10 SURREAL DESTINATIONS

Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park in Nagano, Japan (TripAdvisor)

TripAdvisor is out with their "10 of the most surreal places on earth" list. Sorry -- nothing from Florida qualified, even if we do produce some of the weirdest news in the country. But check out the list and you may find some additions to your own bucket list, like a trip to see Japan's snow monkeys. Brrr. I bet that water is c-c-c-cold. -- Gerry

AND THE WORLD'S BEST ISLAND IS ...

TripAdvisor is out with their Top 10 Islands in the World, 2015 Edition. The good news is you don't have to go that far to experience their number one rated island paradise. It's right in our Caribbean neighborhood: Providenciales, in the Turks and Caicos. It has the usual suspects: Miles of sugary white sand, turquoise waters, upscale resorts ... so what are we waiting for???

IN PRAISE OF INDOOR POOLS

The pool at the Le Parker Meridien  (Photo: Gerry)

There's a new list out on TripAdvisor for "The 10 most amazing indoor pools." While this pool didn't make the Top 10, the indoor pool atop the Le Parker Meridien Hotel in New York has a pretty amazing view of Central Park. We took a dip during a recent stay there and we give it our four-pineapple rating for the best way to relax after a full day of shopping and sightseeing in the Big Apple. -- Gerry

10 HIGH FASHION HOTELS

The Schlosshotel Im Grunewald in Berlin
Design by Karl Lagerfeld (Credit: TripAdvisor)

There is some element of danger in posting this list of "10 high fashion hotels" from TripAdvisor. Like keeping the post on the downlow so Pam doesn't get busy making us reservations! With designer names like Versace, Armani and Lagerfeld, I'm too timid to hit the "Check Prices" button. But I admit it's fun to imagine a stay at one of these. Enjoy -- but mum's the word, OK? -- Gerry

GREAT FOOD WITH A VIEW

Hotel La Darsena, Lake Como, Italy  (TripAdvisor)

TripAdvisor's list of "10 dazzling lakeside hotels" reminds us of the meal we had at a restaurant on the shores of Lake Geneva, in the New York Finger Lakes region while on a tour of its wonderful wineries. It was one those idyllic days in early spring. Great views, great wine, great company  -- who could ask for more? Happy Friday, all! -- Gerry

10 MOST UNIQUE BEACHES

Maho Beach (TripAdvisor)

What makes a beach unique? That's the topic in TripAdvisor's list of the The 10 Most Unique Beaches, as chosen by their readers. One beach that made the list is Maho Beach, on St. Maarten, one of our island favs by the way. Why? It's not the sand or the water -- it's the up close and personal view of jet planes arriving and leaving the island's airport. Personally, we'll opt for a quiet stretch of sand, a lounge chair and a umbrella-laden drink. Happy Friday, all! -- Gerry and Pam

10 SPECTACULAR CLIFFTOP HOTELS

Bali, Indonesia (TripAdvisor)

This list title from TripAdvisor says it all: "10 unbelievably spectacular clifftop hotels."

We admit they are all pretty awesome, although if you are afraid of heights, probably not the right venue for you. And even if you aren't, watch that first step.

Here's sending all well wishes for everyone to enjoy the Easter holiday weekend. -- Pam and Gerry

10 STUNNING OVERWATER BUNGALOWS

Maybe the closest thing to a cruise without actually boarding a ship is a stay in an overwater bungalow, such as this one -- the Four Season Resort in Bora Bora, courtesy of TripAdvisor and their "10 stunning overwater bungalows" list. We have to suppose room service arrives in a boat. Have a great weekend, all! -- Gerry and Pam

TRIPADVISOR NAMES TOP 25 HOTELS

TripAdvisor is out with their 2014 Travelers Choice Awards and the world's Top 25 hotels, based on millions of reader reviews. And number one on the list is the Hotel Grand Kronenhof in Switzerland. With a dramatic mountain setting, readers were impressed with its blend of old world charm and modern conveniences. Check and see if your hotel made the list. -- Gerry

TOP 10 FINE DINING RESTAURANTS

The UK's Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons -- no. 7 (TripAdvisor)

TripAdvisor readers have chosen their Top 10 fine dining restaurants worldwide, and it's no surprise the number one spot belongs to France. It's Maison Lameloise, located in Chagny. France also claimed number three with Le Cinq, in Paris. America did have have one entry -- Colicchio and Sons in New York. You can find the complete list here. Personally, we know of several cruise ship eateries that could easily make the list. Bon appetit! -- Gerry

10 NEW HOTELS YOU HAVE TO SEE

Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai  (Credit: TripAdvisor)

The latest list from Trip Advisor is "10 New Hotels You Must See." Sounds like a road trip to us. If you're planning to see them all, prepare to go from New York to Shanghai and London to Lithuania, and parts in-between. Not a bad gig, right? Probably the biggest surprise on the list is the 21c Museum Hotel in Bentonville, Arkansas. And you thought the city was only on the map for being the world headquarters of Walmart. -- Gerry

10 PLACES OF FANTASTIC COLOR

Isola di Burano (Credit: TripAdvisor)

This week's Top 10 list from TripAdvisor is "10 fantastically colorful places." As you might expect, the tulip fields of Holland occupy a prominent spot. Also on the list -- Isola di Burano, in Venice, Italy (one of our most favorite places, don't you know). One of the islands of Venice, it is known for its fine lace as well as its buildings of many colors. Guess what U.S. destination made the cut. (Hint: It's also known as Sin City.) -- Gerry

TOP 10 NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS

Devil's Pool, Victoria Falls (TripAdvisor)

TripAdvisor has their list of the top 10 "Natural Swimming Pools" as picked by the readers around the world. If you get the urge to swim with Nature, these are the places to do it. Personally, we like to do our swimming in the man-made, backyard-variety. But that's probably just us. Enjoy your weekend, all! -- Gerry

HERE'S '10 QUIRKY HOTELS'

Dog Park Bark Inn (Credit: TripAdvisor)

If your taste in hotels runs to the unique and unusual, TripAdvisor is ready to check you in. Browse this collection of "10 Quirky Hotels" and see if any of them are your cup of tea. A hotel in the shape of a giant dog -- really? Happy Friday, all! -- Gerry

10 BREATHTAKING BEACHES LISTED

Siesta Key, Florida (Credit: TripAdvisor)

TripAdvisor is out with their "10 Breathtaking Beaches" list. Like you, I can come up with several that weren't included. But two of the Top 10 happen to be right here in Florida, and one of those definitely deserves its spot -- Siesta Key. When they refer to "sand like sugar," believe it. It's the most granulated sand we've ever walked on. Makes us want to start packing up the towels and sunblock. Have a great weekend! -- Gerry

SITE LISTS TOP 10 SWIM-UP BARS

(Credit: TripAdvisor)

Regular readers in this space know TripAdvisor is our "go-to" site for just-about-anything Top 10. Their latest effort is -- "Top 10 Swim-Up Bars." A relaxing swim and a martini ... what a great idea. In fact, if you want to try adding one to your hacienda, we found a page with a few ideas to get you started. -- Gerry

TOP 10 UNIQUE BEACHES: YOU GUESSED IT

Talk about piling on. Remember on our Azamara cruise, when weather forced us to skip our scheduled stop at Virgin Gorda, and a trip to the fabled Baths? Now we have TripAdvisor out with their "Top 10 Wonderfully Unique Beaches." And guess what number one is? You got it -- The Baths at Virgin Gorda. Can't get a break, right? But I have to admit it does provide some new fodder for the old bucket list. -- Gerry

WHAT'S YOUR ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME TRIP?

What would get your vote as a "Once in a lifetime" trip? Maybe an around-the-world cruise? Or a trip into space aboard one of those new private rocket ships? TripAdvisor has their own "10 once-in-a-lifetime trips." They range from a Bora Bora bungalow to the Incan ruins at Machu Picchu to a trip aboard the Trans-Siberian Railway (wasn't there a music group by that name?). What would get your vote for a once-in-a-lifetime trip? -- Gerry

TOP 10 DESIGNER HOTELS

The latest "Top 10" from TripAdvisor is all about hotels. Specifically, "extraordinarily designed hotels." Among the ones that made the list: The Venetian in Las Vegas, 40 Winks in London, Berlin's modernistic nHow and the more traditional Saint James Paris in France. Another U.S. hotel that made the list is the The Roxbury (no, not the night club in LA) in the Catskills. Have you stayed in a hotel that would rate extraordinary? -- Gerry

BATH B&B SCORES NUMBER TWO ON LIST

Bath scores the number 2 B&B (Credit: TripAdvisor)

Readers of this blog know about our special contributors from the UK -- Brian and Mo. They make their home in Bath, a city of some 84,000 people located almost 100 miles west of London, famed as the site of Roman baths in the First Century. Now, also famous for scoring the number two Bed and Breakfast on TripAdvisor's Top 10 B&B list for the Athole Guest House, which garnered a load of rave reviews. We're going to see if Mo and Brian can give us a first-hand account direct from the scene. -- Gerry