Best Snorkeling in the World - Koh Phi Phi

With magnificent coral just below the surface and a vast number of colored fish reflecting the sunlight, one only needs to float on top of the water with a mask and snorkel to enjoy Phi Phi Islands' stunning beauty. Just south of Thailand's Phuket, this small group of islands has firmly established itself as one of the world's foremost snorkeling holiday spots.

"To the uninitiated, Phi Phi's snorkeling is like being on a fantasy planet. Even the experienced agree - it's good. Really good. With one of the world's most abundant coral reef systems, the locations and sights are both plentiful and astounding (Phiphi.phuket.com)."

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Photo Credit: almost marvelous

The Worlds Best Surf - Bali

Bali is known worldwide as an absolute surfing mecca. The island is famous in the international surfing community for its long rolling waves, and enthusiasts flock to this destination every year for the experience.

"The island of Bali has locations which work in the Dry Season and the Wet Season. The dry season is the peak surfing season and it typically runs from May through to September, this is when the famous waves of Uluwatu, Padang Padang and Impossibles break at their best." (BaliWaves.com) Beginners will find the gentler, sandy areas around Kuta to be ideal for learning.

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Photo Credit: Marc oh!

The Worlds Best Theme Parks - Cedar Point

When it comes to thrill-rides and action, Cedar Point theme park is among the very best in the world. Founded in 1892, it is the second oldest amusement park in North America. Cedar Point is particularly famous for its record breaking roller coasters including Millennium Force, Magnum XL-200, Top Thrill Dragster, Maverick, and Raptor.

"With 75 rides, including 17 roller coasters, Cedar Point amusement park/resort in Sandusky, Ohio, will provide an exciting day of fun and thrills for everyone in the family. Located on a peninsula jutting into Lake Erie, Cedar Point is one of the most popular amusement park and vacation destinations in the country. For starters, Cedar Point has more rides than any park in the world, an unmatched assortment of thrilling coasters and family favorites." (CedarPoint.com)

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Photo Credit: CstrzRock

The Worlds Best White Water Rafting - Grand Canyon

A rafting trip down Colorado River, and particularly the Grand Canyon, is truly one of the top white water adventures in the world. Breathtaking scenery combined with wild white water make for an unforgettable experience. As Arizonaguide.com points out, rafting in the Grand Canyon enables visitors to explore its geological wonders through the very source of its creation, the Colorado River.

"The Grand Canyon section of the Colorado River runs from Lees Ferry to Grand Wash Cliffs, and those looking for a real white water adventure can raft the entire 277-miles. Featuring an amazing 161 sets of rapids, the complete trip takes as little as six days in a motor powered raft or up to 22 days under oar-power." Note, however, that the popularity of the experience means that one must plan and book this adventure several years ahead.

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Photo Credit: MolallaRiverCowboy

The Worlds Best Golf - St. Andrews

St. Andrews, Scotland is recognized worldwide as the home of golfing. For well over 600 years golfers have enjoyed their sport here. Most famous is the Old Course which is also open to the public provided that bookings have been made in advance. There are, however, at least 10 other golf courses within a ten minute drive of the town centre – seven of championship class – as well as a major golf academy.

"The town regularly plays host to major golfing tournaments such as The Open, which is staged every five years, and The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, a pro-am tournament which features the world’s top golfers and international celebrities." (Standrews.co.uk)

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Photo Credit: tiarescott

The Worlds Best Skiing - Verbier

Verbier is acknowledged as one of the best off-piste ski resorts in the world with steep slopes and excellent snow conditions. Situated in the Swiss canton of Valais, Verbier boasts an impressive lift infrastructure with access to an enormous network of pistes. It is off the groomed slopes that Verbier has its edge, however, and even the most adept skiers can always find plenty of white knuckle challenge in the surrounding mountains.

"From its sunny plateau, Verbier offers some amazing views. In the shadow of Mont Blanc and the Grand Combin, it is located at the heart of one of the biggest ski areas in the Alps: Les 4 Vallées. A freeriding paradise, Verbier is the perfect winter sports destination, from the very first snow falls. The resort offers a wide range of accommodation in a protected setting, with all the charm of a traditional village and its wooden chalets. An international programme of events will add a whole new dimension to your stay." (Verbier.ch)

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Photo Credit: Olivier Bruchez

The Worlds Best Snowboarding - Niseko

The Japanese resort of Niseko has a quality and quantity of powder that is difficult to match anywhere in the world, and for freeriding snowboarders it has all the stuff that dreams are made of. A long-time favorite among powder hungry natives, Niseko is increasingly drawing a larger international crowd, and visitors all leave the snow-rich mountains wanting to return. Boarders with big grins on their faces are shredding and slashing down vast slopes that receive up to 15 meters (50 ft) of light snow every year.

Niseko is fast becoming one of the most popular snowboarding destinations in the world due to both the amount and type of snow. "With wide open courses, tree runs, backcountry, off-piste, first tracks and night-skiing, Niseko caters for all levels from beginner to expert. For those wishing to go that little bit further, hiking trails lead from the highest lifts to the summit. An extensive lift system covers the 64 courses and includes gondolas and covered chairlifts." (NisekoTourism.com)

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Photo Credit: niseko_guide

The Worlds Best Hiking - Pennine Way

Photo Credit: robinvanmourik

Pennine Way is a designated national hiking trail that runs 429 km (268 miles) through beautiful British mountains, moors and countryside. On its way from Edale in Derbyshire, England and north to the Scottish border, the trail winds along the low-rising Pennine hills through parts of the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland National Park. With well over 500 access points along the way, there are plenty of opportunities for day hikes. Hiking the whole trail usually takes somewhere between 16 and 19 days.

"The Pennine Way National Trail, 268 miles of chasing the Pennine Mountain tops along the rugged backbone of England, from the Peak District through the Yorkshire Dales and over Hadrian's Wall to the Cheviots. Amongst the finest upland walking in England." (Natural England)

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Activitravel.com is now live!

It is my pleasure to inform you that Activitravel.com is now live and open for all users!

Yes, I have decided to take my quest for the world's best activity travel destinations one huge step further. Activitravel.com is an activity travel guide and community where people from all over the world can rate, review and vote for their favorite activity travel destinations.

The Activitourist blog will continue as usual with regular postings about the hottest places for the coolest activities! We hope, however, that you will also join us at the new Activitravel community and have your say about your favorite activity travel hot-spots.

I hope to see you there!

Best Regards,
@Activitourist

The Worlds Best Theme Parks - Tokyo Disneyland

With close to 14 million guests each year, Tokyo Disneyland is among the most visited theme parks in the world. It is part of a massive Disney complex that also includes the marine park Tokyo DisneySea. In the "land" park, however, there are seven themed areas, each with their distinct style and flavor: Adventure Land, Critter Country, Fantasy Land, Tomorrow Land, Toon Town, Western Land and World Bazaar. In addition, the resort consists of a large number of hotels, shops and restaurants.

"Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are the two theme parks that make up Tokyo Disney Resort. Tokyo Disneyland opened in 1983 and was the first Disney theme park to be built outside the USA. The site covers 115 acres and received over 13 million visitors in 2007, with many now visiting from China, Hong Kong and South Korea. DisneySea opened in 2001." (JapanVisitor.com)

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Flickr photo credit: "Dream Lights" Disneyland Parade originally uploaded by gwaar