archives: Fresh Ideas

Paris by Rollerblade

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Paris expat Matt Scott shows how rollerblading through the City of Lights is done...or not done.  More »

How to Be Literary in Paris

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We can't all be Maupassant or Colette, but we can have some fun trying. Here are 5 classy ways to do some reading and writing in Paris.  More »

Easy Wilderness Access: A Day Hike from Santiago, Chile


Two bucks' worth of transport is all it takes to craft a weekend away in Santiago.  More »

Last Chance to Visit 13 Arizona State Parks

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The Arizona State Parks Board voted on January 15 to close 13 more of the state’s parks by June. Learn which ones are shutting their doors, and when  More »

Olympic Sidetrips: 6 Destinations in British Columbia That Aren’t Vancouver or Whistler

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Use a ticket to the Olympics as an excuse to get to know this western Canadian province.  More »

How to Use Google Maps for Trip Planning

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Thanks to Google Maps, a few hours on the Internet can be more productive than weeks worth of wingin' it on the road.  More »

6 Unusual Things to Do in Beijing, China

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Suggestions for your Beijing itinerary after you're done with the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.  More »

9 of the World’s Worst Tourist Traps (and How to Avoid Them)

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There are (usually) good reasons why certain attractions are on every tourist's itinerary. But are big crowds reason enough to take them off yours?  More »

UNESCO World Heritage Meets Google Street View

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Virtual tourism of the world's most famous landmarks just got a whole lot easier.  More »

Hunting the (Other) Loch Monster in Morar, Scotland

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Matador Nights editor Tom Gates takes us on a hunt for Nessie's much shier -- but perhaps more compelling -- cousin.  More »

Now’s the Time to Hike the Grand Canyon

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"To experience the canyon, you have to leave the rim." And winter might be the best time to do it.  More »

Sightjogging: City Walking Tours on Speed

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Suit up for a new way of exploring your city of choice.  More »

6 American Ski Mountains You’ve Never Heard Of

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Throw on your long johns and dig out the car because once these secrets are out, you're going to want to go on a road trip.  More »

Gay Ski Weeks in the U.S. and Canada

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Parades come in the summer. Right now the pride's in the mountains.  More »

Riding the Recession: Best Budget North American Ski Resorts

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When lift tickets come in under $60, there may even be a couple of bucks left over for après.  More »

5 Views of a Lesser-Known Morocco

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Check out these 5 spots if you're looking to bust out and off the tourist trail in Morocco.  More »

NYC for Free in December

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December's halfway gone, but there's still time to take advantage of these tips from a local New Yawker.  More »

Christmas at the Airport

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A trip to the airport doesn't have to be purely functional.  More »

8 More Strange Places on Planet Earth

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You've walked the Great Wall, gazed upon the Pyramids of Giza, and scaled the Andes to Machu Picchu. What's next?  More »

Introducing Lamu Island, Kenya: The Real Swahili Coast

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Dhows and seaports, mosques and minarets, and long white sandy beaches overhung with coconut palms.  More »

More Bizarre Hotels Around the World

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Jumbo jets, train cars, covered wagons, and the ocean floor -- would you sleep here?  More »

South Korea, Beyond Seoul

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Many people only know South Korea for what it's not...  More »

The Best New Hotels, for “Less”

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BudgetTravel.com profiles 31 of the world's newest, most "affordable" hotels. But can a price cap of $150/night really be considered budget?  More »

Fresh Ideas: Venice by Kayak

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A new way to explore Italy's "City of Water."  More »

Plan Your Budget Vacation to… Iceland?

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A couple destinations traditionally seen as money pits are recast by Lonely Planet.  More »

American Hauntings: 5 You Can Visit and Investigate Firsthand

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Love hearing ghost stories? Maybe it's time you had some of your own to tell.  More »

Nude Trekking, German Style

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If nude sunbathing isn't enough for you, try this on for size.  More »

3 New Developments in Bicycle Tourism

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From Mumbai to Blackpool to Tokyo, urban cycling is becoming more accessible, more accepted, and a more attractive option for touring a city's sights.  More »

Introducing Lake Tourism

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You've heard of beach bums and river runners...but lake lovers?  More »

American Alternatives: Seeing the World without a Passport

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In down economies, trips to Notre Dame, the Egyptian pyramids, and Machu Picchu sometimes have to wait. Luckily, your urge to travel and discover does  More »

10 Curious Roadside Attractions in the U.S.

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Megan Hill takes you on a tour of wacky attractions that add a little mystery to the U.S. interstate system.  More »

Oktoberfest in Palestine

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Yep, you heard me right.  More »

Greening the Iron Curtain: Redefining History in Germany

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During the Cold War, the Iron Curtain separated Germany. Today, it brings people and nature together.  More »

The Oldest Still-Inhabited Cities on the Planet

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Some of today's cities are almost as old as dirt. Here are 10 of them.  More »

7 Ways to Get on the Water in New York City (Besides the Staten Island Ferry)

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It can be a challenge to enjoy the scenery and history of New York Harbor. Unless you take to the water.  More »

The 6 Best Geocaches in Portugal

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Want to get off the beaten track in Portugal? Time to let your GPS do the guiding.  More »

How to Travel to Socotra Island, Yemen

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David Page brings you expert accounts of traveling to what might be one of the strangest, least-known specks of land on Earth.  More »

James Bond, 007: Secret (Travel) Agent

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Take travel advice from James Bond and have the trip of your life, all without sacrificing your true identity.  More »

A Beer Lover’s Guide to Denver, CO

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From brew pubs and beer fests to non-alcoholic activities and outdoor adventure, Denver brings the full package. Katie Hammel tells all.  More »

Barcelona, Minus La Rambla

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Natasha Young shows you how to keep clear of La Rambla and avoid the tourist crowds in the Catalan capital.  More »

In Jordan, Forget Lonely Planet. Bring a Bible.

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With its welcoming people, small size, and manageable number of sacred sites, Jordan is the place to go biblical.  More »

7 Bastille Day Celebrations Outside la Belle France

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Many of these events begin tomorrow...don't miss out!  More »

Fun in the Desert Sun: Pan de Azucar, Chile

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Desert and beaches and penguins...oh my!  More »

Living the Island Life in New England

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Skip the cities and bypass the beaches to discover authentic New England summer life. Follow Sabina Lohr to the islands.  More »

Dead City Tourism: Abandoned Places of the World

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Perhaps even more eerie than graveyard tourism, abandoned-city tourism is alive and well for those who like the surreal.  More »

Detroit Is for Lovers

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Detroit gets a lot of negative press, but despite its bad rap, the city has a lot to offer. Give it some love and it'll love you back.  More »

Three Little-Known Beach Getaways in Western Africa

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These are the destinations backpackers reminisce to each other about while squished into the back of bush taxis.  More »

Six Cups: Tea Cultures Around the World

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And you thought your cup of Lipton's was as good as it was going to get?  More »

South Korea Exploration: Roadtripping the Peninsula

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One of the best ways to explore the Land of the Morning Calm is by car.  More »

North America’s Best Summer Shakespeare Festivals + Ticket Giveaway!

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Get thee to one of these festivals with all haste to enjoy the best interpretations of ye olde bard's plays.   More »

Backpacker’s Secret Guide: Nan, Thailand

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With a motorbike as your trusty steed, there are no limits to what you can see and do in Nan Province.  More »

Machu Picchu on the Cheap

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Follow these tips and you could be looking at a grand total of $80 for your Machu Picchu experience.  More »

Big Sky Country on a Small-Time Budget

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It’s possible to come away after a week or two in Montana with solitary experiences and money left in your billfold.  More »

Liberoachi, Voodoos, and Condiments: The World’s 10 Wackiest Museums

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So you've been to the Louvre and the Guggenheim and the MET. Bravo. Those are child's play.  More »

7 Reasons to Go to Maine’s Mount Desert Island…

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...Even If Your Sister-in-Law Is Offering Free Rent on Martha’s Vineyard.  More »

Totalitarian Tourism. Why? Because You Gotta See For Yourself.

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See for yourself how these countries are bringing Orwell's nightmare of 1984 to life in ways he never even imagined.  More »

Introducing World’s Newest Tourist Attraction: Saddam’s Babylon Palace

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Is this a legitimate attraction, or does it strike you as just a little bit…off?  More »

5 Best “From-a-Van” Sunsets in Europe

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Park up, pour a glass, and enjoy the colorful end to another day.  More »

The Top 20 Microbreweries in America

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Whether celebrating with a couple pints after a good climb or paddling trip, or just working up the courage to talk to the hottie across the bar, beer  More »

Afghanistan Establishes Its First National Park

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Band-e-Amir National Park is located in central Afghanistan's Hindu Kush Mountains and includes five high-altitude lakes.  More »

Bolivia’s Southwest Circuit. Backwards.

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Colored lakes, hot springs, flamingo flocks, geysers, crazy rock formations, and painted volcanoes await in Bolivia's wild southwest.  More »

Hostel on Wheels: the Coolest Campers Around

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You've done planes 'n' trains. How about automobiles? Here are some of the coolest campers you've never heard of.  More »

4 St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations You May Not Have Heard Of

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A lucky foursome of unlikely St. Paddy's Day destinations.  More »

Black History Year: 7 Spots to Keep Learning Year-Round

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Black History Month is only once a month...but learning more doesn't have to be.   More »

10 Things To Do in Brussels Besides Drinking Beer

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On your next trip to Brussels, Belgium’s capital, sober up with some of these other activities.  More »

Igloos, Castles, Sewage Pipes, and Survival Pods: The World’s 10 Weirdest Hotels

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not your typical Ramada Inn. . .  More »

Surfers’ Guide to the Algarve Coast, Portugal

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All types of waves + affordable accommodation + fresh Portuguese food + super friendly locals = great surf trip.  More »

9 Ways to Outdo the Guidebooks in Peru

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Get your nose out of the guidebook.   More »

The 10 Most Spectacular Train Journeys in the World

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The best train trips worldwide.   More »

8 Natural Wonders of Chile

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8 gorgeous reasons to put Chile on the top of your travel to-do list.   More »

8 Massive Mountains That Mortals Can Summit

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Spend much time in the mountains and you will inevitably find yourself gazing at the summits.   More »

Top 10 Free Things to Do in Europe

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There is such a thing as a free lunch, if you don’t mind having chocolate and wine at noon.  More »

Yoga Retreat in Órgiva

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How to reach the pinnacle of relaxation in the Spanish mountain town of Órgiva.  More »

50 Inspirational Matador Travelers: 1-10

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Matador members believe they can change the world, and they're out there doing it every day.  More »

8 Must-See Sporting Events in 2008 & 2009

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Sports buff Eva Holland searches worldwide for the most spectacular--and strange--sports events of 2008-2009.  More »

10 Places You Can Still Go Skiing or Snowboarding in Summertime

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If you're willing to travel and hike a bit, you don't have to wait until December.  More »

Top 10 Free Things to Do in Paris

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Although you can spend a ton of money in Paris, there is plenty to enjoy for free.   More »

Green Guide to (the Other) Portland

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Hal Amen helps you go green in Portland, Maine.   More »

10 Things to Do in Europe That Will Make You Smarter

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From the Literary pub crawl in Dublin to strolling the Athenian Agora, you just might come home with a few more vocabulary words.  More »

8 Places To Experience Unspoiled China

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Modern China is booming, but there are still places of great natural beauty where little has changed since the days of Confucius.  More »

6 Under-the-Radar Destinations In The Middle East

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These trip ideas will you get off the tourist trail in the Middle East.  More »

A Unique Journey Into The Heart Of Northern Laos

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Patrick Lucas spent years in rural Lao. This is the itinerary he suggests to adventurous friends.   More »

Top 6 Most Enchanting Undeveloped Islands In The World

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Get there before the resort developers do.   More »

Surfer’s Guide to Asturias, Spain

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Winding trails lead to secret surf breaks on a rural slice of Spanish coast.   More »

Backpacker’s Secret Guide: Islands Of Trang, Thailand

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Travel to the far south of Thailand to escape the crowds.  More »

Backpacker’s Secret Guide: Champasak, Lao PDR

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Bouncing around Southeast Asia? Stop and relax for a few days among the ancient temples of southern Laos.   More »

How To Get Off The Tourist Trail In Southeast Asia

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Headed to SE Asia? Ditch the backpacker crowds with these 8 fresh destination ideas.   More »

7 Reasons To Travel To Iran NOW

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You Should Travel to Iran in 2008. Here's Why.  More »

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