7 Amazing Journeys That Should Be On Your Bucket List by Earth Porm travel site:

© Washington Post 

On Nov. 18, an 82-container freight train left the eastern Chinese industrial city of Yiwu. It was embarking on a landmark journey that is supposed to end 21 days later, in December, in Madrid.

Remember when the dollar could take you anywhere? You could go to Canada, backpack around Europe, or head Down Under in search of kangaroos for next to nothing. Sadly, those times are long gone and the dollar's value has declined greatly over the last 15 years. That means traveling around the world costs a lot more these days.

Luckily, there are still plenty of destinations around the globe that won't break the bank. For less than $50 a day (sometimes a lot less), these countries offer the most bang for your vacation buck. Here are my top 12 places to eat, drink, and kick back (in style) on a budget.

1. Fiji

We think of Fiji as expensive (thanks, Fiji water!) but in reality, it's a popular destination with many travelers because, unlike its expensive island neighbors, it's actually cheap. Yes, there are many $1,000-a-night resorts, but there are also dorm rooms, hostels, and all-inclusive local guesthouses you can stay in for $25 a night. Transportation around the islands isn't expensive and the beach is free. It's easy to splurge here, but you can get pristine beaches, great diving, and tasty seafood while chatting with friendly locals -- without having to mortgage your home. Bula!

2. Cambodia

While you could put most of Southeast Asia on the list, Cambodia is one of the best value countries in the region. Everything here is super cheap! You can get a private, air-conditioned room for $20. Local food is $2 and most western meals are $7. This country is very budget travel-friendly and, if you are spending close to $50 a day, you are living large. Cambodia is one of my favorite countries in the world with some of the nicest people, most beautiful beaches, ruins, and jungles out there. It's rough, it's raw, and it's stunning.

3. Portugal

Another cheap Eurozone country is Portugal. Here you'll find beautiful beaches, wine country, stunning cliffs, and historic cities at bargain prices. Lisbon is also one of the most affordable cities to stay in a 5-star hotel. Throw in helpful, outgoing locals who serve up delicious food (especially seafood), and you have the making of a perfect place. I was blown away by Portugal and how little anybody ever talked about it. Everyone heads to Italy when they should be going to Portugal!

4. Peru

Most people come here attracted to the Inca trail, but there's a lot more to the country than that. Here you can sail the Amazon, visit the deserted, white sand beaches of Mancora, and explore the ruins of other Inca destinations like Moray and Choquequirao. Meals are rarely more than $5, private guesthouse rooms are around $25, and you can go anywhere in the country for less than $30. Don't let those jaw-dropping prices for the Inca trail you see online deter you from one of the funniest, happiest, and cheapest countries in South America. Pro tip: If you go to Cuzco, you can get last-minute deals to Machu Picchu for 50 percent off!

5. China

China has fascinated travelers ever since Marco Polo traversed the Silk Road. While the days of China being a super-cheap destination are long gone, the country remains a budget destination with many opportunities for savings, especially in the countryside. Rooms are less than $20 a day, food is $2-5 per meal, and local transportation in cities less than dollar. Those who travel in China are richly rewarded with friendly people, delicious food, a country in constant flux, and beautiful mountains, beaches, and valleys on a budget anyone can afford!

6. South Korea

When I went to South Korea earlier this year, I was stunned by how inexpensive everything was. I had heard that South Korea was a bargain, but in many ways its prices rival that of Southeast Asia. With the South Korean won getting 1,113 won per $1 and most everything costing only a few thousand won, I can't imagine busting your budget here. My friend and I went out for Korean BBQ complete with drinks, and we each spent $8. You can pick up bottles of beer in 7-Eleven for less than a dollar. I don't know why most people don't talk about it, but if you want a cheap East Asian country with a stunning countryside, South Korea is the place for you.

via Huffington Post by Matthew Kepnes

Glass Beach, California, US

Antelope - Grand Canyon - U.S.A. (© Hans)

Magical, mysterious, surreal and simply stunning: 10 of the world's most magical places you've just got to go to. Or just look at the photos!

Hong Kong

Hong Kong and Singapore attract the most international travelers, according to the latest Euromonitor Top 100 City Destinations Ranking.

BEIJING NATIONAL STADIUM - Beijing, China

So, you didn't get a ticket to Sochi this winter. Not to worry, sports fans: There are still plenty of sites used in Olympic Games that are open to visitors. Here are some of our favorites.

Salar de Uyuni, One of the World’s Largest Mirrors, Bolivia

Our world is so full of wonders that new and amazing places are discovered every day, be that by professional photographers or amateurs.

In 2008, Christoph Rehage walked more than 4500km across China and grew a mighty bushy beard on the way. His physical transformation is captivating, making it fun to watch his journey twice: once to watch him, and once to watch the places he walked.

French Rémi Gaillard around the world (video)

Yellowstone National Park, WY, U.S.A.

Every new year brings new opportunities and potent anniversaries, but 2014 seems especially rich in them — especially remembrances of war. Here are 14 ripe destinations for the year ahead — some cities, some countries and one New York borough.

1. Trift Bridge, Switzerland
2. Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Maryland
3. Langkawi Sky Bridge, Malaysia
4. Storseisundet Bridge, Norway
5. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Northern Ireland
6. Capilano Suspension Bridge, Canada
7. Canopy Walk, Ghana
8. Aiguille du Midi Bridge, France
9. Vitim River Bridge, Siberia
10. Sidu River Bridge, China

via Smarter Travel by Caroline Morse

Cape Town, South Africa

After feverish debate, the results are finally in. Discover our travel experts' final cut of the most essential travel experiences and destinations on our Best in Travel page. And our top 10 cities - from reinvented classics to destinations on the rise - are sure to inspire your travels in 2014...

1. Paris, France

2. Trinidad, Cuba

3. Cape Town, South Africa

4. Rīga, Latvia

5. Zürich, Switzerland

6. Shanghai, China

7. Vancouver, Canada

8. Chicago, Illinois, USA

9. Adelaide, Australia

10. Auckland, New Zealand

via Lonely Planet (all details)

Corn in a Cup: Malaysia

So proclaimed Anthony Bourdain, passionate street food advocate and consumer, at the inaugural World Street Food Congress in Singapore.

Held in the Southeast Asian street food Mecca, the WSFC featured extensive panels and discussions about international street food culture, from the USA's food trucks to Singapore's own prolific "hawker" centers, and a 10-day "Jamboree" of 37 street food vendors from around the world serving up their respective regional specialties.

"Street food makes travel interesting," Bourdain explained. "It's very easy to travel around the world and look out the window and not know where you are.

1. Sarawak Laksa: Kuching, Malaysia
2. Chicken Rice: Singapore
3. Bao Luo Fen: Sanya, China
4. Nasi Ulam: Malacca, Malaysia
5. Chicken 65: India
6. Seafood Tostada: Ensenada Baja California, Mexico
7. Currywurst: Berlin, Germany
8. Corn in a Cup: Malaysia
9. Fried Milk: Taipei, Taiwan
10. Fried Tarantulas: Cambodia
11. Lamb Kebab Burger: Tel Aviv, Israel
12. Soft-Shelled Crab Burger: Portland, Oregon

via Huffington Post (all details)

1. China’s rainbow mountains

2. Oregon’s painted hills

3. Ethiopia’s alien crater

4. Wyoming’s ultimate spring

5. Light up the night in Iceland

via BBC

The winner Machu Picchu, Peru

1. Machu Picchu - Machu Picchu, Peru

2. Angkor Wat - Siem Reap, Cambodia

3. Taj Mahal - Agra, India

4. Petra World Heritage Site - Petra - Wadi Musa, Jordan

5. Bayon Temple - Siem Reap, Cambodia

6. Great Cathedral and Mosque - Cordoba, Spain

7. Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood - St. Petersburg, Russia

8. St. Peter's Basilica - Vatican City, Italy

9. Ancient City Walls - Dubrovnik, Croatia

10. Main Market Square (Rynek Glowny) - Krakow, Poland

11. Temple of Karnak - Luxor, Egypt

12. Bellagio Fountains - Las Vegas, Nevada

13. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

14. Alcazar - Seville, Spain

15. Gettysburg National Military Park - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

16. The Alhambra - Granada, Spain

17. Great Wall at Mutianyu - Beijing, China

18. Shwedagon Pagoda - Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar

19. USS Arizona Memorial - Honolulu, Hawaii

20. Cristo Redentor (Statue of Christ the Redeemer) - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

21. Top of the Rock Observation Deck - New York City, New York

22. Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela - Santiago de Compostela, Spain

23. Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco, California

24. Cathedral of St. John the Baptist - Savannah, Georgia

25. Siena Cathedral - Siena, Italy

via TripAdvisor (all details)

The winner, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, New Mexico, USA

1. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, New Mexico, USA

5-13 October

2. Loykrathong Festival, Sukhothai, Thailand

November

3. Carnival, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

February 2014

4. Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany

October

5. Las Fallas, Valencia, Spain

May 2014

6. Elephant Festival, Jaipur, India

16 March 2014

7. PingXi Sky Lantern Festival, Taipei, Taiwan

February 2014

8. Pushkar Camel Fair, India

6-17 November

9. Days of the Dead, Mexico

1-2 November

10. Harbin Ice Festival, China

December - January

Via Skyscanner (all details)

Paris - France

1 - Paris, France

Everyone who visits Paris for the first time probably has the same punchlist of...

Video "Trans-mongolian - a long train journey" (by © Factoria)

 

Chūn Jié (Spring Festival/Chinese New Year)

Tet Nguyen Dan (Festival of the First Day)

International Ice & Snow Festival

Carnaval de Québec (Winter Carnival)

Carnevale Venezia (Venice Carnival)

Pasola

Argungu Fishing Festival

via Loneny Planet (with complete list)