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Transsolar Designs a Mechanical System That Is a Breath of Fresh Air

Their design for the TRCA building shows the future of ventilation

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In his book "The Architecture of the Well-tempered Environment" (our late review here ), Reyner Banham noted that architects and designers had "abdicated their responsibility for indoor comfort, designing without consideration of the consequences for the indoor environment, and just handing the whole thing over to the engineers and contractors to solve it for them." The result, as I noted earlier, was that "today's mechanical engineers who design and build and operate HVAC systems in buildings large and small are isolated from the construct of the building as an integrated system."

That's certainly not the case in the Toronto Region Conservation Authority Building covered earlier on Treehugger . where the mechanical systems were integral to Bucholz McEvoy and Zas Architects' design of the building. It had a very interesting heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) system developed by Integral Group and Transsolar , the innovative German firm that specializes in "user-centered design and access to natural light and air for improved occupant productivity" Krista Palen of Transsolar's New York office worked on the project and walked us through it.

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One of the key features in the system that is common in Europe but unusual in North America is that ventilation, the fresh air required to keep Carbon Dioxide at safe levels, is separate from the heating and cooling required for comfort.

This is not how it is usually done in North America, where large volumes of air are heated, cooled, and recirculated, with a small percentage of fresh air added. This has become a problem in the aftermath of the pandemic, when office and commercial building owners are scrambling to crank up the ventilation rates, and are finding they need a lot more heating and cooling to temper all the fresh air that the system wasn't designed for.

In the TRCA building, the ventilation systems include operable windows, and a system where fresh air is drawn in through the glass chimneys described previously by project architect Peter Duckworth Pilkington as  "giant glass air ducts with MERV 13 filters on the top. Inside, there are steel mesh screens with water running down, filtered through reverse osmosis and UV, tempered by the ground water to be warm in winter, cool in summer."

The air is then distributed through the plenum underneath the raised floor after passing through a heat recovery ventilator (the red box next to the blue chimney.) Return air is picked up from the floor below, run through the HRV and exhausted to the roof. The amount of fresh air is determined by CO2 detectors.

Palen explains there are "three different operating modes: heating, cooling, and natural ventilation. In heating and cooling modes, air coming into the building is preconditioned by the water wall inside a glass duct, water coupled to the ground by geothermal wells. The geothermal system also provides hot and chilled water to the radiant ceiling, and to the air handling units with a ground source heat pump."

Heating and cooling are a separate system, delivered through radiant panels in the ceiling. This is counterintuitive in North America, where people say "that won't work, heat rises!" But heat does not rise, warm air does because it is less dense than cold air.

The point of heating and cooling is human comfort, about half of which comes from the air temperature, and about half from Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT). where heat radiates from warm to cool surfaces. So if your warm skin is near a cold wall, heat radiates from you to the wall and you feel cool. If you are sitting under a radiant ceiling that is warmer than your skin, then you feel warm.

MRT is not well understood but as Robert Bean of Healthy Heating notes, it is a very big deal, and changes the way you think about comfort. Bean writes: "I say, if building codes dropped the reference to controlling air temperatures and switched the requirements to controlling mean radiant temperature, building performance specifications would have to change overnight." It is the reason that buildings designed to the Passivhaus standard are so comfortable; the walls are as warm as the room. And it's why the TRCA building is comfortable, with its well insulated walls and windows.

To the extent that you can use natural ventilation in Toronto's humid summers and cold winters, the building occupants will get fresh air by opening their windows. According to Pilkington, "Under the right exterior conditions, staff will be alerted by the building’s automation system through their personal devices to either open or close windows, to ensure the building is using energy most efficiently."

Note how the operative air temperature varies far more widely than most people are used to in offices, from a low of 70 degrees to a high of 82 degress. We have noted before that most office thermostats and mechanical systems are set for the comfort of men in suits. Krista Palen says that now we have "a different mentality; we are used to overcooling, and women, who were too cold, now have a stronger voice." With climate-appropriate clothing such a temperature range is not uncomfortable.

This is obviously not your typical urban building on your typical urban site, with your typical mechanical system. But there are some basic principles that should apply to every building from now on in the aftermath of the pandemic:

Don't recirculate air, period . Have a heat recovery system and exhaust the inside air and bring in fresh outside air to the extent you need for appropriate CO2 levels. As Kristof Irwin wrote last year :

"Ventilation is crucial. Bringing in more filtered outdoor air in buildings heating/cooling systems (or opening windows in buildings that don’t) helps extract airborne contaminants from the building, making infection less likely. For years, we have been doing the opposite: sealing our windows shut and recirculating air. Just look at the residential code requirements for ventilation (or even scarier, look at the enforcement). The result are homes, schools, and office buildings that are chronically under ventilated. This not only gives a boost to disease transmission, including common scourges like the norovirus or the common flu, but can also significantly impair cognitive function [from high CO2 levels]"

Of course, just about every office building and home in North America has a recirculating air system, but that doesn't mean we should keep building them. This isn't new, it is common in Europe, and this is what the Passivhaus people have been saying for decades.

Why pay for cooling when you can get it for free? The TRCA building uses natural ventilation and lots of fresh air drawn in through those giant glass ducts, which are tempered by the free cooling of the wet wall. This is pretty elaborate, but in shoulder seasons there is lots of fresh air that is a reasonable temperature than can be pumped through any building.

Get used to a wider range of temperatures. This applies for any building; offices used to be kept between 70 and 73 F, and with such a narrow range, the cooling or the heating is always running. Accepting a seasonal range of 70° to 82° uses a lot less energy.

Heating, cooling, and ventilation never get the attention they deserve, most people don't think about what's above the dropped ceiling and just complain about where the thermostat is set. But post-pandemic, employees, their bosses and their landlords are paying a lot more attention. Air quality is suddenly top of mind, and the TRCA building is a wonderful demonstration of where every building should be going.

• Toronto Residential Building Is Our New Poster Child for Sustainable Design
• How Can We Achieve Thermal Delight In Our Homes?
• Do Smart Thermostats Save Energy? New Research Makes Surprising Findings
• What Is a Passive House? Principles and Design
• Thinking of a House As a System Can Keep a Home's Carbon in Check
• Why We Need Passivhaus in Hot Climates
• Toronto and Region Conservation Agency Offices Aim For Net Zero Carbon
• The Concept of Mean Radiant Temperature Is Key to Understanding Comfort
• Air Is the New Poop
• Nice Shades: This NYC Passivhaus Condo Has Terra-Cotta Baguettes
• If You're Going to Live a One Tonne Lifestyle, It's Easier in a Passivhaus
• Nice Shades: Study Shows Passive Cooling Can Help in a Heat Wave
• What Is Passive Solar Heating? How It Works and Limitations
• Old Is New Again as HouseZero Focuses on Natural Ventilation and Light
• We Can't Wait Any Longer to Deal With Heat Waves
• These Prefab Cabins Are a Conscious Consumer's Dream

What is Transformational Travel?

Over the last year, The Long Run has been exploring how it can help members to create, deliver, market and enhance transformational travel experiences. To be truly sustainable, we believe that travel needs to influence people beyond the length of their stay.

To support us on this journey, we’ve been working closely with The Transformational Travel Council who have now launched a kickstarter for a new journal written by expert Eric Rupp. Here we ask Eric what transformational travel means to him.  

I’ve been trying to describe, define, and justify my belief in transformational travel for about five years now. My answers to inquiries have changed, evolved, and grown but the question tends to stay the same:  What makes a trip, a destination, an itinerary different enough to label it “transformational”?

Each one of us has our personal history and set of experiences that make us who we are. We carry with us a unique blend of interests, abilities, and desires. Our privileges and challenges affect our place in the world. With so many different factors at play, how could one safely sell any given experience as transformational?

I finally settled on a short answer: one can’t.  So, what is transformational travel, and what makes it different? This question presumes that the transformational element is the property of an experience, an activity, or perhaps the destination and therefore transformational travel must be about somehow wrestling from those moments spent journeying some yet untapped power that will forever change us.

The truth is that transformation can never come from travel alone, so to find the answer we must first shift our perspective. The power of transformation lies within the traveller. 

Yes, travel may be the catalyst, the inspiration, and the vehicle. It can be incredibly beautiful, powerful, and magical. The places we go, the activities we do, the people we meet all matter and can have a deeply profound influence on us, but transformation is created from within.  Travellers themselves create transformation. 

The personal boundaries we push, the connections we make along the way, and even the destination itself can influence the results, but for change and growth to be lasting and durable enough to be considered transformational, it cannot be the property of the trip, but of the traveller. A trip can inspire change, it can be transformative, meaning it has the power to change us, but we must do the transforming ourselves. 

At the Transformational Travel Council, we define transformational travel as:

“Intentionally traveling to stretch, learn, and grow into new ways of being and engaging with the world. ”

Transformational travel is not a noun, but a verb. It’s an action. A process. The missing element that often gets overlooked during the conversation is the traveler themselves. We have left the traveler out of the equation so often that we forget to even consider them when we talk about transformational travel. It’s time we start thinking about how travel can be used intentionally as a force for good in this world, and to achieve that we need travelers to be a responsible and active part of not just the experience but the outcomes and effects of that experience. 

To help bring about that lasting transformation that travel can inspire, we have created the “Transformational Travel Journal.” This journal leverages the lessons of a vast array of travelers and travel professionals alike to help you create that lasting transformation in your own life. Visit our Kickstarter now to get a discounted early release copy for yourself and travellers in your world.

This post was provided by Eric Rupp, Author, The Transformational Travel Journal i n Collaboration with The Transformational Travel Council . 

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As we continue to develop resources to expand positive impact within the travel industry, we’ve created a  new Resources page to pull reports and training together in one place .

Please take a look  HERE , and feel free to share our new Breaking Down Barriers: Sustainability Accessible to All report  HERE . Holly has social media assets so please contact her at [email protected]  if you would like to share those.

We are delighted to announce that the dates for the 2022 Members Annual Meeting have been set and plans for the agenda are underway.

The meeting will take place at Borana Lodge   and Lengishu in Kenya from the 22nd – 26th of October . We have received overwhelming responses from over 40 participants who are planning to attend the meeting.

For all those who have confirmed attendance, we have sent an email with all the details on the logistics and how to make your 20% deposit payment now to secure your spot. Please get in touch with Joy at  [email protected]  in case of any questions.

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We’re looking forward to seeing you this week for The Long Run’s 11th Annual Meeting.

Please see the schedule with daily Zoom links HERE .

As you know,  The Long Run would like to better capture our members’ impacts, particularly, members’ contribution to mitigating the climate and biodiversity crises .

In order to assist us with this process, we are appealing to all members to share any studies that you have been involved with/or know of that are looking at the environmental values (incl. carbon sequestration) or the ecosystem values/services of the area you are located in and are helping to protect.

This will allow us to better estimate how much carbon is sequestrated by your property, our membership in total, and provide an estimate of ecosystem values.

We look forward to receiving any study or information you may have access to! Please send to [email protected] .

ALTOP stands for “All Love to our planet”. For 30 years, the publishing house has consistently been committed to the promotion of green solutions, products and services. Together with their partners, they give orientation to key decision-makers and help them to link economic success with social responsibility.

The publishing house began in 1984 with the alternatives Directory (now ECO-World life – the shopping guide for a healthy, enjoyable and sustainable lifestyle). The aim was to stimulate consumption in a targeted way and to ensure the urgently needed networking of companies and environmental activists.

In 2006, the publishing house responded to the increasing global discussion about responsible, sustainable business practices realising sustainability should no longer be seen as a future vision, but as an action taken in the daily business process. The response was to launch the magazine “Forum Sustainable Development”, the highest reach CSR magazine for politics, business, non-profit organisations and society in Germany. Forum Sustainability is published quarterly, brings daily online contributions and thus provides a cross-medial communication network.

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Top 8 Portable Translation Devices for Travelers and Buying Guide 2023

May 5, 2020

By solutionfeilai

In this comprehensive guide, we present the top 8 portable translation devices that are a must-have for modern travelers in 2023. We understand the importance of breaking down language barriers to enhance your travel experience, and that's why we've carefully curated this list of cutting-edge translation devices. Whether you're a globetrotter, an adventurer, or a business traveler, these devices revolutionize how you communicate with people from different cultures and backgrounds. Let's dive into the world of seamless communication and explore the features, benefits, and buying considerations for these remarkable translation devices.

The Fluentalk T1  is a revolutionary translation device from Timekettle that offers online, offline, and image translation for precise and effective communication with others. With free mobile data for up to two years Globally, you are never lost for words. It supports 40 languages and 93 accents so that you can remain connected in all countries worldwide. The built-in antennas are professionally modulated to ensure a full-band and strong connection from anywhere in the world.

Vavus Language Translator Device

Vavus is one of the top translators for travelers and language learners. It has a built-in data plan, Sim card, WiFi & offline translation capabilities in 109 languages and dialects. The Bluetooth earbuds ensure a clear sound system; its instant two-way voice translator allows you to converse with people from different cultures in real-time. With its photo translation, Vavus is a reliable and accurate translator. It is fast, simple, and provides the best quality in every language. We value your priorities, so if you're unsatisfied, we provide US-based customer service through phone or email.

Fluentalk T1 Mini Handheld Translator

Unleash your adventurous spirit with Fluentalk T1 Mini , the ultimate travel translator! This device offers fast start-up speeds, a user-friendly operation process, and a compact design that makes it ideal for spontaneous excursions. With advanced features like quality online and offline translation, photo translation, and free global mobile data, language barriers are no longer an issue! Travel with complete peace of mind with T1 mini, your trustworthy partner that ensures you always have access to assistance when you need it.

Cheetah CM Smart Instant Language Translator

The Cheetah CM Smart Instant Language Translator  is a reliable travel companion for your next adventure. This Device, Portable Foreign Language Real-Time 2-Way Translations [Support 42 Languages/Voice Operated], boasts a Microsoft Ai - Powerful and reliable Microsoft-based Ai Translation Engine that provides highly accurate and instant translations with an innovative and advanced cloud processing system. You can talk, translate, learn, and create new friendships. With the pairing App, you can access up to 42 popular languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and more.

Pocketalk S Voice Translator

Pocketalk S is the perfect companion for travelers. This device is easy to use and provides fast, accurate translations with a sleek design. It has 82 language options for conversation, text translation for clarity, instant camera translation of written words and signs, and conversion functions for currency, length, width, and temperature. Plus, it has a complimentary two-year cellular data plan covering more than 130 countries/regions.

Birgus Language Translator Device

Birgus Language Translator Device offers an advanced two-way translation that is instant and done in real-time. With a high accuracy of up to 98% and the ability to translate up to 106 languages, this device also comes with 5 million pixels and an OCR camera. Its highly advanced AI technology enables you to speak intelligently for convenient language translations. The device has an intuitive user interface that allows you to customize your language learning experience. Additionally, it comes with a built-in dictionary that further enhances your language knowledge and comprehension.

MORTENTR Smart Voice Translator

The MORTENTR Smart Voice Translator is an accurate and powerful translation device that supports up to 70 languages. Built with a 2.4-inch HD Touch Screen, this device has a two-way translation feature for effortless conversations. It's easy to operate and comes with a 12-month warranty plus easy-to-reach customer service support, making it an excellent choice for travelers. You don't have to download any app to use this device, and when you are done, you can disconnect from WiFi or Hotspot and enjoy up to 10 hours of battery life.

Vasco Translator V4

Fluency becomes effortless when using the Vasco Translator V4. With its text translation for 90 languages and voice translation for 76 dialects, it's packed with features to make your travels easier than ever. Enjoy seamless communication without worrying about language barriers, as this device supports 108 different languages. Plus, its pocket-sized design is perfect for travelers on the go. Its AI-powered universal translator offers free and unlimited internet connectivity in over 200 countries, giving you the freedom to explore with confidence. Ready for an adventure? Pick up a Vasco Translator V4 today!

ili Instant Offline Language Translator

The ili Instant, Offline Language Translator, is the perfect device for travelers who don't want to rely on WiFi or mobile data. This device supports English, Japanese, and Spanish, providing one-way translations for quick worldwide communication. It's easy to carry around and fits into your pocket or bag. The ili has a rechargeable battery that can last up to 12 hours with one charge, allowing you to communicate freely without worrying about losing power.

Which Portable Language Translator Device is Right for You?

If you're looking for a reliable and efficient way to communicate in multiple languages, then the Fluentalk T1 Mini Handheld Translator Device is the perfect choice. Its lightweight and portable form factor makes it easy to carry wherever you go, while its impressive battery life and numerous language options guarantee seamless conversations on the go. With its user-friendly interface and reliable translations, the Fluentalk T1 Mini Handheld Translator Device helps you communicate accurately and effectively in any language.

In addition to its powerful translation capabilities, the device also features automatic phrase translation for common expressions and text-to-speech capabilities. This makes it an ideal tool for travelers unfamiliar with their destination's language or simply wanting to practice speaking another language. So if you're looking for a portable language translator device that meets your needs, the Fluentalk T1 Mini Handheld Translator Device is the perfect choice. With its reliable translations and impressive battery life, you can be sure that your conversations always go smoothly.

No matter how you use it, the Fluentalk T1 Mini Handheld Translator Device guarantees accurate and reliable translations. With a compact and lightweight design, it's easy to carry with you wherever you go, making it ideal for travelers in need of a powerful translation device. So if you're looking for an efficient way to communicate in multiple languages, the Fluentalk T1 Mini Handheld Translator Device is the perfect choice. Get yours today and enjoy seamless conversations in any language!

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Trans-Siberian: Visiting Tomsk – a Winter Wonderland

March 14, 2015 by Silvia 15 Comments

My favorite stop along the Trans-Siberian route isn’t actually on the Trans-Siberian train line. We had to switch trains in the middle of the night to go up to Tomsk, something that might have seemed like a hassle had Tomsk not turned out to be my favorite city not only in Siberia, but in all of Russia.

In fact visiting Tomsk probably ended up being one of the highlights of my entire six month journey from Asia to Europe, and I think this Tomsk travel blog will show you just why.

At over 400 years old, Tomsk is one of the oldest cities in Siberia, which means that instead of only uniform Soviet architecture, the city is also full of traditional “gingerbread” style wooden houses.

I really loved that Tomsk only has 500,000 inhabitants and is such an easily walkable city. With several universities, Tomsk is also full of students, which gives the city a great energy. But what I most loved about Tomsk was that Aleksey lives there!

I met Aleksey in Israel through Couchsurfing , so when I realized that we’d be passing nearby his hometown of Tomsk I insisted that we make a detour to visit him. Because Aleksey is the coolest.

We were also really lucky with the weather in Tomsk. It snowed the day we arrived (bizarrely that was our first day in Siberia without perfectly clear skies) and then the sun came out to make all the freshly fallen snow sparkle! I mean, it was really cold – I think around -25°C – but I didn’t really mind because it felt so perfectly Siberian!

Tomsk in winter is just so magical, and while I definitely plan to visit Tomsk in the summer as well, I’m really glad my first trip here was a frosty one.

And then something super exciting happened! Remember when Dan and I found the ice slides in Ulan-Ude but didn’t have time to try them out? It was pretty devastating (I might have toned down my disappointment when I wrote about it , because I like to play it super cool on this blog). But then we found some in Tomsk! Imagine our squeals.

Also, are these not the prettiest ice sculptures you ever did see? I guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Siberians are so skilled with ice.

Aleksey also invited us out to his friend’s birthday celebration, which taught me some things about Russian culture. Like when Dan ordered a shot of vodka for the birthday girl and she looked at it in horror, shaking her head saying she simply  couldn’t drink vodka. And then everyone else refused to drink it as well, until finally one of the guys took it, but not without a big shudder. Way to defy stereotypes, Russians!

We ended the night at someone’s apartment talking about movies, politics, and poetry. Well, the Russians talked about poetry, and stared in disbelief when Dan and I admitted that neither of us has read any Pushkin. Sorry, Russia!

Now, thanks to Tomsk, Dan and I are already planning our next Russian adventure – hopefully in the summertime (though sadly not this summer). I just think Tomsk would be magical in the summer. Well really, I think it’s probably magical anytime of year. But Russians keep on telling us to visit Russian in the summer, so I think we definitely will need to return here then.

Where to stay in Tomsk

We stayed with Aleksey, but since I know a lot of you aren’t so into Couchsurfing I made sure to ask him for some other accommodation in Tomsk as well.

Best luxury hotels Tomsk

If you want a luxury hotel in Tomsk, stay at the Magistrat Hotel in the city center. It’s in a grand building and very luxurious, while still being quite good value. Aleksey said that this is the place to stay when you come to Tomsk! Check current rates and availability here

Best mid-range hotels Tomsk

If you’re on a smaller budget, then you should definitely stay at Abazhur Hotel, located in an beautiful old Russian wooden house in the center of town. This hotel has tons of character, lovely clean rooms, and is amazing value. Check current rates and availability here

Best Tomsk hostels

Alesksey recommended two hostels:

The Eco Hostel is supposedly the best hostel in Tomsk. It’s right by the river, the staff is amazing, and the beds have curtains for added privacy. They also have all female or male dorms, and private rooms.  Check current rates and availability here

Nice Hostel is also very, well, nice. They also have beds with curtains, a vibrant and clean design, and the all male/female dorms are the same price as mixed dorms (and slightly cheaper than Eco Hostel). Aleksey said that personal he would choose Eco Hostel, but if you’re on a tiny budget then Nice Hostel is also good. Check current rates and availability here

Read more about traveling the Trans-Siberian

Read about my other stops along the Trans-Siberian railroad through Russian here

Read about my time in Mongolia, and my trip from Beijing to Mongolia here

Read “Standing on the Deepest Lake in the World” here

When was the last time you fell in love with a new city?

Just so you know, the hotel links are affiliate links, so if you book these or any hotels through my links I’ll earn a small commission, at no extra expense to you – this helps cover the cost of running my site. Thanks, guys!

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jameela deen says

March 14, 2015 at 1:12 am

Wow the ice sculptures and slides look incredible. How was your backside after all the sliding? Can’t imagine the cold… brrrr let’s just say I’m a ‘like it hot’ kinda girl and I much prefer the 35 degrees we’re having today in Jeddah. On the other hand we can’t get ice sculptures here 🙁

Silvia says

March 15, 2015 at 2:35 am

Haha it was pretty cold on the slides – most people slid down them on their feet instead of bottom. But whoa, I’d definitely prefer it over 35 degrees!!

March 14, 2015 at 2:58 am

So funny to me as all the Russians I know (ESPECIALLY the ones from Tomsk) are always like… eh… Tomsk. Guess that makes sense as they were all the people who escaped to Moscow from Siberia!

March 15, 2015 at 2:36 am

That is awesome, because people we talked to in Tomsk were all really negative about Moscow. It’s good to know everyone really appreciates their homes at least! (But seriously, Tomsk is amaaazing.)

Jo-Anne says

March 14, 2015 at 7:38 am

Bloody awesome photos, really makes one want to visit there just to see these wonderful things

I’m still daydreaming about Tomsk – definitely worth a visit!

Justine says

March 14, 2015 at 10:03 am

Yay, I’m glad you included the map to track where you’ve been. Because sadly, my geography skills are not up to snuff for that part of the world. Anyway, I love this city already! How amazing that it has such old (and cute) buildings. And very cool that you were able to meet up with your old friend there. There’s no better way to get to a know a city than through someone who lives there. Ahaha, I love that everyone shuttered at the thought of taking a shot of vodka. How disappointing! But the fact that the night ended discussing politics and poetry. That seems so perfectly Russian 🙂

March 15, 2015 at 2:38 am

Haha honestly I need the map for myself too, to track exactly where in Russia I went. That country is huge!! I was pretty surprised at the hate towards vodka, but you’re right, the discussions of politics and poetry definitely proved that they were in fact Russian. I love how artsy and romantic so many Russians seem to be!

Rachel says

March 15, 2015 at 6:25 am

Woah, that slide looks awesome! And how pretty is Tomsk! I wish I’d given us more time to see more of Russia when we took the train across, it would have been great to detour off it to see places like this, ah well: just have to return!

March 19, 2015 at 4:15 am

There are so many places in Russia that I didn’t get a chance to see – it’s just too huge! Definitely worth another trip 🙂

March 16, 2015 at 6:37 pm

Nice! Our favorite places when we travel always end up being where we have the best stories of connecting with people. Next time we are in Siberia, we’ll have to check out Tomsk. If you are in Russia in the summer you might want to check out Petrozavodsk — it’s pretty close to St Petersburg, and has even more surreal white nights. And lots and lots of history (I suppose not unusual for that part of the country)

March 19, 2015 at 4:20 am

Thanks for the tip! I think I’ll need longer than just 30 days (which I get on the visa) to see Russia in summer – so many beautiful places!

becky hutner says

March 17, 2015 at 12:42 am

Silvia, your winter game is so impressive.

Oh you know I take winter SUPER seriously!

December 17, 2018 at 8:30 am

I’m in the middle of planning my Trans-Siberian adventure so this post is really useful – thanks! One question: what time of year did you visit Tomsk? It looks so beautiful in the snow!

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Testing Out the Best Translation Apps for Travelers

Did you hear the one about the traveler who told a Parisian waitress that he was pregnant instead of full? He could have used a good translation app. Here's what T+L tech correspondent Tom Samiljan uncovered while testing the latest tools throughout Europe and Asia.

Google Translate

How it Works: Google will generate a written translation for anything that you type, speak, photograph, or draw on your touch screen. For nearly half of its supported languages, it also offers audio translations — and the number keeps growing. Bonus: a new feature listens for two languages at once, providing the spoken and text translations for both sides of a conversation in real-time.

The Good: Google's translations are incredibly comprehensive — if occasionally clunky. For example, a French sign saying " Cedez le passage " yielded the English "You do not have the priority."

The Bad: When it comes to Asian characters, results can be nonsensical: on a Chinese menu, "eggplant with basil" somehow became "nine eggplant."

Number of Languages: 133, with 70 offering voice translations (at last count).

Off-Line Capability: Downloadable translation packs are available for 60 languages.

Overall Assessment: It may not be perfect, but we love the number of languages — and the price.

Free; Android, iOS

How it Works: Beyond translating typed and spoken phrases, this app lets you slow down (or speed up) the corresponding audio playback so that you can work on accurate pronunciation. You can also save translations for recurring reference by marking them as favorites or sending them to yourself in an e-mail. Tip: saving your translations in Evernote can help you create a personalized phrase book.

The Good: Translations were fast and accurate, and the time-saving ability to bookmark translations spares you from looking up the same phrase (e.g., "Is it spicy?") over and over again.

The Bad: Phonetic English spellings for languages with different alphabets — like Hebrew or Arabic, for instance — were nearly impossible to pronounce.

Number of Languages: Over 100 total, with 38 offering voice translations.

Off-Line Capability: Translate between 38 languages offline without language-pair restrictions.

Overall Assessment: Better for audio than text translations; too bad it doesn't support a larger number of languages with voice.

Subscriptions from $2.99; Android, iOS

How it Works: Hold your phone's camera up to anything written in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean and it will produce an English translation on the spot. The app stores a history of your translations and saves your favorites, so you can easily retrieve the directions to your hotel for a local cab driver. You're limited to 10 daily translations with the free app; upgrade for unlimited use ( $11.99 ).

The Good: The photo translation is the fastest and most accurate around. It had no problem identifying "eggplant with basil" on the same Chinese menu that stumped Google Translate.

The Bad: The interface is highly sensitive to movement and difficult to focus. Another annoyance: only being able to see a few translated words at a time.

Number of Languages: Three (more languages are on the way).

Off-Line Capability: Everything but the supplemental language packs works off-line.

Overall Assessment: Without the ability to translate English into any other language, you'll need other apps.

• 106 Years After the First Airline Formed, a Company Has Finally Made the Middle Seat Halfway-Pleasant

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9 best translations apps for travelers

The team at The Points Guy loves to travel, but now is not the time for unnecessary trips. Health officials note that the fastest way to return to normalcy is to stop coming in contact with others. That includes ceasing travel. We are publishing some travel guides because we should all use this time to think about and plan our next adventures. TPG doesn't advise booking trips for travel until later this year -- and even then, be mindful of cancellation policies.

Not multilingual? You don't actually need to be when using these handy translation apps that can help you read, speak and understand the local language wherever your points and miles take you. With voice, text and camera translation, these apps help break down language barriers -- and some even work offline when you don't have internet access. You'll be able to order food, hail taxis and communicate with locals by tapping your phone, for a stress-free, enjoyable experience when traveling abroad.

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Here are TPG's picks for nine of the best translation apps you can download today:

One of the most popular translation apps in the world, iTranslate has almost 350,000 ratings on both iTunes and Google Play — most of them with four and five stars. There's also a special version for Apple Watch. The basic app includes a phrasebook with predefined, useful phrases and translations in more than 100 languages. A pro version ($5.99 per month or $49.99 for a yearly subscription) features language packs to download and use offline, website translation (including a Safari extension), camera translation, voice-to-voice conversations (now available offline in four languages) and verb conjugations. Download the basic version for free on iTunes or Google Play .

Related: The 7 best starter credit cards

Google Translate

This app allows you to translate 108 languages by typing in a word or a phrase and offers access to 59 languages offline. You can use handwriting (where you draw text or characters instead of typing) in 95 languages. For camera translation in 90 languages, you can point your camera for an instant translation of, say, a menu. Two-way instant speech translation is available in 43 languages. Google Translate is simple to use too, with icons at the top you can click to draw, take a photo, speak or type. Download for free on iTunes or Google Play .

If you want to sound savvy abroad, TripLingo will help you communicate like the locals and understand their culture. Start by selecting a country (there are more than 100 countries, from Nepal to New Zealand, Senegal to Spain, Indonesia to Israel and beyond) and then downloading the pack for your desired destination. For example, if you're heading to Spain, you'll have a voice translator that will translate your voice into Spanish, an image translator, a selection of key Spanish phrases, a Wi-Fi dialer so you can make calls from abroad (you can add credits starting at $10), and even a section about tipping, safety and cultural norms to ensure you'll blend right in.

There are suggested phrases you can use for a little humor and fun, nightlife and even flirting -- all can be downloaded and accessed offline. A pro version with added phrases, a $3 Wi-Fi call credit, a free call to a live translator and audio lessons starts at $19.99 per month . Or, if you find yourself in a sticky situation while abroad and need serious translation assistance, access to a live translator starts at $3 per minute. Download the basic version for free on iTunes or Google Play .

Translate your voice into 90 languages and dialects with SayHi. The app allows you to record your voice and then translates it into the language you've selected. You can play your translation in the voice of either a woman or a man, and adjust the speed to your liking. If you're in a noisy environment, you can also type in the app instead of speaking into the microphone. The app is only available when you're connected to the internet through Wi-Fi or have at least a 3G data connection. Download for free on iTunes and Google Play .

Specializing in Asian languages, Papago translates between English and Korean, Japanese, Chinese (simplified/traditional), Indonesian, Vietnamese and Thai, as well as Russian, German, Italian and Spanish. Translations are available in the form of text and voice, and you can also have a conversation using the app in which two people can simultaneously speak and have the app automatically translate the respective languages. Photo translation, handwriting translation and offline translation are all available. There is a dictionary/phrasebook, too. You can download a special section just for kids. Download for free on iTunes and Google Play .

Microsoft Translator

Translate text, voice and photos between English and more than 60 languages with Microsoft Translator. The app is ideal for business travelers, with a multi-person conversation translation feature where you connect your devices and can actually speak with as many as 100 people at a time in different languages. The split-screen function lets you see a phrase while someone sitting across from you can read the translation. Language packs are available for offline translation. With translation guides and pronunciation help (the app is particularly useful for Chinese), you can also learn how to properly speak some of the phrases you're translating instead of relying only on the voice function. Download for free on iTunes or Google Play .

Waygo only translates from English to and from Chinese, Japanese and Korean, but it can be a lifesaver if you're stuck without Wi-Fi, as it's available entirely offline. The app is best used with the instant camera — just point at signs and menus and then see your translation. Foodies will find Waygo particularly useful, as you can go into the food picture mode after translating a menu item to better understand what you're about to order. The basic version includes 10 free translations per day, and the upgraded version, which includes unlimited translations, costs $6.99 for just one of the three languages or $11.99 for all three. Download the basic version for free on iTunes and Google Play .

iTranslate Voice

Similar to SayHi, this app translates audio into more than 40 languages, allowing you to ask a local for directions, tell a taxi driver an address or say almost anything you'd like in another language. You record yourself and then your voice is immediately translated into your chosen language. You can record someone's response in their language, and the app will then translate it into your language. You can also connect two devices and have easy back-and-forth conversations with someone who doesn't speak your language. The pro version comes with a custom phrasebook, unlimited translations and transcripts and no ads for $39.99 per year. Or, download the basic version (with limited translations) for free on iTunes .

Speak and Translate

If you're willing to pay for a translation app and are interested in translating less common languages, consider Speak and Translate, which translates to 117 languages for text and 54 languages for voice. It integrates seamlessly with iCloud, allowing you to sync your translation history across all your Apple devices. You can also change the voice speed and select the gender you want to read your translations. Download and pay $6.99 per month or $38.99 per year (a short three-day or seven-day trial may be included) on iTunes .

Related: New to The Points Guy? Check out our points and miles guide for beginners.

Getty Images/Robert Harding World Imagery

Magnificent in snow, but fun to be in at any time of the year, the university city of Tomsk boasts numerous examples of fine wooden buildings and has an animated cafe and art scene. The city has enjoyed the reputation as the ‘cultural capital of Siberia’ since the 1960s, when artists, writers and theatre and film directors were invited to take up residence here.

Latest stories from Tomsk

Dec 11, 2018 • 5 min read

Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar has spent 2018 travelling across Russia to participate in ceremonies at a couple of historic synagogues. From the eastern Siberian…

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Project Greenland / Spain 2026 Frequently Asked Questions

What is the payment schedule and payment options?

If you make a Provisional Reservation on Project Spain,  we will email you an invoice with payment option details when a payment is due. Payments can be made by credit/debit card or by bank/wire transfer.

Initial deposit due within 1 month of invoice date - 10%

*If a tour has limited availability, a deposit may be required within 3 working days of the invoice date ​

Stage Payment 1 - 20% due by 1st August 2024

Stage Payment 2 - 20% due by 1st August 2025

The Final balance of the total price is due by 1st May 2026

If you ma ke a Provisional Reservation on  Project Greenland,  we will email you an invoice with payment option details when a payment is due. Payments can be made by credit/debit card or by bank/wire transfer.

Initial deposit due within 1 month of invoice date - 20%

Stage Payment 1 - 30% due by 1st November 2024

Stage Payment 2 - 30% due by 1st November 2025

The Final balance of the total price is due by 31st March 2026

How do I book on a tour?

You can book on Project Greenland / Spain 2026 any time by completing the online Provisional Reservation form (click here) , or you can contact us by phone if you have any queries.

From the UK 01422 887110

From outside the UK +44 1422 887110  

Is a passport required?

You will need to have a passport for Project Greenland / Spain 2026.

Most countries require that a passport be valid for at least six months beyond the completion of your trip. If your passport expires sooner than that, you must renew your passport prior to travel.  

Do I need Travel Visas?

You must have all visas (and vaccination) certificates that are necessary to enter or pass through any countries involved in Project Greenland / Spain 2026.

Visa requirements are subject to change so please check with a Visa Service Company in the country in which you are located or you can check details online instantly with companies such as CIBT Visas . Visas can be obtained through the relevant embassy or consulate. General Note: Some countries refuse admission to travellers not meeting their accepted standards of dress or appearance (even if they hold a visa). Entry may also be refused to certain countries if your passport bears stamps or visas (valid or expired) for Israel.

Please note it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct, current visa information in good time before departure and that you act on it.  

International Flights and arrival/departure Airport Transfers

We can assist with flight advice from all worldwide destinations.

Flights become available approx. 11 months in advance of a tour departure or you can arrange your own International flights if you prefer.

Astro Trail work closely with Star Travel UK , for International Flight arrangements for our projects. Star Travel UK are fully IATA and ATOL bonded. For UK departures Star Travel UK will provide an ATOL certificate (an ATOL does not apply for non UK departures).

Please note : the meet point for any of our tours is the hotel on Day 1 (normal hotel check in is 3pm) and the tour ends at the hotel on the final day (normal hotel check out is 10am).

Airport transfers and extra nights at the group hotels can be arranged closer to the tour departure.  We will email details when these costs are available.

Do I need Travel Insurance?

It is advisable that you have Travel Insurance for any overseas travel arrangements and Astro Trails strongly urges you to purchase travel insurance before making your first deposit payment onto a project.

Travel Insurance policies are widely available and offer a range of financial protection for your trip. Health cover is obviously a necessity and we would also advise a policy which covers any loss in respect of non-refundable cancellation charges.

The policy costs and the extent of coverage vary considerably - a simple internet search will provide many alternatives and you are free to make your own choice. 

Travel Health

You will be staying in good, clean, regulated hotels and there is no reason to expect greater health risks than a journey in your home country.

There are no specific health or inoculation requirement for entry into any of the countries visited, but different authorities advise a range of protection which is available. If you have an existing medical condition you should contact your own medical practitioner for personal advice.

A useful general health advice website for travellers is the World Health Organisation   and there are also advice sites in individual countries.

Travel Health Pro

http://smartraveller.gov.au/guide/all-travellers/health/Pages/default.aspx  

Why book with Astro Trails?

Astro Trails is the latest version of a project which started in 1973 when Transolar Travel, a small UK travel agency, chartered a cruise ship to take members of the British Astronomical Association and their friends to observe a total solar eclipse off the coast of West Africa. David McGee, the owner of Transolar went on to run projects to follow the Apollo spaceflight launches from Florida, and from 1980 his brother Brian McGee took over responsibility for continuing the organisation of solar eclipse tours and he is still involved in the operation to this day.

Brian McGee is a familiar name to thousands of people who have travelled on the many astronomy projects he has organised since 1980, originally as Explorers Travel and subsequently as Astro-Trails. With expeditions to almost every total eclipse over the past four decades the track record of being clouded out on only two occasions has required more than just luck!

The itineraries for the projects reflect the active curiosity of people who join this kind of expedition and such people are always good travelling companions. Our team have many good memories of the people, places and events over the past 40 years and we look forward to joining you on many more.  

Will an itinerary change?

The long distances covered in these itineraries necessarily involve a number of journeys. All itineraries are based on current routes and schedules and will therefore be subject to change in the event of schedule or route changes.

You will be informed of any major changes when we become aware of them. Minor changes will be advised in your Final Itinerary approximately two weeks prior to departure.

*All prices are governed by the Price Guarantee in our  Terms and Conditions.  The Euro conversion Rate of Exchange used in this project is 1.2 for GBP prices and 0.9 for USD prices.

Do you have Astronomy Experts on Project Greenland / Spain 2026?

We normally have at least one Astronomy expert on each project. Our colleagues are chosen from a group of experts who have assisted us on many previous solar eclipse trips - see this section on our website for details of some past and present names and faces.

We do try to arrange a pre-eclipse briefing / gathering for the whole group wherever possible and if this is not possible due to the logistics of the tours, we distribute a handy Eclipse Information and Observation Guide prior to travel.  

Who are the local guides on the tours?

We work with a team of local guides and country specialists provided by our partners in Greenland, Iceland and Spain.

Their main responsibility is to make sure that all members of the group are well looked after and return home having had a wonderful trip with some fantastic memories. It is their responsibility to ensure that the tour runs smoothly and that all the daily logistics are in place and also to oversee the health and safety aspects of the tour.

We also have a core team of specialist Astro Trails co-ordinators who oversee the logistics of the project in its entirety and whom you will see from time to time on different parts of the tour, overseeing and co-ordinating arrangements.  

What Hotel Accommodation is provided?

The hotels used for this expedition are mostly equivalent to three-star standard but they can vary dramatically between places.

All hotel rooms provide private bathrooms. In smaller towns and in remote areas hotel facilities are more limited than may be expected in major cities, particularly in areas close to the eclipse track where there is a very high demand for accommodation.

We try to include accommodation which best reflects the local area in which we are travelling and aim for mid-range accommodation, with the key requirements being cleanliness, safety, comfort and a good location.  

Is it possible to share a twin room instead of paying a single room supplement?

Tours are based on customers sharing twin-bedded or double rooms.

If you book on a Twin Share basis, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, if there is no one to pair you up with on your Tour closer to final balance stage, we will have to charge you a Single Supplement.

On all tours we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room.  

What meals are included?

All Tours include breakfast, but other meals are often not included (unless stated). This allows you to try the cuisine in local restaurants and also to choose what and where to eat and how much to spend. Our local guides will often be able to help with advice on restaurants.  

What ground transportation is provided?

We charter comfortable, full size touring coaches for all land sectors.  

How many people are travelling on the tour?

Our tours are extremely popular and groups sizes vary in size with normally up to around 45 people on a coach.  

The Greenlandic summer peaks in July and August when visitors numbers are at their highest. Early summer’s warming temperatures and rapidly receding ice trigger the arrival of Greenland’s migratory visitors - including 60 species of migratory birds who come to nest, while the tundra becomes carpeted by wild flowers. Greenlandic weather is however very unpredictable and can change swiftly catching out the unprepared!

August is one of the hottest months of the year in Iceland—not only because of its weather, which can compete with July's warm temperatures, but also because of its cluster of festivals and events, with something going on virtually every weekend. The locals flock out of their villages to enjoy both.

From coastal landscapes to rugged mountains and cosmopolitan cities, Spain is a vast country with a largely Mediterranean climate bringing warm summers and cooler winters. In August, Spain is mainly hot, dry and sunny, with warmer temperatures on the Mediterranean coast and inland, and slightly milder temperatures in the north.

You can find full climate details via these links -

Observation sites

Scoresby Sound, Greenland

Siguenza, Spain

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Riding the rails between the future and the past

Tomsk also has one of Siberia’s youngest populations. Six major universities, including the Tomsk State University and the Tomsk Polytechnic University are located here, and twenty percent of Tomsk’s population are students. The streets of Tomsk contain some of Siberia’s oldest buildings, and the contrast between the faded architecture and the youthful students creates a powerful juxtaposition between the past and present.

Tomsk was first established in 1604 when a band of Cossacks was sent to build a fort on the Tom River. The settlement grew into the city of Tomsk which enjoyed a brief period of prestige as Russia’s most easterly border town.

As Russian explorers continued annexing parts of Siberia further east, Tomsk’s importance waned until the Sibirsky Trakt, also known as the Post Road, was built through Tomsk in the mid-18th century. Caravans laden with goods from the Far East traveled west along the Trakt towards Moscow. Tomsk boomed because of its location on the Trakt, and many of the city’s most beautiful churches and historic buildings were constructed during the age of the caravan.

In 1804, Tomsk became the administrative capital of the surrounding region, including the cities of Krasnoyarsk and Kemerovo. The discovery of gold outside Tomsk brought the city even more prosperity. In 1878, by order of Tsar Alexander II, Tomsk State University was founded and became Siberia’s first university. Other universities sprung up in Tomsk, and today the city is nicknamed the ‘Siberian Athens.’

Tomsk fell off the map again by the end of the 19th century, when the Trans-Siberian Railroad was routed through Novonikolaevsk, the town which became Russia’s third-largest city Novosibirsk, instead of Tomsk. During the Second World War, most of the factories in western Russia were moved to Siberian cities, including Tomsk. The rebuilding of Tomsk as an industrial center was a boon for the city, and the discovery of oil in the surrounding countryside during the 1960s got Tomsk’s economy rolling again.

While many places in Siberia experience a brain drain as young people leave for the economic potential in Europe, Tomsk has witnessed a slight population increase over the last decade. Today, this city of half a million is one of Russia’s intellectual capitals and makes for a great stop on the long train journey between the cities of Novosibirsk and Irkutsk.

Most of Tomsk’s main points of interest are found on the streets that follow the Tom River north to south. Start a walking tour of Tomsk at the southern end of town by exploring the grounds of the universities to get a glimpse of the city’s student life. While you’re there, take a stroll in nearby Lagerny Sad, a large park along the Tom River tucked away from the bustle of the universities. The park is located at the southern end Pr. Lenina, the city’s main drag.

If you want to learn more about the infamous Gulag labor camps that once sprouted up in Siberia, stop in at the Oppression Museum (44 Pr. Lenina), a former detention center managed by the NKVD—the Soviet secret police. Visitors here can take a chilling tour through the repressive times of the Stalinist days and even walk through cells where prisoners in Tomsk were once held.

From the Oppression Museum, take a peak in the Atashev Palace (Pr. Lenina 75) a former church turned home of a local businessman during Tomsk’s gold rush. The streets near the palace are some of the best places to view the city’s ornate wooden architecture. The first Siberian cities, most notably Tomsk, Tyumen, and Tobolsk, were all built from wood. Fires in each of these cities destroyed most of the historic buildings and they were eventually rebuilt from stone. Tomsk is home to some of the best-preserved wooden buildings in Siberia. The streets of Tatarskaya, Gagarina, and Krasnoarmeyskaya, located near the Atashev Palace, have some of the best examples.

Your next stop should be Ploshad Lenina, the city’s main square. Stop at the Epiphany Cathedral, constructed in 1784, and head west to the riverfront to see the Chekhov statue. While traveling across Russia, playwright Anton Chekhov stopped in Tomsk and described the city as ‘boring.’ The Tomsk statue of Chekhov portrays a parody of the famous Russian literary figure as a washed-up man with large feet viewed from the perspective of a drunk.

End your tour with a walk up Resurrection Hill northeast of Lenin Square where the original Tomsk fort was built. At the top, you’ll find a Catholic Church and the city’s History Museum which features a lookout tower.

Tomsk is also home to Europe’s most easterly football club FC Tom Tomsk . From their remote Siberian base in Tomsk’s Trud Stadium (15/1 Ul. Belinskogo), the team travels thousands of kilometers away to face off against other clubs in the Premier League. Watching Siberia’s best football club play a match is one of the highlights of a visit to Tomsk.

Other entertainment options include the city’s Philharmonic Orchestra (12a Ul. Lenina), the Aelita Theater (78 Pr. Lenina) for plays and concerts, and the Tomsk Drama Theater (4 Pr. Lenina).

Sayan Ring Travel Company , based in nearby Krasnoyarsk, can help book tours of Tomsk and the surrounding region. Prices vary depending on group size and length, but expect to pay between $40-125 per person for tours with a group of five people.

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