Best Travel Magazine?
 

What's the best travel magazine out there? And why do you rate it the best?

I'd like to have something that has more than glossy photos, something with good travel tips for the destination (world-wide or?), interesting things to do, etc.

Any suggestions?

I've personally always enjoyed reading "Conde Nast", it's a more upscale travel magazine but still has interesting travel stories, suggestions, and tips.
If you're not into that, I'd recommend either "National Geographic Adventure" or "National Geographic Traveler." The latter is more generally travel-oriented while the former is more for travelers seeking travel adventures.

A second vote for National Geographic Traveler.

Jim

I've subscribed to them all, and the only one I renew year after year is the National Geographic Traveler.

I have subscribed to most of them and the only one that I continue with is:
ITN (International Travel News)
www.intltravelnews.com

It isn't glossy, in fact it is printed on newsprint. Most of it is personal experiences.

Thx a mint for the replies, folks!

I just bought a subscription to NG Traveler for my sis for Christmas...they love to travel and take one big trip (8-10 wks) every year. As they are 'established', it's hard to get them something useful (on my budget...LOL!).

Merry Christmas...enjoy-la!

National Geographic is the only travel magazine I subscribe to.

I lost respect for Conde Nast when it's readers voted Maui as the best island in the WORLD. I haven't been to THAT many islands, but I've been much prettier islands with much better beaches than Maui.

Obviously, this is my opinion, and many people disagree with me - especially those who read Conde Nast!

klam_chowder, I agree with the other posters--National Geographical Travelers.

Your sister and husband will enjoy it greatly.

I will try natl. Geo traveler, thanks for the tips. I recommend Caribean Travel and Life. It always seems to have neat features about secluded beaches, places off the beaten path, restaurants and bars that capture Carib. authenticity, and so on.

I also like and subscribe to National Geographic Traveler, however, the magazine I find most useful and informative is Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel. On a somewhat limited retirement income, it provides many money saving ideas and specials that allow me more trips on the income I can use for travel.

I subscribe to 5 travel magazines :) and I think Budget Travel (Frommers) is at the top. National Geographic Traveler for some reason has disappointed me. I think I expected more meat out of it, and the amount of ads relative to the amount of info and articles let me down or something. It's about to expire.

CondeNast is also good.

I have 'em all...

Budget Travel is my favorite because the information is practical and the most useful for me in real trip planning and ideas.

Travel+Leisure is the swankiest layout but I could never afford anything they recommend, they do have great photos.

Conde Nast Traveler, love Ombudsman column, and think it is is probably packed with the most information per issue. It would be my recommendation for being of interest to the widest range of people.

National Geo Traveler, took this for several years, but for whatever reason this one doesn't grab me and I no longer subscribe.

I'm with SusieQQ on this one: ITN - no question. Written by travelers for travelers. No gloss, no frills, but the on-the-ground experiences we need. In a way it's the nearest thing to these here boards.

WK

I agree with those who have recommended the International Travel News--ITN (I've been a subscriber for more than 20 years) but with one caveat: It does not cover travel in North America and the Caribbean. Their web page is http://intltravelnews.com

W. A. Robison
Pack Your Bags: www.warobison.com

What do you all think of Islands Magazine? I'm starting to explore the Caribbean and just love islands in general and am thinking of subscribing to this one.

Someone leaves their Island magazines behind in my gym, and to be honest, there doesn't seem to be much substance to them. They sort of remind me of something a chamber of commerce would put out. Really nice pictures, though.

I hardly ever read my Islands magazines. Not much substance.

Travel+Leisure!! That's another one of my favorites. Usually really thick. I think my subscription must have lapsed though 'cause I can't remember getting an issue recently.

A quick hint: When subscribing, or renewing, your magazine subscriptions, check eBay. Particularly the travel mags.

Right now, National Geographic Traveler can be had for two years (16 issues) for $7. 36 issues of Conde Nast Traveler is $10.

As always, read the listings carefully, especially for the shipping and handling amounts.

I've been running my subs through eBay for years. Gotten a lot of good reading, and saved a ton of money.

I subscribe to Nat'l Geo. Traveler, like it a lot, to Frommers Budget Travel, that is great, Conde Nast Traveler, it is OK. One that I can not stand is T&L, mainly because of how they are always writing these articles on "budget" stays somewhere where the bargain hotels are "only" $800 a night and dinner for two in "a low cost quaint bistro" oh is maybe $200 before wine...those people need to get a life.

While I am complaining, another "travel writer" that I can not stand is this so-called Johnny Jet. Man, talk about someone that freeloads his way around the world by writing worthless self-serving smarm he is the champ.

I got Islands for just one year, not impressed. As others have said, not much to it. Plus while I like warm weather island destinations as much as the next person(!) the magazine includes ANY place that is an island, not necessarily focusing on tropical ones that are of most interest to me.

I'm looking at getting a subscription to keep some frequent flyer miles active. Is "Budget Travel" any good?

Keith

Budget Travel, no question. I just can't stand the view of some travel magazines that I am going to spend $200.00 plus a night for every trip. I find them pretty but not that useful. With a husband and two kids in tow, I want a magazine that is really useful. Husband and I do trips without the kids, too and never want to spend unncessesary money. We have had fabulous trips on a budget. So, now I'll get off my soapbox. Maybe when the kids are grown, we will splurge a little more.

Dear Chowder Lover,

I am surprised that some of the magazines I subscribed to and didn't open after reading one or two issues are beloved by others.

One solution seems to be to subscribe to the three or four magazines that appeal most and decide for yourself which one is "best" for your needs.

All magazines are hungry for subscribers. Check web sites and call 800 number begging for discounts. Also, many magazines have a guarantee; if you don't like what you read, you can cancel your subscrition without paying anything.

Another approach: Go to the library and examine past editions of travel magazines to decide if one is worth your money.

One problem with travel magazines is that they are ever in the search of something new to write about that has to be written up as fun and interesting, even if it isn't.

Islands is my favorite, but, then again, traveling to islands is my favorite kind of travel.

No substance??? C'mon, did you never read their articles?

I prefer regional magazines rather than national/international travel oriented magazines. For example, I think Sunset's Pacific NW edition gives great travel advice for the NW. For Philadelphia or Chicago, I buy the city magazines.
For travel in "romantic" Europe (Alsace, Burgundy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, etc.), I swear by Cote Est, a French magazine. Their Cote Sud also gives great info on the south of France.
I do wish someone would resurrect European Travel & Life. I still have several issues stored away; would love to see that magazine return.

Pappy, I'm with you, islands (esp. tropical) are my favorite place to vacation. Wow, bookhall, thanks so much for that EBay tip. I ordered a one year subsciption to Islands Magazine for $4.75. At that price, I haven't risked too much. How are they able to do that?

And I'm with you, Maggi. Islands has no substance? What is the saying... a picture is worth a thousand words? Give me the substance of Islands any day! The research I can do elsewhere.

I have subscribed to Conde Nast for the last 3-4 years...ready for something new so thanks to this thread I just ordered a subscription to National Geographic Traveler...Merry Christmas to me! :-d

The Italian travel magazine "DOVE" is incredible. If you're traveling in Europe pick it up. You will automatically want to go to their places of interest. Oh, one other thing, as with Cote Est (French), which I also subscribe too and do agree is great, you need to be able to read Italian. Ciao