The June issue of The Traveler is out

The Traveler starts its fifth year of publication with the June '05 issue just out.

Travel and Learn

The Traveler believes that travel is, or should be, a learning experience. Even if it's just a trip back home to visit the folks, there's always something to learn.

And for those that are really serious about making travel a learning experience, there's Road Scholar.

Check it out. If anyone actually takes one of their tours, we'd love to hear about it.

The Ultimate Travel Writer's Workshop in NYC, July 21-24, 2005

This is the last travel writing workshop for this year. If you're ready to start your career as a freelance travel writer, check this out. You may even get to meet The Traveler in person!

Summer in San Francisco

The first day of summer, and the cool breeze chilled me through my linen shirt as I stood watering the garden, the sun casting long shadows on the storied flats surrounding the little, hard-clayed plot of land that constituted our urban oasis of flowers and green.

That familiar chill so customery of a San Francisco summer. Like Mark Twain said...

It's tourist season in San Francisco and the cable cars are packed with people discovering this magical City by the Bay for the first time.

Welcome!

The link goes to the latest information from the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau.

A new photography course for freelance photography

: "Turn Your Pictures into Cash: A Comprehensive Course in Taking and Selling Amazing Photographs"

If you enjoy photography you should check out this new course offered by the American Writers & Artists Institute.

Celebrate! 4th of July Last Minute Deals from $199

Last minute travel specials for the 4th of July from Travelocity.

Check it out and celebrate the birth of a nation!

Islands in the Sun: Go Greek for a Week in November from $1,149

Just in from Frommers Budget Travel deals desk - Sunny Greece!

The World Outdoors - Interesting resource for eco and adventure travel

The World Outdoors - adventure travel, trips, hiking tours, biking tours, multisport tours, guides

The Traveler just found The World Outdoors website. Take a look to explore their offerings of eco and adventure travel opportunities

Photo of the Month from National Geographic

I've always had this romantic notion that the ideal life is that of a travel photographer. Writing is great, and both require the skill of active observation, but the process of photography directly engages the environment. It's more "in the moment" than writing. But who cares about all that when there are professionals plying their trade, producing images like this?

The Traveler will get out of the way...




Migrating MothersAcacias dot the Serengeti, where nursing mother hyenas may migrate more than 25 miles (40 kilometers) to hunt herds of wildebeests and other grass-eaters. Among nature's most devoted mothers, they may make two such round-trips a week to maintain their milk supply.

"A Sense of Place" - Some Thoughts on the Book

This month I picked Michael Shapiro's A Sense of Place as the travel writing pick in The Traveler. It's interesting to get inside the heads of some of the most prominent travel writers alive today. For me, the book is as interesting as the writer being interviewed. Frankly,sometimes the people are just a little boring. Most times not, and sometimes you're pleasantly surprised. For instance, Paul Theroux, instead of being the irascible old crank that everyone thinks he is, was just a very private man with strong opinions that would really rather be left alone. I don't have a problem with that.



As can be expected, some writers took themselves too seriously (writers sometimes tend to do that), while others didn't take themselves seriously enough. I thought Bill Bryson was too modest. He isn't kayaking down the Zambezi like Theroux, but his insight and good humor are just as enlightening in it's own way. Regular readers of The Traveler know what a big fan of Bryson I am. Sometimes I get bogged down with Theroux. My favorite has always been Mark Twain.

In any case, I think A Sense of Place is a good book for anyone interesting in travel writing and travel writers.

Last Minute Travel Deals

Last minute getaways are one of the more popular items we feature at TouristTravel.com. You'll find the latest resources for last minute travel at our Getaways Page. Click the title link and start planning a great weekend getaway today!

The Traveler Blog Starts Now!

The first issue of The Traveler ezine was four years ago, in June of 2001. In that time we've learned a lot, made new friends, and have had a lot of fun bringing our loyal readers each new issue.

In celebration of four years of publication we're happy to introduce our new blog, rss feeds, and news updates to keep you continuously up to date on the lastest in travel news, resources, last minute travel deals, and weekend getaways. You'll also have access to each issue of The Traveler, including the latest from our worldwide network of travel writers and the latest thoughts from The Traveler himself.

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