Travel Features for Monday, May 22

Welcome to the first installment of "Travel Features" on Associated Content. Each week, I'll be reviewing recent travel-related additions to our library and spotlighting both new and veteran Content Producers. We have an amazing group of well-traveled contributors whose collective personal and professional knowledge can take you to exotic foreign landscapes - or down the street to local attractions. From travel tips and destination reviews to vacation ideas and photo journals, let AC become your point of origin.

This week, we're going to Hungary - by way of West Virginia, Rhode Island, and Texas.

But first, here's some interesting news from the world of airline travel. Apparently, in yet another cost-cutting move, some aircraft manufacturers are working with airlines on seatless sections for airplanes. Accomplished content producer Miranda Marquittells us about this concept in Standing Room Only on an Airplane. Miranda is a Utah-based freelance writer who holds a master's degree from the well-known Newhouse School at Syracuse University.

This week, we also welcome brand-new Content Producer Lisa Hayes-Minney, who saw six articles published on travel in West Virginia. This self-described small town reporter can tell you all about the rural state, including hiking in parks and visiting the annual molasses festival. Be sure to check out her photos of Cedar Creek Backway, too.

Leaving behind the wilds of West Virginia, we move up to New England, where Maryellen Cicione is on the Rhode Island beat. When she's not working at her marketing day job, Maryellen sells her state to AC readers! Her recent additions include a comprehensive review of the state's surprisingly diverse group of islands and a discussion of outlet shopping. Maryellen shows us that Rhode Island offers a lot more than just a blink between Boston and New York.

Too much eastern seaboard action for you? Then let's go to the Lone Star State. Seasoned Content Producer Candace Leigh covers the new W in Texas. An no, it's not another member of the Bush family; it's the debut of a sleek hotel in Dallas. The latest addition to the single-lettered hotel chain, the Big D welcomes a lush W. And speaking of hotels in Dallas, Candace also highlights some of the city's boutique hotels. You can visit Candace's personal writing website here.

Last but not least, we go abroad with newcomer Nathan Brown and his top 10 attractions in Budapest. This is Nathan's third piece of content on AC, and it's an informal guide to the capital of Hungary as seen though the eyes of a college student. Touching on everything from St. Stephen's preserved hand to the national liquor called Palinka, he'll guide you through the city with amusing commentary and a diverse to-do list. After living in Europe for a year, Nathan speaks German and is now back at SUNY-Albany.

Congratulations to our newest content producers, and pats on the back to our frequent contributors. Let's see where we end up next week.