Tour de France 2008, Provence, France (Richard Semik / Alamy)

Tour de France 2008, Provence, France (Richard Semik / Alamy)

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• Some claim the physical exertions of this race are akin to climbing three Everests.""There\s little doubt it\s hard work - but what actually inspired the event?
• Reckon you\ve got what it takes to claim the yellow jersey in this epic race?""Perhaps it would be sensible to check out the route first?
• First staged in 1903, the Tour de France covers more than 3,600 kilometres and lasts three weeks.""Find out exactly where it starts today
• The finish line must feel like an impossibly long way for all the cyclists as they begin their journey.""Let\s save ourselves all the blood, sweat and tears

STS Lord Nelson photographed off the coast of Southampton as part of Bing Help Your Britain

STS Lord Nelson photographed off the coast of Southampton as part of Bing Help Your Britain

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• “Life should be about equality, sharing and celebrating our individual differences…”""Which charity made this bold declaration?
• Since they first set sail in 1978, this group has helped 17,000 disabled people take to the open seas.""Remarkably, this includes 5,000 wheelchair users
• This month, Help Your Britain is delighted to welcome the Jubilee Sailing Trust on board.""They are based in the oldest dry docks still in use globally - which famous port are they in?
• This organisation operates two customised boats - the STS Lord Nelson and SV Tenacious.""Shall we see what they look like at work?

Aerial view of turquoise waters and sandbars in Oahu, Hawaii, USA (@ Lynn Gail/Lonely Planet Images)

Aerial view of turquoise waters and sandbars in Oahu, Hawaii, USA (@ Lynn Gail/Lonely Planet Images)

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• There\s little doubt this is a heavenly image.""Shall we look at some more?
• The American show Lost is one of many TV hits to be filmed on this island.""Which cinematic captain was also here recently searching for the fountain of youth?
• Coastal beaches are constantly changing across this archipelago, but it\s been particularly dramatic on these shores.""What\s happening around here?
• You\re looking at the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands, home to the southernmost major American city.""Honolulu is the capital of which idyllic outpost?

Atlantic spotted dolphin pod swimming near the Azores, Atlantic Ocean (@ Wil Meinderts/Corbis)

Atlantic spotted dolphin pod swimming near the Azores, Atlantic Ocean (@ Wil Meinderts/Corbis)

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• Stenella frontalis are usually spotted in the Gulf Stream of the North Atlantic Ocean.""But you can find out all about them right here
• Surely we\ve all wondered what it would be like to swim with dolphins?""Now\s your chance!
• The archipelago near here consists of nine volcanic land masses.""Where can you do all this island-hopping?
• These dolphins are racing past a place unknown to Europeans until the 14th century.""It is located about 1,500km west of the Portuguese capital, Lisbon

Crab Nebula (@ STScI/NASA/Corbis)

Crab Nebula (@ STScI/NASA/Corbis)

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• Exploding into view is the Crab Nebula, an outer-space wonder also known as M1.""No British motorway ever looked this good
• You are looking at a supernova remnant and pulsar wind nebula in the constellation of Taurus.""Discovered by astronomer John Bevis in 1731, it was first recorded by Arab, Chinese and Japanese stargazers in 1054
• There\s a group of people who spend their whole life seeing stars.""Who are these space cadets?
• This is the result of the Uxariean race testing the Doomsday Weapon, which is capable of making stars go supernova.""Which famous doctor was told this by his arch enemy?

Ballboy's hand holding ball aloft, Wimbledon, England (@ Exactostock / SuperStock)

Ballboy's hand holding ball aloft, Wimbledon, England (@ Exactostock / SuperStock)

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• Queen Elizabeth II is the patron of this club, founded in 1868, while The Duke of Kent is President.""What time are they due on court today?
• This venue\s first annual tennis championship took place in 1922, an event “plagued by rain.”""Despite the weather, it really is an ace place to be
• Getting into this illustrious place is never easy - unless you\re selling strawberries or have Borg for a surname.""Perhaps there\s a secret entrance somewhere?
• A surfeit of super shots can be expected on courts around here over the next two weeks.""But will any of them match these momentous rallies?

Lowry pedestrian suspension footbridge at dusk, Salford Quays, Manchester, England (@ Tim Gartside / age fotostock)

Lowry pedestrian suspension footbridge at dusk, Salford Quays, Manchester, England (@ Tim Gartside / age fotostock)

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• The steps of this bridge lead to a theatre and gallery complex named in honour of a famous local artist.""Rarely have pictures of matchstick men become so memorable
• As British bridges go, this looks like a medal contender.""Fittingly, it will be rewarded with an Olympic delegation today
• This landmark is one of many in this city set to be lit up by a historic torch today.""What nearby sporting great is also receiving guests?
• Following the 1982 closure of the docks, enormous regeneration revitalised the local area around here.""Now home to MediaCityUK, which global broadcaster recently moved in?

Students with white hats and red noisemakers at a baseball game in Osaka, Japan (@ Arthur Meyerson/Aurora Photos)

Students with white hats and red noisemakers at a baseball game in Osaka, Japan (@ Arthur Meyerson/Aurora Photos)

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• Something exciting has captured the attention of these kids.""Do you think they saw their location on our map?
• Baseball players sometimes make their mark here before crossing the Pacific to join the Major Leagues.""This exceptional export has set a single-season record for hits
• There\s a nice symmetry to this cute and colourful scene.""You ain\t seen nothing yet!
• This place means \large hill\ or \large slope\ and is spelt locally 大阪.""What are we talking about?

Donkeys on the beach with Blackpool Tower in the background (@ Axiom Photographic Limited / SuperStock)

Donkeys on the beach with Blackpool Tower in the background (@ Axiom Photographic Limited / SuperStock)

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• There are more than 40 million donkeys in the world but not all are as happy as these guys.""Which is why it\s important they find sanctuary
• These cute animals are in danger of overshadowing one of the UK\s most famous attractions.""Shall we see what the place looks like when they\ve gone to sleep?
• Inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, this landmark was opened to the public on 14 May 1894.""But what\s stealing the attention around here today?
• This epic building is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers.""At 158 metres, it\s which city\s big selling point?

Floating Musical Fountain at Shanghai World Expo 2010, Shanghai, China (@ Yi Lu / Corbis)

Floating Musical Fountain at Shanghai World Expo 2010, Shanghai, China (@ Yi Lu / Corbis)

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• Spectacles like this helped attract 73 million to the banks of the Huangpu River for World Expo 2010.""They congregated in the capital city of which country?
• The organisation behind this floating musical fountain has built an international reputation.""Let\s see how it makes a splash wherever it goes
• The world\s longest shopping district can be found around the corner.""It stretches six kilometres and gets more than one million visitors a day
• This installation backed onto a river that is so polluted no fish survive within its waters.""Fancy a dip?

Sunrise during the summer solstice at Stonehenge, England (@ Alan Copson/Corbis)

Sunrise during the summer solstice at Stonehenge, England (@ Alan Copson/Corbis)

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• It looks like the axial tilt of this planet\s semi-axis is most inclined towards the star that it orbits.""Would you like that in English?
• An event as spectacular as this deserves a suitably spiritual storyteller.""Have you ever met a real druid?
• With the exception of today, people are banned from walking among these 80 stones.""You can pay homage from above anytime
• This prehistoric monument is thought to have been constructed between 3000 and 2000 BC.""It was built in several phases spanning more than 1,500 years

Boardwalk in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA (@ Thomas Kokta/Masterfile)

Boardwalk in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA (@ Thomas Kokta/Masterfile)

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• Any idea what\s about to spring into action?""Behold \Convolutus\, Latin for the morning glory flower
• The human history of this place is thought to begin at least 11,000 years ago.""You can see all 9,000 square kilometres of the staggering space here
• It\s not just the water that visitors need to keep a look out for in these parts.""Be wary of an animal who\s smarter than the average bear
• It\s no overstatement to say this destination has got the lot, including one of the world\s six known supervolcanos.""Where can you witness all this activity?

Amazon rainforest tree canopy, Brazil (@ Ocean/Corbis)

Amazon rainforest tree canopy, Brazil (@ Ocean/Corbis)

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• This is the largest tropical rainforest in the world - but also an endangered species.""Why did an area six times larger than Portugal disappear between 1991 and 2000?
• The biodiversity of plant and animal species within this region is unparalleled.""Bored of the city? Head here…
• This sprawling territory encompasses land belonging to nine nations.""But 60% of it is contained within which country?
• Remember the days spent knocking about in the park, sizing up a challenging looking tree?""Some never grow out of it

An adult male Asian paradise-flycatcher feeding a chick (@ mcb bank bhalwal/Getty Images)

An adult male Asian paradise-flycatcher feeding a chick (@ mcb bank bhalwal/Getty Images)

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• It looks like the early bird actually catches the fly.""Then he shares it with his chick
• It\s a special day so make sure your dad has a more appetising meal than this.""What\s the occasion?
• A human being who lives on a diet of creepy crawlies has an unfortunate habit called entomophage.""How do we explain what\s happening here?
• These long-tailed birds can be found flying around many Asian countries.""Who\s ready for a snack?

Tourists take boats as they visit an expanse of flowering cole fields near Xinghua city, east China's Jiangsu province (@ Wang Kaicheng/Xinhua Press/Corbis)

Tourists take boats as they visit an expanse of flowering cole fields near Xinghua city, east China's Jiangsu province (@ Wang Kaicheng/Xinhua Press/Corbis)

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• These boats are guiding a group of tourists through endless flowering fields of cole.""Would you put this stuff on the fire?
• You\ll find this idyllic setting in Jiangsu province, China\s most densely populated region.""It looks pretty peaceful from way up here
• What would be your weapon of choice to scare off evil spirits?""Locals around here reckon a dinky pair of shoes will do the job
• If these people keep on paddling, things are likely to get rather more hectic than this.""They\re not far from a capital city containing 23 million people

Aquarium in the Oceanografic Park of Valencia, Spain (@ Rudi Sebastian/plainpicture)

Aquarium in the Oceanografic Park of Valencia, Spain (@ Rudi Sebastian/plainpicture)

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• Welcome to the largest aquarium in Europe.""It is home to a staggering 45,000 fish across 500 different species
• You\ll find this underwater path in a city within a city.""Locals call their premier cultural space Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències
• Things look pretty tranquil around here - but have you seen what happens down the road every August?""People quite literally paint the town red
• The original Latin name of the city we\re in today was Valentia, meaning strength or valour.""Who\s brave enough to find out more?

Gentoo penguins in Gerlache Strait, Antarctica (@ Momatiuk–Eastcott/Corbis)

Gentoo penguins in Gerlache Strait, Antarctica (@ Momatiuk–Eastcott/Corbis)

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• The long-tailed Gentoo is the third-tallest penguin, after the Emperor and King.""It was first spotted in 1781, near the Falkland Islands
• Ever wondered how it would feel to be chased by a killer whale?""This penguin had a very lucky escape
• These birds live in what some claim is the world\s newest ocean.""Shall we try and get to the bottom of it?
• There\s little doubt these animals have huge comic value.""Even their criminal antics are hilarious

A long exposure night image from the Falkirk Wheel, Scotland (@ Philip Mack/Alamy)

A long exposure night image from the Falkirk Wheel, Scotland (@ Philip Mack/Alamy)

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• Behold a sleek, futuristic space station, soon to be launched from a top secret Scottish location.""Actually we made that up - what is this thing?
• The world\s media is camped out around here today, hoping to spot someone going for a jog.""Run with us on this one
• Unveiled in 2002 as a showpiece for the new millennium, this wheel was built to link two canals.""Shall we take a ride and see how it works?
• This area\s most famous son singlehandedly changed the way we view things forever.""He also shorted out Glasgow\s electrical supply trying to create diamonds by heating graphite

Spinning carnival rides at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson, Kansas, USA (@ Joel Sartore/Corbis)

Spinning carnival rides at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson, Kansas, USA (@ Joel Sartore/Corbis)

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• Welcome to Salt City, named after the mining industry that began here in 1887.""Let\s see what other information we can dig up
• One of history\s most powerful men is said to have been raised near here, in a place called Smallville.""How do you get there from Krypton?
• This technicolour ride looks a lot of fun and can be found in a US state synonymous with high jinks.""Which cinematic star was whisked away from here in a tornado?
• Come back in September and this place will be alive with thousands of people and animals.""They\re drawn by the largest annual event in this part of America

Aerial view of boats in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the coast of Capri, Italy (@ Glowimages/Getty Images)

Aerial view of boats in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the coast of Capri, Italy (@ Glowimages/Getty Images)

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• Can you believe there\s a dingy cave around the corner from here that beats even this lush landscape?""Word of warning - it\s likely to leave you feeling very blue
• We\re in a perfect spot to spy on the rich and famous moored on this cool coast.""But what do they look at from the water?
• The glitzy tourist destination here has played host to cultural figures from politics, art and literature over the years.""Mariah Carey has a villa - what does she see in the place?
• This island in the Gulf of Naples was once a part of mainland Italy.""Greek geographer Strabo believed it got the boot at some point

Rider on a theme-park water slide (@ Peter Essick/Aurora Photos)

Rider on a theme-park water slide (@ Peter Essick/Aurora Photos)

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• Does it look like this person\s lost his head?""Perhaps he rode every single one of these
• This is fun but where can you find the biggest collection of rides like these in the world?""A “watery road” that flows from Germany to America
• We\re picking up speed and ready to check out one of the longest water jumps in history.""But is it even real?
• The origins of the water slide are said to stretch back to the Balinese people in the 17th Century.""Guess what they used to make them from?

Ibiza island night view of Eivissa town and sea lights reflection (@ Tono Balaguer/easyFotostock)

Ibiza island night view of Eivissa town and sea lights reflection (@ Tono Balaguer/easyFotostock)

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• Worried about the costs involved in seeing one of these super sights happening for real?""You can watch it right here in 60 seconds
• Can you feel the cool water splashing at your feet in a moment of perfect bliss?""Probably not - here\s where to go to make it happen
• Every year, this stunning setting is host to thousands of music fans and a soundtrack that plays 24\/7.""Who\s ready to rock?
• In 654 BC, Phoenician settlers founded a port in this part of the Balearic Islands.""People have been living it up here ever since

Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kiev, Ukraine (@ SIME/eStock Photo)

Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kiev, Ukraine (@ SIME/eStock Photo)

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• In which country is this magnificent religious icon the sole Unesco World Heritage site?""It was part of the Soviet Union, until its 1991 dissolution
• On 1 July, this capital city will play host to European football\s biggest match.""The first game takes place today in Warsaw, Poland - get the lowdown here
• Don\t be surprised to see a queue of English footballers outside one of these over the next few weeks.""Do any of them have a prayer of coming up with magic like this?
• Saint Sophia Cathedral is one of the big attractions in a country currently overflowing with them.""It is the co-host of Euro 2012, which kicks off today

Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, New York, USA (@ Richard Cummins/Corbis)

Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, New York, USA (@ Richard Cummins/Corbis)

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• Stunning scenes are on the corner of every block around here.""Shall we take a big bite out of this delicious place?
• Founded in 1880, the singing company that appears here is part of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.""They have a big part to play in which city\s rich cultural heritage?
• In the late 1970s, the nightclub Studio 54 ensured the city featured today became synonymous with disco.""Which Natalie Portman film, set in this venue, saw her getting down to a very different sound?
• Think you\ve got the X Factor? Want to be The Voice of a generation?""If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere

The Palm Islands artificial archipelago in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (@ Jochem Wijnands/age fotostock)

The Palm Islands artificial archipelago in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (@ Jochem Wijnands/age fotostock)

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• How hard can it really be to build your own exclusive holiday destination like this one?""You\ll need one billion cubic metres of rock and sand
• In 1971, the city featured here became part of the United Arab Emirates.""That was five years after they, quite literally, struck gold
• You\re looking at “the most audacious engineering project the world has ever seen”.""But is such extreme luxury really worth such extreme risks?
• This artificial archipelago is said to be visible from space.""Imagine the fare - looking at it this way is much cheaper

Meerkats in Namibia (@ Gerard Lacz/age fotostock)

Meerkats in Namibia (@ Gerard Lacz/age fotostock)

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• Members of this sociable gang can often be seen hugging, cuddling and grooming each other.""How come they\re such a caring mob?
• What chance have you got of sneaking past the eagle-eyed vigil pictured here?""Quite a good one, actually - they like to sleep on the job
• Suricata suricatta is a small mammal belonging to the mongoose family.""Let\s see if we can stand up a few more facts
• Our inquisitive quartet are keeping watch in a country named after one of the oldest deserts on Earth.""Where will you find this ancient, arid landscape?