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Why You Have to Pee in the Middle of the Night

2012-06-27T03:12:00.002-07:00

That glass of water you guzzled before bed isn’t the only reason you’re making a beeline for bathroom at night. Turns out, your genes are to blame, too.

ByDeborah Dunham

Let’s face it, nothing is more annoying than being woken up mid-slumber because you have to go to the bathroom. While you may chastise yourself for drinking too much wine with dinner and vow never to do that again, your urgency to pee may have more to do with your genes than how much you drank before bed.

MORE: Four Ways to Prevent a UTI

A team of Japanese researchers looked at the urination patterns of mice. What they found was that bladder muscle cells are often regulated by circadian rhythms, which is our internal sleep/wake cycle that can be influenced by our genes. A person with a normal circadian rhythm pees less at night so their body has time to rest and restore without being disturbed. But mice with an abnormal circadian rhythm peed just as much during the day as they did at night, according to the research published in Nature Communications.

The researchers also found that a specific protein, Cx43, which is found in bladder muscle cells and largely controlled by our genes, can determine how much urine your bladder can hold and how often you have to pee. The mice with lower levels of the Cx43 protein had to pee more frequently during the night, leading some to believe that our genes could very well be responsible for those annoying, have-to-pee 2am awakenings. Thanks, mom and dad!

Occasionally having to pee at night or even having to go once a night isn’t considered to be much of an issue, according to Beri Ridgeway, M.D., a urogynecologist at the Cleveland Clinic. “The issue becomes problematic when that happens two or more times a night—that’s called nocturia [or nocturnal polyuria],” she explains. “It’s waking with the need to urinate, and it’s so strong that you can’t go back to sleep until you empty your bladder.”

And while our bladder strength and capacity does change as we age, it’s important to find out what is causing those midnight disruptions. Dr. Ridgeway says that can range from sleep apnea to a small bladder, and yes, possibly, our genes.

COLUMN: Is It Just Snoring or Sleep Apnea?

“Down the road, we may be able to harness the [Cx43 protein] idea as a treatment,” says Ridgeway, “by regulating those genes to produce more or less of that protein, which can change the amount of urine that the bladder can hold.”

In the meantime, if your doctor has ruled out any medical issues, here are some tips that may help you get a good—and uninterrupted—night’s sleep:

1. Put down that drink. Reducing the amount of fluid you drink before you hit the hay is an obvious solution to urinating less during the night. In particular, watch out for diuretics such as alcohol and caffeine, which can actually increase the urgency to pee. Avoid them starting four hours before bedtime.

2. Alleviate leg swelling. Believe it or not, elevating swollen legs so they’re level with your heart a couple of hours before bedtime can reduce the urgency to urinate during the night. “When we lie down, we absorb all of the fluid from those swollen tissues, which then goes to the kidneys for urine production,” explains Ridgeway. By releasing that extra fluid before bedtime, you can reduce the likelihood of having to use the bathroom later on.

3. Get checked out. If you suspect that you have an overactive bladder, talk to your doctor. There are medications and even physical therapy that can reduce the frequent urgency to go.

4. Reset your internal clock. By adjusting your circadian rhythms to a normal and predictable sleep/wake cycle each day, you may be able to limit nighttime urination.

5. Step away from the salt shaker. Loading up on salt and eating foods that are heavy in sodium (think: frozen meals, cured meats and soy sauce) as well as protein and potassium can cause your body to store extra fluid and increase urine production during the night, according to Ridgeway. Your best bet? Avoid heavily salted foods, particularly at night, which is smart to do anyway.

6. Work it out. Exercise helps regulate your circadian rhythms, which is part of the equation for getting a good night’s sleep, notes Ridgeway. Working out also helps you lose any excess weight. That’s important since obesity is linked to poor sleep and sleep apnea.

Dos and don'ts at the Great Wall of China

2012-06-27T01:38:00.002-07:00

By Mark Orwoll, International Editor, Travel + Leisure

(CNN) -- One of the oldest existing man-made structures, more than 2,000 years old and a world-travel icon that ranks alongside the pyramids of Egypt and Stonehenge -- the Great Wall of China should be on every traveler's bucket list.

To make the most of your visit, take some advice from these dos and don'ts.

DO choose a section of the wall that's right for you.

Most travelers visit one of these sections from their hotel base in Beijing: Juyongguan (closest to Beijing but less interesting than most other sections); Badaling (close but crowded); Mutianyu (farther away but less crowded and set among gorgeous mountains); and Jinshanling and Simatai (farther away still, but perfect for adventurers). Note: Simatai is currently closed for site improvements.

Travel + Leisure: World's most-visited ancient ruins

DON'T spend less than two or three hours exploring the wall. You'll need at least that much time to get the true flavor of the centuries-old structure.

DO go in the spring or fall, when the weather is fine and the crowds are few. Summertime is often too hot, and winter can be treacherous.

DON'T forget plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat if you visit during the blazing summer. You'll need it all.

Great Wall much longer than previously thought

DO consider signing up for a day tour at your hotel's activities desk. It's the simplest way to go. Tours cost around $30 per person and include mini-bus transportation with an English-speaking guide and driver.

DON'T visit the wall on weekends or holidays, when it is most crowded. Remember, it's not just foreigners who tour the Great Wall. Chinese love to visit as well on their days off.

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DO visit either Badaling or Mutianyu if you have mobility concerns; they both have aerial cable cars. Mutianyu also has a ski lift, but only Badaling is wheelchair accessible.

DON'T expect clear skies. The awful smog that often afflicts Beijing can spread to the wall itself, lending a dull haze to the surroundings. If possible, do try to visit on a breezy day or after a rainstorm.

DO take a ride on the wild, mile-long toboggan track that leads down from the wall at Mutianyu to the village at the base of the wall.

DON'T believe that you can see the wall from space. Apollo astronaut Alan Bean said he tried to spot it, but that no man-made object is visible once you leave the Earth's orbit.

Florida's tourism gets a boost from a Brazilian invasion

2012-06-27T01:35:00.000-07:00

By John Couwels, CNN

Orlando (CNN) -- "Oi -- Sejam bem-vindos!" -- meaning "Hi, welcome!" -- is a Portuguese phrase heard more and more these days at Florida's tourist spots.

That's because Florida is the top U.S. vacation destination for Brazilians, who are taking advantage of a favorable exchange rate and low prices. Brazilians outnumbered all other international travelers to Florida in 2011, up 41% from the previous year, according to state tourism officials.

And there's no sign of this Brazilian invasion slowing down: The U.S. Commerce Department projects 1.5 million Brazilians will visit the United States in 2012 -- and most of them will head to Florida.

Floridians are used to seeing Brazilian tour groups marching through outlet malls and theme parks, usually dressed in matching T-shirts in single-file lines behind their leader. These Brazilian tourists are usually loaded with cash and ready to clear the shelves of the name-brand outlets. That's because even at regular price, many goods and services in the United States are much cheaper than in Brazil, where tariffs, taxes and transportation costs can mean higher prices.

"We [took] about 15,000 passengers on shopping tours, and they on average spend about $300 to $400 each person," said Claudia Menezes, vice president of Pegasus Transportation. And those were just the Brazilian tour groups visiting outlet malls and theme parks in South Florida and Orlando.

Menezes says she expects her business to double in 2012. That could be a conservative estimate as the United States plans to expand its global entry program, which aims to speed up the visa approval process for international visitors.

President Obama announced the expansion of the plan last week at a news conference at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. He said he hopes to make it easier for visitors from countries "with rapidly growing economies, huge populations and emerging middle classes" like Brazil and China to visit the United States. He said he wants the plan expanded "this year."

He said Brazil was "especially important for Florida" because it has "a huge population that loves to come to Florida ... but we make it too hard for them."

"We want them spending money here, in Orlando, in Florida in the United States of America, which will boost our businesses and our economy," he said.

It's a long process for many Brazilians to get to the United States: On average, people have to wait 76 days just to get an interview at the largest U.S. consulate in Brazil, in Sao Paulo. And with only four U.S. consular offices in a country that is bigger than the continental United States, a lot of Brazilians trying to visit the U.S. must travel long distances for their interview. As a result, many are opting to travel to Europe because the visa process is easier.

Menezes says her tour business depends on the United States improving its visa process:

"If they make it easier, it would be even more people coming here," she said.

On a recent afternoon at the Orlando Premium Outlets near Disney World, one of the hottest-selling items among the Brazilian tourists is luggage. They buy the suitcases, then stuff them with recently purchased shoes, clothing, bags and electronics until the luggage is almost bursting at the seams.

That kind of spending has translated into billions of dollars in revenue for the United States. In 2010, Brazilian visitors spent nearly $6 billion on U.S. travel and tourism-related goods and services, nearly 30% more than the prior year, according to a report from the U.S. Commerce Department. It's a trend that has been going on since 2003 and has, according to the report, "propelled Brazil up the rankings to become the fifth largest international market for U.S. travel and tourism-related exports."

Florida's retailers aren't the only ones getting an economic boost: Many of Central Florida's numerous theme parks have also seen a large increase in Brazilian tourists. Disney World says 2011 was a record-breaking year for Brazilian guests at its parks.

As a result, Disney hired 54 Portuguese-speaking "Super Greeters," most of them from Brazil, to assist Brazilian tour groups throughout Disney's parks.

SeaWorld Orlando has seen a steady increase in guests from Brazil over the past five years, says Peter Frey, senior marketing officer with SeaWorld Parks.

As a result, SeaWorld recently launched a website in Portuguese, and Frey says the company is looking to expand its Portuguese-speaking employees.

"We are offering classes for employees to learn the basics of Portuguese," he said.

Brazil's economy is booming after a quick recovery from the global economic downturn, and a new class of Brazilians is traveling and spending money, giving Florida a much-needed economic shot in the arm, according to Sean Snaith, an economics expert at the University of Central Florida.

"There is an emerging middle class [in Brazil] who has disposable income," he said.

Only a few years ago, Brazilian tourists were not always welcomed by shop owners in Central and South Florida, a tour guide said. Today, businesses are catering to these cash-laden Brazilian tourists.

Brazilians are also investing in Florida's sagging real estate market, particularly in South Florida, either for a vacation home or just as an investment. The prices in Miami are a bargain, compared with the prices in Brazil, according to Miami Realtor Cristiano Piquet.

"In Brazil or Rio, high-end real estate is around $1,000 per square foot, while in Miami, you can find high-end oceanfront property, like the Trump Towers, for only $500 per square foot," said Piquet, who gets 80% of his business from Brazilians. He has 75 agents.

"Brazilians love Miami, the weather is similar to Brazil, [it's] very safe ... [and there are] daily flights from Brazil to Miami," he said.

Diego Gasques from Rio de Janeiro, who owns two condominiums in Miami, agrees.

"It's kind of a vacation place for us," he said. "Of course Miami is a beautiful place, a lot of nice people around -- a lot of bodies ... it's a nice place to hang out to have some fun."

While Spanish is still the most popular second language in most South Florida businesses, these days it's becoming more common to hear, "Obrigada e volte sempre!" -- Portuguese for " Thank you, come again!"

CNN's Shasta Darlington and John Zarrella contributed to this report.

Rebels burn Timbuktu tomb listed as U.N. World Heritage site

2012-06-27T01:30:00.001-07:00

By the CNN Wire Staff

Bamako, Mali (CNN) -- Elderly men were keeping watch Saturday over Timbuktu's main library after Islamists burned a tomb listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The attacks Friday were blamed on Ansar Dine, a militant group that seeks to impose strict Sharia law.

The ancient city in Mali was captured by at least two separatist Tuareg rebel groups -- one of which is Ansar Dine -- in an anti-government uprising in the northern part of the country that began in January.

The rebels burned the tomb of a Sufi saint where people come to pray, said Sankoum Sissoko, a tour guide familiar with the place. He said the library and other heritage sites remained under threat.

Baba Haidara, a member of the National Assembly, called for UNESCO and the greater international community's help restoring the shrine and freeing the city.

"They attacked the grave, broke the doors and windows and ripped and burned pieces of white clothing that surrounded the tomb of the saint in front of everyone," said Haidara, who is from the central Mali city. "With their attack, the militants touched the heart of Timbuktu. They picked Friday because they know many people visit the shrines on this day."

Sufism is a mystical dimension of Islam, and Islamists believe Sufi shrines are sacrilegious. As such, they have mounted attacks against Sufi sites in several nations.

Sissoko said the attackers were dressed in signature Ansar Dine black robes and turbans. Timbuktu residents, he said, were ready to take up arms against the rebels, who have been linked to al Qaeda.

Religious leader Baba Cheick Sekou said the occupying rebel groups have no respect for Timbuktu's religious and historic importance.

Sekou said he feared for the protection of the prestigious Koranic Sankore University and ancient manuscripts that are kept there, as well as other tombs and mosques of historic significance.

"All Muslims know the tomb is a holy place," he said. "It's not something you attack and destroy. It's anti-Islamic. People in the community are angry."

Haidara described the shrine situation as bad.

Read also: Mali's treasure at risk from uprising

"The young people of Timbuktu have started training to resist the militants, and I fear people will seek revenge," he said.

Timbuktu Mayor Ousmane Halle said the attackers tore down windows and wooden gates at the grave sites and burned them. Tensions were high in the city, he said.

"People are angry, and for a good reason," Halle said.

"So far there's been no response from the central government condemning the attack," he said. "I'm still waiting for them to give a declaration. That's what they would have done if it happened in (Mali's capital city of) Bamako."

To many, Timbuktu conjures a distant and exotic place due its location on the southern edge of the vast Sahara and accounts of great material and scholarly wealth.

Known as the "city of 333 saints" for the Sufi imams, sheiks and scholars buried there, Timbuktu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988. UNESCO is a United Nations cultural organization.

See the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites

After the ouster of Moammar Gadhafi, armed Tuaregs who had been fighting in Libya streamed back across the border into Mali. In March, the ongoing Tuareg revolt sparked a military coup against Mali President Amadou Toumani Toure by officers unhappy with the government's handling of the rebellion.

The rebels capitalized on the chaos in Bamako, in southern Mali, and usurped large swaths of territory in the north. UNESCO grew gravely concerned about the protection of heritage sites.

UNESCO chief Irina Bokova has called for all groups to respect and protect the city's history.

"Timbuktu's outstanding earthen architectural wonders that are the great mosques of Djingareyber, Sankore and Sidi Yahia must be safeguarded," she said.

"Along with the sites' 16 cemeteries and mausolea, they are essential to the preservation of the identity of the people of Mali and of our universal heritage."

Islamists destroyed another world heritage site in 2001 when the Taliban used dynamite to blow up two giant 6th century statues of Buddha carved into the cliffs of Bamiyan in central Afghanistan.

In a recent report, Human Rights Watch accused the Tuareg rebels of war crimes, including rape, use of child soldiers, summary executions and pillaging of hospitals, schools, aid agencies and government buildings.

Journalist Katarina Hoije contributed to this report.

Best affordable beach resorts

2012-06-27T01:27:00.000-07:00

Travel + Leisure

Escapism looks a little different for everyone, but we can all agree that a reasonable price tag spells relaxation almost as much as a hammock and a cold one. So we've rounded up our favorite affordable beach resorts worldwide, each checking in between $50 and $250 per night.

After all, a beach vacation isn't rocket science. The three key ingredients are simple: sun, sand, surf. It's not all about the tanning butlers or 12-course molecular gastronomy tasting menus or the flat-screen pool-cabana entertainment systems. And it certainly isn't about watching your bank account wash out to sea.

See more affordable beach resorts

B Ocean, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Free iPad rentals, white-on-white leather furnishings, cute naming conventions (B Active gym, B Nourished restaurant)—sound familiar? If it weren't for the rates, you could mistake this hotel for a pricer single-letter chain (cough, W, cough). But we love how the 240-room B Ocean does affordable without nickel-and-diming guests. Wi-Fi is free, ocean views are standard, and spa services are a bargain.

Cost: From $189.

Don't miss: The self-serve Enomatic wine machine lets guests sample their way through a number of vintages. -- Colleen Clark

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Fishing Lodge Cap Cana, Dominican Republic

Just 10 minutes from Punta Cana airport on the new 33,000-acre Cap Cana development, this hotel is the ideal family getaway. You can swim right out of many of the 299 Mediterranean-style villas, which all have kitchens, sofa beds, and either a balcony or patio. Horseback riding, paintball, sailing, fishing, and the Jack Nicklaus--designed Punta Espada Golf Course are in easy reach.

Cost: From $198.

Don't miss: There's no direct beach access because the lodge is situated around a marina. The upside is that you get to take a fun, two-minute boat ride to reach a private stretch of sand. -- Colleen Clark

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Magdalena Grand Beach Resort, Tobago

Although it's situated in a gated luxury community of golf courses and vacation homes, there's an untouched beauty to the surrounding nature trails and mangrove forests. That means guests at Magdalena Grand Beach Resort enjoy the thrills of back-to-nature adventure combined with the perks of a large resort development. All 178 rooms have marble baths, high-def flat screens, and ocean-view balconies.

Cost: From $210.

Don't miss: Little ones can learn about Tobago's leatherback, hawskbill, and green turtles at the complimentary Kids Club, while parents score downtime at the adults-only pool. -- Colleen Clark

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Mancora Marina Hotel, Peru

Mention Peru, and most people think of Machu Picchu. But the country's northern Pacific coast beaches are becoming hot spots for surfers and sun-worshippers. Many congregate at this new hotel from architect Jordi Puig. In the main building's stacked wooden cubes, floor-to-ceiling glass walls bring light and views of the vibrant landscape in to stark white modernist rooms. Steps lead down to a 90-foot infinity pool stretching toward the ocean.

Cost: From $185.

Don't miss: Go whale- and dolphin-watching or deep-sea fishing on the hotel's private yacht. -- Colleen Clark

Stokkoya Sjosenter, Norway

Husband-and-wife sheep farmers converted this windswept curve of the Norwegian coast into an architectural landmark. Domes light underground bunkers carved into the landscape, each decorated with modern and vintage pieces, hand-painted murals, and art installations. Floor-to-ceiling glass entrances look out on Hosnasand Beach and the distant Halten lighthouse. And most days end with a soak in the barrel-like, wood-heated hot tubs.

Cost: From $112.

Don't miss: The catch of the day. Co-owner Roar Svenning used to be a scallop and sea urchin diver; he sources quality seafood for shockingly reasonable prices in the glass-fronted Beach Bar. -- Colleen Clark

Le Rêve, Playa del Carmen, Mexico

An unpaved maze of roads leads the way to Le Rêve, an intimate, 25-suite boutique property with more romance and charm than its neighboring mega-resorts combined. Couples hang out in private hammocks by the garden suites, accented with colorful, locally sourced Mexican tiles. Bungalows come with private plunge pools overlooking a generous stretch of ocean. Snorkeling gear is on the house.

Cost: From $210.

Don't miss: Chef Mario Kauil offers a Mayan tasting menu that must be booked one night in advance. Give him your preferences, and Kauil will head for the farmers' markets to create a one-of-a-kind meal. -- Nikki Goldstein

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El Sitio Hotel, Panama

Surfers are no longer the only ones lured to Panama's Pacific beaches. Boldface names like Angelina Jolie have been spotted in the Pacific village of Pedasí, four hours from Panama City. That's where you'll find the rustic-but-stylish El Sitio Hotel. Accommodations range from rooms with bunk beds to oceanfront suites with private balconies; whitewashed walls, ceiling fans, and dark wood furnishings are a theme throughout.

Cost: From $99.

Don't miss: Surfing at Playa Venao, where conditions favor even beginners, and snorkeling around the marine park of Isla Iguana.

Pousada Patacho, Porto de Pedras, Brazil

Visiting the rustic beach towns in Brazil's northeastern state of Alagoas feels like uncovering a fantastic secret (most tourists still head south to Bahia). Around São Miguel dos Milagres, the white-sand beaches are dotted with crystalline tide pools. The nearby light-filled Pousada Patacho beckons with five intimate, whitewashed rooms amid coconut palms and vine-draped terraces.

Cost: From $190.

Don't miss: Day-tripping throughout Alagoas. In the oyster-farming community of Vila Palateia, you can try bivalves plucked straight from the mangrove lagoon. -- Kevin Raub

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Akaryn Samui, Koh Samui, Thailand

There's a gentle elegance to Akaryn Samui's villas. Four-poster beds with 400-thread-count linens rest beneath whirring vintage-style fans. Sea breezes drift off of Hanuman Bay to your private garden and plunge pool. If you can rouse yourself from your outdoor daybed, there are sunrise and sunset yoga classes, a holistic spa, a boutique, and a tea salon.

Cost: From $208.

Don't miss: Head to a local market with the chef and learn how to shop for and cook some of the hotel's Thai specialties. -- Colleen Clark

Travel + Leisure: See more affordable beach resorts

Nora Ephron, RIP: Tom Hanks, Nicole Kidman, Billy Crystal and More Mourn Writer-Director's Death Read more: http://www.eonline.com/news/nora_ephron_rip_tom_hanks_nicole_kidman/326263#ixzz1yyeL4Fnm

2012-06-27T00:41:00.001-07:00

by NATALIE FINN

Nora Ephron directed, produced and wrote for some of Hollywood's most beloved entertainers—and she was just as beloved in return.

"I am very sad to learn of Nora's passing," Billy Crystal said upon learning of the prolific writer-filmmaker's death today from cancer at 71. "She was a brilliant writer and humorist. Being her Harry to Meg's Sally will always have a special place in my heart. I was very lucky to get to say her words."

Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail star Tom Hanks offered a similar sentiment—as have so many others.

MORE: Nora Ephron, Sleepless in Seattle Director, Dead at 71

"Nora Ephron was a journalist/artist who knew what was important to know; how things really worked, what was worthwhile, who was fascinating and why," Hanks and wife Rita Wilson said in a statement to E! News. "At a dinner table and on a film set she lifted us all with wisdom and wit mixed with love for us and love for life. Rita and I are so very sad to lose our friend who brought so much joy to all who were lucky enough to know her..."

Nicole Kidman, who starred in the Ephron-directed Bewitched, stated that her late friend was a "joy to be around."

"She was so smart, warm and funny," she continued. "I am so grateful that she was my friend and we had the opportunity to work together. My thoughts and love are with her family at this time. I will never forget the dinners, games and laughter we all shared."

"Nora just looked at every situation and cocked her head and thought, ‘Hmmmm, how can I make this more fun?' " Meryl Streep wrote in an email to the New York Times. "You could call on her for anything: doctors, restaurants, recipes, speeches, or just a few jokes, and we all did it, constantly. She was an expert in all the departments of living well."

And, of course, the tributes have been pouring in via Twitter.

MORE: Original Goodfella Henry Hill Dead at 69

Read more: http://www.eonline.com/news/nora_ephron_rip_tom_hanks_nicole_kidman/326263#ixzz1yyeUsdkQ

Alan Cumming: "So sad to hear about the death of Nora Ephron. I worked with her recently and she was kind and funny and fascinating."

Sarah Silverman: "I just heard about Nora Ephron. I'm so sad. A great & prolific writer, a warm & kind soul. Gone just like that."

Kerry Washington: "@thinkprogress: "Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim" — Nora Ephron ‪#rip."

Kevin Nealon: "Auditioned for Nora Ephron 20 yrs ago. Didn't get the part but she sent me a thank you note. I'll always remember that and you, Nora."

Kelly Ripa: "RIP Nora Ephron. You will be missed."

Albert Brooks: R.I.P Nora Ephron. A witty, charming, lovely person.

Elijah Wood: "terrible to hear of Nora Ephron's passing. may she rest in peace."

Joe Mantegna: "My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Nora Ephron at the news of her passing. Especially to her husband and my friend Nick." (Ephron was married to Wise Guy author Nick Pileggi.)

MORE: Paris, La Toya, Randy Jackson tweet Michael Jackson memories on anniversary of his death

Juliette Lewis: "So sad to hear bout Nora Ephron. We did a movie called 'Mixed Nuts' when I was 20. She was funny intelligent and loving. One of a kind."

Shonda Rhimes: "'I try to write parts for women that are as complicated and interesting as women actually are.' —Nora Ephron"

Colin Hanks: Nora Ephron was devastatingly funny, extremely witty, and was ALWAYS one of the kindest people I have ever met.

Soleil Moon Frye: "'I always read the last page of a book first so that if I die before I finish I'll know how it turned out.' RIP Nora Ephron."

Ron Howard: "RIP Nora Ephron brilliant gracious and FUNNY"

Justin Timberlake: "R.I.P. Nora Ephron... Funny, charming, witty, full of heart, and one of the greatest who put it all down in timeless, quotable classics."

Bette Middler: "Nora Ephron. The Hostess with the Mostest on the Ball. A brilliant soul, and we will all miss her so...."

Kristen Schaal: "Nora Ephron was wonderful. She was kind to me and she will be missed."

Andie MacDowell: "In my sex fantasy nobody ever loves me for my mind....'Nora Ephron ' NORA we loved everything about you and we will miss you."

Steve Martin: "She was the one you wanted to read, to listen to, to be in the company of. Nora Ephron. Incomparable wit; delightful friend. Sadness reigns."

GALLERY: Nora Ephron's Movies

Read more: http://www.eonline.com/news/nora_ephron_rip_tom_hanks_nicole_kidman/326263#ixzz1yyeZI3y7

10 MOST HATED CITY

2012-06-26T03:27:00.000-07:00

They're not the worst cities in the world, they're the best at bugging people. Introducing the places guaranteed to swing your mood southward

By Jordan Rane

Last week we got all loved-up with our ranking of the most loved cities in the world. This week we're feeling cranky. However, the worst thing that could ever be said about a city is not that it merits “top 10 most hated” status.No, the worst thing that could ever be said about a city is that it’s not even worth discussing.Say what you like about these 10 places (and lots of people do), they all prompt conversation. OK, plenty of critical conversation according to our findings, but we mean that in the most positive light.So let’s re-name this one “10 cities travelers most love to hate” -- and secretly hope that they remain, if not “awfully beautiful,” at least “beautifully awful” to some degree.Because who really wants a world full of Vancouvers and Stockholms?

10. Belize City, Belize

Hate Belize? No no no. I'd just prefer to be somewhere else.

Few tropical outposts less than a three-hour flight from Dallas have spawned as many alluring Sunday travel section taglines as Belize -- a diving and cruise ship magnet that has been dubbed “Central America Lite,” “theother Caribbean” and “the gateway to the world’s second largest barrier reef.”With all that warm press and tourist traffic passing through, you’d expect Belize City to have kicked its nagging reputation as the sorriest port o’ call on either edge of the Caribbean.Crime. Drugs. Dilapidation. Welcoming committees of bored, desperate touts. A vibe that screams avoid-being-out-after-dark-and-wait-for-your-real-itinerary-to-begin. Belize City has it all.When your own Director of Tourism owns that Belize’s main transport hub is “consistently rated as the worst destination” among cruise passengers, something more than the city’s famous swing bridge may need adjusting.Until then, it’s full speed to the puddle jumpers and water taxis.Also on CNNGo: 10 of the world's most hated airports

9. Cairo, Egypt

Not good enough to like, not bad enough to avoid.

There are other cities coping with even more crippling air pollution, maniacal driving, ridiculous traffic, overpopulation and post-revolution stress -- though not too many, and none we can think of that travelers would ever put very high on a sightseeing list.Cairo, of course, impels us to come anyway -- which naturally breeds some resentment.Home of the world’s last remaining ancient Wonder and an incomparable wealth of history and antiquities that rank high on any serious globetrotter’s bucket list, visitors these days are forced to turn more than just a blind lung to a recent World Health Organization report that equates breathing in this city with smoking a pack a day. “Avoid the crowds and protests and it should be fine otherwise,” advises one recent visitor on Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree.“We can't predict what will happen, but keep your ear to the ground and you should be OK,” hedges another.It needs to be asked: Was modern Cairo really what Pharaoh Khufu had in mind in his 5,000 Year Plan?

8. New Delhi, India

These guys aren't even the hawkers -- they're the hawkees.

Travel scams happen everywhere. But few cities fuel as much lengthy discussion and strategizing about them as India’s sprawling capital -- arguably the world’s favorite place for travel forum junkies to dish on their favorite travel forum topic:How to avoid getting fleeced outside the airport, at the train station, at your hotel and everywhere in between.“There are plenty of cons to be aware of,” blogs TravBuddy in a post entitled "Scam City: Delhi’s Tourist Hustles and How To Avoid Them," which lists several popular ones by name: The "Government Tourist Office" scam; The "Hotel Commission" scam; The "Fake Train Station" scam; The "Airport Transfer" scam, etc.Learn these. Commit them to memory. Then go out and freely soak in the opulence of New Delhi, the breathless chaos of Old Delhi -- the otherworldly extremeness of it all, knowing that your street savvy is really no match for a place that makes New York look prenatal.“Avoiding scams and touts in Delhi,” posts travel community site, traveldudes.org, “the chances are really high that you will be scammed anyway.”

7. Jakarta, Indonesia

Jakarta: great, if frustration is your favorite emotion.

Jakarta isn’t nicknamed “The Big Durian” (thorny, odorous fruit you might actually enjoy if you give it a chance) for nothing.“It is a very demanding city from a traveler’s perspective, full of surprises and awaiting difficulties,” notes one TripAdvisor expat who came to love Jakarta after six months. “Once you get to know it, you can’t have enough of it.”The obvious snag. Indonesia’s 8 million annual tourists arriving at this springboard to Bali, Yogyakarta, Sumatra -- anywhere but here -- spend on average 7.84 days in Indonesia according to a 2011 study by the country’s Central Bureau for Statistics.How long will it take most visitors to decide they haven’t enough time to gain an insider’s appreciation about this sprawling city choked with traffic, pollution, poverty and tourist “draws” largely revolving around random street adventures and an epidemic of malls?About 7.84 seconds.

6. Lima, Peru

Lima: world's biggest victim of faint praise.

Latin America’s fifth-largest metropolis may be marginally cleaner than Mexico City, somewhat safer than Sao Paulo and way more beach-friendly than La Paz, yet Lima continues to quietly suffer from the worst, if well-meaning, curse in travel circles: being constantly described as a place that’s not nearly as dull as everyone else keeps saying it is.“If you’re prepared to delve into the nooks and crannies of this massive city, then you can find plenty to admire,”blogs one Lima supporter, after delivering the mortal blow that “most people that I’ve spoken to about Peru don’t really rate Lima. It’s ugly, it’s boring, it’s not traditional enough, are the main complaints I’ve heard.”“Who knew we'd love Lima so much?” opines another blogger. “My Spanish teacher said it was boring. Lonely Planet didn't make it sound exciting. Others yawned through it -- but four times wasn't enough Lima for me!”“For much of the year, a smog hangs over Lima. The city looks washed out and monochrome. When you combine this with years of news (and rumors) about Lima being unsafe, shabby or just plain boring,” opines Time Out in itsdefense of Lima, it’s no wonder people overlook “Latin America’s best-kept secret.”Blame it on that herd mentality, but until Lima’s staunchest fanbase stops going on about how everyone else mistakenly finds the place insufferable, it’s a one-way ticket to Machu Picchu, please.

5. Los Angeles, United States

Los Angeles. Or should that be Lots Angry?

To clarify, we’re talking about the one in California. Not Los Angeles, Texas (pop. 20), a little spot near San Antonio that adopted the name in 1923 as an unsuccessful promotional stunt. Nobody you know has anything bad to say about that place.Not so for this center-less megalopolis sloppily carved into about 90 sub-cities, over 20 ailing freeways, countless area codes and a half-million strip malls with mediocre Thai food. How did a semi-arid desert without a decent water supply get so huge -- and so hugely disliked?Stealing water didn’t help, but that was a long time ago.“When you get there, there is no there, there,” says one of many underwhelmed L.A. bashers on quora.com, who adds that tourist traps like Hollywood are a total bummer.So are earthquakes, race riots, traffic pileups, smog reports, constant sirens and the irksome sense that people who live here are okay with all of that because the weather’s nicer than wherever they moved from.However it happened, “I hate L.A.” has evolved into a kneejerk not just for obvious rivals like San Francisco but virtually every other American city full of folks who may never have actually been to L.A. but can just imagine.Not even Randy Newman can sing over a PR mudslide like that.

4. Timbuktu, Mali

Nice weather for camels.

A century ago, the world’s most tenacious travelers may have been awarded a brief thrill upon reaching this legendary trans-Saharan trading center hiding in the middle of nowhere.But even then, Timbuktu was nearly half-a-millennium past its golden years and largely relying on the travel industry’s most dubious selling point: being so ridiculously remote and unspectacular that even the dictionary references you as “any extremely distant place.”Today, according to a recent British survey, a third of the public doesn’t believe that Timbuktu actually exists.Among the remaining two-thirds are those romantic, off-the-beaten-path travelers who’ve fought tooth and claw to get all the way out here only to find a stifling, sand-strewn cluster of shabby buildings staving off desertification.

3. Paris, France

Maybe if I don't look, this "French breakfast" will taste bigger.

Paris inspires a certain love-hate relationship.Not just for fans of old Renoir or Chevy Chase movies, but for travelers too -- who inspired us to feature this singular place twice. Here and in last week’s column: “World's most loved cities.”What do people love about Paris? If you don’t already know, click the link to find out.In the meantime, what do people not love about Paris, aside from the usual rude waiter stereotypes, crazy lines at the Louvre and the city’s knack for rekindling long-kicked smoking habits about 10 minutes after landing?“I was wondering what was so special about the 'French Breakfast' that I saw advertised everywhere we went,”comments a frequent Paris traveler on VirtualTourist, who sat down and ordered one during his first visit to the city. “For 20 euros you get a croissant, butter, three ounces of hot chocolate, three ounces of orange juice and a small baguette. Are you kidding??”“Don’t be too easily flattered as you approach the Place du Tertre in Montmartre,” another visitor warns aboutplatoons of starving artists bombarding first-timers to have their portrait done. “I've now lost count of the number of times we've been told that [my husband] has 'interesting hair.’”“I just read of someone’s four-hour wait to ascend the Eiffel Tower and recalled the coldest I had ever been -- the day I waited atop the platform on the Eiffel Tower, waiting to go to the next level.”“We made our way to the catacombs hoping to find an extraordinary sight,” says another. “Unfortunately, it was nothing but rooms and rooms and rooms full of bones.”Every legendary city suffers some degree of overhype. About the food, the views, the charming street scene, the faint possibility of jumping into a car at the stroke of midnight and riding into a more exciting era with Ernest Hemingway & friends, etc.But the dreamy expectations reserved for Paris -- propagated by generations of writers who haven’t been here in awhile -- are in their own league.What first-timer here isn’t going to be a little disillusioned after wandering around for hours with checklists, arrondissement maps and dog-poop-soiled shoes without finding a decent place for a quick bite?

2. Sydney & Melbourne (or Melbourne & Sydney), Australia

Like looking in the mirror and snarling.

Australia’s top two cities would be nowhere near this list if it weren’t for the 177 straight years of utter hatred they’ve reserved for each other.
Since the founding of Melbourne in 1835 (by exactly the kind of pennywise, do-gooder farmboys that Sydney’s felon founders had no patience for), Sydneysiders and Melburnians have been loathingly distinguishing themselves from each other in ways that would make Toronto and Montreal blush.
Still, they may have overlooked the greatest source of antipathy of all, notes Anthony Sharwood in The Punch.“Sydney and Melbourne have much, much more in common than either of them ever care to admit.” In fact, “Melbourne is the city in the world most similar to Sydney.”About 4 million multicultural residents spread across a trendy downtown area with sprawling suburbs, high home prices, a vibrant food and arts scene, Australian TV and radio stations, the occasional bushfire and an intense repugnance for a certain unspeakable place 720 kilometers away.Which city are we talking about here? Either Melbourne or Sydney, perhaps?But wait. There is a startling difference. Last year, The Economist ranked Melbourne the “World’s Most Livable City” with 97.5 points. Sydney came in sixth in this same survey with 96.1 points. Do the math. These places are like fire and ice.

1. Tijuana, Mexico

Sign reads "No more kidnappings." Need we say more?

7 sexy skinny dips

2012-06-26T03:11:00.005-07:00

Seven spots in Asia where clothing is just a chore

By Cynthia Rosenfeld

While plunge pools pervade in Asia, very few allow us to disrobe entirely without embarrassing exposure. Here are seven of the most private, most luxurious places to ditch the bathing suit for maximum skinny dip satisfaction.

1. Phuket Pavilions, Thailand

Roll straight from bed into the wet spot, a deep 40 x 13 foot infinity pool outside each Andaman Sea-facing villa at Phuket Pavilions where the motto “no tan lines, no interruptions” means exactly that for couples yearning for none other than each other.

Stealthy staff live up to that promise, delivering service without a sound. That includes poolside massages where silently giggling female therapists know to leave guests to create their own happy endings.

Raid the maxi-bar stocked with Veuve Clicquot and Hagen Daaz ice cream.

US$629 per night; thepavilionsresorts.com/phuket-home

2. River House, Sri Lanka

Forget breakfast in bed. Wake each other up in the Menik Suite’s east-facing plunge pool as the sun rises over the coconut palms dappled across Sri Lanka’s River House.

Raise each other’s body heat well above the water temperature then slip back inside to climb atop the pillow strewn four-poster bed.

One dominates each of five antique-filled rooms at this inland retreat on the Madhu River, three hours’ drive south of Colombo’s international airport.

The ancient Greeks didn’t call this island Serendib, Garden of Eden for nothing.

From November to March, play Adam and Eve around this seven-acre slice of tropical paradise, luring one another upstairs and back into the buff.

US$373-485 per night; www.anilana.com

3. Banyan Tree Lijiang, China

High Naxi tiled walls encourage undressing with abandonment inside the pool villas at Banyan Tree Lijiang some 7,900 feet above sea level.

Outside of May to August when seasonal fields of rhododendrons reach full bloom, expect to raise a few goose bumps while streaking into these pools that are heated but not too hot for a good frolic.

Come up together for air in the shadow of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the climax of this Himalayan panorama.

US$618 per night; banyantree.com/en/lijiang/overview

4. Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan

With every rattle of a palm frond, it is hard not to wonder what other creatures are taking pleasure in this dense bamboo jungle.

That and the occasional screams of rafters thrusting along the otherwise Sacred Ayung River are the only sounds to intrude upon the privacy of each villa at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan.

All 42 thatched maxi-huts come with an outdoor shower that overlooks the river valley and a plunge pool that releases itself endlessly into the jungle’s steamy abyss.

Nudists notwithstanding, no one need fear overexposure. Farmers on the other bank are nearly naked themselves and too far away to make out the state of play.

US$680-850 per night; Fourseasons.com

5. Trisara, Thailand

Size matters at Trisara on Phuket’s northwest shore where all 39 villas are well endowed for maximum pleasure.

When the urge arises, all glass French doors open onto a longer than average, 10-meter cerulean plunge that appears to drip into the Andaman Sea, seen at its best from December to March.

No swimsuits or cover ups required, thanks to a profusion of jungle foliage expertly tended by 30 Thai gardeners that turn each of these outdoor playpens into secret sanctuaries.

Scattered about are piles of towels to dry each other off before interlacing still damp limbs on the roomy double sun bed.

Between diving in and winding down, get your hands wet and sticky by feeding each other from the villa’s daily replenishment of aphrodisiac chocolate truffles and luscious Thai mangoes.

US$600-1,230 per night; trisara.com

6. Taj Exotica Maldives

Artificial pools would be a ridiculous addition to the swimsuit and bikini-dropping gorgeousness of the Maldives.

The couple’s treatment in the Alepa Suite at the end of a private jetty is as the name of this Taj property suggests; exotic.

Before exposing delicate skin to sun, guests at Taj Exotica can build up to swimming in the buff with four different hot and cold experience showers, and seaside sun beds with Maldivian herbal mud-loving therapists plying their trade.

After being slathered in mud and loosened up on cocktails and exotic fruit snacks, its time to grab the pretty gal or studly guy, drop the pretense and swim with the lion fish and wrasse (don’t worry gents, your better bits won’t be a main target of the local wildlife.)

US$800 per night; tajhotels.com

7. Soneva Gili, Maldives

Had Robinson set sail with Mrs. Crusoe in tow, he might have gotten lucky and washed up at Soneva Gili in the Maldives.

Balanced on stilts above a shallow lagoon, the Robinson Crusoe Residences are the seven most photogenic over-water villas ever to take the character's name.

With the closest neighbor at least 1,000 feet away and no sign of the butler unless requested, couples are left entirely alone. Splash around the Indian Ocean or even snorkel naked among damsels and Oriental Sweet Lips.

US$1,593 per night; sixsenses.com

Best cities to travel to in 2012

2012-06-26T03:05:00.006-07:00

Lonely Planet names a surprising list of next year's up-and-coming tourist destinations

By Jane Leung

Forget what you know about these unusual choices for best city. Their standings on this Lonely Planet list don't go without merit.

New stadiums, global events, pop culture, festivals, and a little bit of fresh paint have all made these cities the next stand out stars of 2012.

1. London, England

The Olympics are coming -- finally, an excuse to change Paddington Bear's outfit.

“The Olympics are riding into town and a whole swath of the capital is being transformed in the process.” - Lonely Planet

This culturally saturated, yet sometimes dreary city revives itself with Olympic hype. The Games will give tourists more to look forward to than the standard tourist routine of Big Ben, Tate Modern and theLondon Eye.

The Royal Wedding in 2011 may have also given a little nudge to tourism in this England capital. Tour companies have been doing Will and Kate tours to add to the existing iconic Beatles, Harry Potter, and Jack the Ripper tours.

2. Muscat, Oman

" I didn't know Satan's horns were that small."

"Oman is firing on all fronts to attract international visitors, expanding everything from its museums to its resorts. Muscat is the focus for the revamp, with cultural events, luxury accommodation and aquatic activities taking center stage." - Lonely Planet.

This city historically hasn’t garnered much traveler attention but it has everything an active vacation calls for: markets, beaches, diving, turtle/dolphin watching, caving, kite surfing, trekking, desert safaris, rock climbing, all in one place.

It’s the perfect destination for families, couples, and thrill-seeking men facing a mid-life crisis.

Also, have you seen their completely post modern flag?

3. Bengaluru, India

Bangalore -- great for photo ops.

“Perpetually drunk on the good life, this South Indian metropolis packs in the best brews, the scrummiest cuisines, and the liveliest arts and music scene, not to mention the hippest population you could hang out with.

This year, evenings in the ‘capital of cool’ are poised to get even more intoxicating.” - Lonely Planet.

Not your standard tourist destiination. This is for those who want to endure an entirely different culture. Despite its beautiful gardens,Bangalore's charms lay in the culture and people that emerge from the polluted chaos.

This modern city is a magnet for young urbanites who flock to the metropolis for work and play. Only downside? The bars and clubs close at 11:30 p.m.

4. Cádiz, Spain

Carnival of Cádiz makes Halloween look like child's play.

"Cádiz has found itself named Ibero-American Capital of Culture for 2012 – the first time a European city has held the honor.” - Lonely Planet

The annual Carnival of Cádiz shakes up this historic city's sleepy routine. People in Cádiz put on fancy dress and go wild for two weeks. It's a great opporitunity to interact with the locals -- who are known for their sarcastic wit.

Even if you don’t know Spanish, tourists are welcome to join the fun especially if they dress up and participate in all the activities. There are theater groups, choirs, poets and dancers.

5. Stockholm, Sweden

Don't expect the scary Stockholm Stieg Larsson pictured.

“The film release of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo might have prompted a new wave of Stieg Larsson fans to look for the grimy side of Stockholm.

Unfortunately they’ll have to look quite hard, because Stockholm looks as perfect as it’s ever been." - Lonely Planet

If you fell in love with the romance of Venice, you'll love Stockholm. This metropolis is made up of 14 islands and over 50 bridges.

Highlights include the canals, medieval towns, cozy coffee shops, art galleries, and an insane amount of museums -- about a hundred to choose from.

6. Guimaraes, Portugal

Despite Guimaraes' status in the Unesco World Heritage List, there aren't too many foreign visitors. Yet.

“This northern Portugal city is breathtakingly beautiful, as recognized by its place on the Unesco World Heritage List, yet mysteriously it doesn’t figure on the radars of many foreign visitors ... Now is the moment to visit, as the city has been anointed the European Capital of Culture in 2012.” - Lonely Planet

So what does being anointed the European Capital of culture mean? It’s kind of like holding the mini burden of Olympics.

Over the course of next year, the historic city will be the official promoter of Europe’s cultural diversity, displaying all sorts of creations like music, cinema, photography, fine arts, architecture, literature, thought, theater, dance and street art.

7. Santiago, Chile

Believe it or not, these sexy cafés are only open in the day and serve no alcohol.

“Culture and sports have come to the fore and new museums have opened to acclaim. Dining is now top-notch, nightlife exhilarating and this year also marks the inauguration of the tallest building on the continent, the 70-storey Torre Gran Costanera." - Lonely Planet

If you want the South American adventure without the tourist crowds of Buenos Aires, pay a visit to Santiago.

The first thing you should do in Santiago? Experience the very unique coffee culture.

Find a Cafe con piernas (coffee with legs) -- cafés where women dressed as strippers serve morning coffee (they’re only open in the morning and serve no alcohol).

8. Hong Kong, China

As Hong Kong protesters demand more democracy, enjoy the view from the harbor.

“Rallies are infused with theatrics and eruptions of song, dance and poetry, reflecting the city’s vibrant indie music and literary scenes. Enjoy views of skyscrapers marching up hills from the Star Ferry, before challenging your senses at a wet market or divining your future at a temple.” - Lonely Planet

The recent protests and rallies in Hong Kong has garnered the smoggy city some international attention, but that’s not why we would recommend you visit this city.

The hiking, boating culture, nightlife, food and efficient transportation system are world-class. And If you don’t get on with the locals, there are plenty of fun-loving commonwealth expats looking for new friends.

9. Orlando, United States

Orlando will have the highest concentration of slam dunks in February 2012.

“This should be a great year for Orlando as it’s hosting the 61st NBA All-Star Weekend (25 and 26 February, 2012).

The hippest sporting event in the USA , it brings much of the basketball and music worlds together for slam-dunk contests, after-hours parties and concerts, as well as the all-star game itself.” - Lonely Planet

At first we thought the same thing. Orlando? Really? The world-famous theme parks are great but they won’t be the main attraction next year.

By hosting of one of the most hyped up sports competitions in America, Orlando locals will be in a party mood -- a great time to catch the nightlife action with parties, wineries, pubs and dance clubs.

10. Darwin, Australia

"Eh, now I know how those fish feel at Chinese restaurants."

“It was once easy to dismiss Darwin as a frontier town full of brawling fishermen, dreamy hippies and redneck truckers.

"But with a pumping nocturnal scene, magical markets and restaurants, and world-class wilderness areas just down the road, today Darwin is the triumph of Australia’s Top End." - Lonely Planet

Forget the kangaroos of Sydney and Melbourne, Darwin is the “real” Australia. Sitting on the very tip of the country, it’s a gateway to the outback with its abundance of beaches and wild life, especiallycrocodiles.

Despite its deadly creatures this outback city is still a lively destination with plenty of wharf-front restaurants and markets best enjoyed during one of their killer sunsets.

Flip-Flop Report: Which nationality loves nude sunbathing the most?

2012-06-26T03:01:00.000-07:00

Expedia's inaugural report into the world's beach behaviors reveals what we do, and what we don't always wear, down on the sand

By Hiufu Wong

If your next trip is to a beach with travelers from Germany, be prepared to see a little more flesh than usual.

According to the first "Flip-Flop Report" by travel website Expedia, Germans are the most likely to sunbathe nude.

The report, conducted from February 14-March 21, 2012 among 8,599 adults from 21 countries, looks at global beachgoers' behaviors and preferences.

Germans love the beach the most -- 49 percent of them prefer it to any other holiday, compared to 48 percent for Mexicans, who came second.

But it's with their beachwear, or lack of it, where Germans really outstrip the rest of us.

Fifteen percent of German respondents said they sunbathed naked, almost twice as much as the runners-up, Indians and Spaniards, tied on eight percent. Just 2 percent of Brits and Americans would sunbathe naked, and only 1 percent of Japanese admitted to sunning themselves in the buff.

Doing nothing is the best beach activity

27 percent don't mind the sandman giving them a rubdown.

Regarding beach activities, most of us (54 percent) apparently like to do nothing, followed by sunbathing and swimming (53 percent). This doesn't apply to Argentines: only eight percent said they would spend the holiday relaxing.

They're clearly an energetic bunch, as the Argentines also spend the most days on beach, an enviable 11 days, while Koreans spend about three days with their toes in the sand.

Asians are not as fond of tanning as the other nationalities. Less than 30 percent of Japanese, Singaporeans and Indians said they would sunbathe.

Australians, unsurprisingly, are the most frequent body surfers. Mexicans prefer jet skiing, dancing and sunbathing, while Indians love beach dining, massage and surfing.

Flip-flop findings

Biggest beach lovers

Germans -- 49 percent
Mexicans -- 48 percent
Argentines -- 47 percent

FAVORITE BEACH ACTIVITIES

Massage

Indians -- 27 percent
Mexicans -- 27 percent
Singaporeans -- 27 percent

Dancing

Indians -- 39 percent
Mexicans -- 34 percent
Brazilians -- 30 percent

Beachcombing

Germans -- 56 percent
Brazilians -- 51 percent
New Zealanders -- 45 percent

Not worried about sharks

Italians -- 91 percent
Spanish -- 82 percent
Dutch -- 77 percent

World's 10 rudest countries for travelers

2012-06-26T02:54:00.005-07:00

Travelers aren't always welcome, and some people let you know it
By CNNGo staff

Travel search site Skyscanner recently released a list of the world’s rudest nations for visitors, naming the countries whose smiley and friendly natives are apparently confined to their promotional videos.

The result, which lists 34 countries, is based on Skyscanner’s online poll, which received more than 1,200 responses from Europe, North America and Australia.

France, the champion of impoliteness

La Belle France was declared the champion of impoliteness, garnering nearly 20 percent of the total votes.

French people are known for “their abrupt and curt nature,” especially while facing foreign tourists, Edinburgh-based Skyscanner told International Business Times.

Russia took second place with 16.6 percent of the votes, followed by the United Kingdom (10.4 percent), Germany (9.93 percent) and a puzzingly labeled “Others” (miscellaneous countries).

China (4.3 percent) ranked sixth on the list, leading Asia.

Language barriers and cultural differences are the main causes

China-based etiquette expert Lawrence Lo (卢浩研) pointed out that language barriers and cultural differences are the two major players behind the ranking.

“The French are very protective of their language, and customers can get different responses for ordering in French or in another language,” said Lo.

Yi Bao, Skyscanner marketing manager for China, gave an example to back the "culture difference" theory.

According to Yi, though queuing is a social norm in the West, it’s not a common behavior for Chinese people, “so [it] could be interpreted as being rude [by international travelers.]”

The personality of hospitality staff is another contributing factor.

Lo said many restaurants’ waiting staff in Chinese cities are usually young women from rural areas, and that the Chinese are naturally more shy than Westerners.

“[These waitresses] don’t have the confidence or language skill to handle foreign travelers. Sometimes, they’d rather avoid them,” said Lo.

“On the other hand, a lot of French waiters have worked in this position their whole life, so they have a superiority complex in front of travelers.”

Lo also said the result of the survey depended on what type of travelers were voting.

"For many backpackers, challenges in language and culture actually form part of the fun of traveling," said Lo.

Here are the 10 rudest countries on Skyscanner’s list:

1. France

2. Russia

3. United Kingdom

4. Germany

5. Others

6. China

7. United States

8. Spain

9. Italy

10. Poland

The countries voted least rude were:

25. Japan

26. Denmark

27. Canada

28. New Zealand

29. Indonesia

30. Portugal

31. Thailand

32. The Philippines

33. Caribbean region

34. Brazil

World's 10 most loved cities

2012-06-26T02:41:00.002-07:00

All cities are not created equal. Glamorous, invigorating and, above all, captivating, these are the towns you never say no to

By Jordan Rane

San Francisco has its Tenderloin, food snobs and bridge tolls.Cape Town has its great white sharks and 17-hour commutes from New York City (which has its own issues).Montreal has an underperforming hockey team and ridiculously cold winters.And let’s not even get started about Tokyo.Bottom line: travelers love places in spite of all their imperfections. Or perhaps because of them.We've trawled the Internet for media "best of" praise, solicited recommendations from local correspondents, bloggers and travelers, scraped the bottom of every Internet and press barrel we could find for reasons not to include these conurbations, and still come up with what we think is a definitive list of the world's most loved cities.We also realize that a list like this is never going to please everyone. Discuss amongst yourselves …Don't forget to vote! Head to our Facebook poll to nominate your own favorite city

10. Barcelona, Spain

Bar-celona -- where it's a good time every time.

While most old Mediterranean port cities look and act their age, Barcelona remains one of the world’s most exuberant, youthful cities -- saturated with style, cocky architecture, good eating, around-the-clock partying and unprompted comments like the following nugget from a random Catalonian shoe salesman at the Placa de Catalunya Cort Ingles department store.

“A lot of people may think of Paris as the most fashionable city in the world. People in Barcelona think this is pretty funny. We think people in France actually don’t dress that well at all. And also the food is better here.”

The fourth most-visited city in Europe (after London, Paris and Rome) according to Euromonitor International, Barcelona’s inviting weather, plethora of nocturnal bars (you thought the city’s first three letters were a fluke?), pedestrian-friendly zones like La Rambla and the Gothic Quarter, beach access and all-around good-times vibe garnered a recent gold in the British Travel Awards, beating arch-rival Paris as the “Best City Break Destination.”

9. Cape Town, South Africa

Beaches with penguins? Can't not love it.

Last November, Cape Town’s iconic peak, Table Mountain, was declared one of the 7 New Wonders of Nature in a global popularity poll, beating out places like The Grand Canyon and the Galapagos Islands.How does an unwondrously flat, 1,085-meter eminence stuck near the bottom of the civilized world pull this off? By being attached to a city so relentlessly likeable that it could get a sand castle voted onto this list if it wanted, while placing high on virtually every other popularity poll as well. In 2011, TripAdvisor gave Cape Town a “Top Destination in the World” nod in its Travelers’ Choice Awards. National Geographic gave it the number two slot on its “Top 10 Beach Cities” list and has short-listed it as one of its “places of a lifetime.” Foreign Direct Investment calls Cape Town one of the top 20 expat destinations. Business travelers regularly honor South Africa’s “Mother City” in their own polls. So do leisure tourists in general, who consistently make this breezy, pleasant place one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa.A sweet harbor. Nice architecture and weather. Good wine country, lovely waterfront shopping and a welcome cosmopolitan feel. Beaches with penguins. And -- wonder of wonders -- Table Mountain. What more do you need?

8. Montreal, Canada

Cold? Ain't got time to feel cold.

Montreal is a frontrunner in at least one “World’s Most Livable Cities” list, was named “Canada’s Cultural Capital” by Monocle Magazine and has recently been granted UNESCO “City of Design” status.

Stuffy acknowledgements aside, what makes Canada’s original “sin city” such a draw not just for style mavens, 18-year-olds without fake ID and New Englanders seeking a quick, cheap Europe-ish fix, but for 7.5 million annual tourists of all stripes is the city’s certifiably festive attitude -- the kind that assures visitors they’re going to have more fun, stay up later and cure hangovers with tastier 4 a.m. poutine and smoked meat sandwiches here than wherever they’ve come from.

Summer draws the biggest crowds to Montreal with its lineup of legendary festivals and street fairs, including its International Jazz Festival (June 28-July 7) and Just for Laughs (July 12-29), featuring one of the world’s largest congregations of comics.

The real test: even when it’s 800 below zero in February, people still really dig this city.

Also on CNNGo: World's most underrated cities

7. New York City, United States

You profess to hate it, but inside you love it.

Paris attracts more tourists than New York. So does London, which handily beat out NYC for this summer’s Olympic bid. And Busan, South Korea now has a bigger department store than the (formerly biggest) Macy’s in Manhattan.

Does New York care a lick? No. Why not?

Because no city is as supremely oblivious to the mere notion of also-ran status as New York -- the world’s third most-visited city on the planet according to the World Tourism Organization and the only city on the planet according to itself.

Times Square and Central Park remain the most-visited tourist sites in the world (by far) in a Travel + Leisure tally. Then there’s Broadway, Fifth Avenue, Yankee Stadium and all those acronymed neighborhoods (DUMBO -- huh?) and landmark buildings.

New York has a natural history museum where (we’ve heard) dinosaurs and Neanderthals secretly come to life at sundown. But whatever.

The point is, any city where just riding the subway, talking to a grumpy cop or window shopping at 3 a.m. offers a more singular experience for visitors than the best thing going in Minneapolis or practically anywhere else possesses a certain irresistible cockiness that even draws in folks who hate New York.

6. Paris, France

A city that lives, and loves, in between its attractions.

Spoiler alert: next week, we're going to make at least 2.3 million enemies by including Paris on our Most Hated Cities list.

The thinking (corroborated by plenty of traveler feedback) is that not even Paris can live up to an unrealistic magical reputation once you’re overpaying for lukewarm coffee, staring at too many bones in the catacombs and waiting in herd-like crowds for hours just to squint at the Mona Lisa.

That doesn’t mean Paris isn’t still Paris -- the world’s most-visited city, logging more than 15 million annual international travelers according to the Paris Tourism Office.

Of course, the City of Light has to be on this list too, and not just for its standing as one of the world’s great troves of art, architecture, food and fashion, but for the real place that tends to leave veteran travelers here more enchanted than newbies rushing around to every must-see.

In Paris, "most first-timers follow a fairly similar pattern," says Paris Notes, offering several tips on how to handle the inevitable checklist in this city, before recommending one thing not on it. "Set a lot of time for doing nothing more than walking. Walking you will learn more about the city, and get a better feel for what it is about, than any other thing you do."

The Louvre. The Eiffel Tower. The Arc de Triomphe. Notre-Dame Cathedral. There’s no easy way around these. But the thing a lot of people love most about Paris is what happens in between all of that.

5. Petra, Jordan

Roses are red, violets are blue, Petra you said? I'm coming too.

On August 22, 1812, a disguised, 27-year-old Swiss adventurer named Johann Ludwig Burckhardt persuaded some Bedouin tribesmen to guide him through a narrow, winding gorge in a remote corner of the Arabian Desert -- home to a rumored “lost” city of the ancient world.

Found: Petra.

A couple centuries later, the magnificent ruins of Jordan’s “rose-red city” -- a sandstone-entombed, Nabatean metropolis dating back more than 2,000 years -- has welcomed a sirocco of archeologists, tour operators, "Indiana Jones" location scouts and more than half a million annual visitors who are awed by much more than pricey entrance fees.

A UNESCO site with recently acquired "Wonder of the World" street cred, Jordan’s biggest tourist attraction celebrates its 200th anniversary of “rediscovery” by Burckhardt on August 22. More importantly, Petra may be the only city in the Middle East right now that can be placed on a “Top 10 List” without war breaking out over it.

“There was a lull but right now [Jordan] is booking really strongly,” notes British adventure outfit, Explore Worldwide, Ltd., which runs trips to Petra. “It looks like 2012 is going to be a big one.”

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4. San Francisco, United States

World's most rickety transport system, and still adored by millions.

It’s been hailed “a golden handcuff with the key thrown away” by John Steinbeck, “one of the great cultural plateaus” by Duke Ellington and “49 square miles surrounded by reality” by Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane.

H.L. Mencken called it an “escape from the United States” and Robert Kennedy promised, “if I’m elected, I will move the White House to San Francisco.”

No place in the United States and few in the world have been as gushed about as the Bay City, home to those enchanting hills, spectacular bridges, bell-ringing cable cars, jocular Alcatraz ferries, Ferry Building foodies and recalcitrant sea lions at Pier 39.

Escaping the Fisherman’s Wharf and Marina District masses won’t be any easier this year, as San Francisco celebrates the Golden Gate Bridge’s 75th birthday with a Memorial Weekend waterfront bash, and gears up for hosting next year’s America’s Cup Finals with two lead-up 2012 World Series sailing events.

Our advice: lose the crowds by heading somewhere that few of the city’s 16 million annual visitors will ever tread. Like the Land’s End Trail -- aka the city’s prettiest four-kilometer coastal trek, hiding on SF’s rustic northwestern edge between Point Lobos and Eagles’ Point.

3. Santiago, Chile

Good times are often the simplest times.

There are bigger Carnivals and Tango festivals on the other side of the Andes, but would Buenos Aires or Rio look nearly this poised after being rocked 28 centimeters to the left by an 8.8 earthquake?

Santiago may have smog, sprawl and an epidemic of noisy diesel engines, but what sequestered megalopolis on an economic rebound in an otherwise picturesque valley lined with mountains doesn’t?

More importantly, here is South America’s version of every fine North American left coast city -- except with nicer weather (than Vancouver), happier music (than Seattle), sexier cafés (than Portland), better bar hours and caipirinha prices (than L.A.) and cooler-looking people in gray suits and shades (than San Francisco).

No surprise then that The New York Times ranked Santiago numero uno on last year’s “41 Places To Go” list, and also made it the first international Lollapalooza music festival site outside the United States.

August bonus: if you wanna go heli-skiing for US$200 in the middle of summer (sorry, winter) at a quality ski resortan hour outside of town, no other city can hook you up this quickly and cheaply.

2. Shanghai, China

Fast, furious, unforgettable -- like all the best affairs.

If there’s any proof that the world’s most alluring cities are as cyclically fashionable as Eames chairs and flapper wear, look no further than China’s commercial and financial hub.

In the 1930s, Shanghai was the “Paris of the Orient” before succumbing to a World War and Communist revolution.

Today, China’s richest, busiest city has regained official “it” status with the 2010 World Expo host exposure (that out-priced the Beijing Olympics), a new insta-skyline and Western headlines toasting (and kind of roasting) Shanghai as “China’s Capitalist Showpiece.”

For a quick, New Shanghai fix, board the Maglev train (top speed 430 kph) at Pudong International Airport, whiz into the heart of skyscraper-lined Pudong in under 10 minutes and gape down at it all from the 100th-floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center.

Yes, you’re perched on the world’s highest observation deck.

Better yet -- cross the Huangpu River into the original cityscape that cemented Shanghai’s reputation. Walk the Bund. Stroll the former French Concession. Haggle along the main streets. Decompress in the garden- and teahouse-lined alleys of the city’s original walled settlement. Rinse and repeat.

1. Tokyo, Japan

So much city, so little time.

Every city worth its marketing budget brands itself as “many cities in one.” Tokyo, of course, doesn’t have to.

In Japan’s dizzying capital, it’s just a given that travelers are here to take on the world’s strongest dose of sensory overload -- in a neon-infested sea of ad-pumping jumbotrons at Shibuya Crossing; under a canopy of blossoming cherry trees in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden; in a sports arena packed with raucous sumo fans in Ryogoku Kokugikan Stadium; at one of Tokyo’s 160,000-odd restaurants, a culinary empire boasting more Michelin starsthan anywhere else; or within earshot of bellowing tuna auctioneers at Tsukiji Central Fish Market, home to more than 1,000 stalls in a hangar-style building that comprises one of the largest wholesale seafood bazaars in the world.

However many worlds, wards and districts one experiences in Tokyo, the sense is that you’re always just scratching the surface -- even if your wallet disagrees. And is there a more deferential place to pay through the teeth?

In Tokyo, “the women behind the registers bow to you, and I don’t mean that they lower their heads a little, the way you might if passing someone on the street,” observes David Sedaris. “Then they say what sounds to me like ‘We, the people of this store, worship you as we might a god.’”

If that's not worth your love, nothing is.

Naked, wet, free: 15 sexy skinny dips

2012-06-26T02:33:00.002-07:00

Onsen, beaches, the French Riviera -- swimming's even better in the nude

By Bija Knowles

Bathing naked isn't just for babies.

While the brave might whip off their underwear for an impromptu dip whenever the chance arises, some of us need more reassurance.

Following up on our popular 7 sexy skinny dips feature published back in 2010, here are 15 more places where you can confidently take a dip the way nature intended.

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1. Jerolim beach, Croatia

Nude-friendly Croatia.

Croatia is famed for its FKK (free body culture or "freikörperkultur") beaches and Jerolim island, the closest of the Pakleni islands to the town of Hvar, is renowned for its unspoilt, rocky shoreline and crystal waters.

It's popular with naturists (as well as non-naturists), who can be found sunning themselves on the white rocky outcrops.

For more privacy, get away from the main tourist area, hike through the forest and find a secluded cove. You can also explore the island's coast by boat.

Ferries travel regularly from Hvar town on Hvar island. Croatia National Tourist Board: croatia.hr/en-GB/Homepage

2. Praia de Galheta, Santa Caterina, Brazil

This nature reserve has no restaurants or bars, so pack a lunch.

About 20 kilometers south of Florianopolis in the Brazilian state of Santa Caterina, this white sand beach attracts die-hard naturists and the nude-curious alike.

It's fine to turn up for a skinny-dip even if you don't want to then spend all day getting your white bits burnt. Praia de Galheta is a naturally preserved area, with no restaurants or other buildings nearby -- so take a packed lunch.

There is also an archaeological site and the surf is good. The Association of the Friends of Galheta lobbies and looks out for the interests of nature and naturism on the beach.

20 kilometers south of Florianopolis, north of Praia Mole; a.alles.sites.uol.com.br

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3. The New Naturist Beach at Marinadi Camerota, Campania, Italy

The not-so-secret nudist beach is a shingle beach like this one.

Despite Italy's showgirl culture, when it comes to nudity the Italians are not quite as free as their French neighbors. Naturist beaches are thin on the ground compared to the Côte d'Azur, but that's not to say there isn't a thriving naturist culture.

While Rome's Capocotta (just south of Ostia) has been a haven for naked bathers (and posers) for several decades, a 300-meter strip (excuse the pun) of shingle beach near Marina di Camerota, in the Campania region, has recently been designated naturist-friendly.

On the southern side of the Cilento national park, the clear waters of this quiet coast will feel like a breath of fresh air, just where it's needed.

Marina di Camerota is 90 kilometers south of Salerno and the naturist-designated beach (known as 'del Troncone') is south of Cala Finocchiaro; www.camerotamarina.it; Italian Naturist Federation: www.fenait.org

4. Anantara Phuket Villas, Thailand

For the nudist-in-training, try a private courtyard for your streaking pleasure.

These luxurious villas -- 83 of them in total -- all come equipped with a private courtyard featuring a sunken pool and complete seclusion, which means you can take a naked dip to your heart's content without fear of offending other guests or staff.

While this kind of skinny dipping lacks the excitement and back-to-nature feel of taking a dip in the wild, there are benefits -- including a hot tub for two, an outdoor shower and a fully-stocked mini-bar within arm's reach.

A pool villa starts from 13,500 baht (US$429) per night but check their website for discounts and deals.

Anantara Phuket Villas, 888 Moo 3 ,Tumbon Mai Khao, Amphur Thalang, Phuket 83110, Thailand; +66 (0) 7633 6100; phuket.anantara.com

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5. Naked cruising, Côte d'Azur

Water so clear you've got nowhere to hide.

For something completely different, take a naked swim in the Mediterranean at any time of the day or night on a naturist cruise along the Côte d'Azur.

Cruises set off from Marseille and can be planned to suit your interests -- if you've always wanted to sail around the Calanques au naturel, this is the holiday for you. All you need to do is persuade a group of family or friends to share the experience.

Cruises cost €110 (US$152) per person per day and usually last one week.

6. Black's Beach, La Jolla, California, United States

San Diego's anti-nudity law's got nothing on Black Beach.

Black's Beach is reckoned to be the best by the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR). It's a spectacular location below Torrey Pines golf course where a long stretch of sand is protected by steep cliffs.

The beach attracts naturists and surfers and is a well-established haven where San Diego's anti-nudity law is not enforced. The beach has a regular group of fans, known as Black's Beach Bares -- check their website for useful tips on how to enjoy your day on the beach.

Park for free at the glider port on Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, then walk down the steep trail to the beach.www.blacksbeach.org, www.aanr.com

7. Racquet and Tennis Club, New York, United States

What happens at the Racquet and Tennis Club stays at the Racquet and Tennis Club.

This private members club in the heart of New York City is a strange mixture combining the epitome of pro-establishment-conservatism with near-Nordic enlightenment.

While its members (it's men-only, women are allowed entry for special events if accompanied by a male member) include the city's great and ambitious (think bankers, lawyers and senior execs), its after-work men-only naked swimming sessions have become legendary.

Much has been conjectured over what really happens during the bare swims. They certainly provide New York's businessmen with an opportunity to think outside the box.

370 Park Avenue, between East 52nd and 53rd Streets, New York

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8. Lady Falls, Brecon Beacons, Powys, Wales

Nude falls fit for a nymph.

You have to be brave to go skinny-dipping in Wales, no matter what time of year it is. Nonetheless, author of "Wild Swim" and skinny-dipping connoisseur Kate Rew recommends a remote waterfall in the Brecon Beacons as one of the must-dip places in all of Britain.

Lady Falls, known locally as Sgwd Gwladys, has a slightly mystical feel and is a popular walk for hikers -- which means that if you want to feel that cool mountain water on your bare backside, you'd better be quick and circumspect about it.

Set off from the Angel Pub in Pontneddfechan, on the road between Neath and Merthyr Tydfil. It's a 6.4-kilometer round-walk from the pub to the waterfalls; http://www.npt.gov.uk

9. Capella Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

A private plunge pool to avoid the Facebook paparazzi.

Skinny-dipping in nature can be laden with unexpected mishaps: someone could steal your clothes or you could get leaves -- or even leeches -- stuck in untoward places.

Worse still, your friends might photograph your ass and put it on Facebook. Most of these problems can be avoided by hiring your own private plunge pool. The Capella Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas, on the tip of the Baja California peninsular, has 66 rooms with an ocean view and a pool just for you.

The luxury factor is incredible, so you'll need to shower in the cold water rainforest shower to remind yourself it's real.

An ocean-view room starts from US$375.

Capella, Camino Del Mar 1, Cabo San Lucas BCS, C.P. 23455 Mexico; www.capellahotels.com

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10. Maslin Beach, Adelaide, South Australia

Home of Australia's Nude Olympics.

Maslin Beach, south of Adelaide, was declared Australia's first legal nudist beach in February 1975. But that's not its only claim to fame.

The beach was also the subject and location of an eponymous film in 1997, telling the story of a group of friends on the beach. In common with other nudist beaches in Australia, Maslin Beach also holds its annual Nude Olympics -- events include "best bum" and a three-legged race. Let's hope there's no pole vaulting.

The beach also attracts visitors for its surf and sunsets.

Maslin Beach is 35 kilometers south-west of Adelaide; www.maslinbeach.ne

11. Golden Beach, Northern Cyprus

To avoid clothed beach-goers, stay away from the beach cafés.

If you want to feel the sand between your toes and the clear-blue salty Med lapping around your cheeks, then Golden Beach on the north-easterly peninsular of Cyprus could be some of the best skinny dipping you're likely to encounter.

Clothed beach-goers gravitate to the area around the beach café, leaving a good stretch of sand free for anyone who wants to strip off and soak up the sunshine (it's not an official nudist beach, so best to check who's around first).

Loggerhead turtles are said to lay their eggs here in the Karpass National Park.

Take the Karpaz-Anayolu road going north-east to the tip of the peninsular. Golden Beach is on the right; www.northcyprus.co.uk

12. Little Beach, Maui, Hawaii, United States

Join the nude music and fire-dance festivals on Sundays.

While nude sunbathing is not permitted in Hawaii, there are some clothing-optional, nude and topless beaches where it's accepted and tolerated -- if not officially.

Maui has more scope for quiet, secluded bays than Oahu, and Little Beach on Maui is a popular out-of-the-way cove in Makena State Park where you can swim, snorkel and lounge like a lizard in nothing but your sun-protection cream.

It's recommended by the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) and there is a music and fire-dancing festival on Sundays.

Little Beach is west of Makena point in Makena State Park. Travel on the Makena Alanui road, then park inside the State Park and walk to Little Beach; littlebeachmaui.com

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13. Orient Bay, St. Martin, Caribbean

Get naked to a backdrop straight out of a René Magritte painting.

On the east coast of the island on the French side, a broad sweep of yellow sand attracts a variety of visitors. If you walk along the beach from north to southeast, you'll gradually notice people wearing fewer and fewer clothes.

By the time you arrive at the Club Orient resort, even the Speedos and thongs will have disappeared. A naked swim in the Atlantic Ocean will be the best cure for anyone feeling awkward at disrobing.

Orient Bay is about six kilometers directly east of Marigot

14. Carpe Diem, Santorini, Greece

Seize the day and get naked.

This exclusive boutique hotel, perched on the slopes of Pyrgos village overlooking Thira, the capital of Santorini, prides itself on the privacy of its 10 suites.

With a private terrace and pool in each apartment, guests can feel free to let their hair down and abandon their bathers for an uninhibited swim in the solitude of their own pool. Ideal for honeymooners, the hotel also boasts a Turkish bath, which can be booked for private use.

A junior suite with private pool costs from €240 (US$333) per night.

Carpe Diem, Pyrgos 84701 Santorini, Greece; +30 22860 34090; www.carpediemsantorini.com

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15. Traditional onsen, Japan

Nothing like good old-fashioned male bonding.

Tokyo, despite being a massive city, has plenty of natural thermal springs. Try the Toshimaen Garden Spa, with its tranquil setting inside a garden designed by Kenzo Kosugi.

If you want to get even more back to nature try the Seta Onsen Sanga-no-Yu, where you can contemplate views of Mount Fuji while soaking yours aches away.

Toshimaen Garden Spa, 3-25-1 Koyama, Nerima,Tokyo; +81 03 3990 4126; tokyo-tokyo.com/Toshimaen.htm

Seta Onsen Sanga-no-Yu, 4-15-30 Seta, Setagaya,Tokyo; +81 03 3707 8228; www.setaonsen.co.jp

World's 50 best beaches

2012-06-26T02:19:00.001-07:00

When sea meets sand, beautiful things can happen

By CNNGo staff

Beaches are the Valium of the travel world. They soothe, they relax, they make you realize that "real life" occasionally needs escaping.

Most of all, these slivers of sand against the ocean are a reminder that the world can be quite beautiful.

Of course, we'd be fools to think we've captured every great beach out there. If you think we've missed a few, let us know: what's your favorite beach? Comment below.

Or vote now on our world's best beach Facebook poll.

50. Pigeon Point, Trinidad and Tobago

Try not to photograph this jetty ... it's impossible.

The smaller of the two main islands that make up the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, 41-kilometer-long Tobago boasts an endless procession of gorgeous beaches.

The crowning glory is Pigeon Point.

Here, what is reportedly the world’s most photographed jetty juts out into the glistening sea. The beach is carpeted with powdery white sand, perfect for beach volleyball. In the distance, almond and coconut trees sway in the breeze.

Pigeon Point is such a literal representation of the Caribbean beach ideal that it almost seems like a dream -- right down to the charming old lady who sells sour-sop ice cream by the pound.

The beach is a walkable two kilometers north of Crown Point proper. For more on how to get there, visit www.simplytobago.com.

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49. Praia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Humans like this beach, but dolphins and turtles love it.

Often voted Brazil's best beach, and one of the best in South America, Praia do Sancho is a bay on the island of Fernando de Noronha, which faces the coast of Brazil rather than out into the Atlantic Ocean.

Steep, rocky cliffs covered in vegetation form a backdrop to the clear waters that are accessible only via ladders attached to the cliff face. Or by boat.

Although much of the island's vegetation was cut down in the 19th century, when the island was used as a prison, it's now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, underscoring the island's value as a feeding site for tuna, billfish, cetaceans, sharks, marine turtles and dolphins.

Daily flights, charters and full packages to Fernando de Noronha are available from major Brazilian cities.

48. Hot Water Beach, Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand

Looks strange, feels great.

No, those aren’t pathetic sand castles, beachgoers are digging up their own man-made hot tubs.

Volcanoes near this beach on the eastern edge of New Zealand's North Island develop large underground reservoirs of extremely hot water.

Over time, this water escapes to the surface, cooling along the way, though still emerging at temperatures as hot as 64 C. The hot springs are accessible only at low tide, so grab a shovel and dig your own spa.

Take State Highway 25 to Whenuakite, where the only notable junction is the road to Hot Water Beach, Cook's Beach and Hahei/Cathedral Cove. Stay on the main road until you see the (right) turn to Hot Water Beach (roughly eight kilometers).

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47. Bottom Bay, Barbados

Top up your bliss factor at Bottom Bay.

One of the few beautiful beaches in Barbados that has escaped development overkill, Bottom Bay is enclosed by high coral cliffs, making it an almost undiscovered pocket of paradise.

All the colors of a tropical vacation mix and merge on this curve of shoreline -- incandescent white sands, verdant green vegetation and various blue hues of sea and sky.

The waves can be fierce, but it's a great spot for a sandy picnic. Turtles and whales can sometimes be spotted from the tops of the cliffs overlooking the ocean.

Most resorts and hotels provide shuttle transportation to and from the airport, and around the island to beaches and other tourist hot spots.

46. Paradise Beach, Rab, Croatia

If it's good enough for a nude royal ...

The Croatian island of Rab claims to be the birthplace of modern skinny dipping.

In 1936, King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson obtained permission from city authorities to bathe naked in the inlet of Kandalora, and people have been doing the same on the island’s beaches ever since.

The Lopar peninsula alone has three clothing-optional beaches. Sahara beach, a sandy shore fringed by shrubs, is the most famous. But it's the two-kilometer curve of Paradise Beach, or Rajska Plaza, that draws in-the-know crowds.

The sea remains shallow even half a kilometer out, making it an ideal place for novice swimmers. Though it can get crowded during peak season, the beach has been awarded a Blue Flag award by the Foundation for Environmental Education for its environmental management and safety record.

For information on how to get to Paradise Beach visit www.croatia-beaches.com.

45. Lover’s Beach, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Romantic, as long as you remember to get back.

A semi-hidden cove best accessed by boat, Lover’s Beach sits on the tip of the Baja California Peninsula where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean.

Rock formations spring out of the sand and turquoise waters, creating a dramatic landscape once popular with pirates, now with photographers.

The beach is small and the sea can get rough, so this isn’t a place to plan to stay for long. You should also pre-arrange return transport, as come 4 p.m., boats are scarce.

Hire a water taxi at Cabo San Lucas marina, and don’t forget to arrange the return trip in advance. There are no services on Lover’s Beach. Lote A-18 De la Darsena, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; +52 624 173 9140

44. Byron Bay, Australia

The beach of the bohemian.

Byron Bay has a magnetic appeal for travelers. Pubs, cafés, bookshops and buskers line the streets. Musicians, artists and drift-ins walk the streets barefoot and bleary-eyed.

There’s a lingering scent of the Flower Power Generation, while surfers search for that perfect wave. It’s also Australia’s unofficial capital of leftism, meditation and ganja. No wonder so many beach bums call it home.

Every year, the Byron Bay Bluesfest attracts some of the biggest names in world music, and with it, thousand of Sydneysiders.

With breaks, Byron Bay is about a nine-hour drive from Sydney and a two-hour drive from Brisbane. For more information visit www.byron-bay.com.

43. An Bang Beach, Hoi An, Vietnam

Gentle waves complement serene sunsets.

Near the former trading port of Hoi An, An Bang Beach has long been popular among locals for its gentle waves and soft white sand.

Recently, it's picked up speed among expat tourists, which explains the Western-managed bars and restaurant along the waterfront. The bars are a great spot to mingle, but if you’re in a solitary mood, walk away from the main stretch and you’ll feel like you have the place to yourself.

Many restaurants in the town of Hoi An specialize in the Viet imperial cuisine Hoi An is known for around the country.

Read more: Hoi An -- food and fashion by the sea

42. Bandon, Oregon, United States

About as atmospheric as beaches get.

It’s hard not to fall in love with the Oregon coast town of Bandon.

It’s got beauty, especially when the sun sets over the striking rock formations along the coast. It’s got good food, thanks to a long growing season and influx of ambitious chefs.

It also has diversions to keep holiday-makers happy, with a safari game park to the south and spectacular, seaside Bandon Dunes Golf Resort to the north.

According to Native American folklore, the unusual formation of Face Rock represents the face of a princess who was drowned by an evil sea spirit.

For more information visit www.bandon.com.

41. Puka Beach, Boracay, Philippines

Sand so powdery you may want to bring your snowboard.

Boracay may be a pimped-out tourist zone, but there’s a reason it remains atop many travel rankings.

Making a respectable claim to its “tropical paradise” reputation, Boracay has something for everyone, from powdery beaches to water sports and spas.

Those who like peace and quiet might want to skip the famous White Beach and instead head to Puka Beach. It's named for the Puka shells that can be found on the beach, so expect the sand to be coarser than that of its neighbors.

Puka is the second-longest beach in Boracay and also relatively empty most times, with no resorts on the sand and a limited number of restaurants.

The main road in Boracay terminates at Puka Beach. You can also hire a tricycle to get there in about 10 or 15 minutes from the centrally located White Beach; www.islandboracay.com.

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40. Las Salinas, Ibiza, Spain

We're hoping that's sun cream ...

Some people like to party in Ibiza’s clubs. Others prefer to do it on the beaches.

Las Salinas, a 1,600-meter-long crescent of sand in the island’s southernmost tip, is the most happening beach of them all.

Music blasts from Las Salinas’ beach bars from morning till night, attracting some of the world’s most famous bodies, including the stick thin frames of Kate Moss and Jade Jagger.

Even if you don’t get to see them on Las Salinas, you probably won’t mind, since the beach is also a magnet for nude sunbathers.

Las Salinas can be reached by bus from Ibiza or by cycle from the city (11 kilometers from Ibiza and 25 kilometers from San Jose). It's a 10-minute drive from Playa d'en Bossa or Ibiza Town; www.ibiza-tourism.net.

39. Cape Maclear, Malawi

Only thing to fear in this lake -- angry fishermen.

Cape Maclear sits on the edge of Lake Malawi, a lake so large it feels like an ocean.

Thanks to an abundance of endemic fish species, the lake area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The beach, something of a hippie hangout, is linked to the town via a single dirt road lined with a handful of hostels and dive shops.

Beach bums love Cape Maclear for its diving, snorkeling and kayaking -- the water is free from brine, and there are no sharks or jellyfish.

From the bus station in Lilongwe, take a minibus to Monkey Bay. Flag down a pick-up to take you the rest of the way into Cape Maclear; www.capemaclear.co.za.

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38. Jeffreys Bay, South Africa

Great surfers, but not too many.

In the province of Eastern Cape, Jeffreys Bay has everything a beach needs.

Its legendary breaks attract the world’s top surfers to the annual Billabong Pro ASP World Tour surfing event. It’s rife with photo ops when migrating whales pass by the bay to give birth every season.

Nearby lagoons make ideal venues for water sports, such as boardsailing and canoeing. The Seekoei River Nature Reserve, a haven for rare birds, is close by. Its Blue Flag Beach status makes it attractive for holidaying families.

Best of all it feels uncrowded compared with other world-class beaches.

Jeffreys Bay Tourism (PTY) LTD, Shell Museum Complex, Da Gama Street, Jeffreys Bay; +27 42 293 2923;www.jeffreysbaytourism.org

37. Vilanculo Beach, Mozambique

Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique's only underwater national park, is nearby.

Lazy. Friendly. Scenic. What else do you want in a beach? How about great swimming?

The coral reefs and rich marine wildlife growing off the archipelago here create a forest beneath the sea, making Vilanculo one of the best diving destinations in the West Indian Ocean.

The small coastal town of Vilanculo has thatched huts lining the streets, a friendly local population and a plethora of laid-back bars and restaurants. It’s named after Gamala Vilanculo Mukoke, a local tribal chef -- many locals share the same surname.

Vilanculo Beach is eight kilometers from the airport by road. Transfers are available to and from the airport; www.vilanculos.co.za.

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36. Capo Sant’Andrea, Elba, Italy

Bonaparte knew a good thing when he saw it.

Looking at Elba today, it’s hard to imagine why Napoleon ever wanted to leave.

Almost all the beaches on the island are worth checking out, but if you want to make your Facebook friends really jealous, post some pictures of Capo Sant’Andrea.

At this inlet, the azure water is clear enough to see the seabed even in the deepest sections. Chestnut trees sweep right down to the coastline.

The inlet’s golden beaches are framed by softly sloping granite blocks -- natural sun beds that are taken over by sunbathers during summer.

From Porto Ferraio, take the ATL bus to Zanca. Information on bus timetables available from ATL (+39 0565 91 43 92).

35. Venice Beach, California, United States

Looks like a pull-up -- actually, it's the only way to get comfy in that thong.

Yes, the many gorgeous beaches of Orange County caught our eye, and we love nearby Santa Monica. But no trip to Los Angeles is complete without a visit to Venice Beach. The beachfront district is a SoCal institution and a freak show free-for-all.

Qi gong masseurs, hair braiders, fortune tellers and artists all jostle for tourist dollars along the four-kilometer Venice Boardwalk. It's been this way since the 1950s and 1960s, when it became a center for Los Angeles’ Beat generation poets.

Hang around the basketball courts in Venice and you might just spot the next NBA superstar -- street ball is famously intense at the outdoor, beach-side courts.

Take the 405 Freeway from either direction to Venice Boulevard. Exit West and drive until you reach sand. Parking is available at the end of Venice Boulevard, right on the beach. Or take a US$20 cab from the airport.

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34. Plage de Piémanson, France

Mingle with flamingos, Camargue horses and nudists.

With the Atlantic Ocean to its west, the Mediterranean to its south and the English Channel up north, France has no shortage of picturesque beaches.

For sheer scale, gloriously unspoilt wilderness and nude bathing, however, Plage de Piémanson ranks among the finest. Part of Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue, this obscure beach has tawny sand that stretches forever.

Clear Mediterranean waves lap at the shore. Tourists roast under the sun, many of them French and German, some of them nude.

To get there, you’ll have to drive through colonies of pink flamingoes. Also keep an eye out for Camargue horses, an ancient breed of white horse native to the region that roams wild in the reserve.

33. Kaiteriteri Beach, Nelson, New Zealand

Golden sands that really do glitter.

Golden sand and the highest rate of sunshine hours in New Zealand give Kaiteriteri Beach all the qualities of an idyllic seaside experience.

The gateway to magnificent Abel Tasman National Park, the beach is located at the top of New Zealand’s South Island. From here you can hike the area’s well-known walking tracks, swim, sunbathe, enjoy local seafood or hire a kayak to paddle around the many coves and lagoons that surround Kaiteriteri.

The golden color of the sand comes from a high quartz content, which produces a glittering, Midas-like effect.

Penguins, seals and dolphins are common, so make sure those camera batteries are fully charged.

A short drive from the Nelson Township and picturesque Motueka, Kaiteriteri is decidedly the best beach in the South Island.

Kaiteriteri is located in Abel Tasman National Park. www.abeltasman.co.nz

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32. Southwestern Beach, Koh Rong, Cambodia

Simple is best.

Koh Rong is easily one of the Gulf of Thailand’s most gorgeous islands, with 43 kilometers of beach.

On the southwestern side of Koh Rong you'll find a beach comprising 5,000 meters of untouched white sand fringed with palm trees and dazzling turquoise waters.

At the southernmost end of this beach are rocks where snorkelers swim with schools of colorful rabbitfish, sergeant fish and parrot fish.

From Sihanoukville, catch a boat to Koh Rong with any of the guesthouses on the island. The trip takes two to three hours. Monkey Island (southeast side Koh Rong; +855 81 830 991; monkeyisland-kohrong.com) or Paradise Bungalows (southeast side Koh Rong; +855 34 933 664) are based on the other side of the island, but can organize boat tickets and help hire fishing boats to the western side of the island.

31. Skagen Beach, Denmark

When you tire of the 65-kilometer beach, head for the candy factory.

It’s easy to see why Denmark’s coastal town of Skagen became an artists’ colony in the 19th century.

The shore at Skagen is a 65-kilometer-long sandy ribbon that hugs the northern tip of the country. The picturesque landscape consists of milky white sand dunes, fairytale forests and wind-blown beaches.

At Grenen, the northernmost tip of Denmark, the seas of Kattegat and Skagerak meet, giving the sea a stormy, two-tone appearance.

Skagen’s waters are too cold for swimming for most parts of the year, but there are plenty of attractions nearby. These include an annual midsummer's eve bonfire on the sandy stretch of Skagen Sønderstrand, the Bolcheriet candy factory and Råbjerg Mile, the largest sand dune in Northern Europe.

30. Isshiki Beach, Japan

Not all great beaches are golden.

Hayama’s Imperial Villa, which faces Isshiki Beach, has been used by Japanese emperors since 1894 as a winter holiday house.

During the peak of summer, the beach’s two crescents of sand (separated by a small, grassy isthmus) buzz with windsurfers, kayakers and swimmers who all come to play in the warm, silty water and relax on ash-colored sand.

Although it can get busy here (especially on weekends), Isshiki never loses its dignity in the fashion of beaches further up the coast.

Typical with most Tokyo beaches, the metropolitan government rents beach space for vendors to erect makeshift wooden shacks housing bars, restaurants and shower units.

Operating for nearly 15 years, the Blue Moon is the most well known of these beach shacks for holding concerts on weekend evenings.

Take the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line to Zushi station and change onto a Keikyu Bus (located outside the ticket gates) bound for Hayama Isshiki via Kaigan or Hayama. Get off at Isshiki Kaigan (Shiosai Koen-mae).

29. Haad Rin, Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand

Yes, fingers are amazing.

Haad Rin's infamous full moon parties are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Mostly because once is enough.

Every full moon evening, tens of thousands of (predominately Aussie) travelers flock to the island for drunken, chemical-fueled revelry. Lining up for toilets and drinks can get annoying, and chances are you’ll lose your friends in the crowd, only to discover your phone reception is gone as well.

But for many party fiends, the buckets of cheap alcohol, great food and fun-loving crowd makes the experience worth the hassle.

Ban Tai, Ko Pha Ngan, Surat Thani, Thailand; www.phangan.info

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28. Beidaihe, China

The Chairman's beach of choice.

Hainan Island may be China’s beach getaway du jour, but it’s Beidaihe up north that’s been pleasing China’s upper echelons for decades.

Beidaihe is a few hours from Beijing and offers a fascinating view of China’s bygone political intrigue. Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping hashed out national policies in private villas here, and the area remains popular among Russian tourists -- a reminder of erstwhile Sino-Soviet ties.

Cloaks and daggers aside, Beidaihe's restaurants offer simpler pleasures, mostly good seafood and ice-cold beer.

Beidaihe is a five-hour train journey from Beijing. For more information visit scenery.cultural-china.com.

27. Na'ama Bay, Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt

There may be 25 kilometers to choose from, but this kilometer right here is best.

The beaches at Sharm el Sheikh on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula stretch for 40 kilometers along Egypt's Mediterranean coast. Bang in the middle of that coastline is Na'ama Bay.

The marine life is diverse, colorful corals can be viewed from the surface and if you’re lazy, the snorkeling is still good near the reefs on the beach. The best place to snorkel though is at the pier from the beach in front of the Jolie Ville Hotel.

With temperatures during November and December of 23-27 C and 10 hours of sunshine a day, this is the ideal place to take advantage of one of the many winter deals to Egypt on offer.

Flights are available to Sharm el Sheikh with Egyptair, while coach services from Cairo arriving at the Delta Sharm bus station take up to eight hours. Na'ama Bay is just 10 kilometers from the Sharm El Sheikh Airport. For information on Jolie Ville Hotel visit www.jolieville-hotels.com.

26. Akajima, Okinawa, Japan

One beach where you won't mind the locals approaching you.

Part of Okinawa’s Kerama Islands, the islet of Akajima is popular among Japanese day-trippers during summer, but foreign travelers are a rare sight.

For that reason, Akajima retains a blissfully sequestered charm even during peak season.

The beaches are spotless, usually dotted with just a handful of Japanese surfers. Locals are effusive and friendly. Further inland is a quaint Ryukyuan heritage house open to visitors.

Travel to Akajima from Tomari Port at Naha on Okinawa, one hour by express boat; jin.jcic.or.jp.

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25. Phra Nang Beach, Railay, Thailand

World's best parking spot.

With Dali-esque limestone structures, hundreds of challenging cliff-climbing routes and Tiffany-blue waters, Railay is the seasoned rock climber's dream.

Phra Nang, the area's fine-grained main beach, offers a sweeping view of the area's rugged beauty and is flanked by stalactite-rimmed cliffs that tourists can jump from.

Although Railay is accessible only by longtail boat from Krabi and Ao Nang, it can get crowded during tourist seasons.

The spectacular Phra Nang Peninsula is cut off from the rest of Krabi by limestone headlands and steep jungle valleys; the only access is by sea; www.railay.com.

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24. Cavendish Beach, Prince Edward Island, Canada

The beach that inspired a book and a TV show.

If perfection unnerves you, avoid Prince Edward Island.

Cavendish Beach, the island's most idyllic feature, is famous for inspiring scenes in “Anne of Green Gables,” a Victorian literary blockbuster eternally beloved by preteens and Japanese readers. You’ll find them in hordes in the pretty township, visiting beaches and other landmarks to pay homage to the book.

With creamy sands flanked by sandstone cliffs and sandy dunes, the rugged loveliness of Cavendish Beach has captured the imagination of writers and tourists alike.

The entire beach is located in the Prince Edward Island National Park. To drive, follow the Trans-Canada Highway to Route 1A to Kensington, then follow Route 6 to Cavendish. For more information visit www.pc.gc.ca.

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23. Panama City Beach, Florida, United States

Main cause of extended lunch breaks in Florida.

It's not the spring break capital of the world for no reason. Each year, more than six million college kids and sun seekers pour into Panama City Beach, lured by promises of emerald waters, blinding white sand, colorful reefs, fishing and hard-core people-watching.

Historic wrecks off Panama City Beach's shores make it a superb dive site. Goofy Golf, a mini-golf institution since 1959, has a kitschy, retro charm.

Many road routes to Panama City Beach are easily accessed from Interstate 10. For more information visitwww.visitpanamacitybeach.com.

22. Porto da Barra, Salvador, Brazil

You'll be sick of the color gold after a week here.

In many ways, Porto da Barra is to Salvador what Bondi is to Sydney and Venice Beach is to Los Angeles.

You'll find something happening on the beach around the clock -- tiny fishing boats bringing in the day's catch, beach volleyball and bustling activity at the Fisherman Colony Manguinhos, a traditional fish market in Buizos.

Porto da Barra is surrounded by a string of bars and restaurants, so you’ll be spoilt for choice after spending the day splashing in the clear sea.

It's also one of the few beaches in Salvador that faces west, so you’ll be able to catch magnificent sunsets.

For more details visit www.bahia-online.net.

21. Tanjung Rhu, Langkawi, Malaysia

You won't likely get tired of the beach, but if you do there's always a karst rock face to check out.

The island cluster of Langkawi is spearheading Malaysia’s bid to become the next major resort destination in Southeast Asia. On the main isle (also called Langkawi), most tourists flock to Pantai Cenang beach, but the quieter Tanjung Rhu has an earthy beauty and serene atmosphere.

The three-kilometer Tanjung Rhu beach area is surrounded by ancient limestone caves, rippling waterways and dense mangroves.

The plush Four Seasons Resort offers boat tours around the mangrove forests.

Malaysian Airlines and AirAsia operate daily flights from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi. For more details visitwww.langkawi-info.com.

20. Patnem Beach, Goa, India

All the charm of India, without the chaos.

Most tourists know Goa for Anjuna beach, hippie heaven of the 1960s and now a tourist magnet.

If the cacophony of flea markets and tourist raves are not your thing, head to the lesser-known shores of Patnem, a stone’s throw from the increasingly crowded Palolem beach.

Patnem may be smaller than its famous neighbor, but it’s also less claustrophobic, with cheaper beach hut accommodations. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the sunset while congratulating yourself on ducking the Goan tourist radar.

Take a taxi from the pre-paid taxi counter outside the Madgaon Railway Station in Goa to Patnem Beach. This will cost you around Rs 700 (US$14); www.goabeachhuts.com.

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19. D-Day beaches, Normandy, France

The most important beaches in modern history.

History was made at Normandy’s D-Day beaches. On the morning of June 6, 1944, tens of thousands of Allied soldiers stormed the beaches, code-named Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. It was the largest amphibious operation in history.

The Normandy landings and subsequent Battle of Normandy eventually helped free Europe from Nazi occupation.

Visitors can retrace the fateful landings at the five D-day beaches, which are still referred to by their invasion code names. Moving cemeteries, memorials and small World War II museums dot the area.

In Caen, a nearby city that was heavily bombed during the D-Day invasion, a large museum now commemorates peace.

Normandy is easily accessible from Paris, either by car (two or three hours drive) or train (two hours from Paris St. Lazare station to Caen central station). Alternatively, a ferry across the channel takes just more than three hours from Portsmouth in England to Ouistreham, the easternmost D-Day landing zone, an ideal starting point; www.normandie-tourisme.fr.

18. Dominical Beach, Costa Rica

The vultures are there to clean up anyone who stays a little too long.

People often stay longer in this sleepy surf town than they intended to, thanks to monster waves and lush green forests. Dominical’s warm waters also make it ideal for long, lazy swims.

Dominical’s beach shacks offer great food and company, but the highly regarded Tortilla Flats is the best -- it's a surfer hotel, seaside restaurant and happening night spot rolled into one.

For details visit www.costaricatravelsite.com.

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17. Canggu Beach, Bali, Indonesia

A side of Bali beach life you'll be pleased to discover.

Bali's Canggu Beach is a long stretch of surf-perfect coastline, with everything from easy waves for beginners to serious breaks for those who need a challenge.

The scene is unpretentious and the mood is laid back. Expect to rub shoulders with adventurous people who know Asia well.

Since there are hardly any bars on Canggu Beach, don’t expect much nightlife. Instead, travelers tend to chill and get to know one another and the locals who run the venues after dark.

Located in Canggu Village, Kerobokan, Denpasar, Bali. Taxis can be difficult to find in this area and most travel tends to be by private car or hired motorcycle. Consider booking a hotel that provides airport pickup, as this is the easiest way to reach Canggu. www.balistarisland.com

16. Karekare, West Auckland, New Zealand

You'd think a piano would be easy to spot.

Easily accessible from Auckland, Karekare was immortalized in 1993 film, "The Piano."

As seen in the movie, a grandiose sweep of black sand stretches as far as the eye can see, with bush-clad hills backing an isolated, wild beach.

Karekare tends to be less touristy than nearby Piha. If you prefer a quieter beach, this is the one for you.

The water can be extremely rough and swimming only “between the flags” is advised.

Karekare is popular for its annual beach race day, in which local ponies and horses race to raise money for charity. Beach race day is usually held in early April.

An hour's drive from central Auckland. Head west to the suburb of Glen Eden. Take West Coast Road and turn right onto Scenic Drive. Turn left onto Piha Road and follow it to Karekare Road. For more details visitwww.auckland.nz.com.

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15. Bahia Solano, Colombia

The kind of place that'll eat up two weeks before you realize it.

The beach town of Bahia Solano is a unique scene of immobile boats rusting where river meets ocean. Fishermen languidly cast nets over a huge bay.

Fashion shops, vegetable markets, cafés and bars line a vibrant main street.

US$8 beds near the beach are a godsend for budget travelers.

For details visit www.mantarayatravel.com.

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14. Margaret River Beach, Australia

Make your beach trip sophisticated, with wine, rather than beer.

Nature has been kind to Margaret River. Not only is the western Australian town blessed with mild climes, baby powder beaches and drop-dead gorgeous scenery, it also produces some of the country’s finest wines.

The surf at Margaret River is top notch -- head to Margaret River’s official tourism website for details on the best breaks.

Wine-tasting at Margaret River’s 60-plus wineries is a favorite tourist activity. The town’s many art galleries showcase vestiges of the hippie culture that characterized the area in the late 1960s.

For more visit www.margaretriver.com.

13. Playa Paraiso, Cayo Largo, Cuba

Chances are you'll have all the trees to yourself.

Cuba's finest beach island goes overkill on clear. Water like crystal, sand like sugar, there's barely even a cloud to disrupt the electric smoothness of the sky most days.

Playa Paraiso, meaning "paradise beach," is not quite as exposed to the elements as some of the other beaches on the island. The weather is usually calm and the sea here remains shallow most of the year.

Visitors will find a smattering of beach umbrellas and a small bar. But for the most part this place is about sea and sand and not much else.

A free shuttle leaves nearby hotels several times a day for the 20-minute drive to Playa Paraiso. For more details visit www.cayolargo.net.

12. Hanalei Bay, Hawaii, United States

If a storm is brewing, best head elsewhere.

Mountains in the background, ocean in front and five kilometers of sand underfoot, Hanalei Bay on the Hawaiian island of Kauai is one of the most picturesque in the world.

It's a surfer's and paddle boarder's dream, with a reef to the right-hand side of the bay (looking out to sea). Closer to the pier, novices and weaker swimmers can splash about without fear.

Hanalei can be a tempestuous mistress. Storms and poor weather will turn the strip into a formidable beast, with choppy ocean conditions and beach run-off that's best avoided.

From Princeville, drive down Highway 56. Take a right on Aku. Continue driving until you reach Weke Road. Take a right at the junction to reach Hanalei Bay Beach Park. For more information visit www.to-hawaii.com.

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11. Sun Island Beach, Maldives

Need to buy some milk? Leave the car keys, grab a snorkel.

Recognized in some polls as the world's best beach, this diamond in the middle of the Indian Ocean has become a favorite with celebs and rich honeymooners drawn by the thought of sleeping over the water, literally.

Nearby resorts offer luxury bungalows on stilts in the water, where you can be sent to sleep with the sound of real water lapping at your doorstep, not the fake kind from you iPhone app.

Nearby coral reefs attract thousands of tropical fish, snorkelers and divers.

But you don't even need to be a water baby to enjoy the scenery -- parts of the reef are visible from the beach, so clear is the water.

The Hilton Maldives Resort and Spa is located on Rangali and Rangalifinolhu Islands in the South Ari Atoll, 90 kilometers southwest of the capital city, Male. For more details visit www.mal-dives.com.

10. Nungwi, Zanzibar

Out of Africa, but planning to go straight back.

The island of Zanzibar has long been loved by intrepid travelers for its enigmatic old Stone Town and 30 or so pristine beaches.

Tourists tend to gravitate towards Nungwi, a settlement located along the coast of north Zanzibar. In Nungwi’s extremely shallow shores, travelers can quite literally walk on water, with baby formula sand between their toes.

The azure waters and coral around Nungwi are home to scores of marine creatures.

Nungwi can be reached by bus, tourist minibus or hired vehicle from Zanzibar. For information visit www.zanzibar-travel-guide.com.

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9. Boulders Beach, Cape Town

"Last at the bar buys the round."

At Boulders Beach, you’ll find one of the scenes that South Africa is most famous for -- penguins on a beach.

Boulders Beach is home to a colony of 3,000 jackass penguins that can be easily spotted waddling in and out of the sea.

The best place to see the penguins is from a special viewing boardwalk constructed on nearby Foxy Beach.

Boulders Beach forms part of the Table Mountain National Park.

For details visit dostuffct.com.

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8. Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

Best seats in the house for the humpback whale show.

Affectionately known as Provos, this 40-kilometer-long island, part of the Turks and Caicos archipelago, gives up half its length to one of the world's finest stretches of sand.

Now that the word is out, tourism infrastructure on Providenciales is developing a bit faster than some people would like.

Grace Bay Beach, a stunning, 19-kilometer stretch of sugary white sand, is host to most of the island's resorts. Other parts of the island, such as the Copper Jack beaches, still feel undiscovered.

Diving at Providenciales is world class, with stacks of healthy coral close to shore. The island is also close to a humpback whale migration route.

Many international airlines offer daily flights to Providenciales from several U.S. cities, Europe, the Bahamas and Caribbean cities. For more details visit www.turks-and-caicos-beach-vacation.com.

7. Maya Bay, Ko Phi Phi, Thailand

In beaches at least, Leo DiCaprio has great taste.

Yes, it’s filled with tourists, thanks in part to Leonardo DiCaprio, who starred in “The Beach,” which was filmed here. But there’s a reason Maya Bay is still on our list -- it’s just too perfect to pass up.

Maya Bay is a white sand beach hugged by steep limestone cliffs. Coral reefs make it an excellent spot for snorkeling.

Thousands of people visit the bay every day, so if you want to avoid the crowds, try to visit early in the morning or after 5 p.m.

From Phi Phi Don you can rent a longtail boat for 1,000 baht (US$32) for three hours, or 2,000 baht (US$64) for a full day, maximum four passengers, to get to the island. For more information visit www.krabi-tourism.com.

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6. Pulau Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia

Almost as if God saw a postcard, and made a beach to match.

If you’re a beach bum you’ve probably already heard of, or visited, or fallen in love with, Malaysia’s Perhentian Islands.

The two main islands are the backpacker-happy Pulau Perhentian Kecil (Small Perhentian Island), and Pulau Perhentian Besar (Big Perhentian Island), which has slightly more expensive accommodation.

Dive in the crystal blue waters off Pulau Perhentian Kecil and you’re almost guaranteed to swim with sea turtles and small sharks.

Hang around the island’s beach-side restaurants at 5 p.m. to watch fishermen bring in the day’s catch and haggle with restaurant owners.

The only way to get to the Perhentian Islands is by sea. Boat services are available from Kuala Besut. Read more at www.pulauperhentian.com.my.

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5. Tulum, Mexico

Along with Normandy's D-Day beaches, a beach where you get a history lesson with your tan.

There aren’t many places in the world where people can swim in the shadow of ancient Mayan ruins. Mexico’s Tulum is one of them.

Tulum is famous for being the home of a Mayan archeological ruin that teeters on the edge of a sheer cliff. Beneath it, baby powder sands and jade green waters glisten.

The dramatically situated ruin makes it one of the three big Mayan sites for tourists, the other two being Chichen Itza in Mexico and Tikal in Guatemala.

The Yucatan's turquoise cenotes and excellent diving are also tourist draws. Everything from mega-resorts to thatched cabanas offering boutique accommodations are available.

For information visit www.travelyucatan.com.

4. Whitehaven Beach, Queensland, Australia

Watercolors are made of this.

With more than four kilometers of sand that is 98 percent pure silica -- so clean it squeaks -- Whitehaven Beach is part of the Whitsunday Islands National Park.

As part of the park’s conservation policy, visitors have to register with a tour guide for access, and can stay only for a few hours. That’s one way it maintains its postcard-like perfection.

Local conservation efforts here have been internationally applauded. In 2010, the beach won CNN’s Most Eco Friendly Beach award.

Watch out for jellyfish in summer. For those who’d rather look like a condom than get stung, most tour boats provide head-to-toe, skin-tight stinger suits.

Whitehaven Beach is a natural park, so tour boats can stay only for brief periods. For more details visit www.whitehavenbeach.com.au.

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3. Champagne Beach, Vanuatu

If only this WAS a beach full of Champagne.

The South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu broke into the headlines a few years ago when the Happy Planet Index ranked it the happiest nation on earth. With beaches like this, how could locals not be euphoric?

The crescent of sand at Champagne Beach looks upon a lagoon fringed with coral. The beach gets its name from a phenomenon witnessed by the first travelers to the region -- the shallow waters appear to fizz at low tide, as if the beach is swimming in bubbly.

In truth, the effect is caused by gas escaping from volcanic rocks on the sea floor.

On the east coast of Espiritu Santo, the country's biggest island, Champagne Beach is a relatively popular tourist destination, particularly with Australian cruise shippers, though it does retain a quiet, laid-back feel.

There is no public transportation to the beach. For information on how to access the beach, visit www.vanuatu-hotels.vu. Champagne Beach Road, Lonnoc Village, North East Espiritu Santo Island, Vanuatu

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2. Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles

The beach that makes everyone with a camera feel talented.

A major contender for the top spot, this ribbon of sand on the Seychelles’ third-largest island, La Dique, mixes salt-white and flamingo-pink sands to create one of the most photographed beaches in the world.

A reef keeps the water calm, so make the most of rental snorkels to explore the shallow waters, after which you can explore granite boulders further inland.

The nearby restaurant, Lanbousir, offers local Creole dishes, including the tempting fruit-bat curry. DIY lovers can fix their own picnic from a supermarket just five minutes from the beach.

From the Seychelles’ main island of Mahe, take a ferry to the jetty at La Passe, on La Dique Island. From there flag down an ox-cart to L'Union Estate. A footpath leads to Anse Source d'Argent. There's a small entrance fee for non-residents.

1. Matira Beach, Bora Bora, Tahiti

No parties, but a whole bunch of dreams realized.

Bora Bora is like the Gwyneth Paltrow of beaches -- a little too perfect to be believable.

But the spell that this small island in French Polynesia has cast on probably every traveler ever to dip a toe into its soft sands or calm waters has yet to be broken.

No question, Bora Bora is a heavy tourist destination -- luxury resorts and budget bungalows dapple the white sand perimeter. But its best spot, Matira Beach, reminds you why places like this become popular in the first place.

Feed sharks, hunt for black pearls, look through World War II memorabilia or just laze on the sand. At the world's greatest beach, life takes you easy.

Fly to Papeete in Tahiti, about seven and a half hours from Los Angeles. Then catch a flight to Bora Bora's tiny airport on Motu Mute.

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Seven South Florida surprises

2012-06-26T01:48:00.002-07:00

By Steve Winston, Special to CNN

(CNN) -- South Florida? Sure, we all know about South Beach. The beach in Fort Lauderdale. The shopping in Palm Beach.

But there are a hundred little surprises here as well. And you may not find them all in the guidebooks.

The ghost of Trapper Nelson

"Trapper" Nelson (born Vincent Nostokovich) lived in the swamps and mangroves of the Loxahatchee, in northern Palm Beach County, from the 1930s until 1968.

At 6-foot-4 and 240 well-sculpted pounds, he was called "The Wild Man of the Loxahatchee." He lived in a log cabin and ate only what he could kill.

And he became a local legend. He even built a small zoo with the animals he captured, entertaining his occasional visitors by wrestling alligators.

On July 24, 1968, an acquaintance found Trapper Nelson dead inside his cabin, with a shotgun hole in his belly. The circumstances of his death were never established.

Some people, though, swear that Trapper Nelson's still there. Rose Watson, who knew him as a little girl, claims to have seen his ghost at least six times.

"I saw him clearly," she says. "A big man, with the outline of the face I remembered from childhood. There's no doubt in my mind. It was as real as it could possibly be!"

Ranger-guided tours of Trapper Nelson's homestead are offered year-round at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.

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A castle for lost love

In Latvia in the early 1900s, Edward Leedskalnin and Agnes Scuffs were engaged to be married. But Agnes called it off.

Heartbroken, Ed emigrated to Homestead, south of Miami, where he spent the rest of his life creating a monument to the woman he loved.

In 1923, Leedskalnin began carving a structure from the ubiquitous coral here. He didn't finish it until 1951. And when he was finished, Ed -- only 5 feet tall and 100 pounds -- had somehow transported and sculpted 1,100 tons of coral into an open-air "castle" for himself, Agnes and an imaginary child.

When asked how he managed to move tons of coral, all Ed would say was that he was a student of the ancient laws of physics. His workshop was filled with pulleys and mechanical lifts, but no one saw how he did it.

He once bought several tons of coral from a quarry. When the foreman asked how he intended to load the coral onto his truck, Ed requested privacy. A few minutes later, when the foreman came back, he was astonished to see Ed sitting in the truck with the coral fully loaded.

Ed never gave up hope that Agnes would join him. But she never came.

He died just weeks after finishing the castle.

The Coral Castle Museum opens daily at 8 a.m. Adult admission is $15; children 7-12 get in for $7; no charge for children 6 and younger.

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A huge sports memorabilia collection

In 1943, 4-year-old Joel Platt tossed a lit match into a gas tank at his uncle's car lot. The car exploded. And so, more or less, did little Joel.

Joel spent the next year in a hospital bed. One night, he saw Babe Ruth in a dream. That was the start of his magnificent obsession.

Today, Platt owns more than a million pieces of sports memorabilia, with an estimated value of $50 million to $100 million. And his Sports Immortals Museum in Boca Raton can only hold a fraction of it.

Michael Heffner, president of Leland's Auction House, has called it "the largest and most valuable collection of diverse and important sports artifacts ever assembled."

"I cherish every piece," Platt says. "But I cherish the stories behind each one just as much."

Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for children. The museum is at 6830 N. Federal Highway in Boca Raton.

Four-wheeled fantasies

Tucked away in a warehouse district of North Miami is one of the world's most incredible collections of automobiles, motorcycles and fantasy vehicles.

The Dezer Collection has Michael Keaton's Batmobile. The bright green Jaguar -- complete with missiles -- used by Halle Berry in "Die Another Day." A 37-foot-long pink Mercedes convertible seen on "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous," with a heart-shaped hot tub in the rear.

A Russian T-55 tank driven by Pierce Brosnan in "Goldeneye." And an Aston Martin used in "Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.," complete with ramming bumpers, rotating license plates, machine gun and tire-slashers.

Here, you can see Diana Rigg's Lotus from "The Avengers." A pink Jeep from "Burn Notice." The Gran Torino from the "Starsky & Hutch" movie. Lindsay Lohan's Love Bug from "Herbie Fully Loaded." Tom Selleck's Ferrari from "Magnum, P.I." The motorcycle from "Lethal Weapon." And a Bamby Peel, the world's smallest drivable car.

The collection is the brainchild of Michael Dezer, an Israeli-American with a passion for classic wheels. Its value has been estimated at $80 million, and many experts have called it the largest privately held car collection in the world.

Admission to one of the two buildings is $25 for adults, $10 for children. Admission to both buildings is $40 for adults, $15 for children.

The Old Spanish Monastery: The 12th century in Miami

The Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux was completed in Spain in 1144 and occupied by monks for 700 years. It was eventually sold and turned into a stable.

In 1925, newspaper magnate Randolph Hearst fell in love with the old monastery and purchased it. The building was dismantled, stone by stone. Each stone was then numbered, packed in hay and shipped to the United States. But because of a hoof-and-mouth outbreak in Spain, the Department of Agriculture ordered that the boxes be broken open and all the hay burned. But Hearst's workmen, unfortunately, failed to put the stones back in the right boxes.

Hearst ran into financial trouble and was forced to sell the boxes. So they sat in a New York warehouse for 26 years until two Miami businessmen bought the boxes and shipped them here. It took 19 months to reassemble the monastery.

Today, it's a green oasis of tranquility and Medieval architecture.

St. Bernard de Clairvaux is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Regular admission is $8.

The funkiest graveyard in America

The Key West Cemetery is a "city" of 70,000 inhabitants -- twice as many as the population above ground -- and some of the funniest epitaphs in America.

For example: The one etched by a woman scorned on the grave of her scoundrel -- "At least I know where he's sleeping tonight." On the grave of B.P. "Pearl" Roberts, apparently the town's resident hypochondriac, "I told you I was sick!"

Then there's the eternal resting place of "Sloppy Joe" Russell, who owned the Key West bar of the same name, Ernest Hemingway's favorite haunt when he lived here in the 1930s. Also buried here is Hemingway's chief source of material for "To Have and Have Not," a Prohibition-era bootlegger named Willard Antonio Gomez.

Then there's Gloria Russell's grave, which simply says, "I'm just resting my eyes."

Guided tours are offered twice a week through the Historic Florida Keys Foundation. Call or e-mail for reservations.

Japan in Delray Beach

In 1905, enterprising Japanese immigrant Joseph Sakei dreamed of creating a Japanese agricultural community in Delray Beach.

He advertised in Japan for workers -- and for women to come and marry them. As the colony grew, it was named "Yamato," in honor of a region in Japan. Life was hard, though, with stifling heat, disease, mosquitoes and crop blights. And most of the settlers returned to Japan.

But a man named George Morikami built a good life here for his family. Morikami bequeathed his land to Palm Beach County upon his death, asking that the county create a museum and park about Japanese culture. Today it's one of South Florida's true cultural treasures.

There are 200 acres filled with red wooden footbridges crossing ponds stocked with koi, sculpted bonsai plants, rock gardens, winding paths through the woods and small waterfalls. There's a Japanese villa, with blue-roofed rooms surrounding a central courtyard, filled with tea settings, ancient swords and ceremonial items.

A museum was later added, with an authentic tea house and lakeside restaurant. In all, there are some 5,000 Japanese objects on display.

Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed Monday. Admission is $13 for adults, $8 for children 6-17 and free for children 5 and younger.

Steve Winston is a Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based writer.

Ronaldo sends Portugal into Euro 2012 semis

2012-06-26T01:44:00.000-07:00

By Kevin Darling, CNN

(CNN) -- Cristiano Ronaldo's late header sealed a deserved win for Portugal in the Euro 2012 quarterfinal clash against Czech Republic.
The Real Madrid forward, who found form so emphatically with two goals in the previous match against Holland, proved the difference once again as he powered home a Joao Moutinho cross with 11 minutes remaining.
It was no less than Portugal's display merited after they dominated the second half against an unfancied Czech side that started the match brightly but faded drastically.
Portugal's win set up a semifinal meeting next Wednesday against either France or Spain.
"We played very well, created a lot of chances and I hit the post twice," Ronaldo told TV reporters after the victory.
Soccer Live: CNN's blog from Thursday's opening quarterfinal
"We know it'll be difficult in the next game, but we're very a mature team and we're ready for the fight."
This match was a repeat of the Euro '96 quarterfinal in England, where Karel Poborsky scored a famous scooped lob to give the Czech underdogs a 1-0 win.
It was that losing Portugal side, elegantly marshaled by the likes of Rui Costa and Luis Figo, which prompted Ruud Gullit to coin the phrase "sexy football."
And there was plenty to seduce viewers in Portugal's second-half display in Warsaw, as the Czechs were blown away by their opponents' pace and guile going forward.
Not that Paulo Bento side's superiority was evident in a cagey first half where the Portuguese were labored and sloppy, in contrast to the lively, well-drilled Czechs.
Still, it was Ronaldo who almost broke the deadlock with a moment of brilliance seconds before halftime.
The winger deftly chested down a Raul Meireles pass inside the Czech box, spun cleverly away from Michael Kadlec and unleashed a low shot that bounced back off the post.
The Portugal captain looked to the heavens in exasperation, but it was a warning sign the Czechs would have heeded.
Yet Michal Bilek's side were powerless to stem the tide of Portuguese attacks that followed after the break.
Minutes after the restart, Ronaldo hit the post again -- this time with a fearsome 35-yard free-kick.
It set the tone for the remainder of the game as Portugal relentlessly pinned the Czechs back, with chances coming thick and fast.
Hugo Almeida sent a free header tamely over the bar, before Petr Cech parried Nani's venomous hit and tipped over a fizzing effort from Moutinho. Meireles and Nani then fired chances over the bar with the goal begging.
Ronaldo, inevitably, had a few attempts of his own too.
He fired a shot over and had several efforts blocked, the spasms of anguish that greeted each miss becoming increasingly animated.
But that frustration was released with the clock ticking towards extra time, as Ronaldo's aerial prowess came to the fore.
Moutinho delivered a right-wing cross and Ronaldo hurled himself at the ball to send a powerful header into the ground and bouncing over the outstretched fingers of Cech to spark wild Portuguese celebrations.
Portugal are unlikely to be the favorites in the semifinals, whichever team they face, but with Europe's best player looking at the peak of his powers, who would bet against them?

America's best North-South roads

2012-06-25T00:48:00.001-07:00

By Ryan Ver Berkmoes, Lonely Planet

(Lonely Planet) -- Go west, young man! This historic cliché still resonates when it comes to road trips. But whether it's bombing to the Bay Area along the often dull-as-dirt I-80 or trying to find traces of iconic Route 66 amid a tangle of bland Interstates, the old paradigm of thinking horizontal when planning a road trip is simply not the way to go.

Many of the best and most interesting roads in the U.S. run north to south, crossing the nation's striations and taking you from northern weather and cultures to entirely different ones down south. As a bonus these roads pack a lot into routes that are often shorter than the east-west standbys. New York to San Francisco is about 2900 miles by the most direct route, snoozy I-80. But Chicago to Miami on the legendary US 41 through Memphis is only 1400 miles and a thrilling journey from start to finish.

Often overlooked, the old national highways (with route numbers proceeded by 'US') offer some incredible north-south journeys. At times the routes disappear under modern interstates but these are mere interruptions in authentic journeys of discovery and adventure. Here are some favorites.

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US 1 (2400 miles)

One of the great American road trips, this fabled road starts at the Canadian border in Maine and goes all the way south to the tip of the nation in Key West, Florida. Along the way it traverses 15 states, including 12 of the original 13 colonies. It hugs Connecticut's shore, razors across New York City, crosses Washington DC and hits the old south at Richmond, Va. Its rural meanderings in Georgia pass towns little changed in decades before it joins the balmy Atlantic coast in Florida and follows the beaches all the way through Miami and on to the Keys.

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US 41 (2000 miles)

From the tip of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where Lakes Superior and Michigan bracket the road, US 41 follows the latter lake down the coast of Wisconsin and into Chicago. There it veers southeast and wanders through the dense woods of Indiana and Kentucky, which abound in pioneer sites, especially ones linked to Abraham Lincoln. In Tennessee, the highlight is Nashville, the music city, before the road bounces down to Atlanta. In Florida US 41 links the resort towns of the Gulf Coast before cutting due east through the heart of the Everglades to Miami.c

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US 61 (1400 miles)

From a start in the lake-dotted prairies just north of Minneapolis-St Paul, US 61 stays with the Mississippi River through Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri, where it passes through Mark Twain country in Hannibal and the urban pleasures of St Louis. Continuing south through rural Arkansas and Tennessee, the route earns its legendary moniker 'the Blues Highway' as it follows the sinuous course of the mighty Mississippi through its namesake state's Delta Region. Crossing into Louisiana, US 41 ends fittingly at the blues clubs and other myriad pleasures of New Orleans.

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US 83 (1900 miles)

The sleeper of great US roads, US 83 is anything but a snooze, especially if you want hundreds of miles of driving through wide-open spaces, often little changed since the last Conestoga wagon passed through. From Manitoba to Mexico, the route runs near-arrow-straight south through North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma. The skies are big, the vistas wide and the small towns offer respite from chain-filled Interstate interchanges. In Texas, the beautiful Hill Country is a highlight before the road hits the troubled yet fascinating Mexican border at Laredo and follows the Rio Grande River to Brownsville.

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US 89 (1250 miles)

No US highway hits more iconic national parks than US 89, starting with Glacier near the Canadian border in Montana. Hugging the east side of the Rocky Mountains it passes Yellowstone at the Wyoming border and then drops down behind the iconic Grand Teton. In Utah it passes the mineral-laced waters of the Great Salt Lake and in the south cuts between Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. Over the line in Arizona is the biggest spectacle of all, the Grand Canyon. Although US 89 officially ends at Flagstaff, you can follow its original route south through Tucson and Saguaro National Park to Nogales and the Mexican border.

US 101 (1500 miles)

Easily one of the most famous American highways, a journey along US 101 is the reason for many a trip. The road starts on the Olympic Peninsula across Puget Sound from Seattle. Then it curves around to the Pacific, which it never strays far from all the way south. The views become spectacular at Astoria, Oregon and never diminish as you pass the giant redwoods of Northern California right until San Francisco. Although many people opt for Hwy 1 south of here, staying with US 101 takes you through Steinbeck Country and Salinas and on past the historic 17th century Spanish missions that once lined the what was then called the El Camino Real. At Paso Robles, hundreds of wineries vie for attention before the highway encounters the beautiful Southern California coast and follows the beaches through Santa Barbara. Further on it picks up the evocative name Hollywood Freeway and ends near downtown Los Angeles.

Could a yacht smooth choppy waters of European relations?

2012-06-25T00:45:00.002-07:00

By Stina Backer, for CNN

Editor's note: MainSail is CNN's monthly sailing show, exploring the sport of sailing, luxury travel and the latest in design and technology.

(CNN) -- With austerity measures exposing sharp ideological rifts between European nations, and a shadow now hanging over the future of the single currency, it's safe to say that relations on the continent have seen better days. With this in mind, a new force has emerged to resuscitate the old ideal of a truly unified Europe.

But it's no political party, lobby group or think tank. The latest vehicle flying the flag for EU solidarity (quite literally in this case) is a 30 meter-long, 44 meter-high yacht.

According to its founders, the "Esimit Europa 2" aims to promote pan-European cooperation and a sense of common identity through the unifying power of sport.

"This boat represents the best of Europe in terms of sailing, and it shows that people from different countries can set their differences aside to compete and win as a team. When you are not working together you can't win, and without winning there is no future," said the project's Slovenian co-founder Igor Simcic.

"Esimit Europa 2" is the only yacht in the world that has been granted the right to fly the blue and gold European flag. It has also won the backing of two of Europe's most powerful men -- the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, and the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso.

Effusive in his support of the yacht, Shulz recently spoke about the importance of such projects:

"A yacht, navigated by a truly European crew, sailing under the European flag, is a strong symbol of European unity and cooperation. Europe needs such symbols, which have power to unite and inspire," he said last month in a specially recorded video message, laden with suitably apt sailing metaphors:

"Today, more than ever, Europeans are all in the same boat and only together we can ride out of current storm and reach safe harbor. The "Esimit Europa" project is a bright example of the optimism that better times are ahead," he said.

If only Europe's economic prospects really were aligned with the fortune's of the "Esimit Europa 2". Its highly experienced 18-man pan-European crew, led by two-time America's Cup winner and three-time German Olympic champion Jochen Schumann, has so far claimed 11 consecutive wins -- breaking two course records in their 2010 rookie season alone.

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But working with so many nationalities on one boat (the crew is composed of representatives from six EU countries) poses evident communication problems.

"To become successful we had to agree on a common language," says skipper Schumann. "We chose English for obvious reasons, but as people don't have that many words in their personal English dictionary we've ended up with a very efficient and 'to-the-point' language, which works in our favor during races."

Schumann, who grew up in East Berlin, believes his experiences -- both before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall -- has made him appreciate the vision of a united Europe.

"I am proud to be German, but I am also proud to be European. Being the skipper of this boat is very much like my personal vision for Europe. Of course there are always going to be some Europeans that feel more nationalistic than others -- even in a team like ours -- but as long as we share the same goal and work together we can win," he said.

However, at the moment there are few instances of teams competing under the European flag, with the rare notable exception of the Ryder Cup - the biennial golf competition between Europe and America.

According to the University of Michigan's professor Andrei Markovits, who has written extensively on the connections between sports and politics, the reason there are so few pan-European sports teams reflects the problem of individual emotional engagement.

"In sports where the emotional stakes are very high, such as football or ice hockey, it's unlikely that these (continental) types of teams will appear because people care too much about their clubs and national teams," he said.

"In sports where the emotional stakes are low it could work -- but then it will just remain cute and nice, simply because it doesn't matter to people. It's always easy to unite in intellect but not as easy in terms of your guts," he added.

The greater issue, Markovits argues, is that sport is by its very nature combative. "In sports you will always have a winner and a loser. It's a zero-sum game. So you have to ask yourself whom is a pan-national team competing against?"

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As things stand, the "Esimit Europea 2" is only scheduled to compete against boats represented in the big European regattas. But if its visionary founder Igor Simcic has anything to do with it, there will soon be a new breed of regatta.

"I think in the future you might see continents or regions race against each other, such as Europe against the U.S. and China," he said.

But with national anti-European sentiment spreading, and the Euro on the brink of a possible collapse, can a yacht really be the a symbol which unifies a continent?

Schümann, at least, believes it can.

"For centuries sailing has been a way of connecting countries and continents," he said. "So I think 'Esimit Europa 2' is a very fitting symbol of what we are trying to achieve -- which is to show the world that we are always stronger if we work together."

Shenzhou-9 spacecraft boosts tourism in China's space city

2012-06-25T00:38:00.002-07:00

It's off-limits to foreigners, but Chinese flock to Jiuquan, where the nation's aerospace dream began

By CNNGo staf

The successful lift-off and docking of spacecraft Shenzhou-9 (神舟九号) is inspiring Chinese tourists to trek deep into the Gobi desert to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (酒泉卫星发射中心), the "Cape Canaveral of China."

Located in China’s northwest Gansu Province, Jiuquan -- home to around 1 million residents -- is witnessing a tourism boom, reported by Chinese media.

Curious aerospace fans swamped the city during the launch last week, and more families are planning an “educational tour” with their children for the upcoming summer school holiday.

“I originally planned to take [my son] to Qingdao and Weihai [during the summer vacation,]” a man surnamed Zhu from Lanzhou told Lanzhou Evenning News. “Now he wants to see the space city [in Jiuquan] and we’ll grant his wish.”

Wu, a marketing officer from Jiuquan Tourism Bureau, said that the success of Shenzhou-9 will mean a “substantial increase in tourism” for the city this summer.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center: China's aerospace dream started here.

Satellite center tour

Built in 1958, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, aka Dong Feng Space City(东风航天城), is the main draw of Jiuquan city.

The 2,800-square-kilometer Dong Feng is home to 30,000 scientists, soldiers and their families, and is China’s oldest and largest space launch center. It’s the breeding ground and launch pad of many vital space projects, including the nation’s first man-made satellite Dongfanghong and all the Shenzhou-series spacecraft.

Part of the space city is open to domestic tourists, which includes the satellite launch site, command center, and Wentiange (问天阁), where the astronauts live.

According to Jiuquan International Travel Agency, mainland Chinese tourists can tour the center after submitting their ID for permission. The space city doesn’t admit foreign travelers, but they can visit Jiuquan’s other attractions, such as a 2,000-year-old Han-style garden, Xihan Jiuquan.

Space city’s last tourism craze

Industry experts said that previous spacecraft launches, such as Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-8, have also increased Jiuquan’s tourism numbers, but the boost is particularly obvious with Shenzhou-9.

Chen, a local hotel owner, told the Chongqing Economic Times that the Jiuquan was enjoying its “last tourism craze.”

“This has been the busiest and most atmospheric spacecraft launch,” said Chen. “Jiuquan will return to peace after the Shenzhou-10 takes off.”

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The newspaper reported that China is planning to shift its aerospace industry to Hainan, where the country already has a launch center near the city of Wenchang (文昌).

Jiuquan received 6.16 million domestic and international tourists in 2011. The city is aiming to raise the number to more than 8 million this year.

A statue in downtown Jiuquan, showing man living happily on the moon. Is this China's space goal?

Shenzhou-9 background

The Shenzhou-9 launched on June 16 at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, carrying China’s first female astronaut, Liu Yang (刘洋), and two male astronauts, Jing Haipeng (景海鹏) and Liu Wang (刘旺).

The spacecraft successfully docked with the orbiting Tiangong-1 space laboratory on June 18, completing the next step in the country's ambitious space mission.

This makes China the third country to complete a manned space docking, following the United States and Russia.

The three-strong crew will stay in the space lab to conduct "scientific experiments, technical tests, and physical exercises," according to official state news agency, Xinhua.

A Shenzhou-9 operations timetable released by Xinhua shows the craft and crew are due to return to earth on June 29.

More on CNN: Historic Chinese space mission docks successfully

Admission to Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is RMB 160. The best way to get there is by taxi from Jiuquan. A single journey takes two-three hours. Taxi drivers charge roughly RMB 500 for a return trip.

Review: Justin Bieber's 'Believe' works surprisingly well

2012-06-25T00:35:00.002-07:00

By Kyle Anderson, EW.com

(EW.com) -- As a star birthed by YouTube and raised by Twitter, Justin Bieber has never had the luxury of growing up outside the public eye.
In the two years between his breakout 2010 LP, "My World 2.0," and "Believe," his second proper full-length, Bieber has had to go through cultural puberty and actual puberty — a tough gauntlet by any measure.
Luckily, his instincts (or at least the instincts of the small republic of people employed to steer the USS Bieber) are strong, and Believe works surprisingly well as a reinvention and a reintroduction. It's the rare album that tries to be everything to everyone and largely succeeds.
Like his mentor Usher, Bieber fully embraces both Ibiza beats (see dubsteppy bangers ''All Around the World'' and ''Take You'') and urban swagger (Drake and Nicki Minaj each drop by). Believe also updates his signature sounds. ''Catching Feelings'' would have been a smooth spoonful of radio sugar on his debut, but the new Bieber turns it into a soulful R&B campfire jam.

Biology has robbed him of some of his range, but he makes up for it in confidence: First-gen Bieber couldn't have handled the goosebumpy swoop of ''Fall,'' but this JB turns it into the album's profound emotional climax.
It's a prime showcase for his new voice and burgeoning mettle, proving that Bieber isn't just maturing, he's evolving. B+
Best Tracks:
Syncopated Boyfriend
Blustery ballad Fall
See the full article at EW.com.

Review: Tom Cruise owns 'Rock of Ages'

2012-06-25T00:33:00.001-07:00

By Tom Charity, Special to CNN

(CNN) -- Tom Cruise should have been a rock star.

Remember him pounding his air guitar in not much more than a shirt and shades in "Risky Business"? He turned a pool hall into a concert stage, strutting his stuff in "The Color of Money," shook his moneymaker under layers of latex at the end of "Tropic Thunder" and took a chance, singing in his own voice in "Top Gun" and "Magnolia." He always had the moves, and more important, he had the self-belief. He turns himself on.

Still, the challenge of a full-blown musical has apparently not been something he's been in a hurry to tackle, perhaps wary of undercutting his action-man credentials. Turns out, some things are worth waiting for.

Will audiences show up for 'Rock of Ages'?

I don't know how much they may have finessed his vocal tracks, and it doesn't matter. He owns "Rock of Ages," an addled tribute to '80s hair metal, from the very minute he appears. He emerges hazily from underneath layers of discarded groupies in a palatial hotel suite, sporting gunslinger body art and outrageous crotch jewelry, dispensing intensely eccentric, deeply fried philosophical nuggets before stumbling into the indoor Jacuzzi. Ladies and gents, meet Stacee Jaxx, God of Rock.

A caricature of already larger-than-life personalities Axl Rose and Steven Tyler, Stacee is very much a supporting character in Chris D'Arienzo's Tony-award-winning 2009 musical. But he's also the star of the show, the one everybody else is dying to see, to make or to emulate. Cruise has the charisma to sell all that even as he shows us a boozed-up captive to celebrity, sex and ego. When he does perform, he's electric. However, Cruise is just as good in the dialogue scenes, whether it's messing with club owner Alec Baldwin's vulnerable brain or fending off an increasingly hot-under-the-collar "Rolling Stone" features writer (Malin Akerman).

A karaoke musical in which almost everybody bursts into FM anthems at the drop of a hat (yes, even Baldwin, who duets with Russell Brand on a camp rendition of REO Speedwagon's "Can't Fight This Feeling"), by rights "Rock of Ages" shouldn't come off as a one-man show. But it's an uneven fight, and you might find yourself itching for the fast-forward button whenever Cruise is off-screen.

Julianne Hough, who portrayed Ariel in "Footloose" and who appeared in the strikingly similar "Burlesque," plays the movie's ostensible heroine, Sherrie Christian, a small-town girl from Oklahoma who gets off the bus in Hollywood ready to pursue her dream of being a singer.

Instead, she finds herself playing out a PG-13 version of "Showgirls," waiting tables at the legendary rock club the Bourbon Room and falling in love with a co-worker, Drew (Diego Boneta). Drew's own singing aspirations get considerably more screen time than Sherrie's, but he still fails to make much impact. Hilariously, within hours of meeting her, he claims to have been inspired to write "Don't Stop Believin." "It goes on and on," he explains modestly after giving her a taste of the first verse.

You couldn't accuse the filmmakers of taking themselves -- or anything else -- too seriously. Director Adam Shankman, the veteran choreographer who also directed "Hairspray" (and a couple of episodes of "Glee"), encourages the cast to amp everything up to 11, or in the case of Catherine Zeta-Jones, 111. She plays the mayor's wife, Patricia Whitmore, crusading to clean up the Strip and shut down the Bourbon Room for reasons more personal than political.

All this sound and fury signifies next to nothing, and music fans may feel it's a funny sort of tribute that mocks as much as it rocks. Even so, it's good to see Tom Cruise letting his hair down. It's a fun show if you roll with it.

'Rock of Ages': 8 fun facts about the movie's costumes

Will audiences show up for 'Rock of Ages'?

2012-06-25T00:31:00.002-07:00

By Stephanie Goldberg, CNN

(CNN) -- You're on a bus to Los Angeles and the cute blond girl in the third row breaks out into a rendition of "Sister Christian." You have two options: You can stare at her awkwardly or pretend you're Kelly Keagy and lend your vocals to the chorus.

It's scenes like this one, which opens Adam Shankman's new film "Rock of Ages," based on the rock opera of the same name, that have audiences split on movie musicals. Formerly a surefire moneymaker, the genre has become more accustomed to sporadic success in recent years.

Still, studios recreate such musicals, hoping for "Mamma Mia's" box office numbers and "Chicago's" critical acclaim.

Boasting names like Tom Cruise and Catherine Zeta-Jones, nostalgic rock anthems and '80s flair, "Rock of Ages" will prevail if audiences are in on the joke, said Robert Viagas, the founding editor of Playbill.com.

Director Shankman appears to agree with Viagas.

"The period sort of makes fun of itself in its own way because it was a really wonky sort of boundaryless time," Shankman, who directed, produced and choreographed the film, told The Hollywood Reporter. "I wanted to make sure the comedy and emotion were coming from the characters and not from their wigs or costumes, that they weren't always chasing the joke of the era."

Big hair and fanny packs aside, musicals have a hard enough time appealing to mainstream audiences.

"At a certain point, people lost the ability to ... imagine a realistic story being told through music and dance," Viagas said, noting theatrical underachievers like 1967's "Doctor Dolittle," 1968's "Star!" and 1969's "Hello, Dolly!"

"Movies have become so literal," he added. Some people respond better to "things that are sort of in quotes. It has to have an element of reality."

Despite Shankman's success with 2007's "Hairspray," which grossed more than $118 million domestically, he said: "I really worry about losing money for people and hurting people's careers, and ('Rock of Ages') was a really big gamble."

But the director said he was comforted by Cruise's enthusiasm and hard work as rock star Stacee Jaxx.

Cruise has said he spent about five hours a day training for the role, and it's a good thing, because Jeffrey Simonoff, a New York University Stern professor of statistics, said the "Mission: Impossible" actor's performance could potentially be a big draw.

People will be intrigued to see a star in this role who isn't usually associated with singing and dancing, said Simonoff, who co-wrote a recent study titled "Broadway Show Survival." Then there's Zeta-Jones, who won an Academy Award for her role as Velma Kelly in "Chicago."

Simonoff's research says musicals last much longer than other types of productions on Broadway. That might play into Hollywood's motivation for adapting such stories.

If a Broadway show that costs $350 for a family of four in New York can be successful, Simonoff reasoned, why wouldn't a movie version, that costs about $45 for that same family, do well?

That said, "You get less of the spectacular aspect in the movies than you do in the theater," he said. "Music is playing, dancing is going on, and you really feel it a lot more than you do on the movie screen. ... Movie musicals do get hurt by that."

On Broadway, "There's that suspension of disbelief that you go in with," Simonoff added. "You know it's on a stage. When you watch a movie, there's still some suspension of disbelief, but it feels more jarring when people suddenly burst into song."

In other words, the fact that the actors in "Rock of Ages" are constantly reacting to musical numbers could work in the film's favor.

Some people might find it odd if Sherrie, played by Julianne Hough, was sitting on a bus singing and nobody around her seemed to notice, Viagas said.

Most of the musicals that have done well at the box office of late have used a mix of dialogue and music to move a story along, much like "Rock of Ages." So it will be interesting to see how "Les Misérables," a fully sung musical, performs at the box office when it opens in December, Viagas added.

The "Rock of Ages" movie soundtrack, which debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200, and No. 1 on the Soundtrack chart, will likely have a better week after the film opens, said Phil Gallo, a senior correspondent at Billboard.

Soundtracks aren't huge moneymakers anymore, Gallo said. "Garden State," which earned Zach Braff the Grammy Award for best compilation soundtrack for a motion picture in 2005, was "the last, sort of, collection of music by artists that would ... greatly enhance the value of a film."

Even the "Hairspray" soundtrack debuted on the Billboard 200 at No. 20 before peaking at No. 2.

But "Rock of Ages" is driven by '80s hits like "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," "Don't Stop Believin' " and "Every Rose Has Its Thorn."

"'Rock of Ages' is filled with 11 o'clock numbers," Gallo said.

Get ready to start singing on that bus.

'Rock of Ages': 8 fun facts about the movie's costumes

SUNDARBANS: The Beautiful Jungles

2012-06-25T00:28:00.005-07:00

BY RITIKA

About Sundarbans

The place that derives its name from Sundari trees. The name Sundarban can be literally translated as "beautiful jungle" or "beautiful forest" in the Bengali language . The tidal rivers and mangrove forests provide habitats suitable for animals inhabiting tidal swamp areas. Numerous aquatic and semi-aquatic animals inhabit these forests.

Physiology of Sundarbans

A part of the world's largest delta formed by the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna, the Sunderbans is a vast tract of forest and saltwater swamp stretching for about 160 miles along the Bay of Bengal from the Hooghly River Estuary in West Bengal to the Meghna River Estuary in Bangladesh. Sprawled over an area of 4262 sq. kms in India, Sunderbans is the largest estuarine sanctuary in the world, and habitat to some of India's most amazing wildlife species. The mangrove-dominated Ganges Delta is a complex ecosystem comprising one of the largest single tract of mangrove forests of the world. Situated mostly in Bangladesh, India, has a small portion of it.

This ecoregion is nearly extinct, the victim of large-scale clearing and settlement to support one of the densest human populations in Asia. Hundreds of years of habitation and exploitation by one of the world's densest human populations have exacted a heavy toll of this ecoregion's habitat and biodiversity.

Fauna Of Sundarbans

The Sunderban Tiger Project was formed in 1974 and covers an area of 2585 sq. kms, and is a national forest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to the largest concentration of wild tigers in the world, the Sunderbans National Park in West Bengal received National Park status on May 4, 1984. The park comprises a network of estuaries, tidal rivers, and creeks intersected by many channels, with flat, marshy islands covered with thick forests in between. The forest at the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve is the only ecological habitat of the tiger of its kind not only in India, but also worldwide except in Bangladesh.

Sunderbans is home to an amazing variety of wild animals including spotted deer, monkeys, wild pigs, herons, white bellied eagles, kingfishers and about 270 Royal Bengal tigers. Occasionally, tigers of Sunderbans have been known to be man-eaters. It is believed that the uniqueness of the habitat and the lack of suitable prey have resulted in such unique behavioral trends of Sunderbans tiger.

Besides the tiger, the reserve is home to diverse aquatic and reptile life forms including the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtle, Green Turtle, Hawk's Bill Turtle, hard-shelled Batgur Terrapin, King cobra, Pythons, Chequered killback, Estuarine Crocodile, Monitor and lizards like the Salvator lizard to name a few. A number of Trans-Himalayan migratory birds can also be spotted at Sunderbans.

Accessibility To Sundarbans

The best time to visit the Sunderbans Sanctuary and its surrounding region is from September to March.

Sunderban can only be accessed by waterways. There are several entry points to the Sunderbans, but the most popular and nearest railhead is at Port Canning, which is connected to Kolkata by suburban railway. Organized group trips start from Port Canning to reach Sunderbans.

About Sundarbans Popular Culture

The Sunderbans are celebrated through numerous Bengali folk songs and dances, often centered around the folk heroes, gods and goddesses specific to the Sunderbans. The area provides the setting for several novels by Emilio Salgari, (e.g. The Mystery of the Black Jungle). Part of the plot of Salman Rushdie's Booker Prize winning novel, Midnight's Children is also set in the Sundarbans. Kunal Basu's short story "The Japanese Wife" and the subsequent film adaptation also take place here. Most of the plot of prize-winning anthropologistAmitav Ghosh's 2004 novel, The Hungry Tide, is set in the Sundarbans. The acclaimed BBC TV series Ganges documents the lives of villagers, especially honey collectors, in the Sundarbans.

Italy reach semi-finals after penalty kicks drama

2012-06-25T00:00:00.002-07:00

By Paul Gittings, CNN

(CNN) -- Italy beat England 4-2 in a penalty shootout to reach the semifinals of Euro 2012 after their match in Kiev Sunday ended goalless following extra time.
Alessandro Diamanti converted the deciding penalty to give Italy a deserved victory after they had dominated for prolonged periods.
They will play Germany for a place in the final in Warsaw Thursday. Portugal play defending champions Spain in the first semifinal in Donetsk Wednesday.
The Italians were first to miss in the shootout when Riccardo Montolivo shot wide, but England's delight was short-lived when Ashley Young's well-struck spot-kick rattled the crossbar.
Man of the match Andrea Pirlo then pulled Italy level at 2-2 with an impudent chip over Joe Hart, before Ashley Cole saw his effort saved by Gianluigi Buffon.

Soccer Live: CNN's live blog of England vs Italy

Diamanti supplied the winning touch, prompting his teammates to charge forward in celebration as England were once again left to rue their failure to win a penalty shootout at a major competition.

"We've gone out without being beaten with our heads held high and making the country proud," a defiant England manager Roy Hodgson told reporters after their defeat.
Cesare Prandelli's Italy had the better of the opening exchanges in regulation time, with Daniele de Rossi almost giving the Azzurri the lead after two minutes when his swerving volley hit the woodwork.
England also went close when Buffon was forced to claw away a Glen Johnson effort.
Manchester City's mercurial talent Mario Balotelli was a constant threat to England and saw a close range effort blocked by Hart, before Wayne Rooney set up his Manchester United teammate Danny Welbeck, only to see him to fire over from a good position.
Italy ended the half the stronger team -- Antonio Cassano had a snap shot parried by Hart, while Balotelli ballooned over from close range.
The pattern continued after the break with de Rossi guilty of a bad miss after Hart could only push out a Cassano corner.
Balotelli, who might by that point have scored a hat-trick, was again frustrated with a volleyed effort, which Hart saved with his legs -- Montolivo then shot over the bar from the rebound.
There was further frustration in the closing moments when Pirlo found space in the England box, but his goal-bound volley was blocked by Johnson.
And into injury time, substitute Andy Carroll headed back for Rooney to scissor kick over in a rare England attack.
In extra time, Diamanti saw his intended cross deceive Hart and hit the outside of the post, as the Italians continued to dominate possession.
Italy thought they had won it in the dying minutes of the second period when Antonio Nocerino headed in Diamanti's dangerous cross, but he was ruled to be offside.

27 sights that will remind you how incredible Earth is

2012-06-24T23:46:00.000-07:00

By Anthea Gerrie

Temples are OK, but they're truly amazing when they tower out of a jungle cloaked in mist.

Spotting a lion is great, but even greater are the millions of wildebeest trekking across the African plains on an annual migration.

There are some things you can see around the world that have the potential to give you photo-showing rights for decades.

We haven't got them all -- in fact we barely scratched the surface. But we have picked out a few of the scenes that, if you're lucky enough to witness them, will invariably leave you spellbound.

1. Borobudur at sunrise, Java, Indonesia

Watching the sun rise over the hundreds of stupas and Buddhas before the public descends in droves to disturb the peace is one of the world’s most rarefied experiences.Guests staying within the village compound are allowed to enter this 9th century monument, hidden beneath volcanic ash for centuries, before opening time.Black Tomato offers three nights bed and breakfast with private sunrise tour at lavish Amanjiwo, decorated with its own Buddhas and stupas, from US$1,195 per person.www.blacktomato.comAlso on CNNGo: 50 natural wonders -- ultimate list of scenic splendour

2. Starling murmuration, Brighton Pier, England

They’re not exotic and in the European case they’re not even that pretty, but when you have thousands of starlings swooping and wheeling like some kind of hypnotic cloud, they become one of the most mesmerizing sights in nature.

See a stunning video of the phenomenon on Vimeo.These murmurations happen just before the birds roost down for the night, and while starling numbers have crashed in the UK, you can still see up to a million birds coming together in these huge swarms in England’s nature reserves or at certain piers such as Brighton Pier, just an hour’s train journey from London.The murmurations are most common in winter, November being the best month.See the RSPB website for details on where and when to see

3. Northern Lights, Scandinavia

This astronomical phenomenon is best seen in winter from northern Scandinavia -- but there are never any guarantees, which makes the magic moments when they do appear all the more special.

A great place to keep watch is from the sheltered coastal waters of western Norway, whose coves are free of artificial light.

Travel there on Hurtigruten, the country’s national coastal steamer, and enjoy inspirational fjord views by daylight.

Six-day voyages from US$735; www.hurtigruten.com

4. The great migration, East Africa

No sight in the world replicates the timeless drama of tens of thousands of wild beasts charging across the African plains in search of food and water while pursued by their predators.

The best way to experience the migration is via a mobile camp which ups sticks and follows the animals every day.

A four-night safari combining two nights in Singita’s Explore mobile camp and two in a fixed location in the Serengeti costs from US$5,110, including internal flights, full board and safari activities; www.aardvarksafaris.com

5. Star-filled sky, MacKenzie Basin, New Zealand

Picking out Orion’s Belt and The Big Dipper is even more impressive if there are a million other stars distracting you from the task.

A 1,600-square-mile area in New Zealand’s South Island comprising Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park and the Mackenzie Basin has just been designated the world’s fourth International Dark Sky Reserve, making it “one of the best stargazing sites on Earth” according to IDSA’s executive director Bob Parks.

Nature’s Highway arranges three-night/four-day cycling tours to MacKenzie Basin from US$995 per person. Includes accommodation, bike hire, and luggage transport; natureshighway.co.nz/tour-dates-and-prices

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6. Torres del Paine, Chile

In the heart of Patagonia, glaciers rise in the midst of mountainscapes and alpine meadows, close enough to hike right up to and touch. They make Torres del Paine one of the most special national parks in the world -- you’ll never forget your first sight of ice on the beach.

Explora offers a four-night package including transfers from Punta Arenas, full board and excursions from US$2,780; www.lastfrontiers.com

7. Djmaa el Fna, Marrakech, Morocco

If any city has a vast expanse of street theater at its beating heart, it’s this Moroccan metropolis where Moorish influences give way to a throbbing African pulse.

This huge empty space over which the sun rises comes to life from mid-afternoon as the local characters creep in -- storytellers, snake charmers, musicians, Berber apothecaries, henna-painters and lady-boy dancers.

First-floor cafes are the best places to overlook the action as the scene unfolds, but when night closes in and smoke starts rising from the food stalls, it’s time to join the crowds at trestle tables for a UD$5 feast of grilled meats and flatbread.

Stay in a riad –- a traditional townhouse hotel -- within the Medina, for maximum impact. Riad Farnatchi sets out a great little handbook for guests of what not to miss, including the best food stalls on the square. Rooms from US$360 per night; www.riadfarnatchi.com

8. Yosemite peaks, California, United States

Not just any old mountains, Half Dome, Sentinel and El Capitan have been immortalized by landscape photographer Ansel Adams. The view catches in the throat of first-time visitors who trace the route taken by the Gold Rush settlers who discovered this breathtaking land of pine forests and soaring granite peaks around 1850.

It’s mandatory to stay within the National Park boundaries to breathe the pine-scented air, absorb the grandeur and hike in peace after the day-trippers have left. While simple lodge cabins are good value, the magnificent 1920’s Ahwahnee Hotel overlooking Half Dome is worth the splurge (rooms around US$450 per night).

www.yosemite.com

9. Santa Maria Salute, Venice, Italy

Because they’ve been the subject of so many Renaissance paintings, the iconic landmarks of Venice stop the heart when you see them for the first time.

The Rialto, the Bridge of Sighs, the vast expanse of San Marco look much as they did 400 years ago, but nothing evokes the mystery of La Serenissima quite like Santa Maria Salute looming out of the mist at the entrance to the Grand Canal.

The perfect place to catch this view is from a vaporetto approaching Venice from the lagoon -- the most magical way to arrive from the airport.

www.turismovenezia.it

10. Jungle pyramids, Palenque, Mexico

Mayan pyramids pervade the eastern side of Mexico, but none are more breathtaking than those of Palenque in the far south. The jungle temple of this site inspired “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” and it has a lost world, Indiana Jones kind of feeling other ruins lack.

This is the year to hit the Mayan ruins -- the ancient tribe believed the world would end in 2012.

Tucan Travel’s 22-day End of the World tour hits Palenque on New Year’s Eve and takes in other Mayan sites; $2,240; www.tucantravel.com/tour

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11. Electrical storm, Tornado Alley, United States

From thunder to lightning to tornadoes, you can see it all by joining a storm-chasing crew in Tornado Alley, the area between the Rocky and Appalachian Mountains where 25 percent of America’s “significant” tornadoes occur, according to the National Atlas by the US government.

The best time to catch a glimpse of one is from May to June.

Wannabe stormers can join the seven-day tour hosted by Storm Chasing Adventure Tours. Be prepared for a rough and tough tour -- they may drive 500 miles a day in the chase.

Seven-day tour costs US$2,400; stormchasing.com

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12. Sydney Harbour, Australia

Sydney has two spectacular city icons, and they share the same fabulous harbor. The Opera House may be the one with the fancier lines -- its “sails” were designed to resemble the boats that sail past the building -- but it doesn't dwarf the magnificent Harbour Bridge.

A great place to view both of these landmarks is Circular Quay, from where ferries go back and forth to the North Shore. You can gaze comfortably on one of the world's most unforgettable maritime skylines from the patio of Peter Doyle’s, a spectacular fish-and-chip-cum-sushi restaurant on the quay.

www.sydney.com; www.doyleatthequay.com.au

13. Inside the Thrihnukagigur volcano, Iceland

Iceland is a spectacular living wilderness, and in summer it’s possible to journey right into the inner cavity of the Thrihnukagigur volcano, which has been dormant for 4,000 years.

After a short hike across lava fields, participants descend 120 meters via a cable car into the heart of the volcano and its magma chamber, only accessible between mid-June and the end of July.

Discover the World offers three nights in Iceland including accommodation, volcano visit and a look at other natural wonders as well as the capital, Reykjavik, from around US$1,130; www.discover-the-world.co.uk

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14. Monument Valley, United States

You’d be forgiven for thinking this thrilling red rock vista at the conjunction of Arizona and Utah was a movie set. But although it’s served as the backdrop for many John Ford movies, this corner of the Navajo Nation is for real.

The best way to experience the area is to stay overnight, then ride into the park with a Native American guide who can arrange a visit with some of the residents. Particularly magical is a nighttime visit around the time of the full moon.

General admission US$5; www.navajonationparks.org

15. Taj Mahal, India

It may be the most clichéd image in the world, but visitors still gasp the moment they first set eyes on the world’s most famous shrine to love.

Best enjoyed at sunset, when there are not too many tourists around to spoil the spell, or over a drink from a distance at Amarvilas, a luxury hotel overlooking the magnificent white marble mausoleum.

Built by Shah Jehan in the 17th century in memory of his third wife Mumtaz, the Taj Mahal forms part of the Golden Triangle, which is the classic first tour for new India hands.

Intrepid Travel offers seven days from Delhi, taking in the pink city of Jaipur as well as the Taj Mahal, from US$805; www.intrepidtravel.com

16. Kasanka bat migration, Zambia

Five million bats cluster together in one tiny corner of Zambia's Kasanka National Park every November.

Orange-brown in color, they feed off the swamp forest's delicious wild fruits, on which they chomp solidly every night (making sunset and dawn the best times to view them). After the bats abandon it, Kasanka is spectacular in a different way: all that remains of Bat Central are stripped, broken trees and an eerie silence.

Naturetrek has a Swamps & South Luangwa Zambia safari departing on November 4, taking in the bat migration. US$2,725 includes all transport, full board accommodation, park fees and guides; www.naturetrek.co.uk

17. Carlsbad Cavern, New Mexico, United States

Although Carlsbad also has a colony of bats that fly out at dusk when the cavern is closed, they can’t equal the utter spectacle within.

Some 230 meters beneath a stand of cactus-studded rocky slopes in New Mexico lies a wonderland of 117 caves formed when sulfuric acid dissolved the surrounding limestone.

Allow a couple of hours to marvel at the eerily-lit stalactites, stalagmites and other rock formations as you wander through these amazing subterranean halls.

It’s like being in Hans Anderson’s “Snow Queen,” the fairy-tale set in a mysterious ice palace -- but this one is just comfortably cool and not slippery. There’s even an elevator for the 79-story ride back to the surface.

www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm

18. Lunar rainbow, Victoria Falls, Zambia

This rare natural phenomenon occurs for three days around the full moon during high-water season at Zambia’s most stunning waterfall.

The best “moonbows” tend to occur between April and August, and a great place to view them is on the banks of the Zambezi at Tongabezi just upstream from the heart of the action.

Tongabezi guests stay in thatched lodges and can also take canoe safaris, swim in the Devil’s Pool and go rafting under the falls as well as gaze upon the moonbows. From US$485 per person, per night including all meals, drinks, laundry service and activities; www.tongabezi.com

19. Shubenacadie tidal bore, Canada

The Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia is home to the highest tides in the world, creating a rare Tidal Bore -- or giant wave -- in the Shubenacadie River.

The tide enters at its widest point and the water piles up as it flows up the bay. At the head of the bay this advancing tide becomes a wave, varying from a ripple to up to three meters high.

The Shubenacadie River Runners operate Zodiac trips which ride the crest of the tidal surge and on through several sets of natural sand rapids; half-day rafting from US$60 per person; www.tidalborerafting.com

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20. Cape Tribulation, Australia

The lush green coastal strip of Cape Tribulation, the most northerly settlement of Queensland, Australia, is one of the few places where the rainforest meets the sea.

Nowhere else are these two natural side-by-side wonders so accessible to travelers. It’s understandable, then, why this is one of the world’s finest spots to watch a sunset.

Visitors can rent a four-wheel drive out of Port Douglas, drive to Daintree, take the five-minute ferry crossing across the mangrove-encrusted estuary and brace for an endurance test of a drive, enough to test the suspension of any off-roader.

Once at Cape Tribulation, a variety of boardwalks lead to the shoreline and, at sunset, one of the world’s most breathtaking views.

www.experiencequeensland.com

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21. Rock face city of Petra, Jordan

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the rediscovery of this former lost city, considered one of the greatest jewels of the Middle East.

Carved into the sheer rock face by the Nabataeans, people who settled here more than 2,000 years ago, this magical rose-red metropolis was a hub for the silk and spice routes in ancient times.

Entrance to the city is through the Siq, a narrow gorge flanked on either side by soaring, 80-meter high cliffs. The colors and rock formations are dazzling, and at the end of the gorge stands the lst-century Treasury, with its fabulous carvings.

Movenpick’s Resort Petra is located at the entrance to the ancient city and its roof garden has spectacular views of the Great Rift Valley. Rooms cost from around US$155 per night double, including breakfast; www.moevenpick-hotels.com

22. Enrosadira, Dolomites, Italy

Sunset in the Dolomites -- which were recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site -- is a time when a unique natural phenomenon known as Enrosadira occurs, turning the west-facing rock face flame-red in the dying rays of the sun.

Every evening, these stunning peaks lay on a glorious display of color, starting out bright yellow before turning an intense red that softens to indigo and violet before darkness finally envelops the mountains.

Formed over 250 million years ago, The Dolomites were part of the earth's tropical zone where coral, algae, fish and mollusks collected on the seabed, with magma from volcanic eruptions. After the passing of the Ice Age, rivers, landslides, wind and rain sculpted the valleys, leaving today's spectacular landscape behind.

Relais & Châteaux Gardena Grödnerhof has a prime view of the mountains. Rooms from US$525 per person for three nights; www.gardena.it; www.valgardena.it

23. Fairy chimneys, Cappadocia, Turkey

This remote area of Central Turkey is covered in amazing “fairy chimneys” -- volcanic peaks through which it’s possible to trek, explore the caves of an underground city or survey from above in a hot air balloon or helicopter.

Early settlers made homes within these chimneys, creating rock-cut churches, whose facades interplay with the natural castles and other formations.

Travel the Unknown’s Magic of Cappadocia tour covers the region over three days from US$655 including domestic flights, ground transport, entrance fees, guides and half-board accommodation; www.traveltheunknown.com/cca

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24. Lake District lakes, England

There’s something mystical about the quiet bodies of still water ringed by majestic fells that feature in the new movie “Snow White and the Huntsman.”

The Lake District is the glory of northwestern England, and was a favorite of poets Wordsworth and Coleridge as well as Beatrix Potter, the creator of Peter Rabbit, who celebrates his 110th anniversary this year.

At Keswick travelers can climb the fell above Ashness Bridge to see two lakes at once, including magnificent Derwentwater. Also spot the serene Ullswater, dark and dramatic Wastwater and tiny but perfectly formed Grasmere, where the poets hung out.

Pullwood Bay offers award-winning lakeside and woodland self-catering cottages, plus a boathouse; www.pullwoodbay.com

Lake District visitors’ information at www.visitcumbria.com

25. Sardine run, South Africa

Dubbed “the greatest shoal on earth,” the sardine run on South Africa's Wild Coast holds two titles -- the world's largest animal migration also featuring the greatest gathering of predators on the planet.

Sharks, dolphins, Cape Gannets, cormorants, seals and sometimes Orcas, follow the sardines as they head to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

The spectacle is best viewed on a scuba dive in late June and throughout July; however, if you have a snorkel, you can still get in on the underwater action.

Acacia Africa runs a seven-day Coast To Cape Town small group safari from around US$1,300 including transfers, accommodation, most meals and local guide; www.acacia-africa.com

26. Pristine beaches of Islas Cies, Spain

The notion of a string of idyllic desert islands off the coast of northern Spain is an unlikely one. However, viewed from a hilltop in Vigo in the remote region of Galicia, this string of marine pearls is no mirage.

The Islas Cies have been cited among the world’s 10 best beaches, with pristine white sands lapped by calm waters of Caribbean turquoise, against a pine forest backdrop.

The former pirates’ lair is now a national park protected from hotel developers and beach vendors. But there’s a campsite for those who want to linger when the day-trippers leave on the last ferry, and a restaurant dispensing the fabulous seafood for which Galicia is famous.

Vigo, a handsome port offering seasonal ferry service to Islas Cies, connects with major European cities. Travelers can reach Vigo from London for around US$75 in season. www.vueling.com

Island information: www.parquenacionalillasatlanticas.com

27. Cornwall’s ruined mines, England

The tin mines may be closed, but the ruins of the structures which once housed them near St. Just make a thrillingly dramatic counterpoint to the rugged rocks and wild seas of Cornwall’s north coast.

The remnants of 3,000 engine houses built in the 18th and 19th centuries were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006.

Visitors can walk heritage trails, go underground to see how the miners labored, pan for minerals and gems or bike the 31-kilometer coastal trail known as the Cornwall Mineral Tramway.

www.cornish-mining.org.uk

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