Who owns Antarctica?

by Catherine Bodry on

According to a report from Reuters, Britain plans to submit a claim to the United Nations to extend its Antarctic territory by a million square kilometers. However, the claim could cause tension between Britain and a few South American countries — Argentina is working on a proposal to the U.N. which covers the same territory. The British claim also conflicts with the spirit of 1959 Antarctic Treaty, which prevents all exploitation of oil, gas, and minerals, other than for scientific research.

May 13, 2009 is the deadline for claims that will divide up 7 million square kilometers (the size of Australia). Russia, Australia, France, and Brazil are among the few that have made claims thus far.

Foyles’ Read Around the World

by Kelly Amabile on

One of London’s best independent bookstores, Foyles, has been hosting an in-store promotion that armchair travelers may want to know about. Read Around the World is a campaign that highlights literature and authors from different regions around the world. The Foyles grand tour of the continents includes promotions, competitions and events that center around a different part of the world every two months. They highlight cookbooks, travel guides, photography and art books, as well as world music from each region, all hand-picked by Foyles staff.

They are still showcasing Europe titles on their (recently revamped) website and also South America, the next continent to be highlighted in their literary tour. Beginning in December they will shift their focus to Asia, and round out the circumnavigation with a final promotional phase for Australasia. If you live in the UK or will be visiting at all between now and the end of February, be sure to visit one of Foyles locations, and be transported to someplace else.

One for the Road: Walking Haunted London

by Kelly Amabile on

We’ve already mentioned some spooky travel-related titles for folks who may find themselves in Louisiana, California or Indiana this Halloween. But how about a suggestion for folks who may be visiting our pals across the pond? Walking Haunted London is a collection of 25 walks that explores the city’s ghostly past.

Home to Sweeney Todd and Jack the Ripper, London is considered to be one of the most haunted capitals in the world. This guide features original walks that highlight this sinister side of the city. Author Richard Jones (who looks scared silly and/or really creepy in this photo) is owner of a tour company that organizes ghost walks and other London tours. The book features easy-to-follow route maps for each walk, as well as information on dates and times when ghosts are most likely to appear. Which is handy to have, of course, because you wouldn’t want to travel all that way and miss out on a paranormal sighting, right?

From narrow alleyways to the Tower of London, this ghostly guide will take you on a spine-chilling journey into the darkest parts of the city, ensuring a hair-raising look at London.

London Rents Beat Fifth Avenue by $50

by Iva Skoch on

Thanks to the crumbling dollar, the US is losing yet another transatlantic battle of the richest. According to The Guardian, it is no longer home to the world’s most expensive shopping street. New York’s Fifth Avenue was replaced by London’s Old Bond Street, where annual rents per square foot are $1,400.

Bad news for the competitive New Yorkers. Good news for shopaholic Londoners, already booking their Christmas-shopping air tickets to New York.

Free (and Almost Free) in London

by Catherine Bodry on

Fodor’s Travel Wire recently put out a comprehensive list of sites and activities in London that are free, or close to it. I’ve never spent as much money in as short amount of time as I have when I’ve been in London. The last time I was there the dollar was significantly stronger than it is now, yet I managed to blow through my (admittedly meager) savings in a weekend.

Fodor’s list includes free or cheap art museums, free concerts, and cheap theater, opera, and movies. The “offbeat experiences” are the best: look up ancestors in a public record office, visit Hyde Park or Covent Garden, or watch fishmongers in Borough Market.

Don’t forget to account for the cost of transportation when planning your budget — the Tube is not cheap, although it’s the least expensive way to get around London besides walking.