Tropical Islands Resort, Germany Visitors swim in the lagoon at the Tropical Islands Resort, Feb. 15, 2013, in Krausnick, Brandenburg, Germany. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images) In the middle of a searing summer, indoor water parks can serve as oases to those looking for a refreshing, water-filled getaway. At these amazing indoor water parks around the world, guests can splash, surf, slide and spa all-year round, and enjoy everything from wave pools and super loops to tipping buckets and thermal baths. Opened...

1. Northern Lights, North America The Northern Lights was named the best sight to see from a plane. Captain Dave Willsher of British Airways says the northern lights (here seen in Alaska), which can be seen on North American flights, is 'well worth staying up for.' (Greg A. Syverson/Getty Images) From above, you can get a different perspective of the world — a new way at seeing a natural wonder or a sprawling city. Pilots, not surprisingly, get the most...

The Dead Sea A picture taken on Feb. 8, 2014 near Ein Gedi, in Israel shows the Dead Sea shoreline shaped by the decline in water levels as a result of the drying up. (THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images) The Greek philosopher Heraclitusonce said, "Nothing is permanent except change," and from a look at societies around the world, this adage seems to be true. The world around us is changing all the time, from climate change transforming the natural landscape, to growing...

MV Panagiotis, Zakynthos, Greece Once considered majestic vessels of the sea, these shipwrecks — some beached on land, others sunken to the bottom of the ocean — provide a ghostly glimpse into history. Many of these haunting ruins are also luring tourists and serving as unique snorkeling and diving spots. Genuine shipwreck or tourist bait? There's some controversy about the origins of the MV Panagiotis, which lies in a cove on the coast of Zakynthos in the Ionaian Islands of...

It's a mystery dating back almost a hundred years, a state of the art submarine — lost. But why? Well researchers finally have the answer. Its name was Akula which stood for "The Shark." Launched in 1911, it was at the time, a revolutionary vessel. With a crew of 35, this 400 ton ship was believed to be one of Russia’s first battle submarines. However, in 1915, at the height of the first world war, The Shark simply disappeared somewhere...

Alcatraz - San Francisco, USA Most of us take it for granted that we can go outside as we choose, dress in clothes appropriate to the weather, and revel in or complain about the temperature. But for prisoners of the past, being outdoors when they chose to be was an unimaginable luxury. Some, such as prisoners on the French penal colony the Devil's Island, were forced to do hard labor under the scorching equatorial sun. Others, in places like the...

As Americans hit the road for summer holidays, a familiar question arises: Why don't Americans travel overseas more? Of the 308 million-plus citizens in the United States, only 30 percent have passports, CNN reported in 2011. Most Americans spend their leisure time somewhere in the country rather than setting off across the seas that border the country on both sides. And a survey in 2006 revealed young Americans evenhad trouble locating Iraq and states within their country, says CBS News....

Early in the morning of January 23, 1973, the residents of the Icelandic Heimaey Island woke up to the sound of fire engine horns warning them that a huge fissure had opened up across the island, spewing red-hot lava. They evacuated that night. The volcanic eruption went on for five months, burying one third of the island’s buildings in 200 million tons of ash and lava, according to The Daily Mail. A 656-foot volcanic cone - the Eldfell volcano –...

'When The Night Not Move Again,' Kyoto. (Massimo Ferrero) In the world's busiest, most populated cities, the action doesn't stop after the sun sets. Insired by the theme "Cities at Work," the photographers of the CBRE Urban Photographer of the Year competition capture the essence and spirit of their cities with vibrant images of day-to-day life. Many of the photographers' entries were shot at nighttime, depicting scenes after sundown — from the bright lights of Times Square in New York...

The city of Lindau is seen in Jakob Wagner's 'Nightscapes' photo series. (Jakob Wagner) Photographer Jakob Wagner captures images of the world’s cities illuminated by lights of buildings, traffic lights and cars at night for his “Nightscapes” series. Wagner, who started out as a graffiti artist, discovered his love for photography after he began using a camera to capture his artwork. “During experimenting I found that with long exposures at night, things you cannot see with the naked eye, could...

Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita, Matera, Italy Inside one of the 'cave suites' at Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita in Matera, Italy. (Photo: Courtesy of Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita) Are "groundscrapers" the new skyscrapers? Around the world, travelers are discovering the unique experience of staying at underground and cave hotels, which bring them closer to nature and offer a taste of prehistoric living (with amenities, of course). Another perk of underground accommodations? Temperatures are always perfect—warm in the winter,...

Welcome to the Hotel President Wilson in Geneva, Switzerland, home to the most expensive hotel room in the world. At a reported 18,000 sq. feet, the suite occupies the entire top floor of the hotel, and includes 12 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms. (QUIZ: Which City Has the Best Weather for You?) Guests have a full staff at their command, a grand piano for show and a view of the lake through bulletproof glass. The price tag for this unmatched luxury...