Some people travel around the world for most of their lives, hoping to find legendary treasures and fulfill all their lives’ dreams. But unlike what we see in movies, most treasure-hunters never find anything significant. Here are 5 of the world’s most sought-after treasures:

Montezuma’s…

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For many around the world, April is a time of renewal. A time to welcome spring and bid farewell to the icy wrath of winter. As such, April is also a month where many emerge from a deliberate period of exile to celebrate the spirit of rejuvenation inherent in the season.

Here are some of the best festivals in April around the world.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

A fixture on the annual New Orleans calendar since 1970, the Jazz & Heritage festival is one of the best celebrations of music and culture in the United States. Spread over two weekends in late April and early May on the Fair Grounds Race Course, the festival features a great line-up of music legends, jazz icons and new acts on the rise, in addition to crafts and superb food and beverage tents.

San Francisco International Beer Festival

Held in late April at historic Fort Mason, in the Marina District of San Francisco Bay, the International Beer Festival features a slew of craft and artisan beers, great food and special events. Best of all, admission fees go to charity and include unlimited suds and grub.

Tribeca Film Festival

The event that put Robert De Niro’s beloved neighborhood back on the map in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks is now a staple on the annual film festival circuit. The TriBeCa Film Festival, co-founded by the Raging Bull and Goodfellas star and producer Jane Rosenthal, is dedicated to the recovery of lower Manhattan and the independent film community, though some critics see it as just another vehicle for Hollywood.

Seville Spring Fair

Seville’s Spring Fair is one of the most popular in all of Europe and is held every year, two weeks after Easter Holy Week. From traditional parades, concerts and events at the Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballer?a, to non-stop tapas and Jerez sherry, the week-long celebration is authentically Andalusian.

Feria Nacional de San Marcos

Believe it or not, of Mexico’s myriad annual festivals, no other comes close to the Feria Nacional de San Marcos. With some visitor estimates to the central host state of Aguascalientes as high as 7 million people, the feria is massive by any scale. Typical events include bull and cock fights, livestock fairs, rodeos, concerts, casinos, traditional music and citizen awards. All in all, San Marcos is the premier celebration of Mexican culture.

Songkran, Thailand

The traditional Thai New Year, Songkran is the most important national holiday in Thailand and is held from April 13 to 15. The hottest time of the year, water fights and purification rituals often break out in the streets, from Bangkok to Phuket. Visits to wats, feasts and pageants also feature prominently.

Istanbul International Film Festival

The Istanbul International Film Festival was the first in Turkey and is by far the most important in the country. The non-profit annual event screens films at theatres all over Istanbul throughout April and promotes the development of Turkish cinema at home and abroad.

Edinburgh International Science Festival

A quirky annual event, the International Science Festival is quite at home in Edinburgh, where festivals of all stripes abound throughout the year. The eclectic festival features a host of fun and educational events and exhibits for the entire family.

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

The three-day arts and music festival held every year since 2001 at Empire Polo Fields in Indio, California is relatively new on the scene but has already made a major impact. In the confines of the Colorado Desert in southeast California, the festival has impressively drawn the likes of Portishead, Madonna, Rage Against the Machine, Massive Attack, Nine Inch Nails and Kraftwerk.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Though April in Australia signals autumn and not spring, with a line-up of over 1,700 performers and a schedule of almost 300 shows, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is a big deal. Second only in scale, scope and attendance to the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, the event kicks off every April 1 with a massive gala at Melbourne Town Hall.

Check out some of the best hotel deals in Melbourne.

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Whether you’re headed to Maui or Napa you can never underestimate the importance of proper packing. How you pack can set the tone for your trip. If you’ve ever arrived at your destination only to find your suitcase splattered with the remains of a shaving cream explosion, you know this to be true.

1. Make a list                                               
Make a checklist of every item you plan to take on your trip: clothing, shoes, toiletries, maps, guidebooks, reading material, and hotel and rental car information. Include even items you do not intend to pack. Murphy’s Law dictates that if you forget something, it will likely be an important item such as your plane ticket or housekeys. A good site to check out is http://www.onebag.com/ as it provides a packing checklist and tips.
2. Review your checklist to determine whether there are any items you can remove to lighten your load. Will you really need three pairs of shoes? And two coats? Consider the weather and what kinds of activities you will be doing.
3. Travel sized toiletries.  Buy travel-size containers for your toiletries, regardless of the length of your trip. Unless you will be in a remote location for weeks, you can always drop into a local shop to restock your supply of soap and toothpaste.
4.Start packing.  Begin packing your luggage, checking off each item on your list as you go.
5.Pack clothing using the time-honored “roll” technique. Lay two or three items on top of one another, smooth to flatten, and roll them up like you would a sleeping bag to save space and prevent wrinkles. For added wrinkle insurance, place a sheet of heavy tissue or packing paper between items of clothing before rolling.
6. Pack sweaters and underwear in reusable compression bags, which can create up to 75% more space in your luggage. (They lock in odors, so they also work for storing dirty laundry, but make sure they are dry.)
7. Enclose toiletry containers in airtight plastic bags to prevent contents from spilling into your suitcase in the event of a leak. Wrap socks or pajamas around breakable items to cushion them.
8. Plan to bring a snack on the plane in case you get very hungry. Bring a snack like a bag of peanuts or something. Pack it in your small suitcase.
9. On the other big suitcases pack a diary and a pen you can write in during your trip. When you come back you will want to see what you did in Big island.
10. Do not bring any cigarettes because the airport security guards won’t let you bring it on the airplane.
11. Then, inside the suitcase with the diary and pen pack a travel size game if you’re traveling with someone else.
12. Then put your cellphone in your pocket and bring a purse with you( if you’re a lady).

Source:  www.wikihow.com

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On the larger of the two islands of New Zealand (the South Islands), the highest mountain of the country rises – Mount Cook. Having 3,754 meters, Mount Cook is a top destination for all the nature lovers, especially for the climbers. The mountain is part of the alpine park, called after the…

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No one list has been established as countries from around the world disagree as to which seven of the thousands of incredible natural wonders around the globe should be included on the list. Not long ago, CNN created their own list and here are the sites they included:

7. Grand Canyon (United States)

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The Grand Canyon is located mainly in Arizona and was created over a 6 million year period as the Colorado River slowly etched it into existence. The canyon runs over 277 miles in length and can be anywhere from 4 to 18 miles wide depending on the area you are visiting.

Image credit: B Rosen

Most of the Grand Canyon can be viewed from points within Grand Canyon National Park, which is known for being one of the first national parks in the country. Over 5,000,000 people flock to the Grand Canyon each year, making it one of the most popular natural tourist sites on the planet.

6. Great Barrier Reef (Australia)

Image credit: Leonard Low

The Great Barrier Reef is, without a doubt, the single largest system of coral reef in existence today. The reef itself is found of the coast of Queensland in the Coral Sea and spans over 133,000 square miles.

Image credits: Leonard Low

The entire barrier reef system includes 900 islands and over 2,900 individualized reefs. Because the system was built by creatures known as coral polyps, the reef is also known for being the largest structure ever built by living organisms.

5. Harbor of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

Image credit: Bruno Girin

One look at the view of the harbor of Rio de Janeiro and you won’t have any question left in your mind as to why the harbor itself was named one of CNN’s Natural Wonders of the World. The city is not only home to a natural wonder, but is the home to the Christ the Redeemer statue, recently listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Image credit: thejourney1972

Unfortunately, despite its significant beauty and world recognition, Rio de Janeiro is quickly gaining a reputation for being one of the most violent cities on the planet. While most of the crime is contained in low-income neighborhoods, the low-income and high-income neighborhoods nearly touch each other, drawing a very fine line between the upper class and the slums.

4. Mount Everest (Nepal)

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The peak of Mount Everest stands at 29,029 feet above sea level, making it the highest summit on the planet. The breathtaking mountain is part of the Himalaya range, which runs across High Asia through China, Tibet, and Nepal.

Image credit: Rupert Taylor-Price

Mountain climbers of all levels of experience flock to Mount Everest annually. Most never make it to the summit, as the costs associated with such a trip are extraordinary. The mountain, while beautiful, is also deadly – having claimed the lives of over 200 climbers.

3. Aurora (North and South Pole)

Image credit: nick_russill

While many of us look towards the north when we think of an aurora, the phenomenon can occur at both the North and South poles and are also referred to as the northern or southern lights. The spectacular light displays are caused by significant shifts of magnetic energy within the ionosphere.

Image credit: nick_russill

The northern lights are usually visible from the islands surrounding Northern Canada, but have been reported as seen as far south as Maine. The southern lights have been spotted by those in southern Antarctica, Australasia, and parts of South America.

2. Paricutin Volcano (Mexico)

Image credit: YeahjaleaH

Paricutin is one of few natural wonders that actually makes an appearance on several different lists of Natural Wonders. The mound is a cinder cone volcano located on the Michoacin-Guanajuato Volcanic Field in Mexico.

Image credit: FerdelaT

On February 20^, 1943 a farmer and his family watched as a small fissure in their cornfield erupted into stones and ash as they worked. The first recorded eruption marked only the beginning for this massive volcano, which grew over 336 meters in one year alone.

1. Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe)

Image credit: Zest-pk

The massive waterfalls at Victoria Falls are located on the borders of Zambia and Zimbabwe. They are known not only for their large size, but for their unusual natural design as well.

Image credit: i_pinz

Rumor has it that the noise from the crashing falls is so loud it can only be viewed as peaceful. That’s a theory you’ll have to test for yourself.

Do you agree with the hot spots on this list? If not, keep your eyes on New7Wonders. They are responsible for creating the current list of Wonders of the World and are working on a new project known as New7Wonders of Nature. People from around the world will be able to cast a vote in a global poll. Make sure you cast your own vote!

In the hills of Wales, some extreme sheep herders gather tons of sheep, LED lights, and a camera for an amazing spectacle you have to see to believe!

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The wildlife abundance of the African continent and the astonishing natural wonders that it houses in its dark depths are delights that greet anyone and everyone who pays a trip to this amazing land. Despite human interference, indiscriminate hunting and colonial…

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