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www.plymouth-banjul.co.uk.

When to Go: Dec–Jan.

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Global Scavenger Hunt

Dream Trip for Adventure Travelers

Around the World

Do you want to swim with baby elephants, lend a helping hand at a Tibetan refugee camp, witness a Himalayan sunset, and bargain in some of the world’s most exotic bazaars? If you have a thirst for adventure and an Indiana Jones–style personality, the Global Scavenger Hunt may be the ultimate trip-of-a-lifetime for you.

“It’s like Survivor, The Amazing Race, and the Eco-Challenge all rolled into one except with much more cultural interaction,” is how one contestant, Marvin S., of Canada, described his experience. During the whirlwind 3-week Global Scavenger Hunt, travel adventure competition racers visit 10 countries on four continents. They start the race on the U.S. West Coast, learn where they are traveling next with little or no notice, and finish the competition on the U.S. East Coast 3 weeks later. Audacity, daring, flexibility, and inventiveness are just some of the qualities required to win this race, which combines authentic cultural experiences and behind-the-scenes access to such activities as cooking with a Michelin-starred chef, finding Buddha’s tooth, photographing a wild orangutan, and participating in an authentic archaeological dig. While finding the clues and participating in novel experiences, teams are tested on the difficulties of handling extended travel and on how team members deal with each other.

But what makes this global travel-a-thon, during which competitors may travel a million kilometers (620,000 miles), so special is the overall annual goal: Raise $1 million for life-changing organizations. The money has helped fund micro-loans in Third World countries; helped construct three schools in Niger, Sri Lanka, and Sierra Leone; and supported Doctors Without Borders and Partners in Health, and other organizations.

So far, people from 45 countries have applied for spots in the race, making the competition a truly international experience. The annual Global Scavenger Hunt is limited to 25 two-person teams. (Singles may apply.) Teams must pay or raise the entry fee, which is $9,900 per person. The fee covers international airfare, 23 nights in first-class hotels and about 40% of the meals. Teams who raise more can earmark the funds for specific charities. Because some of the funds go to nonprofits, part of the entry fees may be tax deductible. —LF

The Global Scavenger Hunt takes you all over the world and benefits charitable causes.

310/281-7809.www.globalscavengerhunt.com.

10 Extreme Eating Contests

Some gastronomical experiences are all about quality—the finest wines, the freshest herbs. Then there are dining events where the accent is on quantity, and a race to consume the greatest volume of food consumed as quickly as possible. The competition is international in scope, because there really is such a thing as a professional eater, something your high school guidance counselor neglected to mention. Perhaps she didn’t realize that many eating contests have purses as rich as $50,000. —ML

The Texas King, Amarillo, Texas, U.S.A.: Eating champion Joey “Jaws” Chestnut finished in 8 minutes, 52 seconds—but a 500-pound (228kg) Siberian tiger reportedly polished off the whole thing in 90 seconds. How long would it take you to engorge 72 ounces of steak, plus baked potato, ranch beans, shrimp cocktail, salad, and roll with butter? At the Big Texan Steak Ranch, you’ve only got 1 hour to consume the whole meal, or you’ll forfeit the $72 you paid in advance for the dubious honor of completing the Texas King challenge. www.bigtexan.com.

Challenge yourself to finish a Texas size portion in under an hour at the Big Texan Steak Ranch.

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, Coney Island, New York, U.S.A.: Each American Independence Day, tens of thousands gather at this aging seaside resort to watch one of the world’s most famous eating contests. The winner