From the Magazine

Condé Nast Traveler on the Today Show: Vacations for Baby Boomers

2010-03-11T15:08:47Z

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Condé Nast Traveler Senior Editor (and Cityist) Kate Maxwell stopped by the Today Show this morning to talking to Matt Lauer about a handful of the best relaxing trips for baby boomers. See what she has to say about Montreal, Sonoma, Nantucket, Costa Rica, New Orleans, and Africa—including a dog-friendly getaway and some hotel discounts, which suit all ages, really.

Avatar on Earth: Inside Condé Nast Traveler's March 2010 Issue

2010-03-10T15:51:51Z

Bob Payne adapts to shrinking per diems by hunting for his own food

In the March issue of Condé Nast Traveler, reporter Bob Payne set out to learn firsthand about rain forest survival—as well as his own—from Guyana's Makushi tribal guides. Watch our video above and see how our intrepid reporter built shelters, foraged for food, and 'mastered' the bow and arrow.

For more from Payne's trip, including how tiny Guyana is protecting its rain forests read, "Avatar on Earth" in the March issue.

The New Minimalism: Inside Condé Nast Traveler's March 2010 Issue

2010-03-08T15:27:09Z

For the March issue of Condé Nast Traveler, our editors thought about the innovations, ideas, and trends that will forever change the way we travel. So what's next? As far as fashion goes, Style Director Mark Connolly predicts that we'll all be wearing black. (Yes, again.) Watch the video above to find out why he thinks minimalism is a traveler's best friend—and how he put together the perfect travel outfit that ended up in our pages.

For a bigger peak into the future, read "Are You Ready?" in our March issue.

Book Launch Party: Conde Nast Traveler's Room With A View

2010-03-05T18:46:42Z

Photo: Jeremy Balderson

Perhaps it would have been more fitting to celebrate the release of Conde Nast Traveler's Room with a View (Assouline Publishing) in, say, Room 1166 at the Tshuggen Grand Hotel. Or maybe in the private pool Sun Suite at Jade Mountain in St. Lucia.

But last night's location, the Highline Room at The Standard, New York City was more than appropriate given the fact that A. The Standard's Room 1211 graces the book's cover and B. The Venn diagram charting people who love to party and people who love a great room requires a large sized meeting space.

]]> Condé Nast Traveler's editor-in-chief, kicked off the night with a little story of how Room With a View sprung fully formed from the head of Traveler founder Harry Evans and grew to become one the magazine's most popular monthly features--one room, one photo, plus descriptive text. The book, beautifully packaged with 140 luscious photos, was a natural next step.

At the entrance to the Highline Room, party goers crowded around the end product. Some paying the $65--a bargain really--for the chance to take home a little fantasy (and support Condé Nast Traveler's Five&Alive Fund, the benificiary of all the night's proceeds). Others remaining at the table the whole night; probably hoping that if they stared at a photo long enough--like the Imperial Suite at the Ritz, Paris--they would be transported to that very same room, their business attire swapped for the hotel's comfy bathrobe and slippers and a nice cup of tea.

Those not dreaming, talked about some of the rooms pictured like conquests.

Pointing to the cover shot of the The Standard, New York, one guest told a Traveler staffer, "Yes I have stayed at one of the rooms here. Near the top floor. Floor to ceiling windows, no curtains." She smiled. "It's just like they say. Just like they say."

It took the staffer a second to realize that the smile and the "they" in "they say" concerned last summer's reports on Standard guests prancing around in the nude to the delight (or horror) of pedestrians below.

The beautiful photos gracing Condé Nast Traveler's Room With A View cannot make any such wardrobe malfunction claims. But there are fantasies of a sort found here. Bungalow 205, Bora Bora Lagoon Resort Room, anyone?

Buy the book on Amazon. Or, better yet, support your local bookstore.

Photo: Patrick Butler

Photo: Patrick Butler

Photo: Jeremy Balderson

Photo: Jeremy Balderson

Travel Tip 101: How to Tie a Shemagh

2010-03-03T21:38:05Z

While reporting our March Condé Nast Traveler feature, "Absolute Arabia," Cairo-based reporter Susan Hack found herself at one point on a beautiful beach with a handsome instructor showing her the finer points on how to twist, tie, and tuck a shemagh, the traditional Omani head scarf. All in a day's work.

After reading her story, and studying up on our suggestions on what to do in "the last great desert adventure," you may find this video quite useful.

Video: Vancouver, What To Do When You're Not On the Slopes

2010-02-16T16:41:39Z

How livable is "the most livable city in North America?" Condé Nast Traveler's Mark Schatzker goes West to sample Vancouver's delicacies, meet the wildlife, take in the beautiful scenery. Among his stops: Grouse Mountain, Stanley Park, C Restaurant, the Granville Island Market, Gastown, the Salt Tasting Room, and the Vancouver Aquarium.

More from Vancouver
Canada Wins Chinese Gold
Seriously, you want the best Chinese food? Go to Vancouver!
Vancouver Restaurant Gold
Getting Spirited in Vancouver
West Coast Bliss

The Costs of Flying Cheap

2010-02-09T16:18:26Z

Tonight on PBS, don't miss Frontline's "Flying Cheap," an investigation into the safety problems of major airlines outsourcing to smaller, regional carriers.

But before you watch it, be sure to read Barbara Peterson's December 2009 story, "Downsized! The Rise of Regional Airlines", in the December 2009 issue of Condé Nast Traveler, which charts the rise of these regional airlines as well as the difficulties of working for one.

As Condé Nast Traveler's aviation correspondent, and the intelligence behind Truth.Travel's aviation blog, On the Fly, Peterson has been reporting on the challenges--and occasional disasters--associated with outsourcing for years.

Here's Peterson on the National Transportation Safety Board hearings on the crash of Continental 3407 outside Buffalo which killed 49 people on board and one on the ground:

It was hard to avoid the impression that the crew was far from 'ready and rested,' as required by airline policies. Those of us in attendance got to hear a lot about the life of an airline grunt: Wal-Mart level wages; catnapping instead of getting a real night's sleep; 16-hour days.

Scary stuff. "Flying Cheap" airs at 9 p.m. on PBS. Peterson blogs weekly at Fly.Truth.Travel.

We Have a Winner of "Where Am I?" Graveyard Edition

2010-02-09T15:43:33Z

"Where Am I?" Graveyard Edition has a winner! TSGaji was the first person to identify the name of the mountain (Mt. Vaea), the country in which it is situated (Samoa), and the wordsmith who is buried at the site (Robert Louis Stevenson) featured in this photo.

We thought we'd include some words from the reader, Evelyn Kruse, who submitted this great photo:

"When Stevenson died, the Samoans quickly cut a path through the jungle to carry his body up to this site at the top of the mountain, which overlooks his final home in Vailima. The natives called this path 'the road of loving hearts.' When his wife died, she was also brought here to be laid to rest with her husband."

Inspired? Come back and join us for another Where Am I? Photo Challenge soon. Or have your own photo featured here at truth.travel: Just hold up a copy of Condé Nast Traveler in an intriguing locale you’d recommend to other travelers, have someone photograph you, and email us the picture. We’ll challenge everyone to guess where on earth you were. Just read the Photo Challenge instructions here.

Contest: Where Am I? Graveyard Edition

2010-02-08T19:03:08Z

"Where Am I?" went on a little break after the holidays, but we're back today with another fabulous—and particularly tricky—photo submitted by a reader.

Can you guess where this photo was taken? We will need to know the name of the mountain, the country in which it is situated, and the three-named wordsmith who is buried here.

The first person to comment below with the correct answer will receive The Condé Nast Traveler Book of Unforgettable Journeys. Already got a copy? You can have your choice of a complimentary year-long subscription to the magazine instead.

After submitting your answer, stay tuned for the winner and a new edition of "Where Am I?"

Share a Photo
Have a photo to share for "Where Am I?" Email a photo of yourself or a travel mate holding a copy of Condé Nast Traveler to Condé Nast Traveler's Interactive Editor, Tom Loftus, at thomas_loftus@condenast.com. Be sure the background you choose for your photo is not too obvious. (No Empire State Building or Machu Picchu, please.)

Unsung Hotels: The Best Hotels You've Never Heard Of

2010-02-01T15:12:22Z

Esplendor del Calafate is located in the heart of Argentina's Patagonia.

Dozens of hotel chains around the world deliver comfort, native charm, and great value, but are unknown to most Americans. In Condé Nast Traveler's February issue, Sallie Brady reports on these foreign brands ("The Best Hotels You've Never Heard Of") and on how to find them at your favorite destinations. Here's a taste of two top South America-based hotel groups:

ESPLENDOR HOTELS
Brand Basics: Seven properties in some of the most popular cities in Argentina, Panama, and Paraguay.
The Good: Eye-catching decor; good value.
The Bad: Staff can be less than helpful; no concierge services.
Best For: Self-sufficient, savvy travelers who like hotels with flair.
Loyalty Program: Yes.
Where We Stayed: Esplendor del Calafate, El Calafate, Argentina (54-2902-492454; doubles, ($140-$180).
What It Was Like: The hotel's handsome interiors are studies in hardwoods, leather, and stone. The design and fine fare set it far apart from the competition.

LOI SUITES
Brand Basics: Seven properties in Argentina and Brazil, all in prime locations and designed with tasteful restraint.
The Good: Contemporary, bright decor; well-trained staff.
The Bad: Standard rooms verge on the cramped.
Best For: Tourists who rate reliability over local color.
Loyalty Program: No.
Where We Stayed: Loi Suites Chapelco Hotel, San Martín de los Andes, Argentina (54-2972-410304; doubles, $200-$300).
What It Was Like: The hotel draws golfers with its Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-holer. Capable staff keep the 85-room Bavarian-style hotel running like clockwork—just don't expect them to remember your name.

For more great foreign hotel brands from the Americas to Europe to Asia, pick up Condé Nast Traveler's February issue, or read The Best Hotels You've Never Heard Of on cntraveler.com.

10 Blissful French Islands: Inside Condé Nast Traveler's February 2010 Issue

2010-01-27T17:17:08Z

The village of Sauzon, on Belle-Île, has lively restaurants and cafés, including Les Embruns, a crêperie on the quay.
Photo: Michel Figuet for Condé Nast Traveler

In Condé Nast Traveler's February issue, writer Lee Aitken unveils France's best-kept secret: "when natives in the know need respite from métro, boulot, dodo, they escape to dozens of unhurried, unsullied little islands just off their country's coast." Here, three of her favorite restaurants from Belle-Île:

Sauzon's restaurant of the moment is Roz Avel (2-97-31-61-48; entrées, $26-$40)
Café de la Cale has wonderful people-watching and a delicious fish soup in a tureen big enough to feed a family (2-97-31-65-74; prix fixe, $55)
L'Annexe, in Le Palais, serves local lamb (2-97-31-81-53; entrées, $20-$36)

Click on the link below to see Michel Figuet's captivating shots of life in these French isles. And for more places to eat, stay, and play on them, grab a copy of the February issue, or read "10 Blissful French Islands" at cntraveler.com.

Start the French islands slide show >>

The Challenges of Terrorism Security

2009-12-29T17:51:39Z

Photo: dan_paluska/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

What exactly went wrong on Flight 253, and how can such terrorism attempts be prevented in the future? That's the question NPR's Luke Burbank asked Barbara S. Peterson, senior aviation correspondent and On the Fly blogger here at Condé Nast Traveler, on this morning's Takeaway segment. Listen to the Challenges of Terrorism Security for what she and Chris Yates, an aviation security analyst for Jane's, have to say.

Truth.Travel coverage of Flight 253:
The Airline Safety Debate: What About the Baggage Below? (Clive Irving)
Passenger Privacy Gone in Jock-Strap Jihadist's Wake? (Barbara S. Peterson)

Gold List 2010: Top 5 Places to Stay in the World

2009-12-18T17:11:09Z

Photo: Julien Capmeil

In 2009, more than 25,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers rated hotels and resorts based on a number of factors including rooms, service, design, and food. You can read the results, the Gold List, in the January 2010 issue of Condé Nast Traveler.

In the meantime, allow us to present the heavyweights, the cremè de la cremè, the TOP 5 PROPERTIES WORLDWIDE as selected by the world's savviest travelers. Ready? Set? Gold List!

Start the Gold List slide show >>

Gold List 2010: Top 5 Places to Stay in the U.S.

2009-12-17T18:44:24Z

More than 25,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers, the world's most dependable source of travel intel, selected the best hotels, resorts, and cruise lines in the world for the 2010 Gold List. Of the 516 properties, 151 hail from the United States. And from that select list, we introduce the top 5 places to stay based on overall score. Ready to meet the winners?

For the complete list—and an explanation of our methodology—visit cntraveler.com or pick up the January 2010 issue of Condé Nast Traveler.

Start the U.S. Gold List slide show >>

We Have a Winner of "Where Am I?" Waterfall Edition

2009-12-15T17:55:48Z

Where Am I?" Waterfall Edition has a winner! Viki Arkoff was the first person to identify the name of the waterfall (Waimoku Falls) and the park in which it is situated (Haleakala National Park on Maui, Hawaii) featured in this photo.

We thought we'd include some words from the reader, Darlene Fiske, who submitted this great photo:

"After driving the road to Hana in Maui, Hawaii with Hike Maui, our guide (and driver) Ray took us on to Haleakala National Park and we hiked two miles to get to the 400-foot-tall Waimoku Falls, where we ate lunch in the mist of the falls. We walked through the most amazing bamboo forest to get there. We tasted unusual fruits along the way (all presented by our guide) and ate our packed lunch in the mist of the waterfall. I carried my issue of Condé Nast Traveler all through Hawaii and this was the most special place we found."

Inspired? Come back and join us for another Where Am I? Photo Challenge soon. Or have your own photo featured here at truth.travel: Just hold up a copy of Condé Nast Traveler in an intriguing locale you’d recommend to other travelers, have someone photograph you, and email us the picture. We’ll challenge everyone to guess where on earth you were. Just read the Photo Challenge instructions here.