Resort Set on Award-Winning Caribbean Beach

Painted in vibrant shades of blue, yellow, and green, Legends Beach Resort feels right at home in Negril, Jamaica, a tropical resort town known for its laid-back vibe. The hotel sits directly on Seven Mile Beach, a former hippie hangout that still promotes free spirit through cliff jumping and live reggae music. Named one of Caribbean’s best beaches by Frommer's, the beach connects to the hotel's open-air restaurant, where guests browse buffets and take part in themed dinners. Guests can also take advantage of the amenities offered at the resort's sister property, Samsara Cliff Resort, which hosts a scuba-diving center.

The meal and drink package covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as local brand liquor and drinks from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. After settling into their superior beachside rooms, guests can fill their plates with Jamaican jerk chicken and snapper at the beachfront buffets or sip exotic cocktails on the waterfront patio. Theme nights include Jamaica Me Crazy Night, where you can sample traditional island fare while listening to live reggae music.

Rows of red lounge chairs are stationed steps away from the Caribbean on the white sand beach, and tropical gardens surround two secluded swimming pools. For a more active afternoon, take the shuttle to the Samsara Cliff Resort, located five minutes away. Here, guests can take a complimentary scuba-diving lesson, snorkel through tropical coral reefs, or jump from the top of the Samsara cliffs.

Negril, Jamaica: Laid-Back Beach Town with Reggae Soundtrack and Picturesque Sunsets

Located on Jamaica’s western coast, Negril is known for its white sand beaches, dramatic rugged cliffs, and coral reefs lying just offshore in the Caribbean. Its underwater beauty makes the town a popular spot for scuba diving and snorkeling, and anglers have found the sea filled with blue marlin, wahoo, and mahi-mahi.

Often called "the capital of casual," Negril is best defined by its laid-back vibe, from the slow and steady rhythm of the indigenous reggae music to its unofficial uniform—swimsuits and flip-flops. Due to its spot on the island’s westernmost point, the city has a front-row seat to some of the world’s most beautiful sunsets, and visitors and locals alike often climb to the top of waterfront cliffs just to watch. At the Royal Palm Reserve, about 300 acres of tropical forests and wetlands shelter more than 300 types of birds, butterflies, and abandoned Rubik's cubes.

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Playful Boutique Hotel in Art Deco District

Lords South Beach at Nash, a flagship outpost in the nation's first gay-focused hotel chain, opened last year in the South Beach Art Deco District, just a frisbee's throw from 12th Street Beach. The hotel's award-winning design is bold and playful, with mid-20th-century furnishings and a bright, teal-and-yellow color scheme. Playful accents abound: entering the lobby, for instance, you come face-to-face with an oversize polar-bear statue clutching a beach ball in its paws.

The fizzy-chic vibe extends to Pad deluxe rooms, where Warhol-esque silk-screen portraits of Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra peer down on queen beds outfitted with striped headboards. After a day at the beach, you can snuggle up in waffle-weave robes, pour a drink from the minibar, slide between cool white sheets, and catch a movie on the flat-screen TV.

Further sites for liquid refreshment include the hotel's three plunge pools and its gold and glamorous Cha Cha Rooster Bar, located off the lobby. The Porch, a casual onsite eatery, provides a front-row seat for watching the bronzed crowds ambling along Collins Avenue, and the Cha Cha Rooster restaurant serves flavorful entrees that, like the English language, exhibit a strong Latin influence. As part of this Getaway, you and your roommate also get a self-guided audio walking tour of Miami Beach's historical buildings and cultural hot spots.

Miami Beach: Seaside Fun and Cultural Activities

Palm trees sway year-round in Miami Beach, but there's plenty to do beyond the sand and surf. A walking tour of the Art Deco District presents a pastel portrait of the city's history and encompasses some of the best shopping venues in Miami. More intrepid travelers can soak in the scenery via rented rollerblades, segways, or mopeds. A few blocks north of the hotel, Lincoln Road Mall offers scores of dining options with outdoor seating, more shopping, and arguably the best people watching in the city. Tennis, golf, and boating opportunities all lie within walking or taxi distance.

At night, those seeking an alternative to the famous large clubs and bars can drop in on smaller jazz or Latin nightspots for live music in an intimate setting. For a different experience entirely, a quick cab ride to downtown Miami brings you to the Adrienne Arsht Center for world-class theater, dance, opera, and black-tie livestock auctions.

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Upscale Accommodations near the Beach and Lakefront

Just outside The Boca Raton Bridge Hotel, a drawbridge’s massive arms regularly lift and part along Florida's Intracoastal Waterway to allow passage of gleaming yachts. Located along the shores of Lake Boca Raton, the hotel’s balconies and breezy pool deck look directly to the ships as they cruise past. From Carmen’s, the property’s rooftop fine-dining restaurant, curved floor-to-ceiling windows allow sweeping views of both the lake and the nearby Atlantic Ocean.

Aside from its waterfront location, the boutique hotel draws visitors for its duo of fine-dining establishments. Line up for the Sunday brunch at Carmen's to sip champagne and feast at its buffet, which includes shrimp scampi, oysters, and other fresh seafood. Carmen's requires a country club casual dress code. The other onsite restaurant, WaterColors, serves creative American fare in an open-air environment beside the pool. With the third option of this deal, you get dinner for two at WaterColors, with options on the Sunset menu such as mahi-mahi with jasmine rice, pasta primavera, and key-lime pie.

The beach lies within walking distance, and the hotel offers loaner beach chairs in limited quantities as well as any necessary sandcastle-zoning permits. If you want to tackle the waves, you can rent a waverunner ($75 for a half-hour; $105 for one hour) or a boat ($290+) at Ride-a-Wave, the onsite rental facility.

Boca Raton, Florida: Seaside Recreation and Shopping

Situated between Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, Boca Raton is a playground for watersports enthusiasts, shoppers, and sunbathers. Sand dunes lined with sea oats colorize the town’s 2-mile beach, a popular launch site for kayakers and snorkelers. Farther inland, you'll find shopping malls, upscale restaurants, and cosmopolitan arts institutions. Inspired in part by its seafront setting, much of the community's architecture reflects the eclectic Mediterranean Revival style popular in the 1920s. Just northwest of the city is the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, the northernmost portion of the Everglades, where the grassy rivers shelter water lilies, alligators, and 257 species of snowbirds.

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1920s Bed and Breakfast with Antique Furnishings

With Main Street rife with restored historical buildings and a Mediterranean-style city hall built in 1926, the sleepy town of Wauchula, Florida, has been called "last bastion of beautiful old South Florida." Situated on a corner of Main Street, The Quilter's Inn is a pristine example of the town's Americana heritage. Built in 1923, the craftsman-style bed and breakfast brings together a country porch and five guest rooms decorated with period-style furnishings and quirky antiques. By re-creating the setting of a homey inn from nearly a century ago, The Quilter’s Inn allows visitors to experience the simple pleasures of a bygone era.

Inside the Darn room, guests find the antique sewing machine that innkeeper Pattie Detwiler’s mother used to teach her daughter how to stitch. Romantic embellishments such as lace curtains, a mantel fireplace, and an antique iron bed decorate the Quilter's room. The Patriot's Haven room lives up to its name with a wall-mounted American flag and red, white, and blue quilts.

Every morning, The Quilter's Inn serves a gourmet breakfast with seasonal selections such as southwest egg casserole or quiche lorraine. Guests also get a $15 dinner credit toward entrees at the nearby Giovanni's Main Street Kitchen, a casual Italian restaurant that uses family recipes from Naples. After dinner, unwind by the hotel's outdoor fire pit with a bottle of merlot, chardonnay, or white zinfandel.

Wauchula, Florida: Small Country Town with Fossil-Hunting River

Located 90 miles south of Orlando in central Florida, Wauchula was effectively created in 1886 when the Florida Southern Railway extended its route and established a train depot there, which still stands today. One block from the hotel, Main Street charms with stores and quaint cafés topped with candy-colored awnings.

South in Zolfo Springs, The Cracker Trail Museum and Pioneer Village shows the region's pioneering history through artifacts including a locomotive engine and a 19th-century blacksmith shop. Visitors looking for even earlier history can also explore the area's prehistoric era with a fossil-hunting excursion to Peace River. Pick up a fossil-hunting permit for $5 and sift the river gravel for shark teeth, whale vertebrae, and alligator dentures.

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Private Townhomes Steps from the Beach

On the west coast of Barbados, 6 miles north of the capital of Bridgetown, a neighborhood of 30 identical townhouses lies about 100 yards from the Caribbean Sea. Palm trees and bougainvillea bring a touch of the tropics to each pale yellow, colonial-style abode, which together form the small resort community Battaleys Mews. When it heats up, you can take a dip in your private plunge pool or meander about 100 yards over to Mullins, one of the island’s nicest beaches.

One-, two-, or three-bedroom suites occupy their own townhome with a private terrace. Each unit boasts a fully equipped kitchen—decked out with European appliances and marble-topped counters—which opens into a spacious living room with fine wicker furniture. In the bedrooms, poster beds stand tall, draped with dreamy gauze curtains woven by hummingbirds.

Barbados: Seafood, Sugarcanes, and Tropical Flora on a Former British Colony

Considered the easternmost island in the Caribbean, Barbados was a British colony until 1966, explaining the popularity of afternoon teas and cricket matches. But Barbadians (often shortened to “Bajans”) have formed their own identity, starting with seafood-centric cuisine. Along the western coast, food stands and restaurants dot the roadside, serving Barbados’s national dish, cou-cou, a mash of cornmeal and okra, paired with flying fish. Mount Gay Rum distilleries is worth a stop for a tour and the chance to sample Bajan rum. The company has used the island’s abundant sugar cane to make aromatic rum since 1703, making it the oldest rum brand in the world.

Barbados’s natural beauty can be found all around the island. Trams tour the popular Harrison’s Cave, where stalactites hang from huge limestone caverns. Driving or catching into Holetown brings you to the Folkestone Marine Park and Museum, where a reef formed by a sunken ship flourishes with sea anemones, giant crabs, and decaying GPS screens. And flora lovers have several spectacular gardens to visit, including Orchid World, which lives up to its name with thousands of blooming orchids. The Barbados Flower Forest is located on a former sugar plantation and is filled with lilies, flowering shrubs, towering palms, and 100 other species of tropical plants.

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Couples-Only Resort on Secluded Caribbean Beach

Every evening, as the sun sets beyond the horizon at Keyonna Beach on Antigua, staff members set tiny candles atop tables at the resort's beachfront restaurant. Against a backdrop of mangrove trees and endless Caribbean waters, couples sit on an open-air terrace and savor just-caught seafood or strip steak in nature’s very own dining room. Beyond this shaded veranda, the island's rolling terrain and crystal waters encourage several types of outdoor excursions, from reef snorkeling to hikes through lush, tropical forest. Throw in the all-inclusive meals and alcoholic beverages, and the couples-only Keyonna Beach offers a vacation that blends romance, relaxation, and adventure.

Guests have access to some of Antigua's most exciting destinations. A 10-minute drive lands golfers at Jolly Harbour Golf Club's 5,587-yard course set against the backdrop of forested mountains and the adjacent marina. Or take a zipline canopy tour to zoom through the rainforest at heights up to 350 feet.

The daily changing menu at Keyonna Beach's restaurant blends international and island flavors such as crab cakes with fruit salsa and tuna niçoise salad. After dessert, pairs can sprawl out on bali beds overlooking the water and the neighboring volcanic island of Montserrat. When the time comes to settle in for the night, each of the resort's beachfront superior rooms offers the perfect mix of solitude and comfort. Handmade wooden furnishings exude a natural feel consistent with the surroundings, and private verandas open directly onto the beach.

Antigua: Tropical Paradise Rich with Outdoor Recreation

Located about 30 miles south of its sister island of Barbuda, the former British colony of Antigua is best known for hundreds of white sand beaches that complement its range of outdoor adventures. A short hike from Keyonna Beach is Mount Obama (known as Boggy Peak until it was renamed after Barack Obama in 2009), the highest point on the island at 1,319 feet. Several harbors line the coast, where boats depart for a relaxing circumnavigation of the island or on fishing expeditions for wahoo and marlin. For a change of pace, the Dow's Hill Interpretation Centre at English Harbour profiles Antigua's complex colonial history, from its days as a coveted sugar producer to its independence in 1981.

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Beachfront Hotel Surrounded by Exotic Ecology

In the hit novel and action movie Jurassic Park, scientists are whisked to a fictional island off the coast of Costa Rica to find roaming packs of dinosaurs. Though you won’t find any triceratops or pterodactyls there in real life, Costa Rica is no stranger to wildly exotic creatures. Howler monkeys, toucans, and sloths inhabit the dense mangrove forests, and in the crystal waters, you can see whale sharks and moray eels in its surrounding waters. Nearby Playa Grande is filled with massive ancient leatherback turtles during their nesting season from September to March. Just 30 minutes from this spot and within reach of Costa Rica's rich ecology, Bahia Del Sol Beachfront Hotel’s resort property is surrounded by rainforests and beaches teeming with tropical wildlife.

Located on Costa Rica’s north Pacific side at Potrero Beach, Bahia Del Sol Beachfront Hotel offers a spot to relax on the beach in between jungle treks and volcano hikes. The included zipline tour and horseback ride takes you through the pristine rainforest. Separating the resort from the shore is a grassy embankment lined with tables and sun loungers.

When it’s time to unwind, the Bahia Restaurant serves creative seafood and traditional Costa Rican fare amid a relaxing, open-air atmosphere. Sip tropical drinks and watch the evening sunset under its thatched roof, or lounge in the hammocks surrounding the garden, which is lined with centennial trees.

See the full details of the package here.

Potrero Bay and Flamingo Beach, Costa Rica: Colorful Sunsets and Unspoiled Rainforests

Located about 4.5 hours west of the capital, San José, Bahia Del Sol overlooks Potrero Bay and sits a little less than 2 miles from the crystal-clear waters of Flamingo Beach. There are several aquatic activities you can enjoy here, including surfing, scuba diving, and snorkeling.

Just as compelling are the thick, green rainforests, which spread around the 5,427-foot Arenal Volcano. Local hikes go past ancient trees and colorful orchids at the stratovolcano’s base. Walk on suspended wooden bridges hanging over gorgeous canyons where hummingbirds, jaguars, and sloths roam freely. There are also underground caves for spelunking, with travelers commonly dipping their feet in hot springs heated by the volcano.

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Tropical Beachfront Resort with All-Inclusive Dining and Casino Thrills

In the 17th century, the French, Dutch, and British all vied for control of tiny St. Maarten in hopes of getting their hands on the island's lucrative salt mines. Nowadays, the island's most popular asset is not the Great Salt Pond, but the ocean shore across from it. Between the two bodies of water, The Sonesta Great Bay Beach & Casino straddles a land bridge, which links the resort to both St. Maarten's storied past and the beachfront pleasures that characterize the island today.

Overlooking the sugar-sand shoreline, the resort's main pool area features a deck dotted with ultramarine lounge chairs. An infinity pool seems to meld with the Caribbean ocean stretching to the horizon, and a swim-up bar allows you to sip chilled cocktails without ever getting out of the water. Dining options range from the casual, open-air Bay View Restaurant to the formal, ocean-view Molasses Restaurant, where chefs craft authentic Caribbean fare. At the onsite Golden Casino, 84 slot machines jingle amid blackjack, roulette, and poker tables.

When the evening winds down, retreat to ocean-view guest rooms whose modern teak furnishings and bright, turquoise accents create a cheerful, tropical ambiance. Drawing back a pair of coral-hued curtains reveals a private, glass-walled balcony overlooking the pools and seashore below.

Philipsburg, St. Maarten: Duty-Free Shopping and Relaxed Island Living

Although St. Maarten is divided between Dutch and French halves, relations between the two sides relaxed long ago, meaning you can wander across the small island without hindrance. The climate is pleasant and warm, with year-round temperatures in the 70s and 80s.

A short distance from the resort lies Front Street, Philipsburg's main thoroughfare, where shops housed in West Indian and colonial structures sell duty-free wine and fine jewelry. Here you’ll also find the St. Maarten Museum, which chronicles the island's colonial past, including the harsh legacy of the slave trade.

Simpson Bay, situated a 10-minute drive west, serves as a launch pad for sailing, fishing, and kraken-hunting tours. Close by in the Maho Beach area, nightclubs host steel-drum bands and oceanfront bonfire parties late into the night.

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All-Inclusive Resort with Nonstop Entertainment Steps from Cofresi Beach

After Christopher Columbus landed in Puerto Plata in 1492, the Dominican city became a haven for pirates. Throughout the 16th century, local residents defended against buccaneers at Fortaleza de San Felipe, a fortress at the seaport that still stands today. Much has evolved in the city since then—downtown, you'll find colorful Victorian houses that survived from Puerto Plata's Victorian-era boom. And today, there's a new vibrancy to the area, which is lined with sprawling resorts such as Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club.

Mediterranean-style buildings painted a canary yellow make up the resort, which is like a kingdom at your fingertips: it's lined with nine restaurants and two nightclubs. As part of the all-inclusive package, you get unlimited food and drinks at most locations.

With VIP beach access, you can lounge on your own private beachfront on the Atlantic, which is lined with billowy cabanas, brightly decorated beach beds, and palm trees. There's also a hot tub here just steps from the shore, one of numerous hot tubs and pools onsite. Feel free to take an introductory scuba lesson from a PADI-certified instructor, or partake in daily activities such as beach volleyball and aqua aerobics.

Your all-inclusive stay grants special privileges at nearby sister resorts Presidential Suites and Cofresi Palm Beach. At all three resorts, you can find restaurants that prep international cuisine, ranging from Italian to Brazilian churrascaria and Indian and Mexican fare. In addition, you get a free round of golf at the nine-hole Los Mangos Golf Course and free tickets to Ocean World, which has dolphin shows and a casino.

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic: Waterfalls, Beach Scene, and Centuries-Old Historic Sites

Situated on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata is best known for its sun-kissed beaches. But the province has several breathtaking geographical features inland as well. Damajagua is a natural water park of sorts: it features 27 waterfalls flowing from limestone-rock formations. Tour guides lead groups up and back through the falls, and you can swim and occasionally slide down the natural water slides.

You can get an aerial view of Puerto Plata and the Caribbean Sea on a teleferico, or cable car. One of them in particular climbs 2,565 feet to the apex of Mount Isabela de Torres, which is crowned with blooming botanical gardens and a replica of Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer, an open-armed statue.

It's also worth it to take a scenic drive to Parque Histórico La Isabela, the site of Christopher Columbus' first settlement in the New World. There, you'll find the remains of a church as well as ruins of a colonial village where Columbus routinely woke his neighbors by blasting the Santa Maria's foghorn.

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Trendy Boutique Hotel with Ocean Views

In the elevator at San Juan Water & Beach Club Hotel, there's a waterfall inside enclosed by glass. That's the first thing you're likely to notice. The second thing you'll most likely notice is its glass ceiling, which allows you to look up the elevator shaft as you ascend. Neat details like this helped the hotel earn recognition from TripAdvisor as one of the top five trendiest hotels in the Caribbean.

Celebrities including Snoop Dogg, Benicio del Toro, and Kid Rock have all paid a visit to Mist, the resort's rooftop lounge, which overlooks the waterscape of Isla Verde beach. Thursday–Saturday, DJs spin a Latin-inspired soundtrack late into the night. By day, a well-dressed crowd returns to Mist to sip cocktails and sample ceviche on plush daybeds by the pool.

The hotel is on Isla Verde beach, an idyllic stretch of Atlantic coastline. Water girls stroll the shore handing out cocktail popsicles and cooling towel wraps, and you can order food and have it delivered right to your beach chairs. For a more formal sit-down meal, head to Zest Restaurant, located off the hotel lobby. Its décor is inspired by water; the ceiling resembles an ocean surface, and the floors are illuminated. Here, you can feast on malt-braised pork cheek with parsnip puree or a miso-dressed cod with green-papaya compote.

The sound of the ocean surf is piped into the corridors that lead to the Atmosphere rooms. From floor-to-ceiling windows, you can get a nice view of the city and the water. In the morning, guests can enjoy a continental breakfast at Zest.

San Juan, Puerto Rico: Cosmopolitan City with Rich Spanish Heritage and Excellent Surfing and Fishing

Located along the northeastern coast of Puerto Rico, San Juan is a city of superlatives: it is the largest city on the island, one of the oldest colonial cities in the country, and operates one of the most important seaports in the world. Though San Juan is certainly modern, it also preserves quite a bit of its Spanish heritage.

At the mouth of the San Juan Bay, you'll find the blue cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, which are lined with museums, churches, and military forts dating back to the 16th century. The San Juan National Historic Site—located 7 miles from the hotel—features old but well-preserved buildings such as El Morro, a castle-like fortress built by the water in 1539 to defend the city from seaborne enemies and serve as a party house whenever the mayor went out of town.

Strong waves and constant wind keep windsurfers and kiteboarders busy in San Juan, and sailboats ring the marinas year-round. However, the island might be best known for its deep-sea fishing. Numerous charter boats can take you out to fish for tarpon, blue marlin, and mahi mahi in the Puerto Rican water, where 30 world fishing records have been broken.

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Private Beach Bungalows on Island Off Florida Coast

When Beach'n Place owner Rhonda Wyatt first came to Fort Myers Beach on business in 1994, she decided she had found paradise. The town is set on the 6-mile-long Estero Island, located just off Florida's mainland on the gulf side. Because the strip of land is no wider than a block in most parts, the beach is never more than a short walk away. Thought Wyatt was instantly taken with the sunny locale, it wasn't until 2004 that she made her dream a reality by purchasing the Island Hideaway resort, which includes the fully renovated Beach'n Place bungalows.

Set just a five-minute walk from the shore, Beach'n Place is comprised of seven cozy cottages. Each one-bedroom unit features a full kitchen stocked with appliances, dishes, and utensils. You can venture to nearby restaurants for dinner or stay close to home and have a cookout at one of the courtyard's barbecue grills.

The beach package included with this Getaway supplies everything you'll need for a day on the sand—towels, chairs, an umbrella, a cooler, and all the necessary sandcastle zoning permits. With a two-hour bike rental for two, also included, you can circumnavigate the entire island and explore the area at your own pace.

Fort Myers Beach, FL: Barrier Island Town with Wide, Sandy Beaches

Two bridges connect Estero Island to Florida's mainland, but you may find yourself opting to stay put. One of the biggest draws at Fort Myers Beach is its wide, sandy coastline, which is fronted by a boardwalk with tourist shops and restaurants. A popular way to take in the scenery is to board a kayak and paddle your way through Estero Bay's inlets to glimpse mangroves and dolphins.

At the southern tip of the island, Lovers Key State Park was historically accessible only via boat, but today you can also get there by car or tram. Keep your eyes peeled for the abundant wildlife in the region, home to West Indian manatees, marsh rabbits, and bald eagles.

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All-Inclusive Resort on the Caribbean Sea with Trapeze Lessons and Eclectic Dining

At Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach, "all-inclusive resort" means much more than unlimited dinners and mai tais. Right in between the beach and the resort, you can learn how to trapeze at an open-air training facility surrounded by netting. Head up to the trapeze platform for a free lesson, and you can see the Caribbean Sea stretch out for miles right next to the resort's private, 5,000-foot stretch of pristine golden beach lined with palapas below.

The trapeze lesson is one of many ways the resort goes beyond the typical all-inclusive experience. When you're not relaxing at the beach, the all-inclusive plan frees you up to try a scuba-diving lesson, take yoga classes, climb a rock wall in the gym, or take in some live entertainment.

The beachfront resort is spread out like a small village, lined with flagstone pathways, landscaped gardens, three pools, and a shady coral stone grotto. At night, you can stop by the discotheque and dance to spicy meringue music, or head to the theater to enjoy a live performance of musicals such as Moulin Rouge or Cabaret. As the night winds down, stop for a midnight snack at the 24-hour pizzeria.

Guests can enjoy unlimited food and drinks from five restaurants and four bars, including La Terraza, a breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot that serves an international buffet. You can get a nice view of the sunset on the waterfront patio of La Roca Grill, which serves tropical cocktails and fried calamari.

Beachfront bungalows are located steps from the ocean, so guests can fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves and the squeals of dolphins watching horror films.

Bayahibe, Dominican Republic: Renowned Scuba Diving with White-Sand Beaches

Bayahibe is situated on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic on the shore of the Caribbean Sea. The former fishing village remained relatively untouched by tourism until the late 1990s, when it became known for its white-sand beaches and scuba-diving sites, but it still has a tucked-away feel.

For diving and snorkeling, it's worth it to take a trip to Saona Island, an uninhabited nature reserve located just off the mainland. Tour operators on catamarans and motorboats will drop you around the area's sandbars and shipwrecks, which overflow with brightly colored fish.

About 20 miles (32 km) from the hotel, the cobblestone streets of Altos de Chavon are lined with artists' studios, galleries, and quaint cafés. The European-inspired village is also home to a 5,000-seat amphitheater, which has featured headlining shows from legendary artists including Frank Sinatra and Shakira.

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Oceanside Resort Offering Recreation and Relaxation for Families

With elegant movements and precise timing, a trapeze performer dives from a platform, releases her grip on the bar, and twirls midair. Just as she begins to descend, the performer’s hand finds the bar again, prompting applause inside the Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach's amphitheater. Weekly trapeze acts such as this one—as well as daily trapeze lessons for guests—provide nightly entertainment that complement the all-inclusive resort’s white sand beaches, outdoor pool, and tropical drinks.

Most nonmotorized watersports are among resort’s all-inclusive offerings, meaning families can captain small sailboats, steer windsurfing boards, or don snorkeling gear and head out to the ocean to network with local starfish. Away from the waves, families will find tennis, basketball, and beach volleyball courts as well as island music serving as the soundtrack to Bahamian dance lessons. Three onsite restaurants collectively offer both buffet and à la carte dining, from fine Italian fare to pan-Asian specialties. Poolside and beachfront bars serve cocktails, wine, and fresh fruit beneath thatched, palapa-style umbrellas.

Like the outdoor pool, each ocean-view room overlooks the Atlantic. Private balconies or terraces come furnished with wicker lounges, where families can comfortably enjoy views of the turquoise tides. Lemon, lime, and tangerine tones colorize the walls and linens within each retreat, giving interiors a fresh, citrusy vibe.

Freeport, Grand Bahama: Tropical Oasis Rich in Wildlife

Freeport is located on the southern coast of Grand Bahama island, home to three national parks and several beaches. Perched on a peninsula just outside Freeport, the Port Lucaya Marketplace hosts 80 stores selling Bahamian sundries and services. On the marketplace's west end, artisans craft jewelry, furniture, and souvenirs from dried palm fronds and wood.

Just a few minutes from the resort lies the tropical greenery at the Garden of the Groves, where you can visit its chapel, roam the hibiscus garden, and watch birds, turtles, and fish. Farther east, orchids and ming trees line trails and boardwalks in Lucayan National Park, a 40-acre tract that's also home to one of the world’s most extensive underwater cave systems.

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Spacious Rooms Overlooking St. Johns River

The St. Johns River—which neatly slices Jacksonville, Florida, down the middle—is one of the only rivers in America that flows north. Along its banks, the Jacksonville Landing has been attracting residents and visitors for more than 20 years with swanky shops, creative eateries, live-music clubs, and more than 300 special outdoor events held every year. The Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk occupies a prime spot directly across the river from the Landing and in the heart of the city's trendy San Marco entertainment district.

Each standard room in the hotel features contemporary and warm decor, with marigold-yellow walls and golden-hued linens. In the morning, you can head downstairs for a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast in the Wyndham's St. John's Café, then snooze peacefully in the sun while suspended in a hammock next to the outdoor pool.

Jacksonville, Florida: Sprawling City with Public Parks and Open Squares

Located in northern Florida 25 miles from the Georgia state line, Jacksonville has the distinction of being the largest city, area-wise, in the United States. This doesn't translate to vast expanses of pavement and canyons of skyscrapers, however. More than 80,000 acres of parkland lie within the city limits, surrounding visitors with lush landscaping and squirrel networking opportunities. A particularly nice park is Tree Hill Nature Center. Located five minutes from downtown, this green space is crisscrossed with 50 acres of trails leading through shady forests.

The neighborhood where the Wyndham is located, San Marco, is one of Jacksonville's oldest. Noted for its 1920s-era Mediterranean Revival homes—featuring balconies, terra-cotta tile roofs, and elaborate carvings—the area rewards sightseers with interesting architecture around every turn. As the sun goes down, head over to the San Marco Square, an open piazza surrounded by upscale restaurants and an old-fashioned movie theater.

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Party-Centric Hotel on Florida’s West Coast

On a typical weekend night at Bentley’s Resort Hotel, crowds gather around the Osprey Beach Pool for live music and cocktails. After a dance by the tiki bar, you can kick back on a couch under one of the poolside palapas. The pool deck is undoubtedly the heart of the hotel, but when the ocean calls, Bentley’s provides free transportation to some of the best beaches on Florida’s west coast, including Siesta Key—Dr. Beach's best beach of 2011—and Nokomis Beach on Casey Key.

The chef at the hotel's ultra-sleek restaurant, Morgan’s, uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients to create dishes such as grouper piccata. After a stunning sunset on the Gulf coast, the party shifts to the Jaguar Lounge and its adjacent Underground Nightclub, where DJs spin classic soul, top 40, and electronic dreidels. Like the restaurant and nightclub, accommodations at Bentley’s are modern and sleek. Bold artwork and modern fixtures adorn the Euro-chic rooms, each one named after a station on the London underground.

South Sarasota: Refuge for Endangered Birds and Artists

Just down the street from Bentley’s Resort Hotel, you’ll find the entrance to Oscar Scherer State Park, where stands of scrubby flatwood trees serve as a refuge for the threatened Florida scrub jay. Keep an eye out for its sapphire and cream plumage while biking or hiking through the park's trails or canoeing the blackwater South Creek (canoe rentals are available at the ranger station).

Bookstores and art venues are plentiful a few miles up the road in Sarasota, an enclave for artists, writers, and musicians. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall—a frequent host of Broadway and ballet shows—stands out as one of Sarasota's cultural hubs. The building’s exterior is entirely purple, and the deep ridges of its iconic modern roof turn lilac in the Florida sun.

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Spacious Villas near Three PGA Golf Club Courses

The links-style Dye course at PGA Village contains many flourishes characteristic of its designer, World Golf Hall of Famer Pete Dye. He throws in a scare right at the start, planting the tee box on hole 1 so it overlooks an intimidating sea of coquina waste bunkers and pine-straw roughs. But the rest of course is less threatening, with spacious landing areas and picturesque natural scenery from the surrounding Big Mamu Wetlands. And it's just one of three championship courses in the backyard of Florida's Perfect Drive Golf Villas, a resort designed to accommodate golfers’ needs.

Like a home away from home, spacious one- and two-bedroom villas include full kitchens, private screened porches, and laundry rooms. Stay in a Pine Valley villa to wake up within walking distance of the PGA Golf Club and to relax in whirlpool bathtubs after a round. Alternatively, Castle Pines villas are located within a gated community with picnic areas and three heated, lagoon-style swimming pools.

Perfect Drive also has its own short golf course with six holes for warming up for the PGA Golf Club's courses or settling ties afterwards without the perils of a 9-iron duel.

Port St. Lucie, Florida: Oceanfront Nature Preserves and World-Class Golf

Located near the Atlantic coast about 100 miles north of Miami, Port St. Lucie’s white-sand beaches offer a more laid-back alternative to nearby Palm Beach. Explore the area’s thousands of acres of parks and nature preserves, including Indian River Lagoon’s marshes and mangroves. About 20 minutes away in Fort Pierce, the Savannas Recreation Area evokes the Florida Everglades with five distinct biological communities, from wet prairies to pine flat woods.

Aside from ecotourism, Port St. Lucie’s main draw is golfing at PGA Village. Hailed as one of the 75 Best Golf Resorts in North America by Golf Digest , the resort features courses mapped out by legends Tom Fazio and Pete Dye. Its onsite practice facility with bunkers simulates famous golf courses from around the world, including Pebble Beach and Doral's Blue Monster.

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New Boutique Hotel Steps from Michigan Avenue

Located one block east of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, Ivy Boutique Hotel opens in May 2012 as the newest work from Arthur Minor, who designed The Palms Hotel in Las Vegas. With swanky amenities including mirror televisions and theater surround sound in all guest rooms, the hotel seems poised to become one of the city’s most exclusive hotels. Although the Ivy rises up 15 stories, there are only five guest rooms per floor, providing guests with a mixture of intimacy and comfort that makes it “the only true boutique luxury hotel in the city,” according to HotelChatter.

After guests check in via iPad, hotel staff members personally escort them to 675-square-foot king suites. A paragon of modern design, the suites contain platform beds with white leather headboards and floor-to-ceiling windows that open. Eco-friendly bamboo flooring, along with organic towels and rugs made from thistle, help to reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint. Guests can watch the flat-screen TV set in the vanity mirror while getting ready in the morning or practice Tarzan-style affirmation chants in the rainforest shower.

The Ivy is also in the process of opening an intimate 30- to 40-person restaurant and bar on the first floor. "We will try to use as much organic produce as possible," manager James Cazares says of his upcoming, reservations-only hot spot. A rooftop lounge opening in June will offer picture-perfect views of the city.

Gold Coast, Chicago: Ritzy Residential Neighborhood with Historical Mansions and Hip Restaurants

Located north of downtown, Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood hugs the shore of Lake Michigan, occupying some of the city's most desirable real estate. Its reputation as an upscale residential spot dates back to 1882, when wealthy businessmen began building castle-like mansions along the waterfront. For a glimpse at these historical estates, head to the Seven Houses on Lake Shore Drive District, where you'll find a French-chateau-inspired mansion that now serves as the International Museum of Surgical Science. A walk down Astor Street reveals some of the city's most unique architecture, including the Charnley-Persky House built by Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright in 1892.

Those looking for a hip nightlife will find trendy restaurants and nightclubs—many of which are open until 5 a.m.—catering to a well-dressed crowd. For people watching and the occasional celebrity sighting, head to Rush and Division, a see-and-be-seen spot dotted with upscale shops, classic Chicago bars, and diamond-encrusted parking meters.

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Historic B & B with Park Views and Fine Southern Cuisine

Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region is the textbook image of idyllic farmland—a landscape of rolling hills divided by rail fences into orchards, wineries, and horse pastures. In 1926, the Cleveland Orphanage Institution decided it was the perfect setting for educating children. They rebuilt the Cleveland Home as a Dutch Colonial Revival building, providing plenty of room for kids to run around. Today, it’s become The Woodford Inn, a stately, red brick structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Bruce and Linda Parker, two restaurateurs-turned-innkeepers, keep the place as welcoming as ever with warm hospitality and home-cooked southern fare.

The onsite Addie’s Restaurant and Bar is named after Linda’s mother, who used to prepare her family’s large Sunday dinners. The restaurant serves local specialties such as the Hot Brown sandwich ($12) with roast turkey and country ham in cheesy mornay sauce. An equally hearty breakfast often includes pancakes, bacon, and omelets, all served from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. You can dine inside, where paintings of racehorses line the walls, or head out to the patio, which is flanked by grassy lawns and conifers. There’s also a front porch, outfitted in classic southern fashion with rocking chairs and hanging ferns.

Inside, many of the inn's 10 guest rooms overlook the neighboring Woodford County Park. Though no two rooms are identical, all boast Tempur-Pedic mattresses, ornately carved headboards, and jacuzzi tubs. Room 3’s two-person tub makes it a good fit for couples.

Versailles, Kentucky: Bluegrass Country Along Bourbon Trail

The town of Versailles was named after the site of Louis XIV's gilded palace in France, yet the two places share little in common. The American version is located along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a string of famous distilleries including Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, and Wild Turkey. The region is also home to some of the most successful racehorse breeders in the world, whose ponies have gone on to win the Triple Crown and star in the doodles of 12-year-old girls all over the world.

Half an hour east, Lexington has many equine-related attractions of its own, including the Kentucky Horse Park and the Keeneland Race Track, a beautiful course that dates to 1935 and is known for its horse auctions. Nearby, the Mary Todd Lincoln House is filled with rooms made to look much like the ones lived in by Abraham Lincoln’s First Lady.

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Log-Cabin-Style Lodge with Paul Bunyan–Themed Water Park

Though much has been made of Paul Bunyan's mythical feats, little ink has been spilled on his favorite pastime—water parks. The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes, located near Bunyan's alleged hometown, has irrefutable proof of not only the lumberjack's existence, but his love of lazy rivers: the words “Paul Bunyan was here” are carved into a tree at the lodge's water park. Nearby, a bust of Babe the Blue Ox overlooks a floating bridge made of tree stumps Bunyan once used as toothpicks.

The log-cabin-style hotel fits nicely within the woodsy Brainerd Lakes area. In the lobby, an antler chandelier shines down on a stone fireplace and leather couches. Standard rooms also feature rustic appointments, including the beds and nightstands made from carved logs. The hotel's water park and arcade are undoubtedly geared towards kids, but grownups can get their kicks at The Lodge Grill & Bar, which serves Kansas City dry-aged steaks to go with a roster of beer and wine.

Baxter, Minnesota: Rural Town in the Land of Lakes

About two hours northwest of the Twin Cities, the small town of Baxter is nestled among more than 500 lakes stamped out by Paul Bunyan on his pogo stick. You’ll have arrived in nearby Brainerd when you see the 112-foot-tall fiberglass lumberjack along Highway 371. Brainerd is the starting point of the 100-mile Paul Bunyan Trail, a haven for bikers and hikers in the warmer months. There are numerous picnic and campsites along the trails, in addition to shimmering lakes that serve as reservoirs for Bunyan's contact solution.

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Desert-Inspired Hotel with Elegant Outdoor Pool

Best Western Plus Palm Desert Resort lies in the heart of the Coachella Valley, a stark landscape peppered with lush fairways and flanked on three sides by mountains. Befitting its desert environs, the hotel features Spanish villa architecture, replete with stucco walls and terra cotta roof tiles. Towering palm trees and blooming gardens add a bright pop of color to the hotel's landscaping.

The courtyard contains a figure-eight-shaped pool and circular whirlpool, surrounded by fan palms and verdant shrubs. After a dip in the pool, you can sweat it out at the workout facility, or engage in a shouting match with the line judge at the tennis courts. In the morning, don’t miss out on a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast of eggs, pancakes, fresh fruit, danishes, and bacon.

Palm Desert, California: Shopping and Golf in Scenic Coachella Valley

Palm Desert shares the same desert landscape and resort atmosphere as Palm Springs, about 15 miles to the northeast. El Paseo, known as the Rodeo Drive of the Desert, is within walking distance of the hotel. The popular shopping district features art galleries, high-end boutiques, and brand-name retailers such as Gucci, Ralph Lauren, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Palm Desert is also a gateway town into the north end of the 800,000-acre Joshua Tree National Park, located less than 60 miles away. In addition to being the birthplace of Bono, the desert park is famous for its unusual geologic formations and mountains made of twisted rock, which are ideal for rock climbing. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife including desert bighorn sheep, golden eagles, and coyotes.

For a guaranteed glimpse of wildlife, check out The Living Desert, a zoo, botanical garden, and animal hospital in Palm Desert. As you stroll throughout the various geographical regions—including North America, Africa, and Village WaTuTu—you will see flora and fauna indigenous to that area, which can include mexican gray wolves, giraffes, and jaguars. The Living Desert also boasts a G-scale model train that winds its way through replicas of historical scenes, including a California logging and mining town and the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

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Cliffside Resort Overlooking the Pacific

From afar, the sun-baked clay and steppe-style façade of Capella Ixtapa Resort & Spa looks like it was carved out of the cliff face at water's edge. Up close, the resort still feels like an extension of its surroundings. Hardwood beams and thatched palapa roofs blend seamlessly with lush palmettos, cacti, and exotic flowers. Infinity pools appear to spill out onto the crashing waters of the Pacific Ocean. The setting and rustic architecture are equally striking; it's no surprise that Capella Ixtapa Resort & Spa was designated as Mexico's Leading Resort by the World Travel Awards in 2010 and is nominated again this year.

Inside the suites, you can soak up warm breezes from a private terrace or cool off in your own infinity plunge pool. Forbes Life described the contemporary rooms as "flat-out mesmerizing." It might take superhuman willpower to step away from your oceanfront lookout, but there's plenty to explore throughout the property. At the spa, an earthy-chic ambiance soothes the senses and whales off the coast perform Sade's greatest hits during outdoor massages.

Cast-iron wall sculptures add a touch of the avant-garde to the dining room at A Mares Restaurant, where inventive chefs push the boundaries of classic Mexican cuisine. A Mares serves dinner only, but the poolside Las Rocas Restaurant offers icy margaritas and shrimp cocktail throughout the day. If you're game for an adventure, you can book a horseback ride on the shores of Playa Larga, charter a deep-sea fishing boat, or snorkel around nearby coral reefs.

Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico: Resort Area Near Fishing Town

A popular resort area, Ixtapa lies along the Pacific Ocean on Mexico's southwest coast, in the strip of land known as Costa Grande. Its geography is marked by white-sands beaches and the crystal waters draw kayakers, snorkelers, and sport fishermen year-round.

About a 20-minute drive south along the coast, the quiet fishing town of Zihuatanejo offers a quiet alternative to the relative bustle of Ixtapa. Anyone who's seen an hourly cable broadcast of The Shawshank Redemption might recall that the Tim Robbins character dreams of living as a fisherman in Zihuatanejo. There are plenty of secluded spots to live out his dream along the Paseo del Pescador. Along the more lively fisherman's boardwalk, shops are stocked with Cuban cigars, handmade jewelry, and local tequila. There's usually a musician or two walking the stone streets, eager to serenade passersby with a romantic rendition of The Price is Right theme.

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Family-Friendly Resort with Comfortable Suites

Lined with water parks, dinner theaters, and quirky museums, the Strip in downtown Branson is one of America’s most decorated streets. Officially known as Highway 76, the family-friendly road became a tourist spot in the early 1960s, when several country-music concerts and comedy shows turned it into an entertainment destination. With more than 100 venues added since, Branson has earned its "live-entertainment capital of the world" moniker by hosting shows ranging from Chinese circuses to the comedy of Yakov Smirnoff to country jubilees. Located a few miles south, The Suites at Fall Creek makes for a convenient home base to explore the town, offering a family-friendly environment with indoor and outdoor pools and a bustling activities center.

The resort's guest rooms have been decorated in traditional country style with wood furnishings and cozy carpets. At 900 square feet, the one-bedroom suites add full kitchens and screened-in porches. Guests can also fix meals in the studio rooms’ partial kitchens. Take a stroll along the property's narrow walking paths for glimpses of manmade ponds and manicured gardens.

Branson: Waterfront Entertainment District with Country-Music History

Located in the heart of the Ozarks and nestled next to Table Rock Lake, Branson is just as famous for its entertainment attractions as its picturesque setting. On any given night, you can find country-music tribute shows and live dinner performances lighting up Highway 76. The six-brother musical troupe known simply as Six performs its award-winning a cappella concert most days from March through November.

Fishing remains one of Branson’s most popular activities. Perched at the foot of old Main Street, Lake Taneycomo’s clear, cold waters make it an ideal habitat for trout. Ten minutes from the hotel, Table Rock Lake offers some of the country’s best bass fishing among forests of oak and hickory trees.

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Sumptuous Accommodations amid Mountain Terrain

The Resort at Squaw Creek's golf course looks out over lush prairies and mountainsides covered in pine trees. It’s a gorgeous scene in sunny weather, but summer is technically off-season here. In the distance, you can see the six peaks of Squaw Valley USA, a sort of Shangri-La that served as the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics. When the landscape is blanketed with snow, the mountains are dotted with skiers and snowboarders. The golf course is transformed for the season into the Nordic Center, leaving it crisscrossed with tracks left by dogsleds, cross-country skis, and snowshoes.

Whatever the season, The Resort at Squaw Creek serves as a convenient home base from which to enjoy the outdoors; it’s tucked into the Sierra Nevada on Lake Tahoe's north shore. Hiking trails wind through the property, and on hand you’ll find a private outdoor ice rink and an onsite fly-fishing center. Guests can also feel free to stop by the outdoor pool complex's plunge pool and 120-foot water slide and choreograph water ballets in its heated lap pool and three hot tubs.

Six Peaks Grille, one of the resort’s four dining venues, serves up breakfasts of fresh fruit, lox, and a goldmine of pastries kept warm in white linens. The breakfast buffet allows you to load up on made-to-order omelets, bacon, french toast, and pancakes.

The resort’s 405 rooms and suites underwent a $53 million renovation in recent years. The deluxe forest-view room has a marble shower and a grand picture window that overlooks Tahoe National Forest. In fact, the entire guest tower—where all the rooms are located—is sheathed in lustrous black glass to maximize views of the valley.

Squaw Valley USA: Hiking and Cycling Through Mountains on Lake Tahoe's North Shore

Located about a 15-minute drive from North Lake Tahoe, Squaw Creek is situated amid some of northern California's most revered scenery and varied terrain. The resort rents out bicycles by the hour, including Marin cruisers for adults, Trek mountain bikes for kids, and tagalong carts for infants and beloved pet rocks. Use these to hop on Truckee River Trail, a gently rolling, paved path that follows a crystal-clear river 7 miles to Tahoe City. There, you’ll happen upon a paved trail with views of the Lake of the Sky and access to Tahoe Vista's beaches 10 miles to the north.

Lupine and buckwheat paint the mountainside, and the High Camp here is a nice jumping-off point to hike on some dry, pebbly trails. If you’re unaccustomed to the high altitude, you may find yourself easily winded on even short hikes; still, the 1.5-mile jaunt uphill to Emigrant Peak is worth the trip, as you get 360-degree views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada.

Quaint clapboard buildings housing shops and restaurants line the Village at Squaw Valley. One of these is PlumpJack Cafe, the brainchild of former San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom. In a dimly lit dining room, the restaurant serves seasonal contemporary fare such as the inventive ceviche cone, a feuille de brick cone filled with tuna, avocado, and ginger and topped with chili threads ($15).

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French Quarter–Inspired Inn with Onsite Restaurant

Though it’s in the heart of Texas Hill Country, Crescent Quarters channels New Orleans, the Crescent City, in both name and design. The hotel exudes French Quarter charm, from its wrought-iron balconies to the hanging planters and gas lanterns. N’awlins also inspired some of the guest rooms, including one decorated with the famous Blue Dog paintings of Cajun artist George Rodrigue and another furnished in festive Mardi Gras purples and golds.

The rest of the rooms and suites carry out much different motifs. The Far East room features Buddhist images against bamboo-covered walls, and the French room channels continental elegance with a fireplace, French boudoir, and life-size cardboard cutout of Napoleon Bonaparte. Some rooms come with other chic touches such as granite vanities and polished hardwood floors, and the two suites come furnished with hot tubs.

Complimentary breakfast is served every morning in the common room. For lunch and dinner, head to the in-house restaurant, Cypress Grille and Wine Bar, run by chefs who trained at the Culinary Institute of America and Le Cordon Bleu. The casual eatery serves comfort-food favorites with creative twists, such as dried-fruit ravioli and smoked barbecue pork sandwiches with grilled pineapple. As a bonus, Cypress Grille and Wine Bar will give Groupon customers a complimentary dessert with the purchase of an entree.

Boerne, Texas: Historic German Town in Texas Hill Country

A popular summer escape for Austinites and San Antonians, the Hill Country of west-central Texas usually enjoys cooler temperatures than surrounding areas thanks to its higher elevation. Among the region’s towns, Boerne stands out for its unique history as an early 19th-century German settlement. Some vestiges of the old days are still around, including the bilingual, German-style street signs. Crescent Quarters overlooks Boerne's Main Street—or Hauptstrasse—which features a smattering of shops and restaurants that cater to the influx of out-of-towners that use the town as a convenient home base for exploring the Hill Country.

Boerne is also home to a few limestone caves that have been paved through with walkways and lights for public tours. Cascade Caverns, 4 miles from the inn, features a half-mile stretch of stalactite and stalagmite formations and plunging caves inhabited by a rare and endangered salamander. Tours of the caverns lead through narrow passageways and end with a view of a 100-foot waterfall cascading into a pitch-black pool.

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Palatial Beachfront Hotel with Elegant, Mediterranean Décor

Modeled on the elaborate palaces built during the golden age of Middle Eastern architecture, GR Caribe By Solaris adds a touch of Arabian Nights to the raucous party atmosphere of Cancun. Arched windows overlaid with intricate ironwork are cut into white stucco walls, and colonnaded porticos lead to open-air courtyards such as the Plaza Zeferino, an extension of the lobby bar. Though the Mediterranean-style retreat is located in the heart of Cancun's spring-break-friendly hotel zone, its décor is elegant, its mood serene.

Which is not to say the place is stuffy. The resort keeps guests busy with dance classes, magic shows, and a private marina stocked with kayaks, pedal boats, and windsurfing equipment. A supervised kids' club at the GR Caribe's sister hotel, the Royal Solaris Cancun located just next door, entertains youngsters with a mini water park, outdoor games, and craft projects such as decorating a piñata to resemble Oscar De La Hoya.

For grownups, two onsite bars and a pair of outdoor hot tubs overlooking the ocean supply differing forms of liquid refreshment. A romantic dinner at Veneto, one of the hotel's three restaurants, caps off the day with Italian and French dishes and views of a secluded lagoon.

Cancun, Mexico: White-Sand Beaches and Rollicking Nightlife

Located on the Atlantic coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, Cancun is characterized by picture-perfect white-sand beaches and crowds of high-spirited revelers. While the spring break set flocks to the city's scores of bars and clubs, families and outdoor adventurers are drawn to areas such as Playa Norte, a beach whose turquoise waters brim with snorkelers, scuba divers, and kayakers.

Inasmuch as Cancun pulls in more than 4 million visitors each year, escaping the crowds isn't always easy, but a visit to Playa Delfines often offers a chance for sunbathing in relative seclusion. Resorts have yet to encroach upon this particular stretch of sand, and it's especially popular with surfers. In fact, for those interested in taking surfing lessons in Cancun, Playa Delfines is a good place to start.

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Modern B&B in the Heart of Ohio Amish Country

Holmes County, Ohio, is home to the world's largest Amish community, a culture that eschews modern technology in search of a simpler lifestyle. Consequently, the region feels even more separate from city life than other rural areas, a trait that makes it especially attractive to some. The Inn at Honey Run embraces this ethos while still offering an onsite spa, an upscale restaurant, and other comforts you'd expect from a luxury boutique hotel.

The Inn at Honey Run's aesthetic is a far cry from the earthy farmhouses just a few miles away. Bucolic yet refined decor covers both the lobby and the guest rooms with wreaths of sinewy dried vines and local artwork made of wrought iron and polished wood. Several Select rooms occupy upper floors, where treetops are visible through reading nooks' skylights. Alternatively, Honeycomb rooms are built into a hillside and come with a secluded outdoor patio.

Every morning, guests gather at Tarragon, the Inn's upscale yet casual restaurant, for a continental breakfast of fresh fruit, yogurt, and house-made muffins and pastries. For lunch and dinner, Executive Chef Scott Fetty draws on his training and uses seasonal, local ingredients to craft upscale American cuisine.

At the onsite Spa at Honey Run, sip on flowering tea before a massage, facial treatment, or body treatment that uses 100% organic oils and scrubs. The hiking trails that crisscross the property are another source of relaxation, passing through meadows and forests and along burbling brooks. For an additional fee of $125, the inn will arrange an authentic Amish-country buggy ride around the surrounding hills.

Holmes County, OH: Bucolic Farmland Rich in Amish Tradition

Located about 80 miles south of Cleveland, Holmes County's rolling countryside is rife with farms and stores, as well as a few tourist attractions. See the Amish lifestyle up close at The Farm at Walnut Creek, which also houses exotic creatures such as giraffes, camels, and kangaroos alongside regional animals like cattle, horses, sheep, and goats. The Holmes County Trail follows 29 miles of former railroad lines, from nearby Killbuck to Fredericksburg, with 15 paved miles accommodating Amish buggies and bicycles.

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Historical Civil War–Era Hotel on Georgetown's Circle

In 1836, a large brick structure was built in Georgetown, Delaware, on the town's circle, and it was soon converted into The Union Hotel. When the Civil War broke out, Union supporters co-opted the hotel as their unofficial clubhouse and would gather there before taking to the street to brawl with Confederate sympathizers. In the years since, the building also served as a county courthouse, a post office, and a bank before it was fully restored and reopened in 2008 as Brick Hotel On The Circle.

Each of the 14 guest rooms at Brick Hotel is furnished individually with antiques, such as period bedsteads and old-fashioned clocks. The Lazy Daisy features daisy stained-glass wall art, and the Mayor's Manor—a tongue-in-cheek nod to the innkeeper's short stint as Georgetown's mayor—incorporates a pineapple motif as a symbol of hospitality and a celebration of prickly fruit. In the original section of the hotel, a few of the rooms, including the Baker, offer views of the circle and a small fireplace.

After settling in, head downstairs to Brick Hotel's in-house tavern and restaurant, where you can enjoy a cold ale served with seared scallops or Maryland crab cakes.

Georgetown, Delaware: Charming Colonial-Era Town

Located in southern Delaware, across the Delaware Bay from New Jersey, Georgetown was laid out in a mile-diameter circle in 1791, starting with the town square. Historical buildings abound—opposite the Brick Hotel On The Circle is the stately white tower of the Sussex County Courthouse, and there are several more notable buildings within a short walk from the hotel. Downtown Georgetown is lined with shops and churches, including the 1794 St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

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Cozy Boutique Hotel in Heart of Sonoma Wine Country

West Sonoma Inn & Spa stands amid 6 acres of Russian River Valley countryside in the heart of Sonoma wine country. The stylish boutique hotel pays homage to its lush natural surroundings by incorporating design elements drawn from the landscape, from its color palette of warm earth tones to the lobby's vaulted redwood ceiling. The inn also seems to evoke the wine country’s spirit through its pebbled wine garden, where burgundy-tinted oak barrels provide a makeshift wall for guests sipping reds and whites in lounge chairs. Outside, the neighboring 100-acre vineyard stretches toward the hills in the distance.

As the sun dyes the open California skies rosé, retreat to courtyard suites, where you'll find one king bed with a Pacific Coast comforter, either a fully equipped kitchenette with bistro-style furniture or a sitting room with a wet bar. Take in a similar view from massage beds at the inn's onsite spa. There, five massage therapists administer organic treatments ranging from cleansing sea-plant facials to the Russian River hot-stone massages.

Sonoma County: Majestic Redwoods and Scenic Vineyards

Located about an hour north of San Francisco, Sonoma County’s gentle climate and rolling landscapes invite year-round recreation. West Sonoma Inn & Spa lies within walking distance of skyscraper-high redwoods and the canoe-friendly Russian River. A 25-minute drive to the craggy Pacific coastline takes visitors to unspoiled beaches where seals and pelicans easily outnumber people, making for lopsided outcomes in cross-species beach-volleyball tournaments.

Russian River Valley’s most rewarding aspect may be its rolling roads dotted with family-owned wineries. The wine pass included with this Groupon gives access to free tastings and discounts at 16 vineyards handpicked by hotel management. Many of the local vineyards specialize in handcrafted wines and employ sustainable farming practices. Sample the apple dessert wine at Graton Ridge Cellars, then head over to Hook and Ladder Vineyards to smell the cranberry and vanilla flavors of its award-winning pinot noir.

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Family-Friendly Lodgings in Downtown Jefferson City

Just steps from Capitol Plaza Hotel, the Missouri State Capitol Building resembles an ancient Roman basilica. Ornately carved 40-foot columns mark its entrance, and a statue of Ceres, the Roman goddess of grain and agriculture, tops its massive white dome. Ceres is a fitting figure to overlook Jefferson City, which began as several gristmills along the Missouri River. A stay at Capitol Plaza Hotel puts visitors in the heart of historical downtown Jefferson City and a stone's throw from the area’s nature trails, prime fishing locales, and rolling prairies.

The guest rooms and executive suites offer wireless Internet and cable TV amid warm hues and simple decor. In the two-room executive suite, there's an additional sleeper sofa. For dinner, feel free to lounge in your room and enjoy an artisan pizza from the onsite Plaza Pizzeria, or head down for a light meal and a cocktail at the Fountain Court Lounge before unwinding in the hotel's indoor heated pool and hot tub.

Jefferson City, Missouri: Rich History and German Heritage on the Missouri River

Many postcards of downtown Jefferson City spotlight its domed Capitol Building and the Missouri River, the two landmarks that reflect the Missouri capital’s historical and natural spirit. Perched on a bluff that Lewis and Clark crossed under during their historical afternoon beer run, the Capitol Building embraces Missouri's history through its three-wall mural, Thomas Hart Benton’s A Social History of Missouri. Located on the third floor of the Capitol, the mural tells the story of Missouri’s pioneer days up to the rise of St. Louis and Kansas City.

On Jefferson City’s south side, the neighborhood of Old Munichburg conveys a distinctly German feel through its historical churches, Bavarian-style brick buildings, and pubs that serve schnitzel and other traditional dishes. Steps from Old Munichburg, the Missouri River draws visitors looking to canoe or catch catfish. Near the boat-access point, signs indicate how far other cities are down the river, from Rocheport (43 miles) to Three Forks, Montana (2,197 miles). Another popular spot for fishing is nearby Binder Lake, which is filled with bass and bluegill.

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250-Year-Old Cocoa Plantation with Tropical Gardens near Sulphur Springs

In 1713, King Louis XIV granted the Fond Doux estate on St. Lucia to chocolate and cocoa producers, who would eventually expand the plantation to produce sugar. Today, even after its buildings have been repurposed as a resort, the estate still produces cocoa plants, ginger, nutmeg, and more. In addition to its samples of fresh cocoa, the property offers visitors the privilege of roaming 135 acres of exotic gardens, cinnamon trees, and a historic battle site between the British and the French. Named one of the world’s five best plantation resorts by the Guardian, Fond Doux Holiday Plantation not only reveals Soufriere’s breathtaking landscape, but also the island town’s rich history.

Fond Doux is so dedicated to its French colonial roots that many of the centuries-old buildings had been rescued from demolition and reconstructed onsite to preserve the resort's 18th-century feel. Many of the one-bedroom cottages feature wood-shake shingles and natural-wood four-poster beds and wicker furniture. In the Cinnamon cottage, rocking chairs sit on a sunlit veranda. Alternatively, the Banana Tree cottage recalls the surrounding rainforest through lime-green drapes.

At the onsite restaurants, The Cocoa Pod and Jardin Cacao, sample fresh mahi mahi with plantain chips or banana-rum flambé, served on traditional creole earthenware dishes. To support the estate’s self-sufficient, eco-friendly efforts, many of the ingredients used have been grown onsite.

To get an up-close and personal feel for the plantation, guests can tour the cocoa farm and see the step-by-step production process. Guides lead groups through hands-on demonstrations of cocoa drying all the way to making cocoa sticks.

Soufriere, St Lucia: Former Colonial Town with Volcanic Geography and Rainforests

Located in between Martinique and St. Vincent in the eastern Caribbean, St. Lucia was coveted by the English and French, who quarreled over the island for more than an a century. The French seem to have left a more noticeable influence on its arts and cuisine, as upscale French eateries can be found all along the coast. Grab a table to sample pepperpot soup, made with beef and spinach-like callaloo, or the country’s national dish of salt fish paired with green fig.

Named St. Lucia’s first town in 1746, Soufriere sits on the island’s eastern coast. Further inland from the crystal-blue beaches, Soufriere’s landscape shows dramatic evidence of ancient geographic upheaval. On either side of Jalousie Beach, a favorite for snorkelers, stand the Pitons, two imposing 2,000-foot volcanic plugs that still experience geothermal activity. Dense rainforests sprawl throughout Soufriere, so the area is ideal for bird watching, especially sandpipers, egrets, and parrots.

Billed as the world’s only “drive-in volcano,” Soufriere’s Sulphur Springs on St. Lucia allows visitors to drive right up to the mountain and stand steps from bubbling tar pits and steaming fumaroles. Feel free to bathe in a bubbling mud spring, as the springs are said to have therapeutic properties.

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Spacious Suites on Historic WWII Air Base in the Heart of Scottsdale

Between 1942 and 1945, young WWII pilots took off and landed more than 600,000 times on the runways of the Thunderbird II Air Base, situated in the desert outside of Phoenix. Today, jetsetters of a different kind frequent the historic base, which has been repurposed as the Scottsdale Municipal Airport. The base also contains the Scottsdale Thunderbird Suites, a four-story, tawny stucco hotel. Soaring ceilings and thick oriental rugs welcome visitors at the grand entrance area, and there are nods to the property's aviation history throughout the hotel.

Considering its proximity to the runway, each of the hotel's standard suites is rather quiet. That's because each room has been soundproofed with thick concrete walls to reduce the sound of engines and the cries of babies that want their pilot's license 16 years ahead of schedule. All of the spacious suites include a living room and separate bedroom, as well as new, cushy couches and chairs to lend the room homey feel.

Before heading off to bed, stop by the lounge next to the Silver Wings Restaurant to grab a nightcap and browse the hotel’s WWII aviation memorabilia. Among the relics are photographs of pilots and a table crafted from an aircraft rotary-cylinder-engine top. In the morning, guests can fill up on eggs, bacon, pastries, and steaming coffee at the complimentary hot breakfast buffet.

Scottsdale, Arizona: High-End Shopping in the “The West’s Most Western Town”

Situated slightly northeast of Phoenix in the Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale was once a vast ranch lands lined with citrus farms and cowboy settlements, earning it the nickname of “The West’s Most Western Town.” Today, the lush desert oasis is studded with glittering outdoor fountains, emerald-green golf courses, and an active nightlife scene.

For many vacationers, "sightseeing" in Scottsdale translates to "window-shopping." A few steps from the hotel, wander past palm trees to find designer stores such as Cartier and Anthropologie. A few minutes away is the charming and quaint Old Town Scottsdale, where brick buildings offer a glimpse into how the town earned its “Most Western” moniker. Stroll down its winding streets to find art galleries, a mammoth used bookstore, and public sculptures on nearly every corner.

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Historical Inn with Glass-Enclosed Porch Overlooking Lake

In the 19th century, some of the Northeast's industrial pioneers— including Silas March, an entrepreneur and New York state assemblyman—spent their idle days in a clapboard estate built along the shores of Mariaville. In 2003, husband-and-wife innkeepers Rick and Lorrie Runnels purchased this historical home and dubbed it the Mariaville Lake Bed and Breakfast. Since then, they've made extensive renovations while managing to preserve the building's casual, Federal-style elegance; it still has its original moldings, wood-burning fireplaces, and hardwood floors in some of the guest rooms.

The building is tucked into a woodsy area along the private, 200-acre Mariaville Lake, and it's a prime spot to get in some fishing and swimming. The B&B also owns two kayaks, one canoe, and one rowboat, which are all available for guests. Or feel free to take a stroll through the wealth of hiking trails that crisscross the property; one in particular leads to a beaver dam. In summer and fall, you can tell ghost stories and dry your laundry over a crackling bonfire in the evening.

The inn's five guest rooms are individually decorated, but all look out to Mariaville Lake. You have to use an old-fashioned skeleton key to get into the Vineyard and Lakeview rooms, as they are located in the original part of the house.

Come morning, the innkeepers serve a breakfast by candlelight in the formal dining room or on the glass-enclosed porch. The chefs prepare a different hot entree each morning, such as banana-stuffed french toast, veggie frittatas, or puffed apple pancakes. You can typically find house-made pastries, fresh juices, yogurt, fresh fruit, coffee, and tea.

Mariaville, New York: Small Town on the Shores of Mariaville Lake

Mariaville is part of the 18th century town of Duanesburg, located about 30 miles west of Albany. Thanks to its location along the 200-acre Mariaville Lake, the town became a resort community in the 1920s. Not a whole lot has changed since then; there's still only one traffic light in the city to date, and every high-school class is taught by the mayor.

The town of Schenectady offers a dose of culture fewer than 15 miles east. Aside from shopping and restaurants, you can find the historical Proctors Theater, which opened as a vaudeville venue in the early 20th century but sank into disrepair by the late 1970s. A group of concerned citizens rallied to restore the theater, which now hosts regular performances of ballets, musicals, comedians, and concerts.

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Golf Resort with Ocean Views from Private Balconies

With the Mauna Kea volcano as backdrop, Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay designed the Hapuna Golf Course to complement the dramatic rise from the Pacific shore to about 700 feet above sea level. Named one of the top 20 courses in Hawaii by Links magazine in 2011, the course sits on the sprawling grounds of the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. The championship course could be the Hawaiian retreat's most striking feature were it not for its beach—a pristine expanse of white sand lining the turquoise Pacific on the Big Island's Kohala Coast.

Each of the hotel's oceanfront rooms offers views of the water from a private lanai. The intimate balcony features stone tile floors, a quaint café table, and comfy lounge chairs. Back at ground level, you can choreograph underwater ballets in the heated pool or lounge on cushy chairs under coconut palm trees and white canopy umbrellas. Nearby, there’s a small, secluded cove where giant sea turtles occasionally seek harbor and snorkelers set off to explore Hawaii's abundant marine life.

After a day of exploring the waterfront, you can cap your night with a traditional luau on the Mauna Kea luau grounds. As musicians pluck at steel guitars and hula dancers sway, diners feast on Hawaiian specialties including poi, sashimi, and roasted kalua pig.

Kohala Coast, Hawaii: Big Island Paradise Abounding with Adventures on Sea & Land

The Big Island's Kohala Coast offers a nearly limitless selection of invigorating aquatic adventures. Certified instructors at scuba-diving centers within 15 minutes of the resort lead underwater tours through crystalline waters inhabited by whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, and bottlenose mermaids. Amphibious travelers can also board catamarans for treks to areas frequented by humpback whales.

About a 60-mile drive from the hotel, Akaka Falls State Park is known for its waterfalls nestled in lush Hawaiian rainforest that teems with wild orchids, bamboo groves, and draping ferns. The park's namesake Akaka Falls, reachable by a winding footpath, presents a majestic sight as it plummets nearly 500 feet into a bubbling ravine below.

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See Cape Town, Victoria Falls, and Botswana’s Elephants

From South Africa’s cosmopolitan cities to Botswana’s remote plains, Africa’s southern tip is a diverse blend of cultures, landscapes, and animals. With Africa Answers' 11-day excursion, you’ll dabble in it all, and check three of Africa’s most notable sights off your bucket list. Explore South Africa’s colonial Cape Town, marvel at the stunning Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, and traverse Botswana’s Chobe National Park on safari, where you could see at least four of the so-called Big Five game animals, including the lion, the African elephant, the cape buffalo, and the leopard.

Click here to view the full itinerary.

Days 1–2: Depart on South African Airways from New York City or Washington, DC, landing in Johannesburg, South Africa, on day 2. After clearing customs, travelers board a flight to head to Cape Town.

A company representative will meet guests at the airport before escorting them to Pepper Club Luxury Hotel & Spa. Heralded by CNN Traveller as the Best Luxury Hotel in South Africa, Pepper Club dazzles with a beachfront restaurant and nightclub and an indoor pool with panoramic views of Table Mountain. Guests stay in a one-bedroom superior deluxe suite, and have complimentary access to the shuttle service between the hotel, waterfront, and beach.

Days 3–5: The first full day in Cape Town begins with a guided half-day city tour, including a cable-car ride to Table Mountain’s summit to see the city from above. The rest of the morning is devoted to exploring sights such as the Castle of Good Hope, the country’s oldest colonial building. Drive through the Malay Quarter, past the quaint Bo-Kaap homes awash in pastel hues. At the end of the tour, watch as a professional diamond cutter demonstrates his craft. On days 4 and 5, guests can take a self-guided tour of the town; Pepper Club’s 24-hour concierge service can provide ideas for exploration.

Day 6: Guests fly from Cape Town to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. A staff member greets guests at the airport and arranges transportation to Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, an upscale hotel listed on Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List. The lodge resembles a multilevel tree house, with an onsite watering hole that attracts kudu, impalas, and elephants year-round. While at the hotel, enjoy complimentary afternoon tea and daily cocktail hour, or participate in a vulture-feeding experience.

In the early evening, you’ll take a sunset cruise down the Zambezi River, located above the falls. Keep an eye out for hippos, crocodiles, and other animals along the river banks.

Days 7–8: Day 7 is dedicated to exploring Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Travelers are transported to the nearby cascades, where they’ll also have a chance to walk through the surrounding rainforest and sites, including Cataract Island.

The following day is up to you. In the evening, partake in a traditional dinner meal at the Boma Restaurant, replete with cultural songs, dances, and Zimbabwean delicacies, including—for brave tasters—slightly grilled mopani worms.

Days 9–10: In the morning, travelers head to the Chobe Game Lodge in Botswana, located only 90 minutes from Victoria Falls. Guests spend two days on safari, exploring the Chobe National Park on game drives and sunset game-viewing cruises. Four of the Big Five animals—lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo—make their home on the reserve and can sometimes be seen alongside giraffes, monkeys, and awestruck Ernest Hemingways. The park is especially rife with elephants, as there are an estimated population of 120,000 in Botswana.

Days 11–12: Guests are transferred back to Victoria Falls Airport, where they will fly to the U.S. via Johannesburg.

An extra fee applies for departures from Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland.

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Spacious Southwestern Suites in the Heart of Santa Fe

When you walk down the streets of downtown Santa Fe, it can feel more like a rustic Old West town than the thriving capital city of New Mexico. Some big businesses and skyscrapers have sprouted up throughout Santa Fe, to be sure, but right among them in the heart of downtown, you’ll see historical mission churches and adobe pueblos. It’s all set against the ruddy backdrop of the Sangre Cristo Mountains. Villas de Santa Fe are situated right in the foothills of these mountains‚ about 16 miles northeast of downtown. Warm, southwestern-style décor and well-appointed rooms make the property a comfy home base after you explore colorful downtown Santa Fe, which is rich in Native American and Mexican history.

Inside the pueblo-like villas, modern amenities complement the rustic and colorful decorative scheme. There’s Santa Fe–style art hanging on the walls in one of the standard one-bedroom suites, and you can find colorful woven fabrics on the couch in the separate living area. Each of these suites features a partial kitchen, where there’s a full-size refrigerator, a stovetop, and honey-colored wood cabinetry. It makes the place feel more like a comfy apartment than a hotel room.

After waking up to the bright sun of a Santa Fe morning, you can feel free to unwind in the outdoor hot tub or practice chasing after mail carriers on the treadmills in the onsite fitness center. The hotel also has a complimentary shuttle that can zip you around the property; that allows guests to save their energy for scenic walks through nearby downtown area.

Santa Fe, New Mexico: Old West Architecture and Fiery Southwestern Cuisine

Just a short walk from the Villas de Santa Fe, you’ll find the perpetually sun-soaked downtown area. It’s a historical center with a vibrant mosaic of cultural influences made up of fragments from the Native American, Latino, and western traditions. The 400-year-old site of the St. Francis Cathedral Basilica dons stained-glass windows, which cast rainbow colors onto the stone floor. Handmade leather treasures line the shelves at a custom-cowboy-boot store in the city.

Fiery chili is a standby garnish for chefs in Santa Fe; on a food tour of Santa Fe, you can sample zesty southwestern fare from popular local vendors. At day's end, the tour stops at the rooftop of a beloved downtown restaurant, where guests may sip a glass of wine, admire the brilliant sunset, and drop water balloons onto evil school principals.

New Mexico’s varied terrain and seemingly nonstop sunshine make the area a great place for hiking and biking. It’s worth it to visit the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, which have peaks that stand at about 12,000 feet high; they’re just a short trip from Villas de Santa Fe.

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By Mikal McLendon, Travel Correspondent

Historical Boutique Hotel in Thriving Downtown Arts District

“Oh, that’s pretty,” says a well-dressed guest who has recently arrived at Hotel Providence, nudging her companion and nodding at a large jade sculpture of galloping horses. “That’s our centerpiece," the concierge chimes in. "From China. It’s really rare.” The horses are the most vibrant piece adorning the marble-floored lobby of this hotel, whose collection encompasses French steel engravings, centuries-old murals, and gilded Swedish mirrors.

And the building itself has as deep of a history as the artwork inside it: the building had turns as a college dormitory, a department store, and a grain silo before the turn of the 20th century, when it was repurposed to become a classic New England hotel.

There’s a definite appreciation for art here; each guest room is decorated with local artwork ranging from paintings of city scenes to ceramic sculptures of fish. Each also comes with a continental armoire and wooden headboards. The junior and premier suites are fairly spacious—there are separate living rooms furnished with queen sofas if you need to sleep extra guests or add reinforcements to your pillow fort. Premier suites have added luxuries such as a whirlpool tub, a granite wet bar, and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the adjacent park and historical Grace Church.

Hotel Providence's Aspire Restaurant prepares New England–style cuisine such as clam chowder and jumbo lump crab cakes. Ingredients are sourced from local farms and the hotel's own rooftop garden. During warmer nights, you can dine in the restaurant's candlelit courtyard and enjoy selections from an international wine list.

Providence: Historical Haven Lined with Art Galleries, Restored Theaters, and Fine Dining

"The art scene is incredible here," raves Tricia Carter, Hotel Providence’s marketing manager. "Every day there's something new." The active community support of the arts has helped to earn Providence its reputation as the “Creative Capital.”

In an effort to rejuvenate the historical entertainment district here, the city partnered with its three universities and gave artists tax breaks to live downtown. You can now catch Broadway musicals and Tennessee Williams dramas at beautifully restored historical theaters from the 1920s such as the Providence Performing Arts Center and Trinity Repertory Theatre.

A short walk from Hotel Providence, you'll also find a vast network of downtown galleries; many of these feature the work of artists and graduates from the nearby Rhode Island School of Design.

The city's thriving food culture rivals the art scene in creativity and vigor; there’s an enclave of Italian eateries on Federal Hill, and delis dot the downtown area. Many local chefs source their ingredients from farms bordering the city, which set up shop downtown on Fridays at the farmers' market. About 10 minutes south of downtown, the Culinary Arts Museum celebrates Providence's love of food with more than 250,000 artifacts, ranging from antique cooking gadgets to elaborate wedding cakes.

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Spacious Condos Surrounded by Rocky Mountains

Steamboat Springs didn't start out as a resort community. Located nearly 7,000 feet up in the Rocky Mountains of northwest Colorado, the town was settled largely by ranchers whose hale and hearty pioneer spirit still lingers today. Things are relatively low-key here—especially in summer—with miles of rolling hill country to serve as the setting for all kinds of open-air pursuits. Mountain Resorts is one of the oldest property-management companies in the area, providing spacious, family-friendly condominiums and concierge services from a staff mostly made up of Steamboat Springs natives.

Both properties encompassed by this deal—the Ranch and the Phoenix—lie within Yampa Valley. The Ranch is distinctly rustic, surrounded by 36 acres of tree-studded hills and featuring wooden decks and wood-burning fireplaces in each condo. The Phoenix, on the other hand, has a more modern look following a recent $4 million renovation that included installation of all-new stucco and siding. Both properties enjoy access to outdoor heated pools and hot tubs, and the spacious two-bedroom suites include full kitchens and living rooms with pullout sofas.

Steamboat Springs, Colorado: Historical Ranch Town in Rocky Mountains

Steamboat Springs was named after its roiling mineral springs, which sounded to some early pioneers like a chugging steamboat. It's known as the birthplace of recreational skiing in Colorado thanks to a ski jump built in 1914 by cross-country champion Carl Howelsen. The slopes continue to draw visitors to town, but there's plenty to do in warmer weather. There are more than 50 miles of nature trails and wildflower fields for hiking, several mountain-view golf courses, and high-country lakes and streams that provide ample fishing. One network of rivers even flows through the downtown area, with launch points along the way for seasonal tubing.

Steamboat Springs retains vestiges of its history as a ranching center. Spur-clad cowboys still stroll the main streets, which are lined with western art galleries and clothing boutiques. Throughout the summer, the town hosts a pro rodeo series that includes traditional shows and Wild West–themed block parties. During the 32nd annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo on July 7 and 8, ranchers will try to one-up each other by performing airborne tricks such as dipping into the lake and hogtieing clouds.

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Boutique Hotel Overlooks Lively Tourist District and Caribbean Sea

Hotel el Punto is located in Quinta Avenida, the popular tourist district of Playa del Carmen, Mexico. But the hotel manages to keep its cool amid the chaos. Inside, the building is adorned in earthy tones and minimalist decor. It also has a swanky rooftop bar, La Azotea, where you can sip on a cocktail and look out to the Caribbean Sea nearby. Hotel el Punto has earned recognition in TripAdvisor's 2012 Traveler's Choice Awards—it was voted second on a list of Trendiest Hotels in Mexico and was one of only a handful of hotels from Playa del Carmen that were featured.

The Caribbean Sea acts as the de facto pool of the hotel—the water is located just one block away. La Azotea Bar serves tapas-style Mexican fare amid views of the water. There's a slick, exclusive atmosphere here; deep-red walls and bamboo stalks divide the sectional and lounger chairs into private sitting areas and can provide shelter during pickup games of laser tag.

Breakfast is served at Mi Pueblo, a Mexican restaurant located just next door to the hotel. Its menu features 33 dishes, each of which corresponds to the culinary traditions of one of 33 South of the Border cities. If you can get a seat upstairs, you may even be able to catch the chefs making homemade tortillas in a traditional talavera-tiled open kitchen.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico: Trendy Beach Area and Diving Destination

Just across the sea from the island of Cozumel, Playa del Carmen has been called “the hippest city in all of the Yucatan Peninsula” by Lonely Planet. It's also popular as a destination for diving and snorkeling, particularly in its cenotes­­—sinkholes filled with turquoise pools that extend down into twisting underwater caverns. The water in the cenotes is crystal clear; at the Xlacah cenote, located near the temple ruins at Dzibilchaltún, you can typically get full visibility of the colorful native fish.

To the south, you can find preserved ruins of pre-Columbian cities. Tulum's crumbling temples are situated above a dramatic ocean bluff, and Coba's enormous pyramid rises between two lagoons. For more adventures farther afield, you can hop aboard the ferry to Cozumel, which docks at the pier east of Calle 1. There, diving operations lead tours of the many reefs that Jacques Cousteau believed were some of the world’s most beautiful sights for scuba-diving.

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Upscale Décor, Nightly Entertainment, and Casual Vibes at AAA Four Diamond Hotel

The jukebox in the lobby of the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel plays only music penned by past guests. That could severely limit the repertoire anywhere else, but because the hotel is located in a town that's synonymous with country tunes, the jukebox will never lack for material. The hotel earned AAA's Four Diamond rating 27 years in a row for its upscale décor and service, but that air of sophistication melds seamlessly with clever nods to Nashville's musical roots. Posters of bluegrass legend Bill Monroe hang behind the front desk. Morning wake-up calls feature the voices of Vince Gill, Amy Grant, and Brenda Lee. And live music at the piano bar livens up cocktail hour.

The bright and spacious deluxe guest rooms overlook downtown, West End Avenue, or the campus of Vanderbilt University. Skylight-style windows in lower-level rooms allow sunlight to shine on sleek black-and-white dressers and tables. Exemplifying Loews' southern hospitality, room service operates 24 hours a day.

You can use the dining credit included with this Getaway at eat Restaurant, where chefs use local ingredients to put a modern twist on classic southern fare such as catfish and fried chicken. Each night, the hotel’s piano bar features live entertainment and cocktails garnished with fresh herbs from the patio garden.

Nashville, Tennessee: Music Lovers' Paradise with Myriad Cultural Offerings

Nicknamed Music City, Nashville's known as a hub for country music, fostering talents such as Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton and hosting decades of concerts at the Grand Ole Opry. Despite its country roots, the city has embraced rock, rap, jazz, and other genres. At the clubs of Honky Tonk Row, up-and-coming musicians and songwriters step into the spotlight. Artistic offerings extend to the downtown galleries, such as the Frist Center for Visual Arts, which features a collection ranging from ancient Egyptian coffins to northern Renaissance paintings.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Historic Grandeur and Elegant Dining in Circle Centre

The town of Canterbury in England dates back thousands of years; you can get an idea of how old it is in Chaucer's story collection The Canterbury Tales, which references ancient Roman walls and a medieval cathedral. Compared to Canterbury, England, The Historic Canterbury Hotel in Indianapolis is a spring chicken—it's 150 years old—but it has a bit of the same appeal and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Uniformed bellhops usher you into the lobby, which boasts Queen Anne–style carved chairs and a grand piano. If you want to escape to the modern world, the hotel also has a private entrance to the adjoining Circle Centre Mall.

In keeping with Anglophile traditions, the hotel holds high tea each afternoon (reservation required), an evening gathering where you can enjoy loose-leaf teas with fresh scones and finger sandwiches; a live pianist accompanies the event Tuesday–Saturday. Standard queen rooms often feature a desk or vanity, and queen suites add enough floor space for your most loyal court jesters to sleep.

Come dinnertime, head to Turner's Cocktails and Cuisine, which is named after the hotel's current owner, Turner Woodard. It's lined with carved wooden panels and a nice, elegant setting to enjoy steak and seafood. Mr. Woodard has also helped contribute to the building's original art collection, which features both classic portraits and abstract canvases.

Indianapolis: Bustling Downtown with Celebrated Museums

A series of skywalks connects the hotel to the Circle Centre, a four-story mall crowned by a glass atrium, as well as to the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium. You can shop for designer brands, attend trade shows, or cheer on the Paceers, all without letting your feet touch pavement.

The city's dense downtown also features a number of noteworthy museums. A few blocks west of the hotel, the lush lawns at White River State Park neighbor the Indiana State Museum and the Eiteljorg Museum, which displays Native American and western artwork. However, the city's most famous museum lies further north: the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest of its kind worldwide, and welcomes more than a million visitors a year. Inside, you can check out a 1917-era carousel or imagine what house pets might look like if they had dinosaur bones.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Historical Hotel Recalling Roaring Twenties with Old Spanish Flair

Once you step onto the gold-and-black checkered tile floor in Hotel Seville's lobby, it's easy to imagine a concierge welcoming well-dressed guests at the end of the Roaring Twenties. All around, you'll see chic furniture, Mediterranean-inspired archways, and a stately grand split staircase. Look up and you'll see an elegant chandelier and a raised ceiling that soars past the balconies of the second-floor mezzanine. Preservationists have worked hard to renovate the Arts and Crafts–style design scheme and reclaim the Old Spanish grandeur that once characterized the hotel.

The onsite John Paul's restaurant was named after local political legend John Paul Hammerschmidt, a U.S. congressman from Arkansas who served 13 terms. He also is notable for defeating future president Bill Clinton in a 1970s House of Representatives election. Here, you can sample casual fare such as sandwiches and burgers, or dig into the eatery's signature entree, steaks. The restaurant's seating spills over onto an outdoor patio, and on the weekends, the space frequently offers live entertainment.

Down in the game room, you can play a pickup game of darts or billiards, or throw the billiard balls on a moving treadmill and play catch with yourself. After a restful night's sleep in the hotel's quaint guest rooms, you can enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast. Hotel Seville also rents out complimentary bicycles so guests can pedal around the town of Harrison.

Harrison, Arkansas: Limestone Bluffs of the Ozarks near Buffalo River and Branson

Hotel Seville is situated near the heart of Harrison, and that puts you within walking distance of the town's historical shopping district and ]the 1909 Boone County Courthouse. Stop into Boone County Heritage Museum to find exhibits on bank robber Henry Starr, the railroad, and Civil War veterans.

Harrison is located within the Ozarks, a scenic plateau that encompasses southern Missouri, northern Arkansas, and bits of Oklahoma, and Kansas. The area's trademark towering limestone bluffs are on display at the nearby Buffalo National River Park. Head here to hike on 100 miles of trails or canoe the Buffalo River, one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the contiguous United States.

Roughly 30 miles north of Harrison is Branson, the entertainment capital of the Show Me State. With the family fun package included with the three-night option, you'll receive tickets to Branson-area attractions including the Hollywood Wax Museum and the Castle of Chaos, as well as other sites in nearby Eureka Springs.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Restored 1920s Hotel in Dallas Arts District

Touted as the tallest hotel west of the Mississippi when it was built in 1923, Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa underwent a $36 million renovation in 2008 to revitalize its Roaring Twenties splendor. The hotel’s 11 terra-cotta- and brick-ornamented stories have played host to everyone from Frank Lloyd Wright and Judy Garland to Tom Cruise and Simon Cowell. Today, 170 sumptuous rooms and suites decorated in art deco style look out on the streets of Dallas’s bustling Uptown neighborhood.

The spacious studio suite features separate living and sleeping areas divided by a double-sided dresser with a flat-screen TV console that you can swivel to face either room. The open floor plan is complemented by an updated take on Jazz Age style, with sleek mahogany furniture, a teal-and-chocolate color scheme, and a bookshelf stocked with Zelda Fitzgerald fan fiction.

In the morning, you can either order your included breakfast via room service or head down to the onsite restaurant, Bolla, where a wall of latticed windows illuminates offerings such as chorizo-and-egg tacos and a smoked-salmon scramble dappled with crème fraiche. Later in the day, you can enjoy a reflexology treatment, massage, or detoxifying facial at the hotel's acclaimed holistic spa.

Dallas, Texas: A Haven for Arts, Culture, and Outdoor Recreation

Located less than 3 miles from downtown Dallas, the burgeoning Uptown neighborhood is studded with museums, private galleries, antique shops, and parks. A trek through the neighborhood leads you past renowned cultural institutions such as the Dallas Museum of Art and Nasher Sculpture Center as well as free, tucked-away gems such as the Trammell and The Crow Collection of Asian Art and the figurine-filled American Museum of the Miniature Arts.

After a visit to the newly developed Victory Park District, head to the sunny patios of casual restaurants and bars along the brick sidewalks of the West End Historic District to satisfy even the most rigorous people-watching quotas. Just blocks from the hotel, joggers and bikers wend their way through Uptown's Turtle Creek neighborhood via the Katy Trail, which shadows a venerable interstate railroad given to grumbling tales of its first electric locomotive.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Private Cabins Overlooking Serene Lakefront Channel

Upon arrival at Serenity Springs, you'll find a horse-drawn carriage waiting to take you to a private cabin for two nights of secluded relaxation. If you want to spend the entire weekend holed up in your romantic hideaway, a personal delivery service through each cabin's small butler door keeps you provisioned while keeping disturbances out. If you're in need of more coffee, a board game, or a movie, simply write the request on a notepad and slide it through the butler's door. As an added bonus, the staff periodically drop off surprise treats, such as desserts or a s'mores-making kit. For travelers craving an escape from it all, the 85-acre, wooded property is an ideal locale.

Brimming with country charm, the cozy, private bungalows are situated along a channel of water that splinters off the main lake. Sunken into the floor is a whirlpool with room for two. Some have heart-shaped tubs for added romance. The fridge is stocked with beverages, and you can munch on complimentary snacks while snuggling in front of a gas fireplace. Retreat to the private back deck to roast s'mores around a gas campfire before retiring to the king-size bed.

Each morning, a breakfast basket is delivered to your cabin via the butler's door. Typical offerings include fresh fruit, muffins or danishes, and cereal bars. You can request fresh eggs and prepare them using the gas grill on your back deck. During the day, explore the woods or opt for catch-and-release shoreline fishing. The staff will provide birdseed if you want to feed the resident waterfowl, which includes swans and honeymooning ducks.

Laporte, Indiana: Woodsy Locale Less than 10 Miles from Lake Michigan

There's plenty to do in the surrounding area if you choose to venture beyond your cabin. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is a short drive away—less than 10 miles. Here you can sink your toes in the sand, hike around the rolling dunes, or go for a swim in Lake Michigan. Visit nearby Michigan City, only miles away, for a bite to eat or a shop-a-thon at the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets, home to outlet and factory stores of major brand-name retailers such as Burberry, Nike, and J. Crew.

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Golf-Centric Resort Overlooking Lake Cadillac in Northern Michigan

On summer mornings at McGuire's Resort in Cadillac, Michigan, golfers emerging from their rooms only need to walk a few steps to arrive at the first tee of the property's 18-hole Spruce course. Its scattered pines, water hazards, and bunkers force tricky shot placement, and nearby, the more beginner-friendly nine-hole Norway course features wider fairways. Between strokes, players can look out on resplendent Lake Cadillac, glistening below the hillside.

Classic double rooms provide a cozy retreat during downtime at McGuire's, with a pair of extra-long double beds to accommodate even Shaquille O’Neal wax figures. Every morning, the aromas of eggs, bacon, and toast beckon guests to the hotel's breakfast buffet, which also includes muffins, fruit, and yogurt. Elsewhere on the resort's 327 acres, you can play tennis and volleyball, practice handstands in the indoor pool, or stroll the mile-long Vita Trail, which is dotted with exercise points.

The upscale Terrace Room restaurant overlooks the golf courses' undulating lawns, with the nearby town of Cadillac visible in the distance. Its menu includes escargot, elk medallions, and seared sea scallops as well as pastries and desserts made fresh daily at the onsite bakery. For a laid-back alternative, swing by Curly’s Sports Pub, which recalls midwestern supper clubs in its decor and serves up pizzas ($8.95–$11.95), sandwiches ($5.95–$8.25) and 16-ounce porterhouse steaks ($19.95).

Northern Michigan: Hiking and Fishing near “Most Beautiful Place in America”

The town of Cadillac is located on the eastern border of Manistee National Forest, which stretches westward from Lake Cadillac all the way to Lake Michigan. Until mid-June, hikers can patrol its trails for rich, nutty morel mushrooms. Visitors can also fish in Lake Cadillac and nearby Lake Mitchell, which are inhabited by bass, walleye, and more.

About an hour’s drive north lies Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a gorgeous 35-mile stretch of sandy bluffs along Lake Michigan. Sleeping Bear was recently named the Most Beautiful Place in America by Good Morning America for its dozens of beaches, idyllic small-town shops in the surrounding neighborhoods, and its massive sand dunes. For an introduction to the national park, take the 7-mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive and park at the Lake Michigan Overlook, where you can spend hours admiring the panoramic views or run down the 450-foot sand dune.

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Spacious Condos amid Rocky Mountain Peaks and Scenic Lifts

Thanks to a trio of mountains that each rise more than 11,500 feet above sea level, Keystone Ski Resort draws thousands of skiers to its part of the White River National Forest each year. Yet there's plenty to do during warmer months, when the crowds thin out and the ski trails transform into a playground for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Scenic lift rides overlook panoramic views of the Tenmile Mountain Range (lift rides start June 15), where aspens and wildflowers take the place of snowbanks. Within walking distance of the lifts, Key to the Rockies’ spacious, family-friendly condos are homey dwellings to retire to after a full day of playing on the nearby slopes.

Both Liftside and Snowdance condos stand in Keystone’s Mountain House neighborhood, steps from the complex's main office. The elevation here is already above 9,000 feet, which explains the crystal-clear views of rocky ridges, blue spruces, and lodgepole pines from each condo's private balcony. Each unit is privately owned, meaning that décor can vary from country chic to Santa Fe style, but all include a fireplace to warm the alpine air.

The Liftside condos boast an indoor pool and hot tub, and Snowdance condos have an indoor hot tub and sauna, best used to mend sore muscles from hiking Keystone and other nearby peaks. To visit the nearby Breckenridge and Copper mountain resorts, hop onto the free Summit Stage shuttle, which stops right outside the condos.

Keystone, Colorado: Mountaintop Golfing and Alpine Lakes

Located about 75 miles west of Denver, the resort town of Keystone mixes four-star restaurants and high-end shops with scenic Rocky Mountain views. The blend of wilderness and cultivation extends to the mountain, where Keystone Resort’s two championship golf courses fit along pristine lakes, meadows, and the Snake River.

About 15 minutes west lies the Dillon Reservoir, a freshwater lake that spans more than 3,000 acres. Along the lake’s northern shore, the Dillon Marina routinely harbors dozens of sailboats, some about to set off for a fishing trip or for an afternoon of carefree boating. From August 3 to August 5, the local yacht club hosts what it calls the World's Highest Regatta to show off the latest in sail fashions.

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Rental Homes Secluded in South Lake Tahoe

With the crystal-clear Lake Tahoe serving as the area's glittering centerpiece, RedAwning's properties just south of the lake complement the surrounding mountain terrain. After a day hiking among the waterfalls in Emerald Bay State Park, a cozy lodging decked out in modern amenities makes for a relaxing spot to recline on the couch and mend sore muscles next to a warm fire. RedAwning’s Lake Tahoe vacation rental properties provide an homey spot to reenergize after capitalizing on the area’s endless amount of year-round activities—from fishing at Lake Tahoe in the summer to shopping at the nearby Old West–influenced town of Truckee.

Each lodge sleeps at least four guests and offers its own individual characteristics. Click here to see the South Lake Tahoe properties valid with this deal.

Rustic décor, a private hot tub, and a wood-burning fireplace welcome up to 12 people staying inside RedAwning’s Jacarillo Trail Lodge. Wood-paneled walls surround the roomy Beecher Cabin, which includes a hot tub and overlooks the Truckee River. Those staying at the cozy Pasadena Hideaway can take the charming three-block walk to the lakeshore, or spend the evening grilling on the patio.

Lake Tahoe: Abundant Summer Activities in the Sierra Nevada

Known for its breathtakingly translucent surface, Lake Tahoe stretches through the California-Nevada border with 72 miles of shoreline. The mountainous Sierra Nevada landscape surrounds the lake, attracting hikers to explore its rugged terrain and the waterfalls at nearby Emerald Bay State Park. Various special events take place year-round at South Lake Tahoe, ranging from Renaissance fairs to rock concerts and mountain-lifting competitions.

Though the outdoor scenery will always be the Tahoe area’s main attraction, several local towns are worth visiting. About 45 miles north from South Lake Tahoe, the western railroad town of Truckee seamlessly mixes trendy boutiques and fine-dining establishments with local dive bars and souvenir stores on its main road. Just across the state line, several casinos draw visitors to the aptly named Stateline, Nevada.

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Luxurious Pueblo-Style Lodgings Overlooking Desert Valley

Yellow wildflowers, prickly pear cacti, and desert brush are heavily featured in the landscape of Sidewinder Golf Course. The preponderance of desert scenery here almost makes the greens seem like the pools of a desert oasis. Gold Canyon Golf Resort’s pueblo-inspired dwellings are little oases of their own, secluded in the foothills of the Superstition Mountains. It's a quiet, private setting where you can get gorgeous views of the surrounding desert valley.

Gold Canyon's 18-hole Sidewinder course features fairways that undulate past natural arroyos and dry creek beds. For an additional fee, you can upgrade to play at the Dinosaur Mountain course, which was given a 4.5-star rating by Golf Digest and has gorgeous views of the Superstition Mountains.

Alternatively, you can pay a visit to Gold Canyon's in-house spa, where skilled therapists perform various massages tailored to your needs. Aestheticians are also on hand to perform a variety of skin treatments, including facials that incorporate Aveda products. To see the full menu of spa services click here.

At Kokopelli's Restaurant, you can sample pork osso bucco ($20) or grilled-shrimp tacos topped with pineapple sauce ($19). The Ledge restaurant's outdoor patio offers expansive views and is situated beneath a colorful fabric canopy.

The resort's Spa and Patio Casita rooms are done up in simple white and amber tones. Spa rooms are outfitted with either an indoor or outdoor jacuzzi, an indoor fireplace, and a private patio, where you can survey the Arizona skyline.

Gold Canyon, Arizona: Hiking and Biking Through the Superstition Mountains

Arizona's Superstition Mountains are often veiled in a thick mist; according to legend, they're the site of a gold mine that has been lost for more than a century. You may or may not find gold, but it's worth it to go hiking or mountain biking in the Superstition Mountains, where you may encounter saguaro cacti, wild jackrabbits, or ancient petroglyphs and Pictionary sketches by Native American tribes.

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Secluded Timber Lodge Near Canada's Glacier National Park

Extending for little more than 500 square miles (1,300 sq. km), British Columbia's Glacier National Park is still no slouch when compared to the much larger U.S. park of the same name. Bordered by the Selkirk and Purcell Mountain ranges, the park is home to cedar and hemlock forests, several glaciers, and a 3.7-mile (6 km) network of sinuous passages and caverns known as the Nakimu Caves. Steps from the east entrance to the park's expansive wilderness, you'll find the Heather Mountain Lodge, a rustic chalet that recalls bygone days when Glacier National Park was a rugged outpost for adventurous mountaineers.

The lodge's fir and larch timber frame is set amid quiet grounds frequented by ducks and chickens. Although the Trans-Canada Highway is nearby, civilization is still refreshingly far-off. The closest restaurant (aside from the hotel's eatery) is about an hour away.

In the lodge's great room, a natural-stone fireplace crackles beneath exposed wooden beams, and you can play pool at the billiards table. Up in the two-queen mountain-view rooms, woodsy brown tones complement velvety comforters and original artwork. Windows look out on dramatic views of the Columbia Mountains. The onsite restaurant uses herbs and vegetables grown in the lodge's own garden. There's also an outdoor fishpond and sprawling fields of wildflowers. You can hike the nearby trails with the help of a complimentary guidebook or take a soothing soak in the outdoor hot tub.

Golden, British Columbia: Small-Town Charm Surrounded by Breathtaking Geography

National parks and forest preserves surround the small town of Golden on almost every side. One of the most well-known—located about an hour from downtown—is Glacier National Park, whose rivers and snow-capped mountains are ideal for recreation year-round. The park is home to native wildlife that runs the gamut from mountain goats to grizzly bears.

The Trans-Canada Highway takes you through the Selkirk Mountains via Rogers Pass. Locomotives still chug along vintage black bridges built into the mountainside by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Every winter, Rogers Pass is blanketed with heavy snowfall, but in June, the trails open to hikers and mountain climbers eager to explore the forests. Trestle Trail is a relatively easy hike, and there's an outdoor theater near the trailhead. Families will want to visit Rogers Pass Centre to check out indoor and outdoor exhibits celebrating the area's railroad history.

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Pacific Northwest Lodge with Spa, Golf Course, and Private Beach Access

Flanked by beach and bluffs, Salishan Spa & Golf Resort spreads across 350 wooded acres accessible via a private, spruce-lined drive. When the hotel was built in 1965, original owner John D. Gray wanted it to match the beauty of its knockout setting. The interior incorporates native stone, intricate woodwork, hand-blown glass, and contemporary artwork, taken from Gray’s own collection, showcasing more than 100 regional artists.

Vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows give guest rooms a spacious feel. Private balconies overlook Siletz Bay, the forest, or the 18-hole golf course, which was

redesigned by renowned architect Peter Jacobsen. Old-growth timber flanks the front nine, and links-style fairways weave through the back nine. After a round of golf or a tennis match, you'll have five dining options, ranging from a deli to an upscale steak house boasting one of the largest wine cellars in Oregon.

Salishan's spa is a destination in its own right. Ranked No. 13 on the list of the Top 250 Spas by Condé Nast Traveler readers, the full-service facility offers facials, massages, and professional hair, nail, and waxing treatments. Even if you only stop by for a quick sweat in the sauna, be sure to stop by the spa's alfresco lounge area for the incredible bay views.

Gleneden Beach, Oregon: Small Coastal Community Set amid Beachfront State Parks

Located on the central stretch of Oregon's 363-mile coastline, Gleneden Beach is only slightly larger than the resort itself. The tiny windswept town is home to two annual kite festivals and is a good spot for testing the holding power of one’s hairspray. It’s situated between two larger coastal cities, Newport and Lincoln City, both of which abound with opportunities for beachcombing, whale watching, and browsing in boutiques and bookstores. Newport’s Oregon Coast Aquarium features outdoor exhibits where harbor seals, otters, and sea lions frolic in their natural habitats. A 200-foot underwater tunnel provides near 360-degree views of sharks, giant octopi, and other creatures of the deep.

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Cozy Mountainside Hotel in European-Style Village

When summer rolls around, the trio of mountains at Delta Sun Peaks Resort comes alive with mountain bikers and hikers. Golfers tee up on the resort’s lush golf course, and fly-fishers and standup paddleboarders share the water at nearby Heffley Lake. Back at the mountain base, resort buildings twinkle with European charm: gray, gabled roofs and pastel façades huddle together around cobblestone streets. Among them, Delta Sun Peaks Resort serves as a gateway to the area's natural treasures.

In the hotel's lower lobby, Mantles Restaurant and Lounge features both a family-friendly dining area and a bar. The restaurant's farm-to-fork philosophy delivers fresh mainstay dishes and a daily changing fixture of fresh Pacific seafood. A flickering fireplace lends a calming ambiance and a luxurious Santa Claus emergency-escape route to the lounge, which serves up wines from regional vineyards.

Upstairs on second, third, and fourth floors, deluxe rooms overlook the hotel's courtyard, and sliding doors lead to balconies with crystal-clear views of the surrounding peaks. You can take a dip in the heated outdoor pool or hop between the three outdoor hot tubs.

Sun Peaks, British Columbia: Mountain Adventures Steps from Charming Resort Town

No matter where you turn in Sun Peaks, the trio of mountains follows, towering majestically from all angles. After the snow melts in early summer, the mountains come alive with bikers and hikers, and the golf courses in the valley enter their seasonal prime. You can spare your calves the grueling workout and catch a ride up the mountain on Sunburst Chair Lift with your bike, open daily from late June through Labor Day. Up top, there are 36 mountain-biking trails to choose from, plus a dirt-jumping zone, where you can reenact E.T. scenes.

The Sunburst Chair Lift will also drop off hikers mid-mountain, granting them access to 15 hiking trails. From mid-July to mid-August, you can trek through vibrant hillside meadows covered with wildflowers such as tiger lilies and the mauve-colored fireweed. Keep an eye out for resident wildlife, including black bears, coyotes, moose, cougars, and bald eagles.

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Spacious Rooms in the Heart of Fresno

With a welcoming archway proclaiming the town "the Best Little City in the USA," Fresno, California, seems to exemplify America's melting-pot metaphor. It's in Fresno that one can peruse the Armenian Heritage Museum or visit the local American Historical Society of Germans from Russia chapter, representing an estimated 100,000 descendants in the Fresno/Madera region. You'll find strong Basque, Lao, Mexican, and Chinese communities as well. Located within a couple of miles of the city's Latino Cultural Center Arte Americas and the Armenian Heritage Museum, Park Inn by Radisson is surrounded by cultural diversity. The hotel offers a convenient base to not only explore these attractions, but also nearby Yosemite National Park.

Blond-wood paneling and a tall headboard decorate each spacious standard room, which faces either the inner courtyard or the white-tented cabanas near the outdoor junior Olympic-size pool. Wind down on the recliner and surf the channels on the 32-inch flat-screen TV. Downstairs, guests can use a $15 credit at Smuggler's Restaurant, which serves breakfast and dinner.

Fresno, California: Gateway to Yosemite and Historical Mansions

Located in central California, Fresno lies within a 3.5-hour drive of Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, and is considered the gateway to Yosemite National Park. Designated a national park in 1890, Yosemite covers 1,200 square miles of waterfalls, giant sequoia trees, and towering granite cliffs, attracting thousands of visitors and several anvil-toting wily coyotes each year. Biking and hiking trails crisscross the park, and can take you to Yosemite Falls, the Bridalveil Falls, and Tunnel View, Yosemite's well-known mountain lookout point.

Gain some insight into Fresno's history with a walk through the Kearney Mansion, 7 miles west of downtown. Built in 1903 by Martin Theodore Kearney, who heavily contributed to Fresno County’s agricultural development, the mansion retains more than half of its original furnishings and was to be part of a larger complex influenced by France’s Chateau de Chenonceau.

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Lakefront Spa Resort with Hunting, Fishing, and Farms

At Flat Creek Lodge, quail, white-tailed deer, and boar share a woodland habitat, and largemouth bass and bluegill flit beneath the surface in spring-fed lakes. The property also boasts a mushroom farm, a berry orchard, and a herd of jersey dairy cows—about as locally sourced as it gets. In many ways, guests at Flat Creek Lodge live off the land, but staying here hardly means roughing it: the eco-conscious resort features a spa, fine dining, and leisure pursuits such as skeet shooting.

Flat Creek Lodge has earned tons of press, with praise heaped on the dairy farm's artisanal cheeses, including a cocoa-laced cheddar and an Irish-style cheese blended in oatmeal stout. At the wine and cheese reception—usually held on Saturdays, but available any day upon request—you can sample Flat Creek's cheddar and havarti before playing a round of pin the tail on the cheese wheel. The Dining Room's seasonal menu features onsite harvests in dishes such as roast chicken with oyster mushrooms ($19) and pork chops in an apricot-cider reduction ($26).

After a full day exploring the nearly 2,000-acre grounds, you can unwind in standard lodge rooms. Local wildlife artwork hangs from rustic pine-plank walls, and a shared verandah overlooks the lake. For a bit more relaxation, hit the spa to surrender to a deep-tissue massage or a session in the cedar-lined sauna. The following morning, you can start the day off right with a hearty southern breakfast of bacon, eggs, and grits.

Eastern Georgia: Hunting and State Parks

Although the resort is within 100 miles of Augusta and Savannah, there's so much to do onsite that you may not want to leave. In addition to bird and deer hunts, you can practice your shot in the skeet-shooting range or do battle on the paintball course, which features commando-style trenches and forts. There's also a pair of state parks within an hour's drive: George L. Smith, famous for its 1880 gristmill, and Magnolia Springs, home to turtles, alligators, and escaped mascots.

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Historical Hotel in Augusta's Summerville District

As with most century-old institutions, The Partridge Inn has experienced its share of both glory days and tumultuous times. Established in 1892 as a winter resort destination, The Partridge Inn attracted the nation’s elite, including President Warren G. Harding in 1923, who held his welcoming banquet at the inn. But after The Partridge was divided into individual apartments in the mid 20th century, the building slid to the brink of ruin, and was slated to be demolished. The town of Augusta rallied to save the landmark hotel, which has since been restored to its former elegance.

The Partridge Inn sits on a hilltop in the historical Summerville neighborhood, and the hotel is wrapped with more than a quarter-mile of verandas and balconies. Nicknamed “The Grand Hotel of the Classic South,” The Partridge Inn embraces its heritage with a tree-lined courtyard, warm wooden furniture, overstuffed loveseats, and breezy, whitewashed verandas. Each king and queen superior room is styled differently, but all include antique-reproduction furnishings, kitchens, and 26-inch HDTVs. Balconies are attached to some of the rooms, offering a spot to sip champagne, nosh on chocolate-covered strawberries, and heckle squirrels.

The newly refurbished P.I. Bar and Grill offers a lunch buffet with contemporary southern cuisine Monday–Friday and live entertainment Friday and Saturday nights. On Sunday mornings, the restaurant serves a classic brunch, replete with prime rib, shrimp, and an omelet station.

Augusta, Georgia: Historic City on the Banks of the Savannah River

Long before Augusta gained international fame as the annual host of The Masters golf tournament, the charming southern town was known for being the second-oldest city in Georgia, established in 1736. The Partridge Inn lies in the Summerville Historic District, perched atop a hill and lined with towering trees, antebellum homes, and hedges sculpted to Scarlett O'Hara's likeness. A stroll through the neighborhood will take you past mansions constructed in several architectural styles, from Italianate to Tudor to Dutch Colonial Revival.

Less than 3 miles from the hotel, the Savannah River wends through the downtown area, drawing the border between South Carolina and Georgia. On Augusta’s side, a pedestrian-friendly Riverwalk borders the waterway, with a playground, marina, and an outdoor amphitheater. Overlooking the Savannah River, the Morris Museum of Art pays tribute to southern art with nearly 5,000 paintings, photographs, and sculptures.

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Expansive Gaming Resort with Luxurious Spa Wing

Topped with a curved roof that swoops like a wind-tossed cowlick, the Wind Creek Casino & Hotel is an expansive recreational complex encompassing a casino, a luxurious spa, and more than 200 spacious guest rooms. The hotel's hospitality and understated elegance have helped it earn a Four Diamond rating from AAA.

Wind Creek outfits each room with a Dream Weaver bed wrapped in Egyptian cotton sheets and topped with an overstuffed down duvet. Cozy up with a movie on the 42-inch flat-screen TV, or treat yourself to some DIY aromatherapy with blue-cedar- and honeysuckle-scented Yves Rocher bath products. Level 15 suites—located on the 15th floor of the main tower—have a spa-like vibe that's enhanced by bamboo flooring and thick, luxurious robes and slippers. Stay-Escape packages include several restorative extras: two healthy gourmet lunches each day, unlimited use of the relaxation lounges and meditation areas, and a consultation with a personal trainer.

The Spa at Escape is a sprawling wing of the resort devoted to relaxation and renewal. A sauna, steam room, and whirlpool soothe guests before and after massages, facials, and body treatments. The Couples Get-a-way package included as an option with this Getaway features side-by-side massages and pedicures, along with your choice of a scented bath.

Back at the 50,000-square-foot casino, more than 1,600 electronic games flash and chirp. Tall ceilings soar over the oval-shaped gaming complex, absorbing ripples of live music from the nearby amphitheater. Among the hotel's four restaurants, Fire Steakhouse pairs prime steaks with fine wines, and Taste Buffet runs the gastronomic gamut.

Atmore, Alabama: Southern Village with Abundant Outdoor Recreation

In the quaint town of Atmore, orange brick houses line Main Street, imbuing the thoroughfare with residential appeal. Historic buildings at the intersection of Main and Craig Streets mark the location of Atmore Heritage Park, which bustles with year-round outdoor entertainment in the form of concerts and southern-cooking celebrations.

About 12 miles north of the hotel, Little River State Forest offers hiking, fishing, and swimming amid 2,100 acres of longleaf-pine forests. Boats, pavilions, and cabins are available for daily or hourly rental. Nearby, a natural lazy river curls through the Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve, ushering tourists in inner tubes and salmon in water wings over the sparkling waters.

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Slice of New Orleans Past in Greek Revival Home

The St. Charles streetcar has rumbled through New Orleans since 1835, making it one of the world’s oldest street railways. It's still fitted with mahogany seats and brass ornaments, and makes for a peaceful sightseeing tour, passing 19th-century mansions as well as the campuses of Tulane and Loyola Universities. Located a block from the streetcar's route in the Lower Garden District, Fairchild House is a convenient home base for exploring the city. Like the streetcar, the hotel reflects New Orleans history through its restored, 1841 Greek Revival house and two adjoining homes.

From the street, the B & B blends so well into its surroundings that you might still mistake it for someone's home—there's no sign out front, only a wrought-iron gate with a small brass plaque. Behind it, two of the three separate buildings boast neoclassical columns and all have painted shutters. In the back sits a courtyard paved with bricks, while live oaks stretch the entire length of the property in the front. It's one of the best places to chat with the hostesses or challenge local birds to a game of Name that Tune.

Inside, each guest room offers its own individual vibe, but several come with four-poster beds, persian rugs, and the mantels of former fireplaces. Throughout the buildings, Victorian-style antiques blend with posters of past New Orleans Jazz Fests for a charismatic Big Easy atmosphere. In the morning, innkeepers lay out the "continental plus breakfast," a spread of fresh fruit, cereal, breads, juice, tea, and coffee beside a piano in the breakfast room.

New Orleans: Classic Cajun Fare and Historic Neighborhoods

New Orleans's unofficial motto is "Laissez les bons temps rouler," which translates roughly to "Let the good times roll," a Cajun French phrase that describes the city’s carefree attitude. Creole and Cajun influences also help make the city's cuisine famous, with signature dishes like spicy jambalaya, giant crawfish boils, smoky gumbos, and pork boudin sausages. Don't miss the city’s classic dessert—beignets—square donuts buried in powdered sugar.

The iconic French Quarter is the city's oldest neighborhood and one of its most popular, thanks to its 18th-century homes, courtyard cafés, and jazzy nightlife on Bourbon Street. To the south, roam the quieter Garden District to see classic Greek Revival and Italianate homes built in the mid-19th century sitting alongside formal English gardens and antique shops.

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Classy Hilton 20 Minutes from Downtown Cleveland

In 1920, Cleveland was the fifth-largest city in the United States. With its location on the banks of Lake Erie, it became a major hub of transportation for the entire Great Lakes Region and a headquarters for manufacturing companies. The town of Beachwood existed independently from the city, but with Cleveland's exponential growth, Beachwood became a de facto suburb. Hilton Cleveland East /Beachwood is situated in this upscale enclave. It's a quiet respite from downtown—located about 20 minutes away—which has seen a resurgence in activity in recent years.

The hotel's rooms have been recently renovated; in the spacious standard rooms, there's a simple, understated chic to the design. There are marble countertops and modern granite-tiled bathrooms. The furniture, including Serenity beds, cushy corner chairs, and pop-up blanket forts, is comfortable and stylish.

Downstairs in the onsite restaurant, Porter’s Seafood & Steakhouse, the menu is focused on classic American cuisine. Feel free to use your food and beverage credit here, then wander over to Caper’s Bar for an after-dinner drink.

Greater Cleveland: “The Comeback City” and Museum Heaven

Sixty miles west of Pennsylvania and on the banks of massive Lake Erie, Cleveland is a beautiful city, with miles of coastline and an imposing skyline. In the 1960s and 1970s, Cleveland lost large numbers of its population as manufacturing plants closed, unemployment soared, and city residents moved into the suburbs. However, these days, a local renaissance is taking place in Cleveland as inner-city neighborhoods gentrify; it's since been nicknamed “the Comeback City.” A particularly fine example of this is the Ohio City neighborhood, where ornate old Victorian houses have been meticulously restored. You can walk through this neighborhood on your way to the West Side Market.

Though there's renewal, there's also an appreciation for the past—this is a city stocked with museums. Perhaps the biggest draw is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a massive shrine to music. Here, you can find everything from John Lennon's Gibson acoustic guitar to Otis Redding's sweater to the antigravity concession stand from Bob Dylan's first concert on the moon.

Five miles east of downtown you can find major institutions such as the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Cleveland Museum of Art. A lesser known museum is the A Christmas Story House, where fans of the cult favorite Christmas movie can wander through the actual house where the film was made, still decked out in preserved furnishings.

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Spacious Accommodations in the Heart of Niagara Falls

After discovering the Niagara Falls in 1678, Franciscan missionary Louis Hennepin wrote in his journal that the iconic destination was a "prodigious Cadence of Water which falls down after a surpizing [sic] and astonishing manner, insomuch that the Universe does not afford its Parallel." During the last 300 years, the falls have inspired more than just awed journal entries. As many as eight million visitors a year come to the cascades, from poncho-clad honeymooners to daredevils who climb into wooden barrels or rubber balls and take the 175-foot plunge. Sheraton At The Falls is conveniently located just 1 mile east of the falls and within walking distance of several attractions on the New York side.

Directly across from the hotel is the Seneca Niagara Casino, which stays open 24 hours a day. Between walls of stained-glass windows, the neon lights from more than 4,200 slot machines set the casino aglow, and colorful card tables host rounds of blackjack, craps, roulette, and musical chairs. A more soothing atmosphere washes over The Spa at Seneca Niagara Casino, which offers body-healing therapies, massages, and salon services. Guests can apply a $30 credit toward any treatment $75 or more Monday–Thursday, such as a custom facial ($99), or any treatment $100 or more on Friday and Sunday, such as an aromatherapy body salt glow ($110).

Sheraton At The Falls focuses on comfort in its spacious guest rooms: plush custom mattresses bolster the Sheraton’s signature Sweet Sleeper beds layered with an assortment of feather and down pillows. Guests receive a $20 credit to the first-floor T.G.I. Friday's, which serves 10-ounce sirloin steaks, Black Angus burgers, and other hearty American fare.

Niagara Falls, New York: Awe-Inspiring Waterfalls at United States-Canada Border

Encompassing more than 400 acres, Niagara Falls State Park functions as a natural border between Canada and the United States. Scenic vantage points dot both sides of the border and its falls, where more than a million bathtubs' worth of water cascades down every second. Pedestrian bridges and observation decks provide safe vistas for tourists to watch Horseshoe Falls and American Falls plunge over jagged cliffs. The most invigorating view might be from the Hurricane Deck—a wooden platform located 20 feet from Bridal Veil Falls. Access the platform by taking the Cave of the Winds tour, during which professional guides lead poncho-clad visitors to Bridal Veil Falls via tiers of wooden scaffolding.

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Casual Bungalows in Secluded Surfer's Cove

Directly in front of The Inn at Manzanillo Bay, the Pacific Ocean bends along a natural break known as Manzanillo Point. It's one of several consistent surf breaks that have earned this strip of Mexican coastline a glowing reputation among wave-riders worldwide. Despite its popularity with surfers, the area around the bay remains largely undeveloped, with miles of white, sandy shoreline bordering the green foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains. Just a few steps from the waves, The Inn at Manzanillo Bay reinforces the laid-back, secluded vibe with a collection of palm-thatched bungalows clustered around a swimming pool, surf shop, and gourmet restaurant.

The interior of each poolside ocean-view bungalow is decorated in bright, tropical colors, right down to the striped blanket on each king-size canopy bed. A hammock hangs on the private patio, supplying the perfect spot for an afternoon siesta. At the infinity pool at the center of the property, palm trees frame a view of the sparkling Pacific stretching to the horizon.

The owner is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, and he puts his training into practice at the inn's onsite restaurant. Praised by numerous publications for its gourmet fare, the eatery boasts a casual, open-air dining room furnished with chairs and tables made from palm bark. This Getaway includes a daily made-to-order breakfast for two, with offerings such as seasonal fruit, eggs and hash browns, and malted waffles with maple syrup.

The inn's surf shop will outfit you with a quality board for each day of your stay, and even if you've never surfed before, Manzanillo Bay is an ideal place to learn. Protected from blustery winds, it features several predictable breaks, including one dubbed "the wave machine" by locals. Surf lessons can also be arranged through the hotel.

Troncones, Mexico: Laid-Back Surf Haven with Pristine Beaches

Because Manzanillo Bay is nearly 20 miles from the nearest sizable town, stays here usually involve a lot of time spent outdoors. Surfing is naturally the top draw, but there are also a number of beautiful hikes you can take in the vicinity, and the nearby Boca Lagunillas lagoon is a great place for tropical-bird watching. Hotel staff can help you arrange horseback rides along the beach or guided deep-sea fishing trips. And Costa Nativa Ecotours operates affordable kayak tours for travelers hoping to glimpse sea turtles, dolphins, and Darryl Hannah's stunt-mermaid.

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Hip Hotel Steps from Caribbean with Spa and Rooftop Pool

About an hour south of Cancun, the seaside town of Playa del Carmen boasts a vibrant, pulsing nightlife all its own, centered on a street running parallel to the beach called Quinta Avenida. The name simply means "Fifth Avenue," but around here the word "Quinta" evokes the Argentinean, European, and American expats who have opened bars and boutiques along the pedestrian-only promenade. At the heart of the district rises In Fashion Hotel Boutique, a trendy, adults-only resort that's as cosmopolitan as its surroundings.

Inside, curved tile walls and a bright-red modern sculpture make the space feel more like an art gallery than a lobby. The avant-garde vibe continues in petit suites, where splashes of red or blue paint pop against minimalist, all-white décor. Zebra-print pillows and a funky armchair woven from red branches add a playful touch.

Yet the resort is more than eye candy. There are twin pools lined with matching tree-branch mosaics—one in a central courtyard, and another up on the roof, surrounded by plush day beds and glass railings. For further relaxation, the Zen Eco Spa blends poultices using orchids, vanilla pods, and mate, a tea-like herb. Take advantage of the complimentary fresh fruit, pastries, and other breakfast snacks in the morning, then wind down in the evening with cocktails at the Maladrín Bar.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico: Sinkhole Diving near Cozumel Beauty

Just across the sea from the island of Cozumel, Playa del Carmen has been called “the hippest city in all of the Yucatan Peninsula” by Lonely Planet. One popular local pastime is diving into cenotes, sinkholes filled with turquoise pools that extend down into twisting underwater caverns. Their name comes from the Mayan word dzonot, meaning “well,” as the local Maya once relied on them for drinking water and slip 'n' slide competitions.

To the south, preserved ruins of pre-Columbian cities give more insight into ancient Mayan civilizations. Tulum's crumbling temples sit above a dramatic ocean bluff, and Coba's enormous pyramid rises between two lagoons. For more adventures farther afield, you can hop aboard the ferry to Cozumel, which docks at the pier east of Calle 1. There, diving operations lead tours of the many reefs that Jacques Cousteau believed were some of the world’s most beautiful scuba-diving sights.

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Mission-Style Boutique Hotel on Mexico's Quiet Pacific Coast

About 50 miles north of Cabo San Lucas's rowdy beaches, Los Cerritos Beach's sparsely populated white-sand coast shows a quieter side of the Baja California Sur peninsula. There, the Hacienda Cerritos boutique hotel sits atop a private ocean-side bluff, its marigold-hued façade and a mission-style design evoking the image of historical Mexican haciendas. From the massive, hand-carved wooden doors to the courtyard’s palm trees and traditional fountains, the hotel captures the grand essence of Old Mexico. Climb up the spiral staircase to the hotel's turret for panoramic views of Los Cerritos Beach, one of the only swimmable and surfable beaches on the Pacific side of the peninsula. The crescent-shaped beach attracts surfers and celebrities for the ocean's steady swells and predictable whitewater.

White lounger beds surround the resort's outdoor pool, which features a lengthy swim-up bar where up to 18 patrons or a flock of thirsty pelicans can grab a drink. Nearby, at Cerritos Beach Club, surf instructors impart their knowhow during surf lessons. After hanging ten, guests can pop into the Beach Club restaurant for a meal. On Sundays, the club pulsates with live music, often headlined by jazz singer Daline Jones.

Each of the upscale one-bedroom suites has its own combination of amenities, but most rooms feature private balconies or terraces, and some come with carved stone fireplaces. A private pool and jacuzzi highlight select rooms, including bungalow 4. In every suite, elegant Old Mexico décor welcomes those returning after a day on the beach with carved leather and wood furnishings and a Mexican-style tiled floor.

Todos Santos, Baja California Sur: Surfing, Jet Skiing, and Seaside Horseback Riding in Flourishing Artist Colony

Located 50 miles south of the spirited seaside town of Cabo San Lucas, the area surrounding Los Cerritos Beach maintains a tranquil vibe. Due to Los Cerritos Beach's ample space, guests can zip around on ATVs or ride horseback, and jet skiing and kayaking are also popular. From December through April, beachcombers can spot gray whales and their newborns splashing in the warm waters offshore, as they have migrated down the Pacific coast in their top-down convertibles.

A 10-minute drive from the hotel lands visitors in the seaside town and artist haven of Todos Santos. Founded as a mission in 1724, the town grew as a sugar-cane production center, then became a farming enclave for poblano chilis, avocados, papayas, and mangos. In the last decade, Todos Santos has become a creative hub for artists, evident by the town's boutiques and galleries touting handmade sculptures, paintings, and other artwork.

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Vibrant Hotel with Loft-Style Guest Rooms

With a prismatic color scheme on its outdoor overhang and touch-and-go kiosks in the lobby, the Aloft Phoenix-Airport feels different than any other airport hotel from the moment you arrive. Those coming in from nearby Sky Harbor Airport find old hotel standbys have received a colorful modern makeover.The hotel’s re:mix lounge serves cocktails and wines near a lime-green lounger and a pool table lined with bright fuchsia felt, and the grab 'n’ go re:fuel pantry helps travelers forget in-flight food with healthy salads and sandwiches.

Eco-friendly measures can be found throughout the hotel, starting with the cork and sustainable wood thatwere used in its construction. Aloft Phoenix-Airport has done away with non-biodegradable shampoo bottles and replaced them with in-shower dispensers. Nine-foot ceilings and large windows in theguest rooms allow light to flood the room, with the bed facing these windows instead of a wall.

Phoenix: 300 Days of Sunshine and Golfing in the Sonoran Desert

Located in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, Phoenix spans 2,000 square miles and is one of only 12 cities that has four professional sports teams: Phoenix Suns (NBA), Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB), Arizona Cardinals (NFL), and Phoenix Coyotes (NHL). But it’s the 300 days of sunshine per year that has built its popularity with travelers. It’s also one of the reasons there are more than 200 golf courses in the greater Phoenix area, earning nearby Scottsdale the title Best Place to Live for golfing from the Robb Report.

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Quiet, Spacious Suites near Las Vegas Strip

The Las Vegas Strip has no shortage of glitz, from the Bellagio Fountains' kaleidoscopic light show to dozens of bustling casinos. Yet just a few blocks east of the Strip, a more casual side of Las Vegas emerges. Here, the Alexis Park All Suite Resort—the first non-gaming hotel in Vegas—has cultivated a quieter scene with three sparkling pools and secluded courtyard gardens. Come nightfall, you won't hear the jingle of slot machines or banter at the blackjack table. But there's still plenty of entertainment in the comedy showroom and the stylish sports lounge. And if you should heed the siren call of Sin City, the action is just a few minutes away.

The resort feels like a small village crisscrossed with quiet walking paths that lead to more than a dozen two-story guest-room buildings. Along the way, you'll pass swimming pools lined with lounge chairs, palm trees, and colorful flower beds. At the resort's Las Vegas Showroom, located off the lobby, live performers quip one-liners Tuesday–Saturday. Next door, bartenders at the Pegasus Lounge pour ice-cold cocktails, and the Alexis Gardens Restaurant—where guests enjoy 20% off meals during their stay—serves prime rib and surf 'n' turf specialties on an open-air poolside patio.

Renovated in 2011, the Crown Loft suite's unique two-story layout includes a whirlpool tucked halfway up the staircase. Downstairs, the suite expands to a kitchenette and a living area, where guests can stretch out after a long night or build replicas of Mount Rushmore out of chip winnings. The Monarch suites feature a simple layout and a stylish palette of crimson and cream.

Las Vegas: Dazzling Casinos and Off-Strip Family Fun

A short walk will put you right in the thick of the Las Vegas Strip, where legendary casinos and fantastical architecture comprise a 24-hour wonderland. Megaresorts showcase one elaborate installation after another, ranging from dancing fountains to an erupting volcano that emits a piña colada fragrance. For a glimpse of vintage Vegas, head about 5 miles south to Fremont Street, where showgirls crowned with headdresses and flashing neon signs recall the Rat Pack era.

Often overlooked are a handful of cultural and family-friendly attractions. At the 180-acre Springs Preserve park, the Origen Museum exhibits gila monsters native to the Mojave Desert, and the Nevada State Museum chronicles local history through prehistoric skeletons and fossils of ancient Tamagotchis. A day trip to Valley of Fire State Park is a good way to experience the stunning Nevada landscape. Located 55 miles east of the hotel, this 36,000-acre park gets its name from the red sandstone formations that stretch for miles, creating an otherworldly setting you may recognize from films such as Transformers and Total Recall.

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Posh Digs near San Jacinto Mountains

When naturalist John Muir climbed San Jacinto Peak, he called the view "the most sublime spectacle to be found anywhere on this earth." Nowadays, it's much easier to reach the summit and take in the panorama Muir raved about. Every day, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway ferries tourists up the steep escarpment, and scenic trails reach to the peak, where trendy Palm Springs looks like a quiet desert mirage. Located fewer than 10 minutes from the tramway and surrounded by dramatic views of the San Jacinto Mountains, Marquis Villas Resort puts visitors within reach of the area's natural attractions as well as the city's hip resort scene.

The resort manages to meld arid mountain surroundings with a distinctly vintage vibe. Native palm trees encircle the outdoor pool and jacuzzi, and the "San Jac" Peak—as it's known to locals—makes a breathtaking backdrop. The exterior of each one-bedroom condo has a ruddy, terra-cotta quality that harks back to the old Southwest, even as the architecture's sleek, angular lines reflect a more modern aesthetic.

To explore Palm Springs, you can take a short drive to visit celebrity homes, family-friendly museums, and international restaurants. With this Getaway, you get a $25 credit to Maracas Cantina, a colorful eatery that serves foot-long flautas ($12.95), deep-fried lobster, and veggie enchiladas ($11.95).

Palm Springs, California: Desert City with Outdoor Recreation and Hollywood History

Nestled in the Coachella Valley in southern California, Palm Springs has fallen in and out of fashion over the course of the past two centuries. The desert town, which boasts a strong Native American presence, remained relatively unknown up until the 20th century, when it was "discovered" by Hollywood A-listers who were drawn to its temperate weather and tucked-away feel. Word spread quickly, and by 1950, the landscape was dotted with tennis courts, swimming pools, and flashy modern homes owned by Elvis and Frank Sinatra.

Though it experienced a lull at the turn of the century, Palm Springs has emerged once again as a vacation hot spot. The sun shines on Palm Springs 350 days a year on average, which makes it easy to hike or play on one of its designer golf courses year-round. Luxury spas and boutique shops cover the glitzy downtown area of "PS." There's an old kitschy feel that still survives in the town, which is now surrounded by a mix of retro midcentury hotels and new Mediterranean-inspired villas.

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Four-City Guided Tour of China from Beijing to Shanghai

The Great Wall of China stretches more than 5,000 miles across northern China—longer than the length of the continental United States—snaking through forests and up snow-capped mountains. To the south, the thriving supermetropolis of Shanghai boasts two of the world’s tallest structures—the ultrasleek Shanghai World Financial Center and the science-fictionesque Oriental Pearl Tower. You’ll have a chance to soak up these sights on Rewards Travel China's 10-day sightseeing tour, which will take you from the bustling streets of Beijing to the peaceful gardens of Hangzhou, with exciting stops in between.

Some deal options include roundtrip airfare from Los Angles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), or Vancouver (YVR) airports. Chinese visa fees ($140, apply by yourself) and $130 per person gratuity fees are not included. Departures may be made from other cities for an additional fee.

Click here for an in-depth look at the trip and a day-by-day itinerary.

Day 1–5: English-speaking guides will escort visitors to their hotels upon arrival in Beijing. A tour of China’s capital city begins the next day, with stops at Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, a palatial fortress where emperors ruled mainland China in isolation for more than 500 years. During the four-day stint in Beijing, groups will also stop at the colossal Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, which hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics’ opening ceremony, and take the 37-mile drive up to Juyongguan to see the Great Wall.

Day 6–7: Groups fly to Suzhou by way of Shanghai, and then split time between Suzhou and Hangzhou, nicknamed "Paradise on Earth" and “the Venice of the East,” respectively. Each destination features a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Hangzhou's West Lake, surrounded by pagodas and temples, and Suzhou’s classical gardens.

Day 8–10: The trip concludes with two full days in Shanghai and a visit to The Bund, a waterfront lined with buildings exhibiting art-deco, gothic, and neoclassical architecture. Outside the City God Temple, tourists can shop at more than 100 specialty stores and markets, many housed in buildings nearly a century old. Finish the trip as a spectator at the Shanghai Acrobatic Show. Guests depart after breakfast the following morning from Shanghai.

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Vallejo Hotel near Theme Park, Universities, and Wineries

The Medusa roller coaster at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom whips its passengers down drops at 65 mph. You can watch as people take this plunge from a window at The Courtyard by Marriott Vallejo Napa Valley. The hotel is situated just a quick drive from the park, which also features an oceanarium and wildlife shows where you can watch dolphin feedings and see an African elephant.

Convenience is the key at this hotel; it's also situated near Napa Valley and its famed wineries as well as a number of other local attractions, including Touro University, California Maritime Academy, and Infineon Raceway. Stop by the concierge desk and someone will help arrange shuttles to the airport or dry cleaning for delicate superhero costumes.

As you settle into your room, you'll be greeted with a bottle of wine. And before an adventure through Napa Valley, you can visit the onsite café to enjoy a buffet-style or made-to-order breakfast. Come nighttime, feel free to unwind with a cocktail at the hotel lounge.

Vallejo, California: Bayside Town near Napa Valley Wineries

Located on San Pablo Bay's northern corner, Vallejo is situated near San Francisco and Fisherman's Wharf, which you can access by taking a scenic ferry ride. Take an approximately 15-mile drive north, though, and you'll find many famous wineries that dot the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.

In general, Napa Valley has a climate that mirrors the Mediterranean, with cool winters and hot summers; this makes it a fine place to grow grapes. There are more than 300 wineries around here, and many of them have their own distinct types of grapes thanks to California's varied geology and microclimates. You can stop by any of these wineries for a tasting; many wineries also host concerts and art shows.

Vallejo's Six Flags Discovery Kingdom features one of the world's first floorless roller coasters, Medusa, where passengers can let their feet dangle as they zip through seven inversions. Beyond the rides, you can see live shows starring African elephants, walruses, and killer whales. The new Odin's Temple of the Tiger showcases the park's famous white bengal tigers, with an underwater viewing pool where swimming cats dive for food.

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Quaint B & B with Horse Stables and Petting Zoo

Each morning at the crack of dawn, a rooster named Carlos announces the arrival of a new day on Splendor Farms. Carlos is joined at the onsite petting zoo by a menagerie of furry and winged residents, including miniature horses, baby goats, ducks, alpacas, and sheep. Located about 60 miles north of New Orleans, Splendor Farms is a 75-acre working farm and quaint bed and breakfast, run by Kelly Denise Bensabat.

The guest experience at Splendor Farms revolves around the animals. You’ll have a chance to play with the longhaired miniature dachshunds in the kennel, or help gather eggs in the hen house. Included with this deal is a complimentary trail ride on one of the farm's gentle, resident horses. Scenic riding trails wind through the woods, across big fields, and alongside the nearby Bogue Chitto River. You can also fish (bait and tackle included), canoe, and tube on the river, or splash around back at the swimming pool.

Each of the inn's three guest rooms is individually furnished and comes with a private entrance. Befitting its name, the newly renovated Ponderosa features wood-paneled walls, accented with vintage cowboy art, a western-themed quilt, and a stone wheel to sharpen your spurs. The Ponderosa also features a screen porch and overlooks the patio and pool. La Louisiane, the most spacious room, opens onto the pool and is decorated in a Mardi Gras theme of purple, green, and gold with Louisiana art and literature. The Queens' Suite boasts a four-poster bed, floral décor, and an attached gazebo. Each morning, the innkeepers prepare a farm-style country breakfast, made from the organic eggs produced by onsite hens.

Bush, Louisiana: Charming Southern Town North of Lake Pontchartrain

Splendor Farms, located within the town of Bush, sits about 60 miles north of New Orleans. Nearby Covington boasts a handful of antique and specialty shops on Lee Lane, but if you’re in town on a Wednesday or Saturday, be sure to stop by the farmers' market for local produce, meats, and baked goods. Located between Bush and Covington is the Abita Brewery, which produces the popular beers Turbodog and Purple Haze. Visitors can take a tour of the microbrewery Wednesday–Saturday, or stop in the Abita Brew Pub for a burger and a pint.

Though Splendor Farms sometimes features a discounted price online, this Groupon still offers the best deal available.

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Modern Beachfront Resort Close to Caribbean Coral Reefs

A 40-passenger Convair airliner sits on the ocean floor just off Cozumel's northwestern coast. Sunk in 1977 for the filming of a Mexican disaster movie, the plane has become overgrown with coral and sea fans and is frequented by schools of colorful parrot fish. It's just one of dozens of diving and snorkeling sites encircling Cozumel, which has a reef that's protected as a national marine reserve. Set along a private stretch of white-sand shoreline, the all-inclusive El Cozumeleño Beach Resort has its own scuba center to equip guests for taking part in the island's most popular activity.

With five pools, a nightclub, and an open-air theater showcasing three live performances a week, El Cozumeleño offers a lot more than just diving. Designed for all types of active travelers, the resort has an onsite watersports facility that rents waverunners and arranges sunset cruises. Right across the street, a Jack Nicklaus–designed golf course weaves through mangroves and marshlands inhabited by crocodiles, iguanas, and other wildlife. Hotel guests receive a discount off regular golf rates.

The resort's two contemporary towers house more than 250 rooms—all equipped with private balconies. The complex also includes restaurants, both buffet and a la carte varieties, and an eclectically decorated plaza outfitted with a colorful ceramic fountain and a black-and-white chess set with pieces as big as a toddler. Each of the eateries brings something different to the table, ranging from upscale dining and live piano music at La Veranda to buffet-style meals with sea views at open-air El Cocal.

Cozumel, Mexico: Relaxed Tropical Island with World-Class Diving

Compared to Cancun—Mexico's spring-break capital, located just a few miles north—Cozumel is decidedly laid-back. Formerly a fishing settlement, the 24-mile-long island remains blissfully free of high-rise resorts and other signs of overdevelopment. Visitors here tend to focus more on exploring the wilderness than on late-night beach parties. Adventure-tour companies can arrange expeditions by land or by sea, including trips to ancient Mayan ruins and dives at sites known for deep canyons and tunnels.

There's only one city on the island—San Miguel de Cozumel, where street vendors sell everything from jewelry to Cuban cigars on a waterfront promenade. It's also where you'll find an assortment of clubs and bars showcasing live reggae-salsa fusion and jazz bands.

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Lakefront Lodge Nestled in Mountainous Nature Reserve

The K'iche' people—who count the ancient Mayans among their ancestors—call Guatemala's Lake Atitlán "the lake of the south." It's one of four sacred lakes bordering their homeland in the western highlands. Formed millions of years ago by a collapsed volcano, the body of water is bordered by a trio of volcanoes and smaller cliffs that form the backdrop to Laguna Lodge Eco-Resort & Nature Reserve. More than just a hotel, the resort stretches from a lakefront lodge to a high-altitude tropical dry forest and about 100 acres of old Mayan nature trails.

The lodge's design was inspired by its surroundings: volcanic stone, adobe, and palm all went into its construction. Suites have beds hand-hewn from Guatemalan hardwoods and draped in linens woven at a nearby village. Most of the furnishings are hand-carved antiques, and marble-topped night tables add touches of luxury. Each suite also has a large private lakeside balcony outfitted with either an exposed pole ceiling or palm roof.

As part of Laguna Lodge's conservation measures, the onsite Zotz Restaurant features an all-vegetarian menu with ingredients sourced from local farmers or the hotel's gardens. Views overlook the lake and surrounding volcanoes, and you can dine alfresco in outdoor pavilions. In the dining room, antique candelabras and a large stone fireplace create a cozy atmosphere.

With its own nature reserve alongside Lake Atitlán, Laguna Lodge also has a variety of activities available, ranging from hikes through the volcanic Sierra Madre mountains to excursions to ancient ruins.

Lake Atitlán, Guatemala: Diverse Villages Arrayed Around Volcanic Waterfront

Twelve villages ring the shores of Lake Atitlán, including the quiet Santa Cruz La Laguna on the northwest shore near La Laguna Lodge Eco-Resort & Nature Reserve. The town is perched atop tall hills amid bio-diverse land popular with hikers and backpackers. From the waterfront, you can embark on scuba-diving tours into the more-than 1,000-foot-deep lake to see underwater rock formations and areas of hot volcanic mud.

Public water taxis regularly stop at Laguna Lodge's dock, making it easy to visit other lakefront villages. In just 10 minutes you can be at Panajachel—the largest town on the lake. With lively shopping and nightlife districts, it's the area's main tourist town. Other smaller villages around Lake Atitlán boast character as one of their main draws. These spots include Santa Catarina Palopó with its collection of thatched-roof adobe houses, onion fields, and hot springs.

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Rustic Lodge near Glacier Bay National Park

Mention Alaska, and the first thing that comes to mind might be mountains or tundra. Few would associate the northwestern state with rainforests, but at the Glacier Bay Country Inn, you'll be surrounded by them. The rustic lodge sits on 160 acres of rainforest and meadows, less than a mile from Glacier Bay National Park.

Snow-capped mountains loom in the distance, and 200-year-old cedar and spruce trees grow right beside the main lodge. The lodge's five rooms—with names such as Sea Side and Forget Me Not—feature knotted-pine floors and views of the wildflower meadow. Carved pine furniture and flannel sheets give the standalone, private cabins a warm, woodsy feel.

There aren't many dining options in the tiny town of Gustavus, but not to worry—this deal includes all meals, prepared by the inn's chef. Mornings begin with hot muffins and stick-to-your-ribs breakfast platters, and lunches are packed for you to take along on your day's adventures. At dinnertime, the chef whips up local Alaskan seafood such as crab cakes with chipotle aioli and salmon en croute. After dinner, you can gather around the fire on the lodge's outdoor deck and hash over your day with other guests and recount the "Yeti incident."

Gustavus, Alaska: Coastal Town with Whale Watching and Fishing

Located in southeastern Alaska near the British Columbia border, the tiny town of Gustavus sits on an inlet of the Gulf of Alaska. Gustavus has fewer than 500 residents, but waves of visitors flock here to see the humpbacks, gray whales, and orcas that summer off the coast. There are also a handful of fishing charters and sportfishing boats that set out from the docks in town for wild salmon and halibut.

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Modern Hotels in Lisbon and Oporto, Portugal's Largest Cities

The oldest European capital outside of Athens, Lisbon has recently seen a renaissance with an influx of riverfront dance clubs and trendy fashion boutiques. About a third of its historical buildings have been renovated since 2000, including an ancient limestone Jerónimos Monastery and the moated St. George’s Castle. Three hours north of Lisbon, the hilly town of Oporto has kept its title as the world’s port wine capital since the late 17th century. Preserved baroque churches line the streets, and the waterfront teems with replicas of the wooden ships that historically exported the city's wine.

The Portugal-based Abreu Tours gives you a chance to visit one or both of the country’s largest cities with a choice of a five-night trip to Oporto, a seven-night trip to Oporto, a seven-night trip to Lisbon, or a seven-night trip to both Lisbon and Oporto.

Visitors to Lisbon stay in the heart of the capital at Hotel Lutecia, a modern dwelling with a neon-lit façade covered in orderly rows of terraces. Low-sitting furniture and red pillows and carpets decorate the guest rooms, most of which feature city-view balconies.

For vacations in Oporto, you'll stay at Porto Trindade Hotel, which also has a modern look complete with sparkling white marble floors, red floor-to-ceiling curtains, and contemporary art. Sleek lounge chairs on the rooftop terrace overlook nearby wine cellars and the Porto Cathedral in the city's historical center.

For each of Abreu Tours' trips, most of the time is left free for personal explorations. But each deal also includes at least one activity, such as a wine tasting or a cruise past Oporto’s six bridges. All trips include a live show of Fado music—a melancholy but melodic Portuguese musical style.

Lisbon and Oporto, Portugal: Historical Neighborhoods and Artistic Heritage on the Atlantic Coast

Portugal's capital since 1255, Lisbon sprawls over seven hills, where modern businesses seamlessly integrate with historical buildings and monuments. Century-old trams climb up cobblestone pathways on a route from the city's center to the hilltop St. George's Castle. The looming fortress holds some of the city's best views from its 1,000-year-old walls and 18 climbable towers.

In Oporto, the entire historical center of Ribeira, where medieval alleys wend past tiled churches and village-style plazas, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. But some of the city’s architectural marvels are its recent additions, including the partially buried, white stucco Museum of Contemporary Art that slopes with the surrounding gardens. Inside, the museum's collection focuses on the works of established and up-and-coming Portuguese artists spanning from the 1960s to the present.

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Tour of Sri Lanka’s Jungles, Ancient Ruins, and Coastal Villages

Named one of the Hottest Travel Destinations of 2012 by Travel + Leisure, Sri Lanka has become one of the world's fastest-growing economies and tourist hotspots. And it's easy to see why—with the country’s new prolonged period of peace, visitors have come to Sri Lanka to explore the island's palm-studded beaches, lush jungles, and a rich culture of 2,000-year-old ruins and hillside tea plantations. From Sigiriya’s ancient cave art to Kalutara’s turtle hatchery, NewXplorer.com's 10-day, 9-night Sri Lanka Adventure delves into the country's cultural attractions with an English-speaking guide and four-star hotel stays included.

This deal does not include airfare. Click here for the full itinerary.

Day 1: Upon arrival in Bandaranaike International Airport, a travel representative will greet you and arrange transportation to Global Towers—a beachfront hotel in Sri Lanka’s largest city, Colombo. The first day includes an overnight stay as well as a city tour, where you’ll find the most urban activity in an otherwise rural country.

Days 2–4: From Colombo, the tour group heads to the ancient city of Sigiriya, where the mouth of gigantic brick-and-plaster lion makes up the entrance of a fortress. Some of the remnants of this former palace and Buddhist monastery include frescoes painted on granite rocks and water gardens decked with fountains and canals. Afterward, bike through the 12th-century medieval kingdom of Polonnaruwa, then take a nighttime jeep safari into Minneriya National Park, a scrub and light forest rife with toque macaque monkeys, leopards, and other wildlife. Each day's adventure is complimented by the modern accommodations of Kassapa Lions Rock hotel.

Days 5–6: Continuing through the mountainous Central Province, you’ll tour the Matale’s spice gardens and Buddhist cave temples of Dambulla. While in Kandy, visitors witness a daily ritual in the 16th-century Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic honoring Buddha with flutes, trumpets, and drums. Other highlights include a hike through a plantation with an up-close look at Sri Lankan’s Ceylon-tea production—one of the country’s main sources of pride after its Indian-style cuisine and cricket-playing elephants.

Days 7–10: While staying in the west coast town of Kalutara, spend three nights at the The Sands, an oceanfront hotel with tropical gardens. Known for its golden, palm-fringed beaches, Kalutara is also a fishing community, and tours will visit the harbor as well as offer an optional excursion to the Kosgoda turtle hatchery, where fishermen bring eggs of endangered species for safe hatching. There, tanks display newborn hawksbill, loggerhead, and leatherback turtles that are raised onsite before being released into the sea.

On the last day you’ll head back to Colombo and transfer to the airport for return flights.

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AAA Four Diamond Boutique Hotel Overlooking Caribbean Bay

Tales of the South Pacific author James A. Michener reportedly once described St. Lucia’s Marigot Bay as "the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean." The area's lush jungle and turquoise Caribbean waters also captivated sea captain Walter Boudreau, who sailed into St. Lucia's western bay in the 1950s and built the lagoon's first hotel. The tranquil cove soon became frequented by luxury yachts, celebrities, movie crews (for the original Doctor Dolittle film), and Apollo 17 astronauts who once escaped to the inlet for R&R. Overlooking this popular waterfront is the Discovery at Marigot Bay Hotel, which pays respect to its pristine surroundings with eco-friendly practices.

A AAA Four Diamond–rated establishment since 2007, the boutique hotel tends to bay-view rooms, each of which has a balcony or patio where you can watch yachts, sailboats, and the hotel's solar-powered ferry, Sunshine Express. The ferry provides a complimentary shuttle around the bay to various restaurants, bars, and Labas Beach, where popular pastimes include snorkeling, windsurfing, and kayaking. Aside from its solar-powered ferry, the resort commits to responsible tourism by using locally made paper products and participating in community cleanup days. Such eco-friendly practices helped the hotel earn a nod from National Geographic.

Three pools comprise the property: an infinity-edge pool, a lagoon pool with a swim-up bar, and a children's pool shaded by an awning. Wine and dine at three onsite restaurants and bars, including the Boudreau Restaurant, an elegant French establishment named after the bay's first hotelier.

St. Lucia, Lesser Antilles: Volcanic Island Blanketed in Thick Rainforest

Marigot Bay is located on the west coast of St. Lucia, located just north of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Lesser Antilles archipelago. About 22 miles down the coast from Marigot Bay, Sulphur Springs at Mount Soufrière is considered "the world's only drive-in volcano," as you can literally drive your car into its volcanic crater to see its steaming sulfur.

The Pitons are twin volcanoes and perhaps St. Lucia's most recognized landmarks; the peaks have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Hottest Couple by Us Weekly. The mountains jut into the sky on the island’s southwestern coast near Soufrière, and brave trekkers can ascend to the top of the taller of the two, the 2,619-foot Gros Piton.

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Spacious Suites in Quiet Detroit Suburb

You’ll typically hear Detroit nicknamed “The Motor City” for being the American headquarters of auto giants like General Motors. But before it was paved with highways, Detroit was fancied as a strategic port to control ships and commerce on the Great Lakes. In fact, there are three world emblems on the Detroit city flag: France, England, and the United States. The city has been ruled by all three since first being settled by Europeans near the turn of the 18th century.

Detroit is a city rich with history and cultural institutions, and Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Detroit Warren is conveniently located in a suburb near downtown but just removed enough if you want to have a quiet night in.

As you walk in the lobby, you’ll find a fireplace amid Bavarian-styled decor. Head up to your one-bedroom king suite and you’ll find a bottle of champagne or sparkling cider, a box of chocolates, and a bouquet of fresh flowers waiting as part of the romance package. Each spacious suite is laid out more like a cozy apartment than a hotel; there’s a kitchenette stocked with pots and pans, and you can feel free to sink into couches in the living room or take a relaxing bath in quicksand.

In the morning, head downstairs to the Hawthorn’s dining area to enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast, which includes waffles, eggs, and oatmeal.

Greater Detroit, Michigan: Giant Art Collection, Legendary Motown Museum, and Quirky Neighborhoods

Located in southern Michigan, Detroit is close to Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie, and right below massive Lake Huron. Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Detroit Warren is located in a quiet suburb about 15 minutes away from downtown.

Detroit’s downtown has some excellent museums. One of these is the Detroit Institute of Arts, a 658,000-square-foot art museum considered to be one of the finest of its kind in the country. Among its vast collection: a dragon tile relief from the Ishtar Gate of Babylon and a self-portrait of Vincent van Gogh.

The Motown Museum is in the same house where legends such as Stevie Wonder, the Supremes, and the Jackson 5 recorded some of their most classic songs. In one of the studios, you can see a giant divot in the wooden floor where producers and sound technicians tapped their foot to the beat of the songs as they were recorded.

Greektown, which is northeast of downtown, is a quirky neighborhood that has stuck to its immigrant roots. Monroe Street in particular is lined with buildings made to resemble the Parthenon and Pegasus, and Greek music plays outdoors next to themed eateries.

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Sustainable Cabanas Surrounded by Lush Jungles

When Chris Crowell and Jeff Pzena opened Cotton Tree Lodge in 2007, they set out to create a “magical place where visitors could get in touch with the land, the people, and themselves.” Connecting with the land is easy: the resort’s sustainable, solar-powered cabanas blend in almost seamlessly with the jungle. You’ll also have a chance to learn from the people of Belize during local village tours and home visits. And if you're looking to just relax and enjoy the scenery, you can head out to the hammock on your own private balcony.

Hailed by O, The Oprah Magazine and the New York Times for its sustainable design, Cotton Tree Lounge aims to live in harmony with its tropical surroundings. The resort occupies 100 densely forested jungle acres in southern Belize. Elevated boardwalks connect thatched-roof cabanas, which are propped up by stilts near the banks of the Moho River.

Breakfasts are prepared from freshly grown fruits and vegetables harvested from the resort’s onsite organic garden, which is run by Sustainable Harvest International. The nonprofit group supports local farmers throughout Central America and also takes Cotton Tree’s guests on daylong service projects; in the past, volunteer groups have planted organic gardens at schools and built stoves that aim to conserve wood.

Belize's Toledo District: Hidden Caves and Mayan Ruins amid Unspoiled Jungles

Located on Central America's eastern coast, just below Mexico, Belize is covered with tropical jungles and fringed by Caribbean beaches. Cotton Tree Lodge is surrounded by the primeval forest, but if you travel about 15 miles, you can find Punta Gorda, the capital of the district. It's a seaport where you can go snorkeling or kayaking or just lounge at the beach.

A great way to experience the landscape is by joining one of Cotton Tree's guided tours. The resort schedules up to three excursions each day, and the trips may take you through nearby villages, Mayan ruins, or caves. Belize's tropical lowland climate is also ideal for growing cocoa; on the resort’s chocolate tour, you’ll get to learn how chocolate is produced, how to make your own batch, and how to eat it without using silverware.

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Old-World Opulence Flanked by Tropical Rainforest and Caribbean Sea

At The Palace at Playa Grande, new arrivals might easily suspect they've breached the palace walls of an Indian maharajah. Peacocks parade amid columned porticoes accented by stone statues of Ganesh, and onion-dome pinnacles cap whitewashed walls. Despite the estate's architectural tributes to Mughal India, it remains a distinctly Caribbean hideaway on the north shore of the Dominican Republic. The golden sands of a seasonally available private beach beckon to sunbathers, and a tropical rainforest buffers the resort from the bustle of the island's metropolises.

Each palatial guest room comes outfitted with a bed draped in colorful, diaphanous silks. The cliff side suites boast bird's-eye views of the ocean. Downstairs, The Palace's skilled kitchen staff uses local ingredients to craft a regularly rotating menu that can include beef empanadas and roasted green-mango salad. In the villa's pool area, bartenders mix cocktails at a swim-up bar where guests‘ foam noodles can double as swizzle sticks.

Playa Grande, Dominican Republic: Marine Adventure on Caribbean Shore

Steps from the villa, the Atlantic stretches to the horizon past 1,000 feet of pristine, private beachfront tucked into the mountainside. The resort loans snorkeling gear to those seeking an up-close peek at the Caribbean's colorful marine life. At a local dive school, instructors certify scuba divers and lead expeditions into the watery depths, where coral reefs, shipwrecks, and underwater mountains await exploration.

Above the surface, the consistent breaks and swells of nearby Playa Grande Beach make it a must-visit destination for surfers. Giant leatherback sea turtles also frequent Playa Grande and can be glimpsed during nesting season, when they come ashore to discuss time-shares.

Forty minutes away, shoppers browse the vibrant market and jewelry shops of Cabarete. Perpetual wind gusts rushing southbound from the Atlantic make the area a popular spot for windsurfers and kiteboarders, who hit the waves on vessels powered by wind-driven sails or kites. After nightfall, Cabarete comes alive as salsa dancers flock to nightclubs pulsating with music and lights.

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Tour of Scotland's Highlands, Castles, and Iconic Sites

Edinburgh Castle has stood for more than 800 years on a rock overlooking the Firth of Forth. The current home of Scotland's crown jewels and one of the country's most iconic landmarks, the castle has withstood siege after siege across the centuries. On the five-night Best of Scotland tour, you'll have a chance to tour the castle and many more historic sites in Edinburgh, and visit the Scottish Highlands on two full-day group excursions. The luxurious Apex City Hotel in Edinburgh will serves as your home base.

This trip does not include airfare. Click here to see a detailed trip itinerary.

Day 1: After arriving at Edinburgh Airport, you'll check into the Apex City Hotel. Drop off your bags and walk over to Edinburgh Castle, or soak in the flavor of the Old Town district along the Royal Mile, a lively stretch of shops, pubs, and historical sites. As dusk falls, you'll join your tour mates for a Witches, Ghosts & Spirits walking tour through the city. Keep an eye out for the specter of Agnes Fynnie, who was burned as a witch in 1641.

Day 2: After a refreshing night's sleep, the group convenes on the morning of day 2 for a full-day tour of the Scottish Highlands. The chauffeured Mercedes minibus will meander past craggy green hills and desolate moors to Fort William, built by the English in 1650 to exert control over unruly Highland clans. Other stops include scenic Glen Coe, the village of Pitlochry, and Loch Ness, alleged home of chupacabra.

Day 3: During a full day in Edinburgh, you can investigate the mysteries of Gilmerton Cove—a series of underground passageways rumored to contain the Holy Grail—or tour the Royal Yacht Britannica, one-time floating residence of the British royal family. Later in the day, the group takes part in the Scotch Whisky Experience, an amusement-park-style tour through a replica distillery.

Day 4: The tour's second full-day excursion begins with a minibus ride back into the Highlands, during which you'll visit the Wallace Monument, built in honor the real-life Braveheart, William Wallace. After a lunch stop in Melrose, you'll visit Rosslyn Chapel, a 15th-century gothic masterpiece.

Days 5–6: The final full day of the trip is left purposefully open for you to explore Edinburgh on foot, or make a daytrip of your own. The tour officially concludes upon your checkout from the Apex on the morning of day 6.

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Five-City Guided Tour of China from Beijing to Shanghai

The Great Wall of China stretches more than 5,000 miles across northern China—longer than the length of the continental United States—snaking through lush forests and snow-capped mountains. To the south, the thriving super-metropolis, Shanghai, boasts two of the world’s tallest structures—the ultra-sleek Shanghai World Financial Center and science-fictionesque Oriental Pearl Tower. You'll have a chance soak up these sights on Rewards Travel China's 13-day tour, which will take you from the bustling streets of Beijing to the peaceful gardens of Hangzhou, with exciting stops in between.

Some deal options include roundtrip airfare from Los Angles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), or Vancouver (YVR) airports. Chinese visa fees ($140, apply by yourself) and $130 per person gratuity fees are not included. Departures may be made from other cities for an additional fee.

Days 1–5: English-speaking guides escort you to your hotels upon arrival in Beijing. A tour of China’s capital city begins the next day, with stops at the colossal Beijing National Stadium (AKA the Bird's Nest), which hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics’ opening ceremony, and the Forbidden City, a palatial fortress where emperors ruled mainland China in isolation for more than 500 years. During the four-day stint in Beijing, tours will also stop at Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven, plus take the 37-mile drive up to Juyongguan to see the Great Wall.

Days 6–7: Groups take a short flight southwest to the historic city of Xi’an, considered one of the four capitals of the ancient world, alongside Athens, Cairo, and Rome. Here, the Terracotta Horses and Warriors Museum is filled with 8,000 life-size statues of Chinese warriors and horses, built more than 2,200 years ago. Commissioned by Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the statue army was intended to defend him in the afterlife. Afterward, you'll head for dinner and a dance performance inspired by Tang Dynasty themes.

Days 8–10: The tour continues in Hangzhou and Suzhou, nicknamed “Paradise on Earth” and “the Venice of the East,” respectively. Each destination features a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Hangzhou's West Lake, surrounded by pagodas and temples, and Suzhou’s classical gardens.

Days 11–13: The trip concludes with two days in Shanghai and a visit to the Shanghai Museum to see its collection of ancient Chinese bronze, jade, and calligraphy arts. Shopping on famed Nanjing Road, one of the busiest shopping streets in the world, precedes a dinner cruise on the Huangpu River. Finish the trip with a farewell banquet, then depart after breakfast the following morning from Shanghai.

Click here for a day-by-day itinerary and detailed hotel information.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Ancient Marvels in the Cradle of Western Civilization

Though it is in ruins, the Parthenon in Athens is still one of the most universally recognized and legendary buildings in the world. Composed of more than 16,000 pieces of white marble, its pediments depict scenes from Greek mythology, including the famous contest between Poseidon and Athena for rights to the city. During a nine-day, eight-night tour of Athens and its neighbor across the Aegean Sea, Istanbul, English-speaking guides will take you past some of the most iconic sites in the ancient world, including the Parthenon and the Hagia Sophia basilica.

The tour includes all necessary airfare (departing and returning to New York's JFK), as well as four- or five-star hotel accommodation, daily breakfast, and ground transportation. Each tour caps at 30 people.

Visit the extended itinerary and trip overview for more information. A two-day, post-trip extension to Cappadocia is also available for an additional fee.

Days 1–4: You'll touch down at Athens International relatively early on day 2 following an overnight flight from JFK. A tour representative will help you check into your double room at the Herodion Hotel (or similar), your home for the next four nights. The rest of the day is left to explore Athens.

On day 3, you’ll take an organized tour of this ancient city. The Acropolis and its legendary Parthenon give a glimpse into the majesty of classical Greece. You’ll also stop by the National Garden, whose marigolds, turtle pond, and lush plants pay tribute to Cyceum, a sacred grove that once stood in the same place. Also on the itinerary: visits to the bustling Plaka district, the stunningly well-preserved Theseum temple, and the restaurant where Oedipus took his mom on Mother's Day, 435 BCE. Day 4 leaves you free to check out more of Athens as you see fit, or take one of the optional daytrips to the Aegean islands.

Day 5: The group departs Athens early for a daytrip to Delphi, a site considered by ancient Greeks to be the center of the world. It’s home to the Temple from which Apollo's oracle issued her predictions, and it now includes a museum that displays many of the impressive gifts she received from her visitors.

Days 6–9: A direct flight from Athens deposits the group in Istanbul, where you’ll settle into either the Titanic City Taksim Hotel or the Midtown Hotel. After an evening to explore the city, the next full day is set aside for a tour of Istanbul with lunch included.

About 20,000 blue porcelain tiles cover the dome of the Blue Mosque. A half-mile away is the Hagia Sophia, once a basilica and now a mosque; it features restored Christian mosaics as well as Islamic scrollwork. Sultans once ruled the Ottoman Empire from the 15th-century Topkapi Palace, and the building still displays these royals’ robes, weaponry, jewelry, and dartboards with pictures of Aladdin.

Day 7 concludes with a trip to the Grand Bazaar, a 15th-century covered market with more than 4,000 shops selling spices, brassware, and woven carpets. Day 8 is yours to revisit any favorite sites in town, or you can hit the road for one of several optional excursions. On the morning of day 9, you'll head back to Istanbul International for the flight home, unless you decide to add a two-day visit to Cappadocia.

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A Taste of Merry Old England in a Cozy, Tudor-Style Inn

Since its founding in 1793, the town of Stowe has reinvented itself numerous times, from its early days as a potash-farming enclave to its brief stint as a Canadian smuggling outpost during the War of 1812. Stowe's streets and buildings are rife with American history, but today the town thrives as a mountain retreat with an artistic soul and an outdoorsy spirit. Just north of Main Street, Ye Olde England Inne, a sprawling Tudor-style manor, welcomes guests with a taste of merry old England. Straight-backed armchairs sit beside a roaring fire in the lobby, with English prints and paintings on the walls and a crimson carpet reminiscent of the old redcoat uniforms.

Housed within the inn, Mr. Pickwick's Gastropub and Steakhouse packs its pub cellars with several thousand bottles of wine, rare cognacs, and small-batch bourbons, as well as the requisite ales and lagers. An arched stone entryway leads to the pub's chummy, Old-World interior, where old-fashioned beer steins dangle from the rafters. More than just a watering hole, the restaurant also serves an inventive menu of seafood, fowl, and steak.

The inn’s Bluff House suites cushion overnighters in English-manor elegance with four-poster, rice-carved queen beds. Each suite features a fireplace, a lounge with wing chairs and cherry-wood furnishings, and a spacious bathroom outfitted with a jacuzzi tub. A private deck or patio connects to most suites, affording views of the village, Mount Mansfield, and the Green Mountains. Most standard rooms feature Victorian-style wallpaper and bright bedspreads atop brass beds.

Stowe, Vermont: Artistic Enclave Nestled at the Base of the Green Mountains

Ye Olde England Inne is set against the scenic backdrop of Vermont’s Green Mountains. The inn is centrally located in Stowe, so you'll have easy access to the historical village and its arts scene, which includes the West Branch Gallery & Sculpture Park, a spacious enclave showcasing pieces by budding and mid-career local artists who work in a range of media.

Stowe's prime location in a broad, fertile valley between the Green Mountains and Mount Mansfield—Vermont's highest peak—makes it an ideal launching pad for outdoor activities. A recreation path through Stowe loosely follows the meandering West Branch River with 5.5 miles of paved trails for biking, rollerblading, and jogging. The winding path’s arched wooden bridges crisscross the river 10 times from start to finish. At nearby Underhill State Park, set at the base of the 4,300-foot-tall Mount Mansfield, you can practice butterfly mating calls on one of four hikes to the summit.

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Elegant Hacienda-Style Resort near Arts and Historical District

Before vacationers began to pack Cabo San Lucas’s beaches, the neighboring San José del Cabo was Baja California's largest community. Centuries ago, Spanish galleons docked there to stock up on freshwater at the estuary. Though the once-tiny Cabo San Lucas eventually surpassed San José del Cabo in popularity, the latter maintained its natural allure and rich Spanish colonial history, and it eventually became a major tourist draw in its own right. Just outside the city's charming historical and arts district, the ornately decorated hacienda-style villas of El Encanto Inn Hotel & Suites exude a similar historical grandeur, creating an enchanting tropical hideaway that Frommer's calls "a relaxing, elegant alternative to busy hotels."

In the standard rooms and garden suites, tropical colors offset rustic wood furnishings and colonial-style arches. The slightly more spacious garden suites boast a kitchen and tucked amid El Encanto's fragrant gardens, featuring the scents of jasmine and bougainvillea.

A refreshing outdoor pool sits near the well-manicured garden. The pool's bright yellow chaise lounges are a great place to kick back and enjoy a drink from the poolside bar. For more intensive relaxation, the onsite El Encanto Day Spa spa incorporates natural elements into massages and invigorating spa treatments.

San José del Cabo, Mexico: Relaxing Beaches and Vibrant Art Scene

A short drive west of Cabo San Lucas on Mexico's Baja California, San José del Cabo provides a peaceful contrast to its rowdy neighbor with clear coastal beaches and an estuary teeming with wildlife. Egrets, brown pelicans, and hundreds of rare and exotic waterfowl live at San José Estuary's bird sanctuary on the peninsula’s southern tip. Nearby La Playita Beach is popular spot for surfing or snorkeling. If you enjoy sport fishing, you can rent a boat, which the locals call a panga, and cast out for sailfish and marlin.

About a mile from San José's beaches, the downtown’s colorful architecture and ornate churches hark back to the city's roots as a missionary town. Steps from the historical town square, or zocalo, San José del Cabo's arts district is rife with folk art and religious sculptures, and locals hawk fresh produce and handcrafted jewelry at a weekly farmers' market.

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Beachfront Hotel with Private Pool Deck

Since its original construction in 1888, Plaza Resort & Spa has transformed from a stagecoach stop to an early aviation exhibition site to a barracks for the Women's Army Corps during WWII. Fires and inclement weather have destroyed the hotel over the years, yet it always seems to emerge stronger than before, and a multimillion-dollar restoration has brought about its most luxurious incarnation yet. Located steps away from the Atlantic Ocean, the Plaza Resort now features a 15,000-square-foot European-style spa and a sprawling oceanfront pool deck.

Though much of the Daytona shoreline is open to auto traffic, the beach alongside the hotel is car-free and comparatively quieter. From the private balcony connected to your ocean-view room, you can watch the sunrise over the Atlantic or wait until a more reasonable hour and re-create the sunrise with a flashlight. Head downstairs to the hotel's Ocean Waters Spa for any number of restorative services, including the popular green-coffee slimming body wrap, a 55-minute treatment designed to smooth cellulite and increase metabolism. The beach is just a few feet from the hotel, but for a more private experience, kick back in one of the lounge chairs by the pool.

Daytona Beach: Auto-Race Mecca and Historical Boardwalk City

Seven miles from the Plaza Resort & Spa, the intoxicating scent of engine fuel and burnt rubber beckons from Daytona International Speedway. During 30-minute guided tram tours, you can stroll the infield and traverse the pit road while Mustang and Monte Carlo experts narrate the history of motorsports. For a more intimate experience, you can accompany a professional driver for three laps in a standard stock car or attempt a 16-second pit-stop challenge in a professional racecar.

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, one of the tallest masonry lighthouses in the country, stands guard about 10 miles south of the hotel on Ponce Inlet. Built in the 1880s, the 175-foot granite structure and its surrounding Victorian brick buildings feature exhibits lined with old lighthouse lenses and various historical artifacts. You can climb the 203 steps to the top of the tower for panoramic views of the beach and an inexplicable performance of "Eye of the Tiger."

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Clifftop Resort near Caribbean Sea

Only a few miles separate the jagged cliffs on the west end of Negril, Jamaica, from the pristine white-sand beaches in the north. Samsara Cliff Resort & Legends Beach Resort allow visitors a chance to experience both sides. Although the sister resorts are only five minutes apart, Samsara's clifftop location on the west end commands panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea and tropical gardens. Legends, meanwhile, lies close to Negril's lively entertainment district and occupies a prime spot on Seven Mile Beach, which was recently lauded by Frommer's as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean.

Situated amid tropical gardens, Samsara's standard oceanfront rooms are set either directly on the oceanfront or across the street from the sea. For a breath of fresh air, you can step out onto the balcony or patio and take in a garden or sea view. The resort's proximity to the Negril Cliffs, a famed aquatic hotspot, makes Samsara ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

Its sister property, Legends, bustles with shops, theaters, and restaurants. At both resorts, all-inclusive plans give diners access to a homemade buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Domestic alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks are also included between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.—providing refreshment after dips in one of the resorts' freshwater pools or a strenuous round of Mad Libs in the jacuzzi at Samsara. Several times throughout the day, shuttles ferry visitors between the two resorts, which extend reciprocal all-inclusive rights to each other's guests.

Negril, Jamaica: Laid-Back Beach Town Hugging White Sand and Turquoise Water

The western side of Jamaica is rich in natural beauty, from powdery beaches to inland tropical foliage. Travelers looking to do more than dip their toes in the sea can dive in with a snorkeling or scuba excursion—Samsara has a PADI scuba center onsite—or glide across the waves in search of marlin, wahoo, and other gilled game on a sportfishing outing.

Inland, the waterfalls and lush greenery of the island's tropical habitats await eco-tourists. At the Royal Palm Reserve, three types of swamp forest spread out over 300 acres, and a wooden boardwalk gives wayfarers a chance to glimpse a diverse array of avian species along with more than 100 different types of plants.

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Luxurious Condos on Providenciales Island

For the past two years, members of TripAdvisor have voted Providenciales Island—part of the Turks and Caicos—the best beach destination in the world. But despite the high praise, the Caribbean territory has managed to stay under the radar, and its immaculate beaches remain unspoiled by high-rises and big crowds. Located on Providenciales, the most populated of the Turks and Caicos islands, The Atrium Resort lies within a few minutes of several postcard-worthy beaches.

Each accommodation features a full kitchen and a bathroom with a lavish, deep soaking tub. The one- and two-bedroom condos spill out onto a balcony or patio, where you can enjoy breakfast while scoring dives down at the enormous, freeform swimming pool.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: Miles of White-Sand Beaches

The Turks and Caicos Islands, a British Overseas Territory, are located in the central part of the Caribbean, about a 90-minute flight from Miami. The islands might be best known for offshore banking—you’ll often see tellers decked out in scuba gear—but their charm lies elsewhere. The beaches and laidback atmosphere are the real draw and have even attracted stars such as Bruce Willis and Keith Richards, who own vacation homes here.

Providenciales, or Provo, as the locals call it, is the most visited island in the Turks and Caicos, but still feels much less busy than other Caribbean vacation spots. The Atrium Resort is less than a mile from Pelican Beach, dotted with little bars, cabanas, and restaurants. If lazing on the beach were a sport, Providenciales could easily field an Olympic team. But when you’re ready to put down the paperback and fold up the lounge chair, there are plenty of nearby activities to choose from, including sailing, scuba diving, and horseback riding.

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Nepal: Sacred Palaces and Peaceful Villages in the Himalayas

Throughout the world, only 14 mountains rise to 26,247 feet (8,000 m) above sea level. Known as the Eight-Thousanders, most of these ice-capped behemoths, including Annapurna, lie in the Himalayas. Many native Nepalese believe that the Hindu gods reside on Annapurna and other Himalayan peaks, giving the mountains spiritual weight to match their physical grandeur. From atop Poon Hill, one of the stops on your trek, you'll have a chance to see the sun rise over Annapurna, described by one New York Times reporter as an "impossibly beautiful panorama." Click here for a detailed itinerary.

Days 1–2: Upon arrival in Kathmandu, a local guide will help you get set up at the hotel, and then you're free to explore Nepal's capital city at your leisure. For a tourist-friendly visit, head to Thamel neighborhood for gift shopping and a rooftop meal of traditional Nepali thali. In the morning, an English-speaking guide leads private tours of Kathmandu, traveling deep into the heart of the city's rich Buddhist and Hindu culture at Durbar Square. At this UNESCO World Heritage Site, pedestrian-filled streets are lined with stately palaces that date as far back as the 12th century. A must-see is Kasthamandap, a wooden temple said to have been built from a single sal tree using no nails.

Day 3: You'll head out early to Pokhara by car or extremely caffeinated mule to take in the city's unparalleled mountain views. At Phewa Tal Lake, the water is so peaceful that it gives off an almost mirror-like reflection of Machhapuchhre, or Fish Tail Mountain. The peak looks like a fish's tail, and the legendary mountain has supposedly never been climbed, making it sacred to the locals.

Days 4–5: A Sherpa guide leads trekkers riverside to colorful Tikhedhunga village for an overnight stay at a teahouse. The following day, you'll continue up a steep stone staircase and a solid granite escalator to Magar village, one of many surrounding farm hamlets, before turning in for the night at the base of Poon Hill.

Days 6–7: Before sunup, your crew will disembark to ascend Poon Hill. Once at the summit, you'll be able to see one of the most dramatic sunrises in the world above the snowy Annapurna Mountains. The mountain trails en route to Tatopani village are dotted with alpine trees and rhododendron. Streams and waterfalls flow nearby and, time permitting, you'll have a chance to bathe in a natural hot spring along the way.

Day 8: For the last leg of the journey, groups visit Birethanti, a rustic farming village. At Birethanti, you can get a true feel for Nepali culture as pack mules haul goods through narrow stone lanes, shopkeepers engage in street-level commerce, and bright-eyed children look after their younger siblings. Then it's back to Pokhara for the night.

Days 9–11: On the last full day, you'll head back to Kathmandu for some more urban explorations. Rickshaws are a popular way to get around between fabric shops and museums, including Nepal's National Museum, which houses ancient weapons and rare mythological sculptures.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Spanish-Style Villas on Nicaragua's Pacific Coast

Surfers first discovered the tiny fishing village of San Juan del Sur a few decades ago. They came for the waves and stuck around for its laid-back atmosphere. Predictably, word of San Juan del Sur spread beyond the surfing community, and the sleepy village began to come alive. But local officials have aimed to preserve the small-town feel by limiting development along the coast. One of the properties lucky enough to call this spot home is Bahia del Sol Villas and Condominiums. The villas are stylish, but they aren't flashy; the architecture harmonizes with the hillside landscape overlooking the sea.

Bahia del Sol’s private community of nine villas, stuccoed with Spanish-tile roofs, could easily be mistaken for a resort in the Mediterranean. A spacious terrace on the second story of each villa looks out to San Juan del Sur’s crescent-shaped beach along the Pacific. You can get to the beach by taking a 10-minute walk through town, but if you want to take a quick swim, the resort has its own two swimming pools lined with a broad, chair-lined sundeck.

Inside the villas, the walls are decorated with brightly colored paintings by regional artists. Locally harvested wood features prominently in the furniture, such as in the kitchen’s hand-carved countertops. All rooms are temperature controlled, too: the second floor has central air, and the ground level keeps cool thanks to ocean breezes and teams of parrots flapping in unison.

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua: Surf, Sand, and Nature

San Juan del Sur has a well-developed tourist infrastructure with plenty of restaurants and efficient transportation, but the area still feels like a relatively undiscovered spot for surfers. Surfers continue to chase waves at Yankee Beach and Escameca Beach, both located just south of town. Surf shops dot the streets closest to the beach, and many offer lessons and boards for beginners as well as day trips offshore for more seasoned boarders. Bahia del Sol’s bilingual staff will happily assist in planning surf outings or other activities around the coastline; you can try your hand at horseback riding, fishing, and zipline canopy tours of the surrounding forest.

About 11 miles south of town, there's Playa La Flor—literally translated as “Beach of Flowers." It got its name from the flowering tamarind trees that line the sugar-white sand. Every year between July and December, thousands of olive ridley sea turtles emerge from the surf to lay their eggs on the beach and mug for National Geographic photographers.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.