Happy Thursday beautiful people! It's Dia with your bi-weekly update on the slowest moving 'round the world trip ever! We are well under way chasing the sun around the globe, sailing east and hope you'll enjoy the ride vicariously.

It seemed strange to be sailing from Nassau, Bahamas (basically a foreign territory) to Puerto Rico (a U.S. territory) as we head around the world at 20 mph. That said, I have no sea sickness to report though many, many of the almost 900 people on board with SAS, are feeling queasy as we all get our sea legs. The run from the Bahamas to Puerto Rico was uneventful in terms of weather, but we're all getting used to living on a floating city with 900 strangers. The students are learning their way around the ship and starting their classes, the staff (myself included) are learning that there is no place on the ship that the students don't take over like a swarm of locusts. Fortunately, we have one of the best groups ever in terms of academic standing, and even after only a week, I have to admit that my affection for them is high.

Continue reading Round The World in 100 Days: Puerto Rico, USA

Round The World in 100 Days: Puerto Rico, USA originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 15 Mar 2007 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Round The World in 100 Days: Nassau, Bahamas

Round The World in 100 Days: Nassau, Bahamas originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 12 Mar 2007 18:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success. " -attributed to a 1901 Times of London newspaper ad allegedly placed by Ernest Shackleton, famous explorer and sailor.

In the "You Lucky Dog" category, I'll be heading out shortly for more than 100 days of round the world (RTW) travel by sea. I'm thick in the throes of prepping for almost 4 months aboard the ship MV Explorer and praying that this voyage will be less susceptible than Shackleton's to things like pirates, mutiny, and beri-beri.

After 9 years, 3 applications, and some good juju, I was selected for a post with Semester at Sea (SAS). Now I'm going to attempt to circumnavigate the globe without leaving the earth's surface-which means I'll have to endure the scary prospect of traveling overland from San Diego back home to the east coast. I'm looking forward to an amazing , once-in-a-lifetime voyage as we sail east around the globe from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to:

Continue reading Round The World in 100 Days: Fantastic Voyage

Round The World in 100 Days: Fantastic Voyage originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 26 Feb 2007 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Since we have had so much fun the past couple of weeks, we figured we'd hit you with another fun way to break up the work day, and plot your escape from the corporate cubicle. Try this short 10 question quiz written by Amanda Kudler over at Fact Monster. This one is a fun mix of geography and world history. I was stumped on a few but used my superpowers to guess correctly and rocked out an embarassing 80%. For shame!

It's not too late to let us know how you fare with the How Well Traveled are You? and the What's Your Travel Personality? quizzes. Come back and let us know how you do on the Fact Monster Quiz, hopefully you trump my 8 out of 10! Let us know how you do in the comments, we are having fun reading your results and reactions, even yours Mom.

Quiz: 10 Question from Fact Monster originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I haven't met Terah Shelton face-to-face yet, but she's one of my favorite people in the travel space. We've traded e-mails on various travel topics and she's also a golf afficionado (which means she can do no wrong in my book).

She's very accessible despite her busy schedule traveling, photographing some amazing places, blogging and oh, did I mention that she teaches a travel writing class at Emory University in Atlanta, GA? You got it folks, she gets to travel, then she writes about it for us armchair adventurers, then she gets paid to tell other people how to do it! How do I sign up for that job?

Course Description:
Do you dream of wandering the back alleys in Venice, climbing Machu Picchu, or taking an African safari? Don't think you can afford it? Well, you can! Learn to travel the world on a shoestring budget by using secret budget tips and methods from a veteran budget traveler and freelance travel writer. You'll learn to define your travel personality, establish your budget traveler status, and prepare a daily budget. By the end of class, armed with learned strategies, you'll be well on your way to Paris, Peru, or Phnom Penh!

Now I'm not saying I'm not happy with my own lifestyle right about now, but Terah is definitely taking the professional travel writing gig to a whole new level. I love her friday updates on her goals, professional targets for the week/month, and future travel events. I'm insatiably curious so I am interested in what other travelers are reading, rocking in their iPods, or where they're headed next and Terah's blog doesn't disappoint.

This multi-talented multi-tasking diva even even finds time to manage Traveler's Pen, a resource for all of your perplexing travel questions, and is a frequent contributor to Vagablond. Her next class starts May 17th and online courses are coming soon!

Travel Deity: Terah Shelton originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 09:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

However, let's take it back to basics and give a shout out to that old stand-by: the t-shirt. I don't think much about clothes these days as I have eschewed the corporate world for the time being. That said, I'm all over a great t-shirt, especially when I find one that mirrors my own life philosophy (which isn't nearly as deep as that sounds).

I was surfing around in Cafe Press for some reason that I can't remember, and came across these shirts by TravelTease and had to order this shirt (pictured). They have a couple of pretty funny tees if you're into that sort of thing (and being a nomad I clearly am). This one pokes fun at the whole "tourists vs. traveler" battle, and this one could be slightly offensive but I still think its funny, though I couldn't wear it since I'll be working with 700 undergrads in a study abroad program and they might not take to kindly to the sentiment and toss me overboard. How do you feel about workaholics? The average price is around $20 and the t-shirt I ordered last year from Cafe Press during Erik's The Global Trip, is as high quality as they come (and will be going RTW with me).

How Do You Really Feel?: Travel Related T-Shirts originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 29 Jan 2007 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We find another reason to love National Geographic almost every week day it seems. It's pretty obvious that most of us over here at Gadling (and probably you too) are a little bit in love with the glossy paper mags, but I have to give some linky love to their website. Every time I get to digging around over there, I find something new to drool over between the main site and National Geo Traveler. What with the Six Places To Go and Adventurer of the Year, can you blame us?

Erik told you about the National Geo blog that Jessie Johnston and Emily King spin into informative fun, and on a tip from a fellow travel geek who saw that I was interested in amateur photography, I found the Photosites page! I have been on a mission to determine which camera I should upgrade to for my upcoming round the world (RTW) trip, and the fact that six of the winners of NG's Photo Contest, and most of my favorite photographers use Nikon was a huge factor in my decision to go with the Nikon D50 as a companion to my Coolpix S6.

The Photosites page is like candy for a of photographer of any level, with Editor Scott Stuckey and other top photographers recommending their favorite photo sites, where you can get inspired, learn tricks of the photo trade, read reliable gear reviews before you buy, and find the best places for sharing and printing photos. They included this as a highlight in the Jan/Feb print edition (on newsstands now). This feature on the site makes sense if it isindeed true that the Photo Galleries are the most-visited section of the National Geographic Traveler site. If you are looking for more "hands on" help, check out the photography (and writing!) seminars.

National Geo Photosites: Resources for the Rest of Us originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 29 Jan 2007 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

One of the gifts of travel is the confidence boost you receive from navigating a place, language, culture or situation that is foreign in every sense of the word. It is nearly impossible to return from a challenging journey unchanged and unaffected. Though you may not notice the growth or maturity in your socio-emotional intelligence, the people around you will.

This "traveler's glow" as I like to call it, is a magnet for the opposite (or same!) sex. If your love life is lagging, your sex drive is sagging and your ego is dragging: hit the road! There are thousands of people out there waiting to charm your pants off (literally and figuratively). This article talks in generalities about what makes people attractive. I've got my own ideas, with a twist of course!

Six Ways That Travel Makes You More Attractive:

1. Your confidence grows. Knowing that you can get through a layover in Istanbul, or navigate the extremes of India, will boost your confidence in other areas of your life.

2. Knowledge is sexy. You know the difference between Puerto Rico and Puerto Escondido, you know Desmond Tutu from Nelson Mandela. It is impossible to travel and not become more aware of the world around you, and people will always want you at their dinner parties.

3. You've got skills! Whether it's a cooking class in Oaxaca, or an Art History course in Florence, strike out and learn something new. You never know when your talent for juggling, wine-pairing or knife-throwing might get you some loving!

4. Your communication skills improve. You have to depend on other people to help you find lodging, trust restaurants to serve you clean, healthy food and drink, make new friends and companions to stave off boredom or loneliness. These skills will follow you long after you've hung up your Tevas and put your enormous backpack in storage.

5. Adventurous spirits are attractive. Everyone loves someone that can make them laugh or get their adrenaline pumping. Whether you're encouraging some cutie to shark dive off the coast of Cape Town or stroll through the vineyards of Bordeaux, travel offers the opportunity to check off some of those things on your life's "must do" list.

6. You can order beer in three languages. Pints, steins, or mugs, enough said.

Travel Theory #124: Travel is Good for the Ego originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 24 Jan 2007 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Franz and Kurt's initial two week vacation lead them to the realization that they want more out of life and more out of their relationship as brothers. The two circle the globe in search of adventure, answers, and the salve for a broken heart.

After scrounging amazon.com for travel reads, I got a recommendation from a friend and I ordered Honeymoon just because the title was so interesting. This is literally one of the best books I've ever read, and the fact that it also documents Franz (and his brother's) journey around the world was like finding caramel in the middle of a Godiva chocolate (if you're like me and you like that sort of thing).

Franz's writing is very down-to-earth, he's a man that holds his emotions close, but isn't afraid to share them, his growing love and respect for his previously distant brother is more evident with every page. You won't be able to resist cheering for Franz as he falls out of love with the fiance, and in love with the road. The book is rumored to be coming to the big screen and the (very handsome) brothers also maintain a popular blog and are currently circling the globe in preparation for their second book.

Honeymoon With My Brother originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 24 Jan 2007 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This one is a little more cut and dried, but no less fun. Check it out via blogthings and tell us in the comments: How Well-Traveled Are You?

Quiz: How Well-Traveled Are You? originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 23 Jan 2007 11:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Last week I talked about my envy of Matt Harding, this week I'm going to let you in on another one of my favorite travel geeks: Conor Grennan of "How Conor is Spending All His Money." I have to confess that though we've never met in real life (IRL) Conor and I have traded e-mails and discovered we graduated the same year (1996) from the same University!

First of all, how can you not love someone whose "About Me" page is titled "The Entire Story of My Life"? Conor's sense of humor is couched in self-deprecating humor, a heart for travel, and a passion for the children of Nepal. I stumbled onto his blog two years ago when I first joined Bootsnall (the host of his blog) while dreaming of my own extended travels. He lived in Prague for almost eight years, before taking off on a round the world (RTW) trip that led him to Nepal and a six month stint volunteering in an orphanage and assisting Nepalese non-profit organizations.

Now Conor has come full-circle as the Executive Director of Next Generation Nepal, the organization he founded and modeled after The Little Princes orphanage that inspired his vision. Conor has tapped his networks, and sacrificed a more comfortable life (in the material sense) to help the displaced children of Nepal. With his charisma, contagious energy and gift for storytelling it is no wonder so many have joined in to help him.

You can read more about Conor in this Daily Progress article from Charlottesville, Virginia.

Travel Deity: Conor Grennan originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 23 Jan 2007 08:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

On a tip from a fellow traveler and foodie, I called and scheduled a solo cooking class ($70 US, 3 hours). Oscar was my host and he is so multi-talented and humble that it would be hard not to enjoy his charm, his stories of growing up in Mexico learning to cook at his mother's side. He is an accomplished artist, tourism geek, world traveler, B&B owner, and chef among other things.

We walked to the local market where he took me to all of the stalls and talked about various veggies, peppers and the occasional reminder of how "fresh" the ingredients are. The colors were vibrant and they got me excited about the day's class and meal. We laughed and talked about local history and culture while making Tortilla Soup, Salsa Verde (Green Salsa), Chicken Enchiladas, Salsa Roja (Red Salsa), Fresh Guacamole, Tortillas Con Carne (pork) and Flan (from scratch!).

We drank enough beer and laughed so much that we were barely able to eat all that we cooked, but somehow we managed to gobble up both the 3 hours allotted for cooking and the delicious vittles. Despite all of the turmoil in the beautiful city, it looks like the annual Food of the Gods Festival will still be held October 7-14, 2007.

I also recommend cooking classes in San Miguel de Allende ($50US/4hrs + lunch with Senora Maria). There we prepared Tortilla Soup, Arroz Verde and Tortitas de Pollo. The Mexican chefs pride themselves on their fresh ingredients. The secret to great tasting Mexican food: Pork lard, but don't tell them I told you!

Don't forget to check out the archives for Mexico and bone up on those vocab words from Adrienne!

Culinary Delights: Cooking Classes in Mexico originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 22 Jan 2007 14:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For me, half the fun of preparing for a trip is researching the destination. I'll be visiting India for the first time during my upcoming stint with Semester at Sea and though I've read many a travel blog and poured over many a National Geographic article, I couldn't resist picking up Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure after reading the back cover.

The excerpt made me laugh out loud in the Boston airport and hand over my credit card without hesitation.

After backpacking her way around India Sarah Macdonald decides she hates the country with a passion. When a beggar reads her palm and insists she will one day return - and for love - she screams 'Never!' and gives the country, and him the finger. But eleven years later the prophecy comes true. When the love of Sarah's life is posted to India, she quits her dream job as a national radio presenter to follow him to the most polluted city on earth, New Delhi. It seems like the ultimate sacrifice for love and it almost kills her - literally.

I read the book in less than two nights, drawn in by Macdonald's detailed descriptions (it turns out the she is a journalist herself) of the country and culture, which give way to her affection for the people and a more balanced appreciation for the extremes of her new home. She undertakes a "spiritual sojourn" that sounds scary, but was often hilarious in its honesty, yet endearing in its sincerity.

My favorite parts of the book are those times when she writes about the Indian locals that she comes to love as friends and adopted family. Her relationships with the characters gave her an insight into the lifestyle, beliefs and ideology of a complex society, and never failed to make me think (and laugh). I can't wait to get to India.

Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 22 Jan 2007 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Is it bad if I want to do both the Running of the Bulls (RTB) and the Running of the Nudes (RTN)? Neil did a nice piece about the RTB that highlighted both the cultural spectacle and the religious aspects of the event. This group, affiliated with PETA, started an alternative to running with the bulls in 2002, protesting the treatment of the beefy bovines (yes, I just wrote that).

The group is part activist, part nudist, and all types of international fun. The web page itself is gratuitous goodness (you might want to check it out after the boss leaves). They have a "Sexiest Runner Spotlight", t-shirts, videos, and of course: photos (trust me, don't open these in your cubicle). Got you hooked? You can register here or sponsor a runner. You can always join Adrienne in the Naked Pumpkin Run if you need to get some training in.

The inaugural event started with 25 people running, and the 2006 event boasted a record 1,000 "nudies." The RTN event begins just prior to the start of the RTB (both occur annually in July), and the goal is to end the Running of the Bulls event, which was catapulted into the international spotlight by writer Ernest Hemingway.

Whether you agree with the cause or not, you have to admit that its a pretty innovative grassroots effort, and another reason to visit Spain. I think I'm just going too have to watch both events and report back (you know, for research).

Festivals & Events: Running of the Nudes originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 16 Jan 2007 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you're anything like me, you love a good quiz. Conde Nast has a fantastic article in this month's issue on page 61 that explores the various types of "Travel Personalities." Christian Wright's "Head Trips" (also available online) is so good that even if you disagree with their assessment of your travel preferences, you'll still be likely to forward this one around to your friends and co-workers. He describes the birth of the study of travel habits:

Quiz: What's Your Travel Personality? originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 16 Jan 2007 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Few people inspire me to envy, but there are those intrepid adventurers that are so obviously on another level, that I have to bow down in awe. This week's travel spotlight is on Matt Harding of Where the Hell is Matt? I've been following his blog for almost two years, the highs, the lows and the hilarity in between. He's been around the world and then some. From Africa to Antarctica, he's been there, done that, and lived to tell the tale. If you haven't seen his video "Dancing", then get thee to YouTube, quick.

Matt's passion for the people and places of the world, zest for life, and self-deprecating humor make for an entertaining travelogue and have garnered him a cult following on the web. Indeed there are now "response videos" wherein fans around the globe have posted videos in the "Dancing" format, celebrating their own travels from Qatar to their kitchens, and the phenomena doesn't seem to be dying down. If this doesn't put a smile on your face then your heart is a cold, hard, nugget indeed. And if you are easily persuaded and highly susceptible to outside influence, you might not want to check out "Dancing" or Matt's Blog with a credit card nearby. Don't blame us if you find yourself on the road with a video camera and a catchy tune of your own.

*update: oooh! An interview with Matt.

Travel Deity: Matt Harding originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 16 Jan 2007 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I'll be in Atlanta, GA in a couple of weeks as I prepare to head out on my round the world trip. I decided to spin through the AOL Cityguide: Atlanta, just to peek at what they recommend for kicks and giggles in my favorite southern city. If you're in town on January 15th, check out the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrations and rally at the MLK Jr. National Historic site.

There are some cities, countries, and places that you just seem to gravitate to time and again, a relationship of catch and release with those home-away-from-home locales that you know like your own backyard. My romance with Atlanta began after reading Tom Wolfe's scathing yet entertaining geo-cultural expose', A Man in Full, I had visions of living in the diverse, drama-filled, fast paced city of the novel. I visit the city several times each year for work and play, and if I could find a way to deal with the traffic I would consider relocating permanently.

You have to love a place nicknamed "Hotlanta", and after a long weekend, you'll know why. January is a great time to visit this gem with mild temperatures, southern charm, and startling cultural diversity. So after you get your holiday celebration on, hit one or all of my favorite Atlanta hotspots. And yes, all of the streets are named "Peachtree."

6. The Sun Dial Restaurant
5. The High Museum of Art
4. The Georgia Aquarium
3. The Atlanta Botanical Garden
2. Cafe Intermezzo
1. The Flying Biscuit

Bonus: About.com's Top Ten Books about Atlanta

Atlanta, GA: Historic Hotspot & Hometown Heroes originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 12 Jan 2007 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I'm all for "Mancations" but as a solo female threading my way through Mexico last year, I enjoyed the freedom of traveling alone. Solo travel is inherently selfish. It is the unadulterated joy of doing what you want to do daily, without concern for a mate's preferences or schedule.

On the other hand, it is perfectly reasonable to want someone to share the joys of a new discovery, the thrill of an adventure gone awry, or simply the comfort of familiar face when you get sick.

One of the main benefits of traveling with friends is that you always have someone to keep an eye on your gear while you make a bathroom/food/ticket run. I follow the common tips for security, but every now and then you have to let your guard down and trust the universe, fellow travelers and kind strangers to keep you and your stuff safe.

There was the night I arrived in Mexico City to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, a single, American, female, hailing a cab in one of the most dangerous cities on earth. Though I was nervous, I decided to trust my intuition, and ended up getting a tour of the midnight mariachi bands serenading throughout the city, and treating my cab driver to the best hamburger I had had in months.

And though on occasion bad things happen to good people, and bad people happen to good places, the thrill of solo travel is being free to investigate, participate, navigate and return to tell the tale. We've mentioned it before, but its not a bad idea to check out USA Today's list of best (and worst) destinations for female travelers before you hit the road.

Women on The Move: Safety and the Solo Traveler originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 11 Jan 2007 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

After my inaugural blog post on Monday, I can proclaim that I am the "newbie" of the Gadling team. I guess the "powers that be" decided I was less dangerous as an employee that they could keep their eyes on, than as a travel-obsessed commenter with a high-speed internet connection. I am honored and excited to join the talented group here at Gadling, and I look forward to learning more about you dear reader.

I am a lifelong traveler, having acquired a passport at the age of 5 and heading to Stuttgart, Germany (Army Brat), after eight years overseas, the travel bug had bitten hard and has yet to let go. I've gone on to travel to Africa, Alaska, Europe, the Bahamian out Islands, and of course I had to do the requisite post-undergrad, cross-country (US) trip. Some of the highlights of my travel career so far have been: seeing the Berlin Wall before it fell, authentic Oktoberfest, a month-long trip with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Kenya, and a 3 month solo trip through Mexico.

I left my corporate career in February of 2006 to indulge my passion for travel in an Under The Tuscan Sun inspired moment, but have found that my adventures have been less Diane Lane in Palermo, and more Whoopi Goldberg in Oaxaca. My next adventure begins January 29, 2007 when I set sail for 100+ days around the world with Semester at Sea. I hope you'll join me here at gadling for the ride.

New Blogger Joins Gadling Team originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 10 Jan 2007 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For all of you shutterbugs and professional photographers, check out the results of National Geographic Traveler's 18th Annual Photo Contest. They received over 15,000 submissions for this year's contest, up 50% from the 10,000 entries they received in 2005. If you are still pumped up for the 2007 contest despite the 1/15,000 chance, start putting your pennies away and check out one of their photography seminars. This year's first place winner, Jay Dunn (China) will receive a ten-day trip for two to Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora-Bora. The second place prize is nothing to sneeze at either. Kyle George (USA) will receive a five-day trip for two to Vietnam.

My scientific regression analysis shows that six of the top ten photos were shot with Nikons, two each with Sony and Cannon gear. Six of the top ten photos were of people, three of landscapes/topography, and one (my personal favorite) of animals. Seven of the winners are from the US, two are Cannucks and Jay Dunn, the first-place winner, lives in China. The 2007 contest will be announced in May.

National Geographic Announces Photo Contest Winners originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 08 Jan 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.