Accor isn't always top of mind for U.S. travelers considering where to book a hotel stay.
15.12.2023 - 00:41 / nationalgeographic.com / Ernest Shackleton / Henry Viii VIII (Viii)
As a kid, I’d write letters to George Bass, an American professor of underwater archaeology who used to contribute to National Geographic magazine. He actually responded, and we carried on this correspondence for many years — me begging him to take me along on one of his expeditions, him always finding a reason not to. Until, many years later [following Mensun’s studies in ancient history and archaeology], he asked if I could be on the Greek island of Kos in a week’s time. I didn’t ask any questions. This was my open door, and I walked through it.
While working for George off the coast of Turkey, we had some wonderful discoveries, including ancient shipwrecks. That’s what really got me into it. I then came back to England to work on the Mary Rose, the great ship of Henry VIII that sank in the Solent [a strait north of the Isle of Wight], before starting my own team.
Alexander McKee, the man who found the Mary Rose, told me about another diver he’d met on the Italian island of Giglio who’d stumbled upon an ancient wreck. Joanna — now my wife — and I went to see him, and I knew then that I’d blundered into something of outstanding archaeological interest. We spent the next four years excavating; what we found was a ship from 600 BCE. What did that lead to? The Giglio wreck was the start of 32 years of work, sometimes on three to five wrecks a year, from Southeast Asia to the Caribbean. I also started the first academic maritime archaeological unit in England at Oxford University. But of course, the crowning moment was last year’s discovery of the Endurance [the lost vessel of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, found at the bottom of the Weddell Sea 107 years after it sank].
Yes, that was the absolute high point — the search took 10 years and was incredibly expensive. I’ve also run the biggest ever underwater explorations and, on a job in Vietnam, we used saturation diving [involving staying at extreme depths for long periods] for the first and only time in underwater archaeology. I love being at the forefront, the cutting edge.
I buried myself in archives to narrow down a search box, which ended up being 107sq nautical miles, and brought together a diverse group of specialists. The first search ended in failure; we lost an AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) worth millions. When we eventually did find the Endurance, it was within the original search box; if we hadn’t lost the AUV, we’d have found the wreck in 2019.
You don’t really have an area of expertise. My interest is ancient ships, but you take what comes. Every time the phone rings, you have to go on a steep learning curve and make yourself an expert. A discipline of mind is very important — you’ve got to enjoy learning.
It’s not just
Accor isn't always top of mind for U.S. travelers considering where to book a hotel stay.
From cash rewards on travel purchases to handy insurance for your rentals, the right card won’t weigh down your wallet with annual fees, leaving more room for souvenirs and experiences.
Global aviation had a dream run in 2023. Everything that went wrong during the pandemic seemed to reverse – and then some.
Passports could become a thing of the past for those arriving in the UK under new Home Office plans to create ‘frictionless travel’ at Britain’s borders. New hi-tech e-gates will be fitted at airports which will be so advanced they will allow arrivals into the country using only advanced facial recognition.
As we step into the promising dawn of 2024, the world is poised for a transformative journey in the realm of global travel. The travel industry, having weathered the storms of the past, is set to soar to new heights, embracing innovation, sustainability, and a redefined sense of exploration. Revolutionizing Technology: The advent of cutting-edge technologies is reshaping the way we travel. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are becoming integral tools for immersive travel experiences, allowing individuals to virtually explore destinations before making a commitment. Advanced artificial intelligence (AI) is enhancing personalized travel recommendations, making every journey tailor-made for the individual preferences of the traveler.
“I feel like we’re at the house of rich friends with impeccable taste…and they’ve given us run of the place,” I said to my partner during our stay at Inn the Ground, which opened in Oregon’s Willamette Valley this year. We were seated around a sleek concrete fire bowl on the patio, wearing plush white robes on loan from the Inn. Sipping pinot from glasses we grabbed after being told we could help ourselves to anything in the ultra-modern kitchen, we relished the quiet, and watched the last of that day’s light disappear from the profile of Mt. Hood.
Unforgettable history lessons, cultural connections and precious family time are just some of the reasons to consider a big trip in 2024. Stretch your children’s imaginations with these meaningful getaways, mixing nature time with once-in-a-lifetime city breaks, unique accommodations and long-distance rail travel. It might just change the way your family looks at the world.
As midnight approaches, dark groups huddle on the freezing slope of one of the seven hills overlooking the soft yellow lights of the city of Edinburgh.
Merging hospitality with the world’s top Asian destinations, Remote Lands is at the forefront of the luxury travel planning industry. The operator offers itineraries to 38 different countries on the Asian continent, highlighting the cuisine, heritage, and standout features of each. The company has teamed up with hospitality brand Aman to add a personalized element to its trips by jet.
Immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of Alaska and witness the awe-inspiring power of its apex predators with Bearviewinginalaska.com exclusive bear watch tours.
As the world wakes up on December 25, the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge will have received a special festive makeover.
You don't usually need a parka inside a hotel, but most hotels aren't chilled to a frosty 9 degrees Fahrenheit.