FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER
April 2003

COVER STORY: EUROPE'S BEST-KEPT SECRET—MALTA (PAGE 74)
Fun on the rocks! Malta whips up a fizzy cocktail of history, warm golden stone, fireworks, feasts and blue waters. Sixty miles south of Sicily, Malta may be Europe's best-kept secret. Traveler shares 10 reasons why this tiny Mediterranean archipelago is a great place to visit.

INSIDER'S TORONTO (PAGE 58)
A triumph of diversity, Canada's largest metropolis holds pleasures galore. But many of the city's best surprises go undiscovered by newcomers. In-the-know locals reveal favorite beauty spots, chic shops, and globe-trotting restaurants in this multicultural city. PLUS: A foldout map and guide to an Ontario wine-country road trip barely an hour outside of Toronto. The Niagara Peninsula—Ontario's Napa Valley—offers nature, theater, wine, history and some of the world's most majestic falling water.

ISLANDS OF THE FITTEST: Galápagos (PAGE 46)
Charles Darwin's great-grandson, Matthew Chapman, explores the Galápagos, the wild wonderland where Darwin's theory of evolution took root. As the Galápagos face modern pressures and increased tourism, what will become of this remote animal sanctuary, home to iguanas, lava lizards, sea turtles, boobies—and Lonesome George, the giant tortoise?

SMART TRAVELER: Surprise Car-Rental Surcharges? (PAGE 12)
Following a course set by the airline industry, the financially troubled car-rental business is trying to fix its profit problems with a combination of new surcharges and strict enforcement of existing rules. Steering clear of the new fees isn't easy. Traveler examines the fine print and shows you how to check your bill for five surprising surcharges.

SMART TRAVELER: Background Checks (PAGE 14)
Travel intelligence was once the purview of executives and government officials heading into global hot spots. But now, some firms are directly marketing to the average Joe, who is warier than ever of international travel. Traveler reviews the services offered by three travel-intelligence companies that give you the scoop on your destination, with pre-trip briefings and e-mail alerts.

THE A-LIST: Great Travel Deals (PAGE 23)
Save on California theme parks, Canadian skiing and the Mexican isle of Cozumel with Traveler's new A-List (A for affordable). Check out 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