The World's Best Vacation Destinations

Sedona

2013-01-14T22:43:00.001-05:00

Destination #13 : Arizona

2012-09-18T16:05:00.000-04:00

Sedona

Beach Day

2012-07-11T14:06:00.004-04:00

This is a Portuguese Man O' War. Touching it Would be a Bad Idea (Seriously)

Cabo San Lucas Early Morning Sunrise

2012-05-15T14:03:00.000-04:00

ATV Expedition Around BAJA

2011-11-27T23:10:00.001-05:00

Destination # 12: Cabo San Lucas; Mexico

2011-07-28T11:45:00.010-04:00

El Arco de Cabo San Lucas

Lands End

Destination #11 : Paris

2010-09-29T23:19:00.027-04:00

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

View from Montmartre (18th Arrondissement)

Destination #10 : Wisconsin

2010-04-08T18:08:00.018-04:00

The state of Wisconsin is known for two things ; beer and cheese (best when mixed with the Packers). Located in the Great Lakes Region of the Midwest, Wisconsin is bordered to the east by Lake Michigan and is separated from Canada by Lake Superior. Wisconsin farmlands dominate the dairy industry- ranking at or near the top in production of American milk, butter and cheese, which are heartily enjoyed on an almost daily basis by many Wisconsinites (leading to the "Cheese-Head" moniker). More than 15,000 lakes, 47 state parks, and 13 forests help to stimulate local tourism (random fact : in 1854 the Republican party was born here). While Wisconsin is justifiably famous for it's dairy products and the Green Bay Packers, there is in fact more to the state than cow-tipping and the almighty pigskin. The outdoor adventures (boating/sailing/fishing) off the rocky coasts of Lake Superior and Michigan are popular destinations and resemble the ragged shores of New England more-so than what most people would affiliate with the Midwest.

Milwaukee is a great place to have a beer with cheese curds (if you feel like stopping your heart, get them deep fried w/ ranch dressing) before you visit the world headquarters of Harley-Davidson. Green Bay is also an attraction that is not to be missed, people from this area are content with their football, their beer, and their dairy products. Most of the tourism revolves around the Packers and for good reason, The Packers have a long storied history and are often times a title contender. Lambeau Field (penned the Frozen Tundra because it gets really,really cold) tours are also a notable summer time attraction along with visits to the Packer Hall of Fame. Summers tend to be warm with cool nights whereas the winters are guaranteed to be frigid and snowy, especially around the Great Lakes where conditions can be classified as severe (temp. of -40ºF) or lower are common.

OshKosh (plywood capitol of the world) perhaps best known for OshKosk B'Gosh is also home to another notable attraction. Here, you can join the thousands of aviation enthusiasts who literary flock to Oshkosh every July for the EAA AirVenture Fly-In to watch a mind-blowing display of almost every imaginable flying machine ranging from home-built/ultralights to war-birds and supersonic jets.

Wisconsin's main claim to fame may be the fact that it could possibly consumer more alcohol (The university of Wisconsin is consistently ranked as a Top 10 Party School) and has a higher people-to-bar ration than any other state in the country. Wisconsin, where the men are men are so are the women....not that there's anything wrong with that.

Destination #9: Rome, Italy

2010-04-01T20:10:00.006-04:00

Rome is the capital of Italy and is the country's largest and most populated municipality, with over 2.7 million residents in less than 500 square miles. The city of Rome is located on the Tiber River in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula.

The Bridge of Angels

Rome's history spans over 2,500 years. It was the capital city of the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire, which was a major

politcal and cultural influence in the lands bordering the

Mediterranean Sea for over 400 years.

St. Peter's Square

Rome is the 11th most viewed city in the world, 3rd most in Europe and 1st in Italy. Its historic centre is homes to monuments and museuams sahc as the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum. Both are amongst the world's 50 most visited tourist destinations (the Vatican Museums receive 4.2 million tourist visits each year and the Colosseum receives 4 million visits).

The Colosseum

Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel

The Trevi Fountain

You Look Like you Need a Vacation...

2010-04-01T18:27:00.001-04:00

The Swiss Alps

2010-03-21T22:33:00.008-04:00

The Alps contain some of Switzerland's most dramatic landscapes, in a country that is already blessed with spectacular scenery and striking alpine vistas. Situated at the heart of the Alps, Switzerland shares the mountain range with France, Italy and Austria and provides winter and summer-time enjoyment for skiers, snowboarders, hikers and climbers. The Jungfra (German for "maiden") is one of the main summits in the Alps. Together with Eiger and Monch, form a prodigious wall overlooking the Bernise Oberland and is considered on of the most emblematic sights of the Swiss Alps. The North Face (of Eiger) towers 1,800 (m) above the valley, since 1935, at least 64 climbers have died while attempting to scale the north face, earning it the ominous nickname Mordwand (Death Wall).

Finsteraarhorn (4,274m) is the highest mountain in the Bernese Alps, however, the summit of this peak is far less frequented than those of the nearby Jungfrau and Eiger. This is mainly due to it's location in one of the most remote areas in the Alps, completely surrounded by un-inhabited and inhospitable glacial valleys.

Lyskamm is a mountain in the Pennine Alps which has gained a nasty reputation leading to it's nickname Menschenfresser (man eater). The mountain has gained this reputation because of it's many cornices (overhanging edge of snow) lying on the ridge and ubiquitous avalanches. The traverse consists mostly of a narrow, snow-covered ridge, with some scrambling over rocks, in bad snow conditions (or visibility) the ridge can be extremely challenging worsened from the large (sometimes double) cornices.

Europe contains some of the world's largest vertical relief available to mountaineers, including lines that exceed the scale of Himalayan routes. Tödie in particular, can be generally consisdered one of the most difficult lines in the Alps, including an almost 10,000-foot descent.

Destination #8: Switzerland

2010-03-17T00:47:00.012-04:00

Switzerland has a highly successful market economy based on international trade and banking. Its standards of living, worker productivity, quality of education, and health care are higher than any other European country. Switzerland has a worldwide reputation for the high quality of its export manufactures, which include machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments, and diverse high-tech products. Synonymous with international banking, Zurich has a financial and cultural importance that belies its modest size. The largest city in Switzerland, Zurich promotes itself as 'Downtown Switzerland'. The historic center is compact enough to be explored on foot.

Zurich is located on Switzerland's central plain, with the elevation rising towards the south and the Alps. Positioned at the northern tip of the Zürichsee (Lake Zurich), the city's fine lakeside promenades and expensive houses are prominent and can be spotted along both shores.

Zurich's most familiar sights are, without a doubt, the Fraumünster and Grossmünster churches, which solemnly face each other across the River Limmat. The Old Town spans this river, and some of the most interesting lanes and buildings are clustered along its banks. Ultimately However, tourists are primaroly drawn to Switzerland's Alpine climate and landscapes, in particular for skiing and mountaineering.

With it's spectacular scenery a popular trip is along the Glacier Express, while not exactly an express train in the sense of a high-speed train, but rather in that it provides a one-seat ride for a long duration of travel (Fun Fact...it has the distiction of being the slowest express train in the world.

The overall beauty of the scenery, and the world-class facilities offered to travallers by the general extensions of mountain railways, make the northern side of the Swiss Alps, the Bernese Oberland, one of the portions of the Alps most visited by tourists and experienced mountaineers.

Destination #7: Orlando, Florida

2010-03-04T17:20:00.004-05:00

Orlando can be considered the amusement park and resort capital of the world. Within a 10 mile radius there is Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World. Orlando is an incredible destination not only for children, but also adults.

Orlando is located in the central region of Florida in the southeastern part of the United States. The geography of Orlando is mostly wetlands, consisting of lakes and swamps. Orlando has a warm and humid subtropical climate and there are two major seasons each year. The first season is hot and rainy, lasting from the break of June until late September. The other is the dry season, October through May, that brings more moderate temperatures and less frequent rainfall. The area's warm and humid climate is caused primarily by its low elevation, its position relatively close to the Tropic of Cancer, and its location in the center of a peninsula. Many characteristics of its climate are a result of its proximity to the Gulf Stream, which flows around the peninsula of Florida. During the height of Orlando's very humid summer season, temperatures rarely fall below 70 °F and daytime highs average in the 90s. During the cooler seasons, humidity is lower and temperatures are more moderate. Average nighttime lows in January are around 50 °F and average daytime highs are about 72 °F.

The Orlando area is home to a wide variety of tourist attractions, including the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Holy Land Experience. The Walt Disney World resort is the area's largest attraction with its many facets such as the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and Downtown Disney. SeaWorld Orlando is a large park that features numerous zoological displays and marine animals alongside an amusement park with roller coasters and water park. Universal Orlando, like Walt Disney World, is a multi-faceted resort comprising Universal Studios Florida, CityWalk, and the Islands of Adventure theme park.

Relevant Traffic Summery

2010-02-25T16:03:00.035-05:00

In the ~ two weeks that our group has been tracking the blog we have seen some impressive numbers and want to thank everyone for visiting our travel blog. Also, if you have also been wondering about all this Qxwzzer non-sense you can click here to enlighten yourself.

Visitors Overview

Absolute Unique Visitors : 1,338

Pageviews : 6,920

Average time on site : 3:23

Total Visits : 1,338

Bounce Rate : 5.53 %

Traffic Sources

Direct Traffic : 25.19%

Referring Sites : 60.54%

Search Engines : 14.20%

Map Overlay

Our visits have come from... : 49 countries/territories

From Such Places As....

United States : 985 visits (41 States)

Avg. Time on Site : 4 :15

Bounce Rate : 5.23%

Pages/Visit : 6.50

Malaysia : 46 visits

Avg. Time on Site : 4:04

Bounce Rate : 2.17%

Pages/Visit : 4.04

India : 43

United Kingdom : 23 visits

Singapore : 17 visits (avg. time 2:19)

Spain : 19 Visits

Canada : 27 visits

Brazil : 18 visits (avg. time. 2:21)

Australia : 9 Visits

Italy : 8 Visits

Germany : 8 Visits

Portugal : 7 Visits

New Zealand : 3 Visits

Taiwan : 5 Visits

Romania , Sweden , Taiwan, Chili, Côte d’Ivoire the list goes on..

Things For You to Do

2010-02-25T15:32:00.003-05:00

Whether you opt to go in it or simply sit above it...theres something about the turquoise waters, white sand and refreshing breeze that has vacationers coming back year after year. There is no limit to the vast number of things you can both see and do. It can be the thrill of diving/snorkeling, or para sailing along Seven-Mile Beach.

Water-sports centers that focus on offering fun activities are located in convenient spots around the island (the main centers at major hotels) Depending on the location, these may include ocean kayaks, windsurfing, Hobie cats, wave-runners, aqua hikes, water-skiing or small sailboats. Avid windsurfers rate the four miles of reef-protected shallows off East end as the best location.

Red Sail Sports offers the best value in terms of exciting activites and diving/sailing trips, one of the most popular trips they offer is to Stingray City ; a 4 hour excursion that takes you to Stingray City, where you are able to play with Cayman's massive Southern Stingrays and discover the spectacular coral and friendly fish that are found in and around the shallow reef.

It's the best for a Reason...

2010-02-24T18:09:00.001-05:00

Theres no way around it...The Cayman Islands are a Divers ultimate mecca for a reason. The three islands are limestone outcroppings, the peaks of a submarine mountain range called the Cayman Ridge, which extends west southwest for the Sierra Maestra range off the southeast part of Cuba to the Misteriosa Bank near Belize. These island lack any sort of rivers or streams due to the porous nature of the limestone rock. It is this lack of runoff which gives the surorunding Caribbean Sea exceptional visibility, often times well over 120 ft.

Between the Cayman Islands and Jamaica lies the deepest part of the Caribbean, the Cayman Trough, which is over four miles deep. South of Cayman is the Bartlett Deep where depths of over 18.000 ft. have been recorded. All three Islands are surrounded by healthy coral reefs which lie at the top of dramatic walls and drop-offs close to shore, this all creates ideal conditions for diving and sportfishing.

Destination #6 : The Cayman Islands

2010-02-22T22:40:00.015-05:00

Nestled among the pastoral, turquoise waters in the Western Caribbean, lies the tranquil British Overseas Territory also known as the Cayman Islands. Comprised of three islands just 480 miles south of Miami, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman offer visitors a little slice of paradise.

Simply spectacular natural beauty, a vast wealth of activities and a wide range of points of interests can all be found on the largest and most developed of the three Cayman Islands. Grand Cayman is the home of George Town, the capital city, which happens to be a notorious stopping point for cruise ships.

One of the many alluring attraction Grand Cayman has to offer is Seven Mile Beach. With white sand stretching as far as the eyes can see, it has been constantly rated as of the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the entire Caribbean.

Rum Point is also an attraction that is not be missed, spend the day sipping on your favorite frozan concoction in a hammock on a beach shaded by the majestic Casuarina trees, enjoy a la carte meal or indulge in some of the finest fish and chips your taste buds will have the pleasure of ever experiencing.

Destination #5: San Diego, California (QXWZZER)

2010-02-18T15:02:00.012-05:00

San Diego is the second-largest city in California (Los Angeles #1) and the 9th largest city in the United States. It was rated the fifth best place to live in 2006 by Money Magazine and according to Forbes, the city of San Diego ranks as the fifth wealthiest in the country. The city of San Diego has a Mediterranean and Semi-Arid climate, characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters with most of the annual precipitation falling between November and March. The city has mild, mostly dry weather, with an average of over 200 days above 70*F and low rainful (9-12" annually). Summer temperatures are generally warm, with average highs of 70-78*F.

San Diego is has several sports venues, making it a perfect destination for any sports enthusiast. The National Football League's San Diego Chargers play at Qualcomm Stadium and Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres play at Petco Park. In the area there are also many other teams, including soccer, hockey, indoor football and several local colleges.

Elegant and sunny San Diego is truly a city with something for everyone. In town, a whole day or more could be spent in Balboa Park playing golf, touring the world-famous San Diego Zoo or visiting a museum. Just outside of town, Torrey Pines State Reserve offers a somewhat wilder terrain where visitors can view rare birds and the stately trees the park is named for. Children and parents love the city's wide range of family-oriented activities. From SeaWorld to the historic Gaslamp Quarter, there are events and exhibits to keep everyone satisfied. San Diego has a wide variety of fine and trendy restaurants covering all cuisines, world-class shopping and hotels that are both luxurious and affordable.

Greetings From Canada

2010-02-17T13:20:00.003-05:00

Snow Report (Whistler BlackComb)

2010-02-10T15:03:00.011-05:00

While this area has been known for some fairly frigid temerature extremes during this time of year (record low during Jan. -28 °C base temp (no wind chill), The weather as of late has been fairly balmy around Vancouver.

Currently the base temperature for Whistler has been a refreshing 5 °C, and only until you climb 1650M up the mountain does it start to dip below a wintery 0 °C.

Once you reach the RoundHouse Lodge (1835m), and the summit (2180m), the temperature is currently lingering around comfortable and pleasent -2 °C.

As the finishing touches are being put applied to the Olympic venues, Whistler BlackComb has been blessed with a record 9.9 metres of snowfall to date this season. Currently the snow base is around the three-metre mark and is primed and ready for the Olympics to start in only 2 days.

Qxwzzer !!! (What Does That Even Mean?)

2010-02-07T15:32:00.010-05:00

Speaking of Vancouver and Whistler...Rome Snowboard Design Syndicate Ståle Sandbech (age 16) will be competing in the Olympics this year.

Destination #4 : British Columbia, Canada (Whistler BlackComb)

2010-02-06T18:52:00.022-05:00

Let's say Hypothetically speaking your that certain type of person who, after going to gorgeous beach after gorgeous beach is now looking for a little adventure in the great outdoors? If your looking to experience the great outdoors as it was meant to be then look no further then this weeks destination, Whistler BlackComb. This majestic location could quite possibly be considered the best ski destination in all of North America, Whistler and BlackComb attract adventurous visitors year round from all over the world to Ski, Snowboard, Mountain Bike, Hike, Climb, Fish, and Snowmobile. Whistler attracts many extreme sports enthusiast and will be playing host to the 2010 Winter Olympics. Aside from its pristine outdoor offerings, it is also known for it's wild/lively nightlife and popular Apres-Ski slope gatherings. All together, Whistler Canada is a must visit ski resort for any serious/adventurous, adrenaline junkie ski and serious snowboard enthusiast.

Skiable Areas : 8,171 Acres

Top Elevation : 7,494'

Have you ever dreamed of Heli-skiing the vast mountains of Canada? Have you been wondering if you have what it takes to "Heli" ski/snowboard after watching/reading about it in movies and magazines? Well, stop making excuses and book the adventure of a lifetime and experience for yourself the immaculate/untouched/heavenly high altitude alpine powder!

Click Here For The Qxwzzer Video Of The Week

Destination #3: Hawaii (qxwzzer)

2010-02-04T13:48:00.015-05:00

Hawaii's natural beauty, warm tropical climate, inviting waters and active volcanoes make it a popular destination for tourists, surfers, biologists, and several other kinds of people. Due to its mid-Pacific location, Hawaii has many North American and Asian influences along with a vibrant native culture. The fresh, floral air energizes you. The warm, tranquil waters refresh you. The breathtaking, natural beauty renews you. Whether you're a new visitor or returning, Hawaii's six unique islands offer distinct experiences that will satisfy any traveler. Most of Hawaii only has two seasons; the dry season from May to October and the wet season from October to April. The summer temperatures remain in the upper 80s during the day and mid 70s at night whereas during the winter temperatures are usually in the low to mid 80s and rarely dropping below the mid 60s at night.

Hawaii is like no other place on Earth. It is home to one of the world's most active volcanoes and the world's tallest sea mountain. Hawaii is also the birthplace of surfing and the hula. Hawaii has a large variety of tourist attractions that include visiting the active Kilauea Volcano, taking helicopter tours, whale watching, going to the beach, snorkeling, surfing, bikiing, golfing or even attending an authentic Polynesian Luau.

What is Qxwzzer?

Destination # 2 : Cape Town South Africa

2010-01-28T00:28:00.010-05:00

Tired of the cold and dreary winter months? Why not escape to a warmer climate where you could be getting a tan on a beach instead throwing out your back shoveling snow or chipping ice off your car. If you’re feeling adventurous try Cape Town South Africa. Here, you can visit some of the most pristine beaches in the world. Due to the city's unique geography, it is possible to visit several different beaches all within the same day, each with a different unique setting and atmosphere. Cape Town is Africa's most sought after holiday travel destination. With mountains, vineyards, stunning nightlife hot spots, Chapman’s Peak and glorious beaches, this city is a must for any business traveler or holiday visitor.

If you’re a thrill-seeker looking for a little adventure try extreme cage diving where you will have the opportunity to come face-to-face with a massive great-white shark. It normally takes about an hour-of chumming and baiting before the first great white hones in on the bait with deadly precision.Once the sharks are around, a specially designed, four-man shark cage (which will float slightly below the surface is lowered into the crystal clear waters. Divers with at least snorkel or regulator experience, may enter the cage where they hold on to its inside ring still out of the water, waiting for the shark to approach closer. Most people who have already went diving with sharks, have fond these animals exude tremendous power and grace rather than instilling fear.Even people who may be initially wary of diving with sharks, would find it hard not to bubble over with enthusiasm and awe as soon as they remove their mouthpiece upon emerging from the water and the cage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3PluNR5lXs

Destination #1: Aruba

2010-01-21T12:19:00.006-05:00

Set just 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela, Aruba is the westernmost island of the Netherland Antilles. Here Spanish, Dutch and Caribbean culture blend together to give visitors a truly rewarding experience. Aruba is renowned for its white, sandy beaches on the western and souther coasts of the island, releatively shletered from fierce ocean currents (this is where most tourist development has taken place). The northern and eastern coasts, lacking this protection, are considerably more battered by the sea and have been left largely untouched by humans. The temperature of Aruba's pleasantly tropical marine climate attracts tourists to the island all year round. Temperature varies little from 80*F moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean. yearly precipitation barely reaches 20 inches, most of it falling in late autumn.

There are plenty of things to do in Aruba to keep tourists busy on land, on water, above the water and below it. The abundance of activities include windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, parasailing, scuba-diving, snorkeling, golfing, jeep tours, horseback riding, biking and hiking. There is also fun-filled night life with luxurious restaraunts, night clubs, and casino resorts. Aruba is the perfect destination for any vacationer.