International Polar Year

by Erik Olsen on

Remember that song by Donald Fagan IGY? Probably only a few of you do. The older ones, like me. OK, I’m not THAT old, but I’m old enough to remember Steely Dan before anything they’d done was remixed. Anyway, I bring up IGY, which stands for International Geophysical Year, because this year we are embarking on something similar. The IGY was a year for scientists to study and make known advances in geophysics. That is, the earth. The IGY encompassed eleven Earth sciences: aurora and airglow, cosmic rays, geomagnetism, gravity, ionospheric physics, longitude and latitude determinations (precision mapping), meteorology, oceanography, seismology and solar activity.

Well, we are now well into the International Polar Year, which seeks to take measure and create awareness for the shrinking ice caps, eroding coastlines, dying cultures and species. This spring the International Council for Science and the World Meteorological Organization have teamed up to study the poles and to find out if global warming is really truly honestly going to be a problem. So keep you eyes peeled for more hews to this effect.

The Origin of the Orient Express and a Guy Named Nagelmackers

by Neil Woodburn on

Quick! Name the world’s most famous train.

For most of you, the Orient Express undoubtedly popped into your mind. But why? Sure, it was the star of Agatha Christie’s most famous murder mystery, but what, exactly is the Orient Express and why is it so famous?

A recent article in the Smithsonian has answered the question. It traces the history of this legendary train so firmly lodged in our travel conscious back to the oddly named Georges Nagelmackers who, in the late 1800s, dreamed of a train route that would “span a continent” while pampering its passengers in the finest luxuries.

The very first journey left Paris in 1883 and 80 hours later arrived it what was then called Constantinople (Istanbul). The fascinating Smithsonian article by David Zax delves into the historical figures–kings and other royalty–who rode the train, as well as its important role in espionage and World War I.

Today, as Zax points out, the train has lost much of its famous luster. Although luxurious journeys can still be had, Zax laments how they “have largely fallen into self-parody.” Passengers, for example, are “encouraged…to dress in 1920s garb” making it more of a tourist dive than something affluent travelers pine for. Agatha Christie would be so disappointed.

Environmentalist Greats Tour

by Jamie Rhein on

Since Earth Day is only once a year, but environmentalism is a year-round venture, here’s a way to travel the earth in the footprints of good company. The Ecology Hall of Fame is not an actual place, but a Web site that lists various people instrumental in the environmental movement. Some of those listed do have places you might pass by in your travels or head to as a destination.

Here is a sampling of what I’m dubbing an “Environmentalist Greats of the East Coast” Tour. There are several others, but here’s four to start you off.

1. Edward Abbey –Most famous for his books the Monkey Wrench Gang and Desert Solitaire, Abbey was a true environment champion meshing politics and the environment with philosophy and literature. You can see the historic marker dedicated to him near the Home Township marker on State Route 119 in Pennsylvania.

2. Theodore Roosevelt– The first American president to throw himself into environmental causes. He increased the National Forest service by 400% and established the National Park and the National Monuments System. Visit his home Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York.

3. Rachel Carson – Author of Silent Spring, the book that pointed out science is not always used for the good. The balance between chemical use and food production is imperative for a healthy planet was Carson’s way of thinking. You can visit the Rachel Carson Homestead where she was born and grew up in Springdale, Pennsylvania and the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge in Maine that was named after her to enjoy the essence of Carson’s life.

4. Rosalie Barrow Edge– First woman to hold any position of prominence in the environmental movement. Her big thing was birds, particularly raptors. Her love led to her creation of the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. Today, it is still a haven for hawks, eagles, falcons and warblers.

Detour Worth Making: Get High in Meteora, Greece

by Willy Volk on

The Greek word meteora means “suspended in the air,” and one look at the images of the monasteries here, and you’ll know why the Greeks named it that. Pretty much in the middle of — but high above! — the country, the rock here has eroded into fantastic, weathered peaks struggling for the heavens.

The monasteries of Meteora were originally settled by monks who lived in caves lower down the rocks during the 11th Century. Over time, however, to avoid conflicts in the rest of the region, the monks retreated up the rock face until they were living on virtually inaccessable peaks that they built on by bringing material and people up via ladders and baskets.

Today, six monasteries remain, and all of them are open to visitors. Many people who visit Meteora stay overnight either in nearby towns, though there is limited accommodation in Meteora. Buses to Kalampaka are available from Ioannina, Trikala, Thessaloniki and Athens, and trains run there, too.

For a little information about each monastery, check out Greece Travel. For some stunning images, check out Tom Dempsey’s photo gallery or, of course, Flickr.

One for the Road (04/20/07)

by Kelly Amabile on

If you’re a classical music or public television fan, you may be familiar with the PBS series Classical Destinations, which takes viewers all over Europe, visiting the cities, towns and villages touched and influenced by the likes of Verdi, Beethoven, Bach, Strauss and Schubert. In February 2007, a hardcover book based on the series was released in the US. Classical Destinations: An Armchair Guide to Classical Music features over 200 glossy photos and detailed descriptions of the historical locations where the great composers lived, worked and practiced their artistic talents.

Of course, a book can’t capture the essence of the musical genius of these performers like a TV show can, so the smart marketing team at Classical Destinations created a double CD and double DVD of the entire series as well — for your listening enjoyment. You can journey along with British host Simon Callow (not to be confused with that other UK musical idol, Simon Cowell) to places like Salzberg, Bonn, St. Petersburg and Prague, on a melodious guided tour through the history and geography of the world’s great classical composers. In addition to the classical music capitals of Europe featured in the book, there are also chapters (based on episodes) devoted to the music of Norway and Finland.