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Books to Read While Boarding

January 01, 1970 12:00 AM
“In books I have traveled, not only to other worlds, but into my own.” —Anna Quindlen There is absolutely no way you can convince me that anything makes travel more fulfilling than reading. For every destination I travel to, I find a book that takes place in that corner of the world. These stories, true or fictional, draw me into the place, making my destinations come alive. Nothing beats the rush of discovering the history of a place or being delighted by a romance set in a foreign city. While you’re packing your bags, consider throwing some of these books into your carry-on. I have curated a list of books that you must read as you travel to these places. If you want to travel to these places but don’t quite have the funds yet, these are perfect for you! As Jhumpa Lahiri said, “That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.” Stateside Travel If you’re traveling to New York City read Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart. Summer at Tiffany is the true story of two friends, Marjorie and Marty, who move to New York City in 1945. They become the first women to ever work on the sales floor at Tiffany & Co. This charming book is a homage to friendship, hard work, and the wonder of the city. If you’re visiting the Midwest, read The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald. Sara, a timid book-lover from Sweden, makes her way to Iowa to meet a pen pal. The small town of Broken Wheel, Iowa is skeptical of Sara but eventually she wins them over. Asia Travel If you’re traveling to Southeast Asia, read Carpe Diem by Autumn Cornwall. Vassar Spore is a sixteen-year-old girl with a ten-year plan. What she didn’t plan on was an eccentric relative forcing her to spend the summer backpacking through Southeast Asia. Join these two on their crazy adventure. If your destination is Russia, read A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Count Alexander Rostov has been sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol Hotel in Moscow during a time of political unrest. This historical fiction is both a romance and a thriller. Europe Travel If you’re vacationing in France, Italy, or England read A Rather Lovely Inheritance by C. A. Belmond. Penny Nichols’s humdrum life is turned upside-down when she is left an unexpected inheritance. This leads Penny on an adventure across Europe, discovering family secrets and protecting her inheritance. Africa Travel If your trip takes you to Morocco or Spain, read A Time in Between by Maria Duenas. Sira Quiroga is a young girl from Madrid who is swept into a life in Morocco. Set in the time of the Spanish Civil War and WWII, Sira’s story is a coming of age story full of espionage, romance, and family. South America Travel If you’re exploring Brazil or the Amazon, read Lost City of Z by David Grann. Lost City of Z is the true story of Percy Fawcett, a British explorer who disappeared in the Amazon while searching for a city of gold. Grann also tells of his own trips and discoveries deep in the Amazon.
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Fairy Tales Around the World

October 14, 0020 12:00 AM
Once Upon a Time . . . we’ve all heard that before. From Cinderella to Snow White, fairy tales are a huge part of pop culture. However, there are so many wonderful stories across the world that are not very well-known. Each country has tales that have been passed down through generations, but we rarely hear about them. Here are some lesser known fairy tales from a few different countries.
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Goodnight, World Fables Around the Globe

April 08, 0020 12:00 AM
Where did China get its first cup of tea? Who invented boomerangs in Australia? How did African leopards get their spots? Though there are plenty of factual answers to these questions, we can often learn more about a country from its bedtime stories than its history books. After all, humans have used stories to explain their surroundings for thousands of years, passing legends down from generation to generation. Through these legends, we learn about the gods our ancestors worshipped, the traditions they held dear, and their relationships with the world and the people around them.
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Abandoned Cities

January 07, 0016 12:00 AM
Fascinating and mysterious, abandoned settlements offer a glimpse at how people lived in the past. See how time similarly stands still in five haunting—and visitable—abandoned cities in a variety of countries.
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Going Fur Crazy: How Russians Keep Warm

September 15, 0015 12:00 AM
You see them all the time in movies: fur hats that look so comfortable and warm, which every Russian character seems to wear. But how accurate is that stereotype? Let’s take a look at the country that made fur hats famous: Russia.Fur hats have been popular in cold climates for millennia, but according to correspondent Darya Pushkova, the ushanka, or “ear-flap hat,” became an icon for the Soviet Union in the twentieth century. These hats were a mandatory part of the military uniform, due to the bitter Russian cold. Now the ushanka is part of the winter military uniform for the United States, Canada, and other Western countries. Ironically, the Russian military has changed their fur hat design to a rounder style with no flaps.
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The Take Home of Souvenir Shopping

March 30, 0014 12:00 AM
It’s tough to find a souvenir that encompasses the life-changing experiences, memorable people, and indescribable sights that only travel provides. A few Google searches before your trip will help you avoid on-the-spot thoughts like, Maybe I’ll just buy a snow globe or an “I love Moscow” T-shirt—even though both gifts were probably made 14 time zones away. Here are some tips for taking home a piece of the places you visit and eliminating the stress of souvenir shopping.
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Sochi 2014: Window to the World

January 14, 0014 12:00 AM
On February 7, the chilled air in Sochi, Russia, will crackle with excitement as thousands of people cram into the Fisht Olympic Stadium, cameras glinting like a school of fish in an ocean of bodies. Tweets and texts in a myriad of languages will fly to destinations across the globe to share the memory of the moment. And with music and dancing, art and narration, the 2014 Winter Olympic Games will begin.
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Russia on Rails

April 15, 0012 12:00 AM
Seven time zones. Two continents. Nearly six thousand miles on the main line with branches to China, Mongolia, Manchuria, North Korea, and the Sea of Japan. The Trans-Siberian Railroad is the pride of the former Soviet Union and the longest railroad in the world. The main line begins in Moscow and ends in Vladivostok. The Trans-Siberian Railroad stops at numerous towns and villages that have breathtaking scenery, magnificent cathedrals, fascinating historical sights, and unforgettable experiences.
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Russia's Palace of Art: The Hermitage Musem

April 13, 0012 12:00 AM
Anyone who disagrees with the saying “bigger is always better” has never been to Russia’s State Hermitage Museum. The largest museum in the world, the Hermitage boasts roughly three million pieces of art and has nearly as many visitors annually. Founded by Catherine the Great in 1764, the Hermitage has the largest collection of paintings anywhere in the world and consists of six main buildings situated along the Neva River.
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The Incredible Not-So-Edible Egg

February 28, 0012 12:00 AM
Created in 1912, the Czarevich Egg was created for Empress Alexandra Feodorovna as a tribute to her son, Alexei. Photography courtesy of Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. On Easter morning, you are probably used to seeing a wicker basket filled with eggs—perhaps dyed chicken eggs, chocolate eggs, or colorful plastic eggs filled with a variety of candy treats. But what would you think if the eggs hadn’t been laid by a chicken or weren’t made of plastic or sugar?
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Winter Olympic Cities

December 28, 0011 12:00 AM
Since 1924, the Winter Olympic Games have preserved a time-honored tradition of inviting world-class athletes to come together in friendly competition. As the world prepares for the Winter 2014 Olympics in Russia, check out these Winter Olympic sites from recent years and take note of the activities that you can still enjoy there.
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