10 Most Expensive Vacation Spots in the World

Think about the perfect luxurious vacation. If you had your choice, would you pick a pristine beach on a gorgeous island, the greenery of gently rolling hills and ancient wineries, or a destination known for its after-hours nightclubs? Maybe you would prefer to snorkel and dive in warm blue waters, or rub shoulders with the rich and famous. Fabulous vacation destinations await, but be warned. It helps to bring along an ample supply of cash.

1. Dazzling Anguilla

Anguilla is a tropical paradise in the Caribbean Sea with temperatures of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit all year around. To get there, hop a plane from neighboring St. Martin or Puerto Rico directly into the Anguilla airport.  Anguilla is known for its elaborate high end hotels, and this miniature island features over 30 spectacular beaches with offshore cays, perfect for snorkeling. After a day of deep sea fishing and water sports, try the delectable international and local Caribbean cuisine at one of the island’s restaurants. Do not miss the rum punch at Uncle Ernie’s Shoal Bay beach bar.

2. Ancient Tuscany

The storied Tuscany region in Italy is a land of sunflowers, olive trees and ancient vineyards. Wine lovers will love exploring towns with familiar names like Siena, Lucca and Montepulciano. Make your way past small towns set on the Tuscan hilltops and stop to explore stone houses set on ancient cobblestone streets. Do some sightseeing in San Gimignano, the bell tower town, and continue on to Florence for world-class art and history. Visit Michelangelo’s David, and do some shopping for Italian jewelry, handbags and leather jackets along the Ponte Vecchio, the famed medieval stone arch bridge that crosses the Arno River.

3. Electrifying St. Maarten

St. Maarten is an island that has it all, from sun-drenched beaches to water sports, gourmet restaurants and an electrifying night life. It is no wonder that the island draws so many tourists year after year. The island has a split personality, with one side dominated by Dutch culture and the other side French. The Dutch side offers more action, with casinos, night clubs and the excitement of Phillipsburg. The French side is more elegant and laid back, with renowned restaurants in the tiny towns of Grand Case and Marigot. Enjoy eco adventures like scuba diving and zip lining, and of course, duty free shopping.

4. The Invigorating French Alps

If you love skiing, the French Alps is the ultimate skiing experience. Mont Blanc is the highest mountain peak in the region, soaring over 15,000 feet. Well-heeled visitors enjoy skiing and snowboarding in winter and white water rafting and bungee jumping in the summertime. The Alps were carved by glaciers and crystalline lakes surround Alpine towns. Chamonix, located at the base of Mont Blanc, is the best known city in the French Alps. If you go, visit one of the largest glaciers in Europe, Mer de Glace.

5. Sun-Drenched Andalusia

To get the flavor of the Andalusia region of Spain, admire the awesome sight of the iconic Rock of Gibraltar. Admire mega yachts at Puerto Banus and if you are in the mood for shopping, join the affluent visitors and sample shops with world-class names including Bulgari, Versace and Christian Dior. When it is time for some serious fun, drive down to the famous town of Marbella situated on the Costa del Sol, long known as the playground of the rich and famous. Try the hot spots along the Golden Mile with live music and a sophisticated ambiance.

6. Natural St. John

The United States Virgin Island of St. John is situated only four miles to the east of better known St. Thomas, but the two islands could not be more different. While St. Thomas is filled with action, minimally developed St. John is prized for its pristine beaches and draws an upscale crowd of vacationers. St. John bears the influence of Laurance Rockefeller, who donated more than half the land on the island as protected parkland. The magazine Conde Nast Traveler named Trunk Bay Beach as one of the ten best beaches in the entire world.

7. The Unparalleled French Riviera

Valued as one of the best travel destinations, the unparalleled French Riviera has it all, from scenic beauty to boutique shopping and an exhilarating night life that draws affluent visitors and celebrities from all over the world. This is a region of sleek mega yachts, beautiful beaches and coastal towns. Cannes, known as the home of the International Film Festival, along with San Tropez, Cap d’Antibes and Villefranche-sur-Mer are home to resident billionaires.

8. The Intriguing Out Islands of the Bahamas

If you appreciate the mystery of exotic marvels, the Out Islands of the Bahamas are the place to go. Discover why Ernest Hemingway was drawn to the area and why James Bond movies where filmed there. Visit mystifying blue holes, part of an underwater cave system hundreds of years in the making. If you are an experienced diver, you may want to try the incredible 6,000-mile drop dubbed the Tongue of the Ocean. Then explore the so-called Bimini Road that some say is the highway leading to the lost city of Atlantis.

9. Scenic Provence

For a relaxing vacation filled with delicious food and wine, scenic views and historical towns, plan a trip to Provence in France. Walk in the footsteps of artists like Vincent Van Gogh who were attracted there for the extraordinary luminous quality of the light. Enjoy days filled with views of hilltop villages perched against the mountains and relish the fragrant aroma of lavender that permeates the region. Stop for a meal prepared with fresh local ingredients, order a bottle of Chateau Neuf du Pape and explore Avignon and the Roman town of Arles.

10. Active St. Thomas

For an active vacation, spend some time on bustling St. Thomas. Enjoy dinner at a pirate’s castle, play a round of golf at a Tom Fazio golf course and snorkel right off the beach. Explore the town of Charlotte Amalie, where the harbor was once a haven for pirates and now features cruise ships and private mega yachts. See the island from the Skyride and enjoy a Bird Show when you reach the top of Flagg Hill. Top off the day with dinner in the clouds as you watch the setting sun.

Top 10 Most Toxic Places In The World 2014

Over the last 100 years or so, humanity has made astounding technological advances at an overwhelming pace. These advances in science and technology may have made our lives easier and more exciting, but the trail of waste we have left (and still continue to leave) behind is simply horrendous. Pollutants of all kinds – chemical, nuclear, basic garbage, electronic waste – have seriously ruined our environment. Many locations have been so drastically impacted that living in them is a near impossibility. Chernobyl, Ukraine is a great example, the town witnessed the worst nuclear power plant accident in human history and since then has been an uninhabitable ghost town.

Although this list doesn’t feature any locations in the United States, they do exist. There are a number of sites that have been declared extremely toxic such as Love Canal, New York, Tar Creek, Oklahoma, and Gowanus Canal, New York. A recent case for alarm is a practice called Hydraulic Fracturing, or Fracking, which is a perfect example of modern day methods that have been linked to pollution of water and air. Mountaintop Removal is another controversial practice that is known to tarnish local water and wildlife.

Along with the ten places mentioned in the video, here are other toxic places in the world that deserve an (dis)honorable mention.

Linfen, China: Los Angeles smog would be considered a ‘good day’ compared to the air pollution in Linfen and it’s considered the “most polluted city in the world.” The reason behind the pollution is credited to industrial manufacturing and automobile pollution. The air here is apparently so bad that leaving your clothes out to air dry can turn them black!

The Great Pacific Garage Patch: Mainly consisting of plastic waste, an island over two times the size of Texas and over thirty feet deep floats in the Pacific Ocean.

Rondonia, Brazil: This is the most deforested region of the Amazon Rainforest. Trees in thousands upon thousands of acres of area have been slashed and burned down. The once green area has now been replaced with cattle.

Yamuna River: Although serious attempts have been made by the government to clean it up, the Yamuna River in India continues to be tarnished by waste. The city of New Dehli alone contributes about 3,296 MLD of sewage per day. An amount too much for the underfunded treatment facilities to handle.

La Oroya, Peru: The lead smelter in this town, run by a North American company Doe Run, is responsible for the huge amounts of lead that has polluted the city. About all children living in the neighborhood have been tested and there has been lead found in their bloodstream, at very unacceptable levels.

Lake Karachay, Russia: The amount of radiation from nuclear waste dumping is so strong that a person can get a lethal dose within an hour of being in the area. Cancer is a huge issue amongst the workers in the nuclear facility. There are many cases of childbirth defects and leukemia in the surrounding area. There is also a concern regarding the spread of radioactivity in distant areas air and river water.

Space: Man has also left a huge trail of pollution in space; over 4 million pounds of space debris and various vacant spacecraft currently orbit the earth. This has raised huge concerns for potential accidents that can cause satellites and communication to fail.

10 Best places to live after Retirement in the US

We spend a majority of our life working to support ourselves and our loved ones. And while working hard and being able to provide for our families gives us a great sense of joy, getting to the part of life where we can just enjoy having every day to ourselves sounds phenomenal. Retirement is what we call this life altering event. A great way to start this stage of life is by finding a great new place to live – for many who felt stuck in a place due to the constraints of the employment, now is the time for change.

Everybody has a different idea of how they want their retirement to look and therefore picking the 10 best places in the US was not the easiest task. For the purpose of this article, we took several things into consideration before deciding the places to enjoy the golden years: climate, surrounding areas, living cost, average housing cost, recreational activity options, cultural diversity, and crime rates were taken into regard. We also tried to cover as many regions of the country as possible. From cities to suburbs to paradise, we have covered them all!

Bellingham, Washington

 Bellingham is a great destination for the active adults. The city is overwhelmingly scenic and caters pleasingly to those who enjoy doing outdoor activities and the air is exceptionally clean. With Western Washington University, and three other community colleges, the city is a college town, extremely culturally active and filled with amenities associated with an educationally active town. It has a thriving, safe and interesting downtown. Winters are cold but certainly beautiful this can be a plus if you enjoy skiing. Unfortunately, the city’s average house cost is $250,000+ and the cost of living is higher than nation’s average; but for those who can swing the lifestyle, do keep Bellingham in consideration.

Con: Although, the rate of violent crimes in Bellingham is quite below the national average, the numbers are slightly higher for property crimes and houses are slightly towards the expensive end.

Boise, Idaho

Statistically, Boise is below the nation’s average in both violent and property crimes. It is a pleasant experience for those that enjoy outdoor activity with a lot of outdoor activities to offer. The average cost of housing is slightly below the national average around $170,000 but the overall cost of living is slightly higher than the average. The weather is dry throughout the year and is temperate, so you don’t have to worry about extreme weather here. Being the state’s capitol, it also has all the required amenities and is pleasantly bustling.

Cons: Not as culturally blissful as large cities should be but recent attitude suggests that change is on the way.

Venice, Florida

Developed in 1925 by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Venice, Florida’s purpose was to create a community for the retired and therefore all your needs are catered to. In fact, Florida in general has been notorious for being inhabited by retirees but Venice is one of the most cost effective cities in the state. It has an average living and housing costs just a little under the rest of the state, especially compared with the extremely high property values in Fort Lauderdale and Napa. There is a beautiful beach in the vicinity and 31 municipal parks. It is not far too far from bigger cities, quite peaceful, and warm throughout the year. Also, the crime rates are impressively low.

Con: Prone to hurricanes.

Athens, Georgia

Although Georgia is predominantly a conservative state, the existence of The University of Georgia has helped by providing a substantial balance in cultural attitudes; plus it brings in all the life a place needs. The cost of living is below the national average and average houses are around $140,000. The weather is temperate. The crime rate is about the national average and has actually shown signs of improvement over the last few years.

Con: The downtown may seem overwhelming due to the heavy population of the city.

Bartlesville, Oklahoma

 With distinct 11 geographical regions, outdoor activities will never disappoint the residents of the “sooner state”. Bartlesville is a small town about 45 minutes away from Tulsa and offers a comfortable, quiet, and affordable living for retirees. The cost of living is below average and the average house costs about $120,000 with some of the lowest property taxes in the country. The weather is also fairly on the higher side during the winter. There are also two community colleges in the town and the crime rates for both violent and property crimes are way below the national average. Oklahoma is rich with Native American culture in general; it houses more Native American tribes than any other state – about 50 tribes.

Con: Nearest city is about an hour away.

Ithaca, New York

Those looking to enjoy a vibrant cultural atmosphere will enjoy living in Ithaca; it is home to two large universities – Cornell University and Ithaca College. The town also features various gorges and waterfalls and plenty of natural walkable areas. This town is serves great example for an intellectually liberal community. The violent crime rates are extremely low and the property crime rates are also lower than the national average; an exceptional quality considering this is not a scenario for many college towns. The town features warm summers and cold winters, perfect for those looking for a change of season.

Con: The average house costs over $200,000 and the cost of living is on the higher end; however, this is still below the national average.

Claremont, California

California is no stranger to liberal lifestyles and excess, and those who live there, swear by its greatness. In fact, picking the right town from California was difficult with San Diego, Napa, Berkley, Santa Barbara, and many more to choose from. One of the best features of southern California is the fantastic warm weather throughout the year. Claremont Hills Wilderness Park and the nearby San Gabriel Mountains also make outdoor recreational activities an option for Claremont residents. Claremont is just about 30 miles away from Los Angeles and home to 7 colleges; 5 undergraduate and 2 graduate colleges. The crime rate is significantly low on both violent and property crimes.

Con: If you are planning to move to this state after retirement, you better start saving up some solid cash. The average house in the state in general costs about $430,000 and is close to $580,000 in Claremont. The cost of living is also significantly higher.

Boulder, Colorado

 Boulder is a town for retirees who want to pursue a healthy lifestyle after retirement; the town markets itself as one of the most “green” and “healthiest”. With over 50 parks, over 50 golf courses within a 30 mile radius, and nestled right under the Rocky Mountains, you will never run out of fun outdoor activities. Along with an amazing outdoor environment, the town is also home to the University of Colorado. The town has a humid continental climate (meaning all four seasons and a great opportunity for skiing in the winter) and is known to have up to 300 days of sunshine each year. The crime rates for both violent and property crimes are also below the national average.

Con: Unlike most places in Colorado, Boulder is on the more expensive end. The average house costs well over $400,000 and the cost of living is also significantly high. Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, and Durango make for good alternatives.

The Woodlands, Texas

Due to the rising of Texas economy over recent years, Texas has become one of the best states to retire in with many great options like Austin, Rio Grande Valley area, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and many more. The Woodlands in Texas are often considered one of the best places to retire in Texas. There are many master-planned communities in the town that cater very well to the needs of the retirees and the amenities of a big city, like Houston, are just 45 minutes away. The crime rates of this suburban area are low and so is the cost of living. However, due to the recent increase in inhabitants and the quality of life, the prices of houses are on the higher end; the average is about $280,000.

Con: Not very culturally diverse

Kauai, Hawaii

For most, living in Hawaii may not be a reasonable option, but those that can splurge should definitely take it up as an option. For the sake of mentioning the obvious, living in Hawaii is living in paradise. Kauai serves as a good medium when it comes to amenities, cost of living, and recreational opportunities among all the Hawaiian Islands. Golfing, hiking, beaches, water sports, etc. will keep you busy. The crime rates are also well below the national average.

Con: As mentioned before, living in Hawaii is not a budget friendly option; the cost of living is high and the average house costs over $425,000. Being away from the mainland might be a turnoff for some.