Travel Picks of the Week - 02/15/08

February 15, 2008

Photo:Flickr/Elliot23

Travel brings wisdom and knowledge. Independent travelers were encouraged to share aesthetic and intellectual pleasures of discovery in the narrative contest held by Transitions Abroad. The winning entry was the heart-warming story, Education from the Streets of Giza.

Rolf Potts is a veteran budget traveler and author and USAToday calls him ‘the Jack Kerouac for the Internet Age’. Introducing his book ‘Vagabonding’ in New York, he reads passages from his book and talks about his travel inspirations and experiences in this 56-minute video in Authors at Google – Rolf Potts.

Assuming you have the money to fly first-class, would you choose to pay the extra thousands over flying economy to get to enjoy the comfort or would you rather see it spent towards more tangible benefits? Globalism is here to stay but prudence about travel costs can increase travel opportunities in the long run opines Pico Iyer in Globalism at 35,000 feet.

Maps are necessary and wonderful to get around with, but a few steps away from the path mentioned in tourist brochures lets you capture the daily lives of locals. Unexpected delights greeted Tim Liffel as he recounts memorable moments and pictures of straying from ‘guide’lines in Go Get Lost.

Nothing could ruin the joy of travel more than finding out that you have been cheated, scammed. While minor incidents can be ignored, several common ones usually lead to huge losses of money, time and safety. Being alert and aware of common scams can prevent resentment and upset feelings. Brian Schofield warns you about rip-off merchants who want to make wonga from your wanderlust in The 13 Best Travel Scams.

Photo:Flickr/Jwgammon

The setting sun has inspired many a poet and musician. Capturing the serenity and beauty of a sunset can be achieved by following simple rules of light and resolution. Adam Fernandez has tips to make the sinking orb bring out your inner photo artist in How to Take Better Sunset Photos.