National Geographic Magazine - UK January 2018

Rome is a city so steeped in history it can be hard to see beyond the past, but its ancient streets are a hotbed of innovation — even its 2,000-year-old monuments are getting a facelift. The Colosseum, Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain now gleam in the sunlight, the soot scrubbed from their walls. Old has been made new, and even the ways to experience some ancient sites have been given a modern twist. A new exhibit at the Ara Pacis Museum brings this altar’s bloody history to life. In ancient times, the monolith was used for animal sacrifices, carried out by priests for peace and prosperity. While a narrator gives an historical rundown, visitors wear goggles to see it in virtual reality, as its wonderfully intricate paintwork is revealed. Meanwhile,…

‘IF YOU TAKE CARE OF THE BIRDS, YOU TAKE CARE OF MOST OF THE BIG PROBLEMS IN THE WORLD.’ That’s what Thomas Lovejoy says, and he should know. The famed biologist and conservationist, a National Geographic–funded scientist, helped introduce the term “biological diversity” to the world. And he long predicted that by early in the 21st century, the Earth would start losing a dramatic number of species—a prediction, unfortunately, that is turning out to be spot-on. We were taken with Lovejoy’s quote about birds and decided to use it as a launchpad for what we’re calling the Year of the Bird. In this 12-month multi-platform exploration—with our partners from the National Audubon Society, BirdLife International, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology—we’ll examine how our changing environment is leading to dramatic…

I write this from the office desk at my West Country home on Exmoor. Behind me, tucked away between the many biographies and travel books that compose my library, is an October 1983 issue of National Geographic. Inside is an article I submitted about the Transglobe Expedition, the circumnavigation of the planet from pole to pole that my team and I completed after three years of surface travel. “The idea was preposterous,” I wrote, before recounting the various adventures we had along the way. My relationship with this magazine dates back a lot further than 1983, however. As a child growing up in South Africa, and later at school in England, I remember happily browsing through back issues. Now, at the age of 73, I wonder how much the articles…

‘YOU’RE CONSTANTLY FIGHTING THE WIMPISH VOICE IN YOUR OWN HEAD.’SIR RANULPH FIENNES, WORLD EXPLORER What drives you to keep exploring? That’s how I make a living. My expedition partner Mike Stroud doesn’t like it when I say that. He says, “That’s mercenary. You’ve got to love the mountains, and everything ethereal and spiritual about the natural world.” I say I’ve also got to pay the bills. Having said that, if it’s a lovely night and you’re in the middle of Antarctica and you can see the aurora australis at its best, that’s wonderful. I also love the unpredictability of nature when I travel. I love it, for example, when the sea ice is misbehaving and you’ve got to find a way of dealing with it. If it’s not misbehaving, you…

Travel has always been at the heart of what National Geographic does. Travel with us and discover the spectacular landscapes and fascinating people of our world. Our world-class holidays offer a wealth of experiences across all seven continents, whether travelling by land, sea or air. One way to experience the world with us is with National Geographic Journeys, our small-group escorted tours operated by G Adventures. Led by dynamic local guides with an in-depth knowledge of their country, these tours showcase key destination highlights and unique cultural encounters — the sort that head up bucket lists. With no more than 16 travellers per group, experiences could range from a scenic hike illuminated by stories from a local guide to helping to prepare lunch in a family’s kitchen. And with plenty…

Norway In 1970, a team led by Sir Ranulph Fiennes parachuted onto Josteldalsbreen, continental Europe’s largest glacier, to conduct scientific research. Ronit Singh Bhullar Mumbai, India Bhullar had read that birds flocked near one of New Delhi’s Yamuna ghats, stairs that lead down to the river. One evening a man in a boat fed the birds, which brought them together in Bhullar’s frame. “The sun was about to set, so I was aware of the perfect color the sky would give me,” he says.…