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Your 10 top dream vacations from TripAdvisor

See the Northern Lights in Iceland

Greg Keraghosian, Associate Travel Editor

Some people travel all the time, some people travel once a year, and some people barely travel at all. But most of us have someplace we must see before we die, and not in a Frodo Baggins-reaches-Mordor kind of way, but in a way much happier.

The travel site TripAdvisor asked its members what their biggest dream trips are, and below are the top 10. See any you’d agree with?

1. See the Northern Lights in Iceland

Photo: TripAdvisor

It should be no surprise that a phenomenon as brilliant as the aurora borealis would top travelers’ wish lists. If you’re dedicated and patient enough, you can enjoy them withoutleaving the U.S., especially up in Alaska. But for some real multicolor dazzle, Scandinavia is tough to beat in the winter months, be it on land or a cruise. Saga in Akureyi offers a tour designed to show you the lights.

2. Sleep in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora

Photo: Four Seasons Bora Bora 

TripAdvisor’s members went from marveling at nighttime science in their No. 1 pick to pure beach indulgence with the runner-up. But who can blame them? Perhaps Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux were among the voters for this choice, considering their recent honeymoon. That couple chose the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, wits its 100 overwater bungalows. Other bungalow stays you could splurge on are the St. Regis Bora Bora, the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort, and theSofitel Private Island.

3. Admire the sunset over Santorini

Photo: Pedro Szekely/Flickr 

Yes, this doesn’t get the originality award for vacations. Taking your special someone to cuddle up and watch the sun set over Oia is almost as popular as ordering a latte at Starbucks. But that’s one gorgeous latte! The views of the whitewashed houses and blue domes here never get old.

4. Take the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Photo: TripAdvisor

Even people who recoil at the thought of a tent back home have been compelled to hike and camp the Inca Trail during the four-to-five-day journey. It must have something to do with the transformative powers of travel, or maybe an Incan spell. Either way, if you’d rather not rough it too much, there are lodging options along the trail as well.

5. Explore the Galapagos Islands

Photo: TripAdvisor 

If you love animals, this has to be on your wish list for the sheer variety and quantity of exotic creatures, not to mention the natural beauty of the islands themselves. You’ll probably arrive here on the Ecuadorian island of San Cristobal and take a boat tour from there. Because of the delicate ecosystem here, this is a bucket-list item worth checking off first.

6. Visit Italy’s Amalfi Coast

Photo: TripAdvisor

Pick a town –Positan, Ravello, Sorrento, Amalfi – and it’s hard to take a bad picture here. The colorful homes vertically dotting the rugged cliffs along the coast rival Santorini for their charms. You can explore the area through the hairpin turns of a road trip or the serenity of a cruise.

7. Photograph the Big Five on safari at Kruger National Park, South Africa

Photo: TripAdvisor 

That’s lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffaloes, if you’re keeping track of the Big Five. And there’s a whole lot more, of course, such as the giraffe above. The safari experience has come under a lot of recent scrutiny because of such issue as hunting, poachin, and maulings. But the chance to commune with these majestic creatures from a safe, respectable distance with a responsible tour company is still a rare treat.

8. Take the ultimate road trip on Route 66

Photo: TripAdvisor 

The original “Mother Road” Route 66 that stretched from Illinois to California is no longer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the vestiges of this legendary stretch of freeway. There are more than 2,000 miles to be driven and some old-time kitsch to be found along the way, such asCadillac Ranchand the World’s Largest Rocking Chair.  

9. Set foot on Antarctica

Photo: TripAdvisor 

Setting foot on most places isn’t considered an accomplishment these days – even Cuba is fast becoming an easy travel stop. And while the South Pole isn’t the death-defying visit it once was, it does take some real commitment (and money) to get here and explore it on the ground. You can choose an Antarctic tour among these operators.

10. Ride the Trans-Siberian railway

Photo: TripAdvisor 

Be the star of your own Russian suspense novel by riding along the almost 6,000 miles of train track from Moscow to Vladivostok. Along the way you can experience life at the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar, see the massive Lake Baikal, or wind up in Beijing.

#Yahoo Travel

So cool! You can now walk through a glacier in Iceland

Annie Daly, Contributing Editor, Yahoo Travel

When in Iceland, walk through ice, right? (Photo: Ice Cave Iceland/Facebook)

Ever wondered what it would be like to live in the Ice Age? Now you can get a bit of an idea. On June 1, Iceland will open a man-made ice cave — the largest in the world — to the public. The cave is essentially a giant tunnel through a glacier, and walking  through it will be known as the “Into the Glacier” experience, says Mail Online.

The ice cave, which is the brainchild of two adventure tour operators, Baldvin Einarsson and Hallgrimur Orn Arngrimsson, stretches into the Langjokull glacier, Europe’s second-largest glacier. At its deepest point, the tunnel is nearly 1,000 feet below the surface of the glacier, with another 1,900 feet of ice underneath. But when you go, don’t expect a grand, flashy scene: The entrance is actually very small and concealed.

Don’t judge a cave by its (very small) entrance. (Photo: Ice Cave Iceland/Facebook)

The tunnel also leads to a slew of smaller man-made winding chambers. When visitors walk through the entire cave, which is half a mile long, they will also be able to watch it change color from white to deep blue.

Who knew an ice cave would be so blue? (Photo: Ice Cave Iceland/Facebook)

And get this: There is even a small chapel in the cave, which can be used for underground weddings. The rest of the space will also be available for parties, meetings, and other functions.  

Oh, you know, just your average spot to get hitched. (Photo:Ice Cave Iceland/Facebook)

The tour costs 87 pounds for a two to three hour tour, and exclusive access costs about 1306 pounds. It can also be booked as part of a day trip from Reykjavik.

Of course, it goes without saying, but the tunnel is really, really cold. Tour operators supply warm clothing to visitors, and also warn that as you get down below, there is a noticeable temperature drop. And if you decide to get married down there? We hear white fur coats look great in wedding photos. 

#Yahoo Travel

Wild Fruits Of Terengganu- Gnetum Gnemum

Wild fruits of Terengganu that call by local as ' Malinja' and known as 'Gnetum Gnemum'

Melinjo
Gnetum gnemon is a species of Gnetum native to southeast Asia and the western Pacific Ocean islands, from Mizoram and Assam in India, south and east through Indonesia and Malaysia to the Philippines and Fiji.Wikipedia
Scientific name: Gnetum gnemon
Higher classification: Gnetum
Rank: Species

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Terengganu Hornbill... very exciting

Oriental Pied Hornbill

Hornbill
Bird
The hornbills are a family of bird found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia. They are characterized by a long, down-curved bill which is frequently brightly colored and sometimes has a casque on the upper mandible. Wikipedia
Scientific name: Bucerotidae
Higher classification: Bucerotiformes
Rank: Family

Location: Kuala Terengganu , Terengganu,  MALAYSIA

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Terengganu Rainforest Rare Flower

Rare saprophytic plant,
Thismia asaroe | Terengganu rainforest.

Location: Terengganu, MALAYSIA

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Wild Elephant Of Terengganu- Kenyir Lake

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The Birds of Terengganu

Sitar Bird

Ciak Bird

Merbuk @ Yellow Vented Bulbul

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Birds Of Terengganu, MALAYSIA

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Fire Fly- The amazing of Setiu Wetlands, Setiu, Terengganu, MALAYSIA

Fire Fly of Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu, Malaysia

#Pesona Terengganu

Payang Memory Lane, Kg Cina, Terengganu, Malaysia

Welcome to Kampung Cina, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, MALAYSIA

The beauty of Umbrella

#Pesona Terengganu

Terengganu My Heritage: Antara Foto Terbaik- Photo Contest 2015- People Ch...

Terengganu My Heritage: Antara Foto Terbaik- Photo Contest 2015- People Ch...: People's Choice Winner National Deer Key Refuge, Florida Keys. Photo © Kyle Miller "This was one of my last opportunities to...

Go Off Trail to Make Unique Pictures

PHOTOGRAPH BY SUSAN SEUBERT

Susan Seubert rode the Rocky Mountaineer train, coursing through Canada and exploring the sights along the way forTraveler magazine. Follow along as she shares glimpses into making incredible images in the Canadian landscape.

Peyto Lake is a huge tourist attraction just off the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park. Most people leave their car, camper, or bus and walk to the platform to snap a photo before taking off. Although the views from the park’s platforms are magnificent, I wanted to have a look around.

As my assistant and I climbed the hill behind the viewing platform and got away from the crowds of people, I noticed a family take off on a side trail. They looked like they knew where they were headed, so I asked if we could join them. Sure thing, they said, and off we went. I was expecting a long trek to some distant viewpoint, but this wasn’t the case at all. About a 15-minute walk from the crowds was another, even more stunning view. There was a small handful of people, including a young couple who agreed to let me take their picture. What’s so great about this shot is the woman standing on a rocky outcropping, looking like a postcard.

Photo Tip: Never assume that the best view is the most popular. It pays to go off the beaten track and spend some time walking around your subject, even if it means doing extra hiking with heavy gear. Not only is it a great workout, but the rewards are also worth it!

Photographed with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III and a Canon EF24-105mm, f/4L USM lens.

@http://onassignment.nationalgeographic.com/

Amazing Photo from Nat Geo

Men race camels in Oman. (Photograph by Ahmed Al Toqi)

Travel Potraits

A man observes a total eclipse of the sun through a viewing device on the streets of Uganda. (Photograph by Tariq Zaidi)

Sense Of Place

Freediver Carlos Correa ascends toward the light in Roatán, Honduras. (Photograph by Alex St. Jean)

Outdoor Scene

A two-second exposure reveals water trails at a volcanic beach in southeastern Iceland against a backdrop of Vesturhorn mountain. (Photograph by Sophie Carr)

Spontanous Moment

A tarsier, a small nocturnal primate now found only in Southeast Asia, suddenly opens its eyes in a sanctuary in the Philippines. (Photograph by Bonnie Stewart)

@http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/

Icelandic Ice Cave in Iceland- amazing

Magical moonscape? Try earthbound Iceland.

“This shows a cave formed in an outlet glacier by the huge Vatnajökull ice cap,” says French photographer Romain Loubeyre, who lives in Dubai. “Exploring it felt like exploring another planet. The colors, the light, and the shapes are found nowhere else.”

Glacier caves are a challenge to photograph. “Water drips from the ceiling, winds rush through the passage, and the cold freezes the camera,” says Loubeyre. “I played hide-and-seek with the water to keep the lens dry.”

What has stayed with him: “These caves melt more each year, a sign that some of nature’s most spectacular artworks are in danger of disappearing,” he says.

What we liked: “Shooting photos in a glacier cave,” says Nat Geo Adventure editorial director Mary Anne Potts, “requires an adventurous spirit. The ribbon of ice draws the eye to the focal point—the hiker’s red jacket—setting off the remarkable blue and black tones of the ice.”

@http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/

Moon Over Madagascar

The neon lights that illuminate this motel in Ranohira, Madagascar, recall the colors of the Madagascan flag. (Photograph by Michele Martinelli

Colourful Hotel in Madagascar that's amazing

With a wink to Malagasy loyalists and geography buffs alike, Italian photographer and Your Shot community member Michele Martinelli notes that the porch lights of this motel in Ranohira, Madagascar, mimic the red, green, and white of the island nation’s flag.

Getting the shot: Martinelli and his wife (pictured) stayed in Ranohira before exploring the sculpted rock formations of nearby Isalo National Park.

At first Martinelli found the motel’s lights garish, but seeing the colors at sunset struck a chord.

“Our second evening there, I noticed the moon up and the reflection of the rooms in the pool,” he says. “Combining all these details at night made for a beautiful scene.”

What we liked: “The symmetrical composition and colored lights are what really catch my eye,” says Traveler’s director of photography, Dan Westergren.

“The weighting of the image leaves a little breathing room for the moon—a good choice by the photographer, since the roofs are so evenly spaced.”

Want National Geographic to highlight your photograph? Join our Your Shot community and participate in upcoming hashtag challenges for a chance to appear in Traveler magazine and on Intelligent Travel.

@http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/

Lodge in nature without sacrificing comfort.

> Treehouse Point B&B (Fall City, Washington)

Backdrop: The western foothills of the Cascade Mountains, beside the Raging River.

Best for: Couples seeking lofty hideaways and Wi-Fi–free nights.

Creature comforts: Six hand-built wooden tree houses with quilt-covered beds, large windows, and porches; a breakfast of eggs, homemade granola, breads, and fresh juice served in the main house.

Get busy: Scenic Snoqualmie Falls and surrounding hiking paths are ten minutes away.

> The Hedges (Blue Mountain Lake, New York)

A lakeside porch at the Hedges (Photograph by Terry Wild Stock)

Backdrop: Adirondack Park, a recreation wonderland of six million acres filled with forests, lakes, and mountains.

Best for: Multigenerational families with high-energy tots and teens.

Creature comforts: Cozy family cabins, adults-only lodge rooms, and bungalows located on the shores of Blue Mountain Lake.

Get busy: Kayak, swim, canoe, fish, and cannonball off the dock; nightly bonfires with s’mores and weekly bingo are fun at any age.

> Kestrel Camp (Missouri Breaks, Montana) 

Canvas yurts at Montana’s Kestrel Camp (Photograph by the American Prairie Reserve)

Backdrop: The American Prairie Reserve, a wildlife conservation area aiming to become the largest in the lower 48 states.

Best for: Safari buffs intrigued by America’s Serengeti, where pronghorn, bison, and prairie dogs roam.

Creature comforts: Five plush canvas yurts sport king-size beds, en suite bathrooms, and Montana-themed books.

Get busy: Naturalists guide bison-spotting expeditions.

This piece, written by Kimberley Lovato, first appeared in the June/July 2015 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine. 

@http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/

Why Is The Sky Blue? (On Pluto, That Is)

Pluto's atmosphere has a haze of blue, in this color picture taken by the New Horizons spacecraft that was released by NASA.

NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI

Color images of Pluto released by NASA this year show the dwarf planet has a reddish brown surface. But an even newer photo shows that despite those colors, Pluto's atmosphere has a blue haze.

The discovery results from the New Horizons probe's fly-by of Pluto, which also captured data showing that the planet contains "numerous small, exposed regions of water ice," NASA says.

But first things first: Why would a planet that's been known to be reddish — even pink — have a blue sky?

Scientists attribute the color disparity to tholins, particles formed after sunlight sparks chemical reactions between nitrogen and methane in the atmosphere. The process was first seen on Titan, Saturn's moon; in the case of Pluto, the particles are likely gray or red — but they scatter blue light, making it the most visible to the human eye.

"A blue sky often results from scattering of sunlight by very small particles. On Earth, those particles are very tiny nitrogen molecules. On Pluto they appear to be larger — but still relatively small — soot-like particles we call tholins."

A high-resolution "false color" view of Pluto shows the dwarf planet's surface composition. New analysis shows that some of the bright red areas also include frozen water.

NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI

Those tholins fall to the surface, forming what NASA has called "a reddish 'gunk.'"

In addition to the blue-sky report, NASA says New Horizons detected exposed regions of water ice on Pluto.

A "curious" aspect of the new data, the space agency says, is that the sections of Pluto's surface with the most obvious water ice "correspond to areas that are bright red" in a recent "false color" image of the planet that enhances its composition and texture.

Parts of Pluto's surface that have exposed water ice are highlighted in blue, in a composite image from NASA. The space agency says the water ice appears on parts of the surface that are red.

NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI

Figuring out that relationship is one of the research scientists' next tasks.

"I'm surprised that this water ice is so red," says science team member Silvia Protopapa of the University of Maryland. "We don't yet understand the relationship between water ice and the reddish tholin colorants on Pluto's surface."

The images and data were recently sent back from the New Horizons spacecraft, which buzzed Pluto as it sped through the outer edge of our solar system in July. The craft is now 3.1 billion miles away from Earth.

Regardless of the explanation, the researchers are enjoying the view.

"Who would have expected a blue sky in the Kuiper Belt? It's gorgeous," says New Horizons principal investigator Alan Stern of the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colo.

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