Sep 30th, 2011 at 1:00PM: Every year, thousands of English speakers visit Madrid on holiday or to teach English. Most never explore the many hikes near Madrid, and that's a shame. The Sierra de Guadarrama offers some challenging and varied routes, and the lowland areas of the Comunidad de Madrid offer pleasant rambles. One of the best spots is La Pedriza, which can be a tough slog and easy to get lost in.
One of the ...Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
maps posts
Hikes near Madrid: a new guidebook shows you the way (in English!)
Sep 30th, 2011 at 1:00PM: Every year, thousands of English speakers visit Madrid on holiday or to teach English. Most never explore the many hikes near Madrid, and that's a shame. The Sierra de Guadarrama offers some challenging and varied routes, and the lowland areas of the Comunidad de Madrid offer pleasant rambles. One of the best spots is La Pedriza, which can be a tough slog and easy to get lost in.
One of the ...My kid is more up-to-date on geography than Google Maps
Sep 23rd, 2011 at 5:00PM: "Where's South Sudan?" my five-year-old asked me.
Being my kid, he's big into maps. He has a map of Africa with all the flags on it hanging above his bed. Using it, he's been able to trace dad's adventures in Ethiopia and Somaliland. It's been marked up a bit since I got it for him more than a year ago. I had to draw the boundary of the unrecognized state of Somaliland on it, and we had to add ...New National Geographic app puts the world in your hands
Aug 24th, 2011 at 9:00AM: If you're a fan of maps, then you're definitely going to want the latest iPad app from Nat Geo. The new app, entitled The World by National Geographic, provides an interactive atlas that lets you explore the planet from your easy chair, while giving you multiple zoom levels, country facts, and wonderful photos from a variety of locations.
When you launch the app for the first time, you'll be ...Gallipoli battlefield being mapped by GPS
Apr 24th, 2011 at 10:00AM:
Archaeologists in Turkey are making a detailed survey of the famous World War One battle of Gallipoli. Using period military maps and GPS technology, they're mapping the old trenches and redoubts used by both sides.
Gallipoli was the scene of fierce fighting starting in 1915. A peninsula with highlands dominating the Dardanelles strait linking the Black and the Aegean seas, it guarded the ...US map of stereotypes
Apr 11th, 2011 at 9:15AM:
We here at Gadling love maps and infographics, so we're enjoying this tongue-in-cheek US map of stereotypes, ranging from "rainy hipsters" in the Northwest, to "old peeps" down in Florida by blogger and artist Haley Nahman. We're a bit puzzled over some of the stereotypes such as the "fashion bloggers" in the Carolinas, but can't argue with the "mountains and meadows and maybe some animals" in ...Where are all the travel guide apps for Android?
Mar 25th, 2011 at 11:00AM: Nearly two years ago, I bought my first smartphone: the T-Mobile Android MyTouch*. I'm only occasionally jealous of my iPhone-carrying friends, as I find few travel guide apps for Android. Even after a move to Istanbul, I still use and rely upon it daily; Android's interface is fast and easy-to-use, and seamless use of Google applications like Gmail and Google Maps is part of the reason I bought ...Nat Geo brings national parks maps to iPhone and iPad
Mar 7th, 2011 at 8:00AM: National Geographic has launched a new iPhone and iPad app that is sure to please travelers visiting America's national parks. The app offers detailed maps of 15 parks, providing information on places to camp, trails to hike, locations of shops and visitors center, and other points of interests.
The program is apply named National Park Maps HD and it comes preloaded with digital versions of Nat ...Why your state sucks: the depressing but true map of America
Jan 27th, 2011 at 9:00AM:
The folks over at Pleated Jeans have come up with a funny yet painful new map of America. It doesn't show our cities or rivers or mountains, it shows our flaws. As you can see, each state is singled out for what they're worst at. Maps reveal a lot about the territory they cover, and this one shows more than some people may want to see.
I've lived in three different states and I have to say ...Ordnance Survey maps: sometimes government CAN do a great job
Dec 22nd, 2010 at 3:30PM: The BBC recently interviewed a cartographer for the Ordnance Survey. This government department is in charge of mapping the United Kingdom, except for Northern Ireland, which has its own agency.
If you like maps or plan to hike in the UK, the Ordnance Survey maps are simply amazing. They've been measuring and drawing this green and pleasant land since the eighteenth century and produce the best ...New "crumpled" city maps for tourists
Dec 1st, 2010 at 12:30PM:
Milan-based industrial designer Emanuele Pizzolorusso centers on themes of sustainability and durability in his work. A 2008 honors graduate of the Politecnico di Milano, Pizzolorusso's oeuvre includes a waste paper bin made entirely out of recycled paper (designed with Ricardo Nannini and Domenico Orefice) and an award-winning prototype of a map of Rome's fountains.
It is Pizzolorusso's ...BBC mapping tool Dimensions creates unique mashups
Oct 30th, 2010 at 3:30PM: Ever wondered about the size of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome? Or the how long the infamous Running of the Bulls route is in Spain? The BBC has a great new mapping tool, called Dimensions, to help give visitors and interesting perspective on these unique sights, historical marvels and famous events. Dimensions drops the outline of famous cities, tourist hot-spots and historical points of interest ...National Geographic expands line of adventure travel maps
Oct 20th, 2010 at 8:00AM: The National Geographic Society has always been a great source for maps. Their Atlas of the World, which will see its ninth edition released this week, is almost legendary in its size and scope, and the organization's flagship magazine has incorporated detailed and interesting maps for decades. Now, the Society has announced plans to expand its line of adventure travel maps, offering travelers far ...Photo of the day (10.14.10)
Oct 14th, 2010 at 5:00PM:
For many of us, dreaming about travel and planning a trip is a favorite part of a travel process. Those early days of discovering a destination and imagining the delights it may hold, before the reality of long airport security lines, bad hotel rooms, and jet lag spoil the fun, are some of the sweetest. This photo by Flickr user Chris Maki titled "Wanderlust" recalls the immense possibilities ...Mystery hitchhiker becomes poster child for National Library of Wales
Oct 6th, 2010 at 9:30AM: Have you seen this man?
This is Islwyn Roberts, who was photographed in 1958 by Welsh newspaper Y Cymro as he set off to hitchhike around the world. It was a different world back then--flying was only for the rich, and many countries were sealed off behind the Iron Curtain. Mr. Roberts would have seen traditions and cultures that have all but died out today.
It must have been an amazing ...Hiking the East Highland Way--the practicalities
Aug 30th, 2010 at 9:30AM:
Hiking a brand-new trail has both advantages and challenges. The main plus to hiking the East Highland Way was that I had the trail all to myself. I never did meet that mysterious German who was a day ahead of me, and I met nobody else doing the trail. Hotel owners along the route do report a steady trickle of hikers, and that trickle will only increase. In the short term, however, you will get ...The East Highland Way day four: Pictish forts and empty wilderness
Aug 25th, 2010 at 9:30AM:
Views like this reassure me that I'm doing the right thing with my life.
It's day four of my trek along the East Highland Way in Scotland, and the terrain is getting increasingly rugged. My trip today will take me through the most remote part of my walk. But before I go, I have an archaeological wonder to see first.
I head to a hill overlooking the village of Laggan to visit Dun-Da-Lamh, a ...Use an expandable file to plan your trip - Road trip tip
Aug 10th, 2010 at 11:44PM: In preparation for a recent trip, we compiled 10 day's worth of information on accommodations and attractions, maps, directions, and other paperwork.
I purchased a plastic, expandable folder with 10 slots, then labeled each with one day/date of the trip. Into each day's section went everything we needed: maps, directions, confirmation numbers, hours and costs of museums and attractions, etc.
...Map and highlighter are essential - Packing tip
Aug 10th, 2010 at 11:37PM: Wherever, however, you go traveling, there are two easy essentials you must pack:
The first is a map of the destination(s) you will be visiting. It's easy to feel disoriented on solo trips -- or even a guided tour!
The second essential item is a highlighter. A map that you can mark with a highlighter allows you to see exactly where in the world you are. Just mark the major cities or towns ...Making multiple stops? Get a map of the airport - Airplane tip
Aug 7th, 2010 at 5:57PM: When your airline trip involves multiple stops, a little research before you leave will reduce frustration during the time you switch from one plane to the next.
Visit the website of the airport you will be changing planes at and print out a map of the terminal. When faced with a short time to get from one concourse to the next you will find a map to be very helpful.
In addition to your ...Kindle tips for travelers
Jul 12th, 2010 at 3:30PM:
The iPad may be the current darling of techie travelers but some of us are waiting for the first generation kinks to be worked out and a decrease in price (or a sudden cash windfall) before taking the plunge. While still a "monotasker" compared to a tablet or laptop computer, Amazon's Kindle is still a great tool to carry books on the road with a lightweight design and almost limitless capacity ...
