National Geographic reader photos

 The Crete Senese area of Tuscany is full of the enchanting colors of the sunrise. 

 

A big bright meteor fell toward Ayers Rock, Australia, when I was shooting the Centaurids meteor shower on Feb 7, 2012. And I caught this moment, so lucky!

 Every day Mother Nature permits us to see through her the wonders of the world. Being a fisherman, I always wake up early in morning to admire what Mother Nature does best: present us with magical sceneries. She always presents me a different portrait of our lakefront (lake Morehead, Outaouais region). With this picture, I was awarded first prize in a contest at La d écouverte du Qu ébec, 2011. I wish to promote what Mother Nature does best through a photographer and fisherman's perspective. 

 It was on Sunday morning at 5:30 p.m. in Mount Bromo, one of beautiful mountains in Indonesia. 

 Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Italy. 

A narrow but violent tornado crosses Interstate 40 in Oklahoma near the city of Shawnee about 150 yards from us. This is an HDR image composed of bracketed exposures shot in rapid succession. Shortly after this image we got in the car to put a safe distance between us and this tornado.

 

Until the animal is seen on the bright side, even if the world was dark around him.

Nepalese man claims to be world's shortest

He has never worked outside the home or seen a doctor, and until Feb. 22, he had never left his remote mountain village in western Nepal. So 72-year-old Chandra Bahadur Dangi only recently learned he might be the world's shortest man.

Chandra Bahadur Dangi, 72, who claims to be the world's shortest man standing at a height of 22 inches (56 centimeters), speaks to the media at Tribhuvan International Airport upon his arrival from Nepalgunj, in Kathmandu February 22, 2012. Dangi is scheduled to be verified for being the world's shortest man by the Guinness World Records on February 26. When certified by the Guinness World Records, Dangi will beat Junrey Balawing of Philippines, the current Guinness World Records holder who stands at a height of 23.5 inches (60 cm).

Where The 'One Percent' Live

The wealthiest Americans have been in the spotlight for reasons ranging from public outrage over lavish lifestyles during the recession to executive bonuses in the midst of the financial crisis. The Occupy Wall Street movement was perhaps the most visible culmination of these concerns, broadly protesting against the divide between the majority of the U.S. population and the ultra-rich, referred to by the protesters as the “one percent.”

The question arose: Who are the one percent, and where are they from? In fact, the composition of the group varies from business people, doctors, lawyers and financial professionals to celebrities, farmers and even government workers. But where do these high-earners live? Even that is a tricky question since many have multiple residences. However, Wealth-X, a global wealth intelligence firm, compiles data on ultra-high net worth (UHNW) individuals, including net worth, but also characteristics such as philanthropic interests, politics and affiliations. A UHNW individual is defined by Wealth-X as anyone with at least $30 million when accounting for a range of assets, including shares in companies, real estate, cash, art collections, private planes and other investable assets.

According to Wealth-X, the United States is home to 57,860 such individuals, and when this number is compared to the over 114 million households in the country today, this group would represent approximately 0.05 percent of the nation. Although still only a fraction of the one percent, it is one of the closest estimations of this income group and is a proxy for high net worth individuals under the $30 million mark. For individuals with a net worth above $1 million, this group accounts for about 5 percent of the population.

As it turns out, some cities are magnets for UHNW individuals, and the cities with the most of this wealthy class average approximately one in 3,075 people, according to Wealth-X, while the 27,540 UHNW individuals in the top 10 cities have a combined net worth of $3.6 trillion, or 6.2 percent of the total U.S. net worth. “Certain geographic clusters generate and attract wealth,” said Wealth-X co-founder David Friedman. “A concentration of UHNW individuals is certainly indicative of an area’s overall economic health.”

So, which U.S. cities have the most ultra-high net worth individuals?

1. New York

UHNW population: 7,270
Although it may be no surprise the nation’s most populous city is home to the most UHNW individuals, this segment is “vastly overrepresented in New York,” says Wealth-X. While about 13 percent of the UHNW population live in New York, only 6 percent of the country live in the area, demonstrating that the city is an attractive location for extremely wealthy people.

As an international center of finance, New York’s Wall Street attracts and produces high-net-worth individuals, and the city’s cost of living, which is the highest in the country, according to Mercer Consulting, tends to skew the population to the wealthy side of the spectrum. The wealthiest New Yorkers include Wall Street titan Carl Ichan, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, real estate mogul Donald Trump and members of the Tisch family, who are co-owners of the New York Giants.

2. Los Angeles

UHNW population: 4,350

The most populous city in California also boasts the West Coast’s largest population of UHNW individuals. Although Los Angeles is possibly best known for its entertainment industry, the city is also a shipping hub and is home to companies including Occidental Petroleum, Reliance Steel and Health Net, along with many other smaller firms. Billionaires associated with the Los Angeles area include media moguls David Geffen and Sumner Redstone, businessman Kirk Kerkorian and director Steven Spielberg.

3. San Francisco

UHNW population: 4,230

San Francisco has historically been a city where people can strike it rich. The California Gold Rush turned San Francisco into the financial center of the West in the 1800s, while nearby Silicon Valley continues to produce cutting-edge companies and mint new billionaires into the 21st century, often supported by San Francisco’s venture capitalists.

Among the largest companies in the San Francisco Bay Area are Hewlett-Packard, Wells Fargo, McKesson and Facebook. The Facebook IPO alone is likely to create approximately 900 millionaires and billionaires, but has already produced billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, who lives in Palo Alto. Also associated with the area are Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page as well as financier George Roberts, engineer Ray Dolby and Riley Bechtel of the privately held Bechtel Corp.

4. Chicago

UHNW population: 2,550
The third-most-populous city in the United States is the fourth-most-populous for UHNW individuals. Chicago is a major financial center and home to major financial and futures exchanges, including the Chicago Stock Exchange, the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Major companies in Chicago include the CME Group, Boeing, Groupon, MillerCoors, United Airlines and RR Donnelley. Some of the billionaires that call Chicago home are private-equity titan Sam Zell, media mogul Oprah Winfrey, former CEO of Wrigley William Wrigley Jr., and founder of Morningstar Joe Mansueto.

5. Washington

UHNW population: 2,300

The nation’s capital is also a magnet for high-net-worth individuals. Among Washington-area billionaires are David Rubenstein, co-founder of the Carlyle Group; Steven and Mitchell Rales of the Danaher Corp.; and Redskins owner Daniel Snyder. With approximately 5.6 million people living within the Washington metro area, which includes parts of Maryland and Virginia, one in every 2,435 residents is an UHNW individual, according to numbers provided by Wealth-X.

6. Houston

UHNW population: 2,250

With a well-established oil and gas industry and a level of annual production that is greater than the GDP of Austria ($384 billion versus $376 billion), it is no wonder  Houston has a large number of ultra-high net worth individuals. In the Houston metro area that means one in every 2,643 people is worth over $30 million.

Some of Houston’s richest people include Kinder Morgan CEO Richard Kinder, fund manager Fayez Sarofim and Houston Texans owner Robert McNair. The city is also the home to several major companies, including ConocoPhillips, Marathon Oil, Sysco and Halliburton.

7. Dallas

UHNW population: 1,855

With an UHNW population that nearly doubles that of Atlanta, Dallas is home to 1,855 individuals worth at least $30 million, according to Wealth-X. The Dallas area is home to major companies including AT&T, Dean Foods, Texas Instruments and Southwest Airlines. Some of the richest residents include billionaire and former presidential candidate H. Ross Perot, oil magnate Ray Lee Hunt and leveraged buyout billionaire Harold Simmons.

8. Atlanta

UHNW population: 960

In the Atlanta metro area, approximately one out of every 5,480 residents has a net worth of over $30 million, according to numbers from Wealth-X and the U.S. Census bureau. Several major organizations are headquartered in the city, including Coca-Cola, Turner Broadcasting, The Home Depot and Delta Airlines. The city is home to the world’s largest airline hub and functions as a major source of economic activity for the Southeast. Atlanta also hosted the 1996 Olympics, which created an economic boom  for the city.

Among the super-rich who call Atlanta home are Anne Cox Chambers of Cox Enterprises, S. Truett Cathy of Chick fil-A and Bernard Marcus, co-founder of The Home Depot.

9. Boston

UHNW population: 890

With 890 UHNW individuals living in Boston, 1.5 percent of the country’s UHNW population lives in the region, which is about on par with the metro area’s overall population, accounting for approximately 1.4 percent of the nation’s people.

Boston’s billionaire residents include Abigail Johnson and Edward C. Johnson of Fidelity, co-founders of Boston Scientific John Abele and Peter Nicholas, Jack Manning of Boston Capital and Arthur Demoulas of Demoulas Market Basket.

10. Seattle

UHNW population: 885

Seattle is the largest city in the Northwest and is 10th on the list of cities with the largest UHNW population, according to Wealth-X. Among some of the richest people in the Seattle area are Microsoft co-founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Starbucks founder Howard Schultz. Major companies in and around Seattle include a number of national names, from Amazon.com, Microsoft and Starbucks to Zumiez, Dendreon and Plum Creek Timber.

Mardi Gras is one of our favorite holidays-the perfect excuse for a sinfully rich meal before Lent begins. This New Orleans-inspired party menu pairs rich and spicy Chicken Etouffée with creamy Crab Maison, while a rum-based milk punch, French pecan pastries, and classic King Cake are the perfect sweet finish to this indulgent, celebratory meal.


MORE ABOUT THIS MENU:
1. Pair your meal with some local New Orleans beer such as Abita's Turbodog. For dessert, mix up a pitcher of creamy milk punch, or try out some of our other classic drinks from New Orleans.

2.Making roux is a nuanced but essential technique for good Creole cooking. For some pointers, check out this Q&A with New Orleans native John Besh.

3.While King Cake is the centerpiece of any Fat Tuesday feast, it's also good the next morning for breakfast with some creole coffee. 
RECIPE: CRAB MAISON
A popular appetizer at Galatoire's restaurant in New Orleans, this light and satisfying salad is a great lunch on Mardi Gras with crusty French bread. MAKES 4 SERVINGS 
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp. high quality olive oil
2 tsp. white wine vinegar
1 tsp. Creole or Dijon mustard
1 tsp. small capers, rinsed, drained, and finely chopped
1/2 tsp. finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/8 tsp. freshly ground white pepper
3 green onions, finely chopped
1 lb. jumbo lump crab meat
12 large leaves butter lettuce
4 slices tomato, halved 

INSTRUCTIONS
Whisk together mayonnaise, oil, vinegar, mustard, capers, parsley, salt, pepper, and scallions; add crabmeat and fold gently to combine. Place 3 leaves lettuce each on 4 salad plates. Divide crab mixture evenly among plates and garnish with two half slices tomato. 


RECIPE: Chicken & Andoullie Etouffée
Whisking the roux constantly is the key to evenly browning it for this hearty stew served over rice.
MAKES 8 SERVINGS 
INGREDIENTS 3/4 cup canola oil
3/4 cup flour
2 ribs celery, finely chopped
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped
2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp. freshly ground white pepper
1 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
3 cups chicken stock
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, cubed
2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1" pieces
1 lb. andouille sausage, halved lengthwise and cut crosswise into 1/2"-thick pieces
6 large scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced
Cooked white rice, for serving

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Heat oil in a 6-qt. Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it begins to smoke. Add flour, whisking constantly, and cook for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium and cook, whisking constantly, until roux is the color of milk chocolate, about 12-15 minutes. Add celery, onions, and peppers, and cook, stirring constantly, until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in salt, cayenne, black and white peppers, basil, and thyme, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add 2 cups chicken stock, and bring to a boil; cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, heat butter in a 12" skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, and cook, turning once, until lightly browned, 4-6 minutes; transfer chicken and butter to Dutch oven. Pour remaining chicken stock into skillet, stir to scrape up any browned bits, and then pour into Dutch oven along with andouille; cook, stirring occasionally, until thick and chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes more. Remove pan from heat, stir in scallions, and serve étouffée with rice. 
RECIPE: King Cake
This traditional cake, made here with a rich brioche dough and stuffed with a decadent cream cheese filling, is drizzled with a buttermilk glaze and sprinkled with crunchy green, gold, and purple sanding sugars. If you prefer to order rather than bake this Mardi Gras staple.
INGREDIENTS

For The Dough:
1 1/4-oz. package active dry yeast
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 tbsp. light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2 3/4 cups flour
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
8 tbsp. softened butter 
For the Filling:
1 lb. cream cheese
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 tbsp. maple syrup
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
Zest of 1/2 lemon

For the Icing:
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup buttermilk
Green, purple, and yellow sanding sugars 

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Make the dough: In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a hook, combine yeast, 1/2 tsp. of the sugar, and 1/4 cup water heated to 115°. Stir to combine and let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes. Add remaining sugar, milk, light brown sugar, vanilla, egg, and egg yolk. Beat on low speed until thoroughly combined, 1 minute. Turn mixer off and add flour and salt. Mix on medium speed until the dough just comes together. Turn mixer speed to high and knead dough for 4 minutes. Add the butter and continue kneading until dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, about 6 minutes. Remove bowl from mixer, cover with plastic wrap, and let sit until doubled in size, 1 1/2-2 hours.

2. Meanwhile, make the filling: Combine cream cheese, brown sugar, pecans, cinnamon, salt, and zest in a large bowl and beat on medium speed of a hand mixer until combined; set aside.

3. Punch down dough and turn it out onto a heavily floured surface. Using a floured rolling pin, roll the dough into a large circle, about 1/4"-thick. Cut a hole in the center of the circle and pull with your fingers to widen. Place dollops of filling evenly around circle halfway between outer edge and inner hole. Drape outside edges over filling and continue rolling outside inward until filling is covered, widening inner hole as needed, until dough covers the seam. Transfer rolled dough circle to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet; cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 1 hour. Heat oven to 350°. Uncover cake and bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Let cool completely.

4. Make the icing: Whisk together the sugar and buttermilk in a small bowl until smooth. Transfer king cake to a cutting board or serving platter; spread icing evenly over top of cake and sprinkle evenly with sanding sugars.

America's Most Outrageous Food Vehicles

Boston Lobster Feast CarBoston Lobster Feast Car:
Orlando's Boston Lobster Feast Car serves as an apt reminder of the classic Simpson's episode when Homer adopted Pinchy the lobster as a pet, accidentally boiled him in the bathtub, and ate him without sharing, because "he would have wanted it that way." Tough, but fair.

A collection of the most outlandish food-shaped automobiles in the nation
Who hasn't wanted to take a ride in the Weinermobile? Outfitting vehicles to look like something else has been one of America's favorite advertising tools since the '30s, and drivers and bystanders have been treated to cars that look like everything from animals to candy - even shoes. In fact, carrying on in the tradition of Oscar Mayer, there is a whole bevy of food-shaped vehicles that deserve their moment of glory.

10 Incredible New Adventures for 2012

Last year marked the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Machu Picchu and the first successful expedition to the South Pole. Why not resolve to make your own adventurous discoveries in 2012? There has rarely been a better time to do it. Around the globe, the word's top adventure travel outfitters are busy unveiling more new trips than you can shake a hiking stick at. And whether your particular brand of adventure involves walking, biking, kayaking, rafting, sailing, or just kicking back and discovering an emerging destination, these new trips will leave you feeling like a real explorer. Machu Picchu Family Adventure (REI Adventures)

When Hiram Bingham III discovered the Lost City of the Incas a century ago, he could never have imagined that Machu Picchu would someday become the world's most popular adventure destination. He might have had an even harder time imagining it as a family vacation spot—but thanks to a new trip offered for the first time in 2012 by REI Adventures, that's exactly what it's become.

This eight-day adventure leaves the grueling Inca Trail trek to hardier folk, but it doesn't skimp where it counts: on the cultural immersion. You'll raft alongside pre-Inca cities on the Urubamba River, haggle for treasures at one of the largest traditional markets in Peru, and prepare local cuisine in a Peruvian cooking class—all as a prelude for your two-day exploration of Machu Picchu and the mysterious Temple of the Moon.

Cost: $3,699 per person ($200 discount for kids eight to 17 years old; $4,075 for nonmembers)

Dates: March 31; June 30; July 14, 21; August 4, 11, 18; December 22

Cycle Southern IcelandCycle Southern Iceland (Adventure Center)

Home to fiery eruptions and chilly glaciers, Iceland is often called the Land of Fire and Ice. It could just as easily be called the Land of Thundering Waterfalls or Home of the Northern Lights. If ever a country was blessed with natural scenery, it's Iceland. This year, you can discover that barren beauty in a new and unexpected way: on a bike.

"Most competitors offer a mountain-bike trip," says Andy Trache of Adventure Center, the U.S. retailer of this cycling trip from U.K. outfitter Exodus. "Ours is a road one. We cover a much greater distance and see more of the highlights. Our trip is also suitable for a far wider audience." The route follows mainly country roads in this lightly populated landscape. Expect a few climbs and very little traffic. Trip costs for this eight-day package include seven nights' accommodations (with one night in a farmhouse and another in a mountain hut) and most meals.

Cost: $2,800 per person

Dates: June 23; July 7; August 11

Active Alaska EscapeActive Alaska Escape (G Adventures)

Geared toward the really adventurous, G Adventures' Active Alaska Escape is for those who want to "work hard by day and enjoy a soft landing at night," says Jeff Duford, the company's Innovation Manager. Hard work never felt so good. The six-day trip is jammed with everything from kayaking and rafting to hiking excursions to glaciers and ice fields. And at the end of the day, a comfortable hotel awaits.

"This adventure is part of our larger North American program consisting of 54 trips, all new for 2012," notes Duford. "We've heard the call from our travelers to offer more trips in our own backyard—our home continent—and we've listened." Included in the cost of the trip are national- and state-park fees; many meals; and the hiking, kayaking, and rafting excursions.

Cost: $1,999 per person


Best Of BurmaBest Of Burma (Intrepid Travel)

Ancient temples, alpine villages, and a mythical landscape—this is Burma (also known as Myanmar), one of Southeast Asia's hidden gems. What better way to experience this complex and quickly changing nation than with a 15-day adventure from Intrepid Travel, an outfitter known for its grassroots style, budget-friendly prices, and commitment to cultural exploration?

"We keep costs down by using local guides, locally owned accommodations, locally owned restaurants, and public transportation," says Intrepid's Kimberly Greiner. "The experience is really about the places." On this Best of Burma trip, those places include the temples of Bagan, a riverboat cruise to Mandalay, rarely visited mountain towns, and off-the-beaten-path day hikes.

Savings tip: Book by February 7 and enter promo code 6576 at time of checkout to save 15 percent off the price of this or any new Intrepid trip.

Cost: $2,430 per person (plus $300 for additional meals)

Dates: May 5, 19; June 16; July 21; August 18; September 22; October 20; November 3; December 1, 15, 29

Mostar BridgeBosnia-Herzegovina: Three Rivers Whitewater Rafting (O.A.R.S.)

More than "just" a rafting trip, O.A.R.S.' new nine-day Bosnia adventure focuses almost as much on the culture and landscape of this under-explored European nation as it does on its Class II and III rapids. You'll hike to waterfalls and through canyons, explore Sarajevo and Mostar and other vibrant cities, and enjoy fine Mediterranean cuisine. And, of course, you'll raft three scenic rivers—the Tara, the Vrbas, and the Neretva—highlighted by a trip through the "Grand Canyon of the Balkans."

"There aren't many people operating trips like this yet," says trip leader James Rodger. "We partner with locals who know the country and its history and can add a really personal touch. And of course I've been out here for a while as well. We're able to deliver a higher level of service than you usually find in an emerging tourism market."

Cost: $2,990 per person

Dates: August 12, 21

Sea of CortezSea Of Cortez Family Base Camp Kayak Trip (Sea Kayak Adventures)

This new six-day, family-oriented Baja base-camp trip from Sea Kayak Adventures has four built-in selling points: It's affordable, it's unique, it utilizes a central base camp, and it's fun for both parents and teens or preteens. What kid wouldn't enjoy kayaking alongside dolphins, sea lions, and endangered blue whales while exploring Mexico's Loreto Bay National Marine Park? Best yet, no kayaking experience is necessary.

"The demand this year was for shorter tours and a focus on activities at the camp location," says Nancy Mertz, co-owner of Sea Kayak Adventures. Keeping costs under control was another focus in 2012, which is why everything is built into the price of the trip: "We pick you up at the Loreto airport, take you to the hotel, [and] include the hotel on your first day in Loreto and the night just before you fly out, as well as the whole kayak tour—guides, gear, meals, instruction, nature walks and snorkel excursions, everything. Even dietary requests are catered to."

Cost: $995 per person for adults, $895 for kids as young as eight years old

Dates: March 20; April 8

The 'Real' CubaAdventures)The 'Real' Cuba (Austin-Lehman Adventures)

Austin-Lehman Adventures is one of a handful of American companies to receive permission to legally go to Cuba under the people-to-people license, and this nine-day trip takes full advantage of that opportunity. More cultural immersion than traditional "adventure," it's a great introduction for travelers who want to discover this exotic island in a five-star-hotel setting with both Cuban and Cuban-American guides. Highlights include visits to Matanzas (the" Venice of Cuba"); the provinces of Pinar del Rio and Finca Pinar San Luis; and Revolution Square.

"Cuba is an untapped market that fits well with our core goals of exotic and desirable destinations, easy access from the U.S., lots of activities, a distinct and colorful culture, and opportunities to immerse travelers in authentic Cuban life—including world-renowned music, cuisine, art, and dance," says Dan Austin, Director of Austin-Lehman Adventures.

Cost: $4,998 per person

Dates: February 11, 25; March 17; April 28; May 26; June 9

Zambia & Zimbabwe Walking and Canoe SafariZambia & Zimbabwe Walking and Canoe Safari (Mountain Travel Sobek)

Some safaris include nocturnal game drives. Others, canoeing or walking tours. Some take you to South Luangwa National Park or Zimbabwe's Mana Pools. A few even cap the trip with a visit to Victoria Falls. But only Mountain Travel Sobek's new nine-day Zambia & Zimbabwe Walking and Canoe Safari packs it all into one spectacular adventure of a lifetime.

The priciest adventure in our list, you get your money's worth and more with up-close opportunities to observe giraffes, lions, buffalo, exotic birds, hippos, and elephants—without the noisy game vehicles—during nine days of walking and canoeing.

Cost: $5,995 per person

Dates: May 10; June 14; July 12; August 12

Egypt: A Moment In HistoryEgypt: A Moment In History (Abercrombie & Kent)

If you've ever dreamed of visiting Egypt, now may be the time. The recent unrest has suppressed tourism and forced prices down, making this usually crowded and expensive destination a veritable bargain hot spot in 2012. Take advantage of the savings and experience the newly democratic Egypt with Abercrombie & Kent's new take on a classic itinerary. Local guides will introduce you to the pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and the treasures of Tutankhamun in Giza and nearby Cairo, then escort you on a four-night Nile River cruise accompanied by an Egyptologist.

Why this 11-day tour? "Our deep roots and long-established relationships make it possible to offer a degree of access and insight in Egypt no other operator can match," notes Jean Fawcett of Abercrombie & Kent. "Other companies sometimes claim that the independent offices they subcontract are their own, but we're the only one with on-site offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Sharm el Sheikh, Abu Simbel, and Alexandria."

Cost: $1,725 per person

Dates: June 14; July 12; August 30; October 25

Sail Greece: Santorini To Mykonos (Photo: Thinkstock/iStockphoto)Sail Greece: Santorini to Mykonos (Intrepid Travel)

So your budget for 2012 doesn't include buying a yacht? No problem. You can rent one—with its own captain and crew—for pennies on the dollar with Intrepid Travel's new eight-day Greek sailing adventure. Perfect for families, groups of friends, and even solo travelers, this small-ship sailing adventure mixes boat time with exploring and beach days.

You'll get up close and personal with the turquoise waters off Amorgos, the olive groves of Naxos, the winding stairs of Syros, and of course Santorini itself—believed by some to be the location of the legendary island of Atlantis. You won't be stuck with a fixed itinerary, either. "We offer small crewed boats and let you be in charge of the itinerary. If you want to stay a bit longer moored off one island, for example, you can do that," notes Intrepid's Kimberly Greiner.

Savings tip: Book by February 7 and enter promo code 6576 at time of checkout to save 15 percent off the price of this or any new Intrepid trip.

Cost: $1,395 per person (plus trip kitty of €50)

Dates: April 28; May 5, 12, 19, 26; June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; July 7, 14, 21, 28; August 4, 11, 18, 25; September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; October 6, 13

Honorable Mentions

For those who love cycling—or would if there weren't so many hills—Breakaway Adventures is introducing a six-night, inn-to-inn clockwise loop of the Netherlands originating in Amsterdam. Fairy-tale-esque, flowery, and most of all flat, this trip ($2,669 per person) is a perfect introduction (or re-introduction) to the joys of overseas cycling adventures.

AdventureWomen, which specializes in female-only trips for active women over 30, is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2012 with a host of new trips. One of the highlights is a nine-day Italian Dolomites hiking adventure ($3,895 per person). Day hikes range from moderate to high energy.

Inexpensive, scenic, and just right for a quick getaway, REI Adventures' three-day Adirondacks Snowshoeing trip ($420 per person for members, $465 for nonmembers) is the perfect way to embrace the Great Outdoors this winter. The proverbial cherry on top? You'll stay at a remote two-story log cabin overlooking the Ausable Valley.