travel news
10 stunning archaeological World Heritage Sites in danger | Atlas & Boots
we asked you to name a famous World Heritage Site, there’s a good chance you would name the Great Pyramids of Giza. Other likely contenders include the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu and Petra. These archaeological sites are some of man’s greatest marvels and are accordingly celebrated and protected. Not all World Heritage Sites, however, enjoy the same security. Our own Stonehenge nearly landed on the World Heritage in Danger list last year due to plans to build a two-mile tunnel nearby. The post 10 stunning archaeological World Heritage Sites in danger appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Bill Bryson’s best books – ranked | Atlas & Boots
There's a part in Notes from a Small Island where Bill Bryson describes a painful train journey to Milton Keynes. He is sat facing a "bleating woman" and her 10-year-old son, who keeps picking his nose, kicking Bryson's shins and staring at him with his "piggy eyes". Bryson tries to ignore the child but is irritated by his smug stare and "busy finger". When the train finally pulls into Milton Keynes, Bryson takes great pleasure in getting his rucksack from the overhead rack and dragging it across the boy's head The post Bill Bryson’s best books – ranked appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Discovering Italy’s volcanoes: from active giants to ancient wonders | Atlas & Boots
Italy, a land of timeless beauty, is not only home to some of the world’s most captivating art, cuisine and architecture but also numerous volcanoes, which have played a central role in Italian life for millennia. The post Discovering Italy’s volcanoes: from active giants to ancient wonders appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
10 climate photographs that changed the way we see the world | Atlas & Boots
There are certain photographs that have changed the course of history. Usually, they are political: Tank Man in Tiananmen Square, Iraqi soldier on the Highway of Death, Napalm Girl in Vietnam. These photos are chilling but powerful. Climate photographs are less celebrated but often just as powerful. Below, we chart 10 climate photographs that have brought the primary crisis of our times into sharp relief. The post 10 climate photographs that changed the way we see the world appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
20 most beautiful mountains in the UK | Atlas & Boots
Alpine, Britain is not. In the UK, there are no sky-scraping summits; there are just 141 peaks over 1,000m (3,281ft), let alone the atmosphere-kissing eight-thousanders found in the great ranges of Asia. In fact, with an average mean elevation of just 162m (531ft), the UK is one of the world's lowest countries. The post 20 most beautiful mountains in the UK appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
7 best rail journeys that you can do on a budget | Atlas & Boots
Here at Atlas & Boots, we’ve long had differing opinions on the virtues of train travel. Peter believes it’s the best way to see a country: slow, sustainable, ground level. In contrast, I generally find it cramped and stressful. I like the romance of rail travel and would certainly like to do it more but, in reality, hauling a suitcase down a narrow corridor into a compartment full of strangers is not my idea of fun, nor is shared commode. The Orient Express and its ilk are a different matter of course, but they’re not exactly suited to a modest budget. The post 7 stunning rail journeys – for a modest budget appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
10 true-life outdoor survival movies | Atlas & Boots
It is said that humans can survive three minutes without air, three days without water and three weeks without food. On occasion, however, humans perform extraordinary feats of survival that far surpass these limits. Usually, they are athletes used to courting danger, but sometimes they are laymen caught in a nightmare they couldn’t predict. Below, we share 10 extraordinary outdoor survival movies based on true-life stories. The post 10 true-life outdoor survival movies appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
How just 15 minutes in nature can boost your well-being | Atlas & Boots
The average UK person spends just 7% of their time (or 86 minutes) outdoors during the work week. This is shocking to hear, but with our busy schedules, it’s no wonder many of us can only find a few minutes each day to get outside. The post How just 15 minutes in nature can boost your well-being appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Animal Cruelty Index: which country ranks the worst? | Atlas & Boots
The journalist and podcaster Ezra Klein once described going vegan as like waking up from the Matrix. Once you are attuned to animal cruelty, you see it everywhere and cannot fathom how humans not just tolerate but endorse factory farming. Historian Yuval Noah Harari has called it one of the worst crimes in history while others have likened it to slavery. Much of this is seen as joyless pontificating – and some of it is – but none of us can deny that animal cruelty goes hand in hand with factory farming. The post Animal Cruelty Index: which country ranks the worst? appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
The best power banks for camping and hiking | Atlas & Boots
Let’s face it: even if you’re a hardcore survivalist, a compass and map simply doesn’t cut it anymore. Whether it’s tracking your route with a hiking app, triangulating your position using a GPS device or reading by headtorch while waiting out a downpour, adventurers these days rarely leave home without at least one electronic device. The post The best power banks for camping and hiking appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
How much does it cost to climb the seven summits? (Updated for 2025) | Atlas & Boots
Our resident mountain aficionado and would-be seven summiteer crunches the numbers on how much it will cost to climb the seven summits How much does it cost to climb the seven summits? About $180,000 USD give or take $10k. Climbers could significantly reduce costs by foregoing luxuries, cutting corners and taking (even more) risks and get that figure to below $100,000. But we do not recommend this and certainly won’t be taking such unnecessary risks. The post How much does it cost to climb the seven summits? (Updated for 2025) appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
23 US national parks you can visit for free | Atlas & Boots
From a plethora of weird and wonderful sights to some of the most beautiful mountains in the world, the US is rich with natural beauty. Of course, not everyone can afford to access that beauty given national park entrance fees, not to mention the cost of gear and transport. Thankfully, there are nearly two dozen US national parks you can visit for free. The post 23 US national parks you can visit for free appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
