Oh, the places we'll go ...

The Observer has logged thousands of miles this year, traveling to and from unique places all around the world. It’s clear that our Longboat, East County and Sarasota Observer and Pelican Press readers have enjoyed some interesting vacations based on the photos you submitted to our annual “It’s Read Everywhere” photo contest.

This year, The Observer went to the London Olympics three times, ran the Boston Marathon, relaxed on an Alaskan cruise, went horseback riding in Wyoming, took a hot-air balloon ride in Spain, visited the Sydney Opera House twice and traveled to the kingdom of Tonga. Even though we attempted to spot the Loch Ness monster while in Scotland, Nessie failed to make an appearance. Oh well, there’s always next year!

This year, 8,177 votes were cast for our 75 total submissions. The world map above pinpoints each location The Observer traveled to this year. While reading the list of worldwide destinations visited in this year’s contest, get inspired to make a list of new and exciting places to take your Observer on your future travels!

The grand-prize winners this year were Sarasota residents Nilda and David Mager, who will receive two $500 travel vouchers. With 4,086 votes out of a total 8,177, their photo of Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Sicily, claimed the top spot.

First-place winners from each newspaper will receive $350 travel vouchers. See Page 2B to view the photos that wowed our readers this year in our online contest.

Worldwide destinations
• Africa
• Alaska
• Anaheim, Calif.
• Aspen, Colo.
• Australia
• Boston
• Brazil
• Cambodia
• Canada
• Chile
• China
• Concord, Mass.
• Dominican Republic
• England
• Fort Kent, Maine
• Galapagos Islands
• Germany
• Greece
• Guatemala
• Hawaii
• Hong Kong
• Iceland
• India
• Indianapolis
• Ireland
• Italy
• Jackson Hole, Wyo.
• Kansas City, Mo.
• Key West
• Kingdom of Tonga
• Luxembourg
• Macedonia
• Mackinac Island, Mich.
• Mexico
• Niagara Falls, N.Y.
• Ocracoke Island, N.C.
• Rising Sun, Ind.
• Rocky Mountain National Park, Colo.
• Saipan
• Samoa
• San Antonio
• San Francisco
• Scotland
• Sicily, Italy
• Spain
• Trinidad
• Turkey
• Ukraine
• Venezuela
• Williamsburg, Va.