
The world is a big place, so transportation is key if you want to see a lot of it. But stick to the traditional planes, trains, and automobiles, and you just might miss cultural flavor or a true vacation adventure. From the fine folks at SmarterTravel.com, here are ten unforgettable ways to explore destinations around the world. From colorful jeepneys in the Philippines to vintage funiculars in Switzerland and the soon-to-disappear Norry trains of Cambodia, hop on, hold on tight, and don’t forget your camera.

Stumbled upon this offbeat gallery of bizarre and beautiful trees from around the world and thought it was worth sharing! Enjoy…
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El Arbol de La Sabina
Trees are important components of the natural landscape and a wonderful living organism which gives shelter, food, warmth and protection to all living things. Though common trees are fascinating here are some that top the list of being the strangest or most unusual trees found on the planet.


Axel Erlandson’s passion for sculpting trees, also known as arborsculpture, led him to open a horticulture attraction in 1947 near Santa Cruz, California named The Circus Tree and people flocked in from all over the country to view his strange and striking creations which are nothing short of breathtaking! Using a special set of skills, Erlandson started to sculpt things out of living, growing trees. One such tree is the famous “Basket Tree”. which is actually six Sycamores grafted together in 42 different connections to give it its basket shape.


It’s the largest cashew tree in the world and more like a root and bush than a tree covering a span of 8,500 square meters alone! This tree is probably 300 feet by 300 feet in total. It looks like a forest and a bears 8000 fruit in a year .This picture doesn’t do it justice but should give you an idea of the enormity.
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The Tree of Life in Bahrain is one of the mysteries of world which is bound to be in the list of most unusual trees aroung the globe! This four century old mesquite tree survives in the midst of desert without availability of water. The mystery of the survival of the tree has made it a legend and the name “tree of life” is absolutely appropriate for the tree, truly representing the magic of life. A legend is also attached to the site where the tree is located. The local inhabitants believe with heart and soul that this was the actual location of the Garden of Eden.

The Chapel Tree is one of the most famous trees in France – actually, it’s more than just a tree: it’s a building and a religious monument all in one. In 1669, l’Abbe du Detroit and du Cerceau decided to build a chapel in (at that time) a 500 years old or so oak tree made hollow by a lightning bolt. Now, parts of the tree are dead, the crown keeps becoming smaller and smaller every year, and parts of the tree’s bark, which fell off due to old age, are covered by protective oak shingles. As a symbol, however, it seems that the Chapel-Oak of Allouville-Bellefossemay live on forever.
![Baobab_Tree_AlliCooper [] Baobab_Tree_AlliCooper []](http://zuzutop.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Baobab_Tree_AlliCooper-.jpg)
Baobabs, with their distinctive shape, are one of the most charismatic group of trees in the world. This particular specimen, located in Madagascar, is referred to as the ‘Teapot Baobab’. These trees remain leafless for most part of the year, and their thick, bloated, fire-resistant trunks store water during the dry months. One would be surprised to find that some baobab trunks are so large that people actually reside inside them!
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General Sherman is about 2500years old tree with a height of 275 feet (83.8 metres), located in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park in the United States. In January 2006 the largest branch on the tree broke off. The breakage, however, could not change the General Sherman’s status as the largest tree! This stunning tree has the base of its trunk measuring about 102 feet in circumference. Witnesses to this spectacular creation of nature can only justify its stature!


Ta Prohm Temple or the Jungle Temple which is located in the Angkor Thom complex has trees growing here in the most astounding way. Words cannot describe it until you set foot there and see it for yourself. Apparently, the place was left as is over the hundreds of years and the outcome is amazing from what you see now in the place which is also called Angkor Archaeological Park. On every side, in fantastic over-scale, the trunks of the silk-cotton trees soar skywards under a shadowy green canopy, their long spreading skirts trailing the ground and their endless roots coiling more like reptiles than plants.


Mexico’s most famous tree, the ginormous Tule Tree (Arbol del Tule) grows near Oaxaca City. It may not be the largest or the oldest tree in the world, but it has no contenders for widest girth award which is abround 164 feet in circumference.It’s best not to look at the tree as a single icon. Indeed there is a family of ancient trees. Rooted in the town of Santa María del Tule, the Tule Tree and its environs comprise a unique natural monument.
The Dragon Tree is found at de los Vinos in Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands, and is said to be between 650 and 1,500 years old. This specimen inherited this name from mythical origins: Hercules had to bring back three golden apples from the garden of the Hespérides, which is guarded by Landon, the hundred-headed dragon. Hercules killed Landon and his blood flowed out over the land, which began to sprout ‘dragon’ trees. The tree exudes ‘dragon’s blood’ – a red sap – when cut.

![563984785_877ec2acee_b [] 563984785_877ec2acee_b []](http://zuzutop.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/563984785_877ec2acee_b-.jpg)
The unique qualities of the Wollemi Pine lie not in its looks but in its history. It is a “living dinosaur”, and was nearly extinct before it was discovered in Sydney, Australia in 1994. Now called “the crown jewels of the botanical world”, the Wollemi pine had previously been known only from a 120-million-year-old fossil. Very few exist in the wild, but conservation efforts have been made in the recent past.
View more galleries and lists of strange and unusual things at zuzutop.com…
Here are some of our favorites from Tom Schifanella’s collection of luggage labels. Take a long look at his incredible flickr stream.
Description from his profile:
Luggage labels are fascinating bits of hotel history from the golden age of travel, roughly the 1900’s to 1960’s. During this time these labels were used by hotels as advertising and eagerly applied to steamer trunks, suitcases and all sorts of luggage by hotel staff, mainly bellhops.
It’s almost hard to believe there was a time when travel looked this good. Let’s revive the golden age!

The Legacy of a “Real Cape Codder”
One of Cape Cod’s legendary hosts, Ruth Rusher, has left her birthplace as a legacy: a hostel on Hyannis Harbor. Rusher was a popular tour guide, a Cape Cod native who entertained visitors with stories of Cape lore and legends as she guided them on bus tours.
Thanks to Rusher’s bequest, Hostelling International, which has operated facilities on the Cape and islands for 70 years, will open the Hyannis facility in July 2010.
The new hostel is named for her mother — The Angeline Crocker Hinckley Hostel.
The new location could not be more ideal: across the street from the Hyannis ferry docks, steps to the free Hyannis trolley shuttle, less than a mile to the Hyannis bus station and in easy walking distance to museums, main street shops, beaches and other local historical, recreational and cultural attractions.
The hostel will feature 44 beds, across four buildings on a 1/2-acre campus. The main building is a historic Sears, Roebuck kit house, circa 1910. Extensive renovations are required to meet commercial safety codes, and HI-USA national quality standards, and to improve environmental sustainability.
Help HI-USA fund these improvements, continue to share the Cape and Islands with people of all backgrounds, and continue to provide educational programming that makes a real difference in the community.
To donate or find out more about the new hostel, visit the HI-Hyannis page here…
You’re Invited! Be one of the first to tour the new HI-Hyannis Hostel: Open House-Saturday, June 12th! Visit the Facebook page for more info & to RSVP!

Attention Fans of Rail Travel: On May 8, 2010, the 3rd Annual National Train Day will be a FREE coast-to-coast celebration. Don’t miss out on your chance to tour private and Amtrak train cars, explore interactive and educational exhibits, enjoy live entertainment and much more!
From www.nationaltrainday.com:
Free fun for everyone! Amtrak will host the third annual National Train Day on May 8, 2010, with events across the country to celebrate America‘s love for trains. National Train Day commemorates the 141st anniversary of the first transcontinental railroad‘s inception by bringing to life the rich narrative of how trains transformed America. Large-scale, family-friendly events will be held in New York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles.
The celebrations include New York’s Penn Station with actor, avid train fan, and overall sexy guy Taye Diggs, star of Private Practice, as he flips the switch that launches an edible “trainscape” made from elaborate confections and moving model trains. YUM!
U.S. cities, including New York, Washington, D.C. Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles and more!
Most HI-USA hostels are easily accessible by train and/or bus. View the Hostelling International Network in the USA here…
Mexico is a country full of highlights that will captivate you and make your visit a unique experience, so let’s start the journey! First stop - Mexico City - The capital and largest city in Mexico, which is served by Mexico City International Airport – Latin America’s busiest and largest airport with daily flights worldwide. The city it is today, with a wealth of places of interest and things to see and do, is thanks to the Aztec culture of the 14th century, which built a city full of temples and palaces. A place you must visit is the Plaza Mayor, better known as the Zócalo, which is the main plaza in the heart of the historic center of Mexico City. Close by you will find the archeological site of Templo Mayor, one of the main temples of the Aztecs and a few blocks from there you will find the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, the largest and oldest cathedral in the Americas. If you want to experience exciting night life make sure you visit La Condesa or Polanco for great restaurants, bars and sidewalk cafés. The HI network has two great hostels in Mexico City, which are ideal bases for discovering all that this fascinating city offers. Next stop – the Colonial Cities. Travel through Mexico and be seduced by the colorful buildings and extraordinary streets of the colonial cities of Mexico. The colonial cities of Mexico, beginning in the heart of the country and looping steadily southward toward the border, dot the country like a string of pearls. Each city is unique in its character, but bound to the rest by a shared architectural beauty, turbulent history, and cultural richness. Cities not to be missed are Puebla, Guadaljar and Zacatecas. Explore Puebla; famous for its ceramic of Talavera and scores of churches, which vary in size and style. Most impressive is the main cathedral, which took over a hundred years to complete and is said to be the country’s tallest. The Museo de Amparo, a short distance away, has a remarkable collection of pre-Hispanic and colonial-era art and artifacts. Puebla also makes a good base for trips elsewhere in the region, especially to Mexico City, which is just two hours away. Be sure to try Puebla’s most famous dish: chile en nogada, a pepper stuffed with meat and topped by a white walnut cream sauce and pomegranate seeds. HI offers accommodation at Puebla hostel - Hostel Santo Domingo. Guadalajara is the birth place of Mariachi and tequila, those essential Mexican traditions! Go to their sources at Plaza de los Mariachis or on a distillery tour in the nearby town of Tequila to sample. For accommodation during your stay check out Guadalajara hostels. Also not to be missed - Mexico’s Southern Tourist Paradise. An indescribable place made up of mangroves, cenotes, ancient cultures and fabulous cuisine. The HI network of hostels in Mexico represents 15 hostels; all of them are located in the major cities for tourism in Mexico and are all bookable online at hihostels.com. Destination of the Month April 2010 - Norway Learn about all the great benefits of Hostelling International Membership here…
For a taste of tradition do not forget to visit Xochimilco, better known for its extended series of canals where all inhabitants travel in colourful trajineras (Xochimilco boats).

Zacatecas, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the prettiest colonial towns in Mexico, with winding cobblestone roads, wide plazas with historical markets, colonial-style buildings made with pink sandstone, and a cathedral that’s one of the best examples of baroque architecture in the country is not to be missed. After a day of sightseeing relax at Zacatecas hostel - Hostel Villa Colonial.
Be sure to visit the walled city of Tulum, one of the most visited of all original Mayan sites, which are located in the State of Quintana Roo, along the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. Located in the northern center of the Yucatán Peninsula visit Chichen Itza, an archaeological site listed as World Heritage by UNESCO.
Hostelling International Destination of the Month Archive
Destination of the Month March 2010 - Portugal
Destination of the Month February 2010 - Israel
Destination of the Month January 2010 - Vancouver
Destination of the Month Dezember 2009 - Switzerland
Destination of the Month November 2009 - Argentina
Destination of the Month October 2009 - Alsace
Results have been tallied from the recent Facebook poll conducted by Hawaii Magazine and they have revealed the Top 5 Natural Wonders of Hawaii:

#5
Diamond Head
(Oahu)
The extinct volcanic tuff cone known as Diamond Head—and especially, its west-facing Waikiki Beach profile—is perhaps Hawaii’s most recognized natural landmark. British sailors arriving on Oahu in the 19th century gave the 150,000-year old monument the English name that would stick after mistaking calcite crystals lodged in its slopes for diamonds. Diamond Head’s Hawaiian name is Leahi—a variant of the words lae (brow) and ahi (tuna), describing the famed silhouette’s resemblance to the dorsal fin of a tuna. A 45-minute hike from the cone’s interior floor to its highest point overlooking Waikiki, Honolulu and Oahu’s entire south shore is one of the island’s most popular. Said Facebook ohana member Robert Lanham, “(Diamond Head is) a great landmark and a challenging hike with awesome views when you get to the top.” The world-renowned view from Kuhio Beach toward Leahi, enjoyed by millions more Waikiki visitors, isn’t half-bad either.

#4
Waimea Canyon
(Kauai)
Hawaii’s “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” owes its distinct beauty to natural events that occurred in one cataclysmic volcanic moment, then slowly over millions of years. Four million years ago, as steady volcanic activity from the Kauai’s dominant peak Mount Waialeale was still growing the island, a huge section of land collapsed creating a massive depression. Fresh lava filled the depression until Kauai’s eruptive life ended. Eons of rainwater coursing down the Waimea River from Waialeale’s peak—one of the wettest places on earth—and rainfall turning young, freshly- exposed lava rock from black to bright and deep reds, have since cut the 10-mile, 3,000 ft. deep Waimea Canyon visitors marvel at today. Whether viewing its grandeur by helicopter, by hiking trail or at a handful of popular lookouts perched on its edge, Waimea Canyon is a must-see even on return visits to Kauai. 
#3
Haleakala National Park / Haleakala Volcano
(Maui)
Haleakala volcano was a favorite natural wonder of our readers, by day and night. “On a clear day, you can see five other islands,” said Facebook ohana member Joey Nakagawa, of the view from Haleakala’s summit, 10,023 ft. above sea level. Post-sunset, from Haleakala’s summit crater, “The night sky is amazing,” said ohana member Kathy Schama. “It is so incredible to hike through (the crater) and stay in the cabins.” The park’s arid, volcanic cone-dotted crater—actually a huge land depression—is its biggest attraction, drawing hundreds of visitors each morning for the amazing sunrises that gave the summit its Hawaiian name. (Haleakala means “house of the sun.”) But there’s much more to see at Haleakala National Park than the summit. The park also encompasses lush Kipahulu Valley from summit to sea and the popular Seven Sacred Pools and waterfalls of Oheo Gulch, all of it about 10 miles southeast of Hana on the winding Hana Highway. 
#2
Napali Coast
(Kauai)
“There is NOTHING in this world as gorgeous as the Napali Coast!!!” gushed Facebook ohana member Teri Dayton. And many of you agreed. Inaccessible to all but hearty hikers and visitors arriving by sea, the 16-mile Napali Coast on Kauai’s northwest side is a garden of unblemished natural treasures. Sheer sea cliffs reaching more than 4,000 feet from ocean to summit. Secluded stretches of white sand beach. Isolated waterfalls. And countless valleys, including one of the island’s most beautiful, Kalalau—deep, wide and sheltered by lush, rain-kissed cliffs thousands of feet high. Ohana member Val Nelson called the vista of Napali from the Kalalau Trail, hugging the cliffs above the coast, “absolutely breathtaking and staggeringly beautiful. It’s difficult to think of another view in the world that compares.” Actually, we’re sure there many more amazing views, Val … all of them at Napali. 
#1
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park / Kilauea Volcano
(Big Island)
No other natural wonder of Hawaii came close to topping Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Kilauea Volcano in our Facebook poll. “Hawaii has many wondrous places, but Kilauea is like nowhere else in the world,” said Facebook ohana member Mike Mason. “A volcano you can walk up to.” We couldn’t have summarized the appeal of the most visitor-friendly active volcano in the world any better, Mike. Kilauea volcano and its 500 square-mile home, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, are ecologic wonderlands unique in all the world. Where else can you hike through fern-filled tropical rain forests, walk the floor of volcanic crater, cross a lava desert, gaze at the planet’s most massive volcano Mauna Loa, watch steam and ash pour into the sky from a huge crack in the earth, walk through a lava-built natural tunnel and see and hear molten lava pouring into the sea creating the newest land on earth … all in a single day? Nowhere but here. The best part? You’ll still have an inexhaustible supply of wonders of nature to explore the next day, too.
Ready to visit Hawaii? Be sure to check out these Hostelling International locations!

Spend two weeks in Morocco this July with other young people ages 18-22 from Germany, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, France, and the U.S., during Hostelling International’s sixth IOU Respect International Exchange program.
You’ll live in and explore Morocco together while taking part in workshops meant to foster an understanding of your own culture as well as the cultures of the other participating countries. You’ll learn to appreciate and respect different perspectives, develop skills for communicating with those different from yourself, and be motivated to work toward building respect, tolerance, and peace in your community, nation, and the world.
Hostelling International will cover on-the-ground costs in Morocco, including accommodations, meals, and local transportation. Participants will be responsible for their own transportation to Casablanca. Some scholarships of up to $500 are available through local HI associations.
IOU Respect was initiated in response to 9/11. Part of HI’s mission is to build peace through bringing people together, so this program aims to close the cultural gap between youth from Western and predominantly Muslim countries.
Participants must be ages 18-22, fluent in English, and not have already participated in an HI international exchange.
Program dates are July 16-30, 2010.
Deadline to apply is April 30, 2010 May 14th, so hurry and get started on your Morocco Exchange application forms now!
Recommend Us this week for Tumblr Tuesday and help spread the word about our nonprofit mission to promote peace and global understanding through travel!
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Slovenian Tourism Board and the Bank of Tourism Potentials in Slovenia are running a contest and it’s not too late to enter to win trip to Slovenia worth 3000 EUR! Even if you don’t win, the 10 best trip suggestions with the most votes will get a “I FEEL sLOVEnia” wind jacket.
If you are 18-30, all you have to do is describe the 3-day trip of your dreams, with an emphasis on responsible travel and ecotourism, and you’ll be in to win. But hurry…there’s only 3 days left to enter and then get everyone you know to vote for your trip design! The entry currently in first place only has 45 Votes, so this is still very doable, people!
Get on it, and you could be making your dream trip a reality! Check out all the details of the challenge and view other entries-very cool just for browsing, even if you don’t feel like entering.
Slovenia is one of 90 countries where you will find a HI hostel! Check out all these great Hostelling International Slovenia locations!
Many of the world’s most famous skylines are more easily identifiable than the country’s flag and other national symbols. The skylines form uniquely structured compositions where the height of the buildings, their density and originality as well as the surroundings play a significant role in shaping impressive and beautiful cityscapes.
Have a look at some of the most stunning skylines of the world from the gallery put together by OpenTravel:

The third largest city in the USA, Chicago is the place where the modern skyscraper architecture was born. The city’s Home Insurance Building, completed in 1885, is regarded to be the world’s first steel-framed skyscraper. In turn, Willis Tower, a 108-storey building of 442 m/ 1,451 ft was the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion in 1973. It is still the tallest skyscraper in the USA. The city’s location on the shores of Lake Michigan, one of the world’s largest freshwater bodies, adds to the beauty of Chicago’s panorama. The collection of over 1,000 skyscrapers, lined up along the beaches, appears as one of the world’s largest and most impressive skylines.

Hong Kong. By Stuck in Customs
Be it the Emporis skyline ranking or ‘World’s Best Skylines’ list by Egbert Gramsbergen and Paul Kazmierczak, Hong Kong occupies the top positions in various rankings of the world’s best skylines. The city, a major financial center and the business hub of Asia, is home to over 7,600 enormous buildings, of which 40 are 200-plus meter skyscrapers. The lack of space and the unique geography of steep hills, mountains, 200 off shore islands and irregular coastline forced the buildings to grow high and densely. The impressive panorama of Hong Kong’s ultramodern skyscrapers with the stunning mountain backdrop and glittering night light reflections make the city a truly breathtaking sight to behold.

By cokada
Although the city’s skyline is comprised of only a few skyscrapers, Rio de Janeiro’s cityscape looks absolutely wonderful thanks to the beautiful natural setting of the metropolis. Located on a strip of the Atlantic coast, surrounded by hills and rocky mountains, the city’s panorama looks great from any angle. Among the most remarkable pieces of Rio’s cityscape is Christ the Redeemer, a giant statue of Jesus Christ, as well as the Copacabana Beach, from where the entire skyline can be observed - thousands of tourists come to the city every year to admire these outstanding iconic vistas of Rio.

By cuellar
The skyline of Shanghai, the largest city in China (20 million citizens), is truly remarkable. From a small fishing town, Shanghai grew rapidly in the 19th century and today it is one of the major business hubs in Asia. Its importance as a financial and commerce centre of China is reflected in the grandeur of the cityscape. At the end of 2004, Shanghai boasted around 6,700 buildings of 11 or more storeys, many of them exceeding 200 meters. Among the city’s iconic skyline jewels is Shanghai World Financial Center of 101 storeys (492 m tall), which has the highest observation deck in the world, and Oriental Pearl TV Tower, whose metallic spheres can be recognized from a distance.

Sydney. By Christopher Chan
It might not be the tallest and most dense skyline in the world, but it goes without saying that Sydney has one of the most recognizable silhouette on the globe. The largest city in Australia, often called ‘the Harbour City’, emerged on the hills surrounding Sydney Harbour, where the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge are located. The hundreds of modern skyscrapers and the flower shape of the Opera decorate the shores of the bay, making Sydney’s panorama rank among the most beautiful ones on Earth.
View even more amazing and famous skylines at OpenTravel.com…

Welcome to HI-New York, Manhattan’s premier hostel and the biggest in North America - located in a landmark building on the Upper West Side. We’re just one block from Broadway and a main subway line, and only minutes from glorious Central Park.
Our friendly atmosphere and great facilities have made us world renowned as an international traveler’s hub providing the perfect mix for bringing people together and giving them easy access to all that this great city has to offer! Take a Video Tour
Easily the best value for money in New York-Beds start at just $29/night. Plus, get all kinds of guest discounts on site to help make your travel budget go farther. You can even get a jump on the day by purchasing subway tickets, tour passes and more right at the hostel.
From an all-day walking tour to a viewing of a New York movie in our cozy TV room to a quiet cup of coffee in our café, Hostelling International-NY has everything you need for a great stay! Play the latest video games. Check your email without leaving the hostel. Wash and dry your clothes in our new laundry room on the second floor. Pick up subway/bus MetroCards, sundries, NY souvenirs, calling cards, and more. The hostel is located steps from the subways and minutes from Times Square and other major NYC attractions. Get directions, rates and more info here…
And that was the day he fell in love with photography.
El Ateneo bookstore / Buenos Aires Argentina
a dream come true
(via urbanandtrendy)
(via: monsieur-qui & ihavenightmares)
Departure and Arrivals board: Gare du...
©2010. Postage by Greg Cooper. Icons by P.J. Onori. Thanks to Jamie Cassidy & Panic.
*Unlikely to find your lost post using this but you can try...
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