Carlsbad Cavern

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Antarctica

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Feel Chills at the International Antarctic Center

The International Antarctic Center in Christchurch, New Zealand is a fantastic way to experience the thrills and chills of Antarctic exploration without ever going to the land of snow and ice. As Antarctic holidays for many aren’t exactly practical, the facility can act as an excellent substitute. With several opportunities to learn about and appreciate the continent’s history and environment, the International Antarctic Center makes for a great stop on any trip to the South Island of New Zealand. Names like Shackleton, Scott, and Amundsen, along with so many others, have explored and studied Antarctica for both the betterment of science and the right to say they were the first to accomplish a particular feat. While noble, their lives were hard as survival was never ...

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See the American Museum of Natural History Come Alive at Night

The American Museum of Natural History is a must on any visit to New York City. Its great halls receive approximately 4 million visitors in a year, and it’s easy to see why once you set foot inside the museum and take a look around one of its 46 permanent exhibition halls. With all the various exhibits to explore it’s quite easy to spend a full day there and not be bored for a single minute. But one of the best experiences to be had at the museum is to follow actor Ben Stiller’s lead and spend a night at the museum like he did as a security guard in his two movies; enjoying late night tours of the museum, an IMAX show and even ...

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Central Park

The first public figure to champion the need for open green space within the city was Evening Post editor William Cullen Bryant. In 1844, he called for the creation of a large public park. Between 1853 and 1856, the commissioners paid more than $5 million for land from 59th Street to 106th Street, between Fifth and Eighth Avenues. Out of 33 design entries, the commissioners chose the Greensward plan by Frederick Law Olmsted, superintendent of the Park work crews, and Calvert Vaux, the British architect who had convinced the commissioners to hold a design competition. the area was rocky, swampy, and muddy. The soil was inadequate to sustain the trees and shrubs Olmsted and Vaux planned, so 500,000 cubic feet of topsoil was carted in ...

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Take in the Amazing View on Top of the Empire State Building

No visit to New York City would be complete without a visit to the Empire State Building. Presently it is the third largest skyscraper in the United States, behind the Willis Tower and Trump Tower in Chicago, as it towers over the city almost a quarter of a mile in the air. The Art Deco skyscraper draws an estimated 3.5 million visitors each year to the 86th floor’s observation deck for spectacular views of the surrounding city; Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and the famous Yankee Stadium are all visible from the Empire State Building’s 86th floor. The Empire State Building tops out at an impressive 102 floors, with a small enclosed observation deck there, but it is the 86th floor that’s ...

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A Night at the Opera, Argentine Style

Upset over the rule of Spain from afar, on May 25, 1810 the citizens of Buenos Aires, Argentina deposed the Viceroy Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros in the Revolucion de Mayo and took control of the government for themselves. On Libertad Street, 98 years later to the day, a symbol of the people’s independence opened with what is said to be a memorable performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida. And now, 102 years from when it first opened, and 200 years since the May Revolution, the Teatro Colon - the famous Argentine opera house - is set to reopen after nearly four years of renovation. The classical style of opera, translated as “work” or “labor” in Italian, is enjoyed throughout the world and in many different languages. ...

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Enjoy the Outdoor Gallery of Caminito Street

Gentle colors of red, yellow and green wrap the buildings. Tango is danced in the street. Cafes are stirred and casually sipped in local bistros. All along a street that follows a stream that flowed not long ago. It’s a pleasant scene, almost to the point of cliché, and a favorite spot among the locals and tourists alike. It is the open-air museum, tucked into the La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina, known as Caminito Street; a subtle rebellion against what was once a drab rail yard of a neighborhood that is sometimes credited with developing the famous national dance in the neighborhood clubs and brothels. An area reminiscent of the Italian city of Genoa, from which much of the population emigrated, the La ...

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Felucca Down the Nile Under the Shadows of the Great Pyramids of Egypt

A cruise down the Nile on a traditional Egyptian felucca (small wooded boat) is a treat that should not be missed in a country awash in historical fortunes. It is quintessential Egypt. Skimming across the surface of the Nile River as the sun sets over the Sahara Desert can create a perfect end to a day full of interesting experiences. The father of modern history, Herodotus, said that Ancient Egypt was the gift of the Nile. Without it, the fertile strip of land that runs through the heart of the country would probably be as dry as the Sahara Desert surrounding it, and the history that existed around it probably never would've happened. But instead, today, it is lined with a great many marvels of ...

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Uncover the Temple of Karnak in the Shifting Sands of Luxor

Perhaps overshadowed by the mainstream popularity of the Great Pyramids of Egypt, a visit to the vast Karnak Temple in Luxor brings you deep into the abode of the Gods. Known as Ipet-isut (the most selected of places), this conglomeration of ruined temples and chapels pays homage to the Theben triad of Gods: Amun, Mut and Khonsu. At 447 miles (721 km) downstream along the Nile River lies the Temple of Karnak, believed to be the second most visited site in Egypt. It’s easy to see why immediately as the temple imposes a grand and stately first impression. The massive open-air complex is filled with huge statues, sphinxes, temples, pylons and impressive hieroglyphics that are sure to wow. For a country that already has such ...

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Abu Simbel, the Temple Named for a Boy

Long ago, in 1274 B.C., there was a great battle in present day Syria for control of the trade routes through the area. As many as 6,000 chariots, more than any other battle in history, and 70,000 men clashed for control, and an untold number were lost. Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II claimed he won a great victory over the Hittite empire, but the true outcome of the battle is uncertain as Kadesh never actually fell. Still though, upon his return, Ramesses commissioned a great temple be built to commemorate what he considered his victory. What is left of that temple sits on what is now known as Lake Nasser; it is called Abu Simbel. A legend tells that over 2,000 years later a local boy ...

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Explore J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth on Mt. Sunday, New Zealand

The film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings novels, directed by Peter Jackson, brought an ardent rush of tourism into New Zealand. When the first movie in the trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring, was released in movie theatres in 2001, it ignited a general interest in touring film locations. The three movies are filmed entirely in New Zealand, and acted as a silver screen tourism brochure for the country. People began flocking to the various filming locations, spread across the two main islands of the country, in an attempt to further enjoy the Academy Award winning films. One of the more popular of these locations is Mt. Sunday, the film location for the Golden Hall of Edoras. Nestled in the mountains of ...

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Taste the Distinction of Time and Tradition at Bushmills Distillery, Ireland

During the American Revolution, whiskey was used as a form of currency. But it wasn't until the maiden voyage of the S.S. Bushmills in 1890 that the famous Bushmills brand made its debut in the United States from the shores of Ireland. As the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, the Old Bushmills Distillery has been in operation for more than 400 years, and has built a solid reputation for producing high quality Irish whiskey. As such, in Northern Ireland's Country Antrim, the Bushmills Distillery tour attracts more than 100,000 visitors annually, who come to savour the smooth whiskey and glimpse into the secrets of traditional distilling. The Old Bushmills Distillery was officially licensed by English King James I in 1608. Many believe, despite ...

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Examine Dinosaur Fossils at the Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado

Over the years, the earth’s shifting plates drastically changed the landscape of today’s Rocky Mountain region, and 14,000-foot (4,267 meters) mountains now tower above the land that was once a great sea. Today, the Rocky Mountains, looks nothing like it did 100 million years ago when the land belonged to the dinosaurs who roamed the shores of a sea that extended from the present-day Gulf of Mexico to Canada. What was once a beachfront resort and habitat for dozens of species of dinosaurs, including the great Stegosaurus and Allosaurus, now belongs to present-day tourism in the form of ski resorts and the great Dinosaur National Monument. The dinosaurs no longer walk the ground, but they still remain an imbedded part of the area as fossils ...

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Observe Spectacular Cultural Traditions at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Oahu

The Hawaiian Islands are home to many spectacular cultural experiences and attractions, many of which can be found on the island of Oahu—home to the capital city Honolulu. One of the best cultural experiences, which is also the top paid attraction in the state, is the Oahu Polynesian Cultural Center. Located in Laie on the north side of the Oahu just off the King Kamehameha Highway, the Polynesian Center opened in October of 1963 on 42 beautiful acres of land owned by nearby Brigham Young University. Today, most of the employees are enrolled students raising funds for University scholarships. Since the doors opened more than 30 million people have visited the Polynesian Cultural Center, and that number is quickly growing each year. The Cultural Center ...

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A Sandy Desert High in the Rocky Mountains

The Rocky Mountains are popular for their great ski resorts, but hidden in the Sangre de Cristo range in the southern part of Colorado is a unique experience where you’re more likely to find someone sledding down a sand dune than skiing. Camping, hiking and other such pastimes are also popular in the relatively unknown Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, a gem that struggles to receive 300,000 visitors a year. The Great Sand Dune's distance from the major Front Range towns like Denver and Colorado Springs helps keep it this way, making a visit an excellent experience that can be enjoyed without the hordes that are common at many of the more popular national parks. Located northeast of Alamosa, once a mining supply town ...

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Ride the Trail Ridge Road to the Top of the Colorado Rockies

The summer sun in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado offers some great opportunities for hiking and pristine mountain drives. One of the best driving experiences around happens to run right through and over the mountains in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Trail Ridge Road, also known as U.S. Highway 34, is a scenic drive with incredible views that make for an experience difficult to match. Running 48 miles (77 km) from Estes Park in the east to Grand Lake in the west, Trail Ridge Road traverses the roof of the Rockies as it hits a top elevation of 12,183 feet (3,713 meters) above sea level. U.S. Highway 34 also boasts the title of highest continual highway in the United States. Trail Ridge Road climbs a ...

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Enjoy Elevated Chills at the Ouray Ice Festival

Every January since 1996, international ice climbers have flocked to the Uncompahgre River Valley in southwestern Colorado for the Ouray Ice Festival. Nicknamed "Little Switzerland," the Colorado town of Ouray (you-ray) plays host to a premier ice-climbing gathering at the world's first man-made ice park. Exhibitors and spectators alike come to the Ouray Ice Festival to enjoy and celebrate the art of climbing up a sheer wall of ice (sometimes supplanted with rock, wood and plastic) in the Uncompahgre Gorge. It's an experience unlike any other. Sitting at the other end of the famous Million Dollar Highway from Durango, Ouray is almost equidistant from Denver, Salt Lake City and Albuquerque (all of which are nearly six-hour drives). It once was a booming mining town that ...

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Hatshepsut Temple, Shrine to the Queen that was King

The Luxor area is one of the premiere travel spots in Egypt, home to some of the best historical sights and experiences. There's so much to see and do here, from the Temple of Karnak to the Valley of the Kings, that it's possible to see several enjoyable days go by in the blink of an eye. One of the top attractions in Luxor is the Temple of Hatshepsut, also known as Deir el-Bahri, which is located on the west bank of the famous Nile River opposite the city. A Coptic Christian cemetery is just one of several uses this area has had over the centuries, and includes a mortuary complex for Pharaoh Mentuhotep II who reunited Egypt during the Middle Kingdom. The most notable ...

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Climb the Iconic Spiral of the Guggenheim Museum New York

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is a national historic landmark and a cultural icon. The Guggenheim New York is a work of art in its own right, and one that many come to experience for the great pieces of art it contains. At other nearby museums it's all about the art, but here the story is the building as well. Forget the likes of Picasso, Chagall and Kandinsky; the best experiences are about lounging in the shadow of Wright's beautiful building which overlooks Central Park, and walking down the internal spiral floor-by-floor. Outside, the Guggenheim Museum looks like a squat tornado of sorts, and was designed by Wright as a play on a ziggurat (a type ...

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Kick it in Kaikoura Whale Watching

Whale watching in Kaikoura, New Zealand is truly something special for those fortunate enough to experience it. Kaikoura whale watching is unlike any other whale watching mecca (whether it be Alaska, Baja or Antarctica), and should be celebrated as these huge marine mammals were once hunted near extinction here. Now, instead of hunting the whales, the town thrives on the eco-tourism industry of whale watching. Nestled between a range of the Southern Alps and the vast Pacific Ocean, about 180 km up the road from Christchurch, Kaikoura is now a welcome host to thousands of sperm whales. Cruises, flights and helicopter rides offer amazing Kaikoura whale watching experiences unlike any other, including lots of up-close encounters of these gentle giants, some of which can grow ...

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Explore the Magnificent Ruins of Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

Juniper and pinon trees blanket the earth in mountainous southwestern Colorado, an area with spectacular vistas high above sea level. Hiding behind these trees is the Mesa Verde National Park: a jewel in the US National Park Service crown. Recent forest fires have thinned the trees in the area, but the title of “green tableland,” as given by Spanish explorers seeking a route from Santa Fe to California in the 18th century, definitely still fits Mesa Verde Park. While the Park is named for its trees, it’s the ancient cliff dwellings inside that are more the attraction to Mesa Verde National Park. Ancestral Pueblo people inhabited what is now Montezuma County in Colorado around the 7th century. Also known as the Anasazi, a Navajo word ...

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Witness the Magnificent Monarch Butterfly Migration

The Monarch butterfly migration “is one of the most significant biological events that goes on on this planet,” according to University of Kansas biology Professor Chip Taylor. It is an awe-inspiring sight to see thousands, if not millions, of Monarch butterflies come to roost in the oyamel forests of Mexico and the trees of Southern California. They travel thousands of miles from the north, some coming from as far away as Canada. The migration is a beautiful wonder, and one that no other butterfly takes part in, which makes the trip of the Monarch such a special experience to witness. Each winter, as the temperatures drop in the north, the Monarch butterflies migrate south to the warmer climates, as well as sources of food, in ...

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Explore the Surrealistic Sculpture Gardens of Las Pozas

Las Pozas, which means “The Pools,” is an eccentric and surrealistic sculpture garden high in the rain forest outside Xilitla, Mexico. English poet and artist Edward James built Las Pozas because he “wanted a Garden of Eden set up,” and what he found on a visit to Los Angeles in the 1940s wasn’t to his liking. Instead, “Mexico was far more romantic,” he explained, and there was “far more room than there (was) in crowded Southern California.” In the lush mountains seven hours north of Mexico City, and about 2,000 feet (610 meters) above sea level, Las Pozas sits on 80 acres (320,000 meters2) that Edward James chose as the ideal location for his Eden. Initially, and over a ten year period, James planted orchids, ...

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Get a Gush of a Rush at Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park

The Old Faithful geyser is the quintessential Yellowstone National Park experience. It sits at the head of the Upper Geyser Basin, which is home to the majority of the geysers in the Park. Yellowstone on the whole holds more than 60 percent of the geysers in the world, but none more famous than Old Faithful. The Old Faithful geyser, named during an expedition in 1870, shows off the power of nature every 65 to 90 minutes, depending on the length of the previous eruption. An eruption can shoot up to 8,400 gallons (32,000 litres) of water 185 feet (56 metres) high. The internal temperature of the water has been measured at 244°F (118°C), with steam at 350°F. Old Faithful erupts about twenty times a day, ...

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Behold the Beautiful Bacteria of The Morning Glory Pool in Yellowstone National Park

There's so much to see and do in Yellowstone National Park, which is bigger than the states of Delaware or Rhode Island, that it would be easy to spend a week there and still not see it all. If you don't have a week, then some of the best experiences can be found in the Upper Geyser Basin in the southwest corner of the Park. All of the geysers, pools and wildlife make it a truly unique place to visit. One of the more popular sites in Yellowstone is the Morning Glory Pool, which sits at the end of a boardwalk trail that easily meanders throughout the geyser basin. The trail to the Morning Glory Pool begins near the parking and lodging area for the ...

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Get Apocalyptic at Mexico's Uxmal

The Yucatan Peninsula is commonly considered and visited for the warm beaches around places like Cozumel, Cancun, and Playa del Carmen. They’re great getaways that draw the sun worshipers looking to unwind, relax and have some fun; but it’s not all about the sand and surf. Visitors to the area can also explore ancient city ruins of the once powerful Mayans: a civilization that ruled a large chunk of present-day Mexico and Central America for thousands of years. The most popular of these sites is the nearby Chichen Itza; but just a bit further down the road sits its impressive cousin: Uxmal (Oosh-mahl)— an interesting and less crowded experience. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Uxmal, which is Mayan for “built three times,” is believed ...

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Feel the Cool Breeze Sweep Over You at the Cairo Citadel

The Citadel in Cairo, Egypt was built by military genius Saladin, the man who retook the Holy Land from the Crusaders, as a means to protect and unite the cities of Cairo and Fustat. He planned to build a massive wall around the two cities, using the Citadel as its centerpiece, but it wasn’t completed when he died in Damascus, Syria in 1193 A.D. The huge wall was ultimately finished in 1238 A.D. with the Citadel prominently set on Muqattam Hill, overlooking all of Cairo. Saladin knew the hill was a great strategic location for the city as it offered a great vantage point of the surrounding area. But it was here, long before the wall or the Citadel were built, that people gathered to ...

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Tango the Night Away in Buenos Aires

The Tango has many forms, from various national styles to ballroom and street styles. But no matter where it’s performed, the Tango is a very beautiful and sensual dance. The legs kick, the hips twist, hands slide over skin, it is an intimate experience shared between partners as they glide across the dance floor. And to Tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that floor can sometimes be a street where crowds will gather in voyeuristic marvel at the lithe rhythmic movements of a dance couple. Argentina is where Tango was developed, in the lower class districts and brothels of the 19th Century; the neighborhoods being predominantly Spanish and Italian in origin, like the La Boca area around Caminito Street. This is why Tango, and the music ...

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