The Greatest Places to Explore the World's Best-kept Secrets

These are 10 great places to explore: Isla de Margarita Venezuela One of the largest islands in the Caribbean remains largely undiscovered by Americans. Yogerst says it offers a huge variety of landscapes and culture in a small area. "It's all of Latin America on one island. It has rainforests, deserts, fabulous beaches and little Spanish colonial towns." margarita-travel.com Colca Canyon Peru The "Grand Canyon of South America" is more than twice as deep as its Arizona counterpart. It's also one of the best places to see Andean condors. "You can go and watch them ride drafts up the canyon wall. It's a majestic desert landscape that goes on forever and ever," Yogerst says. tours.peru.travel/Colca/index_ing.php Wrangell-Kluane Wilderness  Alaska...

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Niagara Falls displays dazzling light shows

Niagara Falls displays dazzling light shows in winter NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario – You can't take a boat ride into the roar and spray of Niagara Falls in the winter, but this time of year offers a different spectacle: Nighttime illumination of the falls in a changing array of colors - red, white, blue, purple, orange, amber and green. The tourism season at Niagara Falls is slowing, but November started the busy season for those who light the falls in colors every night. In spring and summer, the colored lights shine for just three hours, but with less daylight in winter, curtains of color wash over the falls each night for up to seven hours. Crowds gather along the sidewalk and railing on Niagara Parkway to see the show as mist rises...

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The Greatest Places to Experience the Simple Life

These are 10 great places: Block Island, R.I.  Block Island can be defined by what it lacks: There are no stoplights, no McDonald's, no Holiday Inns. Instead, the town of fewer than 1,000 year-round residents "is a landscape of freshwater ponds, rolling green hills and dramatic 250-foot bluffs," van Ogtrop says. In winter, Block Island becomes an artists' community. 800-383-2474; blockislandinfo.com Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill Harrodsburg, Ky.  It's not uncommon at Shaker Village to see a pair of oxen laboring in the field or a blacksmith in period clothing shoeing a horse. It's a delightful step back in time and "a testament to the simplicity of the Shaker lifestyle," van Ogtrop says. "Plank-and-stone...

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The Best Wonders of Nature in the World

These are 7 wonders of nature in the World. Halong Bay, Vietnam The best way to experience impossibly scenic Halong Bay is by boat. Hop on a junk and poke around the 2,000 rocky monoliths emerging dramatically from the water. Some of the limestone karsts are hollowed out and feature caves and grottoes perfect for exploring. The bay, whose name translates as "descending dragon," was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, honoring its unique geologic and aesthetic value. Amazon Rainforest, South America The Amazon rainforest spans the borders of nine South American countries, with the largest portion in Brazil. The Amazon River, the main artery of the rainforest, has more than 1,000 known tributaries, and 17 of those...

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The Best Outstanding Romantic Travel Ideas

These suggestions, ranging from a one-night getaway to a trek halfway around the world, will give you some ideas to create a memorable romantic vacation. When work, family and other responsibilities take over your life, it's easy to put your relationship on the back burner. Reconnect with your true love by planning a romantic vacation together. These 10 suggestions, ranging from a one-night getaway to a trek halfway around the world, will give you some ideas to create a memorable romantic vacation. You can let go of stress, have some fun, and remember why you fell in love.  • Hawaii. The minute you arrive in Hawaii, you start to relax. By the time you've taken your first walk on a scenic Hawaiian beach or enjoyed the sunset...

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