Alpinist climbing the Verdon Gorge, France -- Keith Ladzinski/Corbis

Alpinist climbing the Verdon Gorge, France -- Keith Ladzinski/Corbis

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• The ultimate extreme when it comes to climbing is when you tackle the face with no ropes or harnesses.""Watch the terrifying activity of free solo climbing
• This beautiful, 25km gorge is at its most spectacular when the Verdun River cuts through the ravine 700m below.""Gorge yourself on more amazing pictures
• Whether you\ve climbed mountains or made it little higher than a climbing frame, you\re sure to find a place for you here.""There are 1,500 different climbing routes to tackle
• What do you suppose adrenaline junkies do when they get to the top of this imposing cliff face?""Take the fastest (and scariest) way down of course

Beaver Falls in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA -- Ron Watts /Photolibrary

Beaver Falls in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA -- Ron Watts /Photolibrary

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• The distinctive colour of this creek is associated with the native Americans who have long lived in this area.""Meet the “blue water people”
• This area of the American southwest is a photographer\s paradise.""See more pictures of this ‘Grand\ place
• Only those brave enough to take the six-mile hike, traverse the waist-deep river crossings and rappel over the edges with a rope get to see this.""Fortunately for the rest of us they took a video camera
• In the heat of August, these falls make a mighty appealing sight in a canyon where temperatures average above 35°C.""If you\re still tempted, hot-foot it over here

Lodge above the clouds at Thare Pati at sunset along the Helambu trekking circuit, Nepal -- White Richardson/Aurora Photos

Lodge above the clouds at Thare Pati at sunset along the Helambu trekking circuit, Nepal -- White Richardson/Aurora Photos

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• This month the streets of this country will be filled with processions of people leading cows (or even boys dressed as cows).""What is the special occasion?
• The trek up here to spend the night above the clouds tops out at just over 3,500m.""Where is it?
• Gently fluttering all over this region are these beautiful multi-coloured prayer flags.""Get a closer look
• The year is 2068 and the world looks… well, exactly the same.""Why might you feel a bit of a time traveller if you visit this country?

Close up of a Damara Dik-Dik (Madoqua kirkii) from Etosha National Park, Namibia -- Shem Compion/Getty Images

Close up of a Damara Dik-Dik (Madoqua kirkii) from Etosha National Park, Namibia -- Shem Compion/Getty Images

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• This quick little cutie dines on grass, leaves, fruit and roots but requires no extra water in its diet.""It\s a real attribute here in the ‘place of dry water\
• You may think of antelopes being large but these adorable creatures reach a height of only 40cm.""See more pictures
• When fighting, these gentlemanly creatures will charge their opponent only to stop before colliding, turn around and try again until one gives up.""They also choose one partner for life
• We know what you\re thinking – big, doe-eyes, adorable ears and a love for prancing and frolicking…""Wonder if he\s related to this classic cartoon creature?

Street performers climbing statue for the Edinburgh Festival, Edinburgh, Scotland -- Will Salter/Lonely Planet Publications Ltd

Street performers climbing statue for the Edinburgh Festival, Edinburgh, Scotland -- Will Salter/Lonely Planet Publications Ltd

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• When uninvited guests turned up to the Edinburgh International Festival back in 1947, instead of being turfed away they were allowed to perform.""What has it become?
• From the sublime to the ridiculous, you\ll find all manner of silly sorts performing throughout the city over the next month.""See more pictures from the event
• One of the special features of this festival is that anyone, be they amateur or professional, can perform.""If you fancy a go, here are some top tips on being funny
• Comedy heavyweights such as Frank Skinner, Steve Coogan and Lee Evans are all winners of this festival\s prestigious comedy award.""Watch some festival highlights

Skyscrapers in Houston, Texas, USA -- Didier Dorval/Masterfile

Skyscrapers in Houston, Texas, USA -- Didier Dorval/Masterfile

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• The biggest cities in the US are New York, LA, Chicago and then this place.""Can you guess where it is?
• When the crew of Apollo 13 said the immortal, often misquoted, line “Houston, we\ve had a problem”, who were they talking to?""If they looked really, really hard they might have had this view
• It may seem hard to believe with all of these skyscrapers but this city has the most acres of parkland of all US cities.""Still, we like the pictures of the skyscrapers more
• Which girl from this city became the most successful pop star of the 2000s and one of the best selling of all time?""She began her career in music at only eight years old

Trunk Bay on St. John, US Virgin Islands -- Pacific Stock/SuperStock

Trunk Bay on St. John, US Virgin Islands -- Pacific Stock/SuperStock

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• If you‘re drawn to this heavenly strip, you\ll have to share it.""You\re looking at the most popular beach on the island
• Once famed for its sugar cane production, most of this island is now a national park.""It was opened 55 years ago today
• If you\re suffering from indecision, it might pay off to explore some nearby holiday spots.""There\s bound to be an island just right for anyone
• The US purchased this jewel and several of its island neighbours from Denmark in 1917 for $25 million.""That\s about $300 an acre for this paradise.