What you can expect from National Geographic Traveller in light of the coronavirus crisis
With the coronavirus situation upon us, the National Geographic Traveller team is now doing things a little differently, and we want to pause to bring you a few words of reassurance.
Stay at home and see the world: five ways to explore during lockdown
Our ability to travel may be drastically reduced for the time being, but there are still plenty of ways to discover some of the world’s most enthralling destinations from the comfort of your home. We’ve grouped a selection together to see you through.
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Coronavirus: what are the risks and restrictions for travellers?
We round up the facts and figures to help you evaluate your travels during the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak.
How to spend a weekend in Bergen, the gateway to Norway's fjords
Bounded by mountains and sea, Norway’s second city is arguably its most picturesque and welcoming. Its timbered facades and medieval harbour ooze old-world charm, its cuisine is creative, while the surrounding wilderness is ripe for exploring.
Sour, salty, sweet: getting a taste for Filipino cuisine
From spit-roasted lechon pork to vinegar-soaked adobo stew, the stars of Filipino food are beginning to make their mark on big-city menus the world over. And the best way to get to know this cuisine is by exploring the capital, Manila.
Where to mark 100 years since Prohibition
A century after the nationwide booze ban, there are still plenty of ways to discover the illicit allure of the Prohibition era.
WHAT'S NEW
A short history of travel guidebooks and why they matter more than ever
As independent travel publishers everywhere struggle in the face of Covid-19, decorated adventurer and Bradt Guides founder Hilary Bradt reflects on the travel guide genre — and what you can do to help it survive.
Travel from your armchair: see the world’s natural wonders in real time without leaving your house
From the ethereal ripples of the Aurora Borealis to the majesty of Yosemite Valley’s El Capitan rock face, the Earth’s natural wonders are still out there — even if we can’t travel to see them just now. But, luckily for those of us experiencing wanderlust while on lockdown, webcams can act as live portals to natural vistas far grander than those offered up by our windows. We round up some of the best.
Our editors' favourite global cookbooks
Eat your way around the world while you stay at home with our team’s top 10 global cookbooks.
New Mexico: the weird, wild and wonderful heartland of the American Southwest
The soaring canyons and sagebrush plains of northern New Mexico have attracted artists, spiritual seekers and free thinkers for over a century.
Food
A taste of Jamaica from smoky jerk pork to pineapple carpaccio
Abundant produce and proud traditions are visible across the Caribbean island, whether you’re eating at a jerk shack or in a fine-dining restaurant.
Vive Lyon: how the grand dame of French cuisine is looking to the future
Lyon has a culinary reputation like no other. But the launch of an ambitious new gastronomic attraction in one of its most famous old buildings is just one of several eye-catching ways in which the city is sprucing up its menu.
Breaking bread: on the trail of tradition in Thessaloniki, Greece's gastronomic heart
Thessaloniki is Greece’s gastronomic heart, a melting pot city that’s constantly evolving. But when it comes to Greek cooking, some things aren’t to be messed with — no matter how modern life gets.
National Geographic Traveller (UK)
Perfect the art of armchair travel
Join us as we admire some of Japan's greatest natural wonders while adjusting to life as armchair travellers. But fear not, we've got plenty to keep you reading
Photograph by Jordan Banks
This issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK) comes at a difficult time for both travellers and the travel industry. With the world having ground to a halt due to the Covid-19 pandemic, health and wellbeing, rightly, are at the forefront of people’s minds.
However, despite the challenges posed, the desire to travel will remain for many of us. Throughout this period, National Geographic Traveller will continue to offer inspiring content to aspiring travellers and committed globetrotters alike, both in print and online. For armchair travellers, it’s the best place to be.
In the cover story, we reveal some of the greatest natural wonders in Japan — a nation of sacred mountains, steaming onsens and stunning wildlife. Escape its bustling cities and immerse yourself in the island country’s spectacular landscapes.
Plus, discover Maya traditions in Guatemala’s Western Highlands, follow in the footsteps of pilgrims in Israel and spend a long weekend in Ticino, Switzerland. Our photo story, meanwhile, follows barley’s journey from grain to whisky in rural Scotland. Urban stories this issue include Lima, Denver, Amsterdam and Prague.
Read more in the May/June 2020 issue — SUBSCRIBE TODAY
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Read more in the May/June 2020 issue
Photograph by Clockwise from top left: Rebecca Stumpf; Pete Goding; Karolina Wiercigroch; David Vaaknin
Photography
Photo story: a testament to faith and devotion in Ethiopia's rock churches
The rock-hewn churches of Tigray in the Gheralta Mountains have their roots in an age of desert monasticism — it was here in the sub-Saharan kingdom of Aksumite that Christianity was adopted as the state’s sole religion in the fourth century.
Teen spirit: four trips to inspire young people in 2020
Looking for travel inspiration for your teenagers? Broaden their horizons with these inspiring trips.
Hitting the road in South Africa’s largest province: six driving routes around the Northern Cape
There’s much to see and do in the Northern Cape, land of big skies, desert dunes, wild beaches and quirky little towns that are rich in history and culture.
Surfing, sailing and seaweed spas: the pull of the ocean in Country Sligo
Ireland has woken up to its world-class waves and in Strandhill, County Sligo, locals and blow-ins have both found an antidote to city living. The town is making a name for itself not only for surfing, but for outdoor adventures and its seaweed spa, too. A National Surf Centre is set to open this autumn, putting this welcoming town on the map.
Notes from an author: Tobias Jones on Parma
Longstanding local obsessions — football and gastronomy — are two of the chapters in this northern Italian tale of two cities.
How to make it: Thomas Douzis’ Gemista recipe
This Greek classic will have guests fighting over the leftovers.
Tales of the tiger: searching for big cats in India’s wildest state
To travel across Madhya Pradesh is to taste India’s untamed heartland, where national parks teem with wildlife and stories of Bengal tigers are on everyone’s lips. An expert in the art of stealth and secrecy, however, it’s a beast that proves hard to seek.
Unveiling Limerick’s food scene through its historic market
Limerick’s storied food scene is informed by its setting, sandwiched between the River Shannon and pastureland — and now its historic market is the focus of a new food tour.
A journey into the cultural heartland of West Japan
From the bright lights of Osaka to the born-again city of Hiroshima, West Japan is home to a plethora of culture. With its cities and countryside all serviced by an extensive rail network, exploring this beguiling region has never been easier.
Notes from an author: Jason Webster on Valencia
There’s no better way to understand the character of the Spanish city than to tuck in to paella, a local obsession that's far more than the sum of its parts.
Where to eat Thai green curry from Bangkok to Belfast
From backstreet kitchens in Bangkok to highly rated restaurants in the UK, these are the top spots to try Thai green curry.
A neighbourhood guide to Singapore
Neat-and-tidy Singapore may be small, but it packs a cultural punch. Its neighbourhoods are where centuries of pan-Asian immigration mixes with some of the region’s best places to eat.
Paint the town: exploring the new arts scene in Derry
For years, Derry’s art scene was defined by the Bogside murals, famous for their depictions of The Troubles. But now a new, creative vibe is sweeping the city, ushering in a fresh array of murals, festivals and attractions.
Notes from an author: Kiran Millwood Hargrave on the Norwegian island of Vardø
On a solo visit to the Norwegian island of Vardø — the scene of 17th-century witch-hunts — the writer finds peace at last, in more ways than one.
Out on the town: four of the best pubs in Ireland for live music
Here's where to go to grab a drink and catch some live music.
The inside guide to Brno, the Czech Republic's quirky second city
Discover the youthful spirit of the Czech Republic’s second city, with its quirky attractions and a surprising gastronomic scene.
Photo story: the essential experiences of Tohoku, East Japan
From relaxing hot springs and engaging kabuki theatre to exhilarating ski runs, Tohoku offers some of Japan's most indelible experiences.
