Active Things to Do in San Francisco for First Timers

photo by Patty Hodapp

San Francisco often sits shrouded in a heavy fog bank — a clash of salty Pacific Ocean air and savory aromas wafting from food trucks. Like most cities, there’s a riot of noise: boat horns blasting in the harbor, buses screeching as they whip around corners, racked surfboards knocking atop cars, tourists talking in several languages. But don’t let it fool you. Despite its concrete-jungle appearance, there are plenty of outdoorsy things to do for the active first-time Bay Area visitor. Here are 4 ideas to get you started:

Bike Along the Embarcadero and Marina Boulevard

Bay Area Bike Share launched at the end of August to increase cycling in San Francisco. 700 bikes placed at docking stations around the peninsula and Bay Area are now available for both city dwellers and tourists to use. Grab one of the new mint green bikes (skip the rental stations that charge a fortune) and cruise west from the Ferry Building along The Embarcadero’s piers. From Marina Boulevard, you can jump on the paved path and bike toward the Golden Gate Bridge. When you’re done, simply return your bike to the nearest docking station. A 24-hour pass costs $9. Heads up, trips longer than 30-minutes incur small overtime fees.

Trail Run in Presidio National Park

The Presidio, located on the northwest tip of the peninsula, is actually a historic military post that was converted into a national park. It now offers quiet trails prime for running that weave through treed bluffs home to 130 bird species. You can climb up to several vista overlooks of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge — my favorite is Inspiration Point, situated above the park’s largest watershed, Tennessee Hollow.

For up-close, postcard-like views of the Golden Gate, follow signs to Crissy Field Overlook. Tuck your phone in your shorts pocket. You won’t want to miss this photo op.

Writer Patty Hodapp hiking through the Redwoods.

Hike Through Redwoods in Mt. Tamalpais State Park

Hikers looking for a workout as they experience California’s legendary Redwoods shouldn’t park at Muir Woods National Monument (what most guidebooks recommend, and what most tourists opt for). Instead, take Mill Valley’s Panoramic Highway a couple miles higher into Mount Tamalpais State Park. Park your car at the wide roadside access point. From here, take Ocean View Trail, which switchbacks down from redwood treetops to the Muir Woods’ forest floor. As you descend, you’ll notice wider trunks, and a pleasant charred, earthy smell. You can still hike around Muir Woods once you get down, but this 5-mile round-trip adds a challenging, less-traveled spin to the Muir boardwalk.

Stand Up Paddleboard in Sausalito

For paddlers not afraid to brave the Bay’s chilly water temps, the best stand-up bet lies in sheltered Sausalito — the oceanfront neighborhood on the north end of Golden Gate Bridge. With Sea Trek, located in Richardson Bay, you can paddle for $20 an hour through yacht harbors next to the seals, or sign up for a SUP fitness class. The group also offers guided tours under the Golden Gate. Time your visit right, and you can snag a spot on the full moon tour to catch the city’s night skyline from the water.

by Patty Hodapp

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Patty Hodapp is a freelance writer and solo traveler reporting from the intersection of fitness and adventure. Her slew of expat addresses runs deep — most recently, a tropical Spanish island in the Mediterranean. She covers endurance sports, outdoor gear and adventure travel. Besides Travel Channel, she has written for Outside, Men’s Fitness, Shape and several other publications.

Wine Riot: Enjoy a New Take on Wine Tasting

Photo by James Coletta

A DJ spins in the corner as neon lights reflect off hundreds of different wines. Young people dressed to the nines mingle in locations like the “Bubbly Bar” (which showcases 6 sparkling wines), a photo booth holding up signs like “I Spit” and “I Swallow,” and booths separated by regions pouring everything from Vinho Verde to shiraz; Sancerre to Carménère. If there’s one thing immediately apparent — this isn’t your average wine event.

The brainchild of Tyler Balliet, founder and president of Second Glass, Wine Riot’s mission is to make wine tasting as unpretentious and unintimidating as possible.

“I started Wine Riot because I was frustrated that there wasn’t a fun way to learn about wine,” Balliet says. “The books, the classes, and even other wine events were so academic and time-consuming. What about the people who just wanted a little bit of wine info? How do they learn?”

Unsurprisingly this relaxed attitude about a drink often associated with snobbery has been widely embraced by a younger demographic than one would normally see at a wine event. Now the event that started in the basement of a wine shop overtakes swank venues in cities like Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles and Washington, DC.

While the red wine-stained teeth may hint that this is nothing more than a mere booze-fest, wine knowledge does floweth here. Every hour there are “Crash Courses” – 20-minute informative sit-downs with producers who talk about everything from Old World vs. New World wines, to South American wines and the way the terroir affects the grapes. While the crowd may become more boisterous as the night progresses, the dialogue remains on-point and all about the wine.

Popular with wineries that know that 21 to 35 year olds are the fastest growing consumers of wine, most of the tastings are of affordable, everyday drinking wines with labels that captivate the eye.

“The wine industry still operates in an older style,” Balliet says, “but we’re the generation that is going to push them forward, regardless of whether the industry comes along for the ride.”

Part of the push? The heavy implementation of social media and the utilization of apps. With the free Wine Riot app, guests can keep track of all the wines they tasted and mark the ones they especially loved — which makes buying a case of something that much easier … even if the night itself becomes a little hazy.

Don’t miss these upcoming Wine Riots:

Boston
When: Friday, Oct. 25| 7-11 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 26 | 1-5 p.m. and 7-11 p.m.
Tickets: $60

Los Angeles
Saturday, Nov. 9 | 1-5 p.m. and 7-11 p.m.
Tickets: $60

For tickets and information go to: www.secondglass.com/wineriot

– By Ashley Hardaway

This Week in Travel: Week of Sept. 28 – Oct. 4, 2013

The US government shut down for the first time in 17 years, thwarting tourists’ plans in Washington, DC — but it was business as usual for the rest of the world in this week in photos. Whether you’re trying to salvage your vacation — or trying to forget the whole thing — our favorite travel bloggers came to the rescue.

If you had a trip planned to one of the nation’s nearly 400 national parks, historic sites and monuments in the near future, you’re most likely working on rescheduling your vacation. The Daily Traveler has put together a list of government shutdown alternatives featuring ways to visit historic sites and still get a dose of history to work around the indefinite closing of the nation’s national monuments and parks this week.

When it comes to planning your next trip, Nomadic Matt has 17 easy tips to help with the process. Stemming from his personal experiences, Matt’s helpful tips include everything from picking a destination and planning activities to automating your bills and telling your credit card companies you’re traveling.

When you’re tight on money for the trip you’re planning, Johnny Jet suggests that travelers remember there’s always a couch to stay on if you can’t afford a hotel. Couchsurfing.org matches adventurous travelers with hosts that open their homes to strangers looking to explore the globe.

If you’re flying this fall and find that the airplane seats are a little too close for comfort, know you’re not alone. According to a post on Gadling, 9 out of 10 passengers would like to see reclining airplane seats banned. Next time, look behind before you recline.

Austin City Limits Expands to 2 Weekends

Austin City Limits is here. The annual 3-day music fest kicked off Friday morning in Austin’s Zilker Park, and will draw an anticipated crowd of 6,500 music fans over the coming days.

Just in case you can’t make it to the Lone Star State capital this weekend, though, the event has something new in store for attendees this year: For the first time ever, Austin City Limits will unfold over 2 consecutive weekends. That means if Oct. 4-6 doesn’t work for you, you still have Oct. 11-13 to head on down to Austin. Between now and then, there’s a whole lot in store — here’s a roundup of highlights of Austin City Limits 2013.

The beer alone makes a trip to Austin worth it. This year, Austin City Limits has opened a beer lover’s dream — the brand new, 20,000-square-foot Barton Springs Beer Hall. This playground for beer lovers features 15 brews, from local drinks like Hill Country’s own Real Ale, to brews from around the country. Kick back, drink up and enjoy a game of football on big screen TVs in the hall.

And, of course, there’s food, lots and lots of food. Austin Eats Food Tours will be on-hand, featuring local restaurant delicacies, as well as plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options. Expect to find foodie favorites such as chef Tim Love’s Love Shack, Austin’s Pizza and Second Bar + Kitchen by chef David Bull, alongside new culinary favorites such as La Condesa, Frank and mmmpanadas.

The good part about the money you spend: A portion of funds raised will go toward supporting the Hill Country’s Conservancy’s Violet Crown Trail, a 30-mile hike and bike trail in Austin; additional support will go toward a carbon offset project spearheaded by the Texas Climate & Carbon Exchange.

For tips on staying in and getting around the city that keeps it weird, check out our Austin City Guide. Plus, if you love music as much as food, you’ll want to take an Austin Foodie Foray. And once you pack up and leave, send us a postcard from Austin — we’ll want to know how it goes!

Austin City Limits Expands to 2 Weekends

Austin City Limits is here. The annual 3-day music fest kicked off Friday morning in Austin’s Zilker Park, and will draw an anticipated crowd of 6,500 music fans over the coming days.

Just in case you can’t make it to the Lone Star State capital this weekend, though, the event has something new in store for attendees this year: For the first time ever, Austin City Limits will unfold over 2 consecutive weekends. That means if Oct. 4-6 doesn’t work for you, you still have Oct. 11-13 to head on down to Austin. Between now and then, there’s a whole lot in store — here’s a roundup of highlights of Austin City Limits 2013.

The beer alone makes a trip to Austin worth it. This year, Austin City Limits has opened a beer lover’s dream — the brand new, 20,000-square-foot Barton Springs Beer Hall. This playground for beer lovers features 15 brews, from local drinks like Hill Country’s own Real Ale, to brews from around the country. Kick back, drink up and enjoy a game of football on big screen TVs in the hall.

And, of course, there’s food, lots and lots of food. Austin Eats Food Tours will be on-hand, featuring local restaurant delicacies, as well as plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options. Expect to find foodie favorites such as chef Tim Love’s Love Shack, Austin’s Pizza and Second Bar + Kitchen by chef David Bull, alongside new culinary favorites such as La Condesa, Frank and mmmpanadas.

The good part about the money you spend: A portion of funds raised will go toward supporting the Hill Country’s Conservancy’s Violet Crown Trail, a 30-mile hike and bike trail in Austin; additional support will go toward a carbon offset project spearheaded by the Texas Climate & Carbon Exchange.

For tips on staying in and getting around the city that keeps it weird, check out our Austin City Guide. Plus, if you love music as much as food, you’ll want to take an Austin Foodie Foray. And once you pack up and leave, send us a postcard from Austin — we’ll want to know how it goes!

Family History Month: Find Your Roots Through Travel

October is Family History Month, and with it there’s ample opportunity to dig deeper into your family roots. An estimated 80 million Americans are following that interest, making genealogy one of the most popular hobbies in America. For travelers, a focus on genealogy can also translate into a deeper travel experience — check out these tips from genealogist D. Joshua Taylor of FindMyPast.com for uncovering your family history while traveling:

• Contact the local genealogical society in advance of your visit, they might have evening hours or be willing to open their doors for you to help with your research. Local volunteers often know cemeteries, historic sites and other key areas.

• Use old city directories at the public library to find the address where your relatives might have lived. Go visit (but be sure to check older maps in case street names have changed).

• Search for local newspaper indexes – or the newspapers themselves – at local libraries.

• Take some crayons and large paper along to make rubbings from gravestones. Preserving symbols and inscriptions can be a wonderful “keepsake” when you return home.

• When visiting capital cities, visit the state archives or historical society to conduct research. Always, always, always check the family files at local archives and societies. They often contain one-of-a-kind resources not found online.

• It never hurts to schedule a few moments with distant relatives – who knows what letters or diaries they might have!

• Keep coins nearby – many local libraries and other repositories require payment for copies in change.

Visit the Exorcist House in St. Louis

“To watch those 3 not just go a-hunting in pitch-blackness, but to do it for our entertainment, still amazes me. Since that time, I have been a hardcore fan of the show; they are as funny and quick-witted as they are fearless and stoic.”
-Dean Haglund, Actor, Ghost Adventures Live Host

For their 100th investigation, tonight at 9|8c, the Ghost Adventures crew visit St. Louis to lock down in the house where the event that inspired the movie, The Exorcist, happened in 1949, when a little boy was possessed by the devil.

On a beautiful, unassuming street in a quiet neighborhood in St. Louis, sits a brick house with a dark history, or as a fellow paranormal investigator called it, The House Where Satan Slept. The guys put themselves at risk and attempt to summon the demons that may still be lurking in this family home – what will they find?

Plan your own trip to St. Louis with the help of our travel guide – we even found a haunted walking tour of the city that includes the story of the famous exorcism, as well as a museum with artifacts from the movie.

And don’t miss what some famous friends of the GAC said about the guys to congratulate them on making it to such a huge milestone.

Where will you be lurking tonight? Be sure to hang out with the GAC family and the @GALairMaster in the Fan Lair!

Sky Bridges, Tree Houses and the World’s Longest Zipline: Visit Historic Banning Mills

Mike and Donna Holder were living comfortable, easy lives in scenic Kennesaw, GA, when they decided to take a very big chance. After noticing an ad in the newspaper, the couple bought 1,200 forgotten and overgrown acres in rural Banning Mills, GA, at the site of a former textile and paper mill village.

Over the next several years the couple and their kids cleared brush, made repairs, and eventually built a country inn and adventure center with an expansive eco tour zipline course. Then, on Thanksgiving night 2006, much of it burned to the ground. While they were tempted to just leave it all behind them after such a devastating loss, the Holders decided instead to rebuild. Today they oversee Historic Banning Mills, which boasts the world’s tallest climbing wall (140 feet) and, at 41,000 linear feet, the world’s longest continuous zipline course, where visitors can reach speeds of up to 60 mph as they cruise through dense hardwood forest and over the beautiful Snake River Gorge.

In fact, your feet rarely have to touch the ground at Banning Mills, with more than 50 sky bridges — including one that’s 600-feet-long. And you can really tap into your inner Tarzan with the new tree house lodging. Opening this month, these 2-person suites — accessible by rope bridge — are made of heart pine logs, and feature a king bed, jetted tub, bathroom, mini fridge and back deck with panoramic forest views.

When you’re ready to return to earth, there’s a new 7-mile network of mountain biking/hiking trails that wind along old town roads and across bridges. And Georgia Trail Outfitters offers 7-mike kayak trips down the roaring Class IV Chattahoochee River, as well as the more serene Flint and Cartecay Rivers. Banning Mills also offers a swimming pool (in season), putt-putt golf course, and tennis/basketball courts. In-between adventures, indulge in a relaxing massage at the day spa, and refuel at the main lodge, which serves a big country breakfast and a variety of lunch and dinner items, including picnic-style baskets and romantic candlelit dinners on the terrace that overlooks the Snake Creek Gorge.

- Sam Boykin

Hotel Trend: The Open Bathroom

Last week, Slate reported on a hotel trend I’ve experienced first hand: “The Fall of the Bathroom Wall.” Opting for open-plan bedroom/bathroom suites, luxury hotels like NYC’s Standard hotels and Paris’ Hotel Particulier Montmartre are knocking down bathroom walls and replacing them with glass, modesty shades -– or sometimes nothing at all.

What these rooms lack in privacy they more then make up for in natural light, space and certainly, sex appeal. But as Slate points out, they also bring “logistical awkwardness when sharing a room with people who were never meant to see you naked.”

I found this out for myself while on a girls’ spa weekend in Florida. Our suite at The W was upgraded thanks to my best friend’s enviable Starwood preferred guest status. However, when we realized the better view and bigger floor plan also came with an all-glass “peek-a-boo” shower, we politely asked to move back to a standard double. We knew we’d be seeing a lot of each other that weekend -– but not that much.

While glass showers and exposed soaking tubs may come as a sexy surprise on a couple’s weekend, they aren’t for every guest. Tell us in the comments: Do you think open-plan hotel bathrooms are a fad or here to stay?

Wine Riot: Enjoy a New Take on Wine Tasting

Photo by James Coletta

A DJ spins in the corner as neon lights reflect off hundreds of different wines. Young people dressed to the nines mingle in locations like the “Bubbly Bar” (which showcases 6 sparkling wines), a photo booth holding up signs like “I Spit” and “I Swallow,” and booths separated by regions pouring everything from Vinho Verde to shiraz; Sancerre to Carménère. If there’s one thing immediately apparent — this isn’t your average wine event.

The brainchild of Tyler Balliet, founder and president of Second Glass, Wine Riot’s mission is to make wine tasting as unpretentious and unintimidating as possible.

“I started Wine Riot because I was frustrated that there wasn’t a fun way to learn about wine,” Balliet says. “The books, the classes, and even other wine events were so academic and time-consuming. What about the people who just wanted a little bit of wine info? How do they learn?”

Unsurprisingly this relaxed attitude about a drink often associated with snobbery has been widely embraced by a younger demographic than one would normally see at a wine event. Now the event that started in the basement of a wine shop overtakes swank venues in cities like Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles and Washington, DC.

While the red wine-stained teeth may hint that this is nothing more than a mere booze-fest, wine knowledge does floweth here. Every hour there are “Crash Courses” – 20-minute informative sit-downs with producers who talk about everything from Old World vs. New World wines, to South American wines and the way the terroir affects the grapes. While the crowd may become more boisterous as the night progresses, the dialogue remains on-point and all about the wine.

Popular with wineries that know that 21 to 35 year olds are the fastest growing consumers of wine, most of the tastings are of affordable, everyday drinking wines with labels that captivate the eye.

“The wine industry still operates in an older style,” Balliet says, “but we’re the generation that is going to push them forward, regardless of whether the industry comes along for the ride.”

Part of the push? The heavy implementation of social media and the utilization of apps. With the free Wine Riot app, guests can keep track of all the wines they tasted and mark the ones they especially loved — which makes buying a case of something that much easier … even if the night itself becomes a little hazy.

Don’t miss these upcoming Wine Riots:

Boston
When: Friday, Oct. 25| 7-11 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 26 | 1-5 p.m. and 7-11 p.m.
Tickets: $60

Los Angeles
Saturday, Nov. 9 | 1-5 p.m. and 7-11 p.m.
Tickets: $60

For tickets and information go to: www.secondglass.com/wineriot

– By Ashley Hardaway

Our Type of Traveler: Family on Bikes

Family on Bikes hits the Andes. (All Photos: Nancy Sathre-Vogel)

Having traveled through 15 countries — on a bike — with her kids, Nancy Sathre-Vogel is Our Type of Traveler. The founder of Family on Bikes, Nancy quit her day job of teaching, for 21years, to hit the road with her husband and twin sons. What followed was an incredible journey, captured in one of Nancy’s 4 books about bike touring, Changing Gears: A Family Odyssey to the End of the World.

Having logged 27,000 miles throughout the Americas, including Alaska and Argentina, Nancy knows all about family travel. Recently, Traveling Type caught up with Nancy, who now she lives in Idaho, where she pursues her passions of writing and beadwork. Here’s what Nancy had to say about traveling with kids — including her top picks for destinations every parent should take their kids, and how to live out your life’s passions. Plus, she lets us in on the time she found a man in her bed … naked … at 3 a.m. … and it wasn’t her husband. Hmm … let’s get going!

Traveling Type: How did you get started travel blogging?
Nancy Sathre-Vogel: It was an accident. I actually started an online journal — a place to document our travels for ourselves and where my mother could follow along. I had no idea that people actually read blogs — or that there was such a word as “blog,” for that matter. I was stunned when we started getting messages from random strangers telling me we had inspired them to get out and live a more adventurous life.

What’s your blog about?
My blog started as documentation for our bicycle adventures. Now that we are back home, I’ve morphed it into a site to encourage and inspire others to grab life by the horns and steer it in a direction that is more fulfilling and satisfying.

How many countries, cities, and continents have you and your family traveled to?
As a family, we have ridden our bicycles through 15 countries. Before we had kids, my husband and I cycled probably another 15 or so. And then there are dozens of countries that we’ve traveled in, but not cycled.

What’s your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
Ethiopia is amazing for the sheer beauty of both people and scenery. And Honduras for my basic personal growth.

Sippin’ in style: Family on Bikes’ Nancy Sathre Vogel

Has it ever been a challenge on agreeing on a place to go?
It’s never been an issue. If there is one place that any one of us really feels strongly about, we all respect that. For example, one of my sons said he wanted to go to Yellowstone National Park, so we routed ourselves through Montana and Wyoming rather than along the coast in order to go there. Another desire was to see Chichen Itza, so we planned our route through the Yucatan.

What are the benefits of traveling with young kids — isn’t that tough?
Not at all! Kids are great travelers — even easier than most adults. Kids are so flexible and enthusiastic; they’re willing to do just about anything. And, of course, they have an energy level that allows them to go and go and not get tired.

What’s your family’s favorite place to get away from it all?
Our cottage on the Connecticut shore.

What are the most overrated places to take your kids on vacation?
Pretty much any place that advertises itself as “kid-friendly.” What we’ve found is that the best places are those that are not listed in guidebooks, they are not publicized.

What places should every parent should take their kids?
The 4 destinations I think every child should experience are: 1.) Northern British Columbia — it’s like taking a safari through an African savanna with all the wildlife on the side of the road; 2.) Ica, Peru — seeing conehead skulls in the regional museum, then on to mysteriously carved stones found in the desert, and culminating in a flight over the Nazca Lines, this area will get you questioning some very basic “truths” about our world as well … oh yeah, and the sandboarding in the massive sand dunes is a blast as well; 3.) Chinese New Year — seeing these celebrations should be a must for every child! We lived in Taiwan, so got to be a part of the celebration there; 4.) Ecuadorian New Year — Ecuadorians know how to do New Year right!

What’s your must-have item when traveling — especially with kids?
A Kindle. One for each person.

Tell us your funniest travel story/experience.
Probably the time in Colombia when I found a naked man in my bed! It’s a long story.

Family on Bikes hits northern Alaska’s Dalton Highway

What’s the best thing you’ve eaten while traveling, and where?
If you asked my kids, one of them would say lomo saltado from Peru and Bolivia. The other would say plain ol’ beans and tortillas in Mexico. For me? Pretty much any and all Ethiopian food. Except the raw beef — couldn’t bring myself to do that one.

How do your family healthy while on the road?
I think the trick to staying healthy is being active in the outdoors. There is something about Mother Nature to take care of us. That, and we try to eat semi-healthy food, but we don’t stress over it.

What’s the best hotel you’ve stayed at as a family?
In general, we prefer the small locally owned Ma and Pa places over large chains.

Where’s “home”?
Boise, ID. It’s where I grew up, and now – after many years of living all around the world – where we’re living again.

What would you recommend to travelers visiting your hometown?
Do what the locals do. In the summer, take an afternoon to tube down the Boise River. In the winter head up to the ski resort at Bogus Basin. Listen to music at Alive After 5, walk around the farmers’ market on Saturday morning. There is always plenty going on.

Nancy and family on Tierra del Fuego

You say everyone should pursue their passion — what would you say to someone facing challenges?
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. I know, I know … that’s trite and cliché and all kinds of boring, but it’s also true. You will find a way to do what’s highest on your priority list. The key is to honestly reevaluate your priorities. What do you value more than anything else? Make a list of your top 5 priorities, then take a good solid look at your life. Are you living in a way that is consistent with those priorities? If not, why?

What’s No. 1 on your bucket list?
I’d like to explore Europe someday. We’ve traveled all over the world, but still have managed to explore much of Europe. Need to change that!

You May Also Like:

Our Type of Traveler: Johnny Jet

Our Type of Traveler: Nomadic Matt

Government Shutdown: Travel Alternatives

Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. When we compiled our list of Things to Do in October, we sure were betting on Acadia National Park and the Grand Canyon as 2 great spots to spend quality travel time this month. Then a little matter called the government shutdown occurred, and soon enough what seemed like 2 really cool travel ideas turned into one big letdown.

We’re sorry, guys, and for what it’s worth, we’re as bummed as you as we watch the news reports. Since Tuesday’s shutdown, Grand Canyon visitors have been turned away en masse, ditto for Acadia National Park. In fact, all national parks, which “belong to the American people, and the American people should have the right to come in,” are now closed until further notice. We can’t even check out their websites, including the adorable panda cam at DC’s National Zoo.

You don’t have to plan a big trip out West or along the East Coast to realize the impact of this shutdown. Something as simple as a jog around a favorite local park is now off-limits, if it’s under National Park Service stewardship – and lest you think of even trying to set foot on NPS ground, you could face arrest. We wouldn’t want that. But we don’t want you to idle your month away, either.

So in the spirit of American resilience — and because, well, we can’t let the good ole boys and gals in our nation’s capital get us down — we propose these travel alternatives. You will have fun this month – government shutdown or not!

Let’s start with the Grand Canyon. As you drive away, grumbling under your breath that the great off-season trip you were hoping for won’t happen as planned, take heart: The Hualapai people have you covered. This Native American tribe oversees a swath of land to the west of the Grand Canyon – and that includes the part where you’ll find the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Check out Hualapai Tourism (yep, their site is up!) and get Skywalk info.

As for Acadia, well, we’re not going to lie: Its closure is a major blow to leaf-peepers everywhere. But Main’s office of tourism suggests that visitors enjoy the fall colors other ways. “While Acadia National Park is one of our featured attractions, there are so many other things to enjoy in Bar Harbor and on Mount Desert Island,” says Chris Fogg, executive director of the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce. “The area’s brilliant fall foliage will be at its peak over the next few weeks, businesses are open, and there are many ways to enjoy some of Maine’s most beautiful coastline,” he adds.

And let’s not forget the state parks – they’re all open, coast to coast, and they could help save your vacation. Everything from the Blue Ridge Parkway to Red Rock State Park, are open to visitors – check out Wiki’s full list of state parks.

Government shutdown or not, let’s make this a month to remember!

Hammock over water in Caye Caulker, Belize

Published on 02/13/2013

Hammock over water in Caye Caulker, Belize

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The Fearful Traveler

Street food is great and should not be feared

Over the course of the last six years I’ve met many travelers and and communicated with many more who have expressed fears and concerns about traveling.

If the fears were just concerns which kept people on their toes while on the road it wouldn’t be so bad. However, most people let their fears prevent them from traveling and exploring the world.

The list of fears which people have about traveling is almost endless. They include:

Fear of getting sick from drinking the water.Fear of getting sick from eating street food.Fear of getting robbed.Fear of getting ripped off.Fear of getting murdered.Fear of getting bed bugs.Fear of not knowing the language.Fear of getting sunburned.Fear of shark attacks.Fear of getting in a car accident.Fear of getting raped.Fear of getting arrested.Fear of carrying their camera or computer.Fear of losing their passport.

I could keep going and I’m sure that many of you have fears that you could add to the list.

Most of the fears are nothing more than manifestations of being in an unfamiliar environment, coupled with the media only delivering bad news about the rest of the world. The end result is an unwarranted fear of the unknown which causes many people to stay at home and avoid traveling.

Bad things can happen when you travel. I’d be lying if I said otherwise. However, the odds of something bad happening are not necessarily any greater traveling than they are at home. The only difference is that you know and are comfortable with the risks you face in your own neighborhood. Risks somewhere else are unknowns, so we have a tendency to exaggerate them.

In the six years I’ve been traveling I have been to over 100 countries and territories and I haven’t been robbed or mugged once. I haven’t been arrested or stranded anywhere. I have never been so paralyzed by a foreign language that I couldn’t eat or sleep. I have had no major accidents. I have gotten bed bugs once and I’ve had food poisoning once. My rate food poisoning is probably on a par with what I suffered before I started to travel.

Perhaps I’ve been lucky. Perhaps I’ve just been smart about what I do and where I go. Either way, hundreds of millions of people who travel internationally each year manage to do so without any of the deleterious effects that most people worry about.

One of the greatest benefits of traveling is getting over your fears. Learning how to become comfortable in foreign places will teach you how to overcome fears in your everyday life. It is one of the primary reasons why people who travel extensively are often so successful in other areas of life.

One of my biggest missions is to get people to over their fears and to get them to experience the world.

Don’t focus on the random bad thing which happens to make the news. Instead focus on the hundreds of millions of people who travel without incident each year.

The world is too amazing to let your fears prevent you from exploring it.

Sled dogs at the start of the Yukon Quest

Published on 02/11/2013

Sled dogs at the start of the Yukon Quest

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St John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Bath, England

Published on 02/12/2013

St John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Bath, England

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Monday Travel Update – Thawing Out in El Salvador Edition

Starting line of the Yukon Quest

The last ten days has been extremely busy for me. I’ve traveled from Costa Rica to the Canadian Yukon and then south again to El Salvador where I am writing this today.

Traveling from Central America to northern Canada in the Winter and back has to be the most jarring change in climate that I’ve experienced in all my travels. Nonetheless, I managed to handle the transition pretty well. I picked up cold weather gear in Texas that had been sitting at my manager Amy’s house since I got back from Antarctica. That plus the gear I was able to borrow in Whitehorse made the experience very doable.

I visited the Yukon back in the summer of 2011 and it was a very memorable experience. Returning in the winter was no less so, but totally different. I was there as part of a media trip to photograph the Yukon Quest sled dog race, but we managed to fit in many other things as well.

One of the things was actually going dog sledding and running my own dog team. We went to the Sky High Wilderness Ranch outside of Whitehorse where they keep a kennel of 150 dogs. Each member of our group had a team of 4 dogs and went out for a 16 mile run.

It was one of the best experiences I’ve had during my last 6 years of traveling. The dogs are extremely anxious to run. There is no way to make them go faster, nor is it necessary. There is only a brake to slow them down. If you fall off your sled the dogs will not not stop for you. They will just keep running.

I also got to travel back up to Dawson City, which is 175 miles below the Arctic Circle. It is an interesting place in the summer and it is even more so in the winter. The people who choose to live in Dawson City during the winter are an interesting lot and what makes it such a great place to visit.

My trip to the Yukon was also a bonanza for photography. I’m very pleased with the images I captured and you will be seeing them in the upcoming weeks. I plan on editing most of them while I am in Central America.

As for my time in Central America, I am on my first trip of the year with G Adventures. It is the Mayan Ruins & Culture tour which goes to three countries (El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala) and 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It will give me a chance to visit a part of the world that I haven’t really explored before and will also serve as a great bookend to the trip I took to the Mayan Rivera back in September, 2012.

Spots are filling up for my 2013 Travel Photography Tour to Italy with G Adventures. The list of places we’ll be visiting will provide you with dozens of fantastic images from around the world.

VeniceFlorencePisaCinque TerreRomeNapelsAmlafi Coast

Not only will you get to see some of the greatest sights in Italy, but you will also get a chance to improve your photography by working directly with me during the trip.

Reserve your space on the tour today!

Photo Essay : Italy

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UNESCO World Heritage Site #192: Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park

UNESCO World Heritage Site #192: Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park

From the World Heritage inscription:

The park lies in the foothills and mountains of Cordillera de Talamanca between the mountain ranges of Las Vueltas, Cartago and Echandi on the Panamanian/Costa Rican border.

The Cordillera de Talamanca is the highest and wildest non-volcanic mountain range in Central America. It was formed by the folding of the Earth’s crust and uplifting activity that created the land dividing the Pacific from the Caribbean. A long period of marine deposition in the shallow surrounding seas up until the Middle Miocene was followed by a period of marine volcanism, which included the uplifting of the whole area to some 4,000 m above sea level. Subsequent erosion due to heavy rainfall has created a rugged topography. During the Quaternary period, glaciers carved cirque lakes and steep valleys on the slopes of Chirripo National Park, the only area in Central America to show signs of glaciation.

Tropical rainforests have covered most of the area since at least the last glaciations, about 25,000 years ago. The park includes lowland tropical rainforest and cloudforest, as well as four communities not found elsewhere in Central America: subalpine paramo forests, pure oak stands, lakes of glacial origin and high-altitude bogs. The area also contains all five altitudinal zones found in the tropics. Most of the main crest lies within montane rainforest, characterized by mixed oak forest. Below 2,500 m lower montane rainforest occurs and the forest is generally more mixed. The Talamanca Mountains contain the largest tracts of virgin forest in Costa Rica. On high points along the ridge, at elevations above 2,900-3,100 m, frequent stands of paramo, swamps, cold marshes occur. The paramo located on Mount Kamuk contains the richest and most varied vegetation (after Chirripo) in the entire Talamanca Range and is the only one in Costa Rica that shows no signs of human intervention. Species diversity is perhaps unequalled in any other reserve of equivalent size in the world, due to the convergence of the floras of North and South America and varied climatic and edaphic (soil-related) factors.

This World Heritage Site comprises an enormous part of Costa Rica and comprises many separate national parks, preserves and forests:

La Amistad International Peace ParkTapantí-Macizo de la Muerte National ParkChirripó National ParkBarbilla National ParkHitoy-Cerere Wildlife RefugeLas Tablas Conservation AreaRío Macho Forest Preserve

Despite its size, finding a way to visit one of the parks was far more difficult than I thought it would be. The Amistad Park is all wilderness and the only way in is to backpack several days. The other parks are also not really designed for large scale tourism.

I found easiest way to visit the site was via Tapanti National Park in the Orosi Valley, which is only an hour outside of San Jose. From there you can easily arrange day trips into the park or dive there if you have a car. While the park is accessible, there are only a small number of hiking trails available.

UNESCO World Heritage Site #191: Area de Conservación Guanacaste

UNESCO World Heritage Site #191: Area de Conservación Guanacaste

From the World Heritage inscription:

Guanacaste is located in north-western Costa Rica. It stretches 105 km from the Pacific, across the Pacific coastal lowlands, over three tall volcanoes and down into the Atlantic coastal lowlands. It includes the Guanacaste Cordillera and surrounding flatlands and coastal areas. The most notable volcano is Rincon de la Vieja, which has three craters and one lagoon. Its last eruption was observed in the 1970s, but some fumarole activity still occurs in one of the craters. At the base of the volcano are several minor craters.

At least 32 rivers and 16 intermittent streams originate in the vicinity of the volcano, and flow into the Tempisque, a river of enormous importance for irrigation of agricultural land in the Guanacaste Province. The marine area includes various near shore islands and islets (mostly uninhabited), open ocean marine zones, beaches, rocky coasts, and approximately 20 km of sea turtle nesting beaches and a high diversity of wetland ecosystems (37 wetlands). The wetland forests are considered to be among the most pristine in Central America and worldwide.

The Guanacaste Conservation Area comprises three national parks in the Northwest of Costa Rica:

Rincón de la Vieja Volcano NPGuanacaste NPSanta Rosa-Bolaños Island NP

There are also other, smaller protected areas as well which are included in the World Heritage Site.

My visit was to Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park, which is the most popular of the group and the easiest to visit. The major city in the region is Liberia and there are daily tours to the park which can be arranged at most hotels/hostels.

The park does take some dirt road driving to get to and you can easily spend a full day there walking the trails. In addition to volcanic hot spots, there are waterfalls and ample wildlife. During my day I saw wild monkeys, tropical birds, snakes and a tapir.

View my complete list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Sunset on Gwaii Haanas National Park, British Columbia

Published on 02/14/2013

Sunset on Gwaii Haanas National Park, British Columbia

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OnTravel Radio Interview: Yukon

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Search Form HomeGearContactAboutTravel Blog DirectoryPressTravel PhotosBest OfSponsorsWhere I’ve BeenOnTravel Radio Interview: YukonPublished on 02/12/2013

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This week I checked in with Paul Lasley of " target="_blank">OnTravel from Dawson City, Yukon. We talked about dog sledding and traveling in cold weather.

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My name is Gary Arndt. In March 2007 I set out to travel around the world...
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The Girona Bridge over the Onyar River in Girona, Spain

Published on 02/08/2013

The Girona Bridge over the Onyar River in Girona, Spain

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Meet a traveller: Bernadette Jedlinski, 100 countries (and counting)

It’s our global community of travellers that makes Lonely Planet awesome, and we never tire of hearing about your travel adventures.

So when we saw this photo of Bernadette Jedlinski’s incredible collection of Lonely Planet guides, submitted to our Facebook album, we had to hear more. Bernadette works for an airline and lives in Brisbane, Australia – when she isn’t flying out to far-flung locales – and she was kind enough to share her life in travel (and some penguin photos) with us.

Bernie loves getting to know people when she travels, but enjoys meeting the local wildlife too. Image c/o Bernadette Jedlinski.

Where was your last trip?
My last trip was to Belarus. It’s a challenging country for non-Russian speakers to explore, but its evident history of the Soviet era makes it a unique European destination to visit.

Where is your next trip?
I’m very excited about my next trip; it will be to my 100th country. I’ll be spending it in Portugal and then Switzerland. In both countries I will be staying with friends I have met whilst travelling. Shortly after it will just be my Lonely Planet guide and I backpacking through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia.

What is your first travel-related memory?
I didn’t start travelling until I was 18, but my curiosity with travel began at the age of seven when I started collecting travel brochures and pamphlets. I remember storing them in folders and flicking through them while imagining all the exotic places I wanted to visit. Today I still think that half the fun of travelling is reading up on the destination, and learning about the sights to see.

Aisle or window seat?
For short haul I prefer the window, but on long-haul flights it’s the aisle. I like to drink lots of water on the flight.

Do you have any travel habits or rituals?
Whenever I first arrive in a country my ritual is to spend the first day just walking around seeing what the locals are doing, starting conversations and getting a feel for the country. I am also in the good habit of learning ‘hello’, ‘thank you’ and ‘goodbye’ in the local language on the plane/train/bus before my arrival.

Favourite city or country or region?
This is always a hard question to answer. I like different countries for different reasons. My favourites are Japan for the food, Europe for the cities, the British Virgin Islands for the beaches, Antarctica for the scenery, North Korea in terms of uniqueness and the Philippines for the friendliness of their locals.

Bernie came across this rather unique zebra crossing whilst on safari in Tanzania. Image c/o Bernadette Jedlinksi.

What is your best or worst travel souvenir?
I rarely buy souvenirs, but one thing I do collect is the local currency. My favourite is my 1 ngwee coin from Zambia. The ngwee coins are rarely used today as the exchange rate is US$0.000002 to 1 ngwee. I went to a local marketplace in Livingstone and asked around for some coins, everyone was searching and about an hour later a lady selling hardware items found one. I paid her $2 for it. She was very happy with the exchange rate!

What is the best or worst piece of travel advice you’ve received?
The worst travel advice I receive is from people telling me not to visit somewhere. I get this in relation to cities people don’t like, sights assigned as boring or places deemed unsafe. Travelling is a personal thing and should be treated as such. I like to experience, and judge things for myself and often find this advice unfounded.

What’s your biggest travel fail?
My biggest travel fail would have to be not wearing supportive enough shoes for my trekking holiday in Madagascar. This, along with my lack of co-ordination in a wet and muddy rainforest, resulted in a broken foot five days into my 12-day tour. Given the lack of medical facilities within the southern region of this country our guide sought advice from a local healer, who told me to put honey on it and get a massage. My chances of contracting malaria shot up from the honey and I had to keep rejecting the massage for the remainder of the trip. I continued without painkillers, crutches, or plaster for my foot and now travel with expensive, yet supportive, footwear.

Quick, an asteroid is going to hit the earth in one week! Which is the one travel dream you’d rush to fulfil?
I’d be on the first expedition ship in Spitsbergen. I would love to see polar bears in the wild.

What advice would you give a first time traveller?
My advice is start up conversations with the locals. I’ve been invited into homes for traditional meals, slept in local housing and even attended a wedding after striking up a conversation. Oh and wear supportive shoes when trekking!

If you want to read more, check out Bernadette’s brand-new travel blog.

Meet a traveller: Jessica Crouch, Lonely Planet Online Editorial team member and overland travel enthusiast

We get some of our best trip inspiration by chatting to fellow travellers. We caught up with Lonely Planet’s very own Jessica Crouch, part of our Online team and a tireless overland traveller, to pick her travel brain.

Jessica during a Spanish sunset. Image by Jessica Crouch.

What is your first travel-related memory?
Being introduced to the pilot in the cockpit of a Melbourne–Sydney flight when I was about four. He didn’t seem to be doing very much, it was confusing.

Where was your last trip?
Overland from Hanoi to London, going through China, Mongolia, Russia and Eastern Europe. I set myself the challenge of only catching buses, trains, and the occasional jeep. A sleeper bus packed to the rafters with what were probably smuggled goods en route from China to Mongolia was surprisingly comfortable.

Where is your next trip?
I’m going to take it a bit easier on the next trip and go and explore southwest France.

Aisle or window seat?
Definitely aisle – I hate climbing over snoring people to go to the toilet.

Do you have any travel habits or rituals?
The ‘rule of three’ when packing. I first read about this concept on Lonely Planet author Tim Richards’ blog. Only pack three t-shirts, three pairs of trousers or shorts etc into a carry-on bag. It might seem extreme but it has changed the way I travel – I feel more mobile, have a less sore back and find myself buying fewer useless souvenirs.

Favourite city or country?
China.

What is the best/worst piece of travel advice you’ve received?
‘Climbing that mountain before sunrise will only take you about 15 minutes!’ (It was an hour of climbing, in the dark, before breakfast. Grrr.)

Standing on frozen Lake Baikal, Listvyanka, Russia, on a break in the Trans-Siberian journey. Image by Jessica Crouch.

What’s your biggest travel fail?
Finally making it to Muktinath after eight days of trekking the Annapurnas and then getting locked into the temple grounds when they closed up for the day. Had to scale the fence but even struggled doing that because my legs were so tired.

Quick, an asteroid is going to hit the earth in one week! Which is the one travel dream you’d rush to fulfil?
Catch a fishing (not pirate) boat across the Red Sea from Yemen to Eritrea.

What is your best or worst travel souvenir?
A comb made out of a bull’s horn that a Chinese student gave me for helping with his English homework on a 40-hour train journey to Beijing.

What advice would you give a first time traveller?
Go for at least a month and it will change you forever.

Got some travel stories of your own? We know you do. Share your travel habits, dreams and disasters with Lonely Planet on Twitter and Facebook.

We have a winner!

We wanted to hear about your travels, and boy did you deliver.

This should fuel an adventure or two. Image by Anita Isalska / Lonely Planet

There was a fantastic response to our Australia and New Zealand travel survey. We wanted the scoop on your past adventures, future travel plans, and how you use LonelyPlanet.com to make it all happen. No surprise that you came back with an incredible array of past, present and future travel stories and plenty of insight to help us make Lonely Planet’s website better than ever before.

We also entered travellers who responded into a prize draw to win the guide book of their choice. And the winner is… Matt Dodgson! Matt, your guide book is on its way – happy travels.

We asked you: mistakes, mishaps and embarrassment on the road

It’s just not just Lonely Planet authors and staff that have had mishaps on the road. We asked our Twitter followers for their best tales of fails while travelling, transport misfortunes and embarrassing gaffes, and they delivered. Here’s a selection of our favourite #oopsLP moments.

Lonely Planet’s travel fails: mistakes, mishaps and embarrassment on the road

At Lonely Planet, we know travel – but that doesn’t mean we always get it right. We asked Lonely Planet staff and authors about mistakes they’ve made on the road, and they shared embarrassing encounters, transport disasters and some highly regrettable kebabs. Here are some of Lonely Planet’s best (and most cringe-worthy) travel fails.

Lost your way? Image by tabsinthe. CC BY 2.0.

Fogged up at India’s Taj Mahal

After a romantic stay in Varanasi, we were newly engaged and giddy with excitement. The final leg of our trip would be a 12-hour overnight train to Agra. Unfortunately the train took a full 27 hours, which we spent in an overbooked 2nd class sleeper that hadn’t been cleaned since the previous passengers.  Despite sharing a tiny bunk with no linen or food (we only had a few Pringles to keep us going), our excitement to see the Taj Mahal hadn’t dimmed.

We arrived the following evening, missing the day we’d planned to explore Agra. Our train back to Delhi for an onward flight was at 8am the next morning, so we awoke at 5am, still determined to see the Taj. We were stunned to see a shroud of fog so thick that it completely obscured the Taj Mahal. These days I joke that I touched the Taj, but never actually got to see it.

Anna Parker, Research Analyst in LP’s London office

Iconic, impressive, invisible? Anna in front of the Taj Mahal. Image by Anna Parker.

Lost in translation in Mexico

I speak Spanish learned in Spain where it’s perfectly acceptable to say ‘voy a coger el autobus ’ (take the bus). Unfortunately when I was in Mexico and I used the same phrase I was actually saying I was going to do something unspeakable to the bus…

Becky Henderson, Foreign Rights Manager

Chivalry lives in Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia

Take a hungry wife. Add a prawn massaman curry. Combine with a recent history of tummy trouble. And stand well back. Or not, in my case, as a husband can’t just sit on his hands (or stifle hysterical laughter with them) when the rendang hits the fan. My beloved can’t have been more than halfway through her meal when it happened: that bowel-emptying spasm familiar to many a hardened traveller. I didn’t need to be told any more; the expression, the raised eyebrows, the hint of self-loathing – all bore eloquent testimony to her predicament, which was amplified by the choice of a short, clingy dress. Improvisation was key here: I excused myself, purchased a copy of the Langkawi Gazette from the kiosk outside, then fashioned a makeshift ‘skirt’ of newspaper to drape casually over her nether regions. We waited until the nearest patrons were probing their own meals, then paid the bill and shuffled in lockstep – with a telltale ruffle of newsprint – toward the exit.

James Kay, Digital Editor

Marooned on a pedalo

Travel involving sport is not my thing. Although I’ve hiked Tiger Leaping Gorge, biked around Lake Bled and scuba-dived in Croatia it has always been with a sense of my own impending doom.  However, in Riva del Garda I was presented with something that could scarcely be described as an extreme pursuit: a pedalo ride.  After setting off, it was evident that I had natural talent and with the James Bond theme echoing in my head, I began to push the limits of my new-found skill.  Sure, we could steam through the main arch in the moat of Riva’s castle, but why not go through the smaller arch – the one with craggy rocks surrounding it?  There was a loud, sudden crunch that vibrated below our feet and we stopped moving.  Fifteen minutes later completely devoid of movement but full of crunching sounds, we began to get the attention of the tourists ahead.  We soon had a mob on our hands, shouting advice and catcalling in multiple languages.  They got a hell of a show; I fell in the moat twice, my first mate burst into hysterical tears and nautical English swear words punctuated the air.  To a wave of applause, we eventually got ourselves free and with seaweed wrapped around my hands, I gave our fans a final naval salute.

Joe Revill, Foreign Rights Coordinator

Pedalos – hopefully with a capable crew. Image by Irene Grassi. CC BY-SA 2.0.

Orange you glad you packed mosquito repellent?

While backpacking across Europe we had to spend a night in a tiny Greek train station before our onward connection to Istanbul. I was paranoid I would be bitten by mosquitoes – I’m like catnip to bitey things, which can make for an uncomfortable holiday. I must have applied repellent in my sleep (and pretty furiously at that) because when I woke up I was bright orange, from head to toe. I had to wash my foul-smelling ‘tan’ off at a water pump with all the locals pointing and laughing at me.

Jo Cooke, Associate Publisher in LP’s London office

My British tourist shame

In Chile in 1998 I was keen to hide my Britishness in order to avoid unwanted attention. The British government, you see, had just arrested General Pinochet the former Chilean dictator and British travellers had been advised to lie a little low.

When asked by Chilean teenager in the laid-back seaside town of La Serena where I was from I thought for a second and, reasoning it was unlikely anyone would call my bluff, claimed I was from Holland. Said teenager then began to speak to me in what seemed to be fluent Dutch. I was exposed and gobsmacked, and so confessed to my English nationality.

For the remainder of my stay in the town I was hooted at by the young man’s friends not for being British but for trying to hide it in such a ham-fisted fashion.

Tom Hall, Editor of lonelyplanet.com

Takeaway during a Chinese typhoon

During a volunteer teaching trip to eastern China one summer, a typhoon hit the town where my group was staying. We were barricaded inside our guesthouse, which flooded over the entire ground floor, for several days. The first night, we watched a van being washed away as the canal just outside slowly overflowed. We’d stocked up foodstuffs (read: wine, crisps and Oreos) for the first day, not realising the severity of the situation. We eventually had to hail down a rickshaw driver from our guesthouse window to deliver us instant noodles, which we pulled up on a makeshift rope made of bedsheets.

Megan Eaves, Online Content Producer

Not quite the Venice of the East – Megan’s view over the flooded streets. Image by Megan Eaves.

Bullied by hair-braiders in Bali

Kuta, Bali. I am 23 and on the first day of my world travels. Braving the markets I am bullied into hair plaiting for which a price has not been agreed. I pay what seems fair and flee, pursued by a posse of threatening young men. Outside my bungalow they loiter with intent; night soon draws in. The ‘emergency’ 20-dollar note gifted by a friend is retrieved from my backpack and relinquished. I am alone.

Sarah Bennett, Lonely Planet Author

Stranded in Uruguay’s dullest town

The closest I’ve come to death by boredom was when I travelled overland from Uruguay to the Iguazu Falls. Unfortunately, I got the bus connection wrong so ended up spending 10 daylight hours in a small town where the only thing of interest was a collection of perfume bottles from the 1950s. I was on my own, I’d finished my book and there was no internet café. By the end of the day, I had resorted to making patterns in my skin with the prongs of a plastic fork. The café waitress seemed unconcerned…

Dora Whitaker, Commissioning Editor in LP’s London office (bruises easily)

So close, yet so far from my hostel

Having spent spent most of my day travelling from Hiroshima to Osaka, navigating the bullet train, subway system, traffic and pedestrians, I finally arrived outside my hostel… only to find I don’t have a booking. After checking in anyway, I head outside to look around – and find the actual hostel I’ve booked next door.

Drew Miller, UI Developer

Abandoning a car in Iceland

My friends and I spent a glorious week driving Iceland’s 832-mile Ring Road. It’s a major route, but there are still unpaved and rocky stretches. At the trip’s end, about 50 miles from Reykjavik, our rental car let out a metallic clank which devolved into wailing screech, so we had to abandon it in a parking lot. Fortunately, the rental company was used to this sort of thing and said they’d find it and pick it up for us so we could make our flight (which we did, by bus instead).

Rachel Berg, Content Producer in Lonely Planet’s Oakland office

Rachel’s rental car on its last legs. Image by Rachel Berg.

Hungover in Hong Kong

‘Airport bus?’ we screeched at the bewildered taxi driver, expertly brandishing our battered maps after 3 months on the road. Off we trundled into the Happy Valley rush hour, having awoken in a panicked haze of pounding headaches minutes earlier. Not a bus stop in sight… Finally, Bus A-something! The minutes ticked by until, amidst some far-flung industrial estate, we realised this was not the speedy route we were counting on. 9am, Hong Kong International Airport. Flight boarding. We heard the sound of our final, very expensive flight from Hong Kong back to London leaving without us.

Isabella Noble, freelance travel writer

Regrettable Chinese kebab

My travel buddies and I saw a lovely little kebab vendor in the middle of a park in Yangshuo, China, and ordered what we thought was lamb with noodles and fresh chillies. It tasted unusually gristly so we double checked with the vendor, as best we could with limited Mandarin, what we were actually eating, to which he replied to me ‘meow, meow’ and my friend ‘ruff, ruff’. I’ve been a vegetarian ever since.

Rosi Croom, Admin Assistant

Have you failed harder than this on your travels? Tweet your own travel failures @lonelyplanet using the hashtag #oopsLP or share them on our Thorn Tree Travel forum.

Will the US government shutdown affect your travel plans?

Unless you’re marooned on a blissfully wifi-free island, you won’t have failed to notice the headlines about the US government shutdown over the past few days. But what does it mean for travellers in the States, and should you change your plans?

Arches National Park is just one of the popular travel destinations affected by the shutdown. Image by Mike Nielsen. CC BY-SA 2.0.

This week, the US government began a partial shutdown after failing to agree a budget. Hundreds of thousands of government staff have been told to stay at home, meaning that federal buildings and services, museums and National Parks have shut their doors.

Tourist sites from war memorials to National Parks are closed for business until further notice. A few of the most popular US attractions reported to be shut include:

Yellowstone National Park – and all other US National Parks.The Statue of Liberty.Smithsonian museums.Lincoln Memorial.Alcatraz.

Make sure you check the official website of your chosen destination before you travel there.

Travellers hoping to visit American military cemetery sites outside the US may also find their plans disrupted. Twenty-four military cemeteries overseas, including the Normandy American Cemetery, are currently closed.

Border control, immigration, air traffic control and airport security staff are considered essential, so these services are still operating. Travellers should have no trouble completing their flight itineraries into and around the USA. Likewise, rail networks aren’t experiencing disruption so travellers can still embark on train trips.

Travellers with their hearts set on hiking through Arches National Park or finally visiting the Statue of Liberty may be disappointed if their time in the USA is short – there’s no sign yet how long the shutdown will continue. Travellers with flexible itineraries might want to consider staying a little longer in the States to be in with a chance of seeing their dream sights.

But don’t assume your chosen site will be shut. For example, monuments and parks owned by individual states (such as in California) are open for business – so take a look at their website to find out if you can visit. And states are rushing to persuade travellers that there’s still plenty to see outside the federally run sites (check out these great recommendations from the states of Utah and Arizona).

If you find yourself wandering aimlessly between chained gates and ‘museum closed’ signs, check out our USA page for some inspiration. And check in with how other travellers are handling the shutdown on our Thorn Tree forum.

To help those whose travel plans may be affected, we’ve made our National Parks, Washington DC and USA planning chapters available as free PDF downloads. Our National Parks and Washington DC guides contain helpful information on what to do in the area, making it a great resource for those who planned a trip to those National Parks or Washington DC but can’t access the areas or sights they planned to visit. The USA planning chapter will also come in handy in giving alternative ideas of what else to do in the USA.

Snap up your free PDF downloads any time from now until Sunday October 6 at 23:59PST.

Responsible travel with Lonely Planet & TOMS

We’re very excited to announce that we’ve partnered with TOMS around travel, sustainability and Lonely Planet’s 40th anniversary!

Lonely Planet and TOMS share in the belief that travelers can make a positive impact all across the planet. ‘Sustainable’ and ‘responsible’ have been part of our vocabulary since Lonely Planet was founded 40 years ago. Those values are at the core of our mission. While traveling in Argentina in 2006, TOMS founder, Blake Mycoskie, witnessed the hardships faced by children growing up without shoes and it was this travel experience that inspired the foundation for TOMS business: for every pair of shoes purchased, TOMS will a donate another new pair to a person in need.

We’ve joined forces to bring you Lonely Planet’s Guide to Responsible Travel, a mini-guidebook featuring Lonely Planet’s best tips and ideas for having a positive impact on the world while traveling. You can get this book today as a free digital magazine (you can also print it and download it).

In addition, TOMS has created a limited-edition shoe, inspired by 40 years of travel with Lonely Planet. The shoe will be offered exclusively through competitions hosted on TOMS.com (USA, Canada & UK only, except where prohibited), LonelyPlanet.com (USA & Canada only, except where prohibited) and through our social media channels (Lonely Planet – Facebook, @lonelyplanet – Twitter, TOMS – Instagram, @TOMS – Twitter) through 15 August, 2013.

Happy responsible travels!

Meet a traveller: Paul Clammer, author of Afghanistan, Haiti and Pakistan guide books

Paul Clammer has worked as a molecular biologist, tour leader and travel writer. For Lonely Planet, Paul has covered countries from Afghanistan and Haiti to Nigeria and Pakistan. He keeps telling himself that he’s going to start writing about easier destinations, but he’s probably fooling himself.

In the great sand sea of the Sahara, near Chinguetti in Mauritania, researching LP’s West Africa guidebook in 2012. Image c/o Paul Clammer.

Where was your last trip?

I was recently in Morocco, researching for the new edition of the LP guide. It’ll be the 11th edition of the guide. I first went to Morocco in 1993 and used the very first edition, so I have a lot of history with the title. I travel to Morocco pretty much every year, most often to Fez.

Where is your next trip?

I’ll be in Jamaica, again working for Lonely Planet. That said, I’m currently based in Amman, Jordan and haven’t had much of a chance to get out of the city yet, so actually the next thing will be a weekend trip to the Dead Sea or Petra!

What is your first travel-related memory?

Family holidays in Scotland and France. For ‘proper’ travel, taking a safari overland truck trip from Nairobi to Harare when I was 19. It was a formative experience in many ways, and ten years later I ended up working for the same travel company.

Aisle or window seat?

Window for short daytime flights, the aisle for everything else. I like being able to get up and stretch my legs as much as I need to on a long flight.

Do you have any travel habits or rituals?

Wherever I am, I love going to the barber for a shave with a cut-throat razor.

Favourite city or country or region?

Seeing the New York skyline lit up at night certainly fills me with childish glee. If I can also get to spend time with New Yorker friends exploring their favourite neighbourhoods, all the better. Favourite country would probably be Haiti. It’s beautiful and exciting – and way more than just where the big earthquake took place.

What is your best or worst travel souvenir?

Not sure about the best or worst, but thing I seem to collect a lot of are local SIM cards for my phone. Roaming fees are the devil’s work.

What is the best or worst piece of travel advice you’ve received?

Taking a two-day minibus ride in Afghanistan after being told that a certain road was safe by a security consultant. It wasn’t.

Taking a break in the Bamiyan Valley, Afghanistan in 2006. Image c/o Paul Clammer.

What’s your biggest travel fail?

Arranging to meet my girlfriend when she flew into Casablanca and standing for an hour at the exit for the wrong terminal. Not my greatest moment.

Quick, an asteroid is going to hit the earth in one week! Which is the one travel dream you’d rush to fulfil?

As someone who travels for work, I’d be happy with friends and good food anywhere in the world that doesn’t involve doing a dozen hotel reviews a day. I hear this interesting rumour that some people use guidebooks for holidays, and I quite fancy trying that for a change!

What advice would you give a first time travellers?

Take about half as much luggage as you think you’ll need. And take your time – sometimes the best way to get off the beaten track is just to stop, even if you’re on the beaten track. I’d much rather spend a week trying to get under the skin of one destination than rushing around trying to see half a dozen different places.

Find Paul Clammer on Twitter, LonelyPlanet.com and his website, www.paulclammer.com.

Seven of the most treasured travel souvenirs (as voted by you)

Tired of snowdomes and T-shirts? Have a few too many fridge magnets? In an entirely non-scientific survey, we asked Lonely Planet fans on Facebook to tell us about their most treasured travel souvenirs. It turns out that the best keepsakes are often the things that pesos and pounds can’t buy…

‘Hong Kong couple‘ by bryangeek. Creative Commons Attribution licence.

Awwwww. A new boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife was the most common travel souvenir among our Facebook followers. We’re feeling warm and fuzzy.

‘Smoking women‘ by twicepix. Creative Commons Attribution licence.

Sure, it’s cheesy, but our Facebook fans agree that the experience gained through travel and exposure to foreign cultures has changed them as people. You don’t know until you go…

‘Egyptian Highlight‘ by sonofgroucho. Creative Commons Attribution licence.

Travel souvenirs aren’t always a reminder of the happy times. On the bright side, once you’re no longer in pain you can laugh about it.

‘Burns to my face after falling asleep on a Chinese junk in the midday, overcast, humid conditions of Phang Nga Bay’ – Louisa

‘A scar, from my appendicitis surgery in Peru!’ – Christian

’100+ mosquito bites in Cambodia!’ – Danial

‘This is Africa!‘ by Fotoffigrafie. Creative Commons Attribution licence.

Sometimes a fond memory, sometimes a regret, but always something to talk about – tattoos rank high in the list of treasured travel souvenirs. Just be sure to double-check that really is the Chinese character for peace.

‘Dandelion‘ by Bert Heymans. Creative Commons Attribution licence.

It’s often the story behind a souvenir rather than the object itself that makes it special. We love these tales of generosity on the road:

‘Our group was at a train station in Moscow, heading for the airport. A Russian teenage boy approached me and said, “You are American, yes?” “Yes.” “And you are on your way back to America now…” “Yes.” He then said, “I know that I will never get to go to America. I want to know that something of mine is in America. Please take this back with you.” And he took out his keys, took off his keychain and handed it to me. I’ve had that keychain now for 22 years and it never fails to make my eyes teary when I think about it.’ – Felice

‘A St. Patrick medal that was given to me by a stranger when I was waiting with my bags at Victoria Station in London.’ – Aida

‘Shortly after 9/11, I did a tour of Southern & Eastern Turkey. There were about 12 of us, all American. Many, many times we heard something like “all of Turkey mourns with you”. One day, our van stopped for gas. A couple of people got out to stretch their legs and got to talking to the proprietor. As soon as he found out we were American, he sent a boy into the adjacent store. The boy emerged with some glass bowls – probably the only thing that there were 12 of. The proprietor insisted that we each take one as a gift. The bowl is cheap, ugly, and useless. I would not part with it for anything.’ – Kathy

‘Room Key‘ by macaron*macaron(Est Bleu2007). Creative Commons Attribution licence.

Things that weren’t meant to be souvenirs but, well, they wound up heading home with you anyway.

‘My room key from my hostel in London, I couldn’t bear to give it back!’ – Jess

‘A fossilised snail I found while trekking in Bolivia.’ – Matthew

7. Prehistoric shark teeth

‘Giant Great White Shark Teeth‘ by Ryan Somma. Creative Commons Attribution licence.

Maybe it’s not the most popular souvenir on the list, but definitely something to show the grandchildren: one LP fan going by the name of ‘Sharky’ (we wonder where he got that nickname) came home with some megalodon teeth after a diving trip in North Carolina. Jawsome.

Can you top these strange souvenirs? Share your story with Lonely Planet on Facebook and Twitter.