visit the SATW Foundation Web site

(Members of the Missouri School of Journalism faculty, coordinated by Prof. Daryl Moen, judged the contest. There were 1,121 entries. In the following list of winners, numbers in parentheses denote number of entries in that category.)

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1. Grand Award – Lowell Thomas Travel Journalist of the Year (31)

Gold: Tom Haines, staff writer, Boston Globe
Articles: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Silver: Alan Solomon, reporter, Chicago Tribune
Articles: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Bronze: Catherine Watson, Senior Travel Editor, Star Tribune, Minneapolis
Articles: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

2. Newspaper Travel Section (31)

A. Newspapers with 500,000 or more circulation
Gold: Boston Sunday Globe, Joe Yonan, Travel Editor. Sections entered: 7/7/02; 8/11/02; 9/15/02, 9/22/02; 10/13/02
Silver: The Washington Post, K.C. Summers, Travel Section Editor.Sections entered: 6/16/02, 6/23/02; 9/22/02, 9/29/02; and 2/2/03
Bronze: Chicago Tribune, Randy Curwen, Travel Editor. Sections entered: 4/28/02; 9/15/02, 9/22/02; 11/10/02 and 2/2/03
Honorable Mention:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Amanda Miller, Travel Editor. Sections entered: 6/9/02, 6/23/02; 7/28/02; 10/20/02 and 2/16/03
Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Chris Welsch, Travel Section Editor. Sections entered: 9/8/02, 9/22/02; 10/12/02; 2/9/03 and 3/9/03.

B. Newspapers with 350,000-499,999 circulation
Gold: The Sun, Baltimore, Bruce Friedland, Travel Editor. Sections entered: 5/26/02; 6/23/02; 9/1/02; 9/29/02 and 11/17/02.
Silver: Chicago Sun-Times, Andrea Hanis, Travel Editor. Sections entered: 8/25/02; 9/8/02; 9/22/02; 11/8/02 and 1/19/03
Bronze: The Kansas City Star, Allen Holder, Travel Editor. Sections entered: 4/4/02; 6/2/02; 6/23/02; 9/8/02 and 11/10/02

C. Newspapers with 200,000-349,999 circulation
Gold: The Charlotte Observer, John Bordsen, Travel Editor. Sections entered: 6/23/02; 9/15/02; 9/29/02; 12/8/02 and 1/19/03.
Silver: The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, Millie Ball, Travel Editor. Sections entered: 4/28/02; 8/25/02; 6/16/02; 6/30/02 and 3/2/03
Bronze: Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Patricia Rodriguez, Travel Editor. Sections entered: 6/2/02; 8/4/02; 9/8/02; 9/22/02 and 10/27/02

D. Newspapers with less than 200,000 circulation
Gold: Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, IL, Katherine Rodeghier, Travel Editor. Sections entered: 6/2/02; 6/9/02; 11/3/02 and 2/16/03.
Silver: Silver: Santa Barbara News-Press, Santa Barbara, CA, Al Bonowitz, Travel Editor. Web site: www.newspress.com
Sections entered: 9/1/02; 9/8/02; 12/15/02; 1/26/03 and 2/16/03. To view winning sections: http://news.newspress.com/travelaward/index.html
No Bronze

3. Magazines (20)

A. Travel Magazines
Gold: Arthur Frommer`s Budget Travel, Arthur Frommer, Editor-in-Chief
Silver: National Geographic Traveler, Keith Bellows, Editor: The three winning issues: Nov/Dec, 2002; Jan/Feb & March, 2003.
Bronze: Travel + Leisure, Nancy Novogrod, Editor-in-Chief: Winning Issues – September | October | November

B. Travel Coverage in Other Magazines
Gold: enRoute, Arjun Basu, Editor
Silver: Southwest Airlines Spirit, John Clark, Editor: Winning issues were Sept., Oct. and Nov. 2002 (We apologize, but editorial content is not posted on the website)
Bronze: Yankee, Michael Carlton, Editor: Winning Issues were Sept., Oct and Nov. of 2002. (We apologize, but access to website is prohibited at this time.)

4. Newspaper Article on U.S./Canada Travel (90)

Gold: Allen Holder, “Telling Stories, Taking Root,” The Kansas City Star
Silver: Larry Bleiberg, “Little Plant of Horrors,” The Dallas Morning News
Bronze: John Bordsen, “Jeane Dixon was famous, but was she really psychic?” The Charlotte Observer

5. Magazine Article on U.S./Canada Travel (62)

Gold: Douglas Cooper, “Canadian Gothic,” Travel + Leisure
Silver: Charles Montgomery, “Storm Coast,” Canadian Geographic
Bronze: Mark Miller, “Escape Artists,” National Geographic Traveler

6. Newspaper Article on Foreign Travel (77)

Gold: Cindy Loose, “Earth to Iceland,” The Washington Post
Silver: Alan Solomon, “Beyond Wars and Words,” Chicago Tribune
Bronze: Frank D. Roylance, “Pilgrimage to Atessa,” The Sun, Baltimore

7. Magazine Article on Foreign Travel (60)

Gold: Peter Jon Lindberg, “How to Stop Worrying and Learn to Love Bombay,” Travel + Leisure
Silver: Masha Nordbye, “The Oriental Silk Road,”
The World & I
Bronze: Rudy Maxa, “A Dish Too Far,” National Geographic Traveler

8. Newspaper Photo Illustration of Travel Article (33)

Gold: Betty Udesen, “In Her Mother’s Shoes,” The Seattle Times
Silver: Jonathan Wiggs, “Cuba, On and Off Track,” Boston Globe
Bronze: Smiley N. Pool, “Shanghai on the Move,” Houston Chronicle

9. Magazine Photo Illustration of Travel Article (34)

Gold: James Whitlow Delano, “About Face,” enRoute
Silver: David Alan Harvey, “Classic South America,” National Geographic Traveler
Bronze: Sylvia Plachy, “Is Atlantic City Worth the Trip?” Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel

10. Special Packages/Projects (56)

Gold: “Crater Lake Commemorative Issue,” The Oregonian, Sue Hobart, Travel Editor
Silver: “Romancing the Bargain Hunter,” Chicago Tribune, Randy Curwen, Travel Editor
Bronze: “Pack Up The Family,” San Francisco Chronicle, Christine Delsol, Travel Editor

11. Self-Illustrated Article (61)

Gold: Rick Staehling, "Eagle Scout," Travel Etc. Magazine
Silver: Bob Friel, “Getting to the Bottom of Belize,” Caribbean Travel & Life
Bronze: Michael Buckley, “Cavalier of Curiosity,” NUVO Magazine

12. Article on Land Travel (34)

Gold: Alan Solomon, “10 Great Drives,” Chicago Tribune
Silver: Carl Duncan, “Northern Extremes: Canada,” Los Angeles Times
Bronze: Peter Mandel, “Riding the Dog,” The Washington Post

13. Article on Marine Travel (40)

Gold: Cindy Loose, “Little Houseboat of Horrors,” The Washington Post
Silver: Joana Varawa, “Sailing the Winds of Time,” Hana Hou! Magazine
Bronze: Bruce Northam, “Drifting With Burma’s Sea Gypsies,” blue Magazine

14. Article on Adventure Travel (54)

Gold: Peter Benchley, “Elegant Danger,” National Geographic Traveler
Silver: Wendy Knight, “On Ice,” Vermont Life
Bronze: Bruce Northam, “Night Passes…Will You?” blue Magazine

15. Travel News/Investigative Reporting (19)

Gold: Deborah Williams, “Better Airport Security,” The Buffalo News
Silver: Jayne Clark, “How Safe Is Your Hotel?” USA TODAY
Bronze: Edward Hasbrouck, “Total Travel Information Awareness,” PracticalNomad.com

16. Service-Oriented Consumer Article (89)

Gold: Paula Szuchman, “Top 35 Travel Web Sites,” Travel + Leisure
Silver: James Thurston (Yenckel), “The New Names, the New Chains in Budget-Priced European Travel,” Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel
Bronze: Randy Johnson, “Leaders of the Pack,” Hemispheres The Magazine of United Airlines

17. Environmental Tourism Article (37)

Gold: Natalie Angier, “Costa Rica: Exploring Eco-Tourism,” Slate Magazine
Silver: Jim Morrison, “Ire Down Below,” Southwest Airlines Spirit
Bronze: C.M. Mayo, “Lay Thine Hand Upon Him,” The Massachusetts Review

18. Cultural Tourism Article (86)

Gold: C. M. Mayo, “A Touch of Evil,” Fourth Genre (Michigan State University Press journal)
Silver: Carrie Miller, “Real Culture,” National Geographic Traveler
Bronze: A. R. Williams, “Death on the Nile,” National Geographic

19. Personal Comment (95)

Gold: Rick Mashburn, “Living for Today, Every Day,” The New York Times
Silver: Cindy Loose, “Table for One?” The Washington Post
Bronze: Rolf Potts, “Room with a Skew,” National Geographic Traveler

20. Travel Book (Other than guidebook) (17)

Gold: Daisann McLane, “Cheap Hotels,” Taschen publishers
Silver: Tony Perrottet, “Pagan Holiday: On the Trail of Ancient Roman Tourists,”
Random House Trade Paperbacks
Bronze: Michael Buckley, “Heartlands: Travels in the Tibetan World,” Summersdale Publishers

21. Guidebook (47)

Gold: Rob Grader, “The Cheap Bastard’s Guide to New York City,” The Globe Pequot Press
Silver: Patricia Brooks, “Where the Bodies Are,” The Globe Pequot Press
Bronze: Christopher P. Baker, “National Geographic Traveler: Cuba,” National Geographic Society

22. Internet Publication/Web site (13)

Gold: Nationalgeographic.com/traveler, Heather Morgan, Online Editor
Silver: Lonelyplanet.com, Scott McNeely, Publisher, and Tamar Lowell, Manager
Bronze: Worldhum.com, Jim Benning and Michael Yessis, Co-Editors

23. Internet Travel Article (35)

Gold: Tim Cahill, “Blues Highway,” slate.com
Silver: Bruce Chambers, “Hiking the John Muir Trail,” ocregister.com
(on-line Orange County Register, CA)
Bronze: David Brill, “Desire & Ice: Challenge on Denali,” nationalgeographic.com/traveler

For questions, contact:
SATW Foundation
Mary Lu Abbott, President
713-532-6461 or maryluabbott@aol.com

11/03

Society of American Travel Writers Foundation 19th Annual Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition Awards for Work Published in 2002-2003

(Members of the Missouri School of Journalism faculty, coordinated by Prof. Daryl Moen, judged the contest. There were 1,121 entries. For more information, contact Mary Lu Abbott, SATW Foundation president, 713-532-6461 or maryluabbott@aol.com.)

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1. GRAND AWARD – Lowell Thomas Travel Journalist of the Year

Gold: Tom Haines, staff writer, Boston Globe

Tom Haines is a storyteller. He doesn’t tell about the places he visits; he shows the readers. He transports them there by using narrative techniques: anecdotes, dialogue, scenes. To be a good writer, he first of all is a good reporter. He finds local people to help him describe the places he visits. He finds telling anecdotes. When readers finish his stories, they are informed and entertained.

Silver: Alan Solomon, reporter, Chicago Tribune

Regular readers no doubt could identify Solomon’s stories even if the byline were missing. His voice is consistently personal and chatty. Example: “The brochure…calls this offering ‘The Classical Music River Journey.” Say that out loud: Flows like Debussy, doesn’t it?” Solomon’s entry displays both breadth and depth. He combines excellent reporting and writing with a style that is easy to read.

Bronze: Catherine Watson, Senior Travel Editor, Star Tribune, Minneapolis

Whether she is writing parts of the newspaper’s creative “American the Beautiful” series or revealing her reactions to participating with a group of volunteers at a Hopi reservation, Watson is entertaining and thorough. She has a calming first-person voice that invites the readers along on her trips. Her stories are full of pertinent detail. She introduces her readers to people, not just places, and she tells stories.

2A. Newspaper Travel Section 500, 000 or more circulation

Gold: Boston Sunday Globe, Joe Yonan, Travel Editor

With one of the largest news holes we reviewed, the Globe eschews filler and does a superb job of planning and packing every inch with solid material. The cover themes are somewhat familiar, but the breadth and depth of material throughout earns top marks. One of our favorite features is the NE Travel section within a section, kicked off by another full-color full page followed by 2-6 pages of local and regional travel material. You don`t have to spend a small fortune to enjoy the opportunities presented here, nor is it a one-story section. There`s something for almost anyone.

Silver: The Washington Post, K.C. Summers, Travel Section Editor

Sophistication with whimsy – that’s the ticket for the Post’s info-packed section. Cover stories are layered – with alternate points of views, such as a delightful feature on four views of cruising. Graphics and photos compliment and don’t dominate packages. Celebrity features aren’t just marshmallow treats – when Studs Terkel talks Chicago, it’s authoritative, not tourist word candy. Inside, you find features appealing to campers and jetsetters alike. Headlines are witty, such as “Forest Gumption” over a feature on state park cabin rentals. Briefs are well edited, and service features are compactly designed.

Bronze: Chicago Tribune, Randy Curwen, Travel Editor

From graveyards to cheap sleeps in London, this section has it all. Each week, the Tribune serves up a tasty stew of off-the-beaten track tours, such as “To Kill a Mockingbird’s Monroeville, Ala.” or regional trips to destinations like Champaign, Ill., or the Amana Colonies in Iowa. The section consistently delivers high-concept stories with a twist, such as the “Wonders of the World” series, which included a personal glimpse of the emotions surrounding the Statue of Liberty. Inside, you’ll find a consistent array of service items, from airfare maps to information lists and Top Ten tips.

Honorable Mention: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Amanda Miller, Travel Editor

Riveting reader stories, intriguing illustrations and concise consumer features distinguish this section. And to top it off, it has appropriate placement of maps and breakouts. This section offers the right mix of domestic travel and exotic locales. Readers are sipping bourbon in Kentucky one minute and munching on pastries in Vienna the next. Inside, the reader is treated to a strong bookshelf column and Internet links on the AJC’s website.

Honorable Mention: Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Chris Welsch, Travel Section Editor

Themed sections can bore or bedazzle the reader, depending on editing and story selection. The Star Tribune shows it has the right stuff with its weekly offering, which often takes traditional topics and races for the stars. Of special note – the “America the Beautiful” project, which took the theme of America’s natural beauty and literally put it to music. Also, the Star Tribune offers a strong consumer bent, even taking on “scam” travel offers and forcing action from the state attorney general.

2B. Newspaper Travel Section 350, 000-499, 999 circulation

Gold: The Sun, Baltimore, Bruce Friedland, Travel Editor

Striking cover designs, bold use of photography and a mix that captivates, invites and intrigues readers propel The Sun to the top. Best of all, it doesn`t stop with the cover. Solid reporting and color photography invite readers inside. There’s variety enough to appeal across many segments, and there’s more than a token interaction from readers with Page 3 “Personal Journeys.” Consistent use of maps, breakouts add to the package. Coverage by an attractive mix of staff and contributing writers ranges from auctions in New York City to tracing roots in Italy to vacationing in the Northwest with teens.

Silver: Chicago Sun-Times, Andrea Hanis, Travel Editor

If there’s such a thing as a Travel section with attitude in the category, this is it. This is not your father’s paper’s approach to travel. The Sun-Times offers enticing cover designs, eye-popping color and stories as diverse as art in Hawaii and tours of Black Paris to night lights and glitz in London (not those routine palace guards!) After you thumb through the somewhat thin section, it ends with a bang: full-color full page “Your Ticket Out,” a handful of interesting story/photo packages.

Bronze: The Kansas City Star, Allen Holder, Travel Editor

Sometimes lacking the larger news holes of some of its competitors, the Star does a marvelous job of packing in an incredible amount of information, much of it service journalism, in well-packaged units throughout the section: “Consumer Watch,” “Travel Watch” (the requisite airfares, weather, currency exchange package), “E-Travel,” “Itinerary” (nuggets and lists), and “Taking the Kids.” It’s not afraid to devote space to the service story: full or almost full page grids of ski areas, airport facilities, and shows in Branson, Mo., for instance.

2C. Newspaper Travel Section 200, 000-349, 999 circulation

Gold: The Charlotte Observer, John Bordsen, Travel Editor

Who else would take you inside a leaf for a fall foliage story? Going the extra mile is a hallmark of this interactive section – complete with reader quizzes and map contests. A lot of thought goes into cover pieces for this section – including stories on regional travel, such as a Storytelling festival in Tennessee and rail tours in West Virginia. One of the great surprises was the feature on the 13 top places to see holiday lights displayed in the Southeast, complete with mileage chart.

Silver: The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, Millie Ball, Travel Editor

Tight sections are tricky to balance out the needs of a diverse travel audience, but the Times-Picayune manages to make the most of a tres petite news hole. Photos take a front seat here – strong selection and cropping. This section has a gastronomic flair – lots of articles that tempt the palate.

Bronze: Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Patricia Rodriguez, Travel Editor

Strong headlines and design make this section shine. Getouttatown, with its short takes on adventures in Texas and beyond, is a great addition to the inside. The feature on the new reality of post 9/11 travel was one of the best on this delicate subject.

2D. Newspaper Travel Section less than 200, 000 circulation

Gold: Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, IL, Katherine Rodeghier, Travel Editor

“Going Places” is a user-friendly tabloid with a good balance of stories across the cost and destination spectrum. The editor uses a gallery of experts each week to address all sorts of issues – from airport lines to online resources to tipping. Each page is thoughtfully planned with good layering of information and lots of service items. Reader interaction is also a major part of this well-packaged, well-written section.

Silver: Santa Barbara News-Press, Santa Barbara, CA, Al Bonowitz, Travel Editor

The News-Press gives worldly Santa Barbara County residents the section it needs, with a strong blend of world and regional destination stories. Though this section clearly needs more local resources, it does an outstanding job of presentation. Good selection of lists and reader interaction items.

3A. Travel Magazines

Gold: Arthur Frommer`s Budget Travel, Arthur Frommer, Editor-in-Chief

Its stories serve the goal well. They are useful, not a small thing in the world of journalism. Although its covers are a bit generic and might be found on any type of publication, its inside photos are strong and appealing. It’s a pleasure to find a publication that does exactly what it sets out to do – and does it with style.

Silver: National Geographic Traveler, Keith Bellows, Editor

With an unusually meaningful front-of-the-book package that is worth reading, not just browsing, this magazine has outstanding photos that are more than just pretty pictures. They are indeed journalistically valuable. Even more worthy of note are the story angles, ones that are new, fun to read and far more than just destination or history.

Bronze: Travel + Leisure, Nancy Novogrod, Editor-in-Chief

Strong in the information, education and entertainment that most readers look for, this publication will find its place on any serious traveler’s magazine rack. Its “keep up with what’s happening” approach offers scope rather than depth but helps readers find the most suitable trip choices. It’s a winner in terms of event and activity offerings.

3B. Travel Coverage in Other Magazines

Gold: enRoute, Arjun Basu, Editor

The magazine of Air Canada, enRoute does extraordinary travel journalism with savvy, insight and authority. In French and English, this magazine goes beyond the predictable with excellent travel writing, great photography and sophisticated design. The travel writers for this magazine write with an authoritative grasp of the topics and also a light touch of attitude that adds humor and entertainment. This graceful, fun magazine is a model for anyone in the magazine business

Silver: Southwest Airlines Spirit, John Clark, Editor

Spunky is what you might expect for the travel journalism in this magazine, and that’s just what you get. The sassy Southwest Airlines style is evident throughout the travel stories – in the writing, the design, the illustrations and the photography. The stories are fun without being frivolous; they are down-to-earth without being boring. The magazine entices readers with personality and keeps them with polished ideas and excellent writing.

Bronze: Yankee, Michael Carlton, Editor

The substantive travel section of Yankee magazine is filled with tips, ideas, critiques and news about travel in New England. The writing, photography and design are elegant and informative. Much of the travel journalism is in-depth work that manages to entice readers as well as give them new ideas and insights.

4. Newspaper Article on U.S./Canada Travel

Gold: Allen Holder, “Telling Stories, Taking Root,” The Kansas City Star

The Star travel editor opens his story with this sentence: “The devil waits at the corner of Second Street and Kansas Avenue.” That sentence would attract attention no matter what the destination. Given the dateline of Lucas, KS, the opening sentence is especially intriguing. The rest of the story fulfills the promise of the opening sentence, as Holder explains why it makes sense to visit the town with its 460 residents to see the Grassroots Art Center, not to mention another exhibit area called the Garden of Eden. Yes, Lucas even has a motel, a nearby bed and breakfast plus three restaurants for the tourists as well as the homefolks.

Silver: Larry Bleiberg, “Little Plant of Horrors,” The Dallas Morning News

Another headline – “Venus flytrap snaps up attention in North Carolina swamps and fields” – prepares you for this journey. The Dallas Morning News travel editor mixes strong environmental reporting with destination reporting to produce a fascinating account of a rare carnivorous plant in an interesting part of an interesting state.

Bronze: John Bordsen, “Jeane Dixon was famous, but was she really psychic?” The Charlotte Observer

The author makes great use of anecdotes and scenes to take you into a Virginia museum focused on Jeane Dixon. This makes the article entertaining, but it is also packed with information. This story is distinguished by the twin skills of reporting and writing.

5. Magazine Article on U.S./Canada Travel

Gold: Douglas Cooper, “Canadian Gothic,” Travel + Leisure

Travel writing can tell you about the places you know you want to see or the places you’re pretty sure, at first glance, you don’t care to see. Cooper’s at-first reluctant tribute to Nova Scotia demonstrates that good travel writing can transform the latter into the former. Cooper writes of low expectations dashed immediately by the enjoyable “weirdness” of Halifax and the variety in culture and cuisine wrought by French and Scottish influences on the Maritimes. His jaunt through Acadia and Cape Breton in a convertible is as delightfully odd as the places he describes.

Silver: Charles Montgomery, “Storm Coast,” Canadian Geographic

The dangerous waters off Vancouver Island attract the most ardent of foul-weather fans during monsoon season. That’s right – Montgomery has discovered storm-chaser heaven. His detailed reporting and observation make this story much more than an account of foolhardy folks in raingear. He talks to weather forecasters and surfers, park rangers and lighthouse keepers, fishermen and those who try to dodge rogue waves along the shore to shape a tale of people who “want to remember that Mother Nature is in charge.” It’s enough to get you thinking about a trip to the edge.

Bronze: Mark Miller, “Escape Artists,” National Geographic Traveler

British Columbia’s Salt Spring Island, Miller discovers, is home to the artists, innkeepers, antique dealers and outdoor outfitters one expects to find in beautiful tourist retreats. But it is the calm of the place and the serenity of Salt Spring’s people that make the island irresistible to Miller. Readers, treated to Miller’s finely written stories of the people he meets, are likely to find the destination irresistible as well. Thankfully, he provides all the necessary information to make the trip.

6. Newspaper Article on Foreign Travel

Gold: Cindy Loose, “Earth to Iceland,” The Washington Post

The dramatic imagery of this intriguing and beautifully written article is haunting and memorable. The author makes a compelling case for Iceland as a truly unique travel destination and even makes rotten shark sound like a delicacy.

Silver: Alan Solomon, “Beyond Wars and Words,” Chicago Tribune

A fascinating description of Angkor Wat emerges from this article that ran as part of a Seven Wonders of Man series. The author includes excellent background and a strong historical perspective on the ancient Cambodian temple. Some good practical advice about visiting this treasure is also included.

Bronze: Frank D. Roylance, “Pilgrimage to Atessa,” The Sun, Baltimore

This travel article details a compelling saga of the search for one family’s history. As an added bonus, the city of Atessa is also showcased as a rare find for travelers interested in exploring Italy beyond the usual tourist spots.

7. Magazine Article on Foreign Travel

Gold: Peter Jon Lindberg, “How to Stop Worrying and Learn to Love Bombay,” Travel + Leisure

This is a marvelous article about a place that isn’t singled out for in-depth coverage. Lindberg has 20 reasons to fall for Bombay, and every one is intriguing. He quotes someone as saying “Bombay is not about ‘sights’ in the traditional sense . . .It’s about experiences.” And he lists those experiences. He writes well, and the piece not only is fun to read but also full of ideas.

Silver: Masha Nordbye, “The Oriental Silk Road,” The World & I

To anyone who has enjoyed the stories of Marco Polo and Tamerlane, this article tells you how to go about seeing and feeling what they saw and felt and how to travel the same routes that they used. As the author goes from Beijing to Bukhara in Uzbekistan, she gives a brief history and describes the mountains and deserts as she goes (sometimes on a camel). This is another wonderful article written in great style.

Bronze: Rudy Maxa, “A Dish Too Far,” National Geographic Traveler

This is a fun article – a great idea, to travel from Genoa to Barcelona with three professional chefs. It is funny, delightful and sure to make you hungry. Maxa tells about the towns themselves, not just about the food. He also tells what they missed in each place because they spent all their time dining.

8. Newspaper Photo Illustration of Travel Article

Gold: Betty Udesen, “In Her Mother’s Shoes,” The Seattle Times

This in-depth photo story introduces us to a specific cultural aspect of life and death in Zimbabwe and Sub-Sahara Africa. We see the epidemic of AIDS from the women’s perspective, and we are introduced to Ruth, who dies of AIDS and leaves her two children with her mother. The images are haunting and emotional. The photographer has been granted tremendous access, and the subjects are clearly comfortable with her presence. The photographs have a depth that forces viewers to look beyond the first layer.

Silver: Jonathan Wiggs, “Cuba, On and Off Track,” Boston Globe

The photographer takes viewers along for a train ride through Cuba and shows us intimate glimpses of life in and around the train. We see people kissing, sleeping and dreaming. We see life along the roads. The composition, style and sense of light are superb. The photographer has an ability to show body language in a way that sets a mood and reveals how people feel. Virtually every image can stand on its own, making the entire package stronger.

Bronze: Smiley N. Pool, “Shanghai on the Move,” Houston Chronicle

The entire package works wonderfully. The story, headline and photographs all complement each other. It is extraordinary that the photographs feel like they are on the move. We see bicycles, blurred lights and dancing flames. The image of the fish moving through reflections is beautiful.

9. Magazine Photo Illustration of Travel Article

Gold: James Whitlow Delano, “About Face,” enRoute

The photographer brings Cambodia to life with extraordinary visual and technical ability. He uses a wonderful sense of light, black and white and extreme grain to make romantic and dreamy photographs. Viewers see markets, nightlife, tourist attractions, street scenes and the people of Cambodia in this well-rounded story. The design complements the photographs and gives them appropriate display. At the end, I want to see more.

Silver: David Alan Harvey, “Classic South America,” National Geographic Traveler

The photographer shows us the old and new of Montevideo and surprises us with each spread. The images are intimate, from the opening spread of a woman fixing her hair to the closing shot of a father sharing the South American drink maté with his daughter behind a tree. He shows us street scenes downtown as well as beaches, dunes and a luxury spa. His amazing ability with light and composition makes this entry stand out.

Bronze: Sylvia Plachy, “Is Atlantic City Worth the Trip?” Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel

These quirky photographs are humorous, which is a rare thing in photojournalism. We peek past one birdwatcher with binoculars to see another funny birdwatcher. We see a woman manhandling a beer bottle. We see the chicken challenge. People slip in and out of the edges of the frame. The photographs beg us to look again to search for new surprises in the image. Then we wonder if Atlantic City really is worth the trip.

10. Special Packages/Projects

Gold: “Crater Lake Commemorative Issue,” The Oregonian staff, Portland, Sue Hobart, Travel Editor

A wonderful section from start to finish. The photos and graphics are breath-taking and compliment the text very well. From the history of Crater Lake through the personal travel memories, each piece adds to the readers’ understanding and appreciation of this famed travel destination. It is truly a fantastic read.

Silver: “Romancing the Bargain Hunter,” Chicago Tribune, Randy Curwen, Travel Editor

While many travel pieces chose to focus on the exotic and mysterious, this section looked at the most common travelers: the businessmen and businesswomen. The examination of all facets of business travel, including lodging, car rental and airline prices, was thorough, engaging and thoughtful. This is a must-read section for all business travelers.

Bronze: “Pack up the Family,” San Francisco Chronicle, Christine Delsol, Travel Editor

A group of writers, ranging from the travel editor’s 14-year-old daughter to writers traveling with an infant and others traveling with an elderly mom, share their experiences and advice for trips with family members. This package of stories informs and entertains and with the different voices allows readers to find the one that best fits them.

11. Self-Illustrated Article

Gold: Rick Staehling, “Eagle Scout,” Travel Etc. Magazine

The writing in this feature is as delightful as the deck promises: “On the First Day of a Sun Princess Alaska cruise, a plan is hatched to photograph America’s national bird.” Staehling chronicles the cruisers on their quest to find bald eagles. The images capture the adventure and show the often-hazy Alaskan sky and the culture that is all things eagles.

Silver: Bob Friel, “Getting to the Bottom of Belize,” Caribbean Travel & Life

The images in this package are what grab you first: bold, bright colors, from landscapes to wildlife to underwater and aerial views, all are spectacular. And the story is equally engaging as Friel takes readers through the caves of Belize. He weaves in a little history and a little geography to his first-person exploration.

Bronze: Michael Buckley, “Cavalier of Curiosity,” NUVO Magazine

This feature focuses on a peculiar character named Michel Peissel, a modern-day adventurer. The profile is a different type of story for this category that tends to display first-person adventures. Beautiful photographs picture far-off areas explored by Peissel and the people who live there. Buckley introduces readers to the mysteries surrounding a renowned explorer and gives them a behind-the-scenes look at his expeditions.

12. Article on Land Travel

Gold: Alan Solomon, “10 Great Drives,” Chicago Tribune

The lure of the open road is captured here in a format that provides inspiration for planners and vicarious pleasure for readers. The two key strengths of this article are the variety of destinations and the quality of the writing.

Silver: Carl Duncan, “Northern Extremes: Canada,” Los Angeles Times

This article introduces the Dempster Highway to readers in a narrative that provides plenty of background. But this article does much more – it describes the untamed wilderness in a way that whets the appetite for a drive to the Arctic Circle.

Bronze: Peter Mandel, “Riding the Dog,” The Washington Post

This description of a loosely planned and executed cross-country bus trip is cleverly written, with a mix of description and humor. It’s not likely to cause a rush to any bus station, but it’s certainly a worthwhile and entertaining read.

13. Article on Marine Travel

Gold: Cindy Loose, “Little Houseboat of Horrors,” The Washington Post

This tale of two women and three children on a rented houseboat in Lake Powell was entertaining and informative. It mixed a well-expressed sense of humor with good details about the area, including the history of Lake Powell. Despite what you’ve read and heard about Lake Powell, this will bring you to a whole new appreciation of its beauty and its less desirable traits.

Silver: Joana Varawa, “Sailing the Winds of Time,” Hana Hou! The Magazine of Hawaiian Airlines

Family history mingles with the story of a sailing ship and the excitement of a West Coast race to make this a fascinating read. It goes beyond the history, however, to give evocative details of the trip aboard a replica of a 1790s coastal trading vessel. The reader is offered a sense of the people and the atmosphere of the trip. The details are rich enough to let the reader see the lights at Cape Mendocino and feel the rolling of the ocean, as well as the pride of a mother for her son, the captain.

Bronze: Bruce Northam, “Drifting With Burma’s Sea Gypsies,” blue Magazine

This is an in-depth look at a little known sea-dwelling culture. The author, on a trimaran and kayak, explores their world with a strong sense of respect for the Moken way of life. With good detail, the story covers the environment, the history and politics of the area, and how to visit there.

14. Article on Adventure Travel

Gold: Peter Benchley, “Elegant Danger,” National Geographic Traveler

This story of swimming with the sharks takes the reader on a beautiful, terrifying, amusing, horrifying adventure under the breathtaking waters of Rangiroa. Descriptive writing that places the writer in the jaws of death, juxtaposed with the serenity and near religious experience of Polynesian life, keeps the heart leaping and the spirit soaring. Benchley deftly weaves in essential travel information without slowing the pace. The writer’s own awe and fear don’t get in the way, but rather give the reader a chance to experience the human emotions while savoring the detail: “I ducked away, lifted my shoulder and – by sheer chance – bumped the shark in the chin. Startled by this sudden, brazen movement from its presumptive lunch, the silvertip flicked its powerful tail, torqued its thick, muscular body and shot away into the blue gloom.”

Silver: Wendy Knight, “On Ice,” Vermont Life

From the beginning of this tale, the reader can feel the chill, the sting of snow in the eyes, the breath-stealing temperatures of the Vermont mountain climbing adventure. It takes the average Joe and makes such an adventure seem not only possible but also a real shame if missed. The writer reminds us that a foreign locale does not an adventure make, but rather one’s own sense of being willing to test the limits, to go to the inner spot that puts us on the snowy ridges of Vermont rather than just dreaming of it. “When I reach the top of the cliff, both energized and exhausted by my accomplishment, Mayo greets me with a big smile. ‘Awesome!`’ he says with customary exuberance.” Indeed.

Bronze: Bruce Northam, “Night Passes…Will You?” blue Magazine

This first-person account of attending survival school has a built-in tease: Will he finish the ordeal? Northam does a nice job of setting up the survival outing with a strong so-what near the top of the story to establish its significance. Then he proceeds to take readers on the journey with him.

15. Travel News/Investigative Reporting

Gold: Deborah Williams, “Better Airport Security,” The Buffalo News

This well-researched and timely story into the real challenges of airport security demonstrates the valuable reporting that can be brought to travel writing. At a time when many articles were only conduits for the latest government pronouncements, this article took the side of the reader and citizen to explore what effective airport security is and reveal the uselessness and absurdity of some measures implemented after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Silver: Jayne Clark, “How Safe Is Your Hotel?” USA TODAY

Taking a deeper look at hotel security, the author shows the changes since the terrorist attacks and also exposes the wide gaps that continue to exist. Despite the understandable reluctance by hotels to talk about security measures, the author still digs deep enough to provide key insights into what vulnerabilities may remain.

Bronze: Edward Hasbrouck, “Total Travel Information Awareness,” PracticalNomad.com

This is an incredible journey into the traveler’s loss of privacy in the post 9-11 era. The author relentlessly probes how government actions and loose or non-existent laws open a traveler’s life to extraordinary and possibly unnecessary scrutiny. This article should be bookmarked on the Web by everyone who decides to leave home.

16. Service-Oriented Consumer Article

Gold: Paula Szuchman, “Top 35 Travel Web Sites,” Travel + Leisure

The author culls through thousands of travel web sites to bring Travel + Leisure readers the top picks. The writing is clear without taking a condescending tone, and the material is organized in an if-this-is-what-you-need manner. The article packs tons of information in three pages with a handy sidebar for additional travel-related sites.

Silver: James Thurston (Yenckel), “The New Names, the New Chains in Budget-Priced European Travel,” Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel

This article started from a really good idea: show readers what the European equivalent is to America’s budget basics such as Motel 6, Wal-Mart and McDonald’s. The author uncovers the meaning of such words as “Flunch” and provides a dictionary of terms and services for travelers to Europe. This is an article many will cut out and save for future use – a sign of great service journalism.

Bronze: Randy Johnson, “Leaders of the Pack,” Hemispheres The Magazine of United Airlines

The lead of this article shows readers immediately that this isn’t the normal service article. This one adds writing with a flair. The service is in the package, too, with valuable information on new gear for travelers, who the author describes as earlier “layered in the high-tech clothing of the time, they hoisted nylon homes onto their backs and hauled lightweight creature comforts into the wilderness.” Many of those backpackers are now road warriors, and the author presents a pack of innovative new products designed to make their lives on the go easier.

17. Environmental Tourism Article

Gold: Natalie Angier, “Costa Rica: Exploring Eco-Tourism,” Slate Magazine online

In this Internet travelogue, the writer explores with humor and insight the paradoxes that beset eco-tourism. Angier finely stitches together a narrative of her fascinating track inside Costa Rica with the bare facts about eco-tourism and its consequences.

Silver: Jim Morrison, “Ire Down Below,” Southwest Airlines Spirit

The writer takes readers on an unforgettable journey below the Arizona landscape into Kartchner Caverns State Park. The article clearly explains how the delicate dance of tourism and preservation may very well determine the fate of this underground wonderland.

Bronze: C.M. Mayo, “Lay Thine Hand Upon Him,” The Massachusetts Review

In this essay, the story unfolds at a satisfying, leisurely pace, as a band of whale seekers embark on their quest to lay hands on one. The old adage that the journey is as important as the destination is certainly true here. As the quest proceeds, the writer deftly weaves details about the people on the trip, Baja California and eco-tourism.

18. Cultural Tourism Article

Gold: C. M. Mayo, “A Touch of Evil,” Fourth Genre (Michigan State University Press journal)

This story of art, politics and poverty in Tijuana, Mexico, was written by an economist who was trained at the University of Chicago and lived in Mexico for a decade. That depth of perspective results in a genre-breaking piece that shows us how things are and makes us wonder why, right along with the author. Reading at times like a script for a 1930s film noir potboiler, and at times like an economic treatise, this is a bleak look at a much-visited city, a portrait that could only run in a publication that does not depend on advertising for its survival.

Silver: Carrie Miller, “Real Culture,” National Geographic Traveler

This article not only gives the readers beautiful – and beautifully photographed – examples of hands-on cultural tourism but also provides all the information necessary for them to plan their own forays. In short, it empowers us to go native, to learn about foreign cultures by joining in at the ground level. It makes a new attitude toward tourism seem fun, simple, possible.

Bronze: A. R. Williams, “Death on the Nile,” National Geographic

Service-oriented travel writing helps readers plan trips. “Death on the Nile” is a good example of the other mainstream of travel writing: journalism that is so full of detail, context and history that the reader feels like the article itself is the trip. The fact that National Geographic is such a dependable wellspring of such trips should not inure us to the wonders of an article like this: beautiful photos, information-packed graphics, thoroughly researched reporting, a subdued sense of awe.

19. Personal Comment

Gold: Rick Mashburn, “Living for Today, Every Day,” The New York Times

This personal odyssey takes the reader beyond a lifetime of travel destinations. It goes to the heart of family and self-discovery and serves as a poignant reminder of how travel can – and should – sustain the spirit and the soul.

Silver: Cindy Loose, “Table for One?” The Washington Post

By tapping into the mental angst of a universal situation, a solitary traveler reveals the tribulations – and rewards – of dining alone. In a delightful and conversational style, this column turns on a clever idea that transcends the ordinary in travel writing and makes readers feel as if they’re part of the moment.

Bronze: Rolf Potts, “Room with a Skew,” National Geographic Traveler

When a budget-minded traveler ends up in a ritzy Asian hotel, his experience becomes a reflection on the pleasures – and trappings – of wealth. The writer doesn’t fail to overlook the decadence and, at times, absurdity that accompanies his short-lived feast on the forbidden fruits of opulence.

20. Travel Book

Gold: Daisann McLane, “Cheap Hotels,” Taschen

McLane spent four long years on the road, staying in more than 200 “cheap hotels” all over the globe. Armed with a camera and a notebook, she chronicled the quirky, the long-since-outdated, and the downright bizarre in a travelogue that is equal parts introspection and humor. The writing is witty and robust, the description priceless, and the photography captures the essence of cheap hotels the world over. A fun book with a hidden message, “Cheap Hotels” is a travel classic.

Silver: Tony Perrottet, “Pagan Holiday: On the Trail of Ancient Roman Tourists,”
Random House Trade Paperbacks

The world’s first tourists, the ancient Romans were “jet setters” with the best of them, crossing the ancient lands from the lost city of Troy to the Acropolis, and even hopping on Nile cruises. Perrottet traces their footsteps in a poignant book that mixes travel, history and culture seamlessly in a riveting narrative. The personal anecdotes and encounters with everyday people make this book a joy to read.

Bronze: Michael Buckley, “Heartlands: Travels in the Tibetan World,” Summersdale Publishers

Tibet is a writer’s paradise, the stuff of many a travel book, good and bad. Buckley’s work adds to the good with a mix of the romantic and the offbeat, the strange and the everyday. A gifted writer, Buckley’s work is what it is because he travels the extra mile, deep into the remote regions of Tibet, then spends the time necessary to paint real pictures of the people, places and sights that make this one of the world’s great canvasses. Artful, entertaining, but deadly serious at times, this is a stunningly complex book.

21. Guidebook

Gold: Rob Grader, “The Cheap Bastard’s Guide to New York City,” The Globe Pequot Press

What other guidebook would tell you where to get free tango lessons, free haircuts and where to see free sci-fi films at a coffeehouse? “The Cheap Bastard’s Guide to New York City” proves that you don’t have to have money to enjoy the city. This hilarious book is fun to read, even if you aren’t going to New York City. Residents of the city will also find helpful sections on how to live more cheaply. It is well-organized and designed in a way that makes it easy to find information quickly. This guidebook will make readers want to visit New York City just to see how many things they can do for free.

Silver: Patricia Brooks, “Where the Bodies Are,” The Globe Pequot Press

“Where the Bodies Are” is as much a history lesson as it is a guide to interesting graves. The author eloquently details the history of “rich, famous and interesting” people buried in graves around the country. The text is a joy to read, and the book could be treated as a novel to read in one night. The information is neatly organized by states, making it easy to find what you want.

Bronze: Christopher P. Baker, “National Geographic Traveler: Cuba,” National Geographic Society

This guidebook is filled with extraordinary photography and beautifully designed pages. We see the color and heat of the country through stunning pictures on every spread. The History and Culture section and the features are interesting to read and provide background information. Detailed maps, color-coded sections and symbols along the edges of the page help make this an easy-to-read guidebook.

22. Internet Publication/Web site

Gold: Nationalgeographic.com/Traveler, Heather Morgan, Online Editor

The depth of resources, excellent writing and editing and stunning photography make this site one of the richest on the Internet. In a single issue, visitors are transported all over the world and armed with actionable, exclusive information about places to visit. A great example of a travel site working as a global information network, National Geographic Traveler is a hub for the world traveler.

Silver: Lonelyplanet.com, Scott McNeely, Publisher, and Tamar Lowell, Manager

Lonely Planet is the site of choice for those unclear of where to go and what to do in the world. The depth of its research is staggering, and its links are easily navigable and logically presented. Forums, frequent updates and lots of other bonus material make this site a destination for the traveler who likes to research the journey as much as they like the journey itself.

Bronze: Worldhum.com, Jim Benning and Michael Yessis, Co-Editors

From the world of weblogs comes World Hum, a truly revolutionary web site. Complete with a sense of humor and some of the best writing on travel anywhere, World Hum is one of a kind. Far more than the average travel site, World Hum combines stylish literary prose with the best of the Web’s storytelling features. Equal parts fun and information, the site manages to raise the bar at every turn.

23. Internet Travel Article

Gold: Tim Cahill, “Blues Highway,” slate.com, Slate Magazine

Cahill takes readers on more than a trip through the Delta; he takes them through a tour of history, in this case the history of the blues. Along the way, he also provides glimpses into other parts of the Southern culture, from the food to the hospitality. Readers who never plan to visit New Orleans, Memphis or any of the other places mentioned can still enjoy the article for its exploration of the blues. For those readers who have visited or plan to visit these cities, they will have a deeper understanding of what makes these places American landmarks.

Silver: Bruce Chambers, “Hiking the John Muir Trail,” ocregister.com (online Orange County Register, CA)

Chambers is a wonderful travel companion. He is funny and charming and knows how to laugh at himself when he gets lost. Reading about his travels on the John Muir Trail, readers feel like they are right there beside him, without having to experience the pain of swollen feet and a tired back. Many writers try this journal-entry form, but it doesn’t work for many because it is hard to connect with them on any personal level. Chambers is a stand-out in that category of writing. Readers care about Chambers and his family and root for him during his adventures and wish they could share a beer with him when he is finished with his travels. Since they cannot, reading his journal is the next best thing.

Bronze: David Brill, “Desire & Ice: Challenge on Denali,” nationalgeographic.com/traveler

This story has adventure, tension and heartbreak. It also provides a greater message about what we consider important and what we value most. Brill is a skilled writer who knows how to show the drama of a tough climb without slipping into melodrama.

11/03