The Best of Intelligent Travel
We publish new travel stories all the time on the Intelligent Travel blog, but there are a few that really got your attention this year.
In case you missed them, here are the 12 most popular blog posts of 2012:
The 10 Rules of Packing
By far our most popular post this year, Aric S. Queen, a.k.a. the Good Traveler, shares his tried and true tips for traveling light.
How to Shoot the Milky Way…On Easter Island
Ford Cochran takes Nat Geo photographer Jim Richardson‘s secret formula for taking photos of the Milky Way like a pro out for a spin.
Joshua Tree, Retrofied
National Geographic photo editor Monica Corcoran changes her mind about Hipstamatic on a tour through California’s iconic desert.
Norway’s Best-Kept Secret: Puffin Dogs
National Geographic Traveler contributing editor Edward Readicker-Henderson gives us yet another reason to love Norway.
Going Greek: Why Now Is a Good Time to Visit
Personal finance guru Odysseas Papadimitriou gives us the inside scoop on why it’s the perfect time to pay a visit to his homeland.
When you work at National Geographic, the first question people ask you is if you get to travel. Check out our photo gallery to see where we’ve been — and what it’s taught us along the way.
Gear Tips for Tech-Savvy Travelers
Rolling Stone contributor Oscar Raymundo reveals (and reviews) gadgets that keep the modern traveler organized, on the go, and having fun.
Where Are America’s Best European Villages?
Traveler‘s resident consumer travel expert and Family Time blogger Christopher Elliott debates the pros and cons of faux European towns across the U.S.
Travel Photo Tips from the Masters
Intelligent Travel editor Leslie Trew Magraw reports back from the front lines of one of National Geographic Traveler‘s photography workshopsNational Geographic Traveler‘s photography workshops with tips from Jim Richardson and Traveler Senior Photo Editor Dan Westergren.
Painting the Painted Desert
Kayla Frost paints a stunning portrait of street artist Chip Thomas (a.k.a. Jetsonorama) and the epic project he describes as his “love letter to the Navajo Nation.”
What Makes Australia’s Gold Coast Golden?
Intelligent Travel’s Urban Insider, Annie Fitzsimmons, let’s us in on why the Gold Coast is the No. 1 vacation destination for those gorgeous, gregarious Aussies.
Picture Yourself in a National Park!
When we launched our award-winning National Parks by National Geographic app last spring, we asked you to share your take on America’s Best Idea. And, boy, did you ever. Here are the results.
(Our apps team is hard at work on guides to five more of your favorite parks, so stay tuned in 2013!)
What was your favorite story on Intelligent Travel in 2012? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
Related Topics
Go Further
Animals
- How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Environment
- Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?
- The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
History & Culture
- Meet the original members of the tortured poets departmentMeet the original members of the tortured poets department
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Travel
- This tomb diver was among the first to swim beneath a pyraamidThis tomb diver was among the first to swim beneath a pyraamid
- Dina Macki on Omani cuisine and Zanzibari flavoursDina Macki on Omani cuisine and Zanzibari flavours
- How to see Mexico's Baja California beyond the beachesHow to see Mexico's Baja California beyond the beaches
- Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?