Lindblad Expeditions announces upcoming Global Luminaries

by Kraig Becker on

Lindblad Expeditions has earned itself a reputation as one of the top adventure travel companies on the planet, offering a wide variety of options for travelers to visit the far flung corners of the globe. The company is well known for having some of the best trained and most knowledgeable staff in the entire industry, offering clients great insights into the places that they visit. But their “Global Luminaries” program takes that reputation to a whole new level, with a line-up of very impressive specials guest that will enhance an already great trip even further.

These dignitaries come from a wide variety of fields, but are generally broken down into four categories; World Affairs, Broadcast Journalism, Exploration, and Research. Each of the Global Luminaries will be joining guests aboard the National Geographic Explorer, one of Lindblad’s luxury cruise ships, for a specifically selected journey through a region of the world that they know well and can offer unique perspectives on. For example, when the ship visits the historic waterways of the Baltic at the end of August and Early September of this year, and again in 2011, passengers will share that journey with former Soviet Premiere Mikhail Gorbachev as well as the former President of Poland, and Nobel Prize winner, Lech Walesa.

Other famous names on the list of luminaries include well-known naturalist and television personality Jim Fowler, former astronaut Rick Hauck, mountaineer and explorer Peter Hillary, son of Sir Edmund Hillary, Mary Robinson, the first female president of Ireland, and ocean rower Roz Savage. But those are just the beginning, as there are a number of other scientists, explorers, and writers scheduled to take part in the fun as well.

For the complete list of Global Luminaries, and the trips they’ll be taking part in for the rest of 2010 and 2011, click here.

[Photo credit: Lindblad Expeditions]

New international travel phone service from National Geographic

by Kraig Becker on

National Geographic and Cellular Abroad have joined forces to introduce a new option for those who need to stay in contact while traveling the world. The National Geographic Travel Phone includes an unlocked Motorola handset, a charger that comes complete with international outlet adapters, and a Nat Geo SIM Card, all for just $99. A second phone, dubbed the National Geographic Duet, is also available and includes all of the above, plus dual SIM Card slots, a larger screen, upgraded performance, and additional features for $179.

The new pay-as-you-go service works in more than 150 countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa, and includes free incoming calls in more than 70 countries, plus 30 minutes of credit for outgoing calls in most countries as well. The service comes complete with two phone numbers, one based in the U.S. and the other the U.K., and both are always active and do not require a monthly fee. The U.S. based number also works for text messages and call-forwarding too.

For more information on both handsets and the Cellular Abroad service check out this page. You’ll not only find a list of countries in which the phones will work, you’ll get a breakdown on the costs and services, and a handy calculator to help you determine just how much you’ll pay when calling from one country to another.

For frequent travelers, this looks like a great option for staying in touch while abroad. The list of countries where these phones work is quite impressive, which can save you time and hassle when looking for SIM Cards after you arrive at your destination.

National Geographic awards prestigious medal for first time in 30 years

by Kraig Becker on

Earlier this week the National Geographic Society honored Dr. Roger Tomlinson and Jack Dangermond with the Alexander Graham Bell Medal, an award that hasn’t been given to anyone in 30 years. The two men are visionary pioneers in the area of geographic information systems (GIS) who have had a massive influence on the way we think about geography and the use of geographical data to analyze problems.

The Alexander Graham Bell Medal has only been given once before and that was way back in 1980 when explorers and mountaineers Bradford and Barbara Washburn were honored for their efforts to fill in the blank spots on maps. The award, which is obviously named for the famous inventor who also happened to serve as the Society’s second president, is awarded for extraordinary achievement in geographic research. Tomlinson and Dangermond certainly epitomize that.

Tomlinson, who is known as the “father of GIS”, first conceived and developed the concept while working with the Canada Land Inventory back in the 1960’s. His work would go on to change geography as a discipline and he now consults with nations and scientists from around the world on the best ways to manage natural resources and project urban development.

Dangermond has had a similar impact on the way we view geography, founding the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) with his wife back in 1969. ESRI now has the largest install base of any GIS software program, with more than 1 million users, spread out over 300,000 organizations, including businesses, NGO’s, governments, and more. Those organizations use the software to analyze and project trends in environmental changes, shifts in urban development, and our impact on the world around us.

The two men are rock stars in the world of geography, and their influence is felt across the discipline without question. The fact that it has been so long since anyone else was awarded the Alexander Graham Bell Medal is a testament to the impact they have had on the science. Congratulations to both men.

[Photo credit: National Geographic Society]

Get a one year National Geographic subscription for just ten bucks

by Scott Carmichael on

As a traveler, no publication ever got me more interested in seeing the world than National Geographic. Already in its 122nd year, the yellow border of this magazine is recognized in as many countries as it has written about.

Despite all the advances in technology, and the decline in print, there is something fantastic about carrying reading materials the old fashioned way – and if you head over to Amazon.com, you’ll be able to order a one year subscription to National Geographic for just ten bucks.

The promotion takes $5 off the normal price of $15 – and you may not see the final discounted price until the final stage of the payment process.

Best of all – your subscription will help the society, and all the fantastic work they do helping people discover more of our planet.

Subscription page / promotion details

How Lindblad Expeditions takes care of recycling aboard the National Geographic Explorer

by Scott Carmichael on

You think sorting your recyclables and trash is a hassle? Try doing it when you are on a ship that travels to some of the most pristine places on earth – while dealing with extremely strict maritime regulations.

On board the National Geographic Explorer, all trash is hand-sorted, and split into different recycling streams – plastic, paper, cardboard, aluminum, cans, glass, food waste and hazardous waste.

Because of the risk of spreading things like mad cow and foot & mouth disease, none of the food waste can be composted, so it gets incinerated ashore.

The Lindblad Expeditions commitment to recycling is so serious, that the ship has a dedicated recycling/refuse manager. You can learn more about their recycling measures and the work involved in keeping their ship clean at the Lindblad Expeditions blog.