Safety Tips For San Diego Beach Lovers

The ocean is a wild thing. While San Diego is a perfect place to enjoy a day by the ocean, the coast is also subject to storms and swells, rogue waves and riptides; California’s beaches are not always the benign destinations popular in TV shows and movies.

Stay safe and have fun during your San Diego beach vacation with these tips.

Sunny side up

Many visitors are surprised at San Diego’s maritime climate and chilly waters. These conditions are great for fish and bring moisture into an otherwise dry region. The foggy maritime layer blankets the coast many mornings between May and June. It usually burns off by afternoon, but don’t plant your towel on the beach thinking about napping until the sun comes out without protecting your skin. Burning rays still filter through even though you might not feel them.

Know too that inland about three miles the weather will be sunny and warm on most days. Wear that sunscreen wherever you wander in San Diego!

About that chilly water!

The shape of the ocean bottom along the San Diego coastline causes the phenomenon known as up-welling. Chilly water from the bottom of deep trenches curls up towards the beaches as it pulls the warm water down. This causes the water along the shoreline to be colder than you might expect.

The beaches do warm up in late summer, and the water inside the bays is also suitable for hardy swimmers. If it’s a bit much for boogie boarding without goose bumps, then rent a lightweight swimsuit from one of the dive or sports shops in the area. That should help make your swim more temperate.

Water quality

In a region where rain is a rarity, street runoff can be full of chemicals and bacteria that flows into the sea. Bays, harbors, and marinas flush the least, and contaminants build up there. Hot spells may warm water in shallower areas and stagnation can be a real concern. Check water quality reports before setting out for a splash. The non-profit Heal the Bay has over 500 water quality checkpoints along the California coast and grades beaches weekly.

Safe surfing

Offshore storms can bring in staggering sets of waves and surfers hover over wave reports. Conditions in the San Diego area can vary considerably depending on which part of the county you plan to surf. Trends are different in the north end close to Camp Pendleton vs. the south. There are several agencies forecasting water conditions, surf and swell size. Check with Surfline.com for the most recent reports if you’re planning to catch a wave or two.

Watch your step

It’s always a surprise to find a gelatinous mound quivering in the sand. You’ve probably come across a jellyfish; they often die and wash up on beaches. These odd mounds weep into the sand and eventually wash back out to sea. However, don’t fool around — even in death, they still can sting. Jellyfish inject nematocysts into the skin where they do their poisonous damage. The effects are: lack of sensation, some itchiness, or burning, and sometimes colorful markings. The worst stings may lead to nausea, reduced blood pressure, hard breathing, or even cardiac arrest. If any of these symptoms arise, seek medical attention immediately.

Learn the shuffle

Unfortunately, some of the very things that we love about visiting San Diego beaches — the gentle surf, the clear water — also appeal to stingrays who hit the beaches to mate and give birth. When you’re ready to get in the water, learn to shuffle in and out, or stomp. The vibrations alert burrowing stingrays that you’re nearby. If you’re concerned, stop at one of the lifeguard stations and ask about the conditions.

While the cut from a sting ray is tiny, the effect is no small matter. It’s incredibly painful, though not usually dangerous. The best treatment is hot water, as hot as you can stand and lots of it. Lifeguard stations have buckets of hot water for treatment and can offer advice. Otherwise, get home as quickly as possible and soak the foot or site of the sting in water that’s hot but not enough to scald you. It’s a persistent pain, so be patient: the sharp throbs can recur for 24-48 hours.

Don’t get caught in the current

Rip currents run perpendicular to the beach, and getting caught in one can be dangerous. But a little knowledge can keep you out of panic mode and guide you through the threat.

First of all, know that if you’re having a hard time getting back to the beach, you may have found a rip current. Don’t fight the current by struggling to get to shore; you’ll tire yourself out instead of escaping the current’s grip. Calm yourself instead, and start swimming parallel to the shoreline. Eventually, you’ll swim through the current and you should be able to make for the beach. If you tire, look toward the lifeguard station and raise your arms to signal for help. Each year lifeguards rescue thousands of swimmers across the US. They’re trained for this, so look to them for help. Before you head out to the beach check the conditions at the NOAA Ripcurrent page as well.

You don’t need to stay out of the water when you visit San Diego. Just choose a beach and times when lifeguards are available using the links above, and stay safe out there.

6 Tips To Stay Healthy While You Travel

Traveling exposes your immune system to new stressors. Beef up your immune system and keep it strong by following these six vacation tips.

1. Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated becomes even more critical when you’re on vacation. A dehydrated body is more prone to fatigue, headaches, electrolyte imbalance, and disease. Be disciplined about drinking enough water in the week leading up to your trip. The chaos of daily life can make it easy to not drink enough water. The last thing you want is to be dehydrated going into your trip! Once the journey begins, be sure to drink small amounts of water regularly.

Electrolyte mix is always a great idea to bring along. When you drink extra water, your body excretes more electrolytes. Replenishing electrolyte stores with an electrolyte mix will keep your body ahead of the game. Your chances of getting sick and feeling crummy will be significantly reduced.

Be sure to be cautious about what water you drink. Bottled water is best. Tap water may not be safe. Your body is only acclimated to the bacterial profile of the water from where you live. Foreign water may contain E.coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Giardia, Shigella, Cyclospora, or Entamoeba. Stay hydrated and be safe!

2. Avoid Sugar

Stay away from sugar to strengthen your immune system and streamline your energy. Sugar stresses the immune system and can cause crashes and mood swings. Even limiting the amount of sugar is a great first step. Keep in mind that once you hit the road, you may find yourself snacking on rich foods stuffed with sugar and carbs.

Balance this out beforehand by stocking your body up on green vegetables. If you feel the need for sugar, the natural sugar in fruit is less taxing on the immune system. Fruit will also make you less prone to mood instability and energy crashes. There are plenty of low-sugar, or low-glycemic index snack bars out there. Look for packages labeled “ketogenic,” “keto,” or “paleo.” These are designed for a low-sugar diet. Dark chocolate bars also tend to be low in sugar. The darker, the better!

3. Build Up Your Immunity

Staying hydrated and limiting sugar strengthens the immune system, but so does getting your hands dirty. In the month leading up to your vacation, wash your hands a little less, and spend more time touching the ground. Exercise on the ground with yoga, stretching, and light exercise.

Pet an animal or two. They’re a goldmine of germs that will strengthen your immunity. Exposure to new strains of bacteria in small doses can act as a natural vaccine. If you run into the same strain of bacteria on your trip, your blood cells will have already seen it and be prepared. Just don’t overdo it– continue washing your hands thoroughly after using public restrooms and before eating. You don’t want to get sick before your flight.

4. Use Hand Sanitizer and Wash Your Hands

Once you’re at your destination, return to normal sanitization habits. Take special care to sanitize following trips to the bathroom and before eating. The airplane is an especially germ-dense space. Make sure that any blankets or pillows provided by the airline are in a sealed plastic bag. If not, it was likely used by a previous customer. No need to be a germaphobe, but by taking the right standard precautions you can save yourself from an unpleasant trip.

5. Make Sure Your Food Is Well-Cooked

Food preparation standards vary by country and location. In general, a meal cooked in rural central Mexico is higher risk than one prepared at a resort on the coast. This has to do both with water quality and health codes, or the lack thereof. When traveling through high-risk areas, stick to food that is cooked thoroughly.

Stay away from cold salads, as they may have been rinsed in water that isn’t suitable for you to consume. Even the tiniest amount of unsanitary water can be enough to make you ill. Be careful to wash off the tops of soda cans for the same reason. In hot climates, bottled water and canned refreshments may be kept in ice coolers. The little bit of melted ice sitting on the rim of the can be enough to make you sick.

6. Stay Active

Physical activity reduces stress, optimizes hormone levels, and increases energy. Traveling can be stressful. More stress equals a weakened immune system. Since you don’t want to spend your vacation in bed, it’s important to stay proactive about feeling fresh. Exercise is also a cognitive enhancer. Just twenty minutes of light exercise can increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that’s critical to mental clarity and memory.

By balancing hormone levels, exercise improves mood stability and boosts the immune system. During travel, stress hormones can become elevated. A few minutes of walking at a brisk pace can be enough to refresh you after getting off the plane or out of the car. Having an exercise routine in place before you leave will make it easier to stay active on vacation.

Now get out there and have some fun! Stay hydrated, keep active, and build up your immune system leading up to your departure. Your trip will be an extension of your already healthy habits.

8 Life-Saving Tips For Cold Weather

If a crash or wrong turn leaves you stranded in the cold, these tips can keep you more comfortable, or even save your life.

1. Be Prepared

You can set yourself up for success well before disaster strikes. When it comes to surviving a cold weather situation, a little preparation can go a long way. You want to dress correctly, with multiple layers of loose-fitting clothes. Warm socks and gloves are essential. On top of that, keeping a cold weather survival kit could, as the name suggests, help you survive. It should include snacks, a means to start a fire, hand warmers, blankets, or even a compact survival sleeping bag. You can keep a kit in your backpack or in the trunk of your car and forget about it until it is needed. If you let people know where you’re going and when you expect to arrive, they can alert the authorities should you not turn up.

If you’re stranded in a car in cold weather, even the ability to light a single can make a huge difference.

2. Seek Shelter

Sometimes, hunkering down and waiting out the cold is necessary. If you’re stranded as a result of a car crash, you’re already in your shelter. You will want to make sure your exhaust is clear of snow so you aren’t exposed to carbon monoxide when your car is running. If you are on foot, you may have to improvise your shelter. In a pinch, something as simple as a trench in the snow with some pine branches on the bottom should provide enough protection from the elements to get you through the night. Cover yourself with more pine branches or anything you can get your hands on and ride out the cold. If conditions allow, you can build yourself an igloo to make yourself more comfortable. Building a shelter provides the additional benefit of getting your heart rate up and keeping you warm.

3. Make Yourself Visible

Once your shelter is set up, you want to increase the likelihood of rescue by ensuring passersby will spot you. Use bright clothing to make flags. Write a message in the snow with branches or other debris. Set off flares or light a fire. If you’re in a vehicle, make sure the hazard lights are on. Doing anything you can to make yourself more visible gives you the best chance of being rescued.

4. Stay Dry

When in the extreme cold, moisture is your enemy. Crossing frozen bodies of water should be avoided if possible, as a trip through the ice can be deadly in a cold weather situation. If your clothes get wet, take them off. Being shrouded in wet clothing will decrease your core temperature to dangerous levels. Believe it or not, it is better to be naked and dry than dressed and sopping. You don’t want to exert yourself to the point that you’re sweating, either. This is why it is in your best interest to wear multiple layers of clothing; you can regulate your temperature by adding or removing layers as necessary. Keep those feet dry by removing damp socks.

5. Stay Hydrated

An often overlooked aspect of cold weather survival is hydration. Dehydration can negatively affect cognition, compromising decision-making and causing confusion. In a survival situation, you’ll want to keep your wits about you, so proper hydration is paramount to your success. Believe it or not, eating snow as a means to stay hydrated is a bad idea, as it will lower your core temperature, forcing your body to expend energy to warm itself up. You can melt the snow over a fire, or by keeping it close to your body in a container of some kind. You can wrap the snow in a cloth and suck the water as it melts.

People in a blizzard — Unsplash / Jeffrey Blum

6. Stay Fueled

Surviving in the freezing cold is a lot of work. Your body will need nourishment to make up for all the energy it has expended. The cold and stress you are exposed to will make your body tear through its energy stores, potentially causing low blood sugar and even hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can cause mental confusion and cardiac arrhythmias. Simple sugars and carbohydrates are a wonderful snack in a cold weather survival situation. Consider keeping nuts, granola bars, honey, and dark chocolate on hand to fuel your body should an emergency situation arise.

7. Keep Your Heart Rate Up

Cold weather can lower your heart rate. This decreases blood flow, which lowers your core temperature, opening you up to hypothermia. To combat this, consider jogging in place or performing jumping jacks to increase your heart rate and warm you up. But don’t overdo it! You don’t want to start sweating. Remember, moisture is the enemy. Sweat is your body’s cooling mechanism, and we don’t want our bodies cooled as we fight for survival in the freezing cold.

Keep these tips in mind should you ever find yourself stranded in the freezing cold weather. They just may save your life!

Basic Tips For Haggling When You’re Overseas

Haggling can save you some serious coin (if you’re good at it), and when you’re traveling on any kind of budget, that’s a pretty big deal. Still, haggling in other countries isn’t quite the same as it is in the States. And it’s not always optional; in some countries it’s considered pretty gauche not to have a little back and forth.

Here’s your handy guide to your next tourist negotiation.

1. Haggling Is A Sport

Some people are afraid to engage in haggling for fear of offending someone, but remember, it’s not about fighting with the person. Often times, vendors in locations like Thailand, Morocco, etc. have been haggling all of their lives. Not only does this mean they won’t be offended by it, it means that they’re very, very good at it.

It’s important to realize that, using the sports analogy, these people are pros. They’re the LeBron’s, the Crosby’s, the Brady’s of haggling. You likely aren’t in the same vicinity, or perhaps even the same realm as these people.

Know who you’re competing against and that they know exactly what they’re doing! Forget about winning and just try to get the best deal you can.

2. Keep It Light And Easy

You’re on a vacation, so don’t make haggling stressful or aggressive. Keep a smile on your face, be friendly, and don’t be too bold.

Many pro-hagglers consider it to be similar to flirting. There’s a give and take and a building of rapport throughout the process. It’s OK to joke and put some familiarity into the negotiations, in fact, it might even help you come out with bigger savings!

3. Know The Product

It’ll be an uphill battle if you’re not familiar with the item or service you’re negotiating for. By doing some preliminary research, you’ll know what questions to ask, comparisons to make, and things to look for in determining if it’s a worthwhile purchase.

Quality can vary greatly from vendor to vendor, so by being knowledgeable of the item you desire will enable you to look for any flaws or issues. You also might be able to talk the vendor down by drawing comparisons to similar products others are selling for cheaper.

4. Get Your Game On And Be Aloof

Give your opponent as little to work with as possible. Basically, keep your cards close to your chest from the second you approach. Go as far as to act disinterested, like you don’t really care if you buy now, later, or never or from this vendor or someone else. If you’re a card player, you know the importance of a good poker face, and it’s equally important when you’re haggling.

That also means that you should be prepared to walk away. Not only will this save you from getting suckered into a bad deal, it’s also a great final negotiating tactic. Many find that the second they start to walk away, the real offers start to come out.

5. Know Your Limit

Part of walking away is knowing your limit. It’s best to set a limit as to how much you’ll pay for something and then stick to it firmly.

When you have set rules before you get to the negotiating table, it won’t require any second thought to immediately dismiss or accept a vendor’s offer. It will also show them that you mean business and that you’re not open to being convinced!

6. Bundle Items Together

Consider creative offers, i.e. ask if they’ll drop the price if you buy a few items. This will likely get you at least somewhat of a discount and will allow you to quite literally walk away with more than you bargained for.

7. Don’t Negotiate Against Yourself

Your first offer should always be low, but any self-respecting vendor will likely reply with mock horror and say that price is way too cheap. They might ask you to make another offer, and psychologically speaking, you’ll be more inclined to go significantly higher on your second offer due to their reaction. Don’t be fooled!

The vendor is trying to make you negotiate with yourself, but take control of the negotiations by forcing them to come back to you with an offer. If you provide all the numbers, you’re making their job way too easy.

8. Don’t Go Too Far

It’s easy to get carried away when you’re in the midst of a fierce haggle-off. It’s fun when it’s light and there are no hurt feelings, but when it gets too serious and aggressive, it becomes a fight, and usually for insignificant reasons. Don’t become so obsessed with winning that you ignore a good deal in pursuit of an even better one, especially if it’s minor.

At the end of the day, what matters most is getting what you want for a fair price, and feeling happy. Traveling is meant to be fun, and so is haggling! If you follow these tips, you’ll have an edge in your negotiations and a better chance of walking away pleased with the deal you got — but remember always to have fun!

5 Cool Things To Do In Pittsburgh

If you’re visiting Steel City, you’ll want to consider including these cool things on your itinerary.

1. Step Into The Future At The Robot Hall Of Fame

If you think you need a pulse to be famous in 2018, think again! Whether you’re a fan of technology or just science fiction, the Robot Hall of Fame in Pittsburgh is here to say: these are the droids you’re looking for.

The Carnegie Science Center’s roboworld section is the most extensive collection of robotics on exhibit in the world, and this is where you’ll find the Hall of Fame. It combines both fictional robots from some of the most beloved films and TV shows, along with real machines that served as seminal technological advancements in their day. Since 2003, the goal of the Hall has been to recognize and represent innovation within the robotics industry — as well as our fascination with machines-as-characters.

On the fictional side of things, some past honorees that you’ll find in the Hall of Fame include Disney’s WALL-E, C-3PO from Star Wars, and Gort from The Day the Earth Stood Still. On the real side, you’ll see revolutionary machines like the Roomba and BigDog. There’s even an interactive component at the science center that allows you to operate some robotics on your own.

Not only is this an amusing way to spend a few hours in Pittsburgh, with robotics becoming even more prevalent in our day-to-day lives, it’s an exciting (or terrifying?) glimpse into the future that will leave you with lots to think about.

2. Have A Drink At Church

Drinking in church is usually a no-no, but at this church-turned-brewery, you’re encouraged to take your medicine by the pint!

The Church Brew Works has converted the historic St. John the Baptist Church into a massive beer hall. St. John was abandoned in 1993, but three years later, the brewery performed lengthy renovations to turn this place of worship into something that would be a little more beer-friendly. The building still retains its ornate decorations and stained-glass windows, and at first glance, you might again think you’re in a church. After a few beers, though, you’ll realize that you’re not!

They’ve won many awards for their brews, so besides taking in the unique unusual aesthetic of a church-pub, you’ll find something great to drink as well.

Downtown Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh: the old juxtaposed against the new. Unsplash / Vidar Nordli-Mathisen

3. Check Out A Bicyclist’s Heaven

Bicycles have been around since the early 1800s, and so, of course, they have a considerable history. Pittsburgh’s Bicycle Heaven will give you the full walk-through (pun intended) of the bicycle’s backstory, from its inception to the present day.

With over 3,000 bikes on display, Bicycle Heaven has become the world’s largest bicycle museum. It even includes famous entries like Pee Wee Herman’s bicycle, plus two more floors worth of exciting relics and memorabilia.

If you’re a fan of bicycles or history, Bicycle Heaven is worth a visit. It’s also a functioning bike shop, so if you get a flat tire while you’re in town, stop on by!

Bicycle Heaven, Pittsburgh — Bicycle Heaven

4. Ride The Monongahela Incline

There’s something about funicular railways. These old-timey hill-climbing tramways always feel like romantic odes to the past, and Pittsburgh has a noteworthy one in the form of the Monongahela Incline.

Borrowing from their European culture, immigrants came up with the idea of building a funicular in Pittsburgh during the late 1800s. That makes the Monongahela Incline the oldest funicular in continuous operation, and it still provides visitors with access to the peak near Monongahela River. From there, you’ll see incredible views of the downtown skyline.

With so few of these funiculars still functioning in the United States, it makes sense to check out one of the oldest and most famous of the whole bunch!

Monongahela Incline. Flickr / TheSeafarer

5. Visit The Center For PostNatural History

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have gotten a pretty bad rap lately, but the science behind their engineering is pretty impressive. The Center for PostNatural History (CPNH) is an alternative museum that showcases life-forms that have been intentionally modified by genetic engineering performed by scientists.

Almost invisibly, this science has played an important role in modern society, being used to reduce malaria parasites in mosquitoes, create sea monkeys, and produce spider-silk protein that can be used as kevlar-type bulletproof protection. It’s pretty fascinating stuff, and the CPNH has been collecting and cataloging this information so that its rich history doesn’t vanish — and so that the public can better understand how genetic modification works.

A wide assortment of specimens have been showcased in the museum, and there are also interactive videos that visitors can engage with.

If you’re very much anti-GMO, rest-assured that the CPNH passes no judgment in favor or against GMOs, it merely records it all for historical purposes and the edification of visitors. Visit the center and see for yourself how vast and diverse GMOs can be and perhaps you’ll be able to better determine how you feel about it all!

Of course, we’ve just scratched the surface of things you can do in Pittsburgh. But we hope we’ve given you a few ideas about how to spend your time in the ‘Burgh.

The 7 Fastest-Growing Destinations May Surprise You

If you want to check out some of the coolest up-and-coming travel destinations before everyone else jumps on the bandwagon, here’s where you want to go according to recent travel trends!

1. Sierra Leone

Every year, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) records travel statistics and predicts trends, and this year, they recorded a surprising destination with the biggest uptick in visitors: Sierra Leone.

From 2015 to 2016, the number of visitors to this small West African nation increased by 310%, perhaps partially due to the fact that the country was declared Ebola-free in 2015, but also due to the fact that it’s a spectacular destination with a lot of wonderful attractions on offer.

Between the beaches, friendly locals, and peaceful villages, Sierra Leone is a great destination for travelers seeking an out-of-the-way vacation.

South Africa is a prime competitor of Sierra Leone, and it drew over 10 million travelers in 2016 while Sierra Leone drew in only 75,000. It’s got a long ways to go, but we think it might continue to grow in popularity with more adventurous travelers! It’s just… you know, tough to shake Ebola.

2. Egypt

Egypt has sadly earned the reputation of a dangerous destination in the past few years, since the fallout of the Arab Spring effectively swept a military junta into power. But under this admittedly repressive regime, violence has continued to decrease and tourism has started to pick up once again.

There’s no doubt that there’s a lot to see and do in Egypt — the Great Pyramids or taking a camel ride — and with a 51% increase in tourism last year, it seems like the tide is finally turning in Egypt’s favor.

It might be time to consider this as a viable option once again, especially since so many of us have the Pyramids on our bucket lists.

Check out our top choices for hotels in Egypt.

Egypt, desert, camel — Unsplash / Mariam Soliman

3. South Korea

Despite the nearby dictator in the north, South Korea has seen a 30% increase in visitors in recent years, reaching a grand total of 17.2 million in 2016.

Much of South Korea’s modern splendor has escaped notice for years. But with secret paradises like Jeju, a Hawaii-like island with breathtaking beaches, hiking, underground cave exploration, and majestic volcanos, it’s no wonder that tourism has continued to thrive. The capital, Seoul, is one of the most happening cities in the world, packed full of exciting activities, luxurious lodging, and fine dining.

Get on board with South Korea and you’ll be part of a rising wave of savvy travelers that see the next big thing coming. And, hey — with Kim Jong-un making friendly noises in the North, this may soon be an even safer and more attractive destination than it is now!

Seoul, South Korea — Unsplash / Oleksii Khodakivskiy

4. Moldova

Moldova received the third-fewest visitors out of all European countries in 2016, but it has actually seen significant increases compared to its past numbers. For some, the fact that it still has a relatively low tourist count is actually a selling point.

There’s some really interesting Soviet-style architecture to be seen in Moldova’s capital, Chisinau, and history buffs will also appreciate the over 2,000-year-old monastery complex, Orheiul Vechi. Bird-watchers will also have their hands full, with upwards of 300 species to admire.

Wine culture is growing rapidly in Moldova, which hs some of the largest wine cellars in the world. And, really: do you need a better reason than wine to go for a visit?

Lavender field, Moldova — A lavender field in Moldova.

5. Iceland

If you’re on Instagram or Facebook, you’ve likely seen at least a few posts from friends or friends of friends who have visited Iceland recently. It’s still in the minority compared to major tourist destinations, but the number of visitors increased by 35% from 2015 to 2016. In fact, Iceland has become so popular with travelers that the government hasinstituted a tourism tax in an attempt to stop the tide.

June through August are the most popular times of year to visit Iceland with more daylight hours and warmer weather, but the year-round hot pools are always a treat. Reykjavik is a lovely city with great (albeit often expensive) dining and there are lots of activities to fill a well-priced Iceland trip, and there are still many deals to be had!

6. Kiribati

Kiribati is a diamond in the rough, and one that few have even heard of. Only 5,000 people traveled to this South Pacific island chain in 2015, but that’s an increase from the previous year. And there are many reasons we’ll likely see that number continue to increase in the coming years.

One reason is the micro-nation’s plentiful coral atolls, islands encircled by coral reefs, which make Kiribati a diver’s paradise. Visitors might have to string together activities on a few of the islands to fill out a week or longer trip, but there’s plenty to do and see in Kiribati, and not many people competing for the views… yet!

7. Madagascar

If you’ve seen the movie of the same name, perhaps you have an idea of the plentiful wildlife to be found on this island nation of the southeast coast of Africa, and that is indeed a big selling point for visitors. Dozens of lemur species and more than half the world’s chameleons are to be found here. Madagascar is considered “megadiverse” by Conservation International.

It’s the fourth largest island in the world, and you’ll likely spend the majority of your time exploring all the natural splendor it has to offer.

You might be surprised by some of the places that made this list. Some may be worth your time, and some may not. But the larger point is that there are always new and exciting destinations catching the imaginations of travelers the world over. This time next year, the list may look completely different. It’s a big and beautiful world after all!