Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/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[Photo of the Day: Olives, olives, and more olives]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/07/photo-of-the-day-olives-olives-and-more-olives/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/07/photo-of-the-day-olives-olives-and-more-olives/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/07/photo-of-the-day-olives-olives-and-more-olives/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Honestly, have you ever seen olives look so appetizing? This epicurean Photo of the Day was snapped at the Mercado San Miguel in Madrid, a traditional Beaux-Arts food market recently restored and reopened in 2009. Flickr user LadyExpat used a Nikon D90 to capture the details in the delicacies: the vibrant colors, the fillings contained in the olives, the reflection of light in the juice. We're sure they were delicious.

Does your photo belong here? Upload your favorite travel shots to the Gadling Group Pool and your image could be selected as our Photo of the Day.

Photo of the Day: Olives, olives, and more olives originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europemadridmercado san miguelMercadoSanMigueloliveolivesphotophoto of the dayPhotoOfTheDayspainTue, 07 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[10 free things to do in Barcelona, Spain]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/04/10-free-things-to-do-in-barcelona-spain/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/04/10-free-things-to-do-in-barcelona-spain/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/04/10-free-things-to-do-in-barcelona-spain/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

barcelona Barcelona, Spain, is full of fun things to do and interesting sites to explore. Luckily, the city features many experiences for the budget traveler with free museums, walking tours, beaches, parks, museums, dance shows, and more. Use this list to help you save money while still experiencing the best the city has to offer.

Walk down Las Ramblas

Las Ramblas is the most famous street in Barcelona, and often the first stop on many tourists' to-do list. Not only is the street lined with restaurants, bars, cafes, theaters, and shops; it's also home to various street entertainers, performance art, and colorful markets, making the street both fun and aesthetically pleasing. I love seeing all of the people dressed in ostentatious costumes trying to act like still sculptures (Note: Some of them look really real. I actually leaned on one not realizing it was a person!). Las Ramblas is also a bit historical, as the famous native painter Joan Miró, who died in 1983, helped to create part of the street. You can see one of his mosaic creations on the ground of the main center walkway.

Continue reading 10 free things to do in Barcelona, Spain

10 free things to do in Barcelona, Spain originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antonio gaudiAntonioGaudiarchitectureart galleriesArtGalleriesbarcelonabeaches in barcelonaBeachesInBarcelonabudget travelBudgetTraveldancefree flamenco shows in barcelonafree tapasfree tapas in barcelonafree things to do in barcelonaFreeFlamencoShowsInBarcelonaFreeTapasFreeTapasInBarcelonaFreeThingsToDoInBarcelonamuseumsspaintagoSat, 04 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[10 luxury hostels from around the world]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/02/10-luxury-hostels-from-around-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/02/10-luxury-hostels-from-around-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/02/10-luxury-hostels-from-around-the-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

gilligans While many people think of hostels as run down hotels with cramped rooms and few amenities, there are many properties that can actually make you feel as if you're staying at a resort. For those who want comfort on a budget, here are 10 excellent luxury hostels from around the world.

Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel and Resort Cairns
Cairns, Australia

Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel and Resort in Cairns is without a doubt one of the best hostels I have ever stayed in. And if you're looking for something a little more luxurious than your average youth hostel, this is an excellent choice. Rooms offered include 4,6,8,10-bed dorms, 4 & 6-bed deluxe dorms, 6-bed all female dorms, and private rooms. The accommodation has a resort-type feel, with balconies, a lagoon-style pool with a waterfall and palm trees, a makeshift beach with volleyball nets, and even gym access. They also have swanky nightclub that often hosts theme parties and hot DJ's.

Continue reading 10 luxury hostels from around the world

10 luxury hostels from around the world originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>art and cultureArtAndCulturebest hostelsbest hotelsBestHostelsBestHotelsbudget travelBudgetTravelluxury hostelsluxury travelLuxuryHostelsLuxuryTravelwhere to stayWhereToStayThu, 02 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vacation deprivation study says beach vacations rule]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/26/vacation-deprivation-study-says-beach-vacations-rule/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/26/vacation-deprivation-study-says-beach-vacations-rule/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/26/vacation-deprivation-study-says-beach-vacations-rule/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

vacation deprivationExpedia's Vacation Deprivation study is an annual analysis of vacation habits across multiple countries and continents. Taken from the results of a survey by Harris Interactive, 7,083 respondents were surveyed in total across 20 countries with some surprising results.

"226 million vacation days will go unused this year resulting in some 50 million Americans becoming vacation deprived," travel company Monograms reports on TravelBlackboard.

The 2011 study spans North America, Europe, Asia, South America and Australia. It reveals who gets - and takes - the most vacation time, as well as attitudes toward vacation. Common themes impacting how and where respondents vacation include money, romance and disapproving bosses.

When asked, "How many vacation days, if any, do you receive from your employer each year?", Germany, France, Spain, Denmark and Brazil all tied for first place with 30 days. UK workers came in a bit less with 25, Canada 16 and the U.S. 14 but in last place was Japan with 11 days. Of those 11 they only used 6 on the average too.











Continue reading Vacation deprivation study says beach vacations rule

Vacation deprivation study says beach vacations rule originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DenmarkExpediaFinanceFlickrHarris InteractiveHealthNorth AmericaSouth AmericaU.S. Route 14Vacation deprivationVacationDeprivationThu, 26 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Eco-friendly indoor ski resort coming to Barcelona]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/27/eco-friendly-indoor-ski-resort-coming-to-barcelona/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/27/eco-friendly-indoor-ski-resort-coming-to-barcelona/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/27/eco-friendly-indoor-ski-resort-coming-to-barcelona/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Indoor ski resort coming to BarcelonaWhen you think about great ski destinations, Barcelona is not one that comes to mind. After all, the Spanish city boasts an average year round temperature of 68ºF. But a Dutch company known as SnowWord is hoping to change that by building an indoor ski resort that is also environmentally friendly.

SnowWorld specializes in building ski domes that allow skiers to hit the (artificial) slopes all year round, and have been using a host of creative techniques to make their buildings more sustainable. For instance, the company has designed buildings that recycle the heat generated from their snow-making machines for use in creating hot water. But the Barcelona project is their first attempt to completely eliminate the energy needs of one of their facilities.

The plan is to tap a resource that, until now, has been left largely unused, in an attempt to help cool the ski dome. Barcelona receives large, and regular, shipments of liquified natural gas, which has to be kept at temperature of -238°F while in transit. Once it arrives in the city however, it is warmed in seawater to return it to its gaseous state, cooling that water in the process. In the past, that cold seawater was simply returned to the harbor, but the city now has plans in place to start using it to cool buildings in Barcelona, and the new indoor ski resort would be one of them.

The cold seawater would provide approximately 75% of the facility's energy needs, and create no CO2 emissions. The remainder of the dome's energy would come from solar panels installed on the roof, which would power the lighting and a variety of other equipment. These two renewable energy sources would combine to make the ski resort completely carbon neutral.

It is estimated that the ski dome will cost approximately $55 million to build, and at this point it is still several years from opening. There are some logistical hurdles for SnowWorld to clear and partnerships to be secured before construction can commence. Once they do break ground however, it will take about 2 years to complete.

Eco-friendly indoor ski resort coming to Barcelona originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelBarcelonabarcelona ski resortBarcelonaSkiResortcarbon neutralCarbonNeutralindoor ski resortindoor ski slopeindoor skiingIndoorSkiingIndoorSkiResortIndoorSkiSlopeskiingsnowboardingsustainableTue, 27 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Where they ate: chefs' and food/travel writers' best meals of 2011, part II]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/20/where-they-ate-chefs-and-food-travel-writers-best-meals-of-20/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/20/where-they-ate-chefs-and-food-travel-writers-best-meals-of-20/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/20/where-they-ate-chefs-and-food-travel-writers-best-meals-of-20/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Where they ate: chefs' and food writers' best meals of 2011, part II

I ate well this year. Maybe better than any other year. I spent a week in Hoi An, Vietnam eating cau lau--an obscure noodle dish that technically can only be made in the small coastal town. I ate my way through Barcelona, dining at restaurants whose chefs had a connection to the recently closed elBulli. I ate all kinds of offal at Incanto in San Francisco. I finally got to eat Ethiopian cuisine in Ethiopia. I had a four-hour meal at Degustation in Prague, where chef Oldrich Sehajdak is re-inventing Czech cuisine. And, here in New York, I was fortunate enough to eat at places like Le Bernardin, the Breslin, Riverpark, GastroArte, and Gramercy Tavern, among many other meals.

But I'm not the only one who spent the year digesting delicious grub. Part II of the annual "where they ate" round-up picks up where the first installment left off.

Continue reading Where they ate: chefs' and food/travel writers' best meals of 2011, part II

Where they ate: chefs' and food/travel writers' best meals of 2011, part II originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featurefeaturesTue, 20 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Where they ate: chefs' and food writers' best meals of 2011, part I]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/16/where-they-ate-chefs-and-food-writers-best-meals-of-2011-par/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/16/where-they-ate-chefs-and-food-writers-best-meals-of-2011-par/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/16/where-they-ate-chefs-and-food-writers-best-meals-of-2011-par/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Where they ate: chefs' and food writers' best meals of 2011

For an increasingly large sector of humanity, eating has become more than just stabbing at something with a fork, putting it in our mouths and masticating. Chefs are perceived as rockstars, the food blog-o-sphere is inhaling Miracle Grow, and eating has been given a kind of reverence usually reserved for sex and spirituality. If there's anything that sums up where we're at as an eating species right now, it's this: we're rhapsodizing about Danish cuisine.

Not that this is a bad development. After all, a couple decades ago, in the United States you had to go to a specialty shop to get olive oil. Not surprisingly, when I did the first annual "Where they ate" in 2010 (here and here), it went viral. We want to know where food writers and chefs are eating and then we want to eat there too. Or at least eat vicariously through them.

So, without further ado, after the jump and in alphabetical order: where the ate: chefs' and food writers' best meals of 2011, part I.

Continue reading Where they ate: chefs' and food writers' best meals of 2011, part I

Where they ate: chefs' and food writers' best meals of 2011, part I originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featurefeaturesFri, 16 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Flickr user's glimpse into Spain]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/15/a-flickr-users-glimpse-into-spain/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/15/a-flickr-users-glimpse-into-spain/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/15/a-flickr-users-glimpse-into-spain/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Photo sets of Spain aren't difficult to come by, but some of them certainly seem worth sharing more than others. I recently came across this photo set by Flickr user EfwEE. These 25 photos capture this user's experience in Spain in 2007-2008. The photo set features shots of Pena Montanesa, an incredibly noticeable rocky outcrop of the Pre-Pyrenees. The photo set also documents the Pineta River, Red Rock Fall, Ordesa National Park, and more.

Photography is often times one of the greatest side effects of travel and simultaneously one of the greatest incentives for travel; photos tell a story of a destination to anyone able to listen. And for anyone interested enough to experience a place on their own, photos are continuing remnants from travel that cyclically persevere and inspire others. In other words, photography seems to effectively breed travel. Perhaps these photos will inspire you to visit Spain--they have inspired me.

Continue reading A Flickr user's glimpse into Spain

A Flickr user's glimpse into Spain originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europephotography of spainPhotographyOfSpainphotos of spainPhotosOfSpainpictures of spainPicturesOfSpainspainspain in photosspain photo albumspain photo setspain photographyspain photosspain picturesspain travelSpainInPhotosSpainPhotoAlbumSpainPhotographySpainPhotosSpainPhotoSetSpainPicturesSpainTraveltraveling to spainTravelingToSpainvisiting spainVisitingSpainThu, 15 Dec 2011 16:00:00 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[Two day hikes in the mountains of Cantabria, Spain]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/30/two-day-hikes-in-the-mountains-of-cantabria-spain/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/30/two-day-hikes-in-the-mountains-of-cantabria-spain/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/30/two-day-hikes-in-the-mountains-of-cantabria-spain/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Cantabria
As I've mentioned on this blog before, I've moved from Madrid to Santander, in Cantabria in northern Spain. This region is part of what's often called Green Spain, made up of the four northern regions of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country. I'm loving life by the sea and I've been busy exploring Cantabria's countryside, which offers some of the best hikes in Spain. Green and mountainous, northern Spain is unlike most people's popular conception of the country.

I discovered a local hiking group via a Couchsurfing friend. We go every other Sunday and the group also acts as an intercambio, or language exchange, which are very popular all over Spain. It's a good way to practice your Spanish, French, German, English, Italian, or Portuguese. There's also an Irish guy who insists on speaking to me in Gaelic because of my name. If he keeps it up I'm going to start speaking to him in Amharic.

My first hike with them was through the Reserva del Saja, a reserve in the cordillera Cantábrica. This is one a popular destination for hikers from Santander and is only about 40 minutes by car. The hike starts at Bárcena Mayor, a cluster of stone houses nestled in the woods by a mountain stream.

Gallery: Hiking in Cantabria

A waterfall and mountain pool in the Reserva del SajaAnother view of the riverA second waterfall leading to the poolEdible mushrooms picked by an expert (don't do this unless you know what you're doing!)Autumn colors, somewhat washed out by mist

Continue reading Two day hikes in the mountains of Cantabria, Spain

Two day hikes in the mountains of Cantabria, Spain originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archaeologyarcheologyCantabriaCantabria tourismCantabria travelCantabriaTourismCantabriaTravelcavecavercaverscavescavingcaving in SpainCavingInSpaincordillera CantábricaCordilleraCantábricaGreen SpainGreenSpainhikehikeshikes in Cantabriahikes in SpainHikesInCantabriaHikesInSpainhikingmegalithmegalithicmegalithsmenhirmenhirsnorthern SpainNorthernSpainprehistoricPresident2008SantanderSpainSpain tourismSpain travelSpainTourismSpainTravelspelunkerspelunkingspelunking in SpainSpelunkingInSpainWed, 30 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bad marketing: don't use a horse to advertise a butcher shop]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/24/bad-marketing-dont-use-a-horse-to-advertise-a-butcher-shop/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/24/bad-marketing-dont-use-a-horse-to-advertise-a-butcher-shop/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/24/bad-marketing-dont-use-a-horse-to-advertise-a-butcher-shop/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

bad marketing
I spotted this butcher shop sign near my new home in Santander in northern Spain. What's wrong with this picture? Yeah, the "Equine butcher shop" is using a horse to advertise its product!

Now I'm going to give this hardworking small business owner the benefit of the doubt and assume horse was never sold at his shop. I can't say for sure, though, since the place went out of business before I arrived. I wonder why?

Want to see more embarrassing adverts? Check out this Facebook page dedicated to bad marketing.

I'm curious, has anyone out there actually eaten horse? What does it taste like?

Bad marketing: don't use a horse to advertise a butcher shop originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 24 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bad marketingBadMarketingdumbdumb adsDumbAdsfunnyfunny adfunny adsFunnyAdFunnyAdsgreen spainGreenSpainmoronic marketingMoronicMarketingoddsantanderspainstrangeweirdweird adsWeirdAdsThu, 24 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[10 best wine hotels around the world]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/20/10-best-wine-hotels-around-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/20/10-best-wine-hotels-around-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/20/10-best-wine-hotels-around-the-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

marques de riscal wine hotel What's better when you're on vacation than a day at the vineyards? How about wineries that let you stay the night, as well? No more worrying about drinking and driving or figuring out transportation as these ten wine hotels offer guests vino tastings as well as a comfortable place to sleep.

Marqués de Riscal
Elciego, Spain

Situated in the middle of the Vinos de los Herederos de Marqués de Riscal's vineyard, the hotel itself opened in September, 2006. The building was designed by world-renowned Frank O. Gehry and combines wine-growing traditions with 21st century avant-garde design. Guests can stay in one of forty-three luxury rooms and suites that include unconventional furniture, high-quality linens, and Wi-Fi internet. After the sun sets, visitors can move from the vineyards to the informal Wine Bar or a rooftop lounge with panoramic views. Another option is to snuggle up next to the fireplace and sample the myriad vinos from the hotel's cellar.

Continue reading 10 best wine hotels around the world

10 best wine hotels around the world originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 20 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>architectureartcultureexperiential hotelsExperientialHotelsfeaturedluxury travelLuxuryTravelunique hotelsUniqueHotelsvinowinewine accommodationwine cottagewine countrywine hotelswine spaswine tastingwine toursWineAccommodationWineCottageWineCountryWineHotelsWineSpasWineTastingWineToursSun, 20 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video of the day: a goaty guide to pronouncing foreign cheeses]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/12/video-of-the-day-a-goaty-guide-to-pronouncing-foreign-cheeses/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/12/video-of-the-day-a-goaty-guide-to-pronouncing-foreign-cheeses/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/12/video-of-the-day-a-goaty-guide-to-pronouncing-foreign-cheeses/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The holidays are Cheese Season. At no other time of the year are cheese and specialty food shops as thronged by dairy-seeking customers. They're hungry for a fix or searching for a gift, recipe ingredient, or the makings of a cheese plate. Cheese is love, and one of the easiest, most elegant ways to kick off a cocktail party or conclude (or make) a memorable meal.

With that in mind, the folks at Culture: the word on cheese magazine (full disclosure: I'm a contributing editor) have produced this clever (and utterly adorable) video to aid you in pronouncing some of those delectable but tricky foreign cheeses from France, Spain, and Switzerland. Happy Hoch Ybrig, everyone!

Video of the day: a goaty guide to pronouncing foreign cheeses originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apline cheeseAplineCheesebeerbeer pairingsBeerPairingscheese coursecheese magazinescheese pairingcheese platescheese recipesCheeseCourseCheeseMagazinescheesemakingCheesePairingCheesePlatesCheeseRecipescheesesChristmasChristmas dinnerChristmas foodsChristmasDinnerChristmasFoodsChristmastimecocktailscookingcooking classesCookingClassescowsdairydairy farmingDairyFarmingdistilleriesentertainingEuropean cheeseEuropeanCheesefarmers marketsFarmersMarketsfarmingforeign languagesForeignLanguagesFrenchGermangoat cheeseGoatCheesegoatsHannukahholidayholiday cocktailsholiday entertainingholiday foodsHolidayCocktailsHolidayEntertainingHolidayFoodsholidaysimported cheeseImportedCheeselanguage skillsLanguageSkillslocal foodLocalFoodlocavoresmixologyNew Years EveNewYearsEveseasonal foodsSeasonalFoodssheep cheeseSheepCheeseSpanishspiritssustainable agricultureSustainableAgricultureswiss cheeseSwissCheeseThanksgivingthanksgiving dinnerThanksgivingDinnerwinewine pairingWinePairingSat, 12 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Volvo Ocean Race begins with a bang]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/12/volvo-ocean-race-begins-with-a-bang/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/12/volvo-ocean-race-begins-with-a-bang/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/12/volvo-ocean-race-begins-with-a-bang/#commentsFiled under: ,



A few weeks back, Gadling Labs took a wander around Team Abu Dhabi's VO70 ocean racer and one thing was apparent: weight is key. Non essential components are stripped from the ship, appointments are minimal and everything that can be made out of lightweight composite is incorporated -- even the steering wheel.

Four hours into the race, the team learned a drawback to composite materials: when they fail, it's usually catastrophic. Luckily, nobody on the boat was injured and there was a backup mast in Valencia. After a few days in port, the team briefly set out for Cape Town, but decided to withdraw in order to prepare for the next leg.

In the meantime, the four remaining teams are still headed towards the Cape of Good Hope. You can follow the race around the world for the next nine months at VolvoOceanRace.com.

Volvo Ocean Race begins with a bang originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>sailingteam abu dhabiTeamAbuDhabivolvo ocean raceVolvoOceanRacewaterSat, 12 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Inca Kola: Peru's tasty soda]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/11/inca-kola-perus-tasty-soda/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/11/inca-kola-perus-tasty-soda/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/11/inca-kola-perus-tasty-soda/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Inca KolaOne fun aspect of travel is discovering cool local brands. When I visited Peru back in 1998 I first learned of Inca Kola, a neon-yellow soda produced there. I was curious so I ordered some at a cafe. The waiter was surprised and delighted that I chose his nation's drink over Coca-Cola and told me proudly that it was the only local soda that had a bigger market share in its home country than Coke.

He brought me my Inca Kola and I took a sip. It was wonderful, an ultrasweet bubblegum flavor that my girlfriend couldn't stand but I immediately fell in love with. I brought two liters back with me on the plane and served it to all my friends.

Peruvians are pretty proud of this soda, and that's reflected by its advertising, with lines like La bebida del Perú ("The drink of Peru") and ¡Es nuestra! ("It's ours"). Sadly, the Coca-Cola corporation got its global tentacles wrapped around Inca Kola in 1999 and it's no longer a completely independent company. Several Peruvian-owned rival brands have since taken up the banner.

I haven't seen Inca Kola much outside of Peru. Some Latino shops in the U.S. stock it under the name Golden Kola, but it can be hard to find. Today I discovered it here in Santander, Spain, under its own name. The local long-distance phone bank, where people use Skype for a small fee rather than racking up huge phone bills to South America, had it for sale. Strangely, the shop is owned by Pakistanis. Santander is pretty cosmopolitan for such a small city!

After I bought some I went next door to a Chinese-owned convenience store, generally called Chinos here because most convenience stores are owned by the Chinese. As I picked up some beer the owner asked me how much I paid for my Inca Kola. Turns out he sells it for five centimos less. Live and learn.

In many ways the world is getting smaller, and that can be a good thing.

Inca Kola: Peru's tasty soda originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coca-ColaCokecolaInca KolaIncaKolaPeruSantandersodasoft drinksoft drinksSoftDrinkSoftDrinksSpainFri, 11 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Medieval pilgrims journeyed deep into Africa, archaeologists discover]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/06/medieval-pilgrims-journeyed-deep-into-africa-archaeologists-dis/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/06/medieval-pilgrims-journeyed-deep-into-africa-archaeologists-dis/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/06/medieval-pilgrims-journeyed-deep-into-africa-archaeologists-dis/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

medieval
The Kingdom of Makuria is the quintessential forgotten civilization. Very few people have even heard of it, yet it ruled southern Sudan for hundreds of years and was one of the few kingdoms to defeat the Arabs during their initial expansion in the 7th century AD. Makuria was a Christian kingdom, born out of the collapse of the earlier Christian kingdom of Axum. Makuria survived as a bulwark of Christianity in medieval Africa until it finally collapsed in 1312.

Now excavations of some of its churches at Banganarti and Selib have revealed that this kingdom was a center of pilgrimage, attracting people from as far away as Catalonia, in modern Spain. The 2,300 mile journey from Spain to southern Sudan is a long one even today, but imagine when it had to be done on horseback, walking, and boats powered only by sails and oars. Yet an inscription records that one Catalan named Benesec made the journey almost a thousand years ago, probably to pray for a cure to an illness. "Benesec" was a popular Catalan name in the 13th and 14th centuries.

MedievalAnother inscription with an accompanying painting shows a Muslim man, Deif Ali, making a pilgrimage to the church to pray for a cure to his blindness. This isn't as unusual as it might sound. In regions where religions mingle, some people will go to holy places of the other religion. When I covered the Hindu pilgrimage of Kumbh Mela for Reuters back in 2001, I met Christians, Muslims, and Sikhs all coming to be a part of the religious festival.

Makurian artists produced some amazing religious frescoes, like this image of the birth of Jesus, courtesy Wikimedia Commons, and this closeup of St. Anne, also courtesy Wikimedia Commons. Both come from the cathedral of Faras, an important Makurian city.

The churches are in southern Sudan, not the new Republic of South Sudan. The nation of Sudan (the northern one) has many sites of archaeological and historical interest and is a popular destination for adventure travel.

Medieval pilgrims journeyed deep into Africa, archaeologists discover originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 06 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure traveladventure traveleradventure travelersadventure vacationAdventure VacationsadventuresAdventureTravelAdventureTravelerAdventureTravelersAdventureVacationAdventureVacationsApplearchaeologyarchaeology newsArchaeologyNewsarcheologyCatalanCatalansCataloniaChristianitychurchchurcheshistoryIslammedievalmedieval historymedieval pilgrimageMedievalHistoryMedievalPilgrimagemiddle agesMiddleAgespilgrimpilgrimsreligionSouth SudanSouthSudanSpainSudanSun, 06 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[10 best eco-friendly hostels in the world]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/05/10-best-eco-friendly-hostels-in-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/05/10-best-eco-friendly-hostels-in-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/05/10-best-eco-friendly-hostels-in-the-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

portland hawthorne hoste websiteWhile you can usually expect an inexpensive stay at a hostel, not all of these accommodations are alike when it comes to being sustainable and green. For your next trip, why not stay somewhere that will not only give you a social experience on a budget, but will also be good for the planet? Check out this list of the 10 best eco-friendly hostels around the world.

Portland Hawthorne Hostel
Portland, Oregon

The Portland Hawthorne Hostel offers a clean, safe accommodation in the Hawthorne District of Portland, Oregon. The hostel has free breakfast, cheap bike rentals, and is a short walk from Mount Tabor and Luarelhurst parks. Not only that, but this hostel does its part in being eco-friendly. One of their biggest draws is their ecoroof, a "green living roof of vegetation and soil". The project is low-maintenance and self-sustaining and is being encouraged by the city due to its ability to soak up stormwater and return it to a natural water cycle (water that is not soaked up usually becomes full of sewage and dirt and negatively affects aquatic habitats). Along with the ecoroof, the hostel makes use of green cleaning products, recycling and composting, and gives guests arriving by bicycle a discount of $5 per night.

Continue reading 10 best eco-friendly hostels in the world

10 best eco-friendly hostels in the world originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>budget travelBudgetTraveleco friendly accomodationeco traveleco-friendly travelEco-friendlyTravelEcoFriendlyAccomodationecotourismEcoTravelgreen accommodationgreen hostelsgreen hotelsgreen travelGreenAccommodationGreenHostelsGreenHotelsGreenTravelSat, 05 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo Gallery: On board Team Abu Dhabi's VO70 at the Volvo Ocean Race]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/03/photo-galery-on-board-team-abu-dhabis-vo70-at-the-volvo-ocean/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/03/photo-galery-on-board-team-abu-dhabis-vo70-at-the-volvo-ocean/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/03/photo-galery-on-board-team-abu-dhabis-vo70-at-the-volvo-ocean/#commentsFiled under: ,



In the few days that I've been back from Alicante it's been difficult for me to explain the sheer magnitude of a VO70 ocean racer to my peers. These sailboats are unlike your average Sunfish or J-105. They are massive, precision engineered creatures, optimized for weight, balance and speed. They are moving cities, with 11 men onboard, bunks, cooking and wash facilities. They're also information superstations with a handful of remote controlled cameras, a satellite uplink and enough CAT-5 cable to impress any technophile.

At Team Abu Dhabi's invitation we brought a team out to Alicante, Spain in late October to get a unique snapshot of the team and the race from the beginning. Days before the official launch we were out on the chilly Mediterranean waters on a practice run armed with only a handful of sailing experiences under our belt and a Canon SLR. The below gallery is what we captured.

Gallery: The Volvo Ocean Race onboard Team Abu Dhabi



Sailing on the deck of a VO70 is like riding on the back of a dragon, mythical, awe inspiring and terrifying at the same time. As the ships tack and jibe back and forth near the starting line it's eerily quiet save for the occasional shout from the skipper or the stress-groans from the carbon-fiber hull. To see this much mass and power moving in such grace is a humbling experience. To see the ships race is unforgettable.

Continue reading Photo Gallery: On board Team Abu Dhabi's VO70 at the Volvo Ocean Race

Photo Gallery: On board Team Abu Dhabi's VO70 at the Volvo Ocean Race originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abu dhabiAbuDhabiadventure-travelassamazzamvolvo ocean raceVolvoOceanRaceThu, 03 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Volvo Ocean Race kicks off from Alicante, Spain]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/02/volvo-ocean-race-kicks-off-from-alicante-spain/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/02/volvo-ocean-race-kicks-off-from-alicante-spain/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/02/volvo-ocean-race-kicks-off-from-alicante-spain/#commentsFiled under: ,



It's dark when I wake up in Alicane, with heavy, blue-grey storm clouds twisting upwards through the Mediterranean sky. Somewhere, 10,000 feet above this small Spanish city the gods are fighting over weather patterns; there's a dash of clear blue sky here and a seam of storm clouds there, a maelstrom of wind, cloud, rain and energy hashed up atmosphere. In my view, it's the perfect condition for sailing.

Out on Team Abu Dhabi's VO 70 though, the weather conditions take a turn. Stale, soft wind starts to blow in from the southwest and our head sail softens. So the officials delay race start for another twenty minutes. In the mean time, our skipper Ian Walker spends time prepping his crew and exploring the winds around the race waters. And we wait.

Continue reading Volvo Ocean Race kicks off from Alicante, Spain

Volvo Ocean Race kicks off from Alicante, Spain originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abu dhabiAbuDhabiadventure-travelmediterraneansailsailingteam abu dhabiTeamAbuDhabivolvo ocean raceVolvoOceanRacewaterWed, 02 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day - Barcelona jamon]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/27/photo-of-the-day-barcelona-jambon/http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/27/photo-of-the-day-barcelona-jambon/http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/27/photo-of-the-day-barcelona-jambon/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

photo of the day
The humble ham and cheese sandwich is a basic staple of the travel diet. In nearly every country I've traveled to, I can count on finding a cheap and tasty toasted ham and cheese at a snack bar or cafe while exploring a new city. With a nice glass of local wine or a cold beer, this simple sandwich can be sublime. The Spanish, however, have made ham an art form, noted by this display in Barcelona taken by Flickr user BaboMike. From the relatively cheap Pernil Bodega to the pricey (but worth it) Pernil Iberic de Gla, any of these would make a divine snack or a meal. Since I live in a Muslim country where pork is hard to find and expensive, I remember eyeing ham like this in Barcelona like a wolf in an old cartoon and contemplated bringing one home to be the envy of all my fellow expats in Istanbul.

Do you agree with the photographer that the Spanish out-do the Italians in the ham department? Where have you had the best ham? Upload your tastiest shots to the Gadling Flickr pool and we might salivate over them for a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the Day - Barcelona jamon originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Barcelonabeercheesecheseflickrflickr poolFlickrPoolfoodhamistanbulitalianitalyjamonmuslimphoto of the dayPhotoOfTheDayporksandwichspainspanishwineThu, 27 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST