People have now walked, biked, hitchhiked, ballooned, any other mode of transportation you could think, to become famous, and infamous, great travelers. But who are the world's greatest travelers? Battle-tested against their peers and proven?

I believe that traveling in the spirit of conscious awareness, humility and curiosity only enhances anyone's journey, and over the years I have expanded what I believe is a sensible and sensitive Traveler's Creed to live and travel by.

Vacation personalities, travel styles, and interests vary among us homo touristicus. Travelers inevitably have different goals and expectations. Being patient, compassionate and showing empathy towards each other is critical.

Here are the top seven global travel-related barometers that, when taken as a whole, indicate positive global travel trends for 2013.

If you are reading this, you survived the Mayan Day of Reckoning and are now happily imagining some fresh 2013 travel destinations.

Teams have four required scavenges to perform in this leg, one each in Italy, Slovenia, Austria and the Czech Republic!

Yahsas! Welcome to Cyprus, the island known as the playground of the gods!

Hard to believe that in 2008 this nation was on one of those, "most dangerous places in the world" lists. Not anymore, as things are a hustle and bustle here, with one of the fastest-growing economies in the world today.

Today is a day of transition in the 8th annual around the world travel adventure competition. We are neither here nor there yet, but hovering in a place in between -- also known affectionately as a layover!

If it were not for U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton's visit to this hermit-like nation-state just a few short months ago, this event would not be here today enjoying the spectacular sights, sounds and smells of a truly one-of-a-kind mesmerizing, mysterious and beguiling travel destination.

Checking in now from Taipei, Taiwan, with the majestic 101 Taipei building -- formerly the world's tallest -- looming in the distance and seemingly radiating as a tropical lightening storm illuminates the early evening sky.

The Global Scavenger Hunt is all about fun and engaging. It is about novelty -- day in and day out for 23 days as you circumnavigate the globe. It is about challenges, being creative, learning, being open and trusting strangers in strange lands.