Archives

Around the World — No Comments
11
May 13

Around the World: Cabo de Gata

cabo-de-gata-sunflower

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus), Cabo de Gata, Andalusia, southern Spain, Europe.thomas kroeger Image Broker/Newscom. License this image from Newscom.com: ibphotos076599

Escape to a paradise unlike any other. Here you’ll find no crowds, no endless stretches of white sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, or coconut beverages (…not that white sandy beaches and palm trees aren’t my thing), but here off Spain’s southern Mediterranean coast, you’ll find a much more rugged, and beautifully invigorating experience.

Cabo de Gata, is also known as the Nijar Nature Reserve, which UNESCO designated a Biosphere Reserve. One of the most arid regions of Europe, its unique climate offers breathtaking vistas, prickly pear cactus, agave and bright wildflowers, as well as dramatic coral and flourishing marine life. Although it might take a little extra work to get to, (aka: hiking), it sure looks like it may be well worth it. Continue reading →

Around the World — No Comments
16
Feb 13

Around the World: Tasmania

Red tip Rock

Bay of Fire, voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Tasmania, Australia. Michael Runkel/Robert Harding/Newscom. License this image from Newscom.com: rhphotos181209

If you’re anything like me, city life can begin to wear you down time to time and you long for a break from all the phones, computers and mostly the people. Next time you’re looking for an escape keep the island of Tasmania in mind. There is a little bit of everything on the island and 37% of the land is in reserves or parks keeping its natural beauty unspoiled. Continue reading →

Around the World — No Comments
05
Jan 13

Around the World: Kerala, India

Volvo Ocean Race yacht Telefonica Black arrives in the southern Indian city of Cochin December 1, 2008.

Volvo Ocean Race yacht Telefonica Black arrives in the southern Indian city of Cochin December 1, 2008. Telefonica Black is the fourth to arrive at Cochin in the second stage of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009. STRINGER/INDIA/REUTERS/Newscom. License this image from Newscom.com: rtrlthree161219

The Malabar Coast spans along India’s southwestern coast from Goa to Kanyakumari.  A historical site, it has been a witness to humanity since before 3000 BC as a major spice exporter. Kerala, one of the states which exists along the coast is also a large tea distributor; receiving approximately 120-140 days of rain each year, it has a tropical climate. Yet, Kerala consists of three distinct landscapes: highlands, midlands and lowlands. Western Ghats hug the eastern side of the state fading into plummeting valleys, wild forests and eventually groomed coffee and tea plantations. This is the nesting grounds for forty-one of Kerala’s forty-four rivers. Monsoons feed these rivers which help their year-long survival. Continue reading →

Around the World / Creative Photo Sets — 1 Comment
19
Dec 12

20 Amazing Places to Celebrate if the World Doesn’t End Dec. 21…

darvaza gas crater, turmenistan

Darvaza Gas crater, Turkmenistan, Central Asia, Asia. Michael Runkel/Robert Harding/Newscom. License this image from Newscom.com: rhphotos104599

If you’re thinking about the supposed End of the World tomorrow, you’re not alone. From skeptics to believers, people from around the world are at least doing something to either prepare for or celebrate the infamous December 21, 2012. Continue reading →

Around the World — 1 Comment
17
Nov 12

Around the World: India

Taj Mahal, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Agra, Uttar Pradesh state, India, Asia

Taj Mahal, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Agra, Uttar Pradesh state, India, Asia. Gavin Hellier/Robert Harding/Newscom. License it from Newscom.com: rhphotos163665

We received a bunch of fabulous pictures from one of our photography partners, Robert Harding, so this blog is devoted to gorgeous pictures of India.

Home to the Taj Mahal, Mahatma Ghandi, and even famous for Christopher Columbus’s meant-to-be destination, India is a place rich with culture and history. It grew primarily because of its ancient trade routes, which is what Columbus wanted to get in on. Continue reading →

Around the World — No Comments
06
Oct 12

Around the World: Isle of Skye

Creek on the Isle of Skye in the Cuillin Hills, Scotland, UK, Europe

Creek on the Isle of Skye in the Cuillin Hills, Scotland, UK, Europe. Stefan Arendt Image Broker/Newscom. License it from Newscom.com: ibphotos057924

I’m about to show you something that will make your heart hurt. Not the “I just ate a Big Mac” hurt, but the “why do I have a job and responsibilities?” hurt.

I’m about to show you the most beautiful place in the world. As I was looking through the 900 pictures on Newscom of the Isle of Skye in Scotland, the words of “Almost Paradise” from Footloose kept floating through my head. Continue reading →

Around the World — No Comments
29
Sep 12

Around the World: Antarctica

Iceberg dead ahead.

Icebergs drifting past snow covered mountains on the Gerlache Strait, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica. Adam Burton/Robert Harding/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rhphotos165566

As September ends, the cold grip of Earth’s longest winter begins to loosen but it is far from over for the animals and few people that call Antarctica home. For the six months, from April to September, the average daily temperature doesn’t get above -20 C. With the help of full 24 hours of sun light in December, Antarctica reaches a blistering -2.9C daily average high in January.

However, these harsh conditions create a unique landscape that is just as beautiful as anywhere else in the world.   Continue reading →

Creative Photo Sets — No Comments
14
Aug 12

22 Breathtaking Pictures of Hot Air Balloons

A hot-air balloon flies over the morning mist near Immenstadt in Allgaeu, southern Germany, on August 24, 2009. The adventurous alternative of hiking is called Balloon-Trekking, where the passengers, equipped with a compass and a map, have to find their way back to the departure by foot after a trip with the balloon.A hot-air balloon flies over the morning mist near Immenstadt in Allgaeu, southern Germany, on August 24, 2009. The adventurous alternative of hiking is called Balloon-Trekking, where the passengers, equipped with a compass and a map, have to find their way back to the departure by foot after a trip with the balloon.

A hot-air balloon flies over the morning mist near Immenstadt in Allgaeu, southern Germany, on August 24, 2009. The adventurous alternative of hiking is called Balloon-Trekking, where the passengers, equipped with a compass and a map, have to find their way back to the departure by foot after a trip with the balloon. SEBASTIAN WIDMANN/AFP/Getty Images/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: afplivetwo985671

As I was looking through these pictures, Dr. Seuss’s “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” kept running through my head. These gorgeous pictures of hot air balloons from around the world made me want to buy a balloon, quit school, and spend the next five years touring the world from a wicker basket. Continue reading →

Around the World — No Comments
28
Jul 12

Around the World: Himalaya Mountains

Sun rise

View of mountain ranges in the Eastern Region of Nepal. Jochen Schlenker/Westend61 GmbH/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: westendrm011111

Growing up and living in Salt Lake City I’ve always been surrounded by mountains except when traveling. Whenever I go to places that are flat it never takes long before I feel lost and begin to miss the mountains. So when I was thinking of cool places to travel I started to think of mountains. What better mountains are there to see then the tallest in the world? The Himalaya Mountain Range is home to the 109 tallest mountains in the world all of which reach over 7,200 meters (23,622 feet) into the sky. Continue reading →

Around the World — No Comments
21
Jul 12

Around the World: the “Northward Route”

Norway, West Coast 7-2006,

Norway, West Coast 7-2006. Dirk Schr?der / CHROMORANGE/picture-alliance/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: dpacreative054007

Scandinavia has always held this alien and mystical appeal for me.  As a result of being seemingly untouchable I’ve never delved into its trove of otherworldly beauty until recently.  It has truly been my loss and now I’d like to relocate my place of retirement to Norway.

Bloodlust-laden history, Vikings and culture put aside, this country is breathtaking.  Due the large role they play in the terrain’s unique beauty the fjords of Norway are memorably hypnotizing.  Formed by giant ice glaciers over multiple ice ages carving into the land, these are different than what a bay is because they are longer than they are wide.  Other traits of this natural phenomenon are that they are narrow, deep and lengthy.  The mountains edge and tower above the water with dramatic incline and dangerous allure. Continue reading →

← Older Entries