National Geographic photographers ventured to places far and wide to capture the year’s most fascinating images.
Taking the Plunge
Atka Bay, Antarctica
A young emperor penguin jumps off a 50-foot cliff for its first swim. The species normally breeds on low-lying sea ice, but some colonies have been found on higher and more permanent ice shelves, behavior likely to become increasingly common with climate change. Left by their parents a month earlier, the chicks must fend for themselves and find food by hunting in the sea.
National Geographic Traveller Magazine (November 15, 2024): The latest issue features a Canadian wilderness governed by its Indigenous inhabitants; a vibrant Mexican city where mariachi music reigns supreme; and a remote corner of New Zealand where the rare kiwi bird is making a comeback — uncover unmissable travel destinations for the year ahead.
From a jungle treehouse in Mexico to a California-inspired sun ranch in Australia, these are the best new and improved hotels, according to National Geographic Traveller (UK)’s annual Hotel Awards.
Could this be Europe’s best hut-to-hut hiking trail?
On the northwest border of Slovenia is a mountain range as dramatic as it is accessible, offering hut-to-hut hiking on multi-day adventures — with plenty of hearty food and local tales to sustain the journey.
What it’s like to travel along the West Coast on a train
One of the most beautiful train journeys in the US, the Coast Starlight’s route unspools along the Pacific Ocean from Los Angeles via Sacramento to Seattle. With miles of coastline, towering mountain ranges and glistening cityscapes, this is the ultimate American slow travel experience.
Vox (September 20, 2024): In 1888, Eastman Kodak patented roll film, and the company’s business model of selling film, and then processing and printing the photos taken on that film for their consumers, made photography available to the masses for the first time.
Before the Kodak No. 1 box camera debuted, photography was a complicated process involving chemistry and expertise on big, bulky equipment. When Kodak introduced the Brownie and sold it for a dollar in 1900, photography went fully mainstream. The company dominated the film sales and development market during the 20th century and successfully marketed its automatic cameras as crucial to capturing fleeting moments — at home and on vacation.
But digital camera sales began to outpace film camera sales in the early 2000s, and Kodak failed to keep up. They filed for bankruptcy in 2012 but do still exist and sell film, albeit to a much smaller market.
France Today Magazine (September 20, 2024): Our Great Destinations feature, which sees Caroline Mills explore the western section of the sprawling Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, includes both household names (Bordeaux, Cognac) and hidden gems (Le Train de la Rhune tourist train!).
Bali: A long-distance hike through the Indonesian island’s forested interior Ireland: Exploring the ancient landscapes of the Burren, County Clare New Mexico: Meet the rangers protecting the US state’s wealth of parks and monuments Morocco: Itineraries to experience the country’s bohemian cities, desert villages and more Athens: A layer cake of ancient and modern, the Greek capital overflows with intrigue Oxford: Rambling gardens and cosy bookshops in England’s ‘city of dreaming spires’ Cascais: Historic mansions, museums and moreish seafood on the Portuguese Riviera Ticino: Mediterranean and Alpine cuisines intermingle in this southerly Swiss canton Jamaica: The island’s best hotels, from secluded mountain cabins to intimate beachside escapes
Kyle McDougall (August 19, 2024): I’m back at Dinorwic Quarry, with the large format camera, for a day of exploring and shooting.
Dinorwic quarry is a large former slate quarry, now home to the Welsh National Slate Museum, located between the villages of Llanberis and Dinorwig in Wales. At its height at the start of the 20th century, it was the second largest slate quarry in Wales, after the neighbouring Penrhyn quarry near Bethesda.
A team of scientists and artists transformed a jumble of bones entombed in tons of rock into a towering dinosaur that will leave visitors to L.A.’s Natural History Museum wonderstruck.
What life is like when your brain can’t recognize faces
The common neurological disorder affects roughly 2 percent of the population. Author Sadie Dingfelder shares her perspective navigating the world with it.
National Geographic Traveller Magazine (June 11, 2024): The September 2024 issue features a look beyond Istanbul and the Turquoise Coast in Turkey to descend into the subterranean cities of Cappadocia, a feast in the blossoming culinary region of Urla, and a marvel at Edirne’s age-old oil wrestling festival. Plus, trekking in Sri Lanka, a weekend in Montenegro and a guide to Miami.
Also inside this issue:
Sri Lanka: The Indigenous Vedda people are leading immersive treks in the jungled highlands Valencia:Journey through the parks, wetlands and groves of 2024’s European Green Capital Austria: Drink up the views from Carinthia’s lakeside restaurants and lofty mountain trails Japan: Itineraries to experience the archipelago’s urban life, scattered islands and more Miami: Explore the influences that have shaped Florida’s sun-soaked capital Dublin: A guide to the Irish capital, from big-ticket attractions to intimate audiophile bars Bay of Kotor: From medieval towns to national parks, this is Montenegro at its prettiest Perth: The capital of Western Australia is fresh out of an unprecedented hotel boom
Plus, a Silk Road adventure in London’s British Museum; Spain’s Parador hotels unveil new tours; the global influences behind Guyanese cuisine; fine dining in Sorrento; the inside scoop on St John’s, Canada; canal boating trips in the UK; a bucolic escape in the Forest of Dean; the best autumn literary festivals; and portable kit for your next adventure.
We talk with author Oliver Smith on finding peace at Britian’s holy sites, and former astronaut José Hernández on reaching for the stars. In our Ask the Experts section, the experts give advice on digital nomad visas, planning a music-themed road trip in the US and more. The Info sets sail for Venice’s historical regatta, while Hot Topic explores the rise of tiger mosquitos across Europe and the Report asks whether costlier safaris really mean more money for conservation initiatives. Finally, photographer and writer Simon Urwin discusses capturing the otherworldly landscapes of Algeria in How I Got the Shot.
News, Views and Reviews For The Intellectually Curious
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