Find out about our Expeditions during the free webinar on Wednesday, February 1.  This online presentation will be led by one of our veteran National Geographic Galápagos expedition leaders, Lynn Fowler, and you can ask her all the questions you want. Lynn has been working with the Galápagos National Park since 1978 and was recently elected to the Charles Darwin Foundation’s general assembly. She’ll be joining several of our 2012 Galápagos departures.

We offer special Galápagos trips just for families, as well as for people particularly interested in photography. And if you go, be sure to bring your video camera so you don’t miss moments like this.

National Geographic Expeditions: Galápagos

From the January/February issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Le Petit Hôtel › Historic district

With sleek bamboo floors, clear glass sinks, and huge windows, Le Petit Hôtel feels more as if you’ve borrowed a fortunate friend’s loft for the weekend than merely checked into a hotel. Much like Montreal itself, this 24-room boutique property is a wonderful mix of old and new. The hotel’s two buildings date to 1867, and each suite features contemporary details such as exposed stone walls and curvy neon orange chairs. Breakfast, included with your stay, is served in the café or delivered to your room. From $160.

Hôtel Chez Swann › Downtown

The Tudor-style building, which has served as both a garment shop and an Irish pub, today is a 23-room boutique hotel within walking distance of chic shops, restaurants, and the Museum of Fine Arts. Local artists decorated every room, so expect touches of whimsy like grassy rugs and inviting window alcoves where you can people-watch. Wi-Fi and breakfast are included with your room, and a Bixi station, the city’s $5-a-day bike-share program, is located just across the street. From $175.

L’Hôtel › Historic district

No matter which art collection you decide to see while wandering the city’s museum district, a visit to L’Hôtel may beat them all: Where else can you snuggle beneath a Chagall or wake up beside a Warhol? With one of the largest private art collections that’s open to the public in North America, L’Hôtel goes beyond art installations in the lobby and puts works created by Lichtenstein and Miró in the guest rooms themselves. The elegant Victorian building is just a block from the Notre-Dame Basilica. From $150.

Where is your favorite place to stay in Montreal? Tell us all about it in the comments section below.

Subscribe to National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Washington, D.C. is My City

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is the Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum, where the oversized air- and spacecraft are featured.

When I crave kabobs I always go to Moby Dick House of Kabob, a local chain of Iranian restaurants in D.C.

To escape the tourists I head to Wolf Trap, an amazing outdoor concert venue.

If I want to eat my lunch in the park I go to the Summerhouse, a quiet sanctuary in the shadow of the Capitol.

For complete quiet, I can hide away in Rock Creek Park.

If you come to my city, get your picture taken with the President of course! Or barring that, one of the many cutouts lining Pennsylvania Avenue.

Ben's Chili Bowl (Photo: Matt Long)

If you have to order one thing off the menu from Ben’s Chili Bowl it has to be a chili half-smoke.

The Freer and Sackler Galleries gift shop is my one-stop shop for great stocking stuffers.

Locals know to skip Hard Rock and check out Good Stuff Eatery for the best burgers in town.

When I’m feeling cash-strapped I go to Cafe Asia for their sushi happy hour.

For a huge splurge I go for a day of shopping in Georgetown.

Photo ops in my city include the White House, Washington Monument, and the U.S. Capitol building. Walk down the National Mall to captures scores of great photos.

If my city were a celebrity it’d be Martin Sheen, from the West Wing days.

The most random thing about my city is the art deco Titanic Memorial along the waterfront in southwest D.C.

My city has the most fabulous but not necessarily fashionable men.

My city has the most determined and intelligent women.

Chinatown (Photo: Matt Long)

In my city, an active day outdoors involves kayaking on the Potomac or biking in Rock Creek Park.

My city’s best museum is the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

My favorite jogging/walking route is along the National Mall at night; I never get tired of seeing the monuments illuminated at night.

For a night of dancing, go to Habana Village. Or, for live music, check out the 9:30 Club.

Pizza Mart is the spot for late-night eats.

To find out what’s going on at night and on the weekends, read the Washington City Paper.

You can tell a lot about my city from what we read. Be sure to check out the racks at some of our quirky independent bookstores.

You can tell if someone is from my city if the first thing they ask you is what you do for a living.

Wolf Trap (Photo: Matt Long)

In the winter you should make your own s’mores at any of the many Cosi cafe locations.

In the spring you should enjoy the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin.

In the summer you should escape the heat by wandering through the museums along the National Mall.

In the fall you should walk around as much as possible, this is the best time to enjoy D.C.

A hidden gem in my city is people watching at Dupont Circle in the summer.

For a great breakfast joint try Founding Farmers.

Don’t miss the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in July.

Just outside my city, you can visit Mount Vernon, George Washington’s estate.

The best way to see my city is by boat, take a cruise along the Potomac for a unique view of the city.

If my city were a pet it would be a cuddly panda.

If I didn’t live in a city, I’d live (where?) in the mountains with my Huskies.

The best book about my city is: Worthy of the Nation, a fascinating look at Washington’s history of design and urban planning.

When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is “You’re So Vain”.

Being late due to a motorcade could only happen in my city.

My city should be featured on your cover or website because D.C. is about a lot more than politics and some pretty buildings. D.C. is a city proud of its past and excited about its future and all of us who call it home love sharing it with the world.

What you love about the District? Leave the details in the comments section below.

Want to see your city on Intelligent Travel? Copy and paste our list of fill-in-the-blank questions into an e-mail, fill in your answers, and send your responses (with any photos, videos or links) to IntelligentTravel@ngs.org.

Related:

[D.C. Guide]

[D.C. Photos]

Photo: Jim Moore/My Shot

• Jazz up your travel photos with these great iPhone apps. [Matador Network]

• Get an insider’s guide to Beirut–a local chef, designer, architect, and singer all recommend their favorite spots in Lebanon’s stylish capital. [WSJ]

Got Radar? Follow us on Twitter @NatGeoTraveler and tag your favorite travel stories from the web #ngtradar. Check back in the morning for our daily roundup.

Photo: Linda Skeen/My Shot

To a Huli Wigman of Papua New Guinea, the streets of Manhattan have got to seem pretty exotic. And vice versa. Even among the blasé denizens of New York, the warriors manage to turn a few heads.

Papua New Guinea, an island nation in the southwest Pacific Ocean, is one of the most culturally diverse countries on earth and home to some 800+ languages. To the American eye, its peoples’ traditions appear exotic and intriguing, especially those of the Huli Wigmen, warriors who craft elaborate headdresses out of their hair, feathers, and plants, and the Asaro Mudmen who cover themselves in mud and don ghoulish masks to hearken back to a legendary defeated tribe who tried to recover stolen land by wearing such “earthy” disguises. The Wigmen and Mudmen usually materialize during celebrations and rituals in PNG so it was surprising when they showed up last month in New York City of all places.

We touched base with Ally Stoltz of the PNG Tourism Promotions Authority, who hosted the special visitors, to learn more about them and their NYC sojourn.

Meg Weaver: How long did it take for the Wigman and Mudman to travel from PNG to NYC?

Ally Stoltz: They flew Port Moresby to Auckland to Los Angeles to New York–roughly 40 hours.

MW: Where did they go in Manhattan? What did they see?

AS: The first day we got to New York we went straight to the Flower District to buy plants for their costumes because they packed TONS of plants & dirt that was obviously confiscated along their travels! They were like kids in the candy store with all the plants. They bought ones just for their hotel room . . . not for the costume! They also had pizza for the first time. They went on the Staten Island Ferry by night so they could see the city from another angle (honestly, they wanted to get away from all the noise) and to see the Statue of Liberty.

MW: What did they think of what they saw/did?

AS: The most interesting part of their trip to U.S. was that they didn’t have much to say at all about it. Journalists and the people at the party kept asking them, “WHAT DO YOU THINK OF NYC?!” and, as Papua New Guinea is known for its quiet, modest culture (until you make them mad), they just would almost whisper, “Yes, it’s good . . . or very busy” and that’s about it.  They are really not extroverted people because in village life, extroverts stir up trouble and it’s all about maintaining balance in communities like theirs. And there’s respect issues and the language barrier as well–only the Mudman really spoke conversational English. But back home they speak two to three languages, Tok Pisin and then their town/village languages.

MW: What did New Yorkers have to say about them?

AS: They encountered a wide variety of responses. Some people couldn’t be bothered as they had places to go. An old man in SoHo nearly lost his mind, couldn’t say he had seen anything like them ever before. The Wigman and Mudman definitely turned heads in Times Square. The most common response people had was one of reverence and fascination–their costumes are very intricate and they managed to bring more teeth, bones, feathers, and hair into the country than I ever thought possible.

Related: Dance with the Huli Wigmen

Meg Weaver is a senior researcher for National Geographic Traveler.

*What’s #FriFotos, you ask? It’s a weekly Twitter chat founded by @EpsteinTravels during which travelers share their favorite pics. Each week has a theme. Search #FriFotos on Twitter to see the latest submissions or tweet one of your own!

• Plan an impromptu visit to Montreal this weekend with this mini guide, packed with essentials like what to see, where to stay, and how to find the best in food, shopping, and entertainment. [BBC Travel]

• Take in stunning views along the world’s most beautiful tramway rides. [Got Saga]

Got Radar? Follow us on Twitter @NatGeoTraveler and tag your favorite travel stories from the Web #ngtradar. Check back in the morning for our daily roundup.

Photo: Harry Taylor/My Shot

Jen Beasley

Reporter Jen Beasley is just back from Cuba and shares her impressions below.

In December, I was so proud to be traveling to Cuba on a “People to People” exchange that I insisted, with a forlorn “por favor?,” that the guard stamp my passport—not standard practice for Americanos since we’re usually sneaking in. The stamp burned hot pink, my sanctioned rebellion against the U.S. embargo. I went to Cuba drawn to the idea it was a time capsule, standing still as world events ticked on. I wanted to see that before it changed.

Cuba’s retro streak is not only expressed in Chevrolet tailfins and fedoras. 1959 is now. Ubiquitous signs proclaim “Year 53 of the Revolución”—”of”, you see, not “since.”  No inkling the “revolución” may, somewhere along the way, have settled in to a less-romantic status quo. Che lives on, lionized, like in any American t-shirt shop. Viva Fidel.

This makes being American in Cuba disorienting. Streets ooze with propaganda–“Socialismo o Muerte”– and one grapples with question of our principles vs. theirs. Once at a hospital, the guide boasted 400 kidney transplants were performed there, “all successful.” “All successful?”  No deaths, no rejections? Yes.  Somehow everything in Cuba is always successful.

Constantly, Cubans are admonished that the U.S. is “making every attempt to subvert and destroy the revolution.” Yet, being an American in Cuba actually felt safer than being an American in many of our own cities. Cubans welcomed us warmly.  They were eager to talk, really wanted to sell us things. A man said, “We are so happy to greet our lovely enemies. Enemigos!” And smiled.

We met many prominent Cubans through the people-to-people format: Party bigwigs, wives of Cubans jailed in the U.S. for espionage, doctors running free clinics. But we met the other Cuba, too–beggars asking not for coins, but soap, realizing the item so scarce due to their rations was free to us at hotels. We weaved between the “real Cuba” and the “tourist Cuba,” our accommodations too nice, our food too abundant. We came home with more questions than answers.

But the question I set out with–What’s it like?—was answered. It’s complicated, and it’s 1959, and I’m glad I saw it. Because it won’t be forever, and maybe not even for long.

Want to see Cuba yourself? Try a people-to-people tour licensed and conducted by National Geographic Expeditions, Insight Cuba, or Friendly Planet Travel.

By Jackie Caradonio

From the January/February issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

As winter’s first heavy snows bury New England under a fluffy blanket of white, the region’s best ski resorts come alive with the crackling of firewood and the humming of chairlifts.

Vermont Old farm buildings dot the hilltops surrounding the Wildflower Inn (from $149), located just 10 minutes from Burke Mountain ski resort in the quiet village of Lyndonville. Innkeepers Jim and Mary O’Reilly oversee the day-to-day activities at the 515-acre property, where the federal-style main house features a farm-to-table restaurant. Its 24 cozy guest rooms are housed in a converted coach house, blacksmith shop, schoolhouse, and carriage house. Cross-country skiing starts in your own backyard, with the area’s Kingdom Trails running along the property. Beginning in early March, trade skis for snowshoes and enjoy a quiet walk through the inn’s maple forest to the local sugarhouse, where David Dolloff, the neighboring sugar maker, teaches visitors about syrup tapping and grading, and often provides samples of the freshest batch.

New Hampshire Woodrow Wilson, Thomas Edison, and Alfred Hitchcock have all stayed at this elegant hotel in Bretton Woods, now known as the Omni Mount Washington Resort (from $189). Today, guests return to this grand resort for its stately Spanish Renaissance architecture and its location next to the highest peak in New England. Gilded Age accents—Tiffany stained glass, ornate crown moldings, and brass fixtures modeled after Edison’s first electric lamp—highlight the resort’s National Historic Landmark status. Take a break from the slopes with a ride down the zip line, which races through Rosebrook Canyon’s snow-covered valleys.

New York A catastrophic fire ravaged the 19th-century Lake Placid Lodge (from $500) in 2005, but following a painstaking three-year reconstruction, this Adirondack Mountains landmark has been restored to its original refined splendor, accentuated with Hudson River school paintings, exposed wood beams, and fieldstone fireplaces. Tucked along the edge of Lake Placid, the lodge’s 17 cabins and 13 guest rooms now feature designer touches like Persian rugs, handcrafted log-and-twig beds, faux fur throws, and picture windows that frame the lake or Whiteface Mountain, whose slopes are just a 20-minute drive away.

Maine Upon stepping into the log cabin-style Great Room at the rustic Loon Lodge (from $110) on Rangeley Lake, you’ll find things as they were more than a century ago when the family camp first opened in 1909. Adorned with handmade quilts and Old Hickory furniture, this nine-room retreat in Maine’s western mountains unplugs from modern-day intrusions like televisions and telephones. The slopes at Saddleback Mountain are a short drive away. Closer still are the region’s top-rated snowmobile trails, which travel as far north as Canada.

Subscribe to National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Salt Lake City is My City

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is Temple Square.

When I crave a good beer I always go to the Beerhive. They have over 200 beers served in a comfortable setting. Plus there is a strip of ice on the bar to keep your beer nice and cold all night.  

To escape busy city life (and the wintertime smog), I head to Park City for serenity, nature and to feel like I’m on vacation.

If I want a relaxing meal paired with a great glass of wine, I go to Pago, a farm-to-table restaurant.

For complete quiet, I can hide away at the main library downtown. An architectural feat in itself, it has a peaceful, calming aura to it. It’s a great place to read, have coffee, people-watch, or sit outside by the fountains.

If you come to my city, get your picture taken with the Olympic torches from the 2002 Winter Games.

If you have to order one thing off the menu from Red Iguana it has to be one of their famous moles. They are known for their delicious, home-made moles with the perfect combination of sweet and spicy.

Caputo’s Market is my one-stop shop for great artisan foods, especially cheese.  The little market has an impressive selection of goods like imported olive oil and chocolates, as well as an in-house salami maker and one of the country’s few cheese caves housing over 200 cheeses. Caputo is staffed with incredibly knowledgeable foodies that love to share their passion for all things delicious. And if you just want a great sandwich or bowl of pasta, there is a deli inside too. 

Locals know to skip the film screenings at the Sundance Film Festival and check out the films showing in the downtown venues instead. Same great indie films without the celebrity-hungry tourists.

When I’m feeling cash-strapped I go to Lucky 13. This dive bar has the best burgers in town. Order them with a side of rosemary garlic fries for an $8 meal you won’t soon forget.

For a huge splurge I go to Forage for their 14-course tasting menu. The chefs of this molecular gastronomy restaurant were recently nominated for Best New Chef of the Southwest by Food & Wine magazine.

Wasatch Mountains (Photos: Marie Andree Simard/My Shot)

Photo ops in my city include the gorgeous mountains and the LDS Temple, and the best vantage points are from the temple grounds.

If my city were a celebrity it’d be Jennifer Aniston–beautiful, conservative and unpretentious but still fun.

The most random thing about my city is the number of breweries. For a state known for its non-drinkers, we have several breweries (Epic, Red Rock, and Wasatch to name a few), an urban winery (Kiler Grove) and even a whiskey distillery (High West) right in our backyard.

My city has the most eclectic men.

My city has the most beautiful women.

In my city, an active day outdoors involves anything and everything you want!  Skiing or snowboarding, snow-shoeing, hiking, water-skiing, fishing, rock-climbing, golfing… you name it, you can do it here. And if you time it right in the spring or fall, you can even golf and ski in the same day!  

My city’s best museum is Utah Natural History museum. Dinosaurs, Native American artifacts, and animals, oh my!

My favorite jogging/walking route is Memory Grove Park. This downtown park sits at the mouth of City Creek Canyon, with paths into the wilderness right from the city!

For a night of dancing, go to the Hotel, where each of its four floors has a different type of music. Or, for live music, check out the Tavernacle, the dueling piano bar whose name is a play on the LDS Tabernacle Choir.

The Bayleaf Bar & Grub is the spot for late-night eats. Located downtown near many of the bars, it’s open 24 hours on the weekend and serves an assortment of American, Cajun, and Asian food, along with late-night staples like chicken and waffles, omelets, and burgers.

To find out what’s going on at night and on the weekends, read City Weekly.

You can tell a lot about my city from how much construction is going on. It’s definitely getting bigger and better!

You can tell if someone is from my city if they say, “oh my heck!” or, “honest to goodness!”

LDS Temple (Photo: Steve Cypert/My Shot)

In the winter you should spend the day skiing at any of the area ski resorts, then stroll through the LDS Temple grounds to see the Christmas light display, and finish the night with one of the costume-themed pub crawls (like the Lumberjack Pub Crawl, the Santa Pub Crawl or the Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl).

In the spring you should enjoy a day of spring skiing, then watch the AAA baseball team, the Bees, play at Spring Mobile Ball Park.

In the summer you should take advantage of all there is to do outside. Attend a free concert outside at Pioneer Park (called the Twilight Concert Series) or the open-air symphony concerts at Deer Valley ski resort. Listen to blues under the stars at the International Jazz Festival or check out the art and music at the Utah Arts Festival.

In the fall you should start the day at the Downtown Farmer’s Market then take a drive up the canyon through the changing leaves to the Oktoberfest beer festival at Snowbird ski resort.

A hidden gem in my city is Frida Bistro, a colorful restaurant with incredibly creative Mexican food.

For a great breakfast joint try Les Madeleines Patisserie and Cafe. Try the kouing aman pastries–they are so addicting that rumor has it, tourists plan lay-overs in Salt Lake City just to make a quick stop at the patisserie.  

Don’t miss the city’s architecture. There are some really beautiful buildings if you know where to look. Some of my favorites are, the OC Tanner Building, the court houses, City & County Building, the LDS Temple, the downtown library and the outdoor mall with the retractable roof (called the City Creek Center, opening in March 2012).

Bonneville Salt Flats (Photo: Jeff Hershkowitz/My Shot)

Just outside my city, you can visit the Bonneville Salt Flats.

The best way to see my city is by bike (weather permitting!)

If my city were a pet it would be a lab–loves the outdoors and knows how to relax and have fun.

If I didn’t live in a city, I’d live (where?) somewhere quiet and peaceful in the mountains.

If you have kids, you won’t want to miss the Clark Planetarium or the Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum, both located in the Gateway shopping mall.

The Spring Gruv Pond Skimming Contest could only happen in my city (skiers and snowboarders dressed in costume compete to make it across a 100-foot pond.)

My city should be featured on your cover or website because it is not just a destination for outdoorsy types or families; the nightlife, shopping, and food scenes are really exciting.

What you love about Salt Lake City? Leave the details in the comments section below.

Want to see your city on Intelligent Travel? Copy and paste our list of fill-in-the-blank questions into an e-mail, fill in your answers, and send your responses (with any photos, videos or links) to IntelligentTravel@ngs.org.

Related:

[Utah Guide]

Photo: David Moore/My Shot