Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.gadling.com/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VIDEO: Visit a guinea pig village in Holland]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/10/video-visit-a-guinea-pig-village-in-holland/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/10/video-visit-a-guinea-pig-village-in-holland/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/10/video-visit-a-guinea-pig-village-in-holland/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you prefer cute and cuddly animals to the Big Five on safari, you may want to consider a trip to the Netherlands. VICE's Cute Show takes a look this week at a guinea pig village in Holland, where the hairy rodents go to "retire" when their owners can no longer look after them. You can adopt a guinea pig or just visit them (I'm partial to the scrappy and long-haired Droopy).

The guinea pig village is located in Bakkeveen, about 2 hours northeast of Amsterdam. It's open Wednesdays and Saturdays to the public, more info available here. Guinea pigs not your thing? Watch the Cute Show visit baby sloths in Costa Rica.

VIDEO: Visit a guinea pig village in Holland originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amsterdamanimalsbaby animalsBabyAnimalsbakkervalecosta ricaCostaRicacutecute showCuteShowguinea pigGuineaPighollandnetherlandsslothsthe netherlandsTheNetherlandsvicevideovillageFri, 10 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day: Getting cozy in the snow]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/09/photo-of-the-day-getting-cozy-in-the-snow/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/09/photo-of-the-day-getting-cozy-in-the-snow/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/09/photo-of-the-day-getting-cozy-in-the-snow/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Photo of the day
Most of our favorite travel memories are from summer: school's out and the days are long, you can hit the beach, sit in a park, or people-watch at a sidewalk cafe. Spring and fall are great shoulder seasons for lower prices and fewer crowds, but winter tends to be underappreciated for travel. Outside of visiting family for holidays, winter travelers generally head to the ski slopes or Caribbean islands to escape the cold. But winter can be a lovely time to travel, whether you are enjoying the museums and bathhouses of Moscow or taking a country walk through the snow in an English village. Today's Photo of the Day by Flickr user Kumukulanui is from St. Ann's Well and Cafe above the spa town of Great Malvern, England. The snow outside makes it even more picturesque, inviting you to get cozy inside with a hot cup of tea and savor the long nights of winter.

Add your favorite winter scenes to the Gadling Flickr pool and you might see it in a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the Day: Getting cozy in the snow originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bathhousecaribbeancoldcozyenglandfallgreat malvernGreatMalvernmalvernmoscowphoto of the dayPhotoOfTheDayphotosshoulder seasonShoulderSeasonskisnowspringsummervillagewinterwinter travelWinterTravelThu, 09 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day: Falafel, going fast]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/02/photo-of-the-day-falafel-going-fast/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/02/photo-of-the-day-falafel-going-fast/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/02/photo-of-the-day-falafel-going-fast/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

photo of the day
We at Gadling love street food. Whether it's from an upscale Manhattan cart or from a Chinese cannon, you'll find that some of the most satisfying and authentic local food doesn't come from a restaurant. Today's Photo of the Day by Flickr user micke77023 comes from Cairo, Egypt of a falafel man who seems to enjoy his product. You can almost smell the chickpea goodness emanating from his kitchen and tell that whatever he's cooking is bound to be tasty.

Send us pictures of your favorite street eats by uploading them to the Gadling Flickr pool for a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the Day: Falafel, going fast originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photo of the day
If you can think of a movie scene set in a toy store, odds are it's the Chopsticks scene at New York City's FAO Schwarz from Big. Though the movie is now over 20 years old (!), few can resist sliding across the big keyboard and recreating Tom Hanks and Robert Loggia's duet medley of "Heart and Soul" and "Chopsticks." Today's Photo of the Day by Flickr user snowjumpr shows how fun it can be to play in a toy store, no matter how, er, big you are.

Have you recreated any movie moments on your travels? Add your photos to the Gadling Flickr pool to be chosen as a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the day: Playing Chopsticks originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bigchopsticksfaofao schwarzFaoSchwarzflickrmanhattanmoviemovie sceneMovieScenenew yorknew york cityNewYorkNewYorkCityphoto of the dayphotographyPhotoOfTheDayphotostom hanksTomHankstoytoy storeToyStoreThu, 26 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[More Istanbul shopping and dining secrets from Daily Secret]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/14/more-istanbul-shopping-and-dining-secrets-from-daily-secret/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/14/more-istanbul-shopping-and-dining-secrets-from-daily-secret/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/14/more-istanbul-shopping-and-dining-secrets-from-daily-secret/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Istanbul secretsLast week, Gadling included Istanbul in our picks for 2012 luxury travel, and introduced you to Daily Secret, a web-based "guide service" offering insider intel to 12 cities, including Istanbul. We got so many more great Istanbul secrets from editor Laura Wells (many with special discounts and exclusive access), we're posting them for Gadling readers to add to their itineraries. Happy shopping (and tasting)!

Local designer fashion: To buy designer clothing for men & women from multiple up-and-coming Turkish designers, this is a really cool, brand-new co-op: Fashion Tunnel in Galata

Turkish wine: Turkey has amazing wine, but it's difficult to export as it's heavily taxed. To try the best Turkish wines (even local sour cherry wine wine, which is delicious) and get ideas for what to buy at duty free, check out Rouge in Taksim. They have free tasting every Saturday, but you can try anything by the glass in the restaurant above, which also serves amazing rare Turkish cheeses and cure meats.

Waterside dining: For a gourmet, organic meal that few know about with a view of the Bosphorus, head to Fark-et-mez in Sariyer. The chef & sous-chef are both Turkish, and Daily Secret members get 15% off their meal. They also have live jazz on certain nights.

Continue reading More Istanbul shopping and dining secrets from Daily Secret

More Istanbul shopping and dining secrets from Daily Secret originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bookscarpetsclothingdaily secretsDailySecretsdesigndiningfoodhome designHomeDesigninterior designInteriorDesignIstanbulIstanbul secretsIstanbulSecretsrare booksRareBooksrugssecretsshoppingwineSat, 14 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day: Singapore's unusual theme park]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/13/photo-of-the-day-singapores-unusual-theme-park/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/13/photo-of-the-day-singapores-unusual-theme-park/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/13/photo-of-the-day-singapores-unusual-theme-park/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

photo of the day
This fellow is from one of Singapore's more unusual attractions - the Haw Par Villa theme park, also called Tiger Balm Gardens. Originally built in the 1930s by the creators of Tiger Balm to showcase Chinese folklore and mythology, the park is known for its bizarre and gruesome Ten Courts of Hell with such creepy statues and dioramas as a human-faced crab and bloody dismembered torsos (apparently it all makes sense if you know your Chinese mythology). It's been relatively deserted in recent years, making it all the more bizarre. You can see more photos of the park in Flickr user SingaPaulie's photostream. The MRT metro line was extended this fall and you can now ride the Circle Line train to the park.

Capture any odd attractions on your travels? Add your shots to the Gadling Flickr pool for a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the Day: Singapore's unusual theme park originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bizarrechineseChinese folkloredioramaEntertainmentflickr poolFlickrPoolhaw par villaHawParVillahellmetromythologyparkphoto of the dayPhotoOfTheDayphotosSingaporestatuetheme parkThemeParktiger balm gardensTigerBalmGardenstrainunusualFri, 13 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day: Paris bakery run]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/12/photo-of-the-day-paris-bakery-run/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/12/photo-of-the-day-paris-bakery-run/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/12/photo-of-the-day-paris-bakery-run/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

photo of the day
You might have been able to guess the location of today's Photo of the Day without a title. Advanced use of scarves? Check. Frou-frou dogs? Check. Delicious-looking loaf of bread? Mais oui, it is Paris. The French have a closer relationship to their bakers than most Americans can understand, picking up a fresh baguette daily. Even with the advent of baguette vending machines, you can be sure that the le pain quotidien (daily bread) remains a major part of French life.

Thanks to Flickr user wintkat812 for the great shot. Add your favorite travel photos to the Gadling Flickr pool for a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the Day: Paris bakery run originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baguettebakerybreaddogsflickrfrancefrenchparisphoto of the dayPhotoOfTheDayscarfThu, 12 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Daily Secret offers insider intel for Istanbul, Athens, Shanghai and more]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/07/daily-secret-offers-insider-intel-for-istanbul-athens-shanghai/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/07/daily-secret-offers-insider-intel-for-istanbul-athens-shanghai/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/07/daily-secret-offers-insider-intel-for-istanbul-athens-shanghai/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

insider intelLast month, I went to a designer-clothing pop-up sale in the back of a restaurant, scored an invite to an exclusive party with Champagne and gourmet truffles, and got the manager's private phone number of a hot new nightlife spot. I'm not famous or especially well-connected, I'm just a subscriber to DailySecret.com. Daily Secret is website and email newsletter that delivers insider intel for twelve cities from Buenos Aires to San Francisco, plus English-language editions for Athens, Istanbul, and Shanghai. Founded in Athens in 2010, Daily Secret spread to Istanbul last March, with over 200 secrets and counting.

The Istanbul secrets are compiled and curated by a team of 15 "scouts," ranging from a fashion blogger, to a food critic, to a non-profit specialist in new companies who often hears about new ventures before they open. You can register with the site to receive the daily secrets, or search online by category, neighborhood, or date posted. Not all secrets are fancy or expensive, but they tend to be sophisticated and high-end. Daily Secret likes to be the first to write about a new service or business, or provide an added value for readers: an exclusive discount or giveaway, the unlisted phone number, or a spot on the guest list of an event.

Continue reading Daily Secret offers insider intel for Istanbul, Athens, Shanghai and more

Daily Secret offers insider intel for Istanbul, Athens, Shanghai and more originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 07 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappartAthensbarblogbuenos airesBuenosAirescooldesigndesigneremailenglishEntertainmentexclusivefacebookGalata Towergreecehigh-endhipinsiderinsider intelInsiderInteliphoneluxurynightclubnightlifepartyrestaurantSan FranciscosecretshanghaishoppingsophisticatedsouvenirsTurkeyvancouverwebsiteSat, 07 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day: Smoked Turkish cheese]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/05/photo-of-the-day-smoked-turkish-cheese/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/05/photo-of-the-day-smoked-turkish-cheese/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/05/photo-of-the-day-smoked-turkish-cheese/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

photo of the day
It used to be a common expression to say that someone "smoked like a Turk," and I can confirm after living in Istanbul for nearly two years, Turks still love their smoking. Even after the indoor smoking ban of 2009, cigarettes and nargile (water pipes) are very common here. This portrait by Flickr user MichaelAV captures two of the Turks' other loves: çay (see the tiny tea glass on the left) and cheese. So beloved is Turkish cheese that I've heard of Turks packing their suitcases full of it when traveling abroad. Be sure to try some with your Turkish breakfast or along with a glass of rakı at cocktail hour if you visit Turkey.

Take any portraits of locals with their favorite things? Add them to the Gadling Flickr pool and you may see it as a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the Day: Smoked Turkish cheese originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakfastcaycheesecigarettescocktailfavoriteshookahistanbulnargilephoto of the dayphotographyPhotoOfTheDayphotosrakismokingsmoking banSmokingBanteaturkeyturkishturksThu, 05 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Belarus internet ban targets foreign websites]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/05/belarus-internet-ban-targets-foreign-websites/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/05/belarus-internet-ban-targets-foreign-websites/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/05/belarus-internet-ban-targets-foreign-websites/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

internet banA new internet ban in the former Soviet country Belarus will make the usage or browsing of many foreign websites illegal and punishable by a fine of up to $125. The Library of Congress reports that all Belarusian companies and entrepreneurs will be required to use only locally-hosted websites for conducting business, sales, or exchanging emails. Additionally, e-commerce websites without a local presence will be banned from providing goods or services to anyone in Belarus, meaning that websites like Amazon will not be allowed to sell to Belarusians. Internet cafe owners are required to report any illegal browsing to the authorities for prosecution. Additionally, websites deemed "extremist" or "pornographic" will be banned, bringing to mind a scene from the TV series Scrubs when Dr. Cox says "I'm fairly sure if they took porn off the Internet, there'd only be one website left, and it'd be called 'Bring Back the Porn'."

What's unclear about the law is how it would apply to non-commerce sites like blogs or news sites, or any other website without the .by extension. How about travel booking engines or content for citizens to travel abroad? It's also unclear how it would affect non-Belarusians doing business in the country, such as Gadling's blogger Alex Robertson Textor, who recently reported from Minsk. Will this very website become illegal to read in Belarus? We hope not, for any Belarusian readers, and for the sake of internet freedom for all.

Photo courtesy Flickr user decafeined from a protest earlier this year in Istanbul against pending internet censorship in Turkey.

Belarus internet ban targets foreign websites originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Amazon.com IncbanBelarusBelarusianscensorshipFlickrfreedominternetinternet banInternet caféInternetBanIstanbulLibrary of CongressMinskPerry CoxSci/TechScrubsTurkeywebsiteThu, 05 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Luxury Vacation Guide 2012: Istanbul]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/04/luxury-vacation-guide-2012-istanbul/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/04/luxury-vacation-guide-2012-istanbul/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/04/luxury-vacation-guide-2012-istanbul/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Travel like a modern sultan with design-conscious hotels, bespoke shopping, and high-end dining at the crossroads of two continents: Istanbul, Turkey.

In 2010, Istanbul made headlines in every travel magazine and newspaper as it was home to one of the European Capitals of Culture. The influx of cash and visitors meant dozens of new hotels, art galleries, museums, and world-class restaurants. As many European countries' economies have seen trouble in the last year, the Turkish Tiger is booming. Visitors today can relive the glory days of travel in the restored Pera Palace Hotel, built for the Orient Express passengers, or luxuriate in modern style with a water view at the House Hotel Bosphorus. Marvel at the jewel-encrusted treasures at Topkapı Palace and pick up something for your own royal residence at Paşabahçe, where home goods run from a few lira for a çay glass to thousands for a mosaic-tiled Ottoman-inspired vase; or invest in artisanal, limited-edition jewelry and textiles at Armaggan. Sample Turkish classics with a modern twist at Lokanta Maya for shared mezes or at the Michelin-standard Mimolett restaurant and wine boutique. If you haven't put on too much weight from all the fantastic food, you can commission a bespoke suit, leather jacket, or customized pair of shoes at the Grand Bazaar or on the back streets of Nişantaşı, Istanbul's fashion district. While no longer a budget travel destination, Istanbul has something to offer every taste, from an elaborate dinner aboard a private yacht to the simple (and cheap) pleasure of a ferry ride between continents.


[flickr image via Witt Istanbul Suites]

Luxury Vacation Guide 2012: Istanbul originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bespokebosphorusbosporuscapital of cultureCapitalOfCulturecontinentscustomeuropegrand bazaarGrandBazaaristanbulluxe travelLuxeTravelluxury travelluxury travel guideluxury vacationLuxuryGuide2012LuxuryTravelLuxuryTravelGuideLuxuryVacationnisantasiottomanshoppingsultanturkeywineWed, 04 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Send a holiday greeting from above the clouds]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/30/send-a-holiday-greeting-from-above-the-clouds/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/30/send-a-holiday-greeting-from-above-the-clouds/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/30/send-a-holiday-greeting-from-above-the-clouds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

holiday greeting

Procrastinated on sending Christmas cards this year? It's not too late to send a holiday greeting to say "Happy New Year" (or Mutlu Yillar in Turkish) with a travel theme. Turkish Airlines has a fun website for generating a virtual holiday greeting with a view of the wing. On Above the Clouds, you can choose a cloud image like a snowflake, Christmas tree, or angel and add a brief message (limited to 40 characters), accompanied by a jaunty version of Turkish Airlines' theme song, and it will generate an e-card from your window seat.

Make your own greeting at www.newyearclouds.com and Happy New Year!

Send a holiday greeting from above the clouds originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmaschristmas cardsChristmasCardsecardhappy new yearHappyNewYearholidayholiday greetingholiday greetingsHolidayGreetingHolidayGreetingsnew yearNewYeartheme songThemeSongturkishturkish airlinesTurkishAirlinesvirtualwindow seatWindowSeatFri, 30 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the day - Feeding the fish]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/29/photo-of-the-day-feeding-the-fish/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/29/photo-of-the-day-feeding-the-fish/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/29/photo-of-the-day-feeding-the-fish/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

photo of the day

Visitors to India know that cows are considered holy and not to be eaten, but in some parts of the southern state of Karnataka, you can cross fish off the menu too. The fish at the Sringeri temple on the banks of the Tunga River are also considered sacred and fishing is banned, though pilgrims and visitors can feed the fish puffed rice. As photographer and Flickr user PointingandShooting notes, all that food can make for some enormous fish!

Make it a New Year's resolution to add your photos to the Gadling Flickr Pool; you could be the next Photo of the Day.

Photo of the day - Feeding the fish originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fishholyindiaKarnatakaphoto of the dayphotographyPhotoOfTheDayphotossacredshringerisringeritempleThu, 29 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World's first pop-up mall: London's Boxpark]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/27/worlds-first-pop-up-mall-londons-boxpark/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/27/worlds-first-pop-up-mall-londons-boxpark/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/27/worlds-first-pop-up-mall-londons-boxpark/#commentsFiled under: ,

pop-up mall

Millions of us will head to the mall this week to return gifts or buy what we really wanted from the after-Christmas sales. Chain stores, fast food courts, and packed parking lots are what most of us associate with shopping malls, but a new retail concept in hip East London is looking to change that. Boxpark is the world's first pop-up mall, made out of 60+ shipping containers that house a mix of international labels like The North Face and Levi's, UK designers Luke and Boxfresh, plus cafes and eateries such as Pieminister. Boxpark will be open for five years, and stores may change after a year or two. Befitting the Shoreditch neighborhood, don't expect Claire's Accessories or the Gap, but rather street fashion, cool sneakers, and funky concept stores and art galleries Art Against Knives and Marimekko. Already a huge trend with restaurants, one-off shops, and hotels, the flexibility of the pop-up concept means an urban (or anywhere, since the containers can be moved!) location, up-and-coming designers, and more creative retail spaces.

Check out all the retailers at www.boxpark.co.uk plus info on sales and special offers.

World's first pop-up mall: London's Boxpark originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boxfreshdesignerdesignerseast londonEastLondongallerieslevislondonmallpop+uppop-uppop-up mallpop-up storePop-upMallPop-upStorepopupretailshoppingshopsstoresthe north faceTheNorthFacetrendukTue, 27 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mutlu Yillar (Happy Holidays) from Turkey]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/25/mutlu-yillar-happy-holidays-from-turkey/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/25/mutlu-yillar-happy-holidays-from-turkey/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/25/mutlu-yillar-happy-holidays-from-turkey/#commentsFiled under: , ,

holidays turkey

Christmas Day has arrived, and here in Istanbul, it's just another Sunday but you could be fooled by all the festive decorations. Much of the city is festooned with colorful lights and ornamented trees, but with a Turkish twist. Most of the population is Muslim, while unlike in more conservative countries, many families will roast turkeys, decorate trees, and exchange gifts on New Year's Eve. Turkey was the birthplace of St. Nicholas, and now Santa Claus (or Noel Baba) can be spotted on many Istanbul streets, selling lottery tickets. The traditional Christmas tree is called a Yılbaşı or Noel Ağacı and can be found (real or fake) at large supermarkets, while holly-like kokina plants with red berries are sold on street corners and in flower shops. No matter what, when, or how you celebrate, you can say Mutlu Yıllar (Happy New Year) and toast Şerefe to a great 2012.

Gallery: Christmas in the Muslim world

Happy New Year mural, IstanbulKokina holly, IstanbulNisantasi angel, IstanbulBeymen lights, IstanbulBostan Sok, Istanbul

Mutlu Yillar (Happy Holidays) from Turkey originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 25 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmasChristmas treedecorationsholidayholidaysholidays turkeyHolidaysTurkeyhollyIstanbulmuslimNew Year's EvenoelSaint NicholasSanta ClaustreeTurkeySun, 25 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video of the day: Season's Greetings from New York City]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/22/video-of-the-day-seasons-greetings-from-new-york-city/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/22/video-of-the-day-seasons-greetings-from-new-york-city/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/22/video-of-the-day-seasons-greetings-from-new-york-city/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



We at Gadling love a good time-lapse video. Whether it's at a busy airport in Moldova or the many personalities on the streets of Laos, there's something about seeing life pass by at fast (or slow) speeds that's entrancing. With Christmas a few days away and Hanukkah in full swing, we especially love feeling festive without the crowds, the cold, and the hassle. Today's Video of the Day is perfect for getting into the seasonal spirit of New York City without actually being there. Photographer Cris Magliozzi of health, fitness and happiness website Greatist shot the video on a walk from Central Park to Rockefeller Center, taking in some of the city's best decorations, carolers, ice skaters, and other revelry. Bonus: no holiday music! Think of it as our gift to you.

Want to give us something for the holidays? Post a link in the comments below or add photos to our Flickr Group for our next Photo/Video of the Day.

Hat tip to our friends across the pond at BBC Travel for tweeting the link.

Video of the day: Season's Greetings from New York City originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Central Parkchristmaschristmas treeChristmasTreeEntertainmentfestivegreatistHanukkahholidayice skatingice skating rinkIceSkatingIceSkatingRinkLaosMoldovanew yorknew york cityNewYorkNewYorkCityphoto of the dayPhotoOfTheDayRockefeller CenterRockefeller Center Tree LightingRockefellerCenterRockefellerCenterTreeLightingtime lapseTimeLapsetreevideovideo of the dayVideoOfTheDayThu, 22 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Travel meets journalism at Roads and Kingdoms]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/20/travel-meets-journalism-at-roads-and-kingdoms/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/20/travel-meets-journalism-at-roads-and-kingdoms/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/20/travel-meets-journalism-at-roads-and-kingdoms/#commentsFiled under: , ,

travel journalismLast month, writers Nathan Thornburgh (a contributing editor to TIME and recent guest of Fox News) and Matt Goulding (food & culture writer and author behind the Eat This, Not That! book series) launched a new website with the intriguing tagline: "Journalism, travel, food, murder, music. First stop: Burma." Combining on-the-spot reporting on current events and politics with in-depth cultural observations, rich photography, and engrossing narratives, Roads and Kingdoms feels like a travel blog we all want to write: a bit daring, occasionally foolhardy, and often inspiring. Fresh home from their first major trip and recovering from Burma belly, Gadling talked to co-founder Nathan about Roads and Kingdoms.

How would you describe your blog in one sentence?
Travel meets journalism.

How did it come about? How has your background in news helped (or hindered) your travels?
Matt and I felt like our work - he writes about food, I'm a foreign correspondent - actually had a lot in common. As writers on assignment, we found that the best parts of being on the road - the amazing meal on the street corner, the back-alley bar with the great live jams, the sweaty tuk tuk ride through the outskirts of the city - are left out of the final product. It's those parts that we want to provide a home for. It's a different kind of travel mindset, whether you're going to London or Lagos. Journalism is all about being curious, which is a quality great travelers have as well.

It's not meant to remain a blog: we'll be launching our full site soon, which won't just be our travels, but a variety of dispatches in the Roads and Kingdoms style, from writers and photographers and videographers around the world.

Continue reading Travel meets journalism at Roads and Kingdoms

Travel meets journalism at Roads and Kingdoms originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artistsblogbloggersburmaBurmesecuisineeat this not thatEatThisNotThatfacebookfoodgraffitihillary clintonHillaryClintonhiphopinternet accessInternetAccessjournalismlagoslimalondonmatt gouldingMattGouldingmoscowmyanmarnathan thornburghNathanThornburghroads and kingdomsRoadsAndKingdomssocialsocial mediaSocialMediatemplestimetravel blogtravel bloggerstravel journalismTravelBlogTravelBloggersTravelJournalismtumblrtwitterTue, 20 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the day - On the rocks]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/15/photo-of-the-day-on-the-rocks/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/15/photo-of-the-day-on-the-rocks/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/15/photo-of-the-day-on-the-rocks/#commentsFiled under: ,

photo of the day
Not many of us will have the chance to visit Antarctica, especially with the new heavy-fuels ban introduced this year to protect the environment around the Southern Ocean. Next season only about 25,000 tourists are expected, about the same who visit Walt Disney World every DAY. Unless you are joining an adventure travel group like Quark Expeditions or happen to be an explorer like our own Jon Bowermaster, you may have to be content with gorgeous photos like this one from Flickr user Terra_Tripper. This gargantuan iceberg is just one of many you can marvel at near the South Pole.

Have you been to Antarctica? Add your best shots to the Gadling Flickr pool for a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the day - On the rocks originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure travelAdventureTravelantarcticaexplorerflick poolFlickPoolicebergJon BowermasterJonBowermasterphoto of the dayphotographyPhotoOfTheDaysouth polesouthern oceanSouthernOceanSouthPoleThu, 15 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Collect virtual passport stamps with VisaStamper]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/13/collect-virtual-passport-stamps-with-visastamper/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/13/collect-virtual-passport-stamps-with-visastamper/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/13/collect-virtual-passport-stamps-with-visastamper/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

passport stampsIt's a favorite ritual for many travelers to leaf through their passport (often while waiting in an immigration line), reminiscing on each stamp and the destination it represents. When a passport is lost or expired, losing all those hard-earned stamps can be tragic. VisaStamper is a new website that creates a virtual passport, with photo-realistic stamps for each place you visit. The site currently has passport stamps for every country, with city-specific stamps for the US, UK, Australia, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Ireland & Germany, and more every day. You can share your passport stamps on Facebook and Twitter, and collect "points" for each stamp in your VisaStamper passport.

VisaStamper works via your computer's IP address location, automatically generating a stamp for the country you're currently in. You can "backdate" your virtual passport by submitting your destination list and dates via email, though an easier form is in production. Apps for iPhone, iPad and Android are on the way in the new year to work via GPS and make sharing even easier.

Sign up and start collecting at VisaStamper.com (you can check out my stamps here) and visit them on Facebook. Happy (virtual) travels!

Collect virtual passport stamps with VisaStamper originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AndroidappsIPadiphonePassportpassport stampsPassportStampsSci/TechstampsTwittervisavisastamperwebsiteTue, 13 Dec 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[10 reasons to travel to Ljubljana]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/13/10-reasons-to-travel-to-ljubljana/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/13/10-reasons-to-travel-to-ljubljana/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/13/10-reasons-to-travel-to-ljubljana/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Ljubljana travel
When I found cheap airfare from Istanbul to Ljubljana, I didn't find many other travelers who'd been there or even say for sure which country it's in. The tiny of country of Slovenia is slightly smaller than New Jersey and its capital city isn't known for much other than being difficult to spell and pronounce (say "lyoob-lyAH-nah"). After spending a few days there last month, I quickly fell madly in love with the city, and recommend to everyone to add to their travel list.

Gallery: 10 reasons to travel to Ljubljana

Ljubljana's main squareTriple BridgeTivoli ParkCoffee al fresco at Cafe LolitaDragon bridge


Here are some reasons to love Ljubljana:

1. It's Prague without the tourists - Ljubljana has been called the next Prague for at least the last 10 years, but the comparison is still apt. Architect Jože Plečnik is known for his work at Prague Castle, but he was born in Ljubljana and is responsible for much of the architecture in the old downtown and the Triple Bridge that practically defines the city. While Prague is a lovely place to visit, it's overrun in summer with backpackers and tourists. In Ljubljana, the only English I heard was spoken with a Slovenian accent, and there were no lines at any of the city's attractions.

2. Affordable Europe - While not as cheap as say, Bulgaria, Ljubljana is a lot easier on the wallet than other European capital cities and cheaper than most of its neighbors. I stayed in a perfect room above the cafe Macek in an ideal location for 65 euro a night. A huge three-course dinner for one with drinks at Lunch cafe was 20 euro, and a liter of local wine in the supermarket is around 3-4 euro. I paid 6 euro for entrance into 4 art museums for the Biennial, and the same for all of the castle, including the excellent Slovene history museum, and the funicular ride there and back.

Continue reading 10 reasons to travel to Ljubljana

10 reasons to travel to Ljubljana originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>affordableairportAlfrescoalpsbeachbledboutiquebuscapitalchocolateconnectionsCroatiadealsdesigndesignerduty freeDutyFreeeastern europeEasternEuropeeasyjetenglisheuroeuropeanfacebookfishfoodforeign languageforeign+languageForeignLanguagefunicularhelpinternationalIstanbulKranjlake bledLakeBledlanguageljuljubljanaLjubljana travelLjubljanaTravellondonluggagemeatmuseumsoutdoorsparispastapizzaplanningpraguePrague Castleseaseasideshoesshoppingshuttleskiskiersskiingsloveniasocial mediaSocialMediaspaspa resortSpaResorttourism boardTourismBoardtouriststraintwittervenicevineyardwestern europeWesternEuropewifiwineWorldzagrebTue, 13 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST