Top Theme Parks

In a list of the world's top ten theme parks, Disney lays claim to all but two spots. The bottom two spots. I didn't even know about some of these Disney parks, but apparently thousands and thousands of other people did. Check out the list.

Magic Kingdom

1. Magic Kingdom, Disney World - Orlando, Florida
When Disney World is mentioned what most people are actually envisioning is Magic Kingdom, with it's star piece, Cinderella's Castle. This park annually brings in over 17 million visitors.

2. Disneyland - Anaheim, California
Although smaller than it's counterpart in Florida, Disneyland is the original Disney theme park, opening in 1955. Even at 57 years old Disneyland brings in over 16 million visitors a year.


3. Tokyo Disneyland - Tokyo, Japan
The top Disney park outside of the US, Tokyo Disneyland pulled in just under 14 million visitors last year despite being shut down for a full month in the wake of the tsunami.

4. Tokyo Disney Sea - Tokyo, Japan
This is one of the parks I didn't even know existed. The park is made up of seven themed areas, all depicting some of the world's most scenic ports of call. This park was also closed for a month in 2011, but attracted nearly 13 million visitors.

5. Disneyland Paris - Paris, France
Disneyland Paris celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year, and is doing it up with style. It's annual visitor count of just under 12 million will likely jump this year due to festivities.

Epcot

6. Epcot, Disney World - Orlando, Florida
10.8 million  yearly visitors put Epcot at #6. 2012 will see the re-opening of a new and improved Test Track, that will stand beside Soarin' and Mission:SPACE as major crowd drawers.

Expedition Everest
Animal Kingdom

7. Animal Kingdom, Disney World - Orlando, Florida
This park holds 250 species that account for 1,700 animals and brings in 9, 783,000 annual visitors.

Tower of Terror
Hollywood Studios

8. Hollywood Studios, Disney World - Orlando, Florida
This is Hollywood Studio's second year at #8, holding steady thanks to attractions like The Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Rollar Coaster. 9.6 million people visit each year.

9. Universal Studios Japan - Osaka, Japan
Tenth anniversary celebrations in 2011 helped bring this park up onto the list with 8.5 million visitors last year. Attendance is sure to skyrocket again in 2014 when The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Islands of Adventure

10. Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios - Orlando, Florida
The biggest draw of this park is sure to be the first Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which opened in 2010. And an expansion is already planned. On the list for the first time with 7.6 million visitors, this park doesn't want to lose its spot.

Free is Best

It costs a lot these days to fly or even drive somewhere. Then you have to pay for a hotel, pay for food, and probably pay for every little thing you go out and do. It can really break the bank. But, it doesn't have to. At least not if you find yourself in one of the ten cities featured in Yahoo Travel's "America's best free attractions" list.

The list includes a few parks from across the country, including the International Rose Test Garden. 4 1/2 acres of roses and other species of flora. That's a lot of rose sniffing to do. The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago is free, as is the Smithsonian National Zoo in D.C. In fact, there's a lot in D.C. that is free (one of the cheapest vacations I've had in awhile). Yahoo's article mentions the mall, but also check out any of the Smithsonian museums and national monuments without paying a cent.

So it might still cost you your life savings to get to some of these locations, but at least you won't have to dip too deeply into your pockets once you're there!

Here's Yahoo's full list. - Sorry, this list is no longer available.

Not Your Backyard Pool

With temperatures soaring over 100 degrees in many areas of the US this week, it's a good time to talk about pools, look at pictures of pools, or best case scenario, be in a pool. Yahoo! Travel roped up a list of ten of the best new hotel pools from around the world. So read on and try to stay cool!

Perasa Resort - Phuket, Thailand
The small lights in the pool are fiber optics, not reflections.
(Photo: Visa Signature Hotels)

Best Western Kuta Beach - Kuta, Bali
Yes, I had to read it twice too...this is a Best Western.
(Photo: Courtesy Best Western Kuta Beach)

Thompson - Toronto, Canada
A roof-top infinity pool Double whammy.
(Photo: Courtesy of Thompson Hotels)

Westin Playa Bonita - Panama
This fresh water infinity pool looks more like the ocean that lies just beyond.
(Photo: Courtesy Westin Playa Bonita)

 Here's the full list and Yahoo's article http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/10-spectacular-new-hotel-pools.html

World's Most Popular Landmarks (Yahoo!)

I was just having a conversation with someone about 'tourist attractions.' Sometimes there seems to be a fine line between historical or iconic and touristy. The particular area in question was Paris. While I can't speak from experience (and she could), I wouldn't want to visit France without going to Paris and seeing the Eiffel Tower. When she visited France she wanted to stay on the outskirts of the city and experience the country. Although admitting the Eiffel Tower was 'neat,' that wasn't necessarily number one on her agenda.

So I don't know if I'm falling into the tourist traps, or why I find it important to visit a famous landmark should there be one in the city I'm visiting. But just the same - I'll be sure to see Big Ben in London and should I ever make it to Paris the Eiffel Tower would be my first stop.

I'm not alone in this method of travel either. Here's Yahoo Travel and Leisure's List of the World's Top Ten Popular Landmarks.

10. The High Line, New York City
9. Swiss Re Building, London
8. St. Peter's Basilica, Rome
7. Millennium Park, Chicago
6. Colosseum, Rome
5. Big Ben, London
4. Eiffel Tower, Paris
3. Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
2. Empire State Building, New York City
1. Statue of Liberty, New York City.

Click here for the full article. Looks like New York City wins the popularity contest.

10 Best US Boardwalks

Once again National Geographic has brought us a fantastic top ten list. Summer may be coming to a close, but you can still sneak in a trip to one of these awesome Boardwalks to get your fill of rides, food, and games.

On the east coast you can visit Jersey's own Atlantic City. Did you know this 4 mileboardwalk was orginally laid down to keep beach lovers from tracking so much sand into hotels and onto the trains? Clever idea. Another tid-bit, Coney Island wasn't always family fun. In the 19th century it was known as "Sodom by the Sea" for it's brothels and gambling houses. And no, Coney Island is not closed. And of course the west coast houses the imfamour Venice Beach.

For more Boardwalk destinations and factoids check out National Geographic's list here.

Roadside Atractions

The best thing you can do on a long road trip, is have some sort of diversion about half way through. At least in my opinion. Stretching your legs, seeing something new, and maybe completely boggeling your mind can revitalize you for the last long hours to your destination. National Geographic has put together a list of the Top 10 U.S. Roadside Attractions.

And I'm proud to say I've stopped at Foamhenge. Wait, maybe proud isn't the word. But it did entertain me and get me out of the car just long enough.

Also, this article reminded me of a little series I wanted to do on roadside attractions. I have an awesome book FULL of these places scattered throughout the U.S. So keep an eye out!

Most Photographed Places in the World

If you're like me, when you're on vacation the camera rarely leaves your side. So apparently, a lot of people are like me, and Cornell University Scientists have been busy proving it. Using 35 million photos from Flickr, the scientists have composed a list of the top ten most photographed landmarks in the world, plus the most popular angle for photographing the landmarks. Yahoo! took it one step further, and listed suggestions on how to make your picture of these uber-photographed spots unique and special.

Check out the list and Yahoo!'s suggestions here (link no longer available). Plus check out my shots of two of the top ten.

Colosseum, Rome - Taken from the Forum

Lincoln Memorial, DC - Taken from Old Post Office Tower

Time for a Tropical Vacation

All I can think about lately is going somewhere tropical. Don't care where exactly, as long as it comes with plenty of sun, sand, and surf. Preferably soft white sand (or black sand, Hawaii anyone?), and warm water at least 3 shades of gorgeous blue, backing up to lush tropical vegetation full of brightly colored tropical blooms. Then, when I've had my fill of sun soaked days I want to take a hike into the rainforest to see its natural inhabitants; flora and fauna. Maybe even do a little ziplining through the canopy, or plop down in front of a plummeting waterfall. Finally, back to the water for some snorkeling and getting to know the local sea life.

Sorry, I lost myself in my daydream there for a moment. But I'm back now. If all of that sounds like a vacation right up your alley, then check out Yahoo's list of 10 Amazing Tropical Escapes - Link no longer available. They'll take you places were you can experience all of my dreams and much, much more.

Room with a view!

There's always that chance that the Oceanside hotel you booked your room at will offer you a view of nothing more spectacular then the construction site and burger king across the street. But these 10 hotels, located all around the world, will offer you views worthy of the hefty price tag some of them come with. But don't worry, a few of them more are wallet friendly.

Check out the list here.

Travel and Film. Win, Win.

Those are two of my favorite things. So why not combine them? There's nothing quite like standing right where a pivotal moment of one of your favorite movies took place. Or even just a so-so moment of some movie you saw once that you barely remember the name of. Still cool.

With the Oscars right around the corner, Yahoo has created a list of the Top 10 Film Locations (from Oscar nominated films) to travel to. Their list takes you from Paris to Mexico, and includes movies from Toy Story 3 (I'm not too sure that one should count...) to Black Swan.

Top 10 Film Locations. - Link no longer available.

It's one of my dreams to go to Hawaii. And I could pretty much end my statement there. But I want to go on the Jurassic Park tour, where they take you to the field of the gallimimus scene. I have been able to see a few film locations, besides the obvious ones in New York City or Las Vegas. There's a small town about two hours from my home called Danbury, where parts of Cabin Fever were filmed. If you've seen the movie, the opening and beginning of the film were filmed at Priddy's General Store, which you can visit. If you can find it. Good luck.

Anyone else seen any movie or tv locations? Where would you love to travel that you've seen in a film?

High Style Camping

Yahoo Travel has put together a list of places you can Sleep Under the Stars. But this is nothing like camping. With prices ranging from $120 to $3,500 a  night you're getting more than a sleeping bag.
In Kenya you can stay at Loisaba Wilderness Lodge and sleep on a bed 10 feet off the ground and built on an old Land Rover axle. The Lion Sands Private Game Reserve in South Africa allows you to sleep in a posh tree house where you're likely to hear a lion roaring during the night. And if you'd rather spend your night out on a deck surrounded by kangaroos, kookaburras, and dingoes head off to Blue Mountains Private Safaris in the Blue Mountains National Park of Australia.

And should you travel to any of these amazing places, pray for sunshine and clear nights!

Top Ten Castle Hotels

Who doesn't want to spend the night in a castle (on a side note...Melissa, stop laughing...it's just a CASTLE). Yahoo Travel has put together a list of the Top Ten Castle Hotels from around the world.

If your passport is a little rusty don't worry, just head up to New York and stay at the Castle on the Hudson. Although this castle never housed a royal family, it is full of rich history and contains much of the original interior and woodwork from its construction between 1897 and 1910. If you were to book a room for tonight, you'd be looking at prices from $195-$595 a night.

The castle that caught my attention the most is the Taj Lake Palace in India. It floats. In the middle of Taj Lake. And it's all yours for 18,000 Indian Rupees, or a surprisingly low $395.00 a night. The hotel floats, it's gonna cost a little. I wonder if that price includes transportation from land to the hotel. Maybe you have to swim. Pack light.

Be sure to check out the other castles picked by Yahoo Travel too!

Top Ten Foliage Spots

Top ten places to see amazing fall foliage.

NC makes another list!! Ten amazing places to see the beautiful colors of fall, ten (technically eleven) amazing states. I'm ready for sweaters, scarves, and pumpkin pie!

24 Hour Hot Spots Across America

24 Hot Spots Across the Country (yahoo)

If you are an insomniac yahoo is here to help. Here's a list of a few stores, restaurants and businesses across the country open 24/7. None in NC this time. Guess we need our beauty sleep.

NC holds one of America's coolest small towns!

America's Coolest Small Towns

Wow, I live in a great state, and it looks like the editors of Yahoo Travel know it. Brevard, NC just an hour and a half from my home town is featured in today's article of "Coolest Small Towns." And if you want somewhere beautiful to stay while you're up that way, check out Down to Earth Cottages, an Inn run by some friends of mine. I haven't stayed there, but I have visited and it's a beautiful place to spend some quality time with nature.

America's Beautiful Coasts

America's Most Beautiful Coastal Views (yahoo)

A varied list of beautiful coastal spots all over the US. I've had the pleasure of visiting Ogunquit, ME and the description doesn't really do it justice. The entire Marginal Way is flanked by Sea Roses and craggy rock cliffs, and the small town of Perkins Cove is about as rustic as you can get and full of quaint little shops.

So, anyone up for a trip to the beach?

NC Makes Another "Tops" List

10 Great Cities for Raising Families

Here is yahoo's top ten great cities for raising a family. While it doesn't necessarily mean anything to me about whether or not it's a great place to raise your family, it is nice to see Raleigh, NC included on the list. Looks like you can move here with your family, and then take a couple great road trips!