Getting my hands on the latest Journey’s issue of Planet last month was a journey in itself. I’m a Planet junkie – an addict and so the moment word lets out about the release of the quarterly glossy I first squeal with excitement, do a flying drop-kick, regain composure and head to the nearest Border’s Books & Music to pick up a copy. The Spring 07′ issue features a number of well-written pieces spanning the globe from Iraq to Bologna, Italy through Valeria’s digital diary and Omak, Washington where an annual Suicide Race takes place. I must say the Omak suicide race really grabbed my attention and while I won’t be signing up to win the cold-hard cash anytime soon being a potential spectator may or may not be all too bad if I’m ever in the area. Additionally there is a divinity piece on marathon monks which is equally captivating. And when you’re ready to sign off on global arm-chair traveling and into the latest in pop-world-culture take a peek at what Ms. Charlotte Gainsbourg has been up to and look out for her new album if you like that sort of sound.
Saving the Planet One Trip at a Time
Wanderlust Magazine’s February 2007 issue is devoted to saving the world: “how your travels can help preserve our planet. I’m just now digging into it, and it’s interesting and informative. For example, they pick their top ten latest trips, “with a conservation twist.” Suggestions include mapping ecosystems while diving the reefs off Tobago and trips to clean up the slopes of Mt. Everest.
Then they discuss at length a place that’s near and dear to my heart, Costa Rica, asking the question “How Green is It?” They also tackle conservation-oriented safaris in Tanzania and trekking in Bhutan.
They even do a “green gear” section, reviewing and rating equipment and clothes for how eco-friendly and practical they are.
The magazine is tough to find in the U.S. (it’s from the UK), but it is available in specialty booksellers, if you look hard enough. It’s worth the extra effort getting your hands on it. And, if not, they at least put some of the sections on the web, as I’ve shown above.
Start Your Own Travel Magazine With Formatpixel
I’ve always wanted to launch my own magazine, it just seems overwhelming. After all, I don’t know how to get the text together, organize it, edit the images, get it printed out, and then mail it. Yikes! Mailing it?! I have enough problems mailing my bills out, let alone coordinating an entire subscription-based magazine. Sheesh.
If you’ve had a similar dream — and a similar reality-check — maybe you should start small, like, for example, with an online ‘zine. Formatpixel allows users to create their own online magazines, fanzines, brochures, catalogs, portfolios, and more. Using the WYSIWYG editor, users can design page-based projects, lay out text, upload images, add video, and customise the appearance. Want to see an example? Check out Kirill Brusilovsky’s awesome landscape magazine. Cool, huh?
Obviously, Formatpixel would provide an excellent format to showcase your most recent vacation to your friends and family. Maybe Gadling should create a quarterly photo-zine, comprising the best images from our Flickr pool?
[Via Download Squad]