Summer 2013

Stephanie Wilson of Portland, Oregon, was sitting on the curb at the Gaslamp Quarter—an area directly across from the San Diego Convention Center—waiting patiently to go grab dinner with some friends. Suddenly, a swarm of zombies emerged from around the corner. “At this point, it didn’t even matter that my friends were late because, well, zombies!” says Wilson.

Become a Waterski Pro

You know that stinging sensation you feel every time too much water flushes up your nose? Imagine a complete stranger smashing handfuls of overripe tomato pulp in your face, while people swarm around you—jumping, throwing, and diving through waves of tomatoes.

Clog America at the Royal Castle in Lublin, Poland.

Among the larger-than-life statues of ancient gods—called the moai—runners from all over the world gather every June for the Easter Island Marathon. Many of these runners choose to come here because Easter Island is one of the grandest mysteries of Earth’s history. With a population of only five thousand people, the once nearly deserted island is among the most remote places one can dare to travel. Since the Easter Island Marathon is an extreme travel marathon—much like marathons in Antarctica and the Galápagos Islands—runners who come all the way out to the island must be dedicated to their sport.

For westerners who consider an eight-ounce bloody slab of cow muscle to be mouth-wateringly delicious, a crispy fried grasshopper or mealworm should pose no problem. But let’s face it, it does. And the whole “facing it” issue may be the problem. If our food has eyes and a mouth and looks back at us, it causes a gut reaction—literally. But here are five ideas to consider about insect consumption that might help you overcome your squeamishness should you be offered something six-legged to eat during your travels.

If there’s one summer activity that everyone can agree on, that’s eating food. Pack your bags, spoons, plates, doggie bags, and appetite, and head for a food-filled road trip through the wonderful world of factories

Scotland can be a noisy place with its bagpipes and highland games, but this northern British country is also full of vast landscapes of calm and solitude. One destination in particular provides travelers with a Scottish experience that’s both peaceful and energetic.

Bali is a place of many wonders, ranging from ancient temples and nature reserves to world-renowned yoga centers and warm beaches. With so much diversity in this Indonesian province of nearly four million people, tourists may get overwhelmed when choosing which exotic spot to visit next.

E.T., the extraterrestrial, isn’t the only one who needs to phone home while in a foreign land. With modern cell phone technology, calling should be a lot simpler now than it was back in 1982. But what about using your cell phone when traveling abroad? Stories of phone bills in the thousands scare us into leaving phones off or at home. But there are certain ways to reduce the costs of using your phone abroad. You just need to be prepared with these cell phone tricks and facts.

Where can you go for a musical experience that spans everything from rock ’n’ roll to jazz, electronica, pop, blues, heavy metal, and more? Québec City’s Festival D’été (the Festival of Summer). This music extravaganza draws international crowds for 11 days every July; this year it runs July 4–14. During the festival, an impressive assemblage of musical venues dots the town, and Québec City is transformed into the largest outdoor music festival in Canada.

“There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.”—Ansel Adams

Ratatouille

There’s a saying that goes, “Hell is where the cooks are English.” Some people describe England’s food as bland or icky; others claim that the English eat only fish and chips. You may have heard these rumors, been turned off by dishes like blood pudding, or heard horror stories about Marmite.