Contributors

National Geographic Traveller (UK) APL Media

Editorial Director: Maria Pieri Contributing Editors:

Lee Cobaj
After five years and countless visits, I still find
Bangkok’s mass of knotty streets confusing.
But the city’s discombobulating effect is
part of its allure. Don’t worry about getting
lost as you’ll always find an eager tuk-tuk
driver to whizz you back. BANGKOK P.73
David Whitley
Australia’s Northern Territory is a
marvellously alien place with giant termite
mounds, epic flood plains and ancient
sandstone bulges. In this sticky, sweaty
place, the ancient crocs rule life, and I found
them utterly compelling. AUSTRALIA P.106
Editor: Pat Riddell Jo Fletcher-Cross, Zane Henry,
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Senior Editor: Stephanie Cavagnaro Editorial Assistant:
Associate Editor: Sarah Barrell
Assistant Editors: Amelia Duggan,
Connor McGovern
Sub Editor: Ben Murray
Tamsin Wressell Designers: Hanna Clements,
Digital Development Manager: Lauren Gamp, Danielle Humphrey
Seamus McDermott Production Controllers:
Online Editor: Josephine Price Joaquim Pereira, Lisa Poston,
Sub Editors: Chris Horton, Emma Joanne Roberts, Anthony Wright,
Holland, Charlotte Wigram-Evans, Karl Martins
Nick Rutherford
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Danny Pegg Jana Abraham, Stefano Pica
National Geographic Traveller (UK) is published by APL Media Limited,
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natgeotraveller.co.uk
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National Geographic Traveller (UK) is published by APL Media Ltd under license from
National Geographic Partners, LLC. Their entire contents are protected by copyright 2017
and all rights are reserved. Reproduction without prior permission is forbidden. Every care is
taken in compiling the contents of the magazine, but the publishers assume no responsibility
in the effect arising therefrom. Readers are advised to seek professional advice before acting
on any information which is contained in the magazine. Neither APL Media Ltd or National

Emma Thomson
“Is Iran safe?”— the first question travellers
ask. I’ll state it loudly here: absolutely. What’s
more, visit and you’ll discover vibrant cities
and one of the oldest, most hospitable
nations on earth — five invitations to dinner
a day isn’t uncommon. IRAN P.118
John Malathronas
Brussels is the closest European capital to
London — a fascinating city with lots to
rave about, but often snubbed by Brits. Yet
there’s a generation of young Europeans
turning it into the capital of the EU, not just
on paper, but for real. BRUSSELS P.140
Nicola Trup
Before visiting Tbilisi I’d expected to find
beautiful historic architecture alongside
bold nods to the future. That’s certainly
true, but I hadn’t anticipated just how cool
the city is, with pop-ups, design shops and
bars squeezed into every space. TBILISI P.150
Geographic Traveller magazine accept any liability for views expressed, pictures used or
claims made by advertisers.
National Geographic Traveler (US)
Editor-in-Chief: George W. Stone
Publisher & Vice President,
Global Media: Kimberly Connaghan
Senior Director, Travel &
Adventure: Andrea Leitch
Design Director: Marianne Seregi
Director of Photography:
Anne Farrar
Editorial Projects Director:
Andrew Nelson
Senior Editor: Jayne Wise
Features Editor: Amy Alipio
Associate Editor:
Hannah Sheinberg
Senior Producers: Christine Blau,
Sarah Polger
Editor/Producer: Lindsay Smith
Producer: Mary McGrory
Multimedia Producers:
Adrian Coakley, Jess Mandia
Associate Producer: Caity Garvey
Deputy Art Director:
Leigh V. Borghesani
Associate Photo Producer:
Jeff Heimsath
Chief Researcher: Marilyn Terrell
Production Director: Kathie Gartrell
Editorial Assistants: Gulnaz Khan,
Alexandra E. Petri
Copy Editors: Preeti Aroon, Cindy
Leitner, Mary Beth Oelkers-Keegan,
Ann Marie Pelish
Market Research Manager:
Tracy Hamilton Stone
Communications Vice President:
Heather Wyatt
Copyright © 2017 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
National Geographic Traveler: Registered Trademark. Printed in the UK.
Communications Director:
Meg Calnan
Senior Vice President, Global
Media & Experiences: Yulia P. Boyle
Senior Director, International
Publishing: Ariel Deiaco-Lohr
Senior Manager, International
Publishing: Rossana Stella
Editorial Specialist: Leigh Mitnick
National Geographic Society
President & CEO: Gary E. Knell
Board of Trustees Chairman:
Jean N. Case
Vice Chairman: Tracy R. Wolstencroft
National Geographic Partners
CEO: Declan Moore
Editorial Director: Susan Goldberg
Chief Financial Officer:
Marcela Martin
Chief Communications Officer:
Laura Nichols
Chief Marketing Officer: Jill Cress
Strategic Planning & Business
Development: Whit Higgins
Consumer Products & Experiences:
Rosa Zeegers
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Courteney Monroe
Legal & Business Affairs:
Jeff Schneider
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Board of Directors Chairman:
Peter Rice

10 natgeotraveller.co.uk
 HIGHLIGHTS

Editor’s
letter
A
Adventure guide
s we approach the New Year, attention inevitably Our free 68-page Adventure guide this month
turns to what lies ahead. We’ve searched the globe brings you tales of derring-do from Chile,
Jordan, Peru and Sweden.
and come up with a list of the 18 places we think
should be on your travel radar for 2018.
Clearly, we’re not able to see into the future — yet — but
we hope our fourth annual Cool List will point you in the
right direction when it comes to planning your trip. We’ve
taken into consideration everything from the latest direct
flights to anniversaries, significant openings and places on
Competitions
the up. It’s a diverse group of destinations, as far-flung as From a week for four in Provence to a three-
resurgent Sri Lanka and effervescent Bristol. night break with Forest Holidays, don’t miss
out. natgeotraveller.co.uk/competitions
While we can’t take the credit, it was heartening to see
many of last year’s Cool List — the likes of Donegal, Peru,
Santiago, Aarhus and Iran — growing in popularity among
global travellers.
Also in the magazine are the results of our third annual
Reader Awards, revealing everything travel-related that’s
impressed you in the past year — your favourite
National Geographic Food
destinations, airlines, hotels, attractions and more. Our sister title is in the shops now, exploring
All in all, there’s plenty in this month’s issue, we feel, to food in all its guises, from recipes and produce
fuel your hunger to pack a suitcase. to trends and nutrition. natgeofood.co.uk

PAT RIDDELL, EDITOR

Destinations: 1-4 February

Head down to the Destinations Show at
@patriddell London’s Olympia where we’re hosting a
@patriddell Travel Geeks (p.54). destinationsshow.com

AWARD-WINNING NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER

British Travel Awards 2017: Best Consumer Holiday Magazine • British Guild of Travel Writers Awards 2017: Best Travel Writer • ATTA Media Awards 2017: Best
Cultural Article on an African Destination, Best Blogger on Africa & Best Online Coverage on Africa • British Guild of Travel Writers Awards 2016: Best Travel Writer
• LATA Media Awards 2016: Online Blog Feature of the Year • British Travel Awards 2015: Best Consumer Holiday Magazine • British Travel Awards 2014: Best
Consumer Holiday Magazine • British Guild of Travel Writers Awards 2013: Best Overseas Feature • British Travel Press Awards 2012: Young Travel Writer of the Year

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12 natgeotraveller.co.uk