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The Global Scavenger Hunt makes 10th Annual Travel GO/noGO List for 2013!
Submitted by admin on Tue, 06/15/2010 - 15:16

 

Los Angeles, CA (19 December 2012) If you are reading this, you survived the Mayan Day of Reckoning (whoo, that was close wasn't it!), and are now happily imagining some fresh 2013 travel destinations. The travel website WorldsGreatestTravelers.com has just published their ultimate Christmas wish list and New Year's resolution 2013 list for travelers everywhere looking to do something a bit different, with their 10th annual "2013 Travelers GO/noGO List."

"Serious travelers want authentic, exciting and participatory adventures nowadays,” says the website spokesperson Pamela Finmark, “They want to visit places that are exotic, places that are exciting, and that offer them a chance to get out of their comfort zones and have a real adventure of not only body, but mind too."


The 10th annual WorldsGreatestTravelers.com 2013Travelers GO/noGO List may not include the "hottest" or "latest up and coming emerging travel destinations, or even any cliché bucket list or illusive off the beaten track travel destinations, but the 2013 list does offer some rather fresh and exciting destinations:

• Cyprus...the Turkish north is more scenic, colorful and laid back than the overbuilt, gaudy Greek south side. Enjoy the breathtaking Karpas Peninsula or rent a sailboat at Kyrenia for a truly magical day. The history here isn't too bad either! (Easy access to Nicosia, Cyprus via Athens)

• Borneo...whether you are looking for beaches, rainforests, or marine reserves to snorkel or scuba, the Malaysian part of Borneo has it all. For something truly exhilarating visit a Dayak longhouse along the Rajang River or spend a day at an orangutan rehab camp just helping out. (Not so easy access to Sarawak via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore)


• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil...be ahead of the curve and save money too by visiting the home of both the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics before the rest of the world does! Relax and enjoy the sublime Cariocas beach culture that is unparalleled. The revitalized museums, parks and music scene aren't bad either!

• The Great American Road Trip...life is a highway...so get off the generic Interstates to see the real America that lives along the side roads and byways. Try the West Coast's Route 1 or the Blue Ridge Parkway back East...or take Dylan's infamous Highway 61 from Memphis to New Orleans to enjoy all the blues and BBQ you can handle!

• Slovenia...forget Italy (this year anyway!) and visit its picture-perfect neighbor. What's not to like either, from: the rolling green Julian Alps, the beautiful bridges and cafes of Ljubljana, the amazing UNESCO caves of Postojna and Skocjan, or the blue jewel that is Lake Bled. You will not be disappointed! (Easy access via Milan, Italy and Vienna, Austria)

• The Global Scavenger Hunt...let’s see—it's a daring adventure for one, A Blind Date with the World for two, a real-life around the world Amazing Race-like competition for three, and philanthropic opportunities abound for four—where’s the bad? The 9th annual three-week travel adventure event is scheduled to begin April 12th. (Visit GlobalScavengerHunt.com)

• Myanmar (Burma)... the coast is now clear to visit this hermit-like country now that Noble Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi and Hilary Clinton have cleared the way (although human right issues and crushing poverty remain). This country is incomprehensibly vast in culture, natural and cultural beauty: the mighty Irrawaddy River, the vast ruins that liter the Plains of Bagan, mythical Mandalay is easy to explore, and the rich environs of Inle Lake. Oh yea, we almost forgot the hidden gem of the world, Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. (Easy access via Bangkok, Singapore and Taipei)

• Madagascar...called the "eighth continent" for good reason, this Darwinian dreamscape with most of its flora and fauna seen nowhere else on the planet! Loveable lemurs, the Labyrinth of Stone, and beloved baobab trees should satisfy. Changing fast so visit it soon! (Not so easy access via Paris, Bangkok and Johannesburg)

• Oman...a laid back real alternative to hyper-glitzy Dubai. Honest and friendly people, coastline forts, inland desert dunes and oasis villages and lively souks; Oman is a sight for weary travel eyes. Considering all the craziness nearby, Oman is indeed a welcome oasis. (Easy access via Amsterdam, Paris, London and Germany)

• Aurora Borealis...isn't it time you saw nature's magical light show firsthand? And with the 11-year solar cycle in full swing, the best places to see the Northern Lights show during the months of September and March are: Alaska, Yellowknife, Canada, Iceland, Scotland and Norway.

That's the "GO" part...

In Dante's Inferno, hell is divided into nine concentric circles where sinners are sent involuntarily... Here is our "2013 noGO List" of nine places you should to voluntarily avoid:

Moscow, Russia...an ugly city, drab, empty museums, crazy high prices, major infrastructure issues, crime, corruption…other than that, Putin says it's a great place!

Karachi, Pakistan...who needs the headache of always looking over your shoulder.

Cape Town, South Africa...a beautiful place to visit; but don't carry a camera, ask directions, use an ATM, walk alone, hail a cab or eat outside.

Mexico-US border towns…express kidnapping on the rise and drug lords run amok. 45,000 dead so far—sad, really sad.

Caracas, Venezuela…Chavez is not totally to blame, but this is a tough town!

Dubai, UAE…from hot to not—PDA’s will get you arrested in this manufactured over-hyped expensive Disneyland!

Sao Paulo, Brazil…sure you can get a great cocktail, but why would you in this urban purgatry run amok?

Lagos, Nigeria…always on the list…overcrowding, corruption, clogged sewers, traffic beyond belief, one of Dante’s original rings of hell!

Somalia...it just doesn't stop... militant Islamists, pirates, bandits and dire famine…31 years running—buy a really good K&R policy!

Dishonorable Mentions: 

DR Congo...just 10 years running with the worst conlict since World War II--but since no reporters are stupid enough to go there, nobody knows! 

Timbuktu, Mali...sadly, things are gaetting worse by the day. It may soon become terra incognito!

 

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“...it's flawless... our best adventure ever--and we have had a few! We want to do the whole thing next year."
- April C., Pensacola, FL (2010 & 2011)

"It is the Amazing Race for real travelers."
– Randy H., Newport Beach, CA (2004)

"Delicious..."
- Scott S., San Francisco, CA (2004)

"extraordinary...think the Amazing Race, but without cameras, staged stunts or prize money...unforgetable" - from Have Mother, Will Travel book, 2012

"I couldn't get The Global Scavenger Hunt out of my veins last year. I had to go again!" - Barbara S., Providence, RI (2009 & 2010)

 

 

 

 

 

"Three weeks of learning to be a better person and to be able to leave behind a slightly better world."
- Christine L., BARBADOS (2009 & 2010 & 2013)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

"We are so happy we did this memorable adventure...Amazing Race without being eliminated and less silly too!"
- Bev & Buz N., Phoenix, AZ (2009 & Century Club members)  

 

 

 

 

"An adventure like no other; it changes your view of the world and captures your heart."
- Zoe L., Houston, TX (2008-2013)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The first time was amazing and just plain overwhelming. The second time I did it was just as amazing and it overwhelmed me all over again. I may be a Global Scavenger Hunt junkie!"
- Vicki S., Dallas, TX (2004 & 2005)

" Makes you feel alive in the world…it was exciting, exhausting, crazy, beautiful, illuminating ...every emotion, experience, issue crammed into three weeks, four continents, thirteen countries...it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I'd do it again in a minute."
- Claire F., Palm Beach, FL (2008)

“One of those seminal moments in my life. Not only fantastic, but after completing the event I gained a stronger desire to make a difference in the world."
- Trevor G., Seattle, WA (2005 & 2009)

“A wonderful itinerary. It's like Christmas every day and looking forward to opening another present each day and not knowing what it will be…each location unwrapped a new surprise." 
- Steve H., Los Angeles, CA (2008 & 2009)

“The Global Scavenger Hunt was the most amazing adventure of my life…a perfect 10! This trip is kick ass!" - Andy M., Dallas, TX (2008 & 2009)

"…the Chalmers' are  travel evangelists in the true sense of the word." 
- Wendy H., Austin, TX (2013)

“The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure.” - Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)

“It is like Survivor, The Amazing Race, and the Eco-Challenge all rolled into one except with MUCH more cultural interaction…the creative brain power, communication skills, and strategic planning required far outweigh all those other competitions." - Marvin S., Alberta, CANADA (2002)

 

"...a once in a lifetime trip that (I) would heartily recommend!"
- Steven B., Competitours CEO (2004)

 

"Fun, fun, fun…it tests one's ability to interact with indigenous people and societies everywhere. I would recommend this to real travelers who seek a real adventure."  - Andrea B., New York, NY (2008)

“The Blind Date with the World aspect a wonderful experience…think about it, you go on a trip around the world BUT you don't know where you are going? It was truly exhilarating."  - Victoria R., Bellingham, WA (2002) 

"I feel like a thrillioniare!"
- John T., Manhattan Beach, CA (2012)

"Wow. Twenty three days of WOW!"
- James D., Toronto, CANADA (2011)

"An experience that places you outside your box…not for the faint of heart."
- David A., Houston, TX (2011 & 2012)

"It challenges you to open your mind and heart. IT WAS LIFE CHANGING!"
- Natasha N., Houston, TX (2011 & 2012)

"The mystery of not knowing where you're going and the joy if finding destinations that weren't on your radar screen gets in your blood. Yes, we're addicts..." – Kit & Joanne, Vancouver Island, CANADA (2008, 2010 & 2012)

 "This is the most interesting, challenging and just plain fun trip on the planet!"
- Andy V., Bonn, GERMANY (2008)

 

"This was the best three weeks of my entire life." – Angel Q., Culver City, CA (2012)

"I am a jaded old traveler, but I got to visit six new countries; and revisited old one's like I could not have imagined."- Brent W., Wyoming, USA (2012 & Century Club member)

 

"Thank  you for showing me the real world..." – Emily B., Pensacola, FL (2011 & 2012)

 

"The event is all about authentic experiences, feeling challenged and actively participating...that's all!" - William D. Chalmers (Event Director aka The Ringmaster)

"...I think I found myself saying 'another perfect day in paradise' a dozen times over that last few weeks!" - Katrina A., Sydney, AUSTRALIA (2012)