Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The New York Times Entry Title: The New York Times Entry Credit: Amy Virshup Judge Comment: Across the board, The New York Times offers strong reporting, creative presentation, beautiful writing and imaginative story ideas, like why not take a luxury bus instead of flying. The mix of investigative and feature work, from wheelchair and family air travel to its iconic ‘52 Places’ or ‘Things to Do in New York’ brings it to the top of the category.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Plain Dealer Entry Title: The Plain Dealer/cleveland.com Entry Credit: Susan Glaser Judge Comment: The Plain Dealer’s travel team has a knack for the kind of descriptive narrative that pulls its readers into the places they explore. Toss in some practical travel tips and some hard-hitting news, such as the security breach that disabled radar and shut down the Cleveland airport, and you have the makings of an award-winning entry.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Boston Globe Entry Title: Boston Globe Travel Entry Credit: Staff Judge Comment: This collection of stories demonstrates The Globe’s understanding of its audience and its needs and interests. Great variety, in-depth interviews and useful information are among the highlights that feature such stories as ‘Back to Boston,’ a comprehensive guide on everything from food to entertainment. Combine that with stories about traveling while older or a review of 1,600 miles on an Amtrak sleeper and The Globe delivers what travelers desire.
Place Name: Honorable Mention Contestant Name: Star Tribune Entry Title: Star Tribune Entry Credit: Simon Peter Groebner Judge Comment: This is a smart mix of diverse stories that feature beautiful prose, solid journalism and a variety of destinations, from Belize to Mississippi or from the Great Lakes to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s home. Excellent work.
