It's nearly impossible to avoid Maya culture in the Yucatan, particularly during the month of December in 2012, when conspiracy theories detailing the "predicted" Maya doomsday were running wild like a pack of wolves through the Internet, dirtying websites with their footprints. When you can't beat them, you're instructed to join them. And so I went to Mexico in December alongside the wolves and I followed their trails, which of course led, in some divergences, to Maya ruins. The Dzibilchaltun Ruins, small and unassuming, were the ruins I liked best from the trip.

Located just 10 miles north of Merida, where I stayed for a few days, the Dzibilchaltun Ruins aren't as popular as other ruins in the Yucatan, but they were popular enough for me to have heard a Texan woman tell her guide, "We Texans are very familiar with rattlesnakes." I lived in Texas for two years. I'm happy to report that I am still not, nor do I hope to ever be, familiar with rattlesnakes.

Gallery: Dzibilchaltun Ruins

"Ten Days in Thailand" from fredparis11 on Vimeo.

This video of Thailand is gorgeous. Chronicling ten days spent in the country, filmmaker Fred Albrecht captures his moments spent in Thailand with precise beauty. It seems as though each shot could suffice as a telling photo on its own – a characteristic that truly distinguishes the best films from the rest. If you need a relaxing break from your day, take a moment to watch the scenes in this video unfold.

The reason I'm fascinated by extreme sport-type videos, like this one, has nothing to do with my own predisposition or lack thereof toward these types of activities. In fact, I don't longboard at all, let alone longboard like the skater featured in this video, Sean Spees. Rather, I enjoy these videos because, when artfully shot, they excel in staying quiet and letting the shots do the talking. And it just so happens that the shots, more often than not, include great scenery. Such is the case with this video from Original Skateboards. As this speed-demon skater shoots down the steep hills of San Francisco, quality images of the city are captured beautifully. Enjoy – and don't try this at home.

While meandering through Alaska with her family, photographer Alexis Wiener grabbed this shot while on a train. Capturing what so many love about Alaska all in one fell swoop – the snow-capped mountains, the lush and bright greens, the rolling pine and rippling water – Alexis' trip was documented with more than just this one photo. Her collection of photos from Alaska can be seen on her website. Do you have a photo to submit for Photo Of The Day? If so, just upload it to our Gadling Flickr Pool or get in touch with us via Gadling's Instagram page.

[Photo Credit: Alexis Wiener]

Although iPhone photography may still seem amateur to the professionals, let's face it: more and more of us are documenting the visuals of our lives with our phones. And even while we're traveling and relishing in picture-perfect scenery, many of us are capturing and sharing those moments. I include myself in this generalization – it requires quite a bit more forethought for me to take photographs with an SLR than with my phone. The fact that my phone is what's in my pocket when I happen to see the sunlight hitting a tree perfectly while out doing errands is what yields those photos, the ones I wouldn't have taken at all had I not had my phone with me. Enter Higher iPhone Education. Thanks to Laughing Squid, I now know about Photojojo University, which is now offering a four-week course in iPhone photography. The website is currently advertising an introductory special rate of just $5. So challenge the inner iPhone photographer within you and become well versed in the fundamentals before voyaging out for your next memorable adventure.

[Photo Credit: Photojojo]

"Macroworld of Bali" from globaldivemedia.com on Vimeo.

Many people who flock to Bali each year go, at least in part, for the ocean scenery. Unmistakably gorgeous waters unfold at the foot of the sand on Bali beaches. Those seeking adventure experience the water intimately – through scuba diving and snorkeling. The life beneath the sea is just as worth the visit as anything else in Bali. If you need some proof, check out this video. Featuring footage of the macro life of Bali, this video is evidence to the fact that Bali is beautiful on every level.

Because Austin is growing so quickly, 2013 is the year to explore all that Austin offers – before the trails are as crowded as the flagship Whole Foods downtown. For nearly a decade, the city itself has been attracting more people than it can seem to keep up with. Austin ranked first on Forbes' list of America's Fastest-Growing Cities for the second year in a row in 2012. But while the city is struggling to keep up with the tremendous boom, and indoor space still seems relatively limited (demonstrated by the many packed coffee houses, music venues, bars and office and apartment buildings), there's plenty of outdoor space to go around in Austin.

Austin's adventurous reputation owes much to its weather. With the exception of the smoldering mid-summer afternoons, Austin's climate is perfect for outdoor adventure year-round. The community of Austin also prides itself on the myriad adventure activities available, and the locals relish in the ability to quickly drop what they're doing and find a nearby adventure.

And there's plenty of adventure to go around. Whether you're interested in caving, climbing, hiking, swimming, paddling or tubing, Austin has a unique geography that's perfect for the multitalented outdoors enthusiast. Use this guide to help discover it.

"Dramatic Aurora Borealis. Iceland - Time-Lapse of a Winter Fairytale" from Anna Possberg on Vimeo.

I stumbled upon this video of the Aurora Borealis over Iceland on Vimeo today. Packed with dramatic shots of a colorful sky meeting a serene landscape, this video will refresh your day in just three and a half minutes. Accompanied by equally dramatic music, the sound matches the intensity of the footage perfectly. If you've ever wanted to see Iceland or the Aurora Borealis, do both in one fell swoop with this video.

The days of visiting New York City and staying solely in Manhattan are over. Although the city's center borough has earned its fame, there's a new New York in town: Brooklyn. It's true that many neighborhoods in Brooklyn have already gentrified rapidly, but there are still far more budget-friendly neighborhoods in the borough than not. The collective desire to keep expenses down still exists in Brooklyn and from that demand stems the economically sensible result: Brooklyn is still a treasure box of unbelievable deals, but this fades every year. So strike while the iron is hot and hop on the train over to the vibrant borough of Brooklyn, where each neighborhood brings something new and the bargains are many, no matter the area.

Hotels

The Nu Hotel: With four locations in Brooklyn, The Nu Hotel is an increasingly popular choice for budget accommodations in Brooklyn. With attractive and simple design, this boutique hotel is loft-inspired and even offers use of their new 2012 Brooklyn Cruiser bikes. The hotel's general manager will even guide you on a jog across the Brooklyn Bridge on Tuesday mornings, which for first-timers is a must. To keep the Brooklyn theme going strong, the art on the walls is done by local artists – including some of the rooms featuring murals. From $160. nuhotelbrooklyn.com 85 Smith Street

Often referred to as the Horse Capital of the World, Lexington, Kentucky, lures in visitors for its horses, yes, but also for the incomparable surrounding landscape and the adventures that await within. The city itself is historic – it was founded in 1775 when it was still a part of the state of Virginia. Lexington was booming and cosmopolitan by 1820, and it impresses to this day.

With gentle hills and the surrounding Bluegrass Region, much of Lexington stands erect on limestone, which births the famous poa pratensis grass, more commonly known as bluegrass, and helps to carve the world-renowned caves of Kentucky below. Travelers in Lexington enjoy the Kentucky River, a thriving landscape cushioning the city, abounding horse farms and enough bourbon for everyone. Since Lexington was named the fourth best city for "Businesses and Careers" by Forbes in 2011 and sixth in "Best Value Cities" in 2011 by Kiplinger, the city is expanding with the adventure community in tow. Before it gets too big, visit Lexington with a certainty that you'll experience the charming downtown area and the unscathed natural beauty that made the city grand.