Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The New York Times Entry Title: The New York Times Travel section Entry Credit: Amy Virshup, Travel Editor Judge Comment: Unpredictable content, rigorous research, polished writing and lush, striking photography are hallmarks of this outstanding travel section. In one issue the tension between the desire to travel and its morally fraught implications is carefully examined. In another, the competing tragedy and wonder of visiting endangered wildlife in Vietnam is thoughtfully addressed and supported by a series of stunning photographs. If the objective is to completely captivate the audience with text and photos that both delight and add value to the reading experience, then the section triumphs again and again.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Wall Street Journal Entry Title: Wall Street Journal Off Duty Entry Credit: Deborah Dunn, Travel Editor Judge Comment: Travel stories in this section are smart, stylish and sophisticated -- as well as practical and unpretentious. The stories put a premium on utility, but the writing is top of the line and never indulgent. The section is nimble enough to present a geography lesson about Ireland alongside a tidy list of quirky new restaurants in the New Hamptons and a time-divided exploration of New York by ferry. Nearly every story hits a home run.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Plain Dealer Entry Title: Plain Dealer Travel Section Entry Credit: Susan Glaser, Travel Editor Judge Comment: Travel writer-editor Susan Glaser has a great eye for an unusual story angle and a refreshing way to present it. The trip to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge with her family was elevated by a separate discussion about getting a lightsaber past TSA agents. An excursion with her mother was a wonderful reckoning with expectation, hope and compromise. The writer's voice lends both a warmth and an energy to the text that allows the reader to share her high-spirited adventures.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: The Boston Globe Entry Title: Boston Globe Travel Entry Credit: Chris Morris, Travel editor Judge Comment: Headlines, photos and text are skillfully organized here to present packages that are both useful and appealing. Writer Christopher Muther has a deft touch with choices of subject matter and language that would seem to play well with his audience -- witty, wise and worthwhile.
