Luxurious Hotel and Organic Farm Steps from Ganges Harbour

When the Crofton family opened their farmhouse situated along the Ganges Harbour to travelers in the early 1900s, there was no regular ferry service to bring food to Salt Springs Island, meaning they had to rely on their own farmland to feed guests. Nearly a century later, Harbour House Hotel is still primarily self-sufficient. Beehives supply honey, and gardens and greenhouses yield more than 100 fruits, grains, and vegetables, from carrots to quinoa. Homegrown produce also supplies the hotel’s onsite restaurant, which earned the honor of Best Brunch in Canada from Food Day Canada in 2011.

On a complimentary tour, the farm staff guides visitors through bigleaf-maple orchards and into the greenhouses, occasionally plucking fresh samples from the ground. This deal includes a brunch or breakfast for two at the hotel’s restaurant, where a chef curates a menu with candied salmon benedict ($14) and maple quinoa pudding ($8) made from house-harvested maple syrup, boiled in one of British Columbia’s first evaporators.

Inside many of the hotel’s wood-furnished standard rooms, guests can peer onto the lush grounds where the farm’s goats roam and play Balderdash. In the Harbour View room, a balcony overlooks the Ganges Harbour while a gas fireplace in select rooms warms the room on winter nights.

Ganges Village, British Columbia: Artistic and Farm Community in Seaside Hamlet

Located on Salt Springs Island, off the southern coast of British Columbia, Ganges Village brims with craft studios, where artists present glassblowing projects, handcraft pottery, and whittle wood. This creative community purveys handmade candles and jewelry for local boutiques. The annual Salt Spring Farmers Market runs every Saturday starting in April, when Centennial Park comes alive with improvised music, dancing, and goods from local farmers.

With 81 miles (130 km) of shoreline, Salt Springs Island provides plenty of spots for kayaking, biking, diving, and boating. Off the coast of Ruckle Provincial Park, scuba divers frequently find octopi, starfish, and giant barnacles, while avian lovers spot eagles, quail, and antelopes with fake wings and beaks.

Historical 18th-Century Inn with Candlelit Restaurant

With whitewashed clapboard exteriors and graceful front porches overlooking sweeping rural landscaping and overgrown meadows, The Old Inn on the Green looks like an idyllic setting written for a historical novel rather than a real place. Once a stagecoach relay, the inn’s main building has been located in this quiet stretch of Massachusetts’s Berkshire Hills since 1760, and honey-colored wooden floorboards, antiques, and period pieces nod to its origins. But while staying immersed in its past, the inn has leapt to the culinary present through its intimate restaurant, which earned a Best in the Berkshires rating from Zagat and was called “one of the finest dining destinations in the area, and arguably in the northeast” by Travel + Leisure.

Inside The Old Inn on the Green’s candlelit dining room, chef and inn co-owner Peter Platt bases his seasonal American fare around ingredients sourced from area farmers. A four-course dinner for two, included in this deal, sates appetites with dishes such as slow-braised Angus short ribs and seared Maine diver scallops. In the morning, the cooks craft omelets made from local barnyard eggs and Vermont cob-smoked ham served alongside buttermilk pancakes sweetened by local maple syrup.

Eleven faithfully restored bedrooms are available between the main building and the separate Thayer House, which contains a little library and two large shared living rooms. Each guest room is different—most have fireplaces, some have claw-foot tubs, and some have cardboard cutouts of Thomas Jefferson—but all feature authentic antiques arranged to evoke the 1800s.

New Marlborough, Massachusetts: Cultural History in the Midst of the Berkshire Hills

A peaceful, rural town in the lower Berkshire Hills about 120 miles from Boston, New Marlborough is surrounded on all sides by state forests, which host fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and other activities. After a day exploring the outdoors,
one could easily spend some time exploring the area’s cultural history as well, starting at Herman Melville’s Arrowhead, the home where he penned Moby Dick. Melville’s study, piazza, and original fireplace are on display, as is the barn where he and The Scarlet Letter author Nathaniel Hawthorne met to discuss their writings and a shared love for Doritos. In nearby Stockbridge, the Norman Rockwell Museum displays a massive collection of paintings and drawings from the famous Saturday Evening Post artist, including the well-known Christmas Homecoming and Girl Reading the Post.

Quiet Mountain Lodge Blocks from Steamboat Ski Area

A light and smooth powder that’s considered ideal for skiing, Champagne Powder snow is so beloved by Steamboat Springs Ski Area that the resort trademarked the term. With an average of 349 inches of the snow falling on six peaks each year, Steamboat Springs is a natural destination for skiers and snowboarders. Just four blocks from Mount Werner’s Gondola Lift and minutes from one of the longest superpipes in North America, the luxurious, family-friendly Inn at Steamboat provides a relaxing home base for those taking advantage of the area’s ski-friendly snow. In the hotel’s great rooms, a wooden toboggan hangs above an alcove warmed by a massive stone fireplace. The rustic feel extends to the guest rooms, where one finds earthy tones and natural-wood headboards. Mountain air is accessible via the balcony outside of each guest room, and the inn’s outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub stay open year-round, ideal for sore skiers coming in from the slopes. In the morning, a continental breakfast with a make-your-own waffle station sates palates while a complimentary shuttle service runs to the slopes near Mount Werner. Steamboat’s ski runs vary from beginner-friendly, lower-mountain trails to steep vertical drops that challenge advanced skiers and Sylvester Stallone’s stuntmen alike.

Steamboat Springs, Colorado: Historical Ski Town with Natural Hot Springs

Located just to west of the Routt National Forest, Steamboat Springs’ skiing area encompasses six tree-studded peaks: Mount Werner, Sunshine Peak, Storm Peak, Thunderhead Peak, Pioneer Ridge, and Christie Peak. In addition to skiing, the snowy landscape hosts snowshoeing in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area and ice fishing at Steamboat Lake, about 25 miles north of the town. More than 150 natural hot springs bubble throughout Steamboat Springs, heating the snowmelt runoff of the Yampa River and offering the chance to relax in 100-degree mineral water. And throughout the Old West–style town, casual eateries, pubs, and breweries serve up elk-sausage burgers and craft beers.

Adult-Only Caribbean Resort with Sprawling Pool

Along the northern coast of Jamaica, Dunn’s River Falls spill down 600 feet of tiered ledges before spilling into the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. A few minutes west, Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort and Spa pays homage to its namesake with a terraced waterfall of its own, rippling into its massive pool below. Sprawling across 25 acres of beachfront verdure, the adult-only, all-inclusive resort revitalizes visitors with both aquatic adventures and luxurious relaxation.

As the centerpiece of resort life, the pool is dotted with floating blue lounges that drift beneath footbridges. Pool concierges wade into waist-deep water to deliver trays filled with fruit kebabs, eucalyptus sprays, or a voodoo doll of one’s boss. Lounge chairs line the golden Caribbean coast, where kayaks slip through crystal-clear waves. Bartenders bring rounds of included drinks, such as the umbrella-crowned Gem of the Day, a kaleidoscopic-hued cocktail. For further relaxation, the Radiant Spa buffs frames with Jamaican-themed body treatments using sugar cane, Blue Mountain coffee, or crushed coral.

Throughout the day, six dining options serve up gourmet, included fare. Jade Samurai showcases tableside, knife-twirling teppanyaki chefs, and the formal Platinum crafts Caribbean-inspired dishes such as jerk-chicken spring rolls. Those staying on Friday nights get a six-course candlelit dinner on the pier. Colonial-themed accommodations welcome with four-poster mahogany beds and tiled floors. The Sapphire ocean-view room’s private balcony overlooks the waterfront, and the Diamond ocean-view concierge room adds VIP perks such as a stocked liquor cabinet and complimentary 24-hour room service.

Ocho Rios, Jamaica: Famed Waterfall and World-Class Shopping

Located within the lush parish of St. Ann on Jamaica’s north coast, Ocho Rios is best known for the tropical splendor of Dunn’s River Falls, which served as a filming location for the first James Bond movie, Dr. No. Today, tour groups frolic at the bottom of the waterfall or make the 600-foot climb to the top, typically achieved by linking hands and being carefully led by a local guide.

As a cruise-ship port of call, Ocho Rios hosts duty-free stores glittering with diamonds and tanzanites, as well as street-side booths selling locally made artwork. A colorful world lies in the ocean, where dive sites such as Devil’s Reef boast stunning visibility, as divers behold anemones, corals, algae, barracudas, and the Florida Marlins baseball squad practicing in their natural habitat.

Upscale Accommodations Near the Beach and Lakefront

The massive arms of a drawbridge lift and part along the Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway, allowing passage to a steady parade of gleaming yachts. This drawbridge and the shores of Lake Boca Raton reside in front of the aptly named Boca Raton Bridge Hotel, whose private balconies and the breezy pool deck look directly to the ships as they cruise past. And at Carmen’s, the property’s rooftop fine-dining restaurant, curved floor-to-ceiling windows feature sweeping open-water views.

Aside from its waterfront location, fine dining is one of the boutique hotel’s primary draws. Visitors come from far and wide for the popular Sunday brunch at Carmen’s to sip champagne and feast on a bountiful buffet, which typically includes custom omelets, shrimp scampi, herb-roasted prime rib, and waffles. The penthouse eatery serves contemporary American fare for dinner Wednesday–Saturday, and periodic live music and wine tastings lend to a festive atmosphere. Meanwhile, the poolside restaurant Watercolors offers casual, creative fare such as red-velvet-like pancakes.

Boca Bridge exudes a modern vibe throughout, with guest rooms decked out in bright colors and outfitted with flat-screen TVs. And dazzling water views can be found nearly everywhere you look, even in the tiny fitness center. The beach lies within walking distance, and the hotel offers loaner beach chairs (in limited quantities) as well as any necessary sandcastle zoning permits. Should guests wish to tackle the waves, they can head to Ride-a-Wave, the hotel’s onsite rental facility to rent waverunners ($75 for a half-hour; $105 for one hour) or boats ($290+).

Boca Raton, Florida: Seaside Recreation and Shopping

Situated midway between Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, Boca Raton is a playground for water-sports enthusiasts, serious shoppers, and sun worshippers. Inspired in part by its seafront setting, much of the bustling community’s architecture reflects the eclectic Mediterranean Revival style popular in the 1920s. Further inland, visitors will find vast shopping malls, upscale restaurants, and cosmopolitan arts institutions.

Palatial Beachfront Hotel with Elegant, Mediterranean-Style 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. Cream-colored sofas and vibrant throw pillows embroidered with gold grace the hotel’s interior. 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 active types 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, includes access to a mini water park, outdoor games, and craft projects such as decorating a piñata to resemble Oscar De La Hoya. Two onsite bars and a pair of outdoor hot tubs overlooking the ocean supply differing forms of liquid refreshment, and 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 typified 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 four 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 or distilling saltwater away from prying eyes. Resorts have yet to encroach upon the 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.

South African Adventure and Safari in Cape Town and Garden Route

From the back porch of the hillside Kariega Game Reserve’s main lodge, the view spreads across 21,000 acres of African savannah. Intersected by two rushing rivers, the land serves as home to zebras, wildebeests, and a pride of lions passing stealthily through the grass. A safari at Kariega constitutes the grand finale to a 10-day tour through South Africa from Classic Escapes. The company’s travel gurus have put together an itinerary that encompasses the country’s exotic natural beauty as well as its thriving urban centers. Along with designated free time for independent exploration, the tour includes group events at scenic and historical sites in Cape Town, Knysna, and the African bush.

Click here for a full day-to-day itinerary as well as information about purchasing travel insurance from Classic Escapes.

Days 1-4: The trip begins with an overnight flight from Washington D.C. to Johannesburg. From there, a shuttle whisks travelers to Cape Town’s La Spendida Hotel, a chic waterfront lodging located in Mouille Point, known as Cape Town’s “Platinum Mile” for its upscale shops, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Day 3 starts off with a coastal drive to the Cape of Good Hope. After passing the majestic Table Mountain, travelers stop at Cape Point to take in sweeping views of the ocean and, on occasion, dolphins and breaching whales. Later, the tour continues to Boulder Beach—a spot favored by black-footed penguins—and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where representatives of half of the peninsula’s floral varieties are on display. For an additional cost, travelers can fill up the rest of their time in Cape Town with other tours such as a visit to Robben Island, where exiled political prisoners including Nelson Mandela were held captive during apartheid.

Days 5-6: Another scenic drive brings visitors to the town of Knysna in the Garden Route, where two enormous sandstone cliffs act as the gateway to a lagoon abuzz with water traffic in the form of yachts, ferries, and meter-mermaids. The Protea Hotel Knysna Quays, located on the banks of the lagoon, offers prime access to sea kayaking, whale-watching tours, and bird-watching as well as coastal trails for hiking and horseback riding.

Days 7-10: The final leg of the trip begins at the sprawling Kariega Game Reserve, a protected wildlife refuge inhabited by lions, elephants, giraffes, and rhinos. Morning and afternoon safaris in a four-by-four open-air Jeep deliver an up-close look at these creatures and their dramatic, Julie Taymor–choreographed production numbers. Twenty-one log chalets cluster around the Main Lodge, which offers buffet-style meals, a full bar, and breathtaking views of the open savannah. After a two-day stint at the game park, travelers head back to Johannesburg and their return flights to D.C.

By Lisa Farver, Travel Correspondent

Opulent Spa in Historical Classical Revival Building

On Chicago’s LaSalle Street, the iconic, art-deco Chicago Board of Trade building stands at the end of a row of historical skyscrapers that stand face-to-face. One such skyscraper is the former Continental & Commercial National Bank building, built in 1914 as one of architect Daniel Burnham’s final designs and featuring stone pilasters and columns that span nearly a block. This building now serves as the home of the JW Marriott Hotel, which underwent a careful 2010 restoration to preserve the structure’s original grandeur. From the gold-trimmed lobby that the New York Times called “a destination in itself,” to its sleek, subterranean spa, the hotel pairs classical luxury with contemporary comfort.

This deal includes two 60-minute customized spa treatments at Valeo, valid for anything on its menu. At Valeo, couples unwind with a side-by-side massage or inside the spa’s couples suite, which features a double rain shower and infinity tub. The spa puts a modernistic twist on a traditional Moroccan or Turkish hammam with its clarity chamber, where a wall-mounted fireplace heats the room and thick marble slabs serve as treatment tables for ancient treatments, such as acupuncture.

In many of the posh guest rooms, landmarks such as the Rookery Building can be seen through the hotel’s wide, original windows. An iPod docking station allows guests to create an in-room soundtrack with their personal playlists. Trimmed in imported Italian marble, the expansive bathroom features a soak-in tub, roomy enough for Paul Bunyan’s rubber duckies. The luxury extends into the onsite restaurant, The Florentine, where chef Todd Stein charms palates with inventive Italian cuisine, such as squid-ink spaghetti and prosciutto pizza.

Chicago: Theater, Art, and Restaurants Amid Architectural Masterpieces

From the southern shore of Lake Michigan and along the Chicago River, downtown Chicago brims with well-known attractions—the iconic Ferris wheel at Navy Pier, “The Bean” in Millennium Park, and Willis Tower, the country’s tallest building. A horse-drawn carriage or old-fashioned hovercraft ride reveals the glittering marquees of the Theater District, where one can catch music or comedy performances nightly. And though foodies flock to Chicago for its 21 Michelin-starred restaurants, many save room to try the city’s famous italian beef, Chicago-style hot dogs, and deep-dish pizzas.

For an introduction to the city’s diverse architecture, the Chicago Architecture Foundation takes tours that lead past several Chicago monuments, from the Magnificent Mile’s French Renaissance–inspired Wrigley Building to the massive art-deco-era Merchandise Mart.

Riverfront Hotel Minutes from Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls flows along the border of both New York and Canada, and it’s essentially consensus that Canada has the best panoramic view of the cascades. But where the Canadian side features fun houses, high-rise hotels, and sprawling commercial sites, Niagara Falls, New York taps more into the roughhewn wilderness of the area. The rapids’ sense of raw power is also readily apparent in the winter, when attractions close, ice bridges form over the Niagara River, and chills crystallize the surging mist onto the surfaces of trees and railings. Situated right along the river, Four Points by Sheraton Niagara Falls sits about 5 miles east of Niagara Falls State Park. After one explores the natural wonderland, the hotel acts as a cozy home base: there’s a fireplace in the lounge, and the heated pool is housed in a glass atrium overlooking the river.

Upon arrival, visitors can sit down with a bottle of wine and appetizer at the onsite Bella Vista Ristorante. The Italian eatery’s menu—crafted by celebrated chef Cory Linkson—features hand-rolled pastas and homemade pizzas. All the wines hail from CK Mondavi—a third-generation family winery that uses cold fermentation and sterile filtration techniques to create bold, crisp varietals. Meals can be enjoyed on a seasonal patio overlooking Niagara River, or in a casual dining room, where diners can catch sports on large flat-screen TVs or make their own milkshakes by roasting a scoop of ice cream over the flickering fireplace.

Niagara Falls, New York: Preserved Natural Beauty and Lively Entertainment

The oldest state park in the United States, Niagara Falls State Park has had its rustic beauty preserved partially by resisting over-commercialization. Many of the nearby attractions help to heighten appreciation of the natural majesty, including an observation tower that extends over the river gorge and an aquarium hosting more than 1,500 marine animals from both local and nonnative ecosystems. Nearly 15 miles of hiking trails wend through the park, and along the way, visitors can learn about the area’s history at the Discovery and visitors centers or by reading informational panels that pop up along the trails.

In addition to open-air pursuits, Niagara Falls boasts an assortment of fine-dining restaurants, shops, and casinos. Included in the package, guests receive a $30 voucher for slot play at Seneca Niagara Casino. More than 4,200 reel-spinning and video slot machines are sprawled out across the game room, with many machines linked to a progressive jackpot that increases after each round concludes or when a craps player rolls a 3 with oversize fuzzy dice. The Seneca Indian–operated casino also features more than 100 table games, including blackjack and three variations of poker, as well as an events center with live music shows.

Revamped Golden-Era Resort Awash in Sophisticated Glamour

In the 1920s, movie stars and wealthy Angelenos began slipping away to Palm Springs, seduced by its warm, dry winters and tranquil setting. The desert community was in full bloom by 1959, when the Riviera Palm Springs Resort & Spa was built, and in its 1960s heyday, members of the Rat Pack were often seen sipping cocktails by the hotel’s pool and Elvis was know to rent out part of the resort to rehearse and catch his breath before going on tour. The Riviera of today still embodies the cool, mid-century glamour of Sinatra’s era but feels fresh and snappy thanks to a recent $70 million face-lift and seemingly constant activity, from live jazz music to late-night DJ sessions.

A collection of three-story, Old California–style bungalows are spread out over the Riviera’s 24-acre campus, each housing guest rooms that overlook the San Jacinto Mountains or landscaped gardens. Designed in a spoke wheel shape, the resort grounds revolve around a hub that contains a restaurant, a large swimming pool, and the Bikini Bar—a pool deck set beneath a handwoven thatched hut, where denizens chase bites of guacamole with fancy cocktails. Day beds and cabanas outfitted with TVs and misting fans surround the pool itself, and sarong-clad servers deliver poolside drinks for daytime and evening cocktail parties.

The onsite SpaTerre, named one of the Best of the Best by Palm Springs Life in 2010, offers solar refuge in a Thai-inspired oasis. In the spa’s Buddha Lounge, waterfalls, sparkling pools, and dramatic readings of lotion ingredients set the stage for relaxing treatments, which range from standard indulgences such as facials and massages to medical-grade body wraps and microdermabrasion services.

Palm Springs, California: Desert Retreat with Mid-Century Architectural Treasures

Palm Springs lies on the edge of the Coachella Valley, surrounded by mountain ranges that produce a year-round sunny climate, which sparked a mid-century influx of Hollywood elite. Some of the era’s most influential architects—including Albert Frey and Richard Neutra—were brought in to design homes for these celebrity getaways, creating a modernist architecture movement that reflected the landscape by incorporating natural resources and blending indoor and outdoor spaces. Many of these iconic buildings have been preserved and stand today as hotels, restaurants, and boutique shops, in addition to an array of private residences. Walking tours also showcase treasures from celebrity’s past, including Dean Martin’s old house, a cement block with George Hamilton’s signature, and Mr. Snuffleupagus’s winter condo.

Australian Adventure to Sydney, Gold Coast, and the Great Barrier Reef

Like a subway car filled with fiery autumn leaves, Australia is renowned for both its urban flair as well as its startling natural beauty. Combine the best of both worlds with today’s Getaway from Down Under Answers, including round-trip airfare on Qantas Airways from LAX, transportation between hotels and most events, four-night stays at four-star hotels in Gold Coast, Cairns, and Sydney, and an adventure package.

Click here to see a day-by-day breakdown of the trip and its exciting possibilities. The first 20 Groupon customers to book their travel will also receive a $50 duty-free Qantas Airways voucher.

Days 1–6: After boarding a Qantas Airways jet from LAX, adventurers will cross the Pacific Ocean en route to Surfers Paradise, a sunshiny suburb of Australia’s aptly named Gold Coast. Known colloquially as Surfers, the city is famed for its fabulous beaches, a bustling commercial district, and glittering high-rise buildings. The Vibe Hotel Gold Coast features lime-green-accented balconies that look out over the Nerang River in the heart of the city. A three-day unlimited iVenture pass grants vacationers access to myriad amusements, from a half-day tour of Tamborine Mountain to a beach safari bike tour, where cyclists can ride along side dunes, learn about the area’s wildlife, and hand feed potato chips to surfers in their natural habitat.

Days 7–9: The tropical city of Cairns—known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef—reveals many charms and oddities. Guests will settle in for four nights at the relaxing Mantra Esplanade, located just steps from the yacht harbor on the waterfront. To the north buzzes the Daintree Rainforest, which shelters 65% of Australia’s butterfly species and 30% of the nation’s frog, marsupial, and reptile species.

Day 10: Tour takers then embark on a full-day tour of the Great Barrier Reef on a luxury cruiser. Over six hours, passengers will explore the reef up close through snorkeling, introductory diving (fee not included with this Groupon), and a glass-bottom boat tour, all under the watchful eye of a professional crew. The largest reef system in the world, the Great Barrier Reef is a collection of more than 2,900 individual reefs where more than 1,500 resident species of fish live year round and six families of well-to-do kraken keep summer homes.

Days 11–15: It’s onward to Sydney and a four-night stay at the Vibe Hotel Rushcutters. Guests can enjoy brunch on the beach and dips in the rooftop pool on the hotel grounds, which are just a two-minute drive from the famed Paddington markets. A two-day See Sydney pass grants access to more than 40 city attractions, such as the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Featherdale Wildlife Park, where visitors can get up close and personal with kangaroos and koala bears. Day 14 promises a two-hour surf lesson from a professional instructor or a competent starfish at world-famous Bondi Beach. Day 15 concludes the trip with a return flight to LAX that lands on the same day that it left, making up for any earlier time lost crossing the date line.

Boutique Hotel with Emphasis on Local Art

The Vance Hotel’s iconic neon sign glowed in the Seattle skyline for the better part of a century. Today, the sign is gone and the historical hotel once attached to it has been completely transformed into a hip, art-centric boutique lodging called the Hotel Max. The building’s primary visual attributes can now be found on the inside, where more than 350 original paintings and photographs adorn the lobby, guest rooms, and hallways. Created by 39 local artists, these works lend a vibrant, playfully creative air to the hotel’s overall vibe of modern sophistication.

The hotel’s stylish details helped it earn a nod from Conde Nast Traveler on its 2011 Readers’ Choice Best in the World hotel list. A queen-size, pillow-top bed sits in the cozy Queen of Art room, where guests can customize their slumber by selecting from a menu of pillow choices and bedtime stories. Furnishings in tangerine orange and tomato red enliven the charcoal-gray carpeting and teak wood desk. Chefs at the Red Fin restaurant craft Asian fusion fare ranging from sushi rolls to Angus steak.

Seattle: Pacific Northwest Metropolis Filled with History and Trendy Neighborhoods

The Hotel Max borders the trendy, waterfront neighborhood of Belltown, which brims with shops, galleries, and restaurants as well as cultural mainstays such as the Art Institute of Seattle and the Olympic Sculpture Park. Just a half mile from the hotel, Seattleites and visitors alike browse the stalls at Pike Place Market for fresh coffee, produce, and handmade wares. Nearby Kerry Park offers views of Elliott Bay, the Space Needle, and sometimes even Mount Rainier in the distance.

Seattle’s colorful history is put on display at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, located 1.5 miles south of the Hotel Max in the Pioneer Square Historic District. About 50 years after California’s gold rush, Seattle swarmed with prospectors on their way to the Yukon Territory in search of the mother lode and a reason to don the season’s trendiest parkas. The museum details Seattle’s role as a bustling gateway to the rugged northern wilderness.

Vietnam Tour of Rice Fields, Buddhist Temples, and Misty Islands near Centuries-Old Cities

Although Vietnam was influenced by imperial China and 19th-century French colonialism, it has forged its own culture, on display from the rice fields of the south’s Mekong Delta to the misty islands of Ha Long Bay in the north. With SNA Tours’ eight-day, six-night tour of the Southeast Asian country, guests can tour Vietnam with the help of an English-speaking guide, with airfare and hotel accommodations already taken care of.

Days 1–2: Trips begin aboard an economy-class flight from Vancouver (or from another city for an additional cost), which delivers travelers to Noi Bai International Airport in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, the centuries-old city brimming with French colonial houses and Buddhist temples. Prearranged shuttles take guests to the Silk Path Hotel.

Days 3–4: Guides lead groups around eclectic, urban Hanoi, stopping at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a stark, marble monument in the middle of Ba Dinh Square that still houses the former leader’s embalmed body. In the labyrinthine Old Quarter, ancient Buddhist temples share streets with neon-lit storefronts selling everything from furniture to jewelry to fragrant pho, the noodle soup that is the country’s national dish and was briefly a popular talk-show host. A private boat cruise on day 4 navigates past the thousands of limestone isles in Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its otherworldly beauty. After a fresh seafood lunch on the boat, groups fly to Da Nang in time for a dinner consisting of central Vietnamese cuisine.

Days 5–6: As the tour winds down the coastline, a brief stop in the former capital of Hue provides a glimpse into Vietnam’s feudal past. Dinner and dancing in the ancient royal court is followed the next day by a boat ride to Thien Mu Pagoda, an octagonal tower built in 1601 and regarded as the symbol of Hue. Before catching a flight to Ho Chi Minh City, visitors can pick up one of the region’s famous conical hats at Dong Ba market.

Days 7–8: Honeybee farms, rice fields, and fruit orchards spread across the Mekong Delta south of Ho Chi Minh City, the next stop on the tour. A traditional sampan boat rides along creeks shaded by coconut palms, visiting local homes and creek-side limo dealers along the way. On the final day, the tour makes its way to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest city. Highlights include the Museum of Vietnamese History, which chronicles the nation’s past, and the People’s Committee Hall, the seat of municipal communist leadership, located inside a former French colonial hotel. Return flights depart from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) that evening. See the full itinerary here.

Tropical Island Resort Near Pink-Sand Beaches and Shallow Lagoons

Dotted with pink-sand beaches and wild coconut groves, the small islet of Motu Tiano sits in the heart of the Tikehau atoll, a ring-shaped coral reef enclosing a shallow lagoon. Thatched-roof bungalows hover above the tropical blue-green waters, each building connected by a network of wooden walkways. Here, surrounded by bushels of exotic flowers and colonies of colorful birds, the Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort stands alone, a bastion of romance and relaxation in a tropical paradise.

Located directly over the lagoon, the resort’s overwater suites are outfitted with private sun decks and ladders that descend into the water. Chic timber furniture graces the suites’ spacious, air-conditioned interiors, which also house luxurious bathrooms equipped with deep oval tubs. Stationed along the resort’s first pontoon, premium overwater bungalows feature glass-bottom floor portholes for underwater views. And nestled among coconut trees and cloth hammocks, charming beach bungalows showcase traditional Polynesian bamboo trimmings.

Situated on Motu Tiano, the Poreho Restaurant and terrace looks out over the sparkling blue lagoon. Resident chefs pay tribute to the waterside location by serving delectable seafood feasts and wearing toques with built-in blowholes. A three-course dinner showcases authentic Polynesian cuisine such as red-tuna loin, passionfruit duck breast, and potted mince of mahi-mahi. Come morning, Tikehau hosts a full American breakfast. Throughout the day, snorkeling gear and kayaks are available to explore the bountiful marine life that helps make the island one of Polynesia’s most popular fishing and diving destinations.

Tikehau, French Polynesia: Remote Islet Surrounded by Coral Reef and Bountiful Marine Life

Located in the Tuamoto Archipelago 180 miles northwest of Tahiti, Tikehau is one of 78 small islands comprising the largest chain of atolls in the world. Given the spectacular assortment of marine life in the vicinity, fishing is the primary industry, and local families trap parrotfish, eagle rays, and jackfish in fenced underwater parks, where the creatures enjoy picnics and foursquare tournaments before they’re sold in the markets of Tahiti and Maiai. North of the resort, diving sites dot the Tuheiava Pass, an area inhabited by manta rays and reef sharks.

The island is also home to a colorful concentration of exotic birds. Red-footed boobies and brown noddies can be seen flitting across the shore or roosting in tropical foliage, and an excursion to nearby bird island brings glimpses of bristle-thighed curlews and white terns.

Romantic Escape on Secluded Thai Island

On the island of Koh Samui, the setting sun pulls out all the stops as it dips below the glittering waters off Laem Yai beach, tinting the sky in brilliant shades of orange, pink, and purple. Located on the northwest tip of the island, the single-floor buildings of The Passage Samui Resort offer a prime vantage point for taking in the sun’s handiwork along with the rest of Koh Samui’s naturally stunning skyline.

Each standalone Pool Connect villa features high-vaulted ceilings and a spacious living area, lending the suite an airy, tropical feel enhanced by yellow and orange pillows and dark wood. Adjacent to the bedroom, an outdoor terrace faces three turquoise pools, each flanked by palm trees and umbrellaed lounge chairs. A daily complimentary breakfast fuels days spent combing the nearby beach or carefully shaving a coconut.

The iconic sunset serves as a side dish to tasty Thai fusion fare at The Terrace. Executive chef Khun M concocts dishes in a self-described “modern romantic” style, blending local ingredients with global cooking techniques. Decadent dishes include Cajun chicken breast with chorizo cassoulet and Samui grouper accented with lemon.

Koh Samui, Thailand: Tropical Paradise on Turquoise Gulf

The resort occupies a pristine stretch of sand fronting the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand. During their stay, guests are entitled to free rentals of snorkeling, kayaking, and mountain-biking equipment. The area’s abundant natural beauty is on full display at Ang Thong National Marine Park, a collection of 42 islands dotted with lush rainforests and secluded beaches. Native inhabitants include hairy-nosed otters, sea turtles, and pacific-reef egrets.

Adventurous eaters can expand their culinary know-how in a Thai cooking class for two. The 2.5-hour course imparts the fundamentals of Thai cooking techniques and the dangers of food-fighting with chopsticks before teaching students how to create a flavorful, authentic meal from scratch. For a different sort of hands-on experience, therapists at The Passage Samui Resort’s Thai Chakra Spa apply traditional Asian remedies and the art of massage to soothe sinews and banish stress.

Spacious Suites Overlooking Daytona Beach

To the uninitiated, it might be jarring to set a towel down along Daytona Beach: cars and motorcycles slowly cruise along the shoreline, park, and set up shop on the white sand. At nearly every other beach site in the U.S., most vehicles can’t drive past the parking lot; at Daytona, cars are free to roam 23 miles of hard-packed sand—a tradition for the throngs of spring-breakers that converge on the area each year. Daytona Beach Regency’s white and cerulean-blue towers rise up only steps from the shoreline of this laid-back locale. While vehicles are welcome to drive along the beach, they may not venture behind the resort.

Taking advantage of its location, the modern resort opens directly onto the white sand, and the hotel has its own private volleyball net. Back at the hotel, guests can retreat to the quietude of the large, heated outdoor pool, which features a poolside bar serving tropical drinks and a water slide.

A private balcony or terrace accent each of the one- or two-bedroom suites, which act as a relaxing home base before and after heading out to the beach. Part of the spacious layout of each room is dedicated to a fully equipped kitchen, and in the two-bedroom suites a whirlpool tub resides either next to the bed or in the adjoining bathroom. Elsewhere inside the hotel, vacationers can stay occupied with an indoor pool, hot tub, game room, and fitness center.

Daytona Beach, Florida: Famous White Sands, Racing, and Wild Nightlife

Day and night, lights flicker on the renowned Daytona Beach boardwalk, which resides under two miles from the resort. Millions of vacationers stop by the boardwalk each year for its Ferris wheel and classic arcade games. But what sets apart the city is its love affair with the automobile: in the early 1900s, Daytona Beach—with its densely packed white sand—became the site of early automobile testing and racing. The city has since become a mecca for motorsports, due in no small part to the Daytona International Speedway, which was built by NASCAR founder William “Bill” France and offers behind-the-scenes tours in between championship events.

For further exploration of local lore, the Halifax Historical Museum features exhibits on now-vanished, grand old resort hotels and how to ask a lifeguard on a date using only syncopated whistles. After a day out, there’s a lively scene of oceanfront beach clubs, where revelers—many still wearing their swimsuits and bikinis—dine on fresh local seafood and then dance the night away to live reggae.

Historical Victorian Mansions on Scenic Bay

There’s a storybook dollhouse character to the Coombs mansion: white wood is set against yellow gingerbread and clapboard siding on its two-story structure with Victorian flourishes. James Coombs, who owned a sawmill, built the mansion in 1904 as a home for him and his childhood sweetheart, Maria. Mr. Coombs’s eye for woodwork is evident in the house’s carved oak staircases, which lead to ornate rooms walled in black cypress. In 1978, interior designer Lynn Wilson and her husband restored the historical property, adding hand-carved antiques and original oil paintings. The charming mansion now serves as the centerpiece for the three buildings that comprise Coombs House Inn, which channels an old-fashioned hospitality and flair for romance.

Each of the distinctive guest rooms pays homage to the elegant inn’s rich past with burnished hardwood floors, European antiques, and oriental carpets. In the Astoria suite, the room’s parlor features an original fireplace, surrounded by an intricately carved claw-foot table and an English-style sofa to accommodate cardboard cutouts of Charles Dickens. On the room’s private veranda, wicker furniture faces mossy oak trees. There’s a romantic sensibility in the Coombs suite, the original master bedroom of Mr. and Mrs. Coombs: gauzy fabric drapes across an antique wooden four-poster bed, and Queen Anne lounge chairs flank a wide bay window. A massaging jacuzzi tub now adds to the ambiance.

Come morning, fresh fruit and muffins await atop an antique English-oak breakfront in the Edwardian dining room. The hotel also lends out bicycles, an exhilarating way to explore the antebellum architecture of Apalachicola. Vacationers can venture to nearby beaches for a romantic spot to share a picnic basket filled with homemade chocolate-chip cookies, sandwiches, and a bottle of wine.

Apalachicola, Florida: Secluded Seaside Village on Florida’s Forgotten Coast

On the southernmost part of Florida’s panhandle, Apalachicola draws visitors with white-sand beaches that seem a world away from the bustle of Florida’s tourist attractions. Situated along Apalachicola Bay, the quiet fishing village is home to several waterfront cafés that serve fresh local seafood and oysters. Further along the waterfront, historical buildings that were once home to net factories, sponge warehouses, and speakeasies operated by dolphins now play host to charming antiques shops and boutiques. The bay and nearby Apalachicola River are a haven for water recreation and fishing throughout the year.

Civil War–Era Inn in the Heart of Charleston’s Historic District

Charleston is often referred to as “The Holy City,” an allusion to its more than 400 churches and skyline of steeples. The city was once one of the most important colonial ports—in an exclusive club with likes of Boston and New York—and belonged to the vanguard of religious freedom. Nowhere is Charleston’s storied past better preserved than the historic district, in the heart of which lies The Elliot House Inn. Built in 1861, the stately Georgian mansion stands amid soaring church spires and centuries-old oak trees, within walking distance of the Battery and Charleston’s iconic City Market.

Within the recently remodeled traditional king or traditional queen rooms, richly woven oriental rugs and antique furnishings top hardwood floors. Each room is a little different—some feature a private balcony or patio— but all look out onto the inn’s leafy courtyard and Charleston’s streets. In the morning, meals are delivered to guest rooms on silver trays loaded with steaming coffee, pastries, and seasonal fruit. Breakfast can be had in bed or among the creeping vines in the courtyard. After breakfast, guests are welcome to take the inn’s bicycles for a spin, so long as they resist drag-race challenges from the city’s horse-carriage drivers.

Charleston, South Carolina: Laid-Back Coastal Community Steeped in History

The Elliot House Inn’s location makes it an excellent jumping-off point for taking in Charleston’s sights by foot. Sprawling, antebellum mansions, such as the tourable Aiken-Rhett House, line the gracefully aged streets leading to Battery Park, which sits on the water overlooking Fort Sumter. About two blocks from the inn, the 200-year-old City Market bustles with more than 100 vendors who hawk all manner of wares, including their famous sweet-grass baskets, hand-woven on the spot from palmetto fronds. Charleston is said to have one of the country’s highest restaurants-per-capita rates, and any given downtown location won’t be more than a few-minute walk from the nearest southern eatery, which might serve local delicacies such as shrimp and grits and she-crab soup.

Secluded Oceanfront Hotel Minutes from Myrtle Beach

About 25 miles south from Myrtle Beach’s tourist shops and bustling boardwalk, the town of Pawleys Island proudly promotes a laid-back vibe under its unusual moniker “arrogantly shabby.” Here, the Atlantic beach and its sand dunes are untouched and quiet, fishermen venture to the town creek for crabbing, and rope hammocks symbolize the area’s penchant for taking it easy. Soaking in the attitude of the town, The Oceanfront Litchfield Inn evokes a relaxed mood with its location next to unspoiled white sandy beaches.

A private balcony overlooks the Atlantic in each oceanfront Tower room, and private screened-in porches connect to oceanfront Dunes rooms. Each individually appointed room has tropical accents and a beachy palette that evokes summer even in middle of January. A continental breakfast erases morning hunger with make-your-own waffles, bagels, danishes, cereal, muffins, juice, coffee, and seasonal fruit.

Neighboring the two outdoor pools, Austin’s Cabana Café and Beach Bar serves casual fare and beverages for lunch and dinner six days a week. For an upscale dining affair, the chic Austin’s Ocean One restaurant serves seafood and hand-cut steaks amid views of the Atlantic and synchronized-seagull routines. Diners can talk to the staff sommelier about the copious wine list before digging in to a 6-ounce grilled filet mignon with shrimp or a panko- and herb-crusted local flounder prepared by executive chef Bill Austin.

Pawleys Island, South Carolina: Historical and Laid-Back Beach Town

Though Pawleys Island is “arrogantly shabby,” it charms visitors with its unpretentious barefoot style and rich history. Twelve residences in the historical district date back to the late 1700s, recalling an era when wealthy owners of nearby rice plantations inhabited Pawleys Island. Shoppers can peruse a cluster of more than 20 specialty stores and restaurants known as The Hammock Shops, which date back to 1938. Surrounded by gardens teeming with moss-draped oaks and azaleas, hammocks and rockers provide places to pause and slip into a siesta.

Nearby Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, named one of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest in 2007–08, was built on the site of a former rice plantation. An antebellum-style clubhouse anchors the property, which is dotted with centuries-old live oaks and abandoned pelican speakeasies.

Family-Friendly Resort with Spacious Beachfront Villas

Atlantic Beach lies on a barrier island in the heart of North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, a low-key and well-preserved seaside tract that stands in stark contrast to some of the more developed seashores along the Mid-Atlantic. The mostly untouched lands protected by a nearby national seashore and national park—both within about 5 miles of Peppertree Atlantic Beach—drive home the area’s overwhelming natural beauty. A smooth, wooden boardwalk surrounded by sea grass and wild flowers leads directly to the beach from the resort. Awash in activity, the welcoming property adds to the tranquil, family-friendly environment with its lily-pad koi ponds, knotted-wood gazebos, and colorful playground.

The Atlantic Beach region remains untouched by high-rise buildings and bustling crowds, and the Peppertree Atlantic Beach resort embraces this private culture and coastal atmosphere in its homey villa accommodations. A lamp stand decorated with a vignette of lighthouses and a pair of framed sailboat prints contribute to the nautical motif, and fully equipped kitchens bring a touch of home to vacations. By day, there are plenty of ways to keep active or just relax on the property. After guests volley at the onsite tennis courts, a sprawling sun deck awaits, garnished with white lounge chairs and encircling a seasonal outdoor pool. An indoor swimming complex accommodates swan dives and synchronized belly flops during cooler weather.

Atlantic Beach: Peaceful Beach Oasis in a Historical Resort Town

Located 3 miles from the hotel on the eastern end of Bogue Banks, Fort Macon State Park is awash in historical monuments and ecological diversity. A Civil War fort stands sentinel among hundreds of acres of forest, dunes, and beach. The lives of 19th-century soldiers are put on display in the museum room, furnished with the fort’s powder magazines, original cannons, and restored living quarters. Surrounded on three sides by water, Fort Macon State Park welcomes exploration of its salt marshes and estuaries, fishing in surf and inlet waters, or hiking on its 1.5 miles of ocean beach populated by more than 300 bird species.

A 306,000-gallon living shipwreck, a roaring mountain waterfall, and a jellyfish gallery round out the exhibits at the nearby North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, which illustrates the intricacies of aquatic life from the oceans to the president’s saltwater bathtub. Touch pools encourage interaction between guests and the inhabitants, including stingrays, hermit crabs, and whelks.

Tropical Adventures Abound at Beachfront Hotel on Remote Caribbean Island

There are no nightclubs, no skyscraper hotels, and just a handful of roads on Utila, a tiny Bay Island in the Caribbean Sea about 11 miles off the coast of Honduras’ mainland. Residing on this sliver of land is Utopia Village, which—fitting for a dedicated adventure resort—is accessible only via a 20-minute boat ride through a jungle lagoon laden with mangroves. Once guests step out of the boat, they become overseers of their own remote slice of tropical paradise, complete with sandy beaches, jungle wildlife, and a bustling coral reef beneath the surface of the emerald sea.

Bordering the island of Utila is the Mesoamerican Reef system, which is second in size only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Divers can dive and snorkel right outside Utopia Village, where a gradually descending beach meets a 130-foot drop-off, a mere 100 feet from shore. Here, elkhorn coral and giant pillar corals bolster a diverse ecosystem of colorful marine life and vegetation. Divers frequently encounter the whale shark, the ocean’s largest fish, measuring in at up to 59 feet in length. Despite its formidable name, the slow-moving whale shark follows a strictly pescatarian diet and is harmless to all humans with the exception of Captain Ahabs.

At the Dulce Vida restaurant, lodgers can order up fresh cuisine with a Latin flair from the à la carte menu three times daily. The bartenders at the thatched-roof, oceanfront Dive Bar sling beer, wine, and spirits, and the Library Lounge presents a reprieve from the sun with an air-conditioned lounge and billiards table. Guests can also find respite in their air-conditioned rooms, which overlook the jungle, mountains, or the ocean.

Utila, Honduras: Unspoiled Caribbean Beauty and World-Class Scuba Diving

Ocean waters around Utila are naturally heated to an average temperature of 80 degrees, setting the stage for aquatic exploration. Guests with the Diver’s package embark on boat dives at buoyed dive sites around the island. The Diver’s package includes five morning dives and one night dive each day, as well as unlimited shore diving on Utopia’s house reef. Shipwrecks, coral reefs, drop-off walls, and caves cover the varying underwater terrain. To explore above the surface level, paddlers can rent sea kayaks, free of charge, and traverse the briny, mangrove-filled lagoons.

Utopia Village’s savvy front-desk staff can also arrange myriad excursions for an additional fee. On guided freshwater cave adventures, explorers swim in subterranean freshwater pools, learn about limestone formations, and search for Blackbeard’s coveted stash of de-shelled pistachios. Alternatively, the Day at the Cays excursion begins at the fishing village of Pigeon Cay and ends at Water Cay, an uninhabited island ideal for snorkeling. Beyond nature excursions, full-time Utopia Village resident and instructor Heidi teaches Spanish-language lessons on the beach.

Bed and Breakfast Steps from Atlantic Ocean

Happy hour on the ocean-view front deck of The Carisbrooke Inn is a fittingly festive occasion. Revelers chat and laugh over snacks and drinks, pausing occasionally to take in views of the Atlantic Ocean just 300 feet away. One woman from Philadelphia says she’s a regular, dropping by “every other weekend, at least.” She smiles as she explains why: “This place is a gift.”

The inn offers the late-afternoon refreshments year-round. On days when it’s too chilly to stand out on the deck, they’re served in front of a cozy fireplace. Further evidence of The Carisbrooke’s attention to detail can be found in its helpful concierge services—a boon for those seeking show tickets or dinner reservations in nearby Atlantic City—as well as a daily country breakfast made of fresh fruit, homemade breads, and fresh blueberry pancakes.

The inn’s elegant interior features high ceilings, ornate moldings, and period furniture. A palette of warm colors graces the spacious guest rooms, and bathrooms are outfitted with jetted tubs and steam showers. The inn even has a piano and a guitar to facilitate sing-alongs or the breeding of keytars.

Ventnor City, New Jersey: Historical Seaside Hamlet Near Atlantic City Bustle

The Carisbrooke Inn is located in Ventnor City, minutes away from Atlantic City. The town reportedly derives its name from a seaside resort on the Isle of Wight in the English Channel. Today, Ventnor City remains a small, old-fashioned beach community filled with quaint shops and restaurants, most of which lie within walking distance of the inn. The area provides a quiet alternative to the hustle and bustle of Atlantic City, but it’s still close enough to enjoy all that the Monopoly city has to offer. A good place to start, of course, is the boardwalk, a legendary 6-mile pleasure promenade lined with glitzy casinos, restaurants, and hucksters trying to unload their useless Baltic Avenue holdings.

Outdoor Adventure Within Secluded Coastal Resort

Each year between June and December, olive ridley turtles flock to the beaches just south of San Juan del Sur to lay their eggs. It’s one of a handful of sites in the entire world where the rare sea turtles nest, and spectators can take nighttime tours from San Juan del Sur to catch a glimpse of the hatchlings. From moonlit turtle tours to volcano hikes and shoulder-high surf breaks, the area surrounding San Juan del Sur offers all manner of outdoor diversions, all of which are easily accessible from the 600-acre, hillside grounds of Villas de Palermo Hotel & Resort.

The two-bedroom villas complement the local culture and landscape with hand-finished ceramic tiles, custom-made cabinetry, and rustic décor crafted from native hardwood. Views from the upstairs terrace extend from the lush hillside, down to the bay, and the glittering Pacific beyond. Chefs at the resort’s poolside restaurant, Terraza de Palermo, craft inventive dishes using fresh seafood caught daily by local fishermen. The eclectic menu also features fresh fruit and organic vegetables sourced from a nearby farm and prepared in entrees ranging from vegetable crêpes ($8) to mahi mahi in creole sauce ($9).

At Palermo Farms, skilled equestrians guide horseback tours along trails marked by ancient petroglyphs that indicate the speed limit. Visitors on foot can tromp about the property with a guide or solo, observing dozens of species ranging from monkeys and iguanas to rare tropical birds. After an afternoon exploring the balmy jungles of the Palermo preserve, the sounds of chirping parrots give way to clinking cocktail shakers by the pool.

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua: Description of Area

San Juan del Sur hugs a crescent-shaped bay on Nicaragua’s southwest coast, fed by waters that draw sailors, scuba divers, fishermen, and surfers. Villas de Palermo sits on the edge of the tiny village that supports outdoor markets with fresh fruit, vegetables, and handmade crafts. The resort’s activity coordinators can arrange day trips for guests to visit area attractions such as a wind farm, zipline canopy tour, and a cloud forest on a dormant volcano. Come nightfall, San Juan del Sur comes to life with music and dancing at beachside bars and cafés.

Luxurious Boutique Hotel on Tropical Reserve

In the early 16th century, Ponce de León explored the Pacific coast of Central America in search of the mythical Fountain of Youth, which was rumored to reverse the effects of aging. Although de León never found the fountain, he stumbled upon something that seemed to transcend time in its own right: the white sand beaches and rainforests of Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. Today, Gaia Hotel & Reserve resides on 13 acres of this lush setting flecked with wild orchids and native animals, and the hotel takes great care to maintain and protect the local wildlife. Amid the scenic landscape, the hotel boasts posh amenities, such as a cascading three-tiered infinity pool, and resides just minutes from Manuel Antonio National Park.

A personal concierge can coordinate private chauffeur service to Manuel Antonio National Park, where vacationers will embark on a guided tour of the diverse ecosystem. More than 1,600 acres of mangrove swamps and primary rainforests make up the area, which is home to more than 300 species of mammals, tropical birds, and retired cereal mascots.

Back at the hotel, there are constant reminders of Costa Rica’s rich ecology: at the entrance, a waterfall cascades over boulders and into a placid lagoon bordered by palmettos. Natural elements such as wood floors and wicker furniture accent each of the studio rooms, where guests can sip wine on a shared patio as they take in views of the rainforest and the Pacific coast.

Come morning, the hotel’s open-air restaurant, La Luna, serves a breakfast spread of traditional Costa Rican dishes such as caramelized plantain strips with black beans and rice. The extensive menu also features romantic dinner entrees, including tequila-lime scallops and shrimp ($21 USD). To further immerse themselves in Costa Rica’s relaxing environment, visitors can unwind in a dry sauna or a vichy rain shower and then refresh with organic face and body treatments at the onsite Terra Spa.

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica: Dense Rainforests, Coral Reefs, and Volcanic Mountains

Along Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast rests Manuel Antonio, its diverse ecosystem marked by dense rainforests and volcanic mountains. Animals from whales to spider monkeys make their home at Manuel Antonio National Park, the site of the hotel’s guided tour. The area’s varied terrain and temperate climate make it ideal for outdoor adventures year-round; travelers can course through the lush scenery up close by riding on horseback, snorkeling along the coral reefs, or lying face-down on a skateboard with a magnifying glass. The nearby city of Quepos buzzes with live music, and vendors purvey Costa Rican cuisine and handmade wares at the local market.

Secluded Farmhouse Steps from Lake Michigan Wine Trail

Amid a sprawling farm property, an old-fashioned carriage house and evergreen trees share space with perennial gardens wrapped in a white picket fence and a maple tree carved with whimsical faces. It’s a lush setting that feels like it could be plucked from the pages of The Secret Garden, but it’s actually the site of Garden Grove Bed and Breakfast, whose building and property sit near the shores of Lake Michigan. Maintaining the bucolic charm of Garden Grove has become a labor of love for husband and wife innkeepers Paula and Jerry Welsh, who lend their personal hospitality throughout the elegantly appointed quarters. Natural flora throughout the grounds inspires the equally playful guest rooms, which are adorned in floral accents and oak antiques.

In the Sunflower room, a painted vine dotted with the eponymous blossom stretches along the pale pink walls toward the vaulted ceilings. Adding to the comforting feel of the room are a gas-log fireplace and a jacuzzi tub for couples to melt uninvited wicked witches in. Detached from the main quarters, the carriage house’s secluded Lavender room and Garden Retreat room don sheer drapes, thick floral quilts, and maple hardwood floors.

In the morning, innkeepers heap plates with generous portions of homemade breakfast; the spread may include anything from apple- and celery-stuffed sausage to buttermilk pancakes. An onsite massage can prep limbs for a scenic bicycle ride or stress-free teleportation to nearby casinos and wineries.

Union Pier, Michigan: Outdoor Adventures in Charming Harbor Country

The quiet village of Union Pier resides on Michigan’s southwestern corner along the southern shore of Lake Michigan in the heart of Harbor Country. The historical shipping town lies within reach of Warren Dunes State Park, whose pristine beaches and 260-foot summit are popular draws for hikers year-round and cross-country skiers in winter.

A paved bike trail weaves through the Harbor Country’s picturesque countryside, which is dotted with antique malls, artisan boutiques, and galleries, including nearby Fritz Olsen Sculptures garden. The Lake Michigan shore wine trail stretches through Harbor Country, and several wineries allow guests to sample local vintages and hear early stages of gossip on the grapevines during informative tours.

Without rental cars, people would be forced to take cross-country road trips the old-fashioned way, via covered wagon or piggybacking on Paul Bunyan. Steer your own ride with today’s Getaway: for $20, you get $40 toward a car rental from Avis Car Rental, valid at more than 2,100 locations in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, excluding Alaska. Rental rates and vehicle availability vary by day and location; consult the Avis online reservation system for estimates.

Avis Car Rental lets vacationers borrow four wheelers from an extensive fleet with sizes, makes, and models fit for trips of all types. Mini Cooper and Ford Mustang convertibles let down their tops to reveal stellar views of coastlines, desert plains, and palm-frond canopies, and full-size four-door sedans such as the Chevy Impala comfortably transport the whole family. Camp-goers that require room to tote tents, coolers, and stowaway hitchhikers can accommodate wide loads in full-size SUV rentals such as a GMC Yukon, which seats up to seven passengers. Travelers can upgrade their wheeled steeds with helpful tools such as a step-by-step directions program articulated by Garmin’s Where2 GPS navigation. Avis’s e-Toll program allows voyagers to breeze through tollbooths in the electronic-payment lanes, skipping lines and eliminating the need to prematurely smash beloved piggy banks. Once this deal closes, Avis vouchers will take 7–10 business days to reach their destination.

Historical Resort on Shores of Contoocook Lake

After New England’s famously vibrant fall foliage gives way to winter weather, the woodlands surrounding New Hampshire’s Contoocook Lake fill up with snowmobiles and snowshoers traversing the forested terrain near majestic Mount Monadnock. The newly renovated Woodbound Inn sits amid 120 acres of idyllic lakeside land, a prime locale for taking in the area’s year-round recreational opportunities.

Set on farmland originally purchased in 1760, the resort today offers tennis courts, a skating pond, and a nine-hole golf course. The property has maintained many of its original buildings, but multiple upgrades and the exorcism of several colonial-era ghosts have endowed the inn with a modern sensibility in terms of comforts and amenities. In the heart of the resort, the Main Inn harbors a charming lounge outfitted with a large fireplace, upholstered wingback chairs, and eclectic artwork. Upstairs in queen and twin rooms, hardwood floors, crisp white linens, and traditionally sparse décor recall the inn’s 18th-century roots.

Chefs prepare upscale American cuisine in the kitchen downstairs. Alongside savory meat dishes such as pan-roasted duck breast with apple cranberry gastrique, hearty seafood offerings include pan-roasted scallops and seared ahi tuna. In the morning, a complimentary hot country breakfast features maple bacon, scrambled eggs, pancakes, and french toast.

Rindge, New Hampshire: Small-Town Charm in Rustic New England

Located in southern New Hampshire fewer than 5 miles from the Massachusetts border, the picturesque town of Rindge—with its covered bridges, rolling hills, and dense woodlands—epitomizes classic New England. Eight miles north of the inn stands Mount Monadnock, a 3,000-foot-tall peak dotted with towering oaks, pines, and red spruces. Forty miles of hiking trails ascend through alpine vegetation to a bare summit offering views of Boston skyscrapers and Vermont mountain ranges.

The MacDowell Colony, one of the oldest artist colonies in the country, is located 9 miles north of the Woodbound Inn. The 450-acre creative retreat, which was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Clinton, hosts composers, writers, photographers, and butter sculptors who live in near silence to focus exclusively on their work.

Restored Art Deco Tower Updated with Modern Luxuries

When the Redick Tower was first built in 1930, its architects envisioned a structure that that balanced artistry with a forward-thinking design that embraced modern machinery. In turn, they built their hotel in grand art-deco style, and with indoor parking—a rarity at the time, as an exclusive few people owned automobiles. Today, the 14-story building, with its distinctive tiered façade of brick and terra cotta, has earned a designation on the National Register of Historic Places. But it now hosts the AAA Four Diamond Hotel Deco XV, and restoration efforts have helped to preserve its original glamour while adding modern indulgences and luxurious touches.

The Hotel Deco XV’s front-desk area is a model example of the building’s memorable design: carved friezes crown the doorways, and inlaid patterns of fans are speckled across the ceiling. Across the lobby, which dons entirely black-and-white décor, the Encore Lounge furthers the throwback feel with bourbons, malts, and classic cocktails, accompanied by zesty appetizers. For full-scale dining, the chefs of the onsite Zin Room craft an American fusion menu of steak and seafood, complemented by wines from an expansive list—including a vast spectrum of zinfandels that earned the eatery its name.

Upstairs, guest rooms adopt neutral tones of slate, navy, and umber. Glossy hardwood flooring and custom draperies lend a classy feel, and complimentary room perks include an overnight shoeshine, a copy of the Wall Street Journal, and a goodnight hug from a Clark Gable impersonator. When it comes time to explore downtown Omaha, a free shuttle navigates within a 3-mile radius of the hotel.

Omaha, Nebraska: Historical Downtown with Vibrant Arts Scene

Bordering the hotel, the Old Market historical district is lined with cobblestoned streets, horse-drawn carriages, and mansions from the turn of the century. There’s also a lively cultural scene; crowds fill the Orpheum Theater for plays and concerts and the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, and a smattering of independent art galleries showcase pottery and glassworks. During the summer, the neighborhood comes to life with the Omaha Summer Arts Festival (June 8–10, 2012), when dozens of crafters hawk colorful wares to the tunes of live jazz.

Just northeast of downtown, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge stretches 3,000 feet across the Missouri River to Iowa. During the area’s crisp, mostly snow-free winters and hot, humid summers, strollers and bikers can jaunt across the state border or hold a microscope to the ground find the official state boundary line drawn in Sharpie.

Chic Modern Bed and Breakfast Minutes from Downtown Denver

From the outside, the Queen Anne Bed and Breakfast has all the trappings of a quintessential Victorian inn: yellow gingerbread siding, an ornately trimmed veranda, and conical turrets. From the inside, however, visitors might be surprised to find pop art hanging from the walls and a smattering of mod furniture mixed in with antique pieces. Built in 1879, the inn now actively supports eco-friendly initiatives with organic breakfasts made from herbs and vegetables grown just outside in the garden. Within this distinctive modern hideaway, it’s easy to forget that the bustle of downtown Denver is just minutes away.

The walls and domed ceiling of the Aspen room are covered with an original mural depicting an alpine aspen forest beneath billowy cumulus clouds. An aspen-wood bed frame complements the décor, and 100% organic cotton sheets top a mattress made with green-tea foam and coils repurposed from orphaned slinkies. Designed by local artists Josh and Tran Wills, suite 4′s sitting room is furnished with mod furniture and stark black-and-white paintings that look like supersized ink sketches. In the separate bedroom, art shares wall space with bold, black lettering that reads, “HOLLER.”

Come morning, lodgers are drawn to the community for breakfast made with fresh garden produce and accompanied by local Novo coffee. The inn also lends out bicycles, which shorten the dozen or so blocks between the Queen Anne and the Denver Art Museum. Every night, the innkeepers host a wine and cheese reception.

Uptown Denver: Historical Architecture and Ample Green Space

In Denver—often called the mile-high city—the State Capitol Building’s steps bear a marker indicating the exact point at which the city reaches 5,280 feet above sea level. Located just outside Capitol Hill, the chic Uptown neighborhood is known for its historical Victorian and Queen Anne architecture. Bistros and diners dot 17th Avenue’s Restaurant Row, and just a few blocks north, across from the bed and breakfast, Benedict Fountain Park boasts some of the city’s top-rated drinking fountains.

Cozy Southwestern Hotel near Mountains and National Parks

A thirty-something couple is loading their car with picnic baskets for an outing to Prescott’s elm-shrouded courthouse plaza, but their two children are already arguing over which animal to see first at the zoo. “I want to see the wolves!” “No! Tigers are cooler!” Across from them, a group of friends saddled with backpacks has spread a map out over the hood of a jeep and looks to be planning a hike on one of the nearby trails. Here at Forest Villas Hotel—adjacent to the lush Prescott National Forest and less than a 10-minute drive from quaint downtown Prescott—visitors take advantage of the convenient location to jet off to a multitude of adventures amid Arizona’s rugged desert wilderness.

In the morning, abundant sunlight spills from the windows of the standard rooms, and private balconies in many of rooms offer views of the nearby Bradshaw Mountains. All accommodations exude a homey ambiance; interiors are appointed with fetching southwestern artwork and floral prints spread across the comforters and curtains, and a bellhop will gladly arrange magnets and pictures on the wall to re-create the comforting face of your family’s refrigerator. Downstairs, a daily breakfast bar in the small dining room features eggs, sausage, and pastries. In the evening, the dining area transforms into a lounge, where travelers sip cool drinks while trading stories about their favorite trails or downtown restaurants.

Prescott, Arizona: Historical Mountain Town Encircled by Wilderness

Far from the metropolitan bustle of Phoenix and a mile up in the mountains of Arizona’s central highlands, Prescott maintains a small-town charm; old Victorian homes front its streets and friendly locals hang out on the steps of the courthouse downtown.

Across the street from the courthouse plaza, live country and folk music wafts out the doors of the Wild West–style saloons on Whiskey Row, a historical block of bars that once served as a hangout for some of the Old West’s notorious crooks and cowboys. At the historical Palace, travelers can push through swinging saloon-style doors and sidle up to the bar, which survived a devastating fire in 1900 and various turns as a gambling lair for disenfranchised sports mascots. Many locals also favor Coyote Joes for its friendly barkeeps and frequent live music performances on the back patio.

“There’s more to do here than in Vegas,” says John, a local veterinarian and former Las Vegas resident now living in Prescott. John spends a lot of his time exploring the many natural wonders of the high plains and nearby pine forests. Hikers trek up the steep paved paths of iconic Thumb Butte, pausing at the summit for panoramic views, and climbers scale the jagged rock formations of the Granite Mountain Wilderness on the outskirts of Prescott.

Newly Renovated Boutique Hotel within Walking Distance from Sun Valley Resort

In 1935, Union Pacific Railroad hired Austrian Count Felix Schaffgotsch to find an ideal site for the next grand American resort. Arriving at the small mining town of Ketchum, Idaho, he wrote in a wire that he had found “more delightful features than any place … in Switzerland, Austria, or the U.S. for a winter resort.” Amid the Rocky Mountains, generous snowfall, and abundant sunshine, the resulting Sun Valley Resort became the nation’s first destination ski resort, attracting the likes of Clark Gable, Lucille Ball, Ernest Hemingway, and world-champion skiers. Today, Knob Hill Inn, a boutique mountainside hotel, sits in the heart of the luxury resort, offering majestic views and alpine recreation.

The hotel’s recently renovation added the lobby’s double-sided fireplace, constructed from Boulder Mountain flagstone and flanked by leather ottomans. The modern updates continue in the king rooms, where marble-tiled bathrooms feature radiant floor heating, frameless glass showers, and fiber-optic dental floss. Shared wooden balconies look out onto Sun Valley’s forested hills.

The onsite Grill at Knob Hill uses tree branches and earthy tones to evoke the hotel’s natural surroundings. Diners enjoy pancakes and yogurt parfaits during a complimentary breakfast, and the culinary team prepares sophisticated Northwest fare such as Idaho rainbow trout and lollipop lamb chops for dinner.

Ketchum, Idaho: Small Country Town Surrounded by World-Class Outdoor Attractions

Located just east of the sprawling Boise National Forest, Ketchum is best known for the Sun Valley Resort and the diverse terrain of Bald Mountain. Stretching to the edge of Sawtooth National Forest, “Baldy” covers more than 2,000 acres with intermediate skiing and snowboarding trails. Sun Valley also accommodates beginners on Dollar Mountain, the resort’s lower-elevation peak. Between runs, skiers can defrost with a mug of hot cocoa at The Roundhouse or ascend 8,800 feet for views from the wraparound deck at Seattle Ridge Lodge.

Eight miles north, Sawtooth Wilderness features hiking trails, pine forests, and more than 300 alpine lakes. The jagged peaks of Sawtooth Mountains rise up more than 10,000 feet, and deep, sheltered valleys protect the habitat of fish, moose, and alpaca. To the southeast, the Craters of the Moon National Monument makes for an excellent day trip, as the preserve’s volcanic terrain is ideal for cave tours, bird watching, and filming fake moon landings.

Intimate, French-Accented Inn in California Wine Country

Nestled in the oak-studded Alexander Valley, a stately Victorian house basks in the golden California sun. As indicated by the sign out front reading “Auberge on the Vineyard,” this seven-room inn supplies rooms to stay in continental elegance and joie de vivre (“auberge” means “inn” in French) in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country.

The bed and breakfast dates to 1910, and its interior appears to have been airlifted from the period. A cast-iron wood stove, claw-foot tubs, and antique chaises reinforce the vintage vibe, and modern touches such as flat-screen TVs and free WiFi keep things grounded in the present. Outside, the pink-trimmed wraparound porch invites guests to laze and savor the views and fresh aromas wafting from the vineyards surrounding the property. An oak wine barrel repurposed as a table is perfect for private tête-à-têtes and high-stakes arm-wrestling matches.

Adjacent to the original building, the carriage house offers spacious rooms accented with handpicked French furniture. A lounge features a fireplace and panoramic vineyard views, which are especially breathtaking when the honey-hued morning sun illuminates the cabernet vines. The view complements a house-made breakfast combining French and Californian fare, such as crepes with fresh fruit, prepared daily by the inn’s friendly owner, Roxanne.

Cloverdale, California: Up-and-Coming Wine Country Outpost in Alexander Valley

A quintessential California small town, Cloverdale is home to around 8,500 inhabitants, many of them lovers of wine and the arts. The nearby Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys are two of the most prestigious wine appellations in California, with numerous world-class wineries offering tours and tastings of their delectable wares. Natural attractions include Lake Sonoma and the Russian River, popular with boaters, fishers, and hawks, which can occasionally be seen swooping from the sky to sample the river’s stores of smallmouth bass, bluegill, and, for dessert, swedish fish.

Modern One-Bedroom Suites on Blackcomb Mountain

With the side-by-side peaks of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains as its snowy playgrounds, the mountain town of Whistler has blossomed into an international skiing hub, bolstered by its role as a host venue in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. In-the-know athletes have revered the destination since it opened its first chairlift in 1966. At Aspens on Blackcomb, a concentration of suites on the mountain allows for ski-in/ski-out access to hundreds of trails.

Encompassing two mountains, more than 200 ski runs spread across 8,171 acres at the Whistler Blackcomb ski area, which has received 17.5 feet of snow this season and includes terrain parks and half-pipes for snowboarders. The Peak 2 Peak Gondola links Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains with an 11-minute ride suspended 1,430 feet above the valley, providing convenient access to both mountains’ high alpine areas.

After a day on the slopes, guests can retreat to one-bedroom suites tucked into a four-story lodge with a number of balconies overlooking the inner courtyard. Nearby, a heated outdoor pool and a trio of hot tubs alleviate any soreness after a day on the slopes or a tragic night attempting to limbo.

Whistler, British Columbia: World-Class Skiing North of Vancouver

Connected to Vancouver—about 80 miles (129 km) to the south—by the newly completed Sea-to-Sky Highway, the Whistler Blackcomb ski area received a near-record high 51.8 feet (15.8 m) of snow during the 2010–2011 season. Though skiing and snowboarding is the area’s primary focus, dozens of fine-dining establishments, ski-in bars, and music venues complement the snow activities. Within Whistler Village, the Whistler Museum tells stories of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games through athlete memorabilia and artifacts, including the Olympic torch, an Olympic ski bid, and athlete uniforms.

Sustainable Caribbean Bungalows Nestled in a Tropical Jungle

Samasati Nature Retreat’s developers belong to the anti-development school of thought. Instead of clearing the jungles with heavy machinery to build a glitzy resort, they sought to leave behind the smallest possible environmental footprint. Teams of oxen delivered sustainable building materials such as wood from trees that had fallen naturally. Nine bungalows and two lodges were constructed in a style that maximized ventilation and natural cooling so fewer electrical appliances would be needed. The showers are even fed by rainwater collected in a rooftop reservoir. Thanks to an environmentally savvy master plan, Samasati Nature Retreat’s 250 acres of rainforest continue to sustain abundant plant and animal life.

Each private Caribbean Bungalow room comes dressed in polished chocolate wood and overlooks the mountains, the dense jungle, and the impossibly blue waters of the Caribbean. Fresh jungle air and the tweets of passing toucans and bloggers stream through the always-open windows. High in the leafy canopy, chefs at Samasati’s restaurant prepare colorful vegetarian meals concocted from fruit and vegetables grown in the resort’s personal garden and neighboring plots. Yoga classes are available twice daily, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, with a resident instructor adaptable to all skill levels.

A flat plain of green grass pokes out of the center of the resort, buttoned down by a bubbling hot tub that overlooks the lush Costa Rican countryside. Guests siphon off stress here in the frothing pool, and down the hillside, they can extend their bliss with a massage at the spa.

Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica: Home to Pristine Beaches and Colorful Creatures

Sheet-white beaches fringed by coconuts trees lie 4 miles from the wilderness that surrounds the resort. The rich ecological atmosphere plays host to butterflies, swinging monkeys, marsupials, and more than 500 bird species, and the underwater landscape swims with tucuxi dolphins and sea turtles. Samasati Nature Retreat sets up guests with a variety of eco tours to explore Costa Rica’s immaculate environs, including trips involving surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, waterfall treks, hiking, and horseback snorkeling.

The town of Puerto Viejo is just a few miles from the resort and plays host to a smorgasbord of Afro-Caribbean flavors. Dotted along its roads are quaint shops and watering holes as well as restaurants that serve authentic Costa Rican dishes, including casado, a medley of rice, beans, plantains, and succulent meat. Calypso and reggae sounds thump in the humid air, and brightly colored houses add vibrancy to the dusty street corners.

Colonial Spanish-Style Villas near Private Beach

The Marbella Club’s Mediterranean-style villas is within the 2,700-acre resort at Palmas del Mar on Puerto Rico’s eastern shore. The sweeping property occupies 3 miles of beachfront and contains diversions ranging from golf courses and tennis courts to a 64-stable equestrian center. There are enough activities here to keep visitors busy for weeks, but part of The Marbella Club’s allure lies in the alternative of doing nothing at all.

Each Spanish colonial-designed building surrounds a private courtyard, where a small fountain sits amid verdant palmettos. Each two-bedroom villa has a minimum of two bathrooms and spans between 1,064–1,729 square feet with a full kitchen stocked with a welcome basket of crackers, cereal, juice, milk, granola bars, and wine.

The resort’s 18 restaurants range from French fine-dining establishments to casual pizza, pasta, and salad joints. Two championship 18-hole golf courses, designed by Rees Jones and Gary Player, run parallel to the ocean and feature unique hazards such as low-flying parasails. After working up a sweat on 1 of the 20 tennis courts at the Palmas del Mar tennis center, guests can head to one of the two Marbella Club swimming pools. Cabanas, hammocks, and lounge chairs await just steps from the resort on a private stretch of beach.

Eastern Puerto Rico: Rainforests, Beaches, and Relics

The sprawling Palmas del Mar offers more than enough activity for a full vacation, but Puerto Rico’s eastern reaches contain less-developed areas for exploration. Two smaller, less populated islands—Vieques and Culebra—are easily accessible by public ferry and are surrounded by first-rate fishing, snorkeling, and diving waters. About 22 miles north of the resort, El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest system, contains hundreds of exotic plant and animal species within its 28,000-acre boundaries. Less than an hour’s drive from the resort, the capital city of San Juan opens a window into Puerto Rico’s colonial past with historical mansions, cathedrals, and aimlessly wandering conquistadors.

Luxury Resort near the Las Vegas Strip

Both a luxury resort and a lively casino, The Palms Casino Resort entertains in relentless Vegas fashion with top-notch restaurants, expansive pools, and throbbing nightclubs. Just beyond the hotel’s entrance, a 95,000-square-foot casino sprawls in all directions. The 24-hour grown-up playground abounds with more than 70 gaming tables and 1,650 slot machines, plus an adjacent race and sports book with 50 monitors displaying domestic and international competitions.

High above the casino’s clamor, in the Palms’ superior guest rooms, those who opt to sleep can do so on a pristine, all-white king-size bed. A wooden desk and plush, olive-hued armchairs offer repose near the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. The Palms’ Fantasy Tower hosts pulsating nightlife near its crown, including the latest iteration of the legendary Playboy Club. From three poolside bars amid 2 acres of pools with a 12-foot waterfall, waitresses in tiny pink bikinis and heels venture forth to the pool deck, serving cocktails to boisterous young men and women draped across clusters of lounge chairs and shady cabanas.

The Palms itself houses a variety of eateries, ranging from the casual yet extensive breakfast spread in Bistro Buffet to Alizé, a French fine-dining establishment helmed by renowned chef André Rochat. Nestled in the Palms Tower penthouse, the restaurant rewards diners with a broad view of the Las Vegas Strip.

On and off the Strip: An Adult Playground with Funky Flair

With its expansive cluster of sky-scraping hotels and endless neon, the Las Vegas Strip endures as a can’t-miss spectacle. A stroll past the iconic, Old Vegas signs of Fremont Street might kindle nostalgia for the days of Sinatra and Martin. But today’s Glitter Gulch burns much brighter than in the Rat Pack era, thanks to a canopy of 12 million LED lights that erupt in a psychedelic light and music show hourly beginning at dusk.

For a taste of culture amid the hedonist fare, the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art provides a diversion of at least a half-hour with an exhibit of more than 30 exquisite landscape paintings, including an early haystack piece by impressionist Claude Monet. Another ocular spectacle, the 90-minute Cirque du Soleil Love, blends the unbelievable acrobatics of Cirque’s aerialists with the timeless soundtrack of the Beatles.

Beachfront Hotel Surrounded by Rich Ecology

In the hit novel and action flick Jurassic Park, scientists are whisked to a fictional island off the coast of Costa Rica to find roaming packs of dinosaurs. A far-fetched plot, to be sure, but Costa Rica is no stranger to massive ancient reptiles: between September and March, hordes of giant leatherback turtles plod along the shore at Playa Grande to deposit their eggs in the sand. The leatherbacks—whose species dates back to the era of the dinosaurs—can weigh as much as 1,500 pounds. Though the leatherbacks are endangered, Playa Grande is one of the few places left where one can watch as tiny newborn turtles pop out of the sand and head toward the sea. Just 30 minutes from this spot resides Bahia Del Sol’s resort property, where guests can explore Costa Rica’s rich ecology up close at the beach and in the rainforest that surround the grounds.

Located on the north Pacific side of the country at Potrero Beach in Guanacaste, Bahia Del Sol is set up for swimming, jungle treks, and volcano hikes in addition to relaxing stays on the beach. The included zipline tour and horseback ride takes groups through the pristine rainforest, where they might catch a glimpse of toucans, sloths, and monkeys.

When it’s time to unwind, the Bahia Restaurant serves creative seafood and traditional Costa Rican fare amid a relaxing, open-air atmosphere. Guests can sip tropical drinks and watch the evening sunset under the thatched roof or head over to the hammocks surrounding the garden, which is lined with centennial trees. Separating the resort from the shore is a grassy embankment lined with tables with umbrellas and sun loungers; the grass snakes through to the quiet beach, where the ocean’s gentle currents make it a pleasant place to swim.

See the full details of the package here.

Potrero Bay and Flamingo Beach, Costa Rica: Scenic Sunsets and Vibrant Rainforest

Located about two hours west of 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’s a wealth of aquatic activities here, including surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and rafting on the Colorado River. But just as compelling are the thick, green rainforests, which contain the Arenal Volcano. Hikes go through ancient trees and colorful orchids at the base of the volcano, and suspended wooden bridges hang over gorgeous canyons where hummingbirds, jaguars, and sloths roam freely. There are also underground caves for spelunking, and instead of covering their shoes in bubble wrap, travelers can comfort their feet by dipping them in hot springs heated by the volcano.

Weeklong Mexico Escape in Exotic Poolside Resorts

Unlike home, a resort is a magical place where you can jump on the bed and talk without being interrupted by the attic’s poltergeist. Enjoy the full luxury of vacationing with today’s Getaway from DreamVacationWeek.com, which lodges travelers in upscale resort accommodations throughout Mexico. During each seven-day trip, guests are set up in one of DreamVacationWeek.com’s carefully selected properties, each of which provides a spacious base camp for tropical adventure. Destinations include Mazatlan, San Carlos Bay, Puerto Vallarta, Mayan Riviera, Acapulco, and Riviera Nayarit.

Though resort properties included in this deal vary, they have a few common features: expansive pools surrounded by lounge chairs and lush landscaping. At one resort, for example, one ankle-deep pool ripples amid the spray of a gushing fountain, and another sprawling pool overlooks the beachfront strewn with palapas. At another property, a turquoise, lagoon-style pool glitters amid rocky outcroppings and rustling palms and is surrounded by open-air dining. And there’s plenty to do beyond sunbathe: some destinations have full spas, wine bars, or Jack Nicklaus–designed championship golf courses.

Most properties reside on Mexico’s western coast in seaside towns known as balnearios. Whether they’re situated in the east or west, such oceanfront Mexican cities enjoy balmy temperatures in the 70s and 80s throughout the wintertime dry season, whereas the onset of summer brings rising heat and humidity.

When booking, purchasers can peruse DreamVacationWeek.com’s range of included Mexican resorts and select any preferred property, based on availability. Purchasers will not need to attend any sales pitches about timeshare rentals. Each resort has a specified check-in and checkout day for vacation weeks, such as Friday–Friday; guests may arrive late or leave early if desired (same price applies) but may not extend their week beyond these days.

Modern, Trendy Skyscraper Hotel in Heart of Manhattan

To the west, Times Square glitters with flashing lights and neon; to the east, the Chrysler Building’s iconic art-deco spire pierces the clouds. In between, the 47-story Cassa Hotel and Residences high-rise soars heavenward, forming a slender, bone-white obelisk artfully sprinkled with irregular clusters of windows.

Completed in 2010, the building represents one of the newest additions to the midtown-Manhattan skyline. Its chic, contemporary aesthetic has garnered bountiful acclaim from the press. The hotel’s interior centers on the 10th-floor lounge, an airy space with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and a catwalk leading to an outdoor terrace. Within this light-flooded atrium, chefs whip up a breakfast menu (6:30 a.m.–11 a.m.) that includes wild-mushroom frittatas and french toast made from rum-soaked brioche.

The hotel’s modern, streamlined look extends to executive king rooms outfitted with dangling pendant lights, abstract-art prints, and tasteful teleportation chambers. In each chamber, design-themed books reflect the Cassa’s aesthetic influences. Included tickets to the Museum of Arts and Design, which lies a short walk or cab ride away in Columbus Circle, completes the immersion into the world of cutting-edge design. Here, handcrafted objets d’art—from experimental armchairs to lithographed band posters—document the materials and techniques of 20th-century artisans.

Midtown Manhattan: World-Famous Theater District and Quiet, Green Oases

Though the central location of New York’s theater district allows easy access to any of the city’s attractions via a hop on the subway, there’s also plenty to do within walking distance. In addition to Central Park’s frozen lakes and glittering, frost-laden groves, nearby Bryant Park, tucked behind the public library’s main branch, offers a more intimate urban oasis. This Getaway’s included skating package at Citi Pond at Bryant Park allows hours of gliding, twirling, and etching haiku on the 17,000-square-foot ice rink with included skate rentals as well as bag check, two hot chocolates, 10% off all food and beverage at Celsius, and the ability to skip the line for admissions.

Then there are the theaters. A number of landmark performance venues line Seventh and Eighth Avenues, including the grand Beaux-Arts façades of the 1910 Lunt-Fontanne Theatre and the 1903 Lyceum Theatre, which holds the distinction of being Broadway’s oldest continually operating legitimate theater.

Private Plane Tours of North America

Valuable vacation time should not be wasted traveling, which is why Mauiva AirCruise’s guided group tours use private planes to whisk travelers between destinations. With this deal, multicity vacations begin with a flight from either New York City (for the All-American East Experience package) or Los Angeles (for the Western Wonder Experience package). Upon landing, a motorcoach escorts passengers to a Hilton, a Hyatt, or another four-star hotel, where guests’ bags await in the room. The next day, a certified travel host leads sightseeing tours and other activities, such as wine tastings and scenic drives, before the group heads to the next city.

Along with 11 meals, the six-day All-American East Experience package visits 20 eastern attractions, including Niagara Falls, Toronto, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Washington, DC, Mount Vernon, Arlington, and more. Beginning at Niagara Falls, the travel host arranges rides on the iconic Maid of the Mist boat tour, which drifts right into the basin of the 2,600-foot tall Canadian Horseshoe Falls. A short bus ride takes the group to Toronto for a view of the city’s skyline from the CN Tower, followed by a wine tasting at Caroline Cellars Winery in nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake. Back in America, the tours stops by Hershey, home to Hershey’s Chocolate World, where visitors make custom candy bars and learn the history of the chocolatiers before heading to the nation’s capitol to see its numerous historical sites and Jimmy Carter­–brand sausage emporiums. Click here for a full itinerary. The trip requires only three hours of total flight time.

Along with 13 meals, the seven-day Western Wonder Experience package visits 29 western U.S. attractions, including San Francisco, Sonoma County, Yosemite National Park, Fresno, the Grand Canyon, and the Hoover Dam. The first two days are split between Monterey and San Francisco, with the travel host leading the group to Monterey’s 19th-century Old Fisherman’s Wharf before exploring the new wharf replete with sea lions, a fishing fleet, and a maritime museum. Following that, a cruise ship shuttles passengers to the 22-acre Alcatraz Island for a visit to America’s most notorious prison. The tour also sets time aside for sightseeing at the Golden Gate Bridge and the many herbal shops, temples, and pagoda-topped buildings of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Over the weeklong venture, travelers will also head to Yosemite and Fresno before flying over to Las Vegas for easy access to the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. Click here for the full itinerary. The trip requires only five hours of total flight time.

Rustic Cabins within Old Schoolhouse Surrounded by Nature

John James Audubon’s meticulous documentation of birds helped to carve out his standing as one of America’s foremost naturalists and a staple of science textbooks. It’s fitting that one of the eight rooms at Adventures Unlimited’s Schoolhouse Inn bears his name, and not just because the inn is an authentic converted school building: the woodland resort, tucked away from civilization, is peppered with birds’ nests in its towering oaks and pines. Underscoring the idyllic location, Coldwater Creek flows through to Blackwater River, which moves through miles of state-protected forest and along the western border of the tranquil Adventures Unlimited resort.

The old schoolhouse stands in the center of the resort. In addition to the Audubon quarters, the other rooms bear the names of famous American authors and naturalists as a tribute to the building’s studious past and its pupils’ fondness for sleeping on top of books. The William Faulkner room, with one queen-size bed and a private screened porch, ensures a secluded, peaceful wilderness retreat, and the Dr. Seuss room features a queen-size bed and bunk beds.

All eight rooms share a similar design, from their hardwood floors to their high ceilings and antique furnishings, but four of the rooms feature seasonal gas fireplaces and lead out to a communal porch, where wooden rocking chairs and porch swings sway in the open forest breeze.

Adventures Unlimited: Acres of Outdoor Adventure

Adventures Unlimited lies just past the official boundary of the Blackwater River State Forest and takes advantage of its position by dedicating itself to outdoor excursions. In the five-hour Ultimate Zip Adventure conducted by Zip Adventures, groups of up to eight soar 40 feet above Coldwater Creek’s sugar-white sandbars and the surrounding forest. Along the way, 14 observation platforms provide access to up to 900-foot ziplines that overlook the rugged terrain. The trip culminates in a climb up a massive spiral staircase to the final launching pad, from which one can see Coldwater Creek meander through the entire forest, forming oxbow lakes and flawless cursive zs. As zipliners glide through the canopies, they might catch a glimpse of the many canoes and kayaks that journey through Coldwater Creek. During kayak trips, participants mount a floating steed and paddle on 4- or 7-mile treks down the river.

Between outdoor adventures, many guests at Adventures Unlimited might venture to nearby Milton to eat or gather supplies. Fishing is allowed in Coldwater Creek—home to large-mouth bass, catfish, and pickerel—for those with valid Florida fishing licenses. At night, Adventures Unlimited converts its game field into a planetarium, and stars and constellations shine undisturbed in the rural sky.

Peaceful Country Inn Near Delaware River

Among the lodgers at Chimney Hill Estate & The Ol’ Barn Inn, the alpacas that live onsite are probably the woolliest and indisputably the most adorable. The unique, South American mini llamas reside on a hill overlooking the estate’s lush 8.5 acres, a designated Natural Habitat registered with the National Wildlife Federation. Human guests, meanwhile, stay in either a two-story farmhouse originally built in 1820 or in the Ol’ Barn, where horses neighed for more than a century before it was converted into four guest suites.

When visitors aren’t feeding snacks to the alpacas, they’re whiling away the hours by a cozy fireplace, tasting wine at a local vineyard, or walking a scenic footpath along the Delaware River. The brisk air smells like wood smoke, and the estate’s picturesque grounds invite long walks or plein air Photoshopping.

Each of the estate house’s eight spacious guest rooms is uniquely decorated; most have fireplaces, and some have four-poster beds and claw-foot tubs. In the Ol’ Barn’s quartet of suites, boards from the building’s original incarnation line the walls, floors, and ceilings. The suites’ varying offerings include balconies and jetted tubs. A hearty country breakfast awaits in the morning, with dishes such as cranberry-cream-cheese french toast and blueberry pancakes.

Lambertville, New Jersey and New Hope, Pennsylvania: Historic Towns Divided by Scenic Delaware River

Straddling the New Jersey-Pennsylvania border, the quaint towns of Lambertville and New Hope are nestled along the banks of the scenic Delaware River. Riparian adventurers can navigate canoes and kayaks under covered bridges, and year-round catfish and bass fishing occupies lonely bait boxes. The region is rich in colonial-era history, including famed Revolutionary War landmarks such as Goat Hill Overlook, Coryell’s Crossing, and the site of John Hancock’s school-age graffiti art.

The historical atmosphere is reflected in each town, where intricate Victorian buildings sidle up alongside small, local boutiques. Eclectic trinkets and relics line shelves inside myriad antique shops. A canal wends through Lambertville, providing cafés with waterfront alfresco dining and a reflective surface for diners to check for any mustard seeds left between their teeth.

Quick, Luxurious Flights to Michigan Ski Country

Flying is one of the best ways to travel in style, second only to riding on the back of a well-dressed giant. Add class to your transportation with today’s Getaway: for $205, you get a round-trip luxury flight from Chicago to Pellston, Michigan, or from Pellston to Chicago from Lakeshore Express (a $410 value). With the Chicago-to-Pellston Getaway, you’ll have the option to purchase discounted lodging and lift tickets at Boyne Highlands ($102+), one of the Little Traverse Bay region’s top ski resorts.

Recently profiled in the Chicago Tribune, Lakeshore Express delivers fast flights from Chicago directly to northern Michigan. Departing Midway International Airport (MDW) on Thursday and Friday evenings, Lakeshore Express’s 30-seat Saab 340B whisks travelers to Pellston Regional Airport (PLN), with return flights on Sunday afternoons and evenings. First-class legroom in all seats and a complimentary cocktail and snack after takeoff give the one-hour trip a luxurious feel. Baggage weight and size limits apply; see full list of rules here. Lakeshore Express customers can also receive a 10% discount on any car, truck, or SUV rental.

Flight to Northern Michigan Ski Country

With more than 400 acres of expertly groomed terrain, Boyne Highlands uses one of the Midwest’s largest snowmaking systems to keep its trails constantly blanketed to the benefit of skiers and migrating snowmen. Those in Chicago can take a respite from the city and explore northern Michigan’s natural habitats while they’re framed in ice and snow. This beauty is on full display along “the Tunnel of Trees”, a particular stretch of M-119 that runs along the water’s edge from Little Traverse Bay north to Good Hart. The road winds through a forest of oak, maple, birch, and cedar, flashing glimpses of Lake Michigan along the way.

Flight to Chicago

Those wanting to spend a weekend in the city can take Lakeshore Express’s one-hour flight to Chicago, where they’ll land at MDW. From there, the Chicago Transit Authority’s Orange Line trains run to the downtown area. During Chicago stays, Affinia Chicago offers 15% discounts off their best available rate. With restaurants, museums, urban parks, and theater, Chicago offers a world-class cultural experience in the middle of the Midwest.

Though Lakeshore Express is currently offering a “Kids Fly Free” offer with a paying adult ticket, this Groupon offer is good for travelers of any age.

Comfortable Lodgings Steps from Downtown St. Marys and Minutes from Stratford

Each April, renowned stage actors and directors from around the world descend upon Stratford, Ontario, to perform the works of William Shakespeare. Stratford’s annual Shakespeare Festival is one of the most celebrated in the theater world and spans the spring and summer into late October. A short drive south on Highway 7, the Stone Willow Inn stands as both a convenient outpost to the festival and the historical town of St. Marys.

Floral accents and large windows bring in a bit of the surrounding countryside to each premium queen room. At the in-house Wildstone Bar & Grill, chefs prepare eclectic fare ranging from baked St. Paul’s trout ($18) to St. Louis–style ribs ($17–$23). The restaurant offers intimate indoor dining and an outdoor patio, which surrounds diners with candles, hanging flowers, and countryside views during warmer months or La Niña heat waves.

St. Marys, Ontario: Historical Limestone Architecture Along Thames River

Stone Willow Inn lies a short walk from the boutiques and restaurants of downtown St. Marys. When early settlers arrived at St. Marys in the early 1840s, they encountered a unique geographical feature—limestone ledges that created natural cascades along the banks of the Thames River. The natural waterpower fueled local mills as the small town blossomed with ornate buildings constructed from local limestone and strips of duct tape. Although the mills and original railway now lay dormant, a scenic river walk offers a picturesque stroll down the original trestle bridges and past historical buildings. In the warmer months, swimmers flock to the Quarry, an abandoned natural limestone quarry that has been converted into Canada’s largest outdoor swimming pool.

Historical Vermont Inn in Continual Operation Since Late 18th Century

The Dorset Inn, which welcomed its first guests in 1796, is one of the oldest continually operating inns in Vermont. Today, after more than 200 years and several renovations, the inn continues to evince an aura of quaint New England charm. Period furnishings and wide-planked floors distinguish the living rooms, restored tavern, and candlelit dining room. In December 2011, the inn’s old-fashioned coziness and attention to detail helped it earn the No. 3 spot on Yankee Magazine‘s list of New England’s Best Historic Inns.

Each of the individually decorated guest rooms combines the warmth and comfort of a country cottage in the Green Mountains with modern-day amenities such as flat-screen TVs, wireless Internet access, and electric maple-syrup dispensers. Meals served in the dining room are composed of ingredients culled from local farmers and the nearby Atlantic Ocean. The menu changes frequently, but wild shrimp, mussels, and cobbler with vanilla ice cream are always on hand. The tavern pours selections from a wide-ranging wine list as well as single-malt scotch, Irish whiskey, and bourbon.

Dorset, Vermont: Traditional New England Town Surrounded by Forested Mountains

Dorset is a quintessential New England town, dotted with cozy homes and shops tucked into forested mountains and valleys. Visitors perusing the region’s stores are bound to come away with a haul of fresh cheeses, local maple syrup, and warm woolens. The slopes of Stratton and Bromley mountains supply ample opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and downhill speed dating. Ice skating, snowmobiling, and sleigh rides round out the area’s wintertime offerings.

Mountaintop Resort in the Heart of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region

A warm lagoon pool that’s bathed in sunlight always looks inviting, but especially after spending a day skiing down one of three New Hampshire mountains. In the middle of 525 acres of hardwood forests, within a 20-minute drive of Gunstock Mountain Resort, and less than an hour drive from Loon Mountain, Waterville Valley, and Ragged Mountain Resort, Steele Hill Resorts houses a steamy glass atrium pool area that offers everything a sore skier could want: a heated pool, a sauna, a jacuzzi, and a roman bath. The atrium’s relaxing options can recharge visitors to explore the resort itself, where families skate on the pond, sled, snowshoe, or climb an observation tower for 360-degree views of the White Mountains and New Hampshire’s Lakes Region spread out below.

Inside one of the resort’s one-bedroom suites, a private balcony overlooks the lakes and mountains, and a fully equipped kitchen assists in making a celebratory dinner for the anniversary of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff. Each room is slightly different—the West Wing suite boasts a fireplace; the East Wing suite has a jacuzzi bathtub; and the North Wing has the best access to the smaller, less-busy resort pool. This deal includes a $30 resort credit valid for snowshoe and movie rentals, or to use at The Hilltop, where chefs prepare apple-and-walnut-stuffed pork and bison burgers in a restaurant surrounded on all sides by the New Hampshire countryside.

Those who stay on Steele Hill property will stay active, whether they explore the resort’s five miles of wanderable trails, or the private catch-and-release fishing pond. Children that bring their own toboggans can whiz down the sledding hill or head over to play the Xbox Kinect in the main building’s lobby.

Sanbornton, New Hampshire: Winter Sports and Family Activities in Shadow of White Mountains

Located north of Concord and Manchester and south of the White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire’s Lakes Region attracts hikers, bikers, and local wildlife, such as fox, moose, and deer. In the spring, Lake Winnipesaukee is a serene spot for sailing and boating, and the winter brings snowmobiling and ice fishing for pickerel, white perch, and pizza-flavored Goldfish.

Full-Feature Relaxation with Business-Friendly Flair

In the atrium-style Plaza Mall, tiers of trailing ivy hang from the multistory balconies, adding a gentle touch to the DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington – Minneapolis South’s streamlined, modern space. Although the high-rise tower focuses on business-centric perks—from on-hand secretaries and notaries to the ergonomic executive chair at each chamber’s desk—the hotel’s recreational spots quickly soothe away any lingering worries. An oversize hot tub large enough for a basketball team bubbles and churns away tension, and a nearby sauna offers a warm respite after a chilly winter day.

After a quick check-in, lodgers can head to their standard or executive-floor guest rooms to kick back in an easy chair or unwind atop a row of pillows. Executive-floor rooms come with added perks, including access to the Club Lounge, breakfast in the morning, and an evening reception with hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

At the Doubletree’s Nine Mile Grille, chefs source fruits and veggies from local farms for breakfast, lunch, and dinner fare. Wild game, wild rice, and fresh veggies feature prominently on an eclectic menu of American cuisine that includes Angus cheeseburgers ($10) and sugar-seared salmon ($18). Nearby, Plaza Java’s baristas brew steaming cups of joe. Come evening, bartenders at the Navigator’s Lounge concoct libations appropriate for any meeting, toast, or space-cruiser christening.

Bloomington: Minnesota’s Hub for Shopping and Outdoor Play

A 15-minute drive south of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Bloomington is best known as home to the Mall of America, where shoppers carry bags of successful buys into restaurants emitting the smell of spare ribs or savory crêpes. At the mall’s myriad attractions, tykes tired of hiding inside clothing racks can dip fingers into aquarium touch pools, hide from minotaurs in an enormous mirror maze, and meet SpongeBob SquarePants at Nickelodeon Universe, the theme park inside the mall.

Surrounding the iconic megamall are natural wonderlands equally worthy of exploration. On the opposite side of the airport, Minnehaha Park‘s 53-foot waterfall roars amid a forest of fiery leaves in autumn and decorates its rocky ledge with a shimmering curtain of icicles in the deep winter. Snow-booted families can sneak behind the frozen falls into a secret ice cave filled with fantastical columns and archways. With snowfall comes snowkiting, a snow-kiteboarding sport that harnesses large kites to skate across the frozen surfaces.

Historical Napa Valley Hotel and Spa

After exchanging their vows, newlyweds Stephanie and Michael Woods fell in love with their reception venue, Mount View Hotel & Spa in Calistoga. In fact, they were so enamored that they decided to buy the boutique hotel and run it themselves.

From the moment you enter the hotel’s airy lobby, it’s easy to see how one could fall in love with this place. A thorough facelift in 2007 has rejuvenated this 100-year-old dame of a hotel, which has seen its share of celebrities, including early Hollywood starlet Jean Harlow. European-style art-deco light fixtures hang from the tall ceilings, and funky furniture competes with retro wallpaper for attention. In the king Winery suites—each named after a different local winery—striking new appointments such as zebra-print chairs and velvet sofas harmonize with original claw-foot tubs.

Relaxation comes naturally at this hotel, where guests are not just encouraged, but expected to sleep in and enjoy breakfast in their plush king-size beds. After soaking up the sun by the heated pool, couples can head to the 12-room spa to redeem their hydrotherapy bath and lavender steam shower. As the dinner hour nears, chef Salvatore Munguia and his team at the in-house restaurant, Barolo, fire up the range and prepare Italian classics from local produce and meats.

Calistoga, California: Easygoing Resort Town Surrounded by World-Class Wineries

A half-hour drive from Napa passes through scenic vine fields to the more laid-back resort town of Calistoga. Though silver mining and agriculture attracted waves of East Coast prospectors at the turn of 20th century, the town’s natural hot springs compelled the settlers to stick around. Today, mission- and western-style buildings stand as a testament to this down-to-earth retreat’s history. But instead of saloon madams or western-film stunt doubles, Bay Area weekenders and wine connoisseurs dot the town’s sidewalks, weaving in and out of charming boutiques, art galleries, and jazz bars.

Wine-Country Bed and Breakfast with Award-Winning Gardens

Like a scene out of a detective novel, one of the bookcases at the Great Leaf Inn swings open to reveal a secret cellar. Those venturing into this secret compartment won’t find the final clue to a mystery, but rather a cherry-wood room with an expansive collection of Sonoma Valley wine―appropriate for a bed and breakfast located in California Wine Country. There, Grape Leaf staff members lead complimentary tastings of local varietals, a preview of the flavors one samples when visiting this area. Located on a quiet street surrounded by century-old evergreens and a rose-and-herb garden, the 12-room Queen Anne–style Grape Leaf Inn in Healdsburg, California, is a short drive from more than 200 wineries.

Located beside a purple-carpeted staircase, each room at the Grape Leaf incorporates a wine-country theme in its name, décor, and color scheme. With its wall of bay windows, the Sauvignon Blanc faces out to the English cottage garden and rose trellis. The Cabernet Sauvignon features a two-person spa tub, an ideal setting for enjoying the inn’s complimentary bottle of wine. A huge carved pine bed anchors the Gamay Rose, balanced by window treatments dressed with dried grape vines and colorful hydrangeas.

Healdsburg, California: A Bustling Downtown in Sonoma Wine Country

Just 70 miles north of San Francisco and a few miles west of the main strip of wineries along Route 29, Healdsburg is off the beaten path but still within striking distance of popular wineries. This laid-back farm community seems to feature a winery or vineyard at every turn, but also boasts a microbrewery, bakeries, cafés, and several fine-dining restaurants, enough that the New York Times called the town “a destination for all things culinary.” Downtown Healdsburg also features a mix of culinary stores, boutique shops, and 14 art galleries, showcasing paintings, sculptures, photographs, and macaroni pictures from the area’s local artists.

Quaint Hotel with Verdant Gardens and Pacific Ocean Views

A Tiffany-style stained-glass dome pours polychromatic light over the lobby lounge of the Mendocino Hotel & Garden Suites. Studded with rubies, the kaleidoscopic skylight bears floral and foliate designs gleaming amid brass ribs. At ground level, a collection of antique furnishings adorns the entryway, leading toward eclectic, Victorian-style quarters. In each luxury garden room, lace frames broad windows offering peaceful views of lush gardens. Fluffy down comforters top one or two beds, and Italian marble covers the fireplace and bathrooms, lending elegance to the romantic space.

Period furnishings accent the hotel, beginning in the lobby where a Louis XIV–style love seat enfolds paramours within pleated cushioning. Persian runners lead toward the lobby lounge, where patrons can spoon-feed sips of local beer to a carved wooden gargoyle before venturing toward the Victorian dining room. Filled with lighted glass screens and one-of-a-kind antiques, the restaurant weaves the hotel’s vintage theme into its gourmet dining experience. Seasoned chefs plate a selection of natural, organic entrees prepared with ingredients sourced from local farmers. For a casual meal, lodgers can nibble at breakfast and lunch items in the Garden Room, famous for its olallieberry pie, or snack on small bites at the wine and tapas bar and scope out the wildlife on the hotel’s 2 acres of sustainable gardens.

Mendocino, California: Quiet Coastal Village Nestled amid Towering Redwoods

Perched high atop a bluff in its namesake village, the Mendocino Hotel & Garden Suites enjoys unhindered panoramas of the Pacific Ocean. In the 1850s, the quiet coastal town bustled with loggers who harvested the area’s towering redwoods and enlivened its saloons, pools, and fast houses. Although the village has since eschewed its rowdy reputation, the redwoods continue to thrive. Along the bluff, the giant trees shadow traces of old buildings and old anchor lines set into rock.

Briny air permeates the town, carrying all the way to the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, where meticulously manicured formal gardens contrast with untouched landscapes. Hikers stroll through thick pine forests, peer into fern-fringed canyons, and frolic on flower-covered bluffs. Back indoors, the Mendocino Art Center presents displays of visual and performing arts that celebrate still and moving forms, and various studios invite budding Botticellis to fine-tune their own brushstrokes. For those interested in learning more about the area, the Kelley House Museum, set amid an acre of gardens, recounts Mendocino’s history with the artifacts, exhibits, and live-action movie trailers of yesteryear.

Spacious Suites and Beautiful Gardens at Historical Seaside Resort

In 1882, lawyer John McMillin took over a small log trading post on the northern end of San Juan Island; within just a few years, he transformed the post into the West Coast’s main producer of builders lime. In his private home on the island, he eventually welcomed distinguished guests such as President Theodore Roosevelt. That guesthouse—now called the Hotel de Haro—stands as the center building of the Roche Harbor Resort, now a sprawling property with a full-service marina and rooms with panoramic views of the sea. But hints of the harbor’s past are scattered throughout the grounds, including defunct limekilns, period artifacts and photos, and a Grecian memorial to McMillin.

Flanking the Hotel de Haro’s network of rose gardens, lawns, and cobblestone walkways are the McMillin and Quarryman Hall houses, which feature more modern accommodations. Here, suites come furnished with gas fireplaces and private verandas overlooking the sea. Many rooms also boast noteworthy antiques, such as the claw-foot soaking tub used by John Wayne and the shower caps worn by John Wayne’s horses.

One of three restaurants onsite, the waterfront McMillin’s Dining Room faces the 337-slip marina, which provides direct entry to Canada 15 miles to the north. The chefs here draw from goods from regional farms and fresh local fish to craft a menu of Pacific Northwest cuisine, including steaks from 45-day aged Wagyu beef and pan-seared Alaskan razor clams. Bartenders at the Fireside Bar shake up signature cocktails and pour glasses of Washington wines, and at the Lime Kiln Cafe, locals and visitors alike stop by in the morning for casual breakfast fare and pastries.

Friday Harbor, Washington: Charming Island Town with Whale-Watching

Friday Harbor is the largest and most bustling city in the San Juan Islands—an archipelago on the northwestern edge of mainland Washington. Restaurants, boutiques, and cafés line Friday Harbor’s main street, which slopes up from the harbor and over a small hill. The harbor maintains close ties to its roots as a rural port town, evident in its many wood-framed shops and galleries originally constructed in the early 20th century. At many local establishments, guests can browse old photos to imagine island life before organized ferry services and cyborg fishermen. The San Juan Historical Museum, housed in an 1894 farmhouse, features exhibits that re-create the experience of walking through a root cellar, a milk house, a carriage house, and other historical buildings.

From late spring to early fall, visitors flock to the island to ogle the area’s packs of orca whales from a number of vantage points. For an up-close view, groups hop aboard sea kayaks or a cruise ship. The whales also swim up to an old lighthouse on the rocky shores of Lime Kiln Point State Park, which resides about 10 miles south of Roche Harbor Resort. Whales aren’t the only draw of the park—eagles and seals make their home in the area, and nature trails cut through the park’s 36 acres of firs and cacti.

Mammoth 1928 Hotel in Theater District of Midtown Manhattan

When the Milford Plaza Hotel opened in 1928, it provided the nation’s largest city with a hotel worthy of its size, with 1,300 guest rooms inside a 28-floor art-deco building. Over the next seven decades, the hotel’s Theater District location has positioned it in the center of Manhattan’s excitement—the Empire State Building would be completed 1 mile from the hotel in 1931, and the 1945 V-J Day celebration would take place a few blocks away in Times Square. Currently undergoing a $140 million renovation, the Milford Plaza Hotel has begun to solidify its future in Manhattan by upgrading the lobby and guest rooms and adding a rooftop bar overlooking the city’s twinkling lights and the Hudson River.

Inside one of the newly renovated queen or double rooms, a vivid mural of a neon “Open 24 Hrs” sign covers the wall behind the platform bed. Minimalist white furnishings and colorful flashes give the room a spacious yet stylish feel. At check in, staff members greet visitors with two welcome gift bags filled with I Heart NY T-shirts, mugs, key chains, and discarded parking tickets as mementos of their stay.

Theater District and Times Square: Neon Lights and World-Class Entertainment in the Heart of Manhattan

Just around the corner from the hotel, Times Square bustles with crowds, flashing billboards, souvenir shops, and boisterous restaurants. A calmer scene lies a mile north at Central Park, an 843-acre urban park surrounded by several cultural institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, and the American Museum of Natural History.

With flashing marquees at every corner, the Theater District is one of the world’s epicenters of performance art, featuring Broadway hits such as The Lion King and Billy Elliot as well as lesser-known off-Broadway productions. Historical theaters line the streets, from the 1926 Eugene O’Neill Theater to the Lyceum Theatre, whose intricate stone columns and baroque façade date back to the turn of the 20th century. Bordering the Theater District, the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood is known for its gritty heritage as well as its assortment of ethnic eateries clustered along a stretch of Ninth Avenue. Further south, art lovers peruse the Chelsea neighborhood with its myriad art galleries and troupes of Dalí surrealist dancers.