A tourist sunbathes beside debris at Kuta Beach on January 17, 2014 in Kuta, Indonesia. The sight of trash Kuta beach, one of Bali's most popular tourist destinations, has become an annual phenomenon as debris are carried to the beach by strong currents during the winter months. (Agung Parameswara/Getty Images) Known for its long stretches of sand and surfable waves, Kuta Beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bali, Indonesia, luring hordes of visitors hoping to enjoy...

The misty forests and craggy bluffs of Ireland and Wales have long been symbolically linked to the Celtic legacy of the region. But evidence suggests that the Celts traveled beyond the northern islands, all the way down to the sunny shores of northwest Spain. The autonomous region of Galicia, Spain, is the seventh Celtic Nation and the least known of the group. The other six include Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Cornwall, Isle of Mann and Brittany, France, reported the BBC. Beyond...

Stark the lion and a zookeeper playing ice hockey at the Oaklawn Farm Canadian zoo on Jan. 21, 2014. A spokesperson for the zoo said the 18-month-old lion apparently loves the ice - especially the sound of it cracking under his weight. (Nichole Coleman/Mercury Press/Caters News Agency) This is Sterk, the star attraction at the , and he has an unusual skill for a lion. The images featured in our video above were taken last week on January 21, when...

A scene in 'Gringo Trails' shows the litter-strewn aftermath of tourists' full moon party on Haad Rin, Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand. (Photo courtesy of Icarus Films) With its white sand beaches, azure waters and idyllic views, the island of Koh Phanganis considered one of the most beautiful places in Thailand. But every month, the day after its world-famous, all-night "Full Moon" party, when the island'sHaad Rin beach is littered with trash, beer bottles and drunk tourists, Koh Phangan seems more...

Bombay Beach, Salton Sea, Calif., Dec. 15, 2013. (Shane Hawk) Shane Hawk’s evolution as a photographer and artist is an interesting one. He went from snapping photos on his iPhone 4 and uploading them to Instagram to dangling his Canon 7D out the window of a car to capture mountains in Hawaii in the perfect light. But even before he created his popular Instagram account he had always been interested in the outdoors. “I have always loved nature,” Hawk told...

Dog-sled taxi ready to take guests to Kirkenes Snowhotel. (Thomas Nilsen/Barents Observer) Why wait in line for a cab or squeeze into an airport shuttle bus when you can ride to your hotel in a dog-sled taxi? A hotel in northern Norway has launched a taxi service — which employs a team of eight Alaskan huskies — to pick up guests from the Kirkenes Airport. The trek to the Kirkenes Snowhotel from the airport, a scenic (and cold) 45-minute ride...

A self-portrait at Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, Jan. 2013. (Paul Zizka) Canadian photographer Paul Zizka not only captures beautiful landscapes in the Canadian Rockies, he also creates unique silhouetted self-portraits that bring “selfies” to a whole new level. Zizka uses a tripod to capture his silhouettes in various scenic and serene locations. But while there’s a sense of calmness in the photos, Zizka says the process of setting up the shot is actually a lot more frantic...

Photographer Chris Burkard said that Norway was the coldest location he has ever surfed. (Chris Burkard) Photos of surfers riding swells are nothing new, but California-based photographer has taken his surfing excursions to the most unexpected places all over the world -- the icy waters of Norway, Russia and Iceland. “I love places like Malibu, but that scene has never been for me,” Burkard told weather.com. “My surf experience and mindset has always been destitute as I gravitate towards empty...

'Due to the mountainous terrain in Costa Rica's tropical environment, cloud forests like Monteverde are covered in moisture-rich fog, giving life to a diverse range of plants. This red suspension bridge allows you to explore the canopy 300 feet above the ground.' (Matthew Karsten) With its stunning landscapes and unique wildlife, Costa Rica has taken a prominent —and sometimes, permanent — place in many travelers' to-visit list. The Central American nation's natural beauty and richness is one of the reasons...

Padlocks adorn the Pont des Arts. The nine-arch metallic footbridge, completed in 1804, is one of the most romantic places of the capital. People visit it to attach love padlocks displaying their initials or messages of love, before throwing the key into the River Seine. (Yves Forestier/Getty Images) This Valentine's Day, some people will go to extreme lengths to prove their love to their sweethearts, perhaps with acrazy marriage proposalor aromantic getaway to a heart-shaped island. But some people will...

An Alaska Air plane is serviced at Newark Liberty International Airport, Monday, Feb. 3, 2014, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) NEW YORK — This year's brutal winter has led to the highest number of flight cancelations in more than 25 years, according to the Associated Press. IU.S. airlines have canceled more than 75,000 domestic flights since Dec. 1, including more than 14,000 this week. That's 5.5 percent of the 1.37 million flights scheduled during that period, according calculations based...

Hidden Beach - Marietas Islands in Mexico The experience of exploring the world's hidden wonders is one of the best things about travel. From a waterfall hidden in a deep gorge to a park quietly tucked in the Mexican jungle, these destinations feature surprising — and stunning — secrets that will inspire you to go off the beaten path. With its fantastic rock formations and idyllic sand beaches, it might be hard to believe that this picturesque locale was once...