Cape Cod
There are such frequent whale sightings in the Atlantic waters surrounding Cape Cod, that the World Wildlife Fund named Massachusetts one of the top ten whale-watching spots in the world.
Dominica
Scuba divers already know this remote Caribbean island thanks to its brilliant coral reefs, magnificent sea life, and bubbling underwater hot springs. But the island recently earned a new title, as “Whale Watching Capital of the Caribbean,” which launched this eco-friendly destination to a whole new level.
Hawaii
Each winter, droves of visitors migrate to the tropical paradise of Hawaii at the same time as the state's animal, the humpback whale, also makes its way to the Aloha State from the northern Pacific.
Kaikoura, New Zealand
Located on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, the small seaside town of Kaikoura enjoys international acclaim as an eco-tourism center.
While the town is widely celebrated for its offshore whale population, it is the giant sperm whales that are sighted all year long here that give the town its claim to fame as one of the world’s most likely places to spot the mighty sea mammal.
Hermanus, South Africa
There’s no need to stretch your sea legs to glimpse a fluke or spout in Hermanus. Located inWalker Bay, at the southernmost tip of Africa, and often referred to as the Riviera of the South, Hermanus offers, hands-down, the best shore-based whale-watching opportunities in the world.
Los Cabos
As if the brilliant beaches, luxury resorts, and near-perfect year-round climate weren’t enough incentive to visit Los Cabos, there’s the added spectacle of spouting whales between January and March.
Orcas Island
No list of whale-watching destinations would be complete without a nod to Orcas Island, the largest of the islands off the coast of Washington state. Often touted as the “gem of the San Juan islands,” this nature-lovers' paradise also bears a name reminiscent of the killer whales that gather off its 125 miles of coastline.
Quebec
Quebec is home to two types of whales you're unlikely to see anywhere else. Not only might you spot a nearly-extinct North Atlantic right whale here – only about 250 remain, making for an especially exciting sighting if you do see one – but you're very likely to see beluga whales cruising down the St. Lawrence River.
San Diego
Sure, you could visit Shamu and entourage at SeaWorld, like everyone else, or you could opt to encounter gargantuan gray whales, in their natural element, out in the great blue yonder.
Hana Highway
It’s no wonder the spirit of aloha 'aina (love of the land) is the bedrock of Hawaiian tradition. A drive on Maui’s beloved Hana Highway (also called "the road to Hana") offers such an awe-inspiring display of natural beauty that you’ll soon revel in the same sentiment. This serpentine 55-mile trek starts off in Paia, famous for its surfer-swept shores, and zigzags east along the coast, all the while embracing 600 hairpin curves, 56 one-lane bridges, and some of the island’s most spectacular sights. Indeed, Keanae Arboretum (an exotic botanical garden), Waikane Falls (a trio of crashing chutes), Ka Ekeku Caverns (an ancient cavern system created from a lava flow thousands of years ago), and Waianapanapa State Park (home to a famous black-sand beach and fresh-water caves) are all in close proximity. Keep your windows down as you go and breathe in the sweet air infused with eucalyptus and ginger.
Highway 1
California’s State Route 1 (aka Highway 1) skirts the Golden State’s glorious Pacific coastline from “So Cal,” near San Luis Obispo, northwest to the forests of Monterey. The magnificent vistas of ocean waves breaking on rocky sea-sculpted shores, windswept beaches dotted by frolicking otters or sea lions, and magnificent forests presiding above it all can rouse even the wariest of drivers behind the wheel. Forays into charming little coastal towns, like Carmel-by-the-Sea and Laguna Beach, as well as into the trilogy of Californian cultural centers at Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, are met by attractions ranging from historic missions to magnificent mansions. There are also endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, particularly around the Big Sur area, where you can hike through redwood forests, comb the beaches for shells and jade, and camp under the stars.
Highway 12
Windswept red-rock canyons, towering sandstone formations, pristine lakes, and pine-studded mountain ranges combine for an altogether over-the-top sensory experience in Southern Utah. The setting for several stunning national parks, Utah Highway 12, also known as Highway 12 Scenic Byway, is one of only 27 nationally designated All-American Roads – the highest honor a road can get for attractive scenery. This remarkable road connects Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef, and travels through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and over the forested Boulder Mountain in the Dixie National Forest, before winding down near the entrance to Capitol Reef. Unique beauty and seemingly limitless recreational opportunities abound on the stretch of land between the two parks’ boundaries.
Going-to-the-Sun Road
This spectacular 52-mile drive is the best way to see the dramatic remnants and rugged path left by gargantuan glaciers in Montana’s striking Glacier National Park. Only open from early-June to mid-October (or, until first snowfall), the Going-to-the-Sun Road, aptly named for its ever-escalating sky-high stretch with switchbacks up and over the magnificent Continental Divide, traverses Glacier National Park from West Glacier to St. Mary and covers untapped wilderness, rugged mountains, glistening lakes, deep river gorges, glacial canyons, and the long Garden Wall. The road offers multiple lookout points, among them the 6680-foot-high Logan Pass, which ranks as one of the Divide's most impressive vantage points, and Jackson Glacier Overlook, where remnants of the mammoth ice formations that carved the park's harsh terrain and contoured its valleys can still be seen.
Million Dollar Highway
Despite varying explanations as to the origin of its name (one claims it cost $1 million a mile to build in 1924; another says it contains $1 million in gold ore), there’s no disputing the fact that the 75-mile stretch of scenic highway known as Million Dollar Highway is a breathtaking journey through the majestic mountain passes of western Colorado. Crossing part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway, and following route US 550 between the old mining towns of Silverton and Ouray, the route’s twists and turns wend high above the Red Mountain Pass – an 11,008-foot-high collapsed volcano whose lava flow was found to contain gold in 1860 – and past the deep Uncompahgre Gorge into which flow several waterfalls. As you continue to slice through the mountainside, winding along hairpin switchbacks and following old stagecoach paths, this route bears witness to the area’s now-defunct mining operations; you can even stop in Silverton to admire the town’s historic Victorian style buildings, some of which date back to 1874.
Seward Highway
The Seward Highway serves as the asphalt thread linking metropolitan Anchorage to Alaska’s agreeable little portside town of Seward on magnificent Resurrection Bay. Fittingly, for a road that connects such contrasting locales, the 127-mile stretch cuts through diverse landscapes – from glistening glaciers to alpine meadows, and jagged peaks to majestic fjords. Many miles of the route hug the base of the rugged Chugach Mountains and the shore of Turnagain Arm, winding past waterfalls, wildflowers, and wildlife; keep your eyes peeled for grazing sheep and mountain goats in the cliff tops, and beluga whales racing through the frigid waters below. Designated an All-American Road by the US Department of Transportation, this journey through the dramatic wilds of Alaska also provides access to terrific fishing spots and campgrounds, and simply great outdoor adventures.
| Name, Location | Area (sq. miles) | Length (miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan-Russia-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran (salt water) | 152,239 | 745 |
| Superior, U.S.-Canada | 31,820 | 383 |
| Victoria, Tanzania-Uganda | 26,828 | 200 |
| Huron, U.S.-Canada | 23,010 | 247 |
| Michigan, U.S. | 22,400 | 321 |
| Aral, Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan | 13,000 | 266 |
| Tanganyika, Tanzania-Congo | 12,700 | 420 |
| Baikal, Russia | 12,162 | 395 |
| Great Bear, Canada | 12,000 | 232 |
| Nyasa, Malawi-Mozambique-Tanzania | 11,600 | 360 |
Other examples of poop candy include the pooping candy dispensers that are so popular around holidays. Moose, chickens, deer, cows, pigs, kitties, snowmen, penguins, easter bunnies, and even Santa himself can be had in pooping candy dispenser form. None of those tops the Chocka-Ca-Ca though.
Grossest Candy #4 - Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans
Anyone who wonders how these Harry Potter jellybeans could make our Top 10 Grossest Candy list has not tried these. They are disgusting. I reviewed them a while back and it still brings back bad memories for me. The flavors: Bacon, Black Pepper, Booger, Dirt, Earthworm, Ear Wax, Grass, Rotten Egg, Soap, and Vomit. Some of them aren’t too bad, like Black Pepper. Some of them are horrible: Earthworm, Rotten Egg, Earwax, and Vomit.
David and I actually both voted these to be #1 on the list but Victoria listed these much lower - if she had ever tried them I bet these would have taken the top spot. Try them and you’ll see that they deserve a spot on anyone’s Top 10 Grossest Candy list.
Grossest Candy #3 - Ear Wax CandyI first found the Candy Scabs a few weeks ago and knew I had stumbled onto a candy that is really and truly gross. They come on an adhesive bandage replica that sticks to skin and encloses a candy ‘scab’ for licking so you can keep some candy on you (hidden) for licking any time. These don’t actually hit the market until September of 2006, but when they do finally come out, I predict they will be a huge hit with kids across the country (and parents and adults will despise their very existence). I know I will be picking up a box, even if they are gross.
| 1. Las Vegas: Discover Your Inner Jackpot | ||||
 | Famous for its neon-lit Strip, wild weddings, and flashy entertainment, Las Vegas is the only place in America where you can gamble in Paris, Venice, New York, and ancient Egypt--all in one day. | |||
| Suggested Activities: Mystère by Cirque du Soleil From $95 | Mini Hoover Dam Tour From $32 | ||||
| 2. Mexico: Savor the Sights South of the Border | ||||
 | There's always a fiesta taking place amid Mexico's ancient Mayan ruins, bougainvillea-draped shores, white-sand beaches, and toe-stomping mariachi bands. | |||
| Suggested Activities: Chichen Itza Tour, Cancun From $65 | Swim With Dolphins, Puerto Vallarta From $145 | ||||
| 3. Hawaii: See the Aloha State's Stunning Sights | ||||
 | Lush rainforests sing with colorful birds, rainbows arch over waterfall-fed cliffs, and volcanoes create the Earth's newest land on the illustrious Hawaiian Islands. | |||
| Suggested Activities: Sunset Buffet Dinner Cruise, Oahu, Honolulu From $63 | Atlantis Submarine Tour, Maui From $80 | ||||
| 4. Caribbean: Explore the Treasures of the Islands | ||||
 | Pillaging pirates long gone, the Caribbean is an expanse of colorful corals, emerald islands, and white sands, where calypso music blends with the sounds of tree frogs and waves. | |||
| Suggested Activities: City-Country Sight Seeing Tour Nassau, Bahamas From $30 | Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure, San Juan From $79 | ||||
| 5. San Francisco: Check Out the Bay Area's Best Bets | ||||
 | With its funky neighborhoods, clanking cable cars, and steep hills that rise towards breathtaking views of the Golden Gate, San Francisco's got an adventure for everyone. | |||
| Suggested Activities: Motorized Cable Car City Tour From $27 | Six Flags Marine World, San Francisco From $30 | ||||
| 6. Orlando: Visit the Top Theme Parks and Attractions | ||||
 | A playground of dizzying roller coasters, thrilling animal parks, and restaurants galore, Orlando's got an entire kingdom's worth of entertainment, and a whole lot more. | |||
| Suggested Activities: Walt Disney World Tickets From $210 |SeaWorld Orlando Tickets From $66 | Universal Orlando Resort Tickets From $67 | ||||
| 7. New York City: Get Your Fill of the Big Apple | ||||
 | From the bright lights of Broadway to the hot-dog nostalgia of Coney Island, New York is large, in charge, and pulsing with cultural and taxi-cab adventures around the clock. | |||
| Suggested Activities: The New York Pass From $39 | Chicago Tickets, From $92 | ||||
| 8. Miami: Feel the Rhythm of the Night | ||||
 | Pink flamingos adorn the lawns, art deco thrives by the sea, and salsa rhythms spill out of the hottest nightclubs in Miami, celebrated for its glorious beaches and ethnic enclaves. | |||
| Suggested Activities: Airboat Tour at Everglades Holiday Park From $19 | Biscayne Bay Cruise From $16 | ||||
| 9. Atlanta: Bite Into a Sweet Georgia Peach | ||||
 | So long, Scarlett O'Hara--Atlanta embodies the spirit of today's "new south," with CNN, Coca Cola, and magnificent magnolia trees all calling this diverse, progressive city their home. | |||
| Suggested Activities: CNN Studio Tour, From $10 | Personalized Driving Tours of Atlanta, From $38 | ||||
| 10. Denver: Find Your Way a Mile High | ||||
 | Denver's Rocky-Mountain perch puts it in prime position for a wealth of outdoor adventures, from hiking and biking to extreme sports like white-water rafting and sandboarding. | |||
| Suggested Activities: Cherry Creek Shopping Center - Shop and Dine - Denver, From $35 | Rent a Harley Davidson - EagleRider Denver From $78 | ||||
2. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
As one of the world's busiest aviation hubs, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport could be deemed a travel destination in its own right – it boasts an on-site art gallery, casino, and even organized city excursions. You can easily arrive early here, and spend your pre-flight time viewing the Dutch masters on display from the famed Rijksmuseum, or trying your luck at the slots and gaming tables in the terminal's Holland Casino. Connecting passengers can rent mini office space to get work done, snooze in oversized lounge chairs, get a massage, or even head out on a short city excursion – regular bus tours leave from the airport. You can even plan on getting married here! All of this, coupled with worthwhile eateries and fantastic duty-free shopping, makes Schiphol one of our very top picks.
5. Heathrow Airport
Two words: Duty free. At London's Heathrow airport, killing a few hours is both easy and enjoyable, especially when you board the plane with some extra goodies (tax free, of course). The long, glossy promenades in Terminals 1 to 4 are lined with stores, restaurants, bars, pubs, and cafés vying for your attention, but why not get gorgeous with a manicure or pedicure at Manicure Express or prep yourself for a long flight with a refreshing spa treatment at Rejuve? You can also pick up some last-minute souvenirs at Harrods – a mini-version of the retail staple in Knightsbridge – and revel in some heavy-duty shopping at high-end shops like Chanel, Hermes, and Christian Dior, so you can at least look like a first-class passenger, even when flying coach.
6. John F. Kennedy International Airport
This airport makes our list for one reason: JetBlue's Terminal 6. Besides having a dedicated online bag-drop counter (allowing you to check in for your flight online and still check your bags on arrival), the terminal also boasts a full-service Oasis Day Spa where you can get a pre- or post-flight manicure, facial, or massage. You can also let the kids blow off some pre-flight steam in the children's play area (your fellow passengers will thank you) or grab some made-to-order sushi at Deep Blue (just one of the many on-site restaurants) while taking in the sounds of one of the live bands that occasionally serenade terminal passengers. One caveat: While Terminal 6 is widely regarded as the best of all three New York airports, you'll need your own JetBlue boarding pass to see what the fuss is about.
7. Keflavik International Airport
Though Keflavik Airport is tops for being hassle-free (thanks in large part to its small size) and its design (white, mod, and virtually noiseless), the real reason Iceland's main airport makes this list is because of what's outside its perimeters. The country's main carrier, Icelandair (www.icelandair.com), offers a plethora of packages that allow passengers a free stopover en-route to one of the airline's other European destinations. Passengers can stay in Iceland for up to seven nights, and enjoy the country's stark beauty and legendary nightlife scene before hitting their next European capital without having to pay extra for an ongoing ticket. What's more, you can decompress before or after your flight with a mineral soak in the nearby Blue Lagoon, as airport shuttles conveniently offer drop-off/pick-up services to and from the airport.
8. Los Angeles International Airport
Although the TV series LAX was short-lived, the popularity of this mega airport (the world's fifth--busiest passenger airport) hasn’t dwindled. Get out your camera phone and keep an eye out for passengers sporting dark sunglasses indoors, because this airport is second to none for celebrity sightings. But even if no one famous crosses your path, you don't have to settle for reading a copy of US Weekly here – you can handily pass your time in one of the nine terminals, each filled with eateries, lounges, gift shops, duty-free stores, and business centers. The space-age-like Encounter Restaurant (in the central terminal area) is a standout, located 70 feet above ground and serving fresh California fare in a mod setting.
9. Madrid-Barajas Airport
Spain's busiest airport doubled its capacity in early 2006 and, with the addition of the sleek new Terminal 4 at Madrid's Barajas International came straightforward linear layouts and light-filled hallways. Along with extensive dining opportunities (including tapas and wine bars) and shopping (look for an outpost of chic boutique Zara), as well as banking, medical, tourism, and business amenities, the new terminal – designed by the same group responsible for London's Millennium Dome and the Centre Pompidou in Paris – is tops for architecture buffs, having reeled in a slew of accolades, including Britain’s most prestigious architecture award, the Stirling Prize.
10. Sydney Airport
The Aussies are known for being friendly, so it should come as no surprise that their hospitality starts as soon as your plane lands. Keep an eye out for the Gold Ambassadors, the smiling people in bright yellow jackets whose mission is to welcome and assist you. If you have a long layover, freshen up in the shower facilities (but bring your own towel) before storing your bags and heading into Sydney for some sightseeing via the Airport Link (it runs every 10 or 15 minutes, depending on the time of day, and takes just 15 minutes to the city center). If you choose to hang in the airport, you'll enjoy internet kiosks (free in Terminal 1), a children’s play area (in all terminals), 150 shops throughout the airport, and a multitude of dining opportunities.
(Source: MSNBC)
