<strong>The running of the bulls (Spain): </strong>Every July, more than 1,000 runners participate in Pamplona's annual bull run -- when revelers try to outrun the charging bulls through the streets in the city's old quarter.
The running of the bulls (Spain): Every July, more than 1,000 runners participate in Pamplona's annual bull run -- when revelers try to outrun the charging bulls through the streets in the city's old quarter.
PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>The Iditarod sled dog race (USA): </strong>The great race across Alaska lasts for at least eight days, covers more than 1,000 miles and takes place in temperatures as low as -50C (-58F).
The Iditarod sled dog race (USA): The great race across Alaska lasts for at least eight days, covers more than 1,000 miles and takes place in temperatures as low as -50C (-58F).
JIM WATSON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Chernobyl (Ukraine): </strong>The<strong> </strong>Chernobyl nuclear power plant, as well as its nearby ghost city Pripyat, has become an unexpected tourist attraction more than three decades after the 1986 nuclear disaster.
Chernobyl (Ukraine): The Chernobyl nuclear power plant, as well as its nearby ghost city Pripyat, has become an unexpected tourist attraction more than three decades after the 1986 nuclear disaster.
SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>The Door to Hell (Turkmenistan): </strong>More than four decades after scientists mistakenly drilled a sinkhole and set the gas cavern on fire, the Darvaza Crater is still burning.
The Door to Hell (Turkmenistan): More than four decades after scientists mistakenly drilled a sinkhole and set the gas cavern on fire, the Darvaza Crater is still burning.
IGOR SASIN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Teahupo'o (Tahiti): </strong>Riding the waves at Teahupo'o -- aka the world's heaviest and deadliest surf spot -- can either be the most memorable surf in your life or the most horrific wipeout.
Teahupo'o (Tahiti): Riding the waves at Teahupo'o -- aka the world's heaviest and deadliest surf spot -- can either be the most memorable surf in your life or the most horrific wipeout.
GREGORY BOISSY/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Death Valley (USA): </strong>Visiting Death Valley National Park in California is unlike any walk in any other park. Death Valley holds the record as the hottest place on Earth.
Death Valley (USA): Visiting Death Valley National Park in California is unlike any walk in any other park. Death Valley holds the record as the hottest place on Earth.
RHONA WISE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Oymyakon (Russia): </strong>This Siberian destination is the coldest community on Earth, with 500 hardy residents. It averages -50 C (-58 F) in winter and has reached -67.8 C (-90 F).
Oymyakon (Russia): This Siberian destination is the coldest community on Earth, with 500 hardy residents. It averages -50 C (-58 F) in winter and has reached -67.8 C (-90 F).
Maarten Takens/Creative Commons/Flickr
<strong>The Inga rapids on the Congo River (Democratic Republic of Congo): </strong>A white-water kayaking team led by Steve Fisher attempted to brave the rapids -- on an expedition called <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fingaproject.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">the Grand Inga Project </a>-- in 2011. Fisher was named one of National Geographic's Adventurers of the Year for the attempt.
The Inga rapids on the Congo River (Democratic Republic of Congo): A white-water kayaking team led by Steve Fisher attempted to brave the rapids -- on an expedition called the Grand Inga Project -- in 2011. Fisher was named one of National Geographic's Adventurers of the Year for the attempt.
Greg von Doersten/Red Bull Content Pool
<strong>Mawsynram (India):</strong> Averaging 467 inches of rain annually -- compared to 34.1 inches in "rainy" Seattle -- Mawsynram village in the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya is the wettest place on Earth.
Mawsynram (India): Averaging 467 inches of rain annually -- compared to 34.1 inches in "rainy" Seattle -- Mawsynram village in the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya is the wettest place on Earth.
AFP/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Chevé Cave (Mexico): </strong>One of the deepest caves on Earth, exploration of Chevé Cave is still ongoing three decades after it was first discovered.<strong> </strong>
Chevé Cave (Mexico): One of the deepest caves on Earth, exploration of Chevé Cave is still ongoing three decades after it was first discovered.
Rob Stone/USDCT
<strong>Formula Rossa roller coaster (Abu Dhabi):</strong> Traveling from 0 to 149.1 mph (240km/h) in 4.9 seconds, the Formula Rossa, at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, is the world's fastest roller coaster.
Formula Rossa roller coaster (Abu Dhabi): Traveling from 0 to 149.1 mph (240km/h) in 4.9 seconds, the Formula Rossa, at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, is the world's fastest roller coaster.
Jumana El-Heloueh/reuters/Landov
<strong>Cheese-rolling at Coopers Hill in Gloucestershire (England): </strong>Where tumbling down a very steep and rugged hill after a spinning, rolling, bouncing Double Gloucester cheese is serious business.
Cheese-rolling at Coopers Hill in Gloucestershire (England): Where tumbling down a very steep and rugged hill after a spinning, rolling, bouncing Double Gloucester cheese is serious business.
JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Al Marmoom camel-racing (Dubai): </strong>Camel-racing is an essential experience in the Middle East, and the most unforgettable race features robot jockeys riding the camels. The robots, when activated by remote control, whip their mounts to make them go faster.
Al Marmoom camel-racing (Dubai): Camel-racing is an essential experience in the Middle East, and the most unforgettable race features robot jockeys riding the camels. The robots, when activated by remote control, whip their mounts to make them go faster.
Francois Nel/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>The Superclásico (Argentina):</strong> A game between Argentina's football rivals Boca Juniors and River Plate is both thrilling and unnerving -- fans have been known to pepper-spray players.
The Superclásico (Argentina): A game between Argentina's football rivals Boca Juniors and River Plate is both thrilling and unnerving -- fans have been known to pepper-spray players.
MAXI FAILLA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>The Contra (Verzasca) dam 007 bungee jump (Switzerland): </strong>Dubbed the 007 jump, the Contra dam is where you will have the opportunity to plummet 220 meters (over 720 feet) in Ticino, much like Mr. Bond did in "GoldenEye."
The Contra (Verzasca) dam 007 bungee jump (Switzerland): Dubbed the 007 jump, the Contra dam is where you will have the opportunity to plummet 220 meters (over 720 feet) in Ticino, much like Mr. Bond did in "GoldenEye."
courtesy Trekking Team/007 Jump
<strong>Rio de Janeiro hang gliding (Brazil): </strong>Seeing aerial views of the city from a drone camera is so mainstream, especially when you can hang glide over it.
Rio de Janeiro hang gliding (Brazil): Seeing aerial views of the city from a drone camera is so mainstream, especially when you can hang glide over it.
YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>The King's Cup elephant polo (Thailand):</strong> While this sport is not without controversy, it does at least provide a novel antidote to the horse version.
The King's Cup elephant polo (Thailand): While this sport is not without controversy, it does at least provide a novel antidote to the horse version.
LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Great white shark diving in Gansbaai (South Africa):</strong> For those who fantasize about being in the cast of "Jaws."
Great white shark diving in Gansbaai (South Africa): For those who fantasize about being in the cast of "Jaws."
GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images