Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

This festival runs from Jan 5 until mid-February every year in the city of… you guessed it, Harbin (Heilongjiang province). During this festival they build life-sized castles and other structures out of nothing but ice, then they light these structures with vibrant LED lights to illuminate them into the night with vibrant colors. Dress warm.

Yea, that really is all made from ice and snow.

Chinese New Year

This celebration is an awesome blast of awesomeness every year on February 10^th. If you choose to celebrate this Eastern New Year book as early as you can as it is sure to be busy, especially in the busier citied of Shanghai. If you show up, be ready for dancing, parades, fireworks, and unique food. Did I mention that there will be fireworks? Sweet…

Chinese New Year… there will be dragons

Torch Festival

This July festival is one of the most popular in southwest China. This year it is from July 31 – August 2 with Liangshan (southwest Sichuan) hold one of the largest Torch Festival celebrations with three days of traditional music / dancing, bull fighting, fireworks, and bonfires… naturally.

So pretty…

Shaoxing Rice Wine Festival

            Need you another excuse to drink for a reason? Here it is. This festival held in Shaoxing (northeastern Zhejiang province) every October typically starts in the middle of the month and usually lasts for a month. Here you will be able to sample the different wine and brews of the area while touring the local brewery or even listen to live music performances.

Rice wine making… like bosses

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Now, before you jump into your car to go visit the giant hole in the ground… I must warn you that this is an amazing place to visit if you are to tour the lower canyons. Be it hiking, biking, or going by donkey tour… this is truly an amazing place to visit with splendor in the lower canyons such as rock formations, rivers, waterfalls, and caves. Though pack accordingly as temperature in the summer during the day quickly rise in the lower canyons to exceed 100 degrees regularly. Someone in your party should be thoroughly skilled in backpacking and navigation before attempting this challenge. But let it be known, the oasis that you will find in the lower canyons make the trip that much more worth it.

Lower canyon stream

Now, if you plan on just visiting the Grand Canyon for the afternoon and not exploring the lower canyons… you will get bored very quickly. The average visitor I’ve met there was visiting from Las Vegas for the day… which is over a 4.5 hour drive (one way) through 55mph zones and nothing but desert wasteland for as far as the eyes can see. Once you get to the canyons with your van full of children you will find the giant hole in the ground that is the Grand Canyon and then you will be bored with the view after just 10-20 minutes of sweltering heat with no natural shade for miles in any direction. You will then meander over to some visitor center to get food and lame information. If you stay for even an hour staring at the hole in the ground you may see some birds flying off in the distance waiting for the next living thing to drop dead so it can feast on it. After that hour… be prepared for another 4.5 hour drive in the stark desert as you wonder why you even wanted to come in the first place. Happy travels

Lower canyon waterfall

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (Primarily)

This was the first national park to be established in the United States… and even the first national park established in the world… an idea that soon spread worldwide. 3,400 square miles and 80% covered by forest, also home to the famous geyser Old Faithful along with over 300 other geysers. Here you will hike and be able to see numerous birds, bears, fish, wolves (endangered species present in the park), and lynx (threatened species in the park) among the 67 different types of mammals present in the park. This is a true piece of U.S. wilderness.

Yellowstone hot spring

Glacier National Park, Montana (Primarily)

762 lakes rest within the boundaries of this park. 563 streams run through it. Over 1,500 square miles of this beautiful park is there for you to take in. This park has 175 mountains and 25 named glaciers. Words and pictures cannot truly express the beauty that resides in this park. I was there in August and we hiked through grass-covered valleys in shorts and t-shirts as we looked upon the mountains that were capped with snow. The mountain goats will come right up next to you on the trail. This is one of the prettiest places I have ever been in my life and I most-certainly plan on returning if you know, I’m still alive and healthy and whatnot.

This is Glacier National Park

 Because it’s heating up like a love shack baby

That’s right. With the warming that we have seen, in the year 2012 we saw the highest amount of ice melted from the Arctic Circle in recorded history. It may be too late to see this pristine part of the world before its gone if you wait too long.

Antarctica… the real life action of icebergs

The wildlife

You will see whales, penguins, and depending on your location, such as northern Alaska, you will also see a vast number to bear, moose, elk, and wolves in a higher concentration unlike anywhere else on the planet.

Rebellion of the penguins… maybe this global warming stuff isn’t that bad of a thing after all

The nature

These are trees… I know… sweet

Picture miles and miles of a snow covered forest. Also depending on location, mountains and valleys for as far as the eyes can see also. You will see some of the most untouched parts of the world and the peace and quiet you will find up there will be unmatched to anywhere else guaranteed.

Arctic Circle, Norway

The icebergs

You will see big icebergs, little icebergs, green ones, blue one, and so much more. They are majestic in and of themselves.

Iceberg with green bottom from the light

The Aurora Borealis

How many of you have actually seen the lights of Aurora Borealis. It truly stands to be one of the most peaceful and beautiful sights that I have ever seen in my life. A high recommendation to catch before you die at some point in your life.

Beauty incarnate

If you don’t want to go too far out of your way hiking, just catch a ride aboard an arctic cruise.

Another for the books

Gumball 3000

An international road rally brought to you by the British that has been going strong for 15 years. It covers 3000 miles and is quite prestigious with just 120 entries every year usually consisting of rock star cast of the famous and wealthy with such past entrants as Tony Hawk, Snoop Dogg, Reggie Bush, Tim Roth, Johnny Knoxville, and many many more.

They don’t actually go around the entire world you know…

Not only is this race an expensive one with many competitors using expensive supercars, but it is also a prestigious one with only 120 competitors each year. You don’t need an expensive car or to be famous to get in this race, as anyone can apply. But if you are among one of the elite to take part in this race, be prepared to speed through various countries in a race that only few will every be able to say they’ve done.

Starting area

AKA Rally

The AKA Rally is a yearly race that is held in the United States. Every year the race will go from one coast of the U.S. to the other. Usually the entry cost has sat around $3000 which will give you hotel accommodations for two people throughout each leg of the rally. Being an entree will also give you access to the nightly clubs and VIP sections where the AKA Rally chooses to party with its racers.

AKA Rally douche bag

Don’t think that you can just gun it for the coast however as each morning competitors receive the next destination a few hundred miles away. After a night over at the hotel they lodge you up in, they give you the next coordinates the next morning and at the end of the race all of the times for the various checkpoints are combined to give the top placers.

Road Runners Rally

This rally also resides in North America as this year it will go from Anaheim, California to Orlando, Florida. This rally also has a $3000 entry fee, which includes 1 car with two people. This one runs 2013 from December 1^st-8^th with 50 teams starting from a “top secret” location in Anaheim, California. Once you arrive at the destination of Florida the next four days will be filled with car shows, VIP parties, aviation and marine events and also fireworks.

Crashes… usually happen during these road rallies.

Cannonball Run Europe

This rally is 850 miles across Europe of pure awesomeness with over 1200 entrants. The sign up fee is 500 euros just to register your interest in the race but as you can see this is one of the more populous rallies to enlist in. With this race it is quite common to see both Lamborghinis and also dune buggies and vans also.

Cannonball Run Europe

The surroundings

Is it any wonder that Lord of the Rings was filmed in New Zealand? Not at all and you’d know why after visiting this place. Fun fact: The New Zealand army was dressed up to play the Orc army in the films. This place is easily one of the most beautiful places on the planet. With its rolling green hills, mountains, hidden lakes, secluded beaches, old architectures, crystal clear water… there is a host of reasons to visit this hidden gem of the South Pacific.

New Zealand. Enter: Awesomeness

Snowboarding and skiing

Do you have that summer itch to go snowboarding or skiing like all of us hardcore fanatics? Good, because you can go here in the summer time to get your boarding on. Due to New Zealand’s unique geography, between mid-June thru August snow lands itself on the mountains of the North Island plateau where people will be shredding it up like a true boss in a playground larger than the European alps. No worries about freezing as the temperatures will be milder, especially in the coastal zone if you want to partake in normal summer activities.

Snowboard New Zealand

Summer outdoor fun

Enter New Zealand’s various activities that would make anyone feel like an adventurous child all over again. Here you will find bungee jumping, skydiving, and white-water rafting if you are the adventurous types. On the milder side, you can always go canoeing, kayaking or enjoy the splendor of the many beautiful beaches or even hike the amazing rolling grass hills and valleys that cover the island.

Kayaking New Zealand

Live it up with the locals

Go taste testing at a vineyard or check out the local festivals. The island nation hosts many mind-blowing music celebrations & many other food/culture celebrations throughout the year. Not a person I’ve met that has visited New Zealand has regretted it for an instant.

Jousting… in New Zealand

Special note: Know the seasons before you go-

Spring: September – November.

Summer: December – February.

Fall: March – May.

Winter: June – August (Not really a hardcore winter mind you).

Primavera Sound

Where: Barcelona, Spain

When: May 30 – June 3

The Deets: A massive music festival that doesn’t cater to the snobs. 50 records sold or 50 million sold, they all play here. A fantastic display of music from all walks of professionalism right on the beach that’ll be packed with music lovers just like yourself.

Primavera Sound… yes

Taico Club Festival

Where: Nagano, Japan

When: June 2-3

The Deets: A no kids, over 20 electronic music event in the snow capped mountains of Nagano. It’s an exclusive music festival with only 7,000 tickets being issued out so you’ll have to get there quick to be one of the lucky ones.

So exclusive… you have room

Bonnaroo “The Roo”

Where: Tennessee, USA

When: June 7-10

The Deets: Enter one of the largest music festivals in the U.S. that will be showcasing everyone from The Beach Boys and Ludacris to Alice Cooper and Radiohead… I know, sweet baby Jesus indeed. If you go be prepared for tie-dye, alcohol, and a heavenly amount of drugs all within an arms reach.

Bonnaroo… is so goddamn beautiful

Glastonbury Festival

Where: England… in Glastonbury

When: June 26-30^th

The Deets: For five days the Pilton farm hosts the tented city of over 50 stages. Yes… I said 50 stages for musicians. More than 150,000 people will be there. You don’t want to miss out with such an awesome lineup that includes The Rolling Stones, Mumford and Sons, Vampire Weekend, Elvis Costello, The xx, Zac Brown Band, and literally enough other bands to fill up an entire page. One for the record books.

Three words: Bloody epic

Roskilde

Where: Copenhagen, Denmark

When: July 5-8

The Deets: 8 stages with an awesome set of campsites nearby with this year hosting The Roots, and The Cure among many many more. Get bored there then just go skateboarding at the skate park set up at camp, or catch a movie at the outdoor cinema they have there, go swimming, or catch a fish (they’ll even clean and cook it for you right there too). Want to also do go? Then go to this celebration as the organizers give all profits to various charities… can’t go wrong with a celebration this awesome.

Roskilde… where clothing is optional at most.

See the Thai islands yo

You know those really nice island post cards that say: “Wish you were here” and they show beautiful scenes of water, trees, and towering islands jutting from the water? Yea, well those are most taken in Thailand. (See picture below).

Beautiful Thailand islands

Did you see that? Look at those beautiful islands of Thailand. Now is it any wonder why you should visit them? I could go on and on about them, but I think the pictures say enough of them.

Too good for freaking words (I believe the actual island cluster name), Thailand.

Get up close with the Tigers and Elephants

Have you ever wanted to ride an elephant? Well Thailand has that for you. A trip to the Khao Yai National Park for a day will give you the chance to trek through the jungle on the back of an elephant. You will look and feel like royalty as you ride the elephant looking for wild bears, tigers, leopards, and anything else lurking in the jungle.

Ride the elephant like a boss

Wait, did I say tigers too? That’s right, I most certainly did. Visit Chiang Mai and you will find the Tiger Kingdom where they will let you in the cage with the tigers, and then you can pet them or lie on them and take pictures and lie on them. You may be asking: “No way!” to which I can only say: “Yes way”. You can get in there with the tigers for a day. No worries, these tigers are actually quite calm as they have been raised around humans and have been taught that feeding on the flesh of humans is frowned upon.

Some awesome, ruggedly handsome man next to an almost as awesome tiger.

Live the adventure and visit the tigers in likely the only place where they won’t (likely) kill you.

So cute. The tiger isn’t half bad either.

Shop the floating markets

Floating markets you say? That I do say. Visit these markets but know that the only way to shop at them is by small boat or gondola. The vendors have their products floating on their boats with them and you literally have to take a boat right up to them. The novelty and beauty in it all is half the fun.

Thailand floating market. Not a good time for flare guns or dancing.

Great value

I think it goes without saying that India is a rather poor country economically. But naturally, you should know that any poor country means big business for your dollar. The exchange rate for the Euro or the US dollar is crazy high in India guaranteeing that your money is sure to go much further.

India vendor. Prepare to look like a millionaire no matter what you buy from him.

While I was in India I found that when I would spend just $30 on cheap things at local vendors in smaller towns… the vendors would think that I was one of the wealthiest people they had ever seen. Our money is so valuable in their country that they believe everyone from Europe or the USA are all mega rich. Understanding how far your money will go here puts this place as a haven for backpackers and world travelers alike. You’ll be amazed at the things you’ll be able to buy and the 5-star hotels you’ll be staying at on a shortened dime.

Hotel in India

Hospitality

You will find some of the nicest people on the planet reside in India. There is a saying there that goes as: “Athithi Devo Bhava” I do believe is how its spelled. This saying directly translates to “The guest is God” which I mean is quite a stretch to call me a god or anything close to it but the people there are just so nice and will go out of the way for you.

Culture

O my goodness… this place is a direct injection of culture that you would be enlightened to experience. The buildings… the clothing… the celebrations… the spirituality… the food! O sweet baby Jesus the food… is positively amazing if you have a taste for a little of the spicy. My goodness has this place got a lot to offer. If you do want to experience the culture, know that your dime will stretch further than you initially thought (see above).

Indian culture… like a boss

Wall of Death

Don’t let the name scare you… though it should. This attraction had to have its own honorable mention in my eyes. At various festivals and carnivals around the country you should consider yourself lucky if you catch one of these displays known as the Wall of Death or Well of Death.

Relax, I’m a professional… carnival worker

The Wall of Death is when a few individuals set up a circular wall made of cheap wood… then they drive cars and motorcycles around and around on the wall as they do various stunts such as changing seats and climbing out on the car. If you visit one of these, you will be on top of the wall looking down on them as they drive below you. It really is quite something to see as you can imagine. That’s why I gave it a section of its own.

With how few safety protocols the country has… you’re in for one hell of a show.

Nevada/California, USA

Lake Tahoe – You may be wondering how this location resides in two states; That’s right! It does rest on the boarder of these two. This 22 miles long lake is the second deepest in the U.S. and tenth deepest in the world. It wouldn’t take much at all to understand why Lake Tahoe was voted best lake in the USA by USA Today.

This hidden gem is nestled in between glorious mountain ranges and has some of the purest water you will ever see in your life. While also being stunningly beautiful, visiting the lake also boats a wide range of activities for all to enjoy. From mid-November till the end of April Lake Tahoe boats a 5 and a half month ski season in some of the most beautiful mountains overlooking crystal blue waters. The peaks are so high you will literally touch the clouds while tearing up the slopes. Come in March and April to see warm temperatures with snow that just doesn’t seem to melt as you are guaranteed to be able to ski or snowboard in just a bathing suit… that’s right, a swimsuit!

Lake Tahoe Spring snowboarding. Yes, this really exists… and it is beautiful.

Come during the summer months and you are sure to see the biking & hiking trails opened up all the way, along with boating on the massive lake. Try kayaking if it suits you. Want more action? Join in at many of the local paintball fields around the lake or try your hand at zip lining. Want more of a relaxed time? Sit by the lake and watch the waterfalls that come down around you or try your hand at gambling at one of the many casinos on the Nevada side of the lake. Trust us, this places beats out the Grand Canyon by a long shot.

Lake Tahoe

Italy

Venice – Come over to the city built on the water as you understand how this true beauty makes the list. Take a tour in the Grand Canal, sample the delicious local food or check out the rich architecture of the entire city. It’s like being transported to another realm as the streets are made of water and the buildings locked in time.

Venice waterway

You will soon find out how to soak in the beauty of this city of love as you sample the local wine and perhaps catch one of the many weddings that go on in the courtyard beneath Juliet’s balcony.

Scotland

Urquhart Castle – This impressive stronghold rests on the famed lake of Lock Ness. Once one of the largest castles of Scotland now has turned into a beautiful stronghold of legend as people from all over the world flock to see this location.

Urquhart Castle, Scotland

Come see the beautiful rolling green hills of Scotland as this set of historic ruins that overlook lush mountains and the one of the world’s most famous lakes.

 Running of the Bulls

That’s right, I said the running of the bulls. This festival in Pamplona, Spain runs July 6-12 every year. You don’t have to do the running of the bulls as you can merely just watch… but what fun is just watching?

Running of the bulls… even kids do it.

After the first day you will have the running of the bulls at 8am everyday. 6:30pm will be the time of bull fighting every evening and if you want tickets for that, you’ll have to be a real early bird as they go quickly. Then, at 11pm every night there will be fireworks followed by one of the most massive city-wide parties you will ever witness in your life. Be prepared… for a great time.

The moment before being struck in the face by 2 tons of awesomeness

Tomatina

Tomatina is the largest, yearly food fight on the planet. For just one day a year, on the forth Wednesday in August in the small town of Buñol, Spain there is a citywide tomato fight. That’s right… they literally dump thousands upon thousands of tomatoes into the street and everyone then spends the rest of the time throwing them at people and things… I know, it’s beautiful. And no, this is not made up.

Told you… it happens

Las Fallas

If you’ve ever had a college party where some cool and unique stuff gets set on fire while everyone drinks, dances, and parties… then you will be ready for the festival that is Las Fallas. This festival is celebrated in Spain every year from March 13-18 leading up to St. Joseph’s day (March 19^th). It is typically celebrated in Valencia, on the Costa Blanca and it is beautiful.

Picture from Las Fallas 2013. It’s so beautiful.

During this 5-day festival the neighborhoods in the surrounding area create larger-than-life puppets, then, with alcohol and all things amazing they do the only sensible thing… they set these puppets on fire and continue to party into the night. If you do not miss this festival then you will have one for the record books.