The unknown and the adventure is what draws participants to the Mongol Rally. Unlike the Gumball Rally, this is rough, dirty, and unglamorous, but my god, does it look thrilling. First off you’re not driving a $500,000 exotic speeding through Europe at 210 miles an hour. Instead you’re driving through dusty trails in a compact car or a mini van through foreign lands in demanding conditions. You may have to bribe your way out of a situation, your car may run out of gas in no where Russia, or worse, break down in the middle of the Kazakh desert. The organizers did not devise a route, there’s A, a large European city, and then there’s B, Ulaan Baatar, the capital of Mongolia. Everything in between is up to you. It’s dangerous, uncertain, risky, but most of all exciting. If you have the courage and wit to endure such a demanding adventure, then sign up for 2011’s rally.

The word epic may have lost its punch due to its over usage, but my trip to Marfa over the weekend was nothing short of that. After flying 7 hours into El Paso, it would take another 3 plus hours to drive through the desert to get to Marfa. Even with the telephone wires visible, Route 90 resembles something out of No Country for Old Men. Nothing upon nothing until thirty miles outside of Marfa, in Valentine, sits the world famous Prada Marfa, an art installation from artists Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset. More photos after the jump.

Food is usually a supplement to traveling rather than the reason. We’ve all heard stories of food tours across the country but to design one’s trip around a restaurant is rare. This may start to change as reported by the Times, restaurant with inns are beginning to open in the U.S. One in particular is Town House. Located in rural Chilhowie, Virginia, food becomes the center of attention. With the husband-and-wife team behind the kitchen, hailing from two of Chicago’s most prominent restaurants, Alinea and Charlie Trotter’s, it’s no wonder why Town House is a destination of its own. The food, as expected, is experimental as seen on the restaurant’s blog. A few dishes from the menu include “Brulee” of Smoked Salmon Roe, Scrambled Egg Mousse, Covered In Snow… Foggy Ridge’s Pippen Apple, and Purple Mountains – so creatively titled.

After a 10 course meal, you’ll be sure to feel the effects from food euphoria. Fortunately, less than 5 miles from the restaurant is Riverstead, the sister property to Town House. The Victorian farm house consists of only two guest rooms, which are filled with luxurious modern amenities. Built in 1903 and restored in 2009, Riverstead appears to accompany the fine dining experience perfectly.

How far will you travel for a meal? A walk down the block, a subway ride, or a drive over to the next city? How about a plane ride over a number of continents? Royal Mail Hotel and Restaurant in Dunkeld, Australia may just be that place. This rural town is approximately 3.5 hours west of Melbourne. Located at the foot of Mount Sturgeon, Royal Mail is destination dining at its best. The kitchen is helmed by Dan Hunter, a chef that earned his marks in some of Spain’s most prominent restaurants. Since 2007 Hunter has brought his Spanish influence to the menu while sourcing many of its ingredients locally from their own gardens. It helps that this remote location can accommodate overnight guests, either in the hotel or apartments within the gardens. Watch this video and be inspired.

Travel is essential to our well being, it opens our eyes and leads us to new discoveries and experiences. As we start the new year, we hope that traveling more is on your list of things to do in 2010. The farther the better, the more foreign the better, it’s what breaks us out of our routine.

The photo above is of the Saugerties Lighthouse, we’ve written about it in the past. One of the few lighthouses in the United States that offers guests to stay over. About 2 hours north of Manhattan, it’s the perfect weekend road trip. Simply perfect if it weren’t for the difficulties of reserving a room. 2010 is nearly booked with only a few days remaining, including two for this month. Which leads us to our second suggestion for the new year, be spontaneous. Book the room, rent a car, and drive. We think you will enjoy it.

Gilt Groupe brought affordable prices on luxury goods to refined shoppers on a budget and has proven itself to be highly successful in a downturn economy. They’re hoping to do the same with Jetsetter, a new site that beta launched last week focused around the travel industry. Jetsetter will offer reduction in prices on hotels, cruises, and other travel packages. All the offerings are selected by a group of industry writers and experts resulting in a certain level of distinction. Really want to be on a boat? Set sail on a Seabourn Yacht at over 50% less than the original cost. Or how about palace living at the Hotel Negresco in Nice, France? Feel like a zillionaire without having to be one. There is a catch, the prices only last two days or until dates are sold out. Jetsetter is currently accepting memberships.