Estonia

Estonia is a wonderful way to see the essence of Europe. To the east is Russia, to the north is Finland, on the west side sits Sweden, and to the south, there is a land border with Latvia. The small nation enjoys a Baltic Sea coastline. Estonia was oppressed for decades under the U.S.S.R.'s ruling, after World War II.

In 1991, it was finally declared a separate nation. The national language Estonian enjoys a fully, 100%, literate population. Sometimes it is referred to as “E-sonia,” seeing as it is highly wired for the Internet and technology.

Throughout Estonia's history, it has often been in the middle of battles, strictly on account of its geographical location. It is a country that was taken over by Hitler in 1941 and then lost its identity again as part of the U.S.S.R.

While visiting Estonia, be sure to check out Hiiumaa Islets Landscape Reserve, a national park and island; Kiek-in-de-Kök, a fortress and a museum; and Naissaar, an island and war memorial in a lush natural forest.

The capital of Tallinn is a favorite destination for many seasoned globe trotters that know what they like. Estonia is full of beautiful churches and countryside.

The ideal season to check out this enchanting locale is from June to September, as the winters are quite frosty. Estonia is known to have a great deal of character and charm, without breaking the traveler's bank account. Some visitors find it similar in quaintness to Prague as it was 20 years ago.

Estland

This is Estonia

Nicaragua

Nicaragua is in Central America, and while the country did recently endure a civil war, it is peaceful now. Nicaragua is a beautiful and scenic tropical spot that is not a tourist trap. It lies between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.

This Spanish-speaking country is a place of thick green tropical rain forests, vast beaches of blue water and remarkable volcanoes and mountains. As this is a rainforest, the best time to visit is the dry season, from November to April.

Who wouldn't want to visit an unspoiled and still pristine part of the world with exotic animals, gorgeous beaches and postcard perfect natural splendor? Many travelers return to this country for the hospitality of the “Nicas”, the people of Nicaragua.

Fernando de Noronha

Fernando de Noronha is an island about 200 miles off the coast of Brazil. The island is largely in a natural and conserved state. It is another stunning, unspoiled place for explorers looking to stray away from the usual island tourist crowds.

To keep the island from becoming overcrowded, less than 500 visitors are allowed on the island at one time. Although the remoteness of the island is more expensive than what you would pay on the mainland, the seasoned tropical visitor will find it to be truly fabulous. Seventy percent of this island is appointed as a national park, and wildlife abounds. Sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, exotic birds and manta ray all share the habitat in and around this island.

The archipelagos a favorite place for diving enthusiasts. Unfortunately, it is becoming quite expensive to stay on this island, as the natives are rumored to be enjoying the foreign cash. However, even if you could stop off for a few nights, it would be worth the splurge to be so close to a perfect ecosystem of such intense beauty.

Fernando De Noronha

Fernando de Noronha National Park - Brazil

Fernando de Noronha - A hidden and lonely beach in Brazil

Beach - Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Greenland

Greenland. You are thinking, the land of ice? Yes, it is “that” Greenland, and it is actually showing more greenery than ever, thanks to climate change, and revealing is what lies beneath.

Crime is completely unknown in this area of the world, so if you value safety, this may be the place for you. Greenland is the world's biggest island. 85 percent of Greenland is ice cap. This ice cap is used by ten percent of the Earth's population as a water source. If these ice caps melt, the level of the oceans would rise by more than 20 feet.

Greenland has the most daylight hours in the summer, with a 'midnight sun,” visible from May until late July. The highest summer temperature is about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Whales are frequently seen by tour boats, whose passengers will be able to view some of the most beautiful humpbacks, pilot whales, sperm whales and narwhals very easily.

The Northern Lights are best in August and September. There is fishing and golf on the island, and many quaint inns for lodging. Nature lovers will become addicted to this spot, as there are a variety of fantastic outdoor activities, such as ice climbing, dog sledding, and kayaking. Greenland is probably the most isolated place left on the planet, hence the serenity is the most beautiful aspect of a journey to this seemingly mystical land.

Aurea Borealis and Animals on Greenland

2004 Greenland

Kangerlussuaq, Greenland

Tasmania

Tasmania is an island off the coast of southeast Australia. About 40% of the island is protected land and reserves. Less than half a million residents call Tasmania home. It is about 26,000 square miles in size. Summer in the Southern Hemisphere is from December until February. The trees on the island of Tasmania are some of the oldest on the planet.

Tasmania is full of lush rain forests, alpine meadows, mountain peaks and large clear lakes. Cradle Mountain and Lake St. Clair National Park are some of the most beautiful places to see on the fabled island.

The best time to visit Tasmania is between the months of October and April. The Tasmanian Devil is found only on the island of Tasmania, and cartoons, of course.

Tasmania: A Visual Experience

Soothing Sunrises on the Shores of Tasmania

Tasmania In Spring

These little known and lesser publicized destinations will surely create many memories of adventure and stunning views for those who dare to venture off the well-traveled path.

If you are low on cash, you might like trying camping out while you go along. In OH there are many camping sites, but my favorite is Hocking Hills. Stay up in the hills and in the woods, as well as fish and canoe on the Hocking River when you stay at Hocking Hills. I do, however, advise that you keep all of your food in a vehicle, so that the mischievous raccoons don't sneak in and steal it! If you have a bit more money, maybe you can rent a cabin at Camp Wesley. Camp Wesley is a fun filled family camp, though it also offers one week camps throughout the summer. You can swim in Lake Wesley and in the in-ground pool. You also can canoe through the lake, as well as fish. These are some camping destinations for you.

If you have plenty of money on hand and would like to stay in a hotel, try the Nickelodeon Hotel located here in beautiful OH. There are also a variety of other hotels all over, totaling in over 200. This is where you non-campers enjoy a few weeks.

Now let's talk destinations. Up for a concert, or are you holding a meeting for your company? Just head on over to the Civic Center in Lima, located in Allen County. If you have a few hours, take a drive through the breathtakingly beautiful hills of southern OH. In town in July? Stop by any of the local fairs, or better yet, the state fair. OH also houses many amusement parks, including King's Island, Cedar Point, and Zoombezi Bay. OH also is home to many shoe and clothing stores such as Elder Beerman, JC Penny's, Payless Shoes, and more great shops. If you enjoy looking at animals, and maybe petting the ones in the petting zoo's, our state's Columbus Zoo.

After visiting everywhere there is to go and seeing everything there is to see, you can take a flight home from the Columbus airport. We can't wait until you come back again soon!

Summer is around, and everybody's excited to spend the summer vacation once again. A place that is cool, with awesome scenery and wonderful people is most likely the most popular choice to spend it. A place where they can escape the heat of the sun, enjoy swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving or simply watching scenic views.

1. Boracay

   
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   Number one on the list, of course, a world class resort, the most popular island destination and the number one tourist spot in the Philippines - Boracay. It is regarded as “the finest beach of all Asia”. Likewise, popularly known as, “the number one tropical beach in the world”. Everyone will surely enjoy swimming and sunbathing on its 4 kilometer “white sand beach”. You will definitely like this island paradise. It is situated in Panay Island, Philippines, about 300 km south of Manila.

2. Palawan

   
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   Next on the list is Palawan known as “the last Philippine frontier “. It is blessed with beautiful tourist attractions like Club Paradise Resort, El Nido Resort, and many others. The famous underground river is also here, and the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park which is the best place for snorkeling in Asia is also located on this island.

3. Dakak

   
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   Third on the list is another world class beach resort, Dakak. It is famous not only for its “powdery white sand” but also famous for its coral reefs and diving that is why it was named the “Diving Mecca in Mindanao”.

4. Siargao

   
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   In the fourth spot, we have Siargao, the haven of surfers from all over the world. Popularly known as, “the surfing capital of the Philippines”. International Surfing Cup is held here annually.

5. Batanes

   
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   And the last, but certainly not the least, we have Batanes, the northernmost province of the Philippines. It is the smallest province in terms of land area and population. You will surely love this place. It is the best place for nature lover and people who love tranquility and serenity. This is where the Pacific Ocean merges with the South China Sea. Batanes is great for summer vacation, fishing, diving and hiking.

Enjoy your summer vacation on these island paradises.

With unexpected waterfalls and cliffs 100 feet and higher, driving the long way the Hamakua Coast line is amazing. It also allows you to visit side attractions such as Akaka Falls and see Lapahoehoe point.

Once you enter Hilo you might think to yourself, “This is it?” Down town Hilo consists of wide open lush green parks as a reminder of the tsunamis that devastated this once tin roofed agriculture community. In 1946 and again in 1960 tsunamis battered this area claiming more than 220 lives.

These huge waves can reach amazing speeds up to 500 miles an hour over thousands of miles of open water. On April 1, 1946, tsunami waves generated by an earthquake in Aleutian Islands raced 2,300 miles in five hours sending a 25 foot wall of water bashing into the coast of Hilo. Striking with little to no warning this massive wave took the lives of 159 people and destroyed more than 1,300 homes and business.

Fourteen years later, on May 22, 1960 an earthquake off the coast of Chile sent tsunami waves ripping through the Pacific at 442 miles an hour. It only took 15 hours before Hilo would see the 35 foot wave. Yanking building off their foundation and leaving 61 people dead, Hilo never recovered.

Thus when driving into Hilo and you are greeted with wide open spaces of green fields think about it for a moment. This once was the business center of Hilo. It once was a place for traders and fishermen. From Kamehameha Avenue, downtown to the shores of Wailoa River near Banyan Drive evidence of these massive unexpected waves can be seen and respected.

And so words to live by; never turn your back to the ocean. You never know when a huge wave may come to claim yet other victim. If the sea surges inland or retreats out to sea, quickly move to higher ground. That is a major indication of something coming your way. There is not a tsunami season. They can and usually will happen without warning. Pay attention to the evacuations signs posted around the coast. And don't stay where you are thinking it will be a great shot or awesome story to tell when you get home, the point is you might not make it home if a tsunami hits.

• Though Costa Rica has its own currency (the Colon), most stores list prices in terms of U.S. dollars since there are so many U.S. tourists and access to U.S. dollars is easy. However, in order to exchange money, travelers must visit an official exchange, as illegal exchange of currency is forbidden. Head's up: most banks close at 3p.m.
• Costa Rican travelers: be wary; Costa Rica is a stopping point along the well-known drug route through Central America. Though drugs and drug trafficking are illegal and punished quite severely, many tourists do get caught up in drug-money schemes, so tourists are warned upon arrival to guard their personal safety.
• There are about 52 species of hummingbirds in Costa Rica, making Costa Rica a true North American hummingbird capitol. The Costa Rican hummingbirds are most often found in the rain forest, as they pollinate flowers in the area where bees cannot travel.
• Monkeys are one of the most common mammals in Costa Rica - next to bats. There are about four common species of monkeys in Costa Rica, including the Howler money, Spider money, white-faced capuchin, and the squirrel monkey. Most monkeys live in groups of 10 to 40 with other animals.
• There are four kinds of toucans in Costa Rica, including the keel-billed toucan, chestnut-mandibled toucan, collared aracari, and the fiery-billed aracari. Toucans are found almost entirely in or around the rain forest. There are also over 332 species of parrots, but only about five live in Costa Rica, including the scarlet macaw, great green macaw, red-lored parrot, white-crowned parrot and the barred parakeet.
• Bug-phobists look out! There are about 750,000 species of insects that live in Costa Rica, including about 20,000 different types of spiders!
• Guaro is the local alcoholic liquor of choice. The beverage is inexpensive and is made from sugar cane. Costa Rica also produces a fine coffee liquor - straight from the coffee bean.
• Though Costa Rica is the second smallest Latin American country (it's only about 30,100 square miles), it's one of the most culturally and geographically exciting. The country borders the Caribbean and Pacific waters and has a broad mix of low lands and hilly volcanoes. As such hikers and water-lovers will be equally as impressed.
• Vaccinations are not mandatory. However, there are Red Cross stations in just about every town throughout the country, making vaccinations readily available. Many hikers get vaccinated before traveling to the country, as Typhoid and Hydrophobia are common.

Costa Rica is one of the most valued environmental destinations in North America. Whether you're taking off for a backpacking trip, historic inquiry, or kayaking journey, Costa Rica is sure to provide an environment that cannot be replicated. Be sure to take your hiking boots and swimsuit - you never know when you'll hike to the top of a cliff only to jump into a crystal clear pool below!