Photo: Dru Bloomfield

Once-vacant rental spaces have been clumsily converted into “Super Bowl Warehouses.”

Real estate signs have been replaced by signs advertising homes for rent during Game Week.

Every billboard in town suddenly has a football theme.

Drive for a mile or so down Dale Mabry and you’ll know: the Super Bowl is in Tampa.

You may not have a ticket to the big game, but there are plenty of ways to score big in Tampa Bay.

Here are ten suggestions from this Tampa local:

1. Hit the beach.

Photo: Tony the Misfit

St. Petersburg and Clearwater have some of the cleanest beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. Enjoy the solitude and natural beauty of Fort DeSoto County Park, or revel with the entertainers and artisans at Pier 60 in Clearwater.

Wherever you go, you’re sure to see a beautiful sunset.

2. Ride a bike.

With beautiful weather for much of the year, Tampa residents spend most free time outdoors. A bike ride is a terrific way to get some exercise and see the sights without sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Take a spin down Bayshore and pick out your dream home. For a longer workout, choose a route among the 34 miles of the Pinellas Trail.

3. Chow down.

Photo: Mike Schmid

Tampa has some great eats, whether you’re in flip-flops or formal wear. Grouper is the fish of choice around these parts, but the Gulf shrimp is tasty as well. Fans of Cuban food will not be disappointed; Ybor City is as authentic as it gets without driving to Miami.

Savor the “1801 Salad” at Columbia, or venture down Columbus Avenue for a typical lunch counter experience.

4. Shop with the locals.

Fresh produce, homemade empanadas, and beautiful artwork await you at the Saturday Morning Market in St. Petersburg. Dozens of merchants set up shop outside Progress Energy Field each Saturday from October to the end of May. The market is a great place to find goods unique to the area, and it’s a lively place to interact with St. Pete residents.

If you prefer to shop indoors, head to Mazzaro’s Italian Market for amazing gelato and delicious cheeses.

5. Get on the water.

Paddlers flock to Tampa Bay for the favorable weather and ample rowing opportunities. Sea kayakers enjoy braving the Gulf surf, while river runners will delight in the many launches along the Hillsborough River.

Photo: disrupsean

Don’t worry about bringing a boat; rental is available at Ft. DeSoto and Canoe Escape.

6. Mingle with the manatees.

Like Michigan and New England snowbirds, many manatees choose Tampa as their winter home.

Several area aquariums, including Clearwater, The Pier, and Florida Aquarium, will allow animal lovers to get their fix.

To see them in a slightly more natural habitat, check out the TECO powerplant out near Apollo Beach. This manatee viewing center offers visitors educational exhibits, hiking trails, and viewing platforms.

7. Have fun indoors.

Want to get out of the sun?

Tampa Bay offers a variety of museums to fit every age and interest. Downtown Tampa serves as the home for the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, as well as the new Tampa Bay History Center.

Photo: John-Morgan

Kids will love the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) and the hands-on children’s museum, Great Explorations.

Serious art enthusiasts should not miss the Dali Museum and its impressive collection of Salvador Dali works.

8. Volunteer.

Giving back to the community helps visitors connect with a place in a unique and intimate way.

Tampa Bay has many ways guests can serve. Join a beach clean-up, offer to help at the Suncoast Bird Sanctuary, or pitch in with Habitat for Humanity for the day.

Read what The Washington Post’s Andrea Sachs says about volunteering in Florida.

9. Find your inner pirate.

The Gasparilla Festival is a month-long party in Tampa. Our festival has a few similarities to Mardi Gras or Carnival, but with pirates.

Photo: theogeo

Expect to see lots of beads, swashbucklers, and booty references. Join in the fun by attending the official Jose Gasparilla invasion, complete with buccaneers and firing cannons, or stick around for the road race in late February.

10. Watch the game.

Although our favorite pirates, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, didn’t make it to the playoffs this year, you can bet we’ll be watching The Super Bowl.

Or at least the commercials.

Nearly every restaurant and bar will be showing the game, but a few places are exceptional.

Try Ferg’s in St. Petersburg, located across the street from Tropicana Field. “Historians” will appreciate the fact that Tampa Bay is home to both the original Outback and the original Hooters. In Tampa, people will be gathering at Champps, which is a five minute drive from Raymond James Stadium.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION:
Are you planning to attend the Super Bowl? Be sure to upload your party photos to your Matador profile. Don’t have one yet? It’s free! Sign up here.

Photo by Markus Bollingmo

Graffiti is considered vandalism in most places. Because of this, the risk graf artists, or “writers” take when they tag, and the speed and efficiency with which they must create their pieces, have helped shape the form itself.

More and more people however, in various places around the world, are recognizing graf as a legitimate art form and now provide legal spaces for it. Below are 10 places where tagging is legal, and in some cases, encouraged. It can also be highly competitive. Bring skills or just enjoy.

1. Hosier Lane, Melbourne, Australia

Photo by BlueBec

This famous spot is popular among tourists and artists alike. Located in the southern edge of Melbourne, Hosier Lane allows for all kinds of street art and even seems to encourage it, as the lane has been featured in travel guides and advertising campaigns. Graffiti artists, if there was ever a place for you, this is it.

Elsewhere in Melbourne, street art is just as prevalent though maybe not as heavily advertised as Hosier Lane. Even Banksy tagged it. The owners of the building then installed a perspex screen over the work to prevent it from damage or destruction.

2. Warsaw, Poland

Photo by *gorolla

Topiel Street provides ample wall space for writers and stencil art. No hassle from the local police!

3. Tesnov, Prague

Well-known among the denizens of Prague, near the Florenc metro station. Relatively safe, this site offers completely legal tagging with the added benefit of good lighting from nearby street lamps.

4. Queens, New York, United States

Photo by rawmeyn

Dubbed 5Pointz, this full city block in the Queens neighborhood of Long Island City is free to the public and almost entirely covered by graffiti. Artists who are interested in putting up their work here must first be reviewed and granted permission by curator Meres One.

Murals are allocated a certain amount of space and exhibition time based on the quality and durability of the work.

5. Paris, France

Photo by Gabriel Radic

Legal tagging sites are sprinkled all over France. Just be wary of the graffiti groups, as some can get a bit territorial and aren’t afraid of confrontation.

6. Taipei, Taiwan

Photo by neogenova

Many artists take advantage of Taiwan’s legal gray area concerning graffiti and vandalism, posting their work all over the city. Police officers openly admit to not getting involved unless there is an owner complaint or property damage.

7. Zürich, Switzerland

Photo by inthesitymad

Independently run by a group of artists and sanctioned by the city, Rote Fabrik in Zürich was originally a lakeside silk mill. Now this alternative cultural center is one of the few places in this city where graffiti art is not just legal, but encouraged.

8. Sydhavnen, Copenhagen, Denmark

Photo by tobiashm

Lauded as a must-see sight in Copenhagen, the hall of fame wall near Sydhavnen is home to some massive and complex pieces. Though individual pieces may not last long due to the popularity of this location, enough visitors stop by each day that artists’ creations gain significant exposure once put up.

9. Burghausen, Germany

Running 150 meters long and 8 meters high, the graffiti wall in Burghausen, Germany is open to all artists who bring their own paint and creative minds. The city is located in the southeast portion of Germany, close to the Austrian border.

10. Venice, California, United States

Photo by jakedobkin

The Venice Graffiti Pit located in Venice Beach is world famous for being an open and creative space for street artists. It is not uncommon to see an artist in the middle of working on a mural her. The only downside? Artwork gets painted over by other artists in rapid succession.

Though doing graffiti legally may not be as adrenaline-inducing as tagging illegally, the luxury of time allows for more detailed and intricate artwork.

Graffiti artists, aficionados, and admirers may visit this site for specific directions and a comprehensive list of sites.

Feature photo by Turner Wright. Photo above by TED_KANAKUBO.

Take it from someone who’s experienced Japan’s bathing culture firsthand: there’s nothing quite like listening to your heartbeat slowing as you are immersed in soothing waters that haven’t seen the light of day for millennia.

In general, there are two different ways hot springs occur: magma close to the Earth’s crust may come into contact with an underground water source, or water may be heated directly from the energy produced by the Earth’s core — a geothermal spring.

Hot spring culture is universal, yet the baths themselves exist in a variety of environments – not every spring is the stereotypical picture of water boiling to the surface of a stone-covered pond in the midst of a dense forest or jungle.

In fact, you can find the familiar steam in urban sprawls, near ancient ruins, and even amongst the ice of Antarctica! Where in the world should you go if you’re looking for a good soak? Here are ten places:

1. Japan

Photo by NileGuide.com.

The hot springs culture is Japan is second to none. Onsen, as they are called, are available wherever a volcano looms on the horizon. In the west Japanese city of Beppu, there is so much hot water beneath the surface it appears small fires are constantly burning on the streets, steam releasing some pressure and providing picturesque scenes.

In northern Honshu, near Nagano, snow monkeys are clever enough to go in for a soak themselves, as Japanese tourists snap some truly original photographs.

2. Iceland

Photo by reemer.

Iceland is actually the source of the name “geyser”; the original, geysir, has longed stopped spewing hot water at regular intervals and is hardly the best place to go for a decent soak. However, if you’re looking for an impressive bath, be sure to check out the blue lagoon, floating right on a lava formation in southwestern Iceland.

3. Antarctica

Though technically a continent, Antarctica must be mentioned: Who would have thought there would be hot springs in the middle of the land of ice? There’s one place you can do it: Deception Island, close to the tip of South America. Dig your own little place to soak out of the black sand and you’re all set.

4. Peru

Photo by shashiBellamkonda.

If you’ve ever hiked to Machu Picchu, then no doubt you’ve passed through the town of Aguas Calientes (guess… “Hot Waters”). Only six kilometers from the ancient ruins, these baths offer a respite for those going up or down the mountain.

5. Taiwan

Photo by Prince Roy.

Taiwanese hot springs culture was incredibly influenced by nearby Japan, and now some would say they are even surpassing their northern neighbor in quality and variety of baths. Be sure to check out Hell Valley in Beitou and enjoy the indoor pools.

6. United States

Photo by stephend9.

The US has a large concentration of geothermal springs in and around the Rocky Mountains and scattered around Alaska. Many of the National Parks, including Death Valley, Big Bend, and Yellowstone, have hot water rising to the surface. For a real treat, make your way to Hot Springs, Arkansas and try one of the large bathhouses.

Photo by Drew And Merissa.

7. Canada

Photo by magical-world.

Western Canada has hot springs too numerous to mention: in the middle of forests, next to a waterfalls, surrounded by stalactites… Liard River Hot Springs and the Fairmont Hot Springs in British Columbia are some of the more well-known areas, but there are a few pools in Alberta and the Yukon as well.

8. New Zealand

Photo by plαdys.

To soak like a Kiwi, stick to the north and relax in the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Waiariki in New Zealand really help dissolve your pain. Check here for a comprehensive list of all the pools.

9. Chile

Chile also has the reputation of being a hot springs country, with over 275 places to soak and the biggest source of natural hot spring water in Liquiñe. No matter where you go, look for a “termas” sign and you’re all set for an abnormally hot bath.

10. United Kingdom

Photo by Howard.Gees.

What? You thought you were born 2,000 years too late to enjoy baths that the Romans themselves built, with grand marble columns and open atria? Well, you’re half right; in the city of Bath in Somerset, one can view the perfectly preserved Roman Baths… but officials might frown on you actually jumping into the water.

For that, it might be best to try the Thermae Bath Spa; only recently opened, one can now enjoy the same waters that soothed the line of Caesar. On top of that, Bath is a sister city to Beppu, Japan.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION:

Have you soaked in the thermal waters of the world? What are your favorite hot springs?

DUMBO. Photo by _Imaji_

New York City’s most populous borough for almost a century, Brooklyn has also recently become, by many accounts, the hippest.

It’s not just artists and young people who are fleeing across the East River. New York’s preeminent publishers, bankers, and advertising executives, as well as numerous other professionals who could afford to live anywhere, are snatching up luxury condos and historic brownstones throughout the borough.

Photo by Jeky

There’s only one group of people who haven’t discovered Brooklyn yet: visitors.

Be ahead of the curve. On your next trip to New York, set aside some time to explore a few of Brooklyn’s interesting neighborhoods.

Williamsburg

Favored by artists and hipsters, Williamsburg is the place to go if you’re craving a cold beer and a live show. Popular venues include Pete’s Candy Store, the Music Hall of Williamsburg and Warsaw.

A stroll down Bedford Avenue will introduce you to the neighborhood’s flavor. If visiting on Friday night or Saturday afternoon, venture behind the ropes at the Brooklyn Brewery.

Or explore South Williamsburg, home to a large population of Hasidic Jews who migrated from the Lower East Side after the Williamsburg Bridge was built in 1903.

DUMBO

A walk across the Brooklyn Bridge lands you in this artsy area, an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.

Primarily industrial until the 1970s, and then home to artists who turned abandoned factories in studios and lofts, today’s DUMBO is home to Brooklyn’s most expensive real estate. Artists long ago fled to cheaper areas, but their influence remains. See the art galleries and theaters that inhabit old warehouses.

Photo by Josh Derr

Peek in at the Jacques Torres Chocolate factory before relaxing at the waterfront Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, with unrivaled Manhattan views.

Brooklyn Heights

South of DUMBO is Brooklyn Heights, whose brownstones and churches, many of which date to the 19th century, give it a distinctive small town feel.

Walk along the Promenade for great city views, or past the regal residences of Columbia Heights to see where luminaries like Norman Mailer once lived. Stop in at the Brooklyn Historical Society to learn more about the borough’s past.

Montague Street offers many restaurants and shops, and a short walk takes you to the New York Transit Museum, where you can trace the history of New York’s subway system and step inside dozens of decommissioned train cars.

Red Hook

Recently settled by IKEA and MTV’s The Real World, Red Hook is on the rise. Get there via the free water taxi from Pier 11 in lower Manhattan, courtesy of IKEA, and then wander among the unique amalgamation of bland industrial buildings and hip restaurants and bars.

Explore the New York Harbor’s interesting history at the Waterfront Museum, housed on a retrofitted railroad barge.

The Waterfront Museum. Photo by Pro-zak

See works by up-and-coming artists at the Brooklyn Waterfront Artist Coalition, located in an antebellum warehouse with a spectacular front-facing view of the Statue of Liberty.

Park Slope

A neighborhood of tree-lined streets and townhouses, Park Slope is popular with young families. Prepare to dodge strollers as you browse the trendy boutiques along Seventh and Fifth Avenues.

Park Slope Brownstones. Photo by David Berkowitz

Meander through Prospect Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted after he completed Central Park in Manhattan. It boasts a zoo, ice skating rink, boathouse, and band shell. Also check out the impressive botanical gardens and art museum on the park’s northern edge.

Prospect Park in Autumn. Photo by ajagendorf25

Coney Island

Located at the southern tip of the borough, Coney Island is an hour’s subway ride from midtown Manhattan, but it’s worth the trip. Once home to a major resort and amusement parks, Coney Island takes you back to another era.

Coney Island. Photo by blhphotography

Sunbathe at the small beach (summer only!) or learn about the history of the neighborhood at the Coney Island Museum. Stroll down the boardwalk to the New York Aquarium. There are always events happening like the annual Mermaid Parade and Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

The New York Aquarium. Photo by je_roen

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

What’s your favorite NYC borough and why? Share your neighborhood secrets in the comments below!

The hustle and bustle of San Francisco’s Chinatown during the Autumn Moon Festival. Above photo by Dawn Endico. Feature photo by Bala.

Singapore

Singapore’s Chinatown, once home to the first Chinese settlers in what’s now a heavily Westernized city-state, is one of its few distinctly Asian neighborhoods.

The Grand Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. Above photo by Riza.

The enclave was home to the area’s earliest Chinese settlers. Several of its institutions, such as the Heritage Centre, Food Street, and Night Market, preserve the culture of its original inhabitants, while some areas of the district are designated national heritage sites.

Many historic buildings remain as relics of the past, as well as to complement the otherwise modern landscape.

Melbourne

Melbourne boasts the oldest Chinatown in the world, established during Victoria’s Gold Rush in 1854.

Yum Cha Cafe serves up some delicious, dainty egg tarts. Photo by Avlxyz.

Catch the world’s longest Chinese dragon– the Millennium Dai Loong Dragon tops 100 meters — in action as it is brought to life by 200 people during the Chinese New Year parade.

Kuala Lumpur

The capital of Malaysia was actually founded by Chinese tin prospectors in the 1850s, who played a pivotal role in the city’s transformation from a jungle settlement to a center for the tin mining industry. The Chinese remain the city’s dominant ethnic group and control a large proportion of the country’s commerce.

Photo by Jason Weemin.

Chinatown, known locally as Petaling Street or Jalan Petaling, is famous for its food stalls and night market, where shoppers can load up on fresh produce and counterfeit DVDs, watches and purses (don’t forget to haggle).

Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Arriving in Georgetown, Penang, off the west coast of Malaysia after a long journey from Thailand, you may almost think that you accidentally traveled all the way to China. The city’s Chinatown is one of the largest and best preserved in the world, with everyday sights and sounds reminiscent of a small city in China.

Offerings at a local shrine. Photo by Sam Sherratt.

Most residents are descended from Chinese immigrants who arrived in Penang during the colonial era and made their fortunes as traders and shopkeepers. Many of their original shops are still intact today.

Toronto

In the most ethnically diverse city in the world, residents have their pick of seven Chinatowns. The city’s main Chinatown was formed in the late 1960s, when many businesses in the original Chinatown were forced to move.

Vending mangoes off of Spadina Avenue. Photo by High Limitzz.

Since the 1980s, the Greater Toronto Area’s Chinese community has migrated to the suburbs of Scarborough, Mississauga, Richmond Hill, Markham, and North York, where shopping centers are reminiscent of Hong Kong’s malls and street stalls.

New York

New York’s first Chinese residents began arriving in Manhattan’s Lower East Side in the late 19th century to escape discriminatory measures on the West Coast. In the 1980s, the neighborhood eclipsed San Francisco’s as the largest Chinatown outside Asia.

Getting ready for the Chinese New Year’s parade in NYC. Photo by Bob Jagendorf.

But don’t overlook the city’s other Chinese enclaves – in Elmhurst and Flushing in Queens, and along Avenue U and 8th Avenue in Brooklyn. In fact, Flushing’s Chinatown has now surpassed Manhattan’s in size.

Vancouver

There’s a reason this city has been nicknamed “Hongcouver.” In the years leading up to Hong Kong’s 1997 handover to China, waves of wealthy immigrants flooded the city. The mayor, Sam Sullivan, even speaks Cantonese.

Discount DVDs at the night market. Photo by Dave O.

Vancouver’s Chinatown dates back to the early 20th century, although recent arrivals have headed for the suburb of Richmond, where many of the Chinese restaurants are considered the best outside of Hong Kong.

San Francisco

The city’s Chinese New Year parade, an annual event since the 1860s, is the largest Asian cultural celebration outside of Asia. Chinatown may seem like a tacky tourist trap, but one cannot ignore the history and significance of one of the world’s best-known Chinese quarters, once the stomping grounds of Sun Yat-Sen and Amy Tan.

Try a tea demonstration next time you find yourself on Grant Street. Photo by Ben Mason.

The original enclave, built in the 1850s by settlers who had arrived during the gold rush and railroad days, would be the world’s oldest had it not been destroyed in the 1906 earthquake. Since the 1960s, much of the city’s Chinese community has moved into the Sunset and Richmond districts, while newer immigrants often settle in the suburbs around the Bay Area.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

To read about a Chinatown really off the beaten path–in Havana, Cuba–check out Julie Schwietert’s blog, “Ni hao, companera.”

Some of the world’s Chinatowns are the perfect spots for you to practice your bargaining skills — brush up before you go, with our guide to haggling. And check out Matador community member Hal Amen’s recent blog post from London: Your Friendly Neighborhood Chinatown.

Photo by yogi

Belize may only be the size of Rhode Island but it certainly has a lot to do.

The Blue Hole

Photo by nileguide.com

One of the best diving sites in the world, this filled in water volcano is reputed to have some of the best diving in the world and is a must see for divers. Just make sure you stay oriented, because it’s easy to confuse down with up and risk getting trapped.

Placencia

Photo by Matt Kepnes

This little village in the southern part of Belize offers some of the best beaches off the cayes. It’s quiet, relaxed, and cheap by Belize standards.

Caracol

Photo by Matt Kepnes

This Mayan site is the biggest in Belize. It contains many ancient temples and artifacts that offer a glimpse into Mayan life. Caracol was rival to the kingdom of Tikal during the height of the Mayan civilization.

Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave

Photo by Dustin Diaz

This cave is a few hours outside of San Ignacio and getting there is an adventure. Crossing through jungles and rivers to access this remote cave, the persistent will be rewarded with a visit to an ancient Mayan sacrificial site.

You must swim into the cave mouth then walk through the cave, sometimes in chest deep water, before climbing up a rock face to see ancient pottery, sacrificial tools, and a few ancient skeletons.

Caye Caulker

Photo by Matt Kepnes

This caye, located near Belize City, is where all the action happens. A hurricane whipped through the island a few years ago, creating a deep trench that is great for snorkeling.

Eat at Wish Willy’s, where he serves whatever he feels like that day and it’s always good.

Punta Gorda

Photo by anoldent

This city in southern Belize is relaxed, and makes for a good place to explore the surrounding rainforests and reef.

Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve

This nature preserve near Placencia houses some of the last remaining wild jaguars in Central America. You’ll probably never see them, but the park offers day and multi day hikes where you will see birds, small mammals, and interesting plants.

Lamanai

Photo by Matt Kepnes

This Mayan city to the north isn’t as impressive as Caracol, but to get there you have to take a long boat ride, providing up-close views of the local river system, mangroves, and wildlife.

Pine Mountain Ridge

South of San Ignacio, this nature preserve has the only pine trees in Belize. There’s great hiking and waterfalls in this area. Added bonus: It’s on the way to Caracol.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

For a more detailed guide to Caye Caulker, check out Jenny Williams’ article, “Go Slow on Caye Caulker, Belize.”

Photo above by bobtravis

While some of the world’s highest and most dangerous mountains lie in the Himalaya, Andes, Karakorum, and other high ranges, climbers hoping for big adventure need look no further than the United States.

Here are six American mountains to climb for big adventure:

1. Mount Washington, NH

New Hampshire’s highest point may only reach an elevation of 6,288 feet, but it is home to some of the world’s worst weather. In fact, the highest wind gust ever recorded on Earth’s surface, an incredible 231 mph blast, occurred on the summit of Mount Washington.

Its close proximity to the coast makes Mount Washington’s weather changeable and unpredictable. This is especially true in the winter, when temperatures frequently approach -40 degrees Fahrenheit and even exceed -100 degrees Fahrenheit with wind chill.

In both winter and summer, climbers can choose to reach the summit via a strenuous hike or a technical alpine route. If you visit on one of the 110 average days per year in which wind gusts exceed hurricane force levels, an adventure is guaranteed.

You can read more about climbing Mount Washington in the Boston Globe and the Mount Washington Observatory forums.

Photo above by masterjack.roger

2. Mount Katahdin, ME

At 5,267 feet, Mount Katahdin, the highest mountain in Maine, is lower than Mount Washington. Still, the airy views from the “Knife Edge” trail, which narrows to only two feet in width in some places and is flanked by thousand foot drops on either side, makes climbing Katahdin one of the most unique experiences in the Eastern United States.

For more information on the various routes up Katahdin, check out the Katahdin Regional Wiki.

Photo above by mandj98

3. Mount Rainier, WA

14,411 foot-high Mount Rainier is visible from Seattle, but climbing it is no easy undertaking. It requires travel on the largest glacier in the Lower 48 and advanced technical knowledge.

Still, there is probably no better place in America to get a “big mountain” experience with such a short approach.

For more information on climbing Mount Rainier, try the National Park Service trail descriptions or the Summit Post.

Photo above by david.evenson

4. Longs Peak, CO

The only “fourteener” in Rocky Mountain National Park, Longs Peak is an iconic mountain and considered to be the most difficult 3rd class fourteener in Colorado.

Though it’s officially non-technical in the summer, the popular Keyhole Route still offers steep rock scrambles and lots of exposure. When combined with the intense physical demands of the route, these features make Longs Peak an excellent objective for those looking for a mountain adventure.

If you want to plan an ascent of Longs Peak, the best first place to go is Paul Nesbit’s Longs Peak: Its Story and a Climbing Guide.

Photo above by glennwilliamspdx

5. Mount Shasta, CA

Considered one of the best treks in California, Mount Shasta is also one of America’s most adventurous mountain destinations. Popular routes to the 14,179 foot summit rise more that 7,000 feet from the trailhead and traverse rock moraine, snowfields, and glacial features.

For a classic account of adventure on Mount Shasta, read John Muir’s essay “Snow-storm on Mount Shasta.”

Photo above by exfordy

6. Mount Haleakala, HI

Forming more than 75% of the island of Maui, Haleakala is one of the best places to explore Hawaii’s unique volcanic landscape.

Though the summit is accessible by road and home to astrological observatories, hiking through the national park puts you in touch with the austere and dramatic terrain and provides an opportunity to get close to an active volcano.

Like Mount Kea, Haleakala is considered a sacred mountain by native Hawaiians. Also like Mount Kea, its summit is considered one of the best places on earth for viewing the cosmos.

Spending the night on Mount Haleakala is the perfect opportunity to sit back in a sleeping bag, sip some tea, and dream of all the adventures waiting for you under that star-studded mantle.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

For more big-time adventures, check out the Top 15 Adventure Towns Worldwide, or learn about 7 Classic Adventure Spots in Asia.

Photo by Josh Sommers. Feature photo by Larry Miller.

Covering up to 25,000 square miles of Californian terrain, the Mojave and the Colorado deserts present a rich diversity in landscape, ecology, and climate, and provide an important preservation of natural and human history. The following are some of the most spectacular of the national and state parks.

Joshua Tree National Park

Popular for its Joshua tree forests and climbable hills of bare boulders, Joshua Tree National Park has a uniquely alien and prehistoric landscape.

Slow growers, Joshua trees can live up to several hundred years with some making it to a thousand. Photo by Tobias.

Arch Rock. Photo by Yogi.

Sometimes after particularly wet winters desert dandelions grow. Photo by Dawn Endico.

Death Valley National Park

Its rich geologic and cultural history, and extreme environment and isolation (having some of the clearest skies in North America for stargazing) make Death Valley an attractive destination for nature lovers.

A sliding rock making its way across Racetrack Playa. Photo by Mike.

Badwater, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. Photo by PhillipC.

Zabriskie Point. Photo by Larry Miller.

Red Rock Canyon State Park

The result of erosion exposing the colorful sandstone stratas and creating hoodoos and other dramatic rock formations, Red Rock Canyon State Park has served as the backdrop of many films, including Jurassic Park.

Red cliffs such as these have helped geologists and paleontologists understand the region’s history for the past 500 million years. Photo by Tobin.

Desert tortoises are endemic to the western part of North America. Photo by Chris Selvig.

Photo by Tom Hilton.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

The largest state park in California and the second largest in the continental United States, the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park offers a varied sample of the Colorado Desert with broad vistas, dry river beds, and diverse ecology, such as palm groves, iguanas, foxes, golden eagles, roadrunners, and rattlesnakes.

The Borrego Badlands. Photo by Jurek Durczak.

Desert flora looks on as the desert sunrise paints a neon view. Photo by Florian Boyd.

Photo by Florian Boyd.

Mojave National Preserve

Seemingly barren compared to other Californian deserts, many make their way to this newly designated park for its booming sand dunes, volcanic formations, and Joshua tree forests.

Kelso Dunes, famous for “singing” or creating a low rumble when one slides down from the top. Photo by Lin Mei.

Photo by Chuck Abbe.

A chuckwalla soaks in some desert sun. Photo by Chris Selvig.

Feature photo by DBarefoot / Above photo by * YUKO_M

Facial Bling

Cleopatra apparently slept in a gold mask every night to maintain youthful looking skin, inspiring the latest in Japan’s pursuit of glowing, wrinkle-free skin.

Paper-thin squares of 24-karat gold are applied on the face along with hydrating compounds. The result includes firmer, more supple skin, and not surprisingly, a noticeable dent in your wallet.

Soup Soak

The Japanese have a penchant for the bizarre, and the ramen soup bath is no exception. Offered seasonally by the Yunessun Spa in Hakone, south of Tokyo, bathers lounge in a bowl-shaped tub filled with a steaming broth of pepper, garlic extract, and collagen, purported to boost metabolism and nourish the skin.

Photo by alles-schlumpf

The kid-friendly spa also features a variety of themed baths, including green tea, red wine, and sake.

Oil Drip

There was a time when you had to go to India or Sri Lanka for Ayurveda, an ancient method of healing that focuses on detoxification and restoration of the body’s natural balance.

These days, many spas offer Shirodhara, an Ayurvedic treatment that involves slowly dripping warm oil or buttermilk over the forehead in the area known as the “third eye.” Originally intended to treat conditions ranging from neurological disorders to skin ailments, the rhythmic drip is also used for its relaxing, meditative properties.

Slithering Spa

Ada Barak’s Carnivorous Plant Farm in Northern Israel doubles as a spa, boasting a waiting list for massages given by snakes (yes, those limbless elongated animals, but the non-venomous varieties). The writhing of such reptiles on the skin is said to be quite therapeutic.

Larger snakes are heavy enough to produce a deep kneading massage, while the smaller ones flutter over the skin, creating a calming, caressing sensation.

Bovine Secretions

Touted as “Viagra for Hair,” Hari’s Bull Sperm Hair Treatment promises to transform over-processed hair into healthy, flowing tresses at its London salon.

The protein-rich treatment is a combination of organic Aberdeen Angus bull semen and Katera, a plant root from Iran. Once it is massaged into wet hair, this unusual concoction is left to work its magic.

Hay Bath

Photo by Matthew Boyle

For over a hundred years, travelers have been trekking to the foothills of the Italian Dolomites for a therapy that eases aches and pains. Pioneered by Hotel Heubad, the treatment involves being tightly wrapped in a sheet filled with damp fermenting hay and soaking in a water bed heated to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat opens the pores to receive the healing qualities of the Alpine grasses.

Fire Cupping

Spas have proliferated in China’s megacities, drawing upon traditional regimens such as cupping. In this procedure, small glass or bamboo cups are lit and applied on the skin, usually the back. When the air inside the cup cools, a vacuum is created, stimulating blood flow and rebalancing inner energy.

While painless, dark red circular welts– an effect stranger than the process itself– remain.

Beer Bath

Spas in the Czech Republic offer an unconventional remedy for the weary: a soak in warmed lager. Yeast and hops contain health-inducing chemicals said to boost complexion and relieve muscle tension.

You probably shouldn’t sample the tepid, murky bathwater; at the Prave Pivni Lazni, or original beer spa, run by the Chodovar brewery in the town of Chodova Plana, you’re given cool pints to drink during your stint in “Beer Wellness Land.”

Chocolate Wrap

In the hills of Hershey, Pennsylvania, the spa at the Hotel Hershey offers a plethora of delicious-sounding treats. Based on the premise that chocolate’s vitamins and antioxidants fight aging and accelerate cellular rejuvenation, one such regimen, the Chocolate Fondue Wrap, involves being slathered with warmed Moor mud and essence of cocoa and then wrapped in a blanket.

Exfoliating Fish

Originally from Turkey, the garra rufa is more commonly known as “Doctor Fish” throughout Japan and parts of Southeast Asia. These toothless relatives of the carp feed on dead, flaky skin, attacking whichever body part is offered as a snack.

While these hard-working fish have been known to treat skin ailments such as psoriasis and eczema, they are more likely to be doing full body exfoliations or prepping the feet for a pedicure.

1. Cadrona, New Zealand

Image: nzgeek

In the centre of New Zealand’s South Island lies Cardrona . This large centre for ski and snowboarding is suitable for beginners and intermediates, but there’s not as much to do for advanced riders.

A day lift pass for an adult starts from NZ $81 – this year there’s a new express chair lift. They’ve recently installed a huge half-pipe with 22 foot walls and there’s also a whole range of facilities available.

Time off the piste

If you’re a skater, take a short trip down the road to Wanaka where there is a good skate park. Also worth checking out is Puzzle World, a good time-wasting activity involving mazes and games if the runs are closed when you’re there.

2. Queenstown, New Zealand

Image: slack13

Queenstown is about an hour’s drive from Cardrona and is home to the major ski centres of Coronet Peak and The Remarkables.

Coronet Peak has a paved road right to the top of the ski area, so there’s no need to feel so scared of careering off the edge of a mountain. It’s possible can go night boarding there thanks to floodlights along the runs, live music, etc.

If you’re thinking of going up to the Treble Cone, be sure to check out the six-seater ski lift! The Remarkables has some good black runs for advanced riders where ski insurance would come in very handy, but it also boasts lots of mellow undulating routes for beginners and a decent sized park.

Time off the piste

Queenstown in general is much more of a party town than neighbouring Cardrona, with thousands of tourists looking for all sorts of extreme activities. It’s good fun to go for a night out, but not great if you’re thinking of spending the entire season there. If you’re stuck there without snow, be sure to check out Frisbee Golf and the indoor ice-bar.

3. Falls Creek, Australia

Image: andrewfarrington

Falls Creek is one of the best ski resorts in all of Australia. It’s located in the state of Victoria, about half way between Melbourne and Canberra. You can ski here each year from the start of June until roughly the first week in October.

There are nearly 100 runs for downhill skiers, ranging from beginner to expert terrain. There are also 21 cross-country trails and over 65 kilometres of groomed trail network. A lift pass will cost you from AUS $74 per day, but great savings can be made if you buy a ticket for longer periods.

Time off the piste

In the summer, Falls Creek is an ideal place to escape the traditional Australian beach holiday and take a break in the mountains. With stunning scenery, fishing, walking and mountain bike trails and an abundance of high-quality accommodation, it’s the perfect relaxing antidote to hard work.

Bariloche, Argentina

Image: flynnwynn

The ski resort at Bariloche is a taste of the alps in the heart of South America. With huge quantities of lush snow, first-class facilities and a warm welcome, this resort has a truly European flavour.

Beginners, intermediates and experts alike have plenty of terrain options at Bariloche, including 62 miles of groomed runs. It’s so big, there are 39 ski lifts!

Time off the piste

Although Bariloche is a Patagonian city, the culture and vibe outside the ski area is closer to that of Buenos Aires. Bars stay open super late, and clubs go all night.

Portillo, Chile

Image: davemorin

Chile is famous for the Andean Cordillera running down its eastern border with Argentina. Portillo is a 2 hour drive from the capital, Santiago. As a ski area, Portillo dates back to the 1940s, and while the facilities and accommodation have modernized, the vibe and is still tranquilo.

The management purposely limit the numbers of skiers allowed on the slopes in any one day, so it’s never crowded. Thursday is race day at Portillo. Whatever your skill level, you’re encouraged to take part in a whole variety of downhill races. There are prizes awarded in the evenings.

Time off the piste

The apres ski is just as good as the ski at Portillo. There are as many staff there as there are guests. Be sure to take advantage of the amazing gastronomy on offer. Also, take time on Friday night to check out the beautiful torch-lit parade performed weekly by the students of the ski school.