Ah, the wonders of Google Earth! Not only can you set the planet a-spinning as fast as you can move your mouse, or watch the sunset across the earth’s face as the Man in the Moon sees it, but you can also plot your next extreme vacation in a few clicks. In fact someone’s already done a lot of the work for you.
In a Google Earth Community forum a user is compiling a list of the world’s superlative places: hottest, driest, tallest, most likely to secede. Kidding about the last one. The exact locations, with descriptions and interesting facts, are then highlighted on Google Earth (see the tiny green triangles on the map above). So if you’ve got a Guinness Book-fixation or are just extreme-ly curious, it’s all mapped out for the going.
Added bonus: The next time someone tells you about their epic, life-threatening ascent of Mount Everest, you can say “Wow. One of the world’s tallest mountains. Pretty impressive.” They’ll doubtless reply, “Everest is the tallest, not one of the tallest. I nearly died.” And you can retort, “Sure, from sea level it is. But the world’s tallest mountain is actually Mauna Kea on Hawaii. 33,472 feet [most of it underwater -- you should leave this part out]. I drove up to the top, ate a Go-gurt, then drove back down to my hotel, where I enjoyed a refreshing nap.” Got ‘em! Incidentally, travel one-upping is not the best way to make friends.
As the list seems to be the product of one person’s work, it’s not a comprehensive one; if you know of others that aren’t yet listed, suggest them.
You’re not going to get all the amenities to which you might be accustomed staying in a ryokan. A private bathroom isn’t a given, for instance; neither is central heating or A/C (though you’ll likely have some kind of portable heater for your room). Ryokan owners are dedicated to maintaining the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese guest house, and heavy infrastructure that doesn’t contribute to this end isn’t a priority.
Sure, they may not be recognized by the United Nations, but they’re countries, too, gosh darn it! They’re micronations, and what they lack in official status, they make up for with self-declared sovereignty and chutzpah aplenty.
Oregon), Molossia has endured upheaval in more than name alone. Prior to denouncing the brief Communist regime (under Premier Kevin Baugh) ten years ago in favor of a democratic republic, Molossia had been a monarchy for two decades.
If you’re planning a flashpacking expedition to Molossia, make sure to email ahead of time. If you’re given permission to visit, you’re legally allowed to stay for two weeks without a visa, but it should take less than an hour to do a proper country tour. Be prepared for a border inspection; should your travel gear include catfish or incandescent lightbulbs, which are outlawed in Molossia, I’m afraid you’ll have to leave them at the gate. Also, Molossian Standard Time is decreed to be exactly 41 minutes behind Mountain Standard Time (though their website appears to be 20 minutes fast, so go figure…), so be prepared for some havoc on your body’s natural clock.
. Check ‘em out, or better yet, start one of your own!
It would be appropriate to mention Jules Verne here, but I never read 20,000 leagues. I’ve also never been to Dubai, but it seems that the closest we’ll get to the 20,000 leagues is probably being built in Dubai.
Or how about the 
Caveat: the goods or documents in your charge will be checked, so typically you’ll have to carry your own stuff on the plane with you. Pack light and pack wisely. Also, since jobs tend to be assigned at the last minute, it can be difficult to travel with friends unless they can arrange for a similar courier mission or buy a plane ticket themselves.
I am a walking malaria risk. My skin is irresistible, 100% pure mosquito lovebait. I wish it weren’t so, but I just can’t help it. I have friends, very attractive people, who could pass a July afternoon wading through a Georgia bog, unadorned as newborns, and emerge with nary a nibble. On the coldest winter day, however, my scent will arouse the passion of an ice-imprisoned mosquito, which will chew its way free and spend its final moments navigating the folds of my parka and wiggling through a copse of hair to plant a dying kiss on the back of my neck, a look of ecstasy forever preserved on its little bug face.
Rates start at $655 per week for accommodation and meals, which is actually a pretty good deal (voluntourism even in developing countries can be prohibitively expensive). Bonus: you get to live in one of the renovated buildings! Meals are prepared by a chef using local produce and served family-style for all the volunteers. Most afternoons are free for exploring the small town of Saint Victor la Coste, hiking, visiting vineyards, etc.
Volunteers work with craftsmen, helping to preserve not only the physical structures, but also the skills and culture.