FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On Newsstands March 4

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER
MARCH 2003

INSIDER'S PARIS (PAGE 70)
Top Paris picks from people in the know: Local Parisians divulge their favorite stores, strolls, bistros, hotels and nightspots in the always beguiling City of Light. PLUS: Paris by Métro—a foldout guide with maps to five classic, métro-accessible Paris neighborhoods, and fun things to do in each of these "urban villages."

ELEGANT DANGER (PAGE 56)
"Jaws" author Peter Benchley explains why Rangiroa in French Polynesia has some of the best scuba diving in the world. Shark sightings are just one of the underwater thrills you'll experience in lightly touristed Rangiroa. PLUS: Six more exciting Polynesian dive resorts and money-saving deals.

SMART TRAVELER: The New Travel Agent (PAGE 16)
Learn what travel agents can do for you that online booking sites still can't. It's a book-your-own-travel backlash, as travelers return to agents for reservations and recommendations. PLUS: Four important questions to ask to make sure you are dealing with a top-notch travel expert.

SMART TRAVELER: What's in Your Wallet? (PAGE 24)
Guess what? There's no equal trade in currency exchange. Traveler tells you what happens (and who gets a cut) when you purchase that exotic souvenir abroad, how to get the best exchange rate and whether it's best to pay with plastic or get cash from exchange bureaus or ATMs.

SMART TRAVELER: These Shoes Are Made for Walking (PAGE 32)
Travelers know the best way to see a new place is by foot. If average walkers take 8,000 steps a day (according to the American Podiatric Medical Association), then globe-trotters likely double that. Traveler's editors field-tested six great pairs of shoes (from $65 to $170) that multitask by mixing comfort and style.

48 HOURS: Miami (PAGE 48)
From stylish new hotels to inventive fusion cuisine, Miami keeps pulsing to a Hispano-Caribbean beat. Traveler shares how to make the most of two days in the sizzling Miami heat.

THE A-LIST: Great Travel Deals (PAGE 35)
Bargains on flights, hotels, vacation packages and more. Traveler's A-List travel deals are updated every Tuesday at: www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/a_list.

National Geographic Traveler is the world's most widely read travel magazine. Check out Traveler online at www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler or AOL keyword: NatGeoTraveler.

CONTACT: Heather Wyatt
+1 212 610 5535
hwyatt@ngs.org