In the spy capital of the world, it’s no surprise that the International Spy Museum is a hot ticket.  In downtown Washington DC, just steps from the FBI building, this one-of-a-kind tourist attraction has been educating the masses and instilling paranoia since it first opened in 2002.

This past weekend, between schmoozing and stage presentations at the Travel & Adventure show, I had a chance to check out The Spy Museum.

This unique museum traces the history of espionage – from Biblical times, through World War II, the Cold War, to modern day.  Dubbed “the world’s second oldest profession”, spying has quite the rap sheet.

Museum exhibits include: testimonials from former CIA agents, tips on disguises, surveillance and decoding classified information.  Displays are packed with authentic artifacts and cool spy gear. There’s even an Aston Martin – used in the 1964 James Bond thriller Goldfinger – fully loaded with an ejector seat, machine guns and tire-slashers.

I loved the spy gadgets.  There’s the lipstick tube that morphs into a pistol, the camera watch, the poison gas gun, even the radio transmitter disguised as dog poo.

Pace yourself when you stroll through the Spy Museum.  There’s a lot to see and just when you think you’ve reached the end of this huge and exhaustive collection, there’s another labyrinth of rooms filled with more stuff.

For those Bond wannabes who prefer sitting to strolling, Spy City Tours offers an alternative to the museum-going experience.  This coach tour, launched in September, is taking espionage to the streets.

Departing from Union Station, this two-hour Grayline tour claims to hit “Washington’s most notable espionage sites.”  If you only have a few days to visit, this tour kills two birds – seeing the city while learning about real life spies.  A training officer (a.k.a the tour guide) teaches the group about the risky spy missions that went down in DC.

Tourists can expect to see buildings where clandestine meetings unfolded; hear stories about men who betrayed their countries; try to decode their own secret (but very simple) message.

“Trust no one. Spies are among us,” warns the training officer.  “According to CIA video sources, undercover ops often use disguises and pose as average people.  Dog walkers, couriers or repairmen may actually be spies.”

With so much talk of covert missions and surveillance gadgets, it’s easy to feel paranoid.  Who’s watching?  Are pedestrians innocent bystanders or are they CIA agents?  The tour preaches that things aren’t always as they seem.

Though they may breed paranoia among conspiracy-theory junkies, both the Spy Museum and the new Spy City tours are worth the time.  They give us common-folk a peek into the secret world of spying, leaving us to question whether that cigar is really just a cigar.

Julia’s Tips:

- On weekends, the International Spy Museum is packed.  Go early to reserve tickets.  For more information on the museum and the new spy city tour visit www.spymuseum.org

Have you been to the Spy Museum? Any other must-see attractions in DC?  Comment below….

The terrible story of the kiteboarder, Stephen Schafer, who was tragically killed by a shark on Wednesday off the north coast of Florida, does nothing in the way of calming my fish fears.  It makes me never want to get in the water again.

I swear, I hear the Jaws “da na da na da na” theme song in all bodies of water, from oceans to bath tubs. That’s why it was particularly out of character for me to sign up for a great white shark cage-diving adventure off the coast of South Africa… and so can you.

This day activity (also offered in parts of California) allows swimmers to snorkel with sharks from the safety of a metal cage.  A boat trip takes you out to the middle of the ocean, dragging a trail of chum (a delicious stew of fish guts and blood) behind it.  The great whites catch the scent and are lured towards the curious swimmers bobbing inside a protective contraption.

Crazy? Yes, but if you’re looking for a deeper understanding of these deep-sea creatures, it’s an awe-inspiring way to spend an afternoon.

This would have been my ultimate of challenges had I not been violently seasick, choosing to vomit over the side of the boat repeatedly, rather than dip into the water with these mysterious and misunderstood creatures.  Psychosomatic? perhaps.

The practice of cage diving is a controversial one. Some say spreading chum creates a dangerous Pavlovian association between humans and food. Some companies even go so far as to touch the sharks (a huge no-no in the conservation scene), prompting them to open their toothy jaws for snap-happy tourists.

The company I went with did little to dispel the myths surrounding these predators.  They played-up the “manhunter” and “world’s most fearsome creature” stereotypes rather than focusing on the facts about this now endangered species.

Watch the indie-documentary Sharkwater and you’ll see that, typically, sharks have more to fear from us, than we do from them.

Attacks, like the one that took the life of renown water-sports enthusiast Schafer, are said to be uncommon.

With that in mind, if cage diving with great whites is still something you’d like to experience, check out one of the many companies that offer underwater tours (don’t forget to bring motion sickness pills):

http://www.greatwhiteadventures.com

http://www.white-shark-diving.com/

http://www.incredible-adventures.com/shark_encounter.html

http://www.sharkdiver.com

Be sure to ask about the operator’s wildlife policies, their commitment to shark education and don’t watch Jaws before you go.

Would you dare to go diving with great whites?  Leave me a comment below!

Martha of Martha’s Heli-Hikes

The best part about starting a new year is the chance to wipe the slate clean and achieve a fitter, slimmer, richer, smarter you.  If fitness, natural beauty and all-round relaxation are on your resolution “to-do list” for 2010, consider a trip to Canadian Rockies’ snow-capped mountains.  While they boast some of the world’s best skiing and wildlife viewing, this region is also home to an unusual tourist activity called heli-yoga, a practice that combines the meditative properties of yoga with a traditional helicopter sightseeing tour.

Just a short drive outside Banff National Park near Alberta’s Lake Louise, Icefield Helicopter Tours takes the conventional aerial experience one step further.  This helicopter tourism provider has partnered with Martha’s Heli-Hikes, an outdoor adventure outfitter, and together, they are offering a variety of high altitude activities, from hiking to snow shoeing, ice walking to yoga.

Tourists keen on connecting with nature may find themselves high on the mountain top, resting in “child’s pose,” overlooking some of our country’s most stunning scenery.  There’s nothing quite like “tree pose” at 9,000 feet.  There I was, balancing in this classic yoga position while taking in a panorama view of the Canadian Rockies’ snow-capped mountains.  One thing’s for sure, this certainly isn’t your average yoga studio.

A day excursion begins at the heliport with a brief safety lesson, a gear check and the distribution of tasty gourmet packed lunches.  After piling into the chopper and slipping on a set of noise-canceling headphones (complete with fighter jet style microphones), the pilot is ready for take-off.  The blades rotate faster.  The whomp-whomp sound crescendos.  The plane lifts off and hovers above the ground like a giant metal dragonfly. Even for the most jaded of flyers, there’s something truly exciting about cruising around in a helicopter!

We soared above The Rockies mountain range, keeping our eyes open for wolves, elk, grizzly bears and other wildlife found in the area.

Depending on the flight conditions, the helicopter can land in a variety of geographic landscapes, from the waterfalls of the raging Cline River to the ridge of Wedding Knoll, a grassy clearing and matrimonial hot spot.

The chopper found a safe pad to land and Martha, my guide and resident yoga-expert, hopped out, mindful of the deadly blades swooping overhead.  I followed her and braced myself as whirls of wind whipped up sand and dust.

I got into yoga gear and prepared for my Hatha yoga lesson.  Depending on the season, weather can change quickly and without warning, so it’s best layer your wardrobe and prepare for sudden variances in temperature.

As my yoga mat flopped and folded with every gust, I slithered into Cobra position. Breathing deeply, relaxing and stretching at the top of a remote mountain somehow made me feel more connected with nature, with myself and the world around me.

While I enjoyed the experience, I can understand why helicopter tourism is such a controversial topic in the area.  Critics claim that helicopter tours aren’t sustainable; that the noise and air pollution from the aircrafts can cause environmental damage and disturb the wildlife.  Martha herself admits the environmental irony of using a gas-guzzling machine to enjoy the pristine wilderness, but she maintains that “practicing yoga in nature bring us closer to the earth.  Fuel and yoga might seem at odds with each other but the benefits of coming out here, into remote parts of the Rockies, far outweigh the negative effects.”

After a series of poses and meditative moments, the lesson ended with a calm concluding “oooom,” a whispered “Namaste,” and a scenic helicopter ride back to the base.

Icefield Helicopter Tours offers day Heli- yoga trips in Alberta’s Rockies at $469 per person.  For more information visit www.icefieldheli.com

Can’t make it to Canada? Here are some other ideas for the World’s Best Places to Yoga.

1) Rishikesh, India – Dubbed the “Yoga Capital of the World,” this spiritual budget getaway is one of the most spectacular places to downward dog.  Located on the banks of the Ganges River it’s now famous for its ashrams, New Age meditation classes and delicious vegetarian cuisine.
2) 7 Centers Yoga Arts in Sedona Arizona offers week-long yoga retreats, day workshops and teaching seminars for those who want to take their Chakra training to the next step. http://www.7centers.com/
3) Create your very own Zen Den at home.  A little Ayurvedic Tea, soft music and flickering candles can go a long way and will cost you a fraction of the price…

Where are your favorite places to Yoga? Email me at julia@traveljunkiejulia.com

The Philippines

All the big boys do it. Conde Nast, Lonely Planet, Frommers.  It’s an annual travel industry tradition (much like the Academy Awards minus the emaciated actresses) to select hot destinations for the new year.

When considering such a big endeavor, one must look at several factors: pop culture events on the calendar, value for your dollar, under-appreciated cities, up-and-comers and general awesomeness.

Between research, real-life experience and peering into my travel crystal ball, I offer up my personal picks for the Top 10 hottest travel destinations in 2010.

British Columbia, Canada:

Brace your bobsled, the 2010 Winter Olympics will be held in Vancouver, Canada from February 12-28.  With over 97 nations qualifying for such sports as alpine skiing, curling, figure skating, luge and ski jumping, the world’s eyeballs (and tourists in turn) will look to British Columbia. Beyond the Okanagan wine tours and great surfing, it’s a province famous for its ski resorts, rugged coast line, temperate rainforests and – as it is affectionately called by local pot heads – “BC bud.”  Grab a Canadian flag and get “Out and About.”

Quick Tip:  For a cheaper way to get to Vancouver, fly to Seattle, rent a car, then drive a few hours over the Canadian border.

Philippines:

If you’re looking for more bang for your buck, Philippines is an affordable option for an exotic retreat.  With over 7,000 islands in the archipelago, Philippines offers world-class diving, snorkeling, whitewater rafting and some of the world’s most pristine wilderness.  Check out Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a 5 mile river on the west coast of Palawan Island.  This Unesco World Heritage site, boasts the world’s longest underground navigable river with a pretty impressive cave system.  If you crave city life, Manila is an eclectic mix of indigenous cultures, Spanish and American influence, with cool architecture, cheap markets and tons of English-speakers.

KAYAK visitor guides are a great place to start planning— to get started, check out: http://www.kayak.com/Things-to-Do-Manila.29645.cg.html

Slovenia:

Europe and I don’t usually get along.  Expensive, predictable and over-run with tourists, central Europe is a part of the world my wandering spirit and wallet like to avoid.  But Slovenia is another story.  A hidden gem, this tiny country is affordable, stunning and off the tourist track.  Bordering Italy, Croatia, Hungary and Austria, the Republic of Slovenia gained independence from the former region of Yugoslavia in 1991.  A population of over 2 million, most of them Roman Catholic, Slovenia has its own language, is part of the EU and has a strong tourist infrastructure where English is widely spoken. Start in the vibrant capital city of Ljubljana before heading to the foothills of the Julian Alps for a long list of outdoor activities.

Quick Tip:  The capital city of Ljubljana has some really cool accommodations.  Hostel Celica, which Lonely Planet calls the “world’s hippest hostel” is part of a military barracks used by the Austro-Hungarian army.  A former prison, each “cell” was renovated into a room and re-decorated by a different artist.  Modern and sparkling clean, this budget accommodation has twenty renovated slammer cells for guests to stay in.

Nevada:

High on my list of travel priorities for 2010 is a trip to Burning Man in Black Rock Nevada August 30 – September 6.  Imagine some 50,000 citizens living in the desert, cars and bodies decked out in psychedelic art, staying in theme camps with a strict ‘no vending’ all partying policy. Sounds like trouble. Check it out: www.burningman.com

Nicaragua:

Dubbed the ‘new’ Costa Rica by backpackers, the Central American country of Nicaragua has a lot to offer the budget traveler.  From volcano boarding to architecture hopping, to surfing along the Caribbean coast for cheap, a trip here is an affordable option away from the throngs of tourists.

Quick Tip:  Searching for flights on Kayak.com, I found an American Airlines return flight from New York to Managua for only $378.  That’s a great deal!

Thailand:

Rich in culture, Buddhist temples and happening nightlife, Thailand continues to be a great value destination for 2010 and a good times party spot likely for years to come.  These days, Thailand draws a younger backpacker crowd, but you can’t beat the cheap accommodations (with ocean front beach huts charging as low as $10 USD a night), almost free street food, dollar beers and $8 Thai massages.  Check out Songkran, a weekend-long city-wide water fight from April 13-15.

Chile:

While Chile’s BFF Argentina got most of the glory from other travel publications this year, my top pick for 2010 is most certainly Chile.    This narrow coastal strip wedged between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, is very diverse.  In one day, you can go from skiing in the mountains, to sweating it out in the world’s driest desert, touring graffiti murals in quaint cultural towns along the Pacific, to hiking around Alpine fjords.  But most importantly, you can get delicious bottles red wine (my fave is the Carmenere, a full-bodied grape) for a $5 price tag.

Florida:

For 2010, it’s not exactly the most exotic location but for the millions of Harry Potter fans, Orlando, Florida will be a big draw for tourists, families and muggles alike.  It’s all a little hush-hush now but word on the street is that, this spring, Universal Orlando is opening the “Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” a Harry Potter theme park!  Part of the Islands of Adventure, this 20-acre Potter paradise will have a Hogwarts Castle and interactive scenes from the books and movies.  For more, visit http://www.universalorlandoresort.com/harrypotter

Abu Dhabi:

While Dubai just launched the World’s Tallest Tower (a “superscraper” that stands 2,716 feet, is double the Empire State Building and took more than $1 billion to build) it’s actually neighboring Abu Dhabi that’s hot for 2010.  The capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is a cosmopolitan metropolis with grand mosques, helicopter tours, night cruises and imposing skylines.   Check out their weekly camel races, the Abu Dhabi International Triathalon on March 13 or the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair from March 2-7.  For a unique cultural experience, and an amazing feast after sundown, visit the UAE during the holy month of Ramadan from August 11 to September 10.

South Africa:

This summer, the FIFA World Cup football championship will dominate the hearts and minds of all sports enthusiasts.  While some may huddle around the TV set to watch Bekham run around the field, others will be tempted to jet set to South Africa to watch this historic event in person.  It’s the first time the tournament has been hosted by an African nation.  Venture beyond the ball, to check out Table Mountain in Cape Town, a wine tour in Stellenbosch, Durban’s Golden Mile beach and the Big Five wildlife in Kruger National Park.

What are your top travel destinations for 2010?  Share your hot spots with a comment below!

Cruising the palm-tree lined strip of South Beach Miami, I felt a little like David Hasselhoff from Knight Rider.  Like his crime-fighting car companion Kitt, my ride also talked, cracked the occasional joke and advised me about where to turn left. But unlike Hasselholf’ s pimp Pontiac Trans Am, my car came in the form of a three-wheeled yellow GoCar. A GoCar is a two passenger, “storytelling” car that offers tours of famous South Beach, home of luxury lifestyles, reality-TV tattoo shops and the no-carb diet. Complete with GPS, it’s both navigator and audio guide for visitors who want to drive through Miami’s hot spots.

Puttering around in this lemon yellow mobile, I took in the sites, from the famous Miami Beach hotels along Collins Ave. to quaint Espanola way, a strip of restaurants in historic 1920s buildings. Against a backdrop of pastel-colored Art Deco edifices, I drove around the celebrity playground of restaurants, bars, salsa clubs and Miami vices. I traveled from the Botanical Gardens to the Holocaust Museum, from the Venetian Causeway to downtown Miami.

“Go left onto 15th street,” the computerized female voice commanded. I touched the scooter-like hand-breaks and slowed down to turn.  “Continue straight” the voice told me. Beyond the directional duties of a typical GPS, the GoCar technology also provides restaurant recommendations and facts about local attractions (in both English and Spanish).

While crawling along Ocean Drive, the voice told me that “The Carlyle Hotel can be seen in many famous films, including: Miami Vice, the Bird Cage, Bad Boys 2.” Well thank you, GPS car.

GoCar Tours, offered across San Diego, San Francisco, Lisbon and Miami, boasts the world’s first computer guided tour.  Unlike sightseeing bus tours, the GoCar franchise aims to empower tourists with the freedom and flexibility to come and go as they please, (stopping to shop, sightsee or indulge in a little gelato) all the while, learning about the destination. They call it “the cure for the common tour.”

Glimmering Lambos and Porsches revved their way along the Drive, but, surprisingly, it was my 50 cc, rented GoCar that sparked the most attention. Tourists snapped photos and pointed as I drove past. Entertaining for some… mortifying for me. In a city of high-end luxury and flashy displays of wealth, my wheels weren’t doing much in the way of showcasing my social status.

From the Art Deco district, I followed directions to Lincoln Road, a main hub with some seven blocks of pedestrian friendly shops, sidewalk cafes and art galleries. This is prime people watching territory, so I parked the car to gawk at the beautiful people. Before I hopped out, the GoCar suggested I check out Icebox Cafe, for a cake Oprah called the “best in America.”

Who needs Hasslehoff’s artificially intelligent supercar when you can fight crime (I mean…explore Miami) by GoCar.

A few tips: The car’s hard plastic seats aren’t the most comfortable, especially on such bumpy city roads, so be sure to bring your own cushion. There’s also room for your own MP3 player/iPod to crank your tunes if you get sick of listening to GPS directions. For more info visit: www.gocartours.com