In the words of our winning entry: Some destinations are made greater by virtue of the journey to them; some stand on their own. Without any surprise, we had hundreds of entries to share the world's greatest travel secret as the globe is an endless backyard to be explored, but our first and second place winners had something special to share. Below are their entries, take note and add these to your bucket list!

First Place- Winner of a Trip for Two to Morocco
Heaven on Earth | Italy's Amalfi Coast- Steve and Sheree Smith

This feels like the end of the world.

Some destinations are made greater by virtue of the journey to them; some stand on their own. The Amalfi Coast does both.

From Rome's crowded Termini station it is less than one and a half hours to gritty Naples via the ultra high-speed Frecciarossa. After arriving, an hour on the delightfully named Circumvesuviana will take you around the Bay of Naples, past ancient Pompey and Mount Vesuvius, and into Sorrento, where famous Capri lies just off the coast. From there, a bus around the backside of Sorrento's little peninsula delivers a clifftop throat-in-your chest drive to your destination.

Amalfi Tip 1: Travel light. Really light, if you're not renting a car. Positano is the most vertical town you'll ever visit. We stowed most of our gear in Rome and came with only a backpack each, and we were glad we did. Toting multiple heavy bags is a major undertaking here, and those we saw doing it had the only sad faces in the town.

And what a town it is. The Via Marconi splits off the main coast road and dives through a series of switchbacks from cliff top to shore before snaking back again to rejoin the road at the far side of the village. Scattered amid this is the town itself, pastel-hued and hugging the side of the mountain as it plunges into the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Rock, sky, sea, all combine for sensory overload as landscape completely overwhelms you. We've not seen all the beautiful places in the world by a longshot, but we've seen a few. Nothing else we've ever experienced produced the 'what I am seeing can't possibly real' sensation that remained until the moment we left.

Amalfi Tip 2: We agonized over which place to book for weeks, knowing that we were willing to pay a few euros extra to be sure we had a room with a view. We discovered that every room in Positano has a better view than pretty much any other room on earth and the differences are only a matter of degree. Generally, higher is better, but otherwise don't sweat it.

What should you do in Positano? Not much, hopefully. Stroll, wander, and just be, letting the explosive panorama soak in. You'll always be walking up or down, either along the slope of the road or on one of the innumerable sets of vertical steps. For the dedicated hiker there is the sentiero degli dei, or Footpath of Gods, north of the village which brings wild views even more spectacular than those in Positano itself. Keep an eye out for the ubiquitous lemon trees, and remind yourself that no trip to Amalfi is complete without sampling (and bringing back) some of the excellent limoncello.

In the other direction, take the 500 steps down to the little beach, Spiaggia Grande, which is the hub of Positano. From here, you can enjoy the scenery and grab a boat for a day trip to Capri, if so inclined. Look to your right into the sea and you will see the three Li Galli, islands traditionally identified as the home of the Sirens, strange creatures of Greek mythology whose beautiful singing lured sailors to their deaths on the rocks.

Amalfi Tip 3: From Spiaggia Grande, take the footpath to the left to the more secluded and laid back Fornillo beach.

Above the beach, consider a couple of keepsakes to bring home. Positano is famous for custom leather sandals, made to order on the spot. While you wait for them to be done, browse the galleries and see the multitude of attempts to capture the sublime beauty of this place. Always negotiate, and take your favorite back for an indelible memory.

Stop in at the Delikatessen Positano and get all you need for a picnic lunch. We lounged on our terrace enjoying a bottle of wine and a life-changing Caprese sandwich, feeling we'd never had a better meal. Linger over drinks in the garden at the Hotel Palazzo Murat, and try dinner at Lo Guarracino as night falls and the lights of the village sprinkle the cliffs.

Amalfi Tip 4: Travel during the shoulder season. We were there in September and were rewarded with lighter crowds, mild days, and perfect cool nights.

When your stay is over, take the ferry around the peninsula to Sorrento (or all the way to Naples), vow to return as soon as you can, and do your best not to compare everything else you ever see to Amalfi.


Second Place: $500 iExplore Travel Voucher
ASWAN BLUE - Phil Tarley

Aswan is a Nubian city in the south of Egypt, on the first cataract of the Nile. Here Agatha Christie wrote her murder story while she stayed in the Old Cataract Hotel. The O.C. is a stunning anachronism of colonial architecture that appears on the seared Nubian landscape like a mirage. It was built when Queen Victoria's realm extended out into Africa. It is the last vestige of the Raj. I come to the Old Cataract for cocktails at sunset. World class Martini's and British civility are served up with peanuts. The Cataract's bar teeters above the giant boulders, boulders so massive that they change the course of this giant river. Its a great place for day's end. The O.C. also has an English rose garden. The restaurant's great formal dining room is drop-dead other-worldly-magnificent. The food is first class, the music and decor is beautiful beyond words. But I can not afford to stay here as a guest.

I board down the Nile a piece in Aswan proper, near the docks. I fall into a daily pattern; up at four thirty in the morning; I dress and put my photo gear together. Then, for eight cents, I take an engine-powered ferry and cross the Nile. I sit knee to knee, the only white man in a boat filled with turbaned Nubian men; dressed in Galibeyas; garrulously Salaaming each other; waving with their walking sticks; friendly and quick-smiled. Aswan is the most African part of Egypt. It's heat only increases its exoticism.

As the sun rises I make my way through west bank villages shooting photos in the early morning light. The Nubian's paint their homes in rich mango's and deep dark blues. By nine o'clock, I go back to our air-conditioned hotel room and sleep for the rest of the day. Then, late in the afternoon, like the rest of Aswan, I too awaken. For it's only in the coolness of night that we can breathe here. The heat abates as we take our sunset diners on a Nile barge called the Aswan Moon. We eat grilled aubergine - eggplant - and tomato soup.

Tip #1 Adventure trekkers can book a two day sail down the Nile from Aswan to Luxor on a Fellluca, the same type boat the ancients adored. Nine passengers can sleep rough but sweet on the deck a for only $40 each, plus the food you bring.

Tip #2 This is a winter or spring destination, especially if you want to sail the Nile.

Tip #3 Aswan has a wonderful night time souk. Shop for authentic gold, silver and African craft works.

Tip #4 Aswan is a great jump off point to go south to Abu Simbal.

Tip #5 Save some money to drink and dine at the Old Cataract - you will feel like a royal.

Tip #6 There is a great overnight train from Cairo to Aswan - book a bed for $100.
 
Read more of the finalist's entries here.

Sustainable tourism is the act of limiting travel's harmful impacts on the environment and encouraging positive benefits to the community through job creation or service projects. With eco-consciousness being more of a buzz word than ever, creating a positive impact on the land encourages locals to want more and more visitors to explore their culture. By default, the travel industry is hard on the environment in terms of energy efficiency, recycling and water usage required for airlines and tours to operate.  Both industry businesses and individual travelers can do their part to help protect our world so everyone can appreciate it.

What is sustainable travel?

Sustainable travel means taking responsibility for your actions to any place you visit. Treating the land like it's your own backyard. This is a little different than ecotourism which is the travel to fragile and protected areas so as not to destroy a natural world wonder. The Galapagos is a prime example, as they only allow a small number of people on the island at a time to preserve unique and endangered species of flora and fauna once made famous by Darwin. Voluntoursim is another subset of this (also called volunteer travel or vacanteerism) which is a trip that involves some type of volunteer or charity work. Popular ones include language tutoring, area cleanups, wildlife conservation and foreign medical assistance.

There are numerous non-profit organizations dedicated to responsible travel. One, the Center for Responsible Travel uses policy-oriented research to improve the social and environmental impacts of travel and to brainstorm ways to alleviate poverty and biodiversity conservation.

How do I lessen my impact?

Be conscientious. Recycle whenever possible. Only work with tour operators who care about their environmental footprint and commit to sustainable development. Appreciate cultures and respect other customs. Basically do your part to be a global citizen, pay it forward.

Sustainable Destinations

China- Play with children and pandas in the historical city of Beijing. After the earthquake, 63 captive pandas in Wolong Nature Reserve have been cared for at the Ya'an Panda Breeding Center. You'll help feed and clean them and participate in behavioral research.

Costa Rica- Participate in a variety of service projects. Take part in a tree-planting project to offset CO2 emissions, work in the greenhouse or work with local families in the town on their farms.

Thailand- Some of the many exciting opportunities include mangrove restoration, teaching English or share your skills or hobbies with villagers.

One of this summer's biggest hotspots, Morocco is just a stone's throw away from Europe across the narrow straits of Gibraltar, but worlds away in terms of culture and experience. Brimming over with contrasts, color and mystery partially due to its geographical position at the crossroads where the East meets the West, Marrakech's dazzling mosaic of African, Arab and Berber cultures and dash of European influence is mystically alluring for tourists around the globe. The city has both modern quarters with broad boulevards lined by palm trees, and elegant and historic civic buildings, many from the early 1930s in the local Mauresque architectural style--a decorative blend of traditional Moroccan, French colonial, and Art Deco styles.

And you're in luck, iExplore is giving you the chance to win a trip for two to this dazzling hidden gem. Just enter your best travel secret, engage your community to vote and spread the word.

Morocco: Where to Go and What to Do

Rabat- Morocco's capital since 1912, this city of nearly 1.5 million residents is not as compelling to many travelers as other imperial cities, but it's a relaxing change of pace from much of Morocco. Visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, the largest religious monument in the world after Mecca. Another place of religious significance is the beautifully crafted, white-washed Mohamed V Mausoleum, the resting place of the late King Mohammed V and of his son, and guarded by the mounted Royal Household Guard. Morocco's best museum is also in the Rabat region, the Dar Belghazi Museum, which houses an impressive collection of jewelry, silk embroidery and artifacts dating back to the 10th century.

Fes- The oldest of Morocco's four "Imperial Cities," the medieval Fes El Bali, or "Old Fez" remains complete and is unspoiled. Famous for having the oldest university in the world Fes el Bali is also believed to be the biggest car-free urban area in the world. Visit the exotic Bou Inania Medersa for a prime example of Marinid architecture. The building serves as an educational institute and also as a religious mosque. The ancient Fes Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is an impressive labyrinth, medieval town and area of religious significance.   The Museum of Moroccan Arts, formerly the governor's palace is also located in Fez El Jdid, or "New Fez."

Marrakech- The European "Mexico," Marrakech offers adventure and cultural exploration. Trek the Sahara on camelback. The fabled Djemaa el Fna Square is crowded with acrobats, jugglers and snake charmers to shock and awe locals and tourists, alike and take the opportunity to bargain in the souks. Visit the 16th century Saadian Tombs to marvel in the fine detail of the woodwork and stucco.  Visit El Bahia Palace, built as a home for Ba Ahmed's official concubines and Ahmed Ibn Moussa, a massive undertaking that took almost 15 years to complete. Relax in the Majorelle Gardens, a lush secluded place of rare plants and birds, now owned by Yves St Laurent. Enjoy a morning Garden Tour by calèche, the famous traditional horse-drawn carriage roaming around the city.

 

We want your best travel secrets! Hidden travel gems are everywhere. From the off the beaten bike path that gives you the most breathtaking city vantage point to the flea market that uncovers the best vintage goods, secrets of the world's beauty are all around you. Whether it is a place close to your heart, a memory from childhood, or a spot discovered on accident, we all have these special locations we cherish.

Starting June 6, 2011 we will be accepting submissions for World's Best Travel Secrets Contest to win a trip for 2 to mystical Morocco ($8,000 value). Visitors can read amazing entries from around the globe and submit their vote for favorite travel tip.  On August 12, 2011, the 10 entries with the highest vote total will be selected as finalists. One entry per week will also be selected by one of the contest judges to receive a $100 Adventure Center travel voucher and a copy of Patricia Schultz's Award Winning, "1000 Places to See before You Die" book ($19.95 value). The 10 weekly winners will also move into the finals for a total of 20 finalists.

In honor of the contest and to get your wheels spinning here are some personal travel tips and secrets from our team at iExplore. Use the ideas to inspire you to get out and explore your own backyard or venture out into the world- you never know what you may find!

 

Family Fun: Skating in the Sky

by Lauren Monitz, Online Marketing Manager

It's no secret that Chicago in the winter is not for the faint of heart. While the snow and icy temps may scare some tepid adventurers, one of the coolest new attractions in the Windy City is Skating in the Sky, way up on the 94^th floor of the John Hancock Observatory. From January 1- March 31, a 900 square foot synthetic ice skating rink is built at more than 1,000 feet in the sky- the worlds first at that height. You can skate above The Magnificent Mile^® and overlook sky high views of the city's lakefront skyline and bustling Lake Shore Drive. And as if that wasn't cool enough (pun intended), Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks offer FREE skating lessons to children on Monday nights.  I have often wanted to borrow a child just for an excuse to learn from the hockey greats.

The Book Lover's Dream: Hay-on-Wye

by Amanda Miller, Contributing Blogger

As I have said and always will, studying abroad in England was the spark that ignited my love of travel. I was enthralled by the beauty of the English countryside and the simple charm and character of each town I visited. I was fortunate enough to travel my way across the country, but as a self-proclaimed bibliophile, I was most excited to visit the hidden gem of Hay-on-Wye. Located on the Welsh side of the Welsh/English Border in the County of Herefordshire, Wales, Hay-on-Wye is an absolute book lovers dream. The sleepy, picturesque town is home to almost 40 secondhand bookshops specializing in every genre imaginable and the books are more than affordable, with many shops offering paperbacks for a mere 30 pence. The biggest attraction in town is the Hay Castle, which was turned into an enormous secondhand bookstore in the 1960s by Oxford graduate Richard Booth, the self-proclaimed "King of Hay." I unfortunately missed the annual Guardian Hay Festival, which features authors and musicians, but it is supposedly one of the best festivals in the region and has featured both Vice President Al Gore and President Bill Clinton. Walking the book shop-lined streets in Hay-on-Wye made me feel like I was emerged in one of my favorite mid-century novels and the tour of the castle and its medieval walls was a highlight. I still cherish all of my memories of England, but Hay-on-Wye definitely holds a special place in my heart.

Midwest Gem: Circus World Museum

by Mary Brannen, Ad Operations Manager

Being from Wisconsin, I don't think of it as "off the beaten path", but anyone outside the state might not know about the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, WI. The Circus World Museum is located there because the Ringling Brothers used to live in Baraboo - when they weren't touring the country. As a kid, I was fascinated (and a bit scared) by the circus. But I was most awed by the beautiful, antique circus wagons - more than half of the circus wagons in the world are at this museum. Anyone who enjoyed Sara Gruen's "Water for Elephants" should definitely come here to see the real thing!

How to Avoid the Crowds: Travel Lemming Free

by Todd McClamroch, Executive VP e-Commerce, TUI Adventure Distribution North America

To travel by the Lemming Free mantra does not mean you need to pull out a machete and cut your own path through the jungle. In fact it can be as simple as walking by all the security lines in the airport to find one at the end that most people do not see and saving yourself some extra time.  In essence, it is not following the group but making your own decisions. If you have ever visited Paris for more than a few days you likely took a day trip out to the Palace of Versailles.  The morning my wife and I arrived, we were close to the last people off the train which gave us a great vantage point of the tourist migration out of the station where tourists one by one looked at the sign pointing the direction to the Palace, a short walk away. Every single one of them made the decision to follow the line drawn on the map.  When I looked at the map it was obvious there was a street running nearly parallel to the one selected for the tourist migration and we broke ranks and went that way alone. Our photos of that neighborhood were tourist-free and with the lack of crowds we arrived before the mass of tourists.