Moon Handbooks Four Corners Wins Gold Award for Best Travel Guidebook of 2003-04 from the Society of American Travel Writers

Moon Handbooks Four Corners by Julian Smith has won the Lowell Thomas Gold Award for best travel guidebook of 2003-04 from the Society of American Travel Writers. Judges described the guidebook to the heart of the US Southwest, where Utah Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico meet, as "[The perfect combination of history, culture, practical advice and detailed listings" and "fun to read," adding that it "will surely become a pocket companion for travelers to the region."

(PRWEB) October 27, 2004 -- In the 20th annual Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition sponsored by the Society of American Travel Writers (www.satw.org), Julian Smith's Moon Handbook Virginia was named the best travel guidebook of 2003-04.

The competition, recognized as the most prestigious honors in the field of travel journalism, was judged by faculty of the Missouri School of Journalism faculty and drew 1,330 entries.

Published by Avalon Travel Publications, Moon Handbooks Four Corners covers the Colorado Plateau at the intersection of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. This gorgeous but sparsely inhabited region of desert, mountains and rivers includes seven national parks, from the Grand Canyon to Mesa Verde; numerous natural and historical national monuments; and the thriving tourist cities of Moab, UT, Durango, CO, and Flagstaff, AZ. The guidebook includes natural and cultural history, outdoor activities, food, shopping, and accommodations for travelers of all budgets and interests, as well as detailed maps.

In their comments, the judges wrote "This book is the perfect combination of history, culture, practical advice and detailed listings. We learn about the geography, the animals and the past and present inhabitants of the area where Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico touch. Each section is easy to navigate, and listings should appeal to those with any budget. 'Four Corners is fun to read and will surely become a pocket companion for travelers to the region"

Julian Smith is the author of the Moon guidebooks to Ecuador and Virginia, as well as On Your Own in El Salvador, the first guide to the country. He writes on science and travel for publications including National Geographic Traveler, National Geographic News, The Washington Post, and the L.A. Times. His work has been syndicated worldwide by the New York Times.

A co-founder of On Your Own Publications, Julian helped launch and edit the international scientific journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment for the Ecological Society of America. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The awards were announced in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

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