Category 1: Grand Award — Lowell Thomas Travel Journalist of the Year
Gold: Tom Haines, The Boston Globe
Haines does what the best travel writers do — he writes both for the experienced traveler and the wannabe traveler. He makes his work accessible yet provides great insider information; his work ranges from local to international, humorous to poignant. All this is done with a skill for detail and elegant style.
 
Silver: Alan Solomon, Chicago Tribune
Solomon has the ability to take what everyone is talking about and bring it to new levels. He can take the setting for an award-winning movie and help us understand place as a character; he can take an over-covered, tourist-filled place and give us new insights. Excellent entry.
 
Bronze: Rosemary McClure, Los Angeles Times
Readers clamor for travel writers to tell it like it is.  And McClure does just that. Her candid approach to subjects, done with humor and insight, is the key to her work for the Los Angeles Times. Her willingness to go the extra mile — often on package trips and escorted bus tours — helps make her writing fresh and informative.

Category 2: Newspaper Travel Sections
2A — 500,000 or more circulation
Gold: Los Angeles Times, Catharine Hamm, Travel Editor
In an age of shrinking news holes, the Times still offers its readers breadth and depth in its travel section. Although this is an international section, travelers will find plenty about the region, state and nearby Mexico. Despite the volume of copy, these sections are largely staff-produced. The writing is outstanding.

Silver: The Boston Globe, Doug Warren, Travel Editor
The Globe has a distinct Northeastern flavor in its travel section. That focus offers its readers plenty of regional travel opportunities. The editors make good use of color to show off the excellent photography. Creativity in story ideas also is evident in all the sections. For instance, they paired cave-exploring stories in New York and France. Whether traveling on a budget or without one, this section speaks to all readers.

Bronze: Chicago Tribune, Randy Curwen, Travel Editor 
In a slimmed-down section, Chicago still manages to offer information and entertainment. One noteworthy package was about traveling on a mammoth cruise ship, with narratives, photos and an outstanding graphic. There are also shorter stories directed at budget travelers. When the editor turns to wire stories, he selects ones that are good reads.

2B — Newspapers with 350,000-499,000 circulation
Gold: The Globe and Mail, Toronto, Karan Smith and Adam Bisby, Travel Editors
The Globe and Mail produces a full-service travel section that covers the region, the nation and the world. The editors bring a creative sense in story ideas and execution, for instance, a series based on the seven deadly sins. If you want gluttony, here are the places to go, etc. These sections, which offer volume, variety, seriousness and humor, are a delight to read.

Silver: The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Betsy O’Connell, Travel Editor,
and David Molyneaux, former Travel Editor
Cleveland concentrates on great regional coverage supplemented by national and international sites. The editors use all the tools of storytelling to engage readers. There are the usual well-done narrative stories, but there are also lists, great photography and excellent information graphics. For instance, they built the story of where people can ski in an easily accessible chart and the story of exploring Lake Erie around a detailed map. Sections are informative and entertaining.

Bronze: The Oregonian, Portland, Sue Hobart, Travel Editor
Using alternative story formats and outstanding photography, The Oregonian travel section has excellent content, design and pacing. The paper offers readers narratives, lists, photos and information graphics. For instance, a mountain-hiking package included maps showing elevation and routes. The section concentrates on the Pacific Northwest but occasionally goes far beyond. The section primarily features staff-produced materials.

2C — Newspapers with up to 349,999 circulation
Gold: The Orange County Register, Gary Warner, Travel Editor
Whether it’s tracing the San Andreas Fault or the political spectrum of the United States from red states to blue, this section shows how to break out of the typical travel story mold. These clever ideas are covered using a variety of storytelling forms — words and pictures, graphics and multimedia. Staff writing and photography are complemented by good reader contributions, substantially reducing the reliance on wire copy.

Silver: San Jose Mercury News, Linda Zavoral, Travel Editor
Creative design, ample use of alternative story forms and fun reader photos make this section a pleasure to read. Solid service journalism — the California theme-parks story is a good example — makes the section an informative read as well.

Bronze: San Antonio Express-News, Tracy Barnett, Travel Editor
This section showcases its staff-produced material and fills in with a nice selection of wire material. The photography is strong; it not only tells stories but also pulls readers into the page. Nice amount of service journalism.

Category 3: Magazines
3A — Travel Magazines
Gold: National Geographic Traveler, Keith Bellows, Editor-in-Chief  
 This travel magazine is accessible and interesting — a combination that captures readers’ need to know along with their need to be inspired. Rarely does a magazine do well with both information the readers can use and illustrations/pictures that bring to life the heart and soul of a place. Both the extraordinary writing and excellent presentation of this magazine make this tops in travel journalism.

Silver: Travel + Leisure, Nancy Novogrod, Editor-in-Chief
This magazine is a mainstay in travel journalism — its unique perspective and trustworthy information ensure readers are satisfied. But it manages not to just rest on its laurels. Through exceptional design, excellent photography and great writing, it digs deeper, finding fresh and innovative ideas for travelers.

Bronze: National Geographic Adventure, John Rasmus, Editor-in-Chief
As usual, National Geographic Adventure’s approach to travel is both minutely practical and sweepingly impressive. Its photographs and choice of stories both attract and inform. True to its tradition, this publication teaches the reader the what and the how, but never fails to explore and document the why. The world of travel opens wide and pulls the reader inside.

3B — Travel Coverage in Other Magazines
Gold: Bon Appétit, Barbara Fairchild, Editor-in-Chief
A rich mix of informative, yet inspirational, travel coverage that manages to excite all the senses. Rich visual depictions of fascinating locales, with a balance of utility and escapism rarely captured by magazines. A pleasure to read and to view, from cover to cover.

Silver: Outside, Leslie Weeden, Travel Editor
A magazine with a true zest for life, revealed in its lively and entertaining travel features. Jammed with actionable information, the writing still manages to catch the reader’s imaginative side as well, informing while certainly entertaining. Editing is crisp and mission-specific throughout, making this an ideal choice for the traveler with an action-packed life.

Bronze: Southern Living, Morgan Murphy, Travel Editor
It is difficult for a magazine to consistently evoke an entire cultural and geographic region, but Southern Living has discovered a way to replicate its success. The magazine speaks to its loyal audience as would an old friend, and its travel coverage manages to impart a sense of exclusivity — you heard it here first! — while remaining true to its populist roots

Category 4:  Newspaper Article on U.S./Canada Travel
Gold: Torsten Kjellstrand, “34 Miles of Heaven,” The Oregonian 
Interviews with anglers who visit an extraordinary stretch of the North Umpqua River to cast for steelhead year after year and wonderful description and insights of the people who live there make this article stand apart from a stack of strong entries. Real reporting, real writing and real information the traveler can use merge to create an excellent piece of journalism.

Silver: Linda Matchan, “The Art of Isolation,” The Boston Globe
Talk about telling the readers something they don’t know: Who would have thought an Inuit community near the Arctic Circle would be the official art capital of Canada? The author takes us to the tip of Baffin Island in the Nunavut Territory to meet highly skilled stone carvers and printmakers who eke out a living by creating and selling fantastic works of traditional art.

Bronze: Kari J. Bodnarchuk, “Upwardly Mobile,” The Boston Globe
This article about tree climbing as a tourist attraction wins points for originality alone, but the author lifts it into the canopy of the category’s best stories with thorough interviews, an easy writing style and loads of practical information.

Category 5: Magazine Article on U.S./Canada Travel
Gold: Wayne Curtis, “Greetings from Airworld!” The Atlantic Monthly
Curtis’ exploration of airports “as if they were cities unto themselves” is a delightful read that reminds us that getting there really can be half the fun. A funny, but very informative piece. The reader will never look at airports the same again.

Silver: Steve Friedman, “Lost in America,” Backpacker
An unusual, beautifully written story about a trip we should all probably make time for — a journey through the dark night of the soul. While tracking Steve Vaught’s travels, Friedman masterfully captures his subject’s personality and frustrations, as well as our culture’s obsession with stories of redemption.

Bronze: Tony Perrottet, “Destination America: Mount Rushmore,” Smithsonian
Perrottet’s account of how sculptor Gutzon Borglum conceived Mount Rushmore casts the massive landmark in a different historical light. This does something that a good travel story should do: Give people a new reason to visit a familiar place.

Category 6: Newspaper Article on Foreign Travel
Gold: Chris Welsch, “Jerusalem: Enduring Faith,” Star Tribune, Minneapolis
Outstanding treatment of a potentially difficult piece. Makes a compelling case for the importance of the trip for travelers of all religions. Writer does excellent job of describing the scene.

Silver: Rohan Preston, “Senegal: The Return,” Star Tribune, Minneapolis
Emotionally written and professionally handled, this piece pulls at one’s heart. The author does an outstanding job of capturing the essence of modern-day Senegal while exploring the futility of a genealogical search.

Bronze: Richard Bangs, “A Chance at Discovery, But Only While Lost,” The New York Times
Evocative, haunting. One of those beautifully written travel pieces that is about so much more than the destination. It touches a reader’s inner memories of places and experiences that weave themselves into the heart.
 
Category 7: Magazine Article on Foreign Travel
Gold: Kira Salak, “Iran: Travels in Hostile Territory,” National Geographic Adventure
Excellent look at a country and culture that most Americans neither understand nor appreciate. Specific attention to details about the culture and traditions of the country make this an excellent read.

Silver: William Ecenbarger, “On the Go in Mongolia,” Reader’s Digest
You can almost feel the cold wind of the harsh countryside and the warm hospitality of the people of Mongolia as you read this article.  An outstanding job of capturing the essence of this country and its people.

Bronze: Christine Eckstrom, “The Last Real Africa,” National Geographic Traveler
Many people have written about safaris. Few have written so eloquently about its traditions.  This piece both educates and entertains.

Category 8: Newspaper Photo Illustration of Travel Article
Gold: Jamie Francis, “Less is S’More,” The Oregonian
If photography is meant to transport us INTO the scene, then viewers of this multipage spread have ample opportunity for a wonderful vacation not far from home at state campgrounds. The memories of childhood experiences are invoked through splendid found moments, conveying a strong sense of the human spirit. This is the complete package.

Silver: Chris Welsch, “An Eye for Paris,” Star Tribune, Minneapolis
This collection of pictures becomes a tone poem, elegant in its simplicity. Each picture is at once specific in subject matter, but enigmatic. For instance, a girl on a scooter glides by, oblivious to the Eiffel Tower looming behind her. The sense of another place, Paris, is powerful in each of the pictures in this essay.

Bronze: Essdras M. Suarez, “New Place for Confucius,” The Boston Globe
This is a piece that shows us a contemporary environment, but also travels in time as it references the culture of Confucius. Images inform us about what the place looks like now and the activities of the people who live there. They also mirror the insights of the ancient Chinese into daily life and a simple way of being.
 
Category 9: Magazine Photo Illustration of Travel Article
Gold: Andrea Fazzari, “Steak Heaven,” Departures
This photo story captures the timeless romance between Buenos Aires and beef. The mix of color and black-and-white photography works beautifully. Without being repetitive, it conveys variety and personality, inviting readers to be a part of a special world.

Silver: Frederic Lagrange, “Inland Empire,” Travel + Leisure
A fascinating mix of images from Mongolia reflects the conflicts in this overall package. Then and now. Dense and empty. Urban and rural. The photo story is eclectic but unified.

Bronze: Martha Camarillo, “A Different Denmark,” Travel + Leisure
This is a vibrant study in environmental portraiture. The arresting colors and stellar composition give such a sense of place and personality. The humanity of these people and locations shines through.
 
Category 10: Special Packages/Projects 
Gold: Kira Salak, Bonnie Tsui, Roger Toll and Paul Bennett,
        “Adventure Travel 2007,” National Geographic Adventure
Simply put, the writers behind the “Adventure Travel 2007” package tell tale after amazing tale through pictures and stories that will make even the most shy couch potato want to experience more of the world. The photography ranges from stunning to breathtaking. The in-depth articles are gripping, informative and educational. And the “25 Wild Horizons” section offers inspiration and intrigue, not to mention helpful information to book a trip.

Silver: Jane Wooldridge and Stephanie Rosenblatt, “Road Trip,” The Miami Herald
A great example of how to make the most of new media, this series let readers plot out Travel Editor Jane Wooldridge’s journey from Miami to Seattle and, in some cases, allowed her to connect with their own friends and relatives along the way. Wooldridge offers nothing but honesty throughout the series, from her thoughts on which Americans are more likely to be stuck-up to how it felt to travel mostly alone across America.

Bronze: Alan Solomon, “Goodbye, Wrigley. So Long, Cell,” Chicago Tribune
Solomon picks up a popular trend in sports journalism these days — a tour of minor league ballparks — and gives readers the information and inspiration they need to go on their own road trips. Solomon offers up more than just the usual listing of good places to stay and eat. He also delves into what makes these small towns tick, ensuring you’ll feel at least a little like a local when you get there.

Category 11: Self-Illustrated Article
Gold: Alan Solomon, “Going for Brokeback,” Chicago Tribune
What a fabulous idea — taking readers along on this search for the fictional location in the movie. And nothing about the content spoils the movie “Brokeback Mountain” for those who haven’t seen it. The writer offers his readers a mix of grand storytelling and service tips for the traveler who might decide to make a similar trek.

Silver: Jamie Elvidge, “Scottish Highlands: Into the Green,” Motorcycle Escape
This article was a good read, packed with detail about Scotland’s scenic landscape and the writer’s adventure. There were plenty of service tips for bikers who might want to try this type of trip and the uninitiated motorcyclist, too. The storytelling in this piece makes it appealing to every reader; I found myself wanting to plan a similar trip.

Bronze: Peter Mandel, “Turkish Delights?” The San Diego Union-Tribune
This story reads like one you would tell a friend about your travels. I never felt like a voyeur, but rather a voyager on this journey through Istanbul. The writer shares details and stories about this trip that make the reader comfortable with the destination. Photography is sharp, clear and adds to the story’s descriptions.

Category 12: Article on Land Travel
Gold: Winter D. Prosapio, “Summer of the Gypsies,” San Antonio Express-News
A guileless traveler winds her way west in an Airstream with two kids, some pets and 90 days to fill, and it’s a life-changer. The piece is beautifully written and completely engaging, capturing the childlike surprise of seeing natural wonders for the first time, even sights that have become overly familiar through film and photography, like the Grand Tetons and the Grand Canyon. Prosapio keeps it real, and there’s a lesson in that for writers and travelers alike.

Silver: Greg Grim and Mike Church, “Cycling the Silk Road,” Slate
The road from Istanbul to Kashgar is long and full of potholes, especially if you’re on a bicycle. But cycling offers an up-close and uproariously funny perspective on the peculiarities of the former Soviet republics. Grim and Church end up in some strange places, including a jail in Georgia, but it’s clear that the fates watch over fools, especially funny ones who keep good journals.

Bronze: Trevor Meers, “Finding Passion for the Plains,” Midwest Living
The Kansas Plains, one of those places “in between,” stop Meers in his tracks and make him look up at the sky and at the tallgrass prairie, or what’s left of it. Expecting subtle beauty, he finds a hallelujah chorus of beauty, and its inspiration comes through in the writing, which is gentle and reverent.

Category 13: Article on Marine Travel
Gold: Sisse Brimberg, Cotton Coulson, Thomas B. Allen, Keith Bellows,
        “Eye-Level Cruises,” National Geographic Traveler
To experience place on an intimate level often requires overcoming a host of cultural and other obstacles. This look at small-ship cruises provides readers with visual, well-written, dynamic coverage that shows it’s possible to remove those barriers and make marine travel more meaningful.
 
Silver: W. Hodding Carter, “The 40-Year-Old Virgin Swimmer,” Outside
Sometimes, what makes a story interesting is that it’s just plain unique. This one not only chronicles the author’s maritime odyssey swimming the 20-mile distance between the Virgin Islands but also does so in a humorous and engaging way. The best part of his story is the human element, not only man against the sea but also man against all the eccentric people he meets along the way.

Bronze: Peter Mandel, “On Top of the World,” The Baltimore Sun
What makes this story memorable is the author’s vivid description of his adventures on an icebreaker cruise above the Arctic Circle. By combining that with fascinating information told in a light-hearted voice, the author narrates the action in a way that generates the desire to retrace his steps.

Category 14: Article on Adventure Travel
Gold: Tim Cahill, “State of Adrenaline,” National Geographic Adventure 
Cahill guides readers through a tumultuous journey in the New Zealand wilderness. He paints images of dangerous stunts and infuses dry humor throughout. He tries bungee jumping off a bridge, canyoneering, and riding a helicopter through skinny canyons and toward mountain peaks. The article is fun, beautifully written, touches on both history and culture and offers helpful advice to those who want to go.

Silver: Kerri Westenberg, “Appalachian Trail Magic,” Star Tribune, Minneapolis
Westenberg introduces rugged characters that make the article entertaining and personal. This piece brings readers along for the hike, giving an easy, enjoyable read. For those who want to hike the trail, there is an informative map and plenty of useful hints.

Bronze: Amanda Castleman, “Calm as a Hurricane’s Eye,” Road and Travel
“Calm as a Hurricane’s Eye” is fun, humorous and filled with helpful information. Castleman pokes fun at herself to amuse readers and enthusiastically details the undersea landscape and experience. This brief glimpse into scuba certification and resort diving should inspire others to follow suit.
 
Category 15: Travel News/Investigative Reporting
Gold: William J. McGee, “An Accident Waiting to Happen?
        Outsourcing Raises Air-Safety Concerns,” Consumer Reports
In a combination of retrospective, preventive and descriptive investigative reporting, Consumer Reports employs its well-deserved reputation for caring about the general welfare and its penchant for deep research. The finding of lax airline maintenance on commercial flights is downright scary for travelers.
 
Silver: Tim Cahill, “Along the Devil’s Highway,” National Geographic Adventure
Cahill ventures to southern Arizona, site of the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. Using first-person vision wisely, he explains how the supposedly protected desert wilderness has become a polluted garbage dump and a massive staging area for criminals.
 
Bronze: William Dietrich, “Off the Beaten Paths,” The Seattle Times
In a world filled with peril, some people avoid specific travel destinations because of terrorist threats and the like. Dietrich, in a thoughtfully reported essay, weighs the real risks of traveling to so-called danger zones against everyday risks such as driving on expensively paved highways across the United States.

Category 16: Service-oriented Consumer Article
Gold: Gary Stoller, “Car Rental Prices Can Change in a Heartbeat,” USA Today 
     Lots of log-ins went into this investigation into the changing nature of car-rental prices. If you’re a frequent renter, it’s a must-read to save money. It tells you when, where and how to save every time you grab the keys.

Silver: Frank Bures, “How to Use a Squat Toilet,” World Hum
A smartly crafted, amusing discussion of a taboo subject.  Bures reminds us all that most of the world doesn’t even use ONE square of toilet paper. Blushing aside, it’s a must-read for anyone who ventures off the beaten bath.

Bronze: Sascha Segan, “Can You Make the Call? International Cell Phone Tips,” 
 www.frommers.com.
Ever been surprised by an $8-a-minute international roaming charge? Segan presents a tightly written, but exhaustive look into using your cell phone abroad. Should you call from Narita airport or from the cruise ship? Segan outlines it all even by carrier and by type of phone.
Category 17: Environmental Tourism Article
Gold: Patrick Symmes, “The China Question: Leaping Tiger, Drowning River,”
       Outside
A seamless melding of narrative-style travelogue, science writing and issues reporting, this piece takes the reader down a river and straight into a dilemma of gigantic proportions: how to balance China’s need for energy against the environmental damage that any energy solution is likely to cause. The river becomes a metaphor for the inevitability of “progress” in the form it’s likely to take in China. But that doesn’t mean this is a screed. Symmes gives us interesting characters and lively scenes for one unforgettable ride.
 
Silver: Jad Davenport, “Ultimate Icebreaker,” Islands
Davenport remembered to pack his sense of humor when he took off on an icebreaker to South Georgia in sub-Antarctica, a place of great beauty and environmental importance. Dipping into historical texts, Davenport tells the grim story of the slaughter of the island’s fur seals and the whales in its surrounding waters. But his lively, colorful descriptions of the island’s penguins and burgeoning seal population make this an entertaining and inspiring read about a resurrection.

Bronze: Jonathan B. Tourtellot, “Places Rated: How do 94 World Heritage Destinations
      Stack Up?” National Geographic Traveler
Using more than 400 experts, this piece ranks World Heritage destinations for their condition, management, outlook and local support to see how well they’re doing in the spotlight. It’s a simple approach that the conscientious traveler is sure to find useful in a big world with so many places worth seeing — but that might be better left alone, at least for a while.

Category 18: Cultural Tourism Article
Gold: Paul Theroux, “Private Obsessions of a Remarkable Collector,” Departures
In this remarkable essay about the wonders of traveling the world and then returning home with new items to live with, Paul Theroux writes: “Collecting isn’t about paying money for something rare. The need to discover is the driving force, making collection such a complex preoccupation, it is almost imponderable.” And, then he proceeds to tell exactly how it’s done and why the need to collect overlaps with the drive of a lover. The tone, the texture, even the taste of this essay provide an exquisite cultural armchair journey.
 
Silver: David Lambkin and Tom Dunkel, “Trading Places,” National Geographic Traveler
What happens when two writers trade places? And one of them is from Baltimore, MD, and the other lives in Johannesburg, South Africa? You get a delightful view of their new temporary digs from the eyes of someone trained to look, to see and to explore. With markedly different voices and unique perspectives, the duo’s broad views take readers to the scene with warmth and cheer.

Bronze: Charles Michener, “The Architecture of Sound,” Departures
The resonance of a finely sung aria rings out in this article about the majestic performance halls across the world. Its detail pays homage to the architecture and sense of place — the “symbolic significance” — of the spate of new concert halls. They have become places to visit, even if you’re not going to hear music. The writer brings these buildings to life, much as the designer has transformed mere building materials into the reality of the inspiration.

Category 19: Personal Comment
Gold: Leonard Pitts Jr., “Return to Africa,” The Miami Herald
 Leonard Pitts Jr.’s account of returning to Sierra Leone to send a girl to college stands head and shoulders above the normal run of travel writing. Pitts’ story is of a man whose own success drives a desire to give back to those less fortunate than him and to teach his sons something about the rest of the world in the process. It’s powerful and gripping and should inspire readers to help those in poverty in our own way.

Silver: Ian Frazier, “A Kielbasa Too Far,” Outside
“Travel, and you get sick,” Ian Frazier writes. With that sentence, he takes us on a journey to a common but commonly overlooked side of travel and guides us with wit and grace through the nether regions of our experiences. It takes talent to write tastefully about dysentery.

Bronze: Rolf Potts, “The Living Museum of Nowhere & Everywhere,”
 Tales From Nowhere, Lonely Planet
Rolf Potts’ account of an unexpected journey reminds us that travel is what we make of it and that it’s possible to find adventure even in a tiny Kansas town.

Category 20: Travel Book
Gold: Stephanie Elizondo Griest, “100 Places Every Woman Should Go,”
       Travelers’ Tales/Solas House Imprint
“100 Places Every Woman Should Go” will ignite the wanderlust in any woman. Who could read the chapters and not want to hit the road? This guide tells where to find a Swedish hotel made entirely of ice, where to dance barefoot under the stars at a belly dance hafla and where to find America’s national shrines to women. The author offers helpful hints geared toward women and lists further readings about each location. This book is inspiring and delightful.

Silver: Darrin DuFord, “Is There a Hole in the Boat? Tales of Travel in Panama
        Without a Car,” Booklocker.com Inc.
Self-published books often raise a red flag of a book that couldn’t cut it in the commercial world. But once you start reading, this talented storytelling spins, weaves and pulls you through the book. Before you know it, you’re done.

Bronze: James O’Reilly, Larry Habegger, Sean O’Reilly, “The Best Travel Writing 2007:
True Stories From Around the World,” Travelers’ Tales
Take a trip around the world with 27 different, talented authors. Collections run the risk of mixing a few duds with the gems, but the variety of locales, of authors, of voices, of approaches to storytelling make this a trip well worth taking. The writing is consistently solid and in many places it carries us away.

Category 21: Guidebook
Gold: Tom Downs, “Lonely Planet: New Orleans,” Lonely Planet Publications
This book is a graceful call to visit, support and love New Orleans. While the hurricane is discussed, the primary purpose is to guide readers through the post-Katrina landscape. There are thorough sections with information on history, art, music, architecture, Hurricane Katrina and Mardi Gras, followed by detailed descriptions of where to eat, sleep and shop. While this book can be easily scanned for important information, it is just as enjoyable to read in one sitting.

Silver: Christopher P. Baker, “Moon Handbooks: Cuba,” Avalon Travel Publishing
Enjoy a trip to Cuba with an entertaining, knowledgeable guidebook author. This organized book is good for all budgets and provides complete listings of restaurants, sites and accommodations. The book opens with helpful maps, summaries of each region and suggested itineraries. The background chapter is particularly important for anyone who wants to understand the history and culture of Cuba. The sidebars are quirky and interesting, particularly those on cockfighting, the Bay of Pigs, fireworks fever and polymites.

Bronze: Sylvie Hogg and team, “MTV Italy,” John Wiley & Sons
This guidebook newcomer will find a ready audience in the hip, young generation. It begins with a listing of the bests, including Most Relaxing Small Towns, Best Piazzas for Hanging Out, Best Vino and Most Awesome Ancient Ruins. It is extremely well-organized and easy to follow. Descriptions of each hotel, restaurant and attraction are thorough. Overall, this is an entertaining book that should quickly become a trusted companion.

Category 22: Internet Publication/Web Site
Gold: Lonelyplanet.com, John Ryan, Editorial Manager  
This Web site is a rich treasure chest of travel information. Unlike many other sprawling sites, it uses smart organization and attractive presentation as navigation tools. In addition, the site allows its users to add their own content through travel tips and lively discussion boards. The writing and photography are stellar.

Silver: NewYorkology.com, Amy Langfield, Editor
This Web site focuses on one small swatch of the earth, New York City, and dissects its with a sharp eye. NewYorkology plays on the Web’s strengths — the ability to deliver timely information quickly and link to other resources — and presents information to travelers in a chatty tone. Visitors heading for the Big Apple will want to make this their first stop.

Bronze: Frommers.com, David Lytle, Editorial Director, and Jason Clampet, Editor
This authoritative Web site offers visitors clear, concise travel information in a well-organized format. The prominent Destinations map on the home page allows the users to drill down to the country of interest and then find dining, hotel and attraction information. The events search tool is an indispensable resource, and the “Travel Talk” discussion boards provide a way for users to interact.

Category 23: Internet Travel Article
Gold: Ben Crair, “The Evolution of the Minnesota State Fair,” Slate
The opening — “The milk at the Minnesota State Fair is ice cold with a thick mustache-forming layer of foam on top, and you can drink as much of it as you’d like for a dollar” — is easily the best of the pile. The article displays a skeptical observer, yet comes around to the reasons why state fairs remain a vital part of the American experience.

Silver: Catherine Watson, “Unlocking Beirut,” World Hum 
The story is built on a delicious fact. The writer had sentimentally kept the door key from her first apartment in Beirut and now was returning to discover what had changed. A personal account that provided a great entry into a detailed look at the city.

Bronze: Tom Haines, “Looking for the New in New England,” Boston.com
The concept — have readers suggest off-the-beaten-track attractions around New England — was attractive and the execution was, perhaps, even more so. The convergence elements, audio and graphics, brought home the road trip and, no doubt, sent readers off on road trips of their own.

Category 24: Special Purpose Travel
Gold: Larry Bleiberg, “Bargain Fare,” The Dallas Morning News
This article made me want to travel to the nearest Trader Joe’s market. It’s hard to believe that people will travel thousands of miles just to go grocery shopping. It was a fun read and perfect example of special purpose travel.

Silver: Jerry Luciani, “Fear Factor,” The Record, Hackensack, NJ
This was an adventure only the brave or the crazy would take. It requires a special person to swim in the wild with sharks. This story was a fun, yet disturbing, read. Very well-written.

Bronze: Maria Sudekum Fisher, “Volunteer Vacation,” Associated Press 
This story touches your heart. It shows that teenagers are not just interested in pop culture and iPods. You learn a lot about a family and how travel can lead to something more than just photo snapshots and souvenirs.