in 1843, it still holds a certain simple charm. I remember that the fireworks there were among the best I’ve ever seen. I had a terrible camera so most of my shots are dark and smoky and mostly of people’s heads.

Now, here’s an interesting statement that sounds a bit Walt Disneyish. When the park was first proposed to King Christian III, one reason for the okay was that if people are amused they don’t think about politics so much. I wonder if this history fact is true. When Walt Disney designed Disneyland, one idea was to create Utopia where at least in one part of the world, people could leave their troubles at the gate.

Here’s a You Tube video that captures the flavor of what Tivoli is like. It captures some of the rides, gardens and the entertainment. Let your worries float away.