How to Pick The Best Vacation

INDIAN OCEAN - TROPICAL ISLANDS
With more than 1,100 perfect coral islands to choose from, the Maldives, in the Indian Ocean, make heaven accessible to all heathens.  Unfortunately, many of these atolls are only 3 feet above see level, and they're being consumed slowly by the rising sea.  They breed endangered turtles here and transplant corals.  For the clearest skies and waters, visit from December through April.

FLORIDA - EVERGLADES
Watch the glowing eyes of alligators from the cockpit of a kayak during a moonlit tour in Florida's Everglades.  This is the country's largest subtropical wilderness and is where American crocodiles and alligators love to play.  Its predicted within the next 25 years the West Indian manatees and Florida panthers will lose their habitat due to rising sea levels.  Its least humid during December and April, and if you're lucky you might spot a shooting star while gliding through the mangroves.

THE ARCTIC - POLAR ICE
Learn to appreciate ice in a totally different way.  You can take a week long dog sledding trip or hike across Greenland's polar ice cap, which has been melting by as much as 60 cubic miles per year.  You'll see icebergs being born as they break off from glaciers.  Go in March or April to catch the Northern Lights.

SOUTH AMERICA - RAIN FOREST
Want to experience the real thing?  The great Amazon rain forest is bursting with green parrots, spotted frogs, and squirrel monkeys.  However, its disappearing fast, especially in parts of Ecuador, where some farmers and big oil corporations are slashing the forest. Check out Ecuador and visit La Selva Lodge and hike the 15,000 sq acres.