Oh the places we'll go, 'It's Read Everywhere' wraps up

The Observer newspapers have been on vacation. Although we continue to provide weekly neighborhood news to our readers through the Longboat, Sarasota and East County Observers, we have had a busy year traveling all around the world.

This year, thanks to our dedicated participants in our annual “It’s Read Everywhere” photo contest, we visited the Great Wall of China twice, went on safari in South Africa, saw the world-famous tortoises on the Galapagos Islands, stood on top of glaciers in Svalbard, hiked the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains, went Down Under to tour several Australian cities and even ran three marathons.

Of the 114 submissions this year, 49 were from North America, 22 were from Europe, and 15 were from Asia. Israel and New York City were the most heavily visited locations, with five entries each. In addition, 18 readers took their Observers island-side, visiting exotic locations such as St. Martin in the French West Indies and Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia. And two contestants got creative for their photos for Sarasota stay-cations.

The world map above shows each location the Observer traveled this year. We hope to continue to add new locales to our traveler’s log through your trips this coming year — don’t leave home without your Observer!

Click on "More photos" to see all the contest winners. Congratulations to all — and safe travels!

Worldwide Destinations
• Alberta, Canada
• Arcadia
• Atlanta
• Australia
• Austria
• Bahamas
• Belize
• Big Sky, Mont.
• Borneo
• Brazil
• Breckenridge, Colo.
• Brockway, Pa.
• Caribbean
• China
• Costa Rica
• Croatia
• Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Egypt
• England
• Ethiopia
• Finland
• France
• Galapagos Islands
• Germany
• Grand Cayman Island
• Guam
• Guatemala
• Gurwood, Alaska
• Honduras
• Iceland
• India
• Isle of Jersey
• Isle of Man
• Israel
• Italy
• Jordan
• Lake County, Colo.
• Las Vegas
• Libya
• Maui, Hawaii
• Mauritius
• McCaysville, Ga.
• Mexico
• Midway Islands
• Missoula, Mont.
• Montreal
• Morocco
• New York City
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario, Canada
• Panama Canal
• Park City, Utah
• Philippines
• Pine Mountain, Ky.
• Portland, Maine
• Rankin, Ill.
• Redington Beach
• Russia
• San Francisco
• Sarasota
• Seattle
• Sedona, Ariz.
• Sevier, Tenn.
• South Africa
• Spain
• St. Barts
• St. Martin
• St. Michael’s Island, Md.
• Stanford, Calif.
• Svalbard
• Thailand
• Turks and Caicos
• Vietnam
• Virgin Islands
• Winter Park