This Californian landmark celebrated its 75th birthday in May 2012. In honour of the occasion, nzherald.co.nz readers sent in some of their best snaps of the world-famous bridge.

This cave, two kilometres southwest of Waitomo's main glowworm cave, is a fairytale world of spirals and speleothems, stalactites, old fossils and young glowworm superstars.

The 775-kilometre Spanish Pilgrim Trail, which runs from St-Jean Pied-de-Port, on the French side of the Pyrennes, to Santiago De Compostella, on Spain's far north-western coast, attracts tens of thousands of walkers each year. Former nzherald.co.nz news editor Simon Winter took on the trail in 2012 - these photos document some of his journey. Click here to read Simon's blog about the trip.

This dramatic fortress, perched high above Israel's Negev Desert, was built by King Herod on the site of a former Bronze Age camp.

This exclusive island on the Great Barrier Reef has six luxury tents with kingsize beds and reef outlooks. For further information see wilsonisland.com.

This city in the Peruvian Andes is an important economic hub for the local indigenous people, the Quechua and a popular gathering point for travellers heading to the famed lost city of the Incas - Machu Picchu.

Colchester proudly proclaims itself to be 'Britain's oldest recorded town', having been mentioned by Roman writer Pliny the Elder in 77. It has certainly been a key town for many centuries: William the Conqueror built one of the first castles of his realm here and the Romans constructed a vast temple to the Emperor Claudius - long since destroyed. It's also believed to be the place where three popular nursery rhymes - Old King Cole, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and Humpty Dumpty first came into being.

Although this beach, just a few kilometres from Farewell Spit, is almost north-facing, it is technically a West Coast beach and is often buffeted by tempestuous winds that stir up colossal seas. Reaching it requires a short walk through manuka forest, but once on the beach you'll be rewarded with rugged landscapes and wildlife aplenty.

The most north-westerly city in the contiguous US, Seattle is a port but is separated from the Pacific coast by the forested bulk of the Olympic Peninsula. Famed for its coffee culture and being the birthplace of grunge, Seattle is gleefully idiosyncratic and a great place to spend a few days.

This three-day Southland loop walk offers access to spectacular national park scenery and the remnants of what used to be New Zealand's busiest milling town. Once a year, keen hikers take on Stump the Hump - a midnight tramp across the track's 55-kilometre-stretch.

This remote cluster of low-lying islands sits off the southern tip of Vanuatu's second-largest island - Malekula. The people of the Maskelyne Islands still get around in wooden dugout outrigger canoes and live much as they have for centuries.

This golf and spa resort near the Italian fishing village of Savelletri is the brainchild of Aldo Melpignano, a former investment banker who owns it with his family. It looks as if it has been there for centuries, but it opened fully only in 2011, offering accommodation within a village environment in either townhouses or luxurious private villas.

For further information see borgoegnazia.com.

Get the most out of a visit to Bali by immersing yourself in the rich culture and seeing some of these local hot spots.

This coastal city has been turning out sea-going vessels for thousands of years.

This B&B near the town of Bozeman in Montana is the only place in North America where you can stay at a functioning wolf sanctuary.

For further information see howlersinn.com.

In February 2012, the US state of Arizona celebrated its 100th anniversary. Click through the gallery to see some of the state's notable landmarks and scenic gems.

The Okavango - a river that rises in Angola but never reaches the sea - is an awe-inspiring spectacle. It mostly drains into a vast expanse of the Kalahari Basin which straddles Botswana and neighbouring Namibia. The annual influx of crystal clear water provides a haven for rich concentrations of wildlife of all kinds.

The colourful people of Provence offer a glimpse into the idyllic nature of country living. Photographs by Babiche Martens.

This charming southern US city, which is home to park-like squares and stately houses, has also inspired some famous films and works of fiction.

This geothermal wonderland which stretches across the US states of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, is home to bears, wolves, bison and elk and is spectacular in any season.

Mariposa, in central California, has in its boundaries the alpine wilderness of Yosemite National Park.

This steel-cloaked design hotel is in the heart of Manhattan's fashionable Chelsea district.

A look around Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Century superliner.

Scientific teams are still identifying new species in this one-of-a-kind place where researchers have exposed, but not removed, a 15m x 61m wall of dinosaur bones.

Panorama, in British Columbia, is one of the few real ski-in, ski-out resorts in North America.

For further information see panoramaresort.com.

Money and food make this dynamic city state tick.

Sit snug in a carriage as the Rocky Mountaineer delivers you to idyllic destinations around Canada.

Head straight to the top of Los Angeles' most stylish hotels for a great night out at the best rooftop bars.

Travelling with the whole family need not be stressful. Try some of these child-friendly Fijian holiday resorts when you're in need of a break.