Welcome to the July issue of The Traveler!

He stood motionless, looking up at the looming facade of the United Nations, shrouded in the darkness on the other side of a massive barricade.The Traveler just wanted to have a look, since he was in New York anyway for a travel writing conference.

There really wasn't much else to do but mull over the idea and possibility of a world comprised of truly United Nations. If this impressive structure is the best we can do, at quiet rest on a balmy summer night with a waxing moon rising over 45th Street, separated from the world behind a security fortress...
I suppose it's a start.

Perhaps more people should come down; have a look at the place in the relative quiet of a Manhattan Saturday night and just be still for a moment.

New York is the king of world-class cities (though some may argue with that) but The Traveler still loves coming home to San Francisco. Everyone knows the song, and it is about where The Traveler's heart is. (And where just last month the 60th anniversary of the United Nations was celebrated.)

So it is home again for The Traveler. And just in time for the July issue!

Our feature articles this month will take us cruising the Galapagos Islands; discovering why love is for the birds on Bonaventure Island in Quebec; on to a narrow, crowded alleyway in downtown Beijing for a memorable amble and a little lesson in humanity; and finally we'll experience a young man's frightening episode in a strange and foreign land - traffic in Pakistan is nothing like it is back in Minnesota.

We're proud to introduce this month a brand new sponsor of The Traveler, TellTheTale.net. Please check these nice folks out!

Is our Travel Writing Pick-of-the-Month really travel writing? The Traveler thinks so, with a compelling account of Boston, London, New York, and New Jersey in 1776. Hmm... Now what would have been going on there and then? Travel to a different place in time and hear the story told like it hasn't been before.

Capping off the issue is our usual offering of travel resources, ideas, and bargains. See the world, know the world, know yourself, die happy - or at least have a great trip!

Enjoy!

Feature Articles

Galapagos Islands
Cruising the islands on the Galapagos Legend

Bonaventure Island, Quebec
Love is for the birds, and here's proof

Wonder Alley
A crowded, narrow alley a million miles from home, where a simple ni-hao makes all the difference

Pakistani Cops
A young American has a Pakistani traffic experience he won't soon forget

Travel Writing Pick-Of-The-Month

From the siege of Boston in 1775/76 to the complete failure of the occupation of New York and then the final morale-saving triumph of Washington's surprise rise attack of the Hessian mercenaries in Trenton, New Jersey the day after Christmas 1776, the story of the fledgling American rebel army is one of uncertainties, misjudgments, and eventual triumph by a bedraggled army held together with the sheer force of will possessed by George Washington, his closest aides, and thousands of nameless citizen-soldiers. If not for these, we'd all be having high tea in the afternoon.

Get a taste of New England, New York, and New Jersey in the year of America's birth. McCullough's exquisite detail, exceptional knowledge, and superb storytelling skills make this historical account a most enjoyable learning experience. We were all rebels and underdogs once.
Travel back in time to the painful birth of a nation with David McCullough's 1776 

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Travel Ideas, Resources, and Bargains

All Your Travel Needs In One Place -
Find a flight, rental car, winter vacation, weekend getaway, or the adventure of a lifetime! You'll find everything you need from airline tickets to vacation packages to travel insurance, foreign currency exchange, and passport processing... It's all at TouristTravel.com!

London Calling -
Londoners have had a difficult month. Show them you still love them by taking advantage of special hotel rates by GtaHotels.com. Big Ben. Small price. Lowest hotels rates in London.

Travel the World From the Comfort of Your Home -
National Geographic is famous for bringing the world to your doorstep.
NEW! National Geographic 8th Edition Atlas of the World

The Galapagos From $1899 -
Okay, you've read our feature article about exploring the Galapagos Islands and you're ready to go! We've found a great deal to the Galapagos from Marnella Tours. Find out about this tour and other premier tours to South America at the Marnella Tours website.

Clearance Sale on JetBlue -
The Traveler has just had his first "JetBlue experience" (that's really what they call it) and he's a fan. While some airlines seem to be sputtering along on thin financial ice and a smile seems all too rare, JetBlue is getting it right. And to make it even better, they're currently having a "clearance sale" on destinations throughout the United States. Check out these great fares at JetBlue.com

3Rivers Eco Lodge -
Voted the 2005 Caribbean Green Hotel of the Year by American Express and the Caribbean Hotel Association, 3Rivers Lodge is set in a lush rainforest valley, surrounded by pristine rivers in unspoiled eastern Dominica. 3Rivers offers secluded self-contained cottages, isolated natural forest cabins, camping facilities, restaurant, bar and games room. You'll find rivers, natural pools, rainforest, and diving in the Caribbean. 3Rivers also has sustainable living displays and practical courses, eco artist workshops, treks, waterfalls, lakes, and much, much more... Find out more at the 3Rivers Lodge website.

Small Groups Save Big with Amtrak Share Fares -
Now through September 30th, when you purchase two tickets on trains in the US Northeast, the rest of your party - up to four additional people - will travel for 90% off the regular fare. Find out all about it at the Amtrak website.

8 Day Athens and Istanbul Tours from $759 -
Airfare, 6 nights accommodations; 3 Athens, 3 Istanbul, breakfast daily. Get all the information about this tour from the Gate1 Travel website.

Max Savings on Mini Vacation -
We all know that Captain Kir... Er - I mean William Shatner tells us about the great travel deals you'll find at Priceline.com. What he hasn't told you is that Priceline is currently offering some great mini-vacation packages. Recharge your batteries with quick getaway. Find out about these great deals at Priceline.com  

Create Your Own Custom Mini Destination Guide -
Create a personalized travel guide to take with you on your trip -- restaurant reviews, currency rates, and more. Start Here to Make Your Custom Mini Guides  

What's New at TouristTravel.com

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More Issues of The Traveler!
In addition to our regular monthly email issue of The Traveler and the periodic posting to The Traveler Blog, we will begin publishing supplemental issues of The Traveler to bring our readers even more great travel writing and the very latest and greatest travel deals. Look for these smaller supplemental issues of The Traveler in the coming weeks.

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