Traveling

Shortwave Radios
If you have a portable shortwave radio, you might consider packing it in your checked luggage. (With today’s airline carry-on restrictions, we’re not sure how these electronics may be perceived by security screeners.) Shortwave radios can receive broadcasts from around the globe. With a fairly inexpensive and small shortwave radio, you can receive programming and news from sources such as the BBC London, Radio Australia, Swiss Radio International, Deutsche Welle (Germany), Radio Netherlands, Radio Japan, and many others. Some programming is in English, while some is in the native language of the broadcaster. And, for U.S. residents, these stations can be a fascinating way to hear news and perspectives from other parts of the world.

Lodging Map Service
The (UK) Times Online is touting a new Google hotel map service, which includes information, maps, directions, and reviews. Just type in “Kansas city hotels” or the name of a specific lodging such as “Seasons Resort Warren Vermont” and you can find lodging options. In limited testing, we found the mapping service even finds smaller B&Bs. According to The Times Online, the service currently only works with U.S. properties.

Travel Magazines
Realizing that many Americans, as well as international travelers, visit this website, we wanted to mention two travel magazines which U.S. readers may be unaware of. In our opinion, two of the best English-language travel magazines are both produced in the UK – Wanderlust and the Sunday Times Travel magazine. Sunday Times Travel focuses more heavily on "city breaks" to destinations around the world (not just Europe). And despite seeming a bit too interested in the antics of people such as soccer star David Beckham and his wife Victoria (Posh Spice), it is a fun and informative publication. Wanderlust is one of the best "adventure travel" magazines we've seen, covering destinations on every continent. Both publications should be available at large magazine stands and some large bookstores.
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