Why we travel
World-renowned travellers reveal the journeys that made the biggest impact on their lives
A host of household names reveal how travel has shaped their lives. From encounters with locals to gruelling expeditions, some destinations have the ability to transform us. Join us as we celebrate power of place.
Hot topic
The reality of travel in the post-lockdown era
As the UK eases travel restrictions to certain countries, and destinations start reopening for business, we answer your questions about bookings, flights, hotels and attractions. What’s the reality of travel as coronavirus lockdowns are lifted?
MOST POPULAR
A journey through Lewis and Harris, the wild heart of Scotland's Outer Hebrides
The island of Lewis and Harris is home to an unfathomable number of shades of blue, from the sea to the sky. Perhaps that’s what calls so many natives back to the Scottish isles. And why the world wants to get its hands on their famous tweed.
How to visit this year's most talked-about TV locations
Fallen in love with the rugged backdrop of Sligo in BBC Three’s Normal People, or the rolling valleys of the Wye Valley in Netflix’s Sex Education? It seems we’ve all been watching a little more TV lately — so, while we wait for travel restrictions to lift, here’s what you need to know to plan your entertainment-inspired getaway.
Irish chef Jp McMahon on Galway's best restaurants
The author of the The Irish Cookbook shares his passion for local produce and where to eat out in his hometown, a city fast becoming famous for its culinary heritage and Michelin stars.
Take it outside: five new family adventures in England
From floating aqua parks to Peppa Pig-inspired experiences, there’s a host of new adventures to discover across England when domestic travel resumes in 2020.
WHAT'S NEW
10 secret English beaches for a family day out
Escaping the crowds is all the more important this summer. From Northumberland to Devon, we pick some of our favourite bustle-free beaches for a day on the coast with the kids.
How to explore Denver, Colorado's laid-back capital
Denver is the mountainous gateway to the West, but dig deeper to discover craft beer and cocktail dens, indie boutiques, design hotels and street art.
William Dalrymple on how living in India has changed him
William Dalrymple didn’t set out to become Britain’s leading chronicler of Indian history, but a chance trip to the subcontinent started a lifelong obsession. Thirty years on, he’s still living in Delhi — a city with a “tangible sense of history”.
Five unusual island escapes in Japan, from fairytale forests to tropical retreats
Japan’s 6,852 islands offer everything from salmon-filled rivers in the far north to world-class diving in the south. The four main islands — Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku — are home to the vast majority of the nation’s population, but away from those behemoths, there are some fascinating options
conservation
Coronavirus, conservation and the wild places we should be travelling to
Following our report on bear conservation in Italy, we check back in with Paul Lister, founder of The European Nature Trust, to gauge the impact of coronavirus on European landscapes — and what lies ahead for travel and conservation.
Photography
Photo story: the autumn ritual of wild horse herding in Iceland's Kolbeinsdalur Valley
The snow is falling lightly in the Kolbeinsdalur Valley. Everyone is waiting; anticipation lies heavy in the air. A distant rumble of hoofs breaks the silence and over the horizon, right on cue, a herd of more than 500 wild horses thunders into view. Welcome to Laufskálarétt, Iceland’s biggest annual horse round-up.
National Geographic Traveller (UK)
The power of place
Travel has the potential to profoundly change us. This issue's collection of stories is testimony to the transformative, magical power of travel.
Photograph by AWL Images
This issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK) celebrates the reasons we choose to travel. We asked Pico Iyer, Levison Wood, Christina Lamb, William Dalrymple, Emily Chappell, Robert Macfarlane, Ade Adepitan, Felicity Aston and many more household names to reveal the places they hold dearest and the travel experiences that have shaped their lives.
Whether it’s a wild encounter, a meeting with someone new, or simply a moment of realisation that your place in the world isn’t quite what you thought it was, travel has the potential to profoundly change each of us. As part of this issue’s cover story, their collection of stories — spanning destinations as diverse as Delhi, Tibet, Afghanistan Alaska, Botswana and the UK — is testimony to the transformative, magical power of travel.
Plus, we discover Ireland’s storied southwestern peninsulas, round up some of the best experiences across the Indian Ocean, spend a long weekend in the Brecon Beacons and explore Cyprus’s culinary prowess in the changing coastal city of Limassol. Our photo story looks at the time-honoured leathercraft tradition in Marrakech, weaving through the souks and tanneries. Meanwhile, urban stories this issue include Bilbao, Saint-Tropez and Mumbai.
Read more in the Jul/Aug 2020 issue — SUBSCRIBE TODAY
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The Jul/Aug 2020 issue of National Geographic Traveller
Photograph by Slawek Kozdras; Getty; Nico Avelardi; Karolina Wiercigroch (clockwise from top left)
Food and travel
The latest stories from National Geographic Traveller Food
Where to go, what to see and how to explore the world by way of its unique culinary experiences.
Editors' picks
Nine chefs and food writers share their summer favourites
Sate your wanderlust and be transported from your kitchen to a place in the sun. Here, culinary experts including José Pizarro and Romy Gill share the beloved summer flavours they’ll never forget.
Meet the makers: the Greek co-op putting traditional spoon sweets on the map
In Vizitsa, one of the Greek villages that have dotted Mount Pelion’s slopes since antiquity, the women-run Esperides Co-operative uses the region's abundant orchards to create traditional Greek spoon sweets with a secret local ingredient.
Six international coffee styles to experiment with at home
From an earthy, spiced Mexican brew to the coffee-tea hybrid beloved in Malaysia, seek out inspiration for your next caffeine fix with our quick guide to international brewing techniques and ingredients.
Events
The National Geographic Traveller Food Festival 2021
Experience the world through food and travel.
Five salads from around the world, perfect for summer
From Burmese shredded chicken and Syrian-style halloumi to the smoky spices of India, these five salads by celebrated cookbook authors offer a taste of something different this summer.
How a new people-powered hiking network could transform travel in the UK
We speak to ‘guerrilla geographer’ Daniel Raven-Ellison about Slow Ways — a volunteer-led project kickstarted in lockdown aiming to map thousands of new walking routes, which he hopes will get Brits discovering the country in an entirely new way.
Six vegan and vegetarian barbecue ideas from around the world
From Mexican-style corn to Middle Eastern baba ganoush, there are plenty of ways to liven up your barbecue for vegetarians and vegans – it just takes a little research and imagination.
The emerald edge of Ireland: the ultimate coastal road trip through Kerry and West Cork
County Kerry and neighbouring West Cork are bastions of Celtic culture, their five Atlantic peninsulas — jutting into the ocean like an outstretched hand — home to historic monasteries, storied islands and otherworldly seascapes. Tracing this shoreline on a wild, week-long road trip showcases Ireland’s southwest corner at its most rugged, ancient and surprising.
A beginner’s guide to foraging for wild ingredients in the UK
Foraging responsibly and discovering the world of wild food is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reconnect with nature. We speak to foraging experts for advice on starting out in the UK.
My life in food: comedian James Acaster on ice cream, Elvis and his most memorable meal
The comedian and co-host of the Off Menu podcast talks about his love for all things culinary, from his favourite restaurant to the global gastronomy that impresses him the most.
Inside the new issue of National Geographic Traveller Food
National Geographic Traveller Food is packed with authentic travel and food experiences, vivid photography, plus insights and tips to inspire would-be explorers to travel widely, ethically and safely.
Pico Iyer on his transformational trip to Tibet
The author and memoirist recounts a powerful journey through Asia that culminated on the high plateau of Lhasa among prostrating pilgrims, in the shadow of the Potala Palace — the former winter palace of the Dalai Lamas.
Ade Adepitan on seeing Africa beyond the headlines
Reflecting on his latest BBC TV series, Africa with Ade Adepitan, the Nigerian-born British TV presenter looks back on his transcontinental journey, from Cape Verde to Somalia — a trip that, as well as showcasing a range of African stories, was in part a personal tale of homecoming.
Kate Bradbury on why Costa Rica should be a blueprint for conservation
Reflecting on a trip to Central America, the TV presenter wonders what the UK would look like if it invested in the natural world as much as Costa Rica does.
Felicity Aston on the power of polar regions to teach vital conservation lessons
Wonder and science intersect on an expedition to Earth’s frozen poles, says the polar explorer. Each trip offers unique challenges that have the power to teach vital lessons — not just about the human spirit, but about our role in protecting the planet.
Levison Wood on walking with elephants in Botswana
Setting out from the Zimbabwe border, the adventurer, author and broadcaster spent a month on the front line of elephant conservation, walking alongside a herd as it followed its annual migration route towards the Okavango Delta.
Christina Lamb on her career igniting journey to Afghanistan
The chief foreign correspondent at The Sunday Times was just 22 years old when, in the late 1980s, she journeyed up the Grand Trunk Road to Afghanistan — the start of a long and enduring love affair with the country’s colours, flavours and hospitality.
Alastair Humphreys on finding great escapes in the UK
Having toured the globe — from camping in the Arctic to cycling through Kyrgyzstan — the adventurer finds that journeys of real significance are also on offer closer to home.
The revival of rosé wine: a guide to picking the best bottle this summer
Once regarded as uncool, rosé has undergone an image overhaul in both the Old and New Worlds. From the vineyards of Provence to the wine lands of New Zealand, here's how to pick the best bottle for your palate.
Zurich: a dazzling tribute to all things chocolate
Switzerland has long been famous for its chocolate, from creamy bars as an everyday treat to thick hot chocolates in the Alps. Now though, Zurich’s innovative chocolate-makers are making fresh waves in the industry.
Notes from an author: Farida Zeynalova on revisiting Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku
Returning to a native city is both a recipe for nostalgia and a journey that casts the Azerbaijani capital in a new light.
Win an eight-night trip along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way
National Geographic Traveller (UK) has teamed up with McKinlay Kidd and Kuoni to offer an eight-night epicurean adventure along Ireland's west coast.
How to spend a long weekend in Ticino, Switzerland
Swiss charm meets la dolce vita in Ticino, Switzerland’s southernmost, sole Italian-speaking canton.
