What were clicking on this week (when were not catching waves).I love this interactive look at the locals who live in this row of shophouses in Singapore. – Becky, editorial assistantThe New York Times Op-Ed columnist (and Fathom husband) Ben Schott reeled us in — hook, line, and sinker — with this list of 1920s beach lingo. The illustrations, by Eleanor Davis, are the cats meow. – Jeralyn, editorial d

What were clicking on this week, when were not freaking out about how fast the summer is going.Not too long ago, writers would lug their typewriters around on summer retreats to European villas and African safari tents. A new lightweight version that still has the old-school charms (pings, white-out brushes) can be found in the new Typing Writer iPad app from the folks at The Rumpus and McSweeneys. – Jeralyn, editorial directorH.

Were telling solo travel stories on Fathom this week, and for todays Travel Loot, were featuring books about solo travel. We turned to guest editor Natalie Compagno, owner of Travelers Bookcase in Los Angeles, for her recommendations.My favorite thing to do when I travel is read a book about the place where I am traveling, the closer to my experience the better. When I am traveling alone, I love the inspiration that past travelers give me,

Fathom assistant Becky Cheang took a day trip from New York City to check out the recently renovated Clark Art Institute in the Berkshires. She found her perfect summer activity and is already planning her perfect winter return trip.WILLIAMSTOWN, Massachusetts – Some people suffer from jet lag. I suffer from sudden and extreme changes in air quality.Barely a week after my return from a trip to the English countryside, New York Citys va

What were clicking on this week (when were not thinking about life before aviation).Now accepting reservations: The Grand Budapest Hotel, Republic of Zubrowkas #1 pick with 112 reviews (and counting) on TripAdvisor. – Berit, assistant editorIm not much of a camper, but that might change with Hip Camps new integrated maps with real-time availability for the best camping spots. – Berit, assistant editorFathom contributor

A nice boy from the Jersey Shore heads to prep school in Princeton and St. Andrews University in Scotland, where he encounters the scions of privilege and their wanton ways of sex, drugs, and crime. Down the Shore is the debut novel from Stan Parish, a New York City editor at Bloomberg and Fathoms new New Jersey correspondent. In this excerpt, the protagonist is back on the beach before leaving for Europe.Cops were gathering in the street o

Seasoned activist, entrepreneur, and global volunteer Sloane Davidson spends her life traveling the world to give back and teach others how to do the same in forums, workshops, and on her site, The Causemopolitan. We asked her to share an anecdote from a recent trip.After taking a year off to volunteer in 2009, I decided I wanted to take at least one volunteer trip a year. Ive succeeded and can now add Ghana, Haiti, New Orleans, Guatem

What were clicking on this week (when were not lamenting the potential loss of Americas favorite power couple slash speculating that its a grand marketing ploy for their On the Run tour).In the latest edition of Nowhere Magazine (one of our 24 Best Blogs and Websites), theres a photograph of drug baggies collected like souvenirs from all over the States, Central America, and Europe. It can be yours for a mere $1,420. Or a kilo of cocaine.&n

There are countless causes, destinations, and communities all over the world that benefit from volunteer service. But the sheer amount of information, organizations, and options are overwhelming. How can you sift through it all and find the right program? Social worker and experienced voluntourist Michelle Russell shares her insights.I first got involved with voluntourism through a college roommate who had a family friend on the board of th

Chasing after cute animals, making jam, and growing wise on a porch swing. The country life city folks dream about. Heres how Singapore native and recent college grad Eileen Lee found it through WWOOF-ing, working on an organic farm, in Wakayama, Japan.WAKAYAMA, Japan — Ive always dreamed of becoming a farmers wife. I grew up in Singapore, and you know how it is: grass is always greener on the other side. Especially on the rolling hil

What were clicking on this week (when were not taking a beach day).This Game of Thrones subway map is helping me appreciate the show at a whole new level. – Becky, editorial assistantSeal surfing! – Becky, editorial assistantHeres what Ill be stocking up on, on my next visit to a French pharmacy. – Berit, assistant editorLets all go to Nicaragua together! El Camino will take care of the details. - Jeralyn, editorial d

When it comes to traveling, you can never quite know when and where youll end up falling in love with a place. But it was hook, line, and sinker for Travel Channel writer Kathleen Rellihan as soon as she volunteered with English in Mind Institute to help Haitian adults learn English in Port-au-Prince. Psyched by the whole Haiti experience, Kathleen volunteered to help lead a group there just a few months later. Shes planning to explore more

What were clicking on this week (when were not watching old comedy clips).From a boat to a teepee, this man is spending a year Airbnb-hopping. Way to live like a local! – Becky, editorial assistantId like to get my hands on a pair of these super cute Sabah shoes made in Turkey. – Berit, assistant editorUnderwater explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau is opening a dive center on the private island resort Petite St. Vincent

Some people like the ocean for the thrill of that which lurks in the deep. I, on the other hand, dip into the sea for relaxational purposes only.Beyond this beach season, Ill take my sea salts home with me thanks to Herbivore Botanicals, a Seattle-based skincare company that sources raw and natural materials from Siberian lakes and Middle Eastern seas. Other fancy ingredients — like Cambrian blue clay, Brazilian gemstones, a

Founded in 1892, Sierra Club has been protecting and conserving our environment long before global warming and GMOs entered the vernacular. Longtime member and environmental activist Rebecca Dameron believes in the importance of giving back to our environment. She tells her tale as leader of the Sierra Clubs Appalachian Kayaking service trip.Tell us about the trip.The Appalachian Kayak Service Trip started at the request of a National

What could be more poetic than a hero on horseback? Relief Riders International leads horseback rides through the Rajasthan Desert to provide medical and economic relief to Indian villages while giving service-minded tourists the chance to experience Indias truly magical landscape. What a great adventure! Founder Alexander Souri gives us a closer look.Tell us about the program.Relief Riders International provides all-encompassing relief to

Ancient headhunting practices, diverse ecosystems, and an orangutan named A-Ul. For outdoorsman Owen Morgan, the call of the mysterious island of Borneo led to lifelong friendships.INDONESIAN BORNEO — Borneo, the third largest island in the world, has captivated the hearts of explorers for centuries. The island is made up of three different countries — Malaysia, Indonesia, and the independent Sultanate of Brunei. Dayaks, Borneos

For Liz Barratt-Brown, owner of historic Pedruxella Gran in Mallorca, Spain, the garden of Eden might just be her own olive grove. Pedruxella Gran has an incredible history.  There are many reasons why Pedruxella Gran is one of the best known posesiones (large historical estates) in our town of Pollensa, Mallorca. During The Crusades, the farm was owned by the Templars and rumored to hold a secret supply of silver. It later b

What were clicking on this week (when were not getting anxious about the end of summer).Humans of New York has gone global (for August). Its a beautiful thing. – Jeralyn, editorial directorFor a quick and easy way to track your travel conquests use Been to tally the countries and U.S. states you visit. – Berit, assistant editorIm back from two weeks bouncing around Down Under, where I watched this ridiculously pictures

Photographer Anna Petrow was delighted by the sunlight, people, and spirit she found in Mexico. But mostly, she was delighted by the adorable dogs she found roaming the streets of the Riviera Nayarit. She described her experience to writer Patrick Mulvihill, who recounts it here.MEXICO – For the last twelve years, photographer Anna Petrow has been drawn to Riviera Nayarit and its many beautiful characteristics. Miles upon miles o