Half price for inn east of Lake Okeechobee

Top Reasons to Visit Sunset at the Palms

• You can enjoy unlimited alcoholic beverages at three onsite bars, including a swim-up pool bar and martini lounge with nightly piano music. Drink choices include Red Stripe beer and Appleton Estate rum.
• The buffet-style restaurant serves up Jamaican and international dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an open-air dining room. Make a reservation at the Lotus Leaf to dine on a la carte Asian fusion fare.
• Head to the adjoining two-mile-long beach—known as Bloody Bay—to go kayaking, windsurfing, or snorkeling around submerged coral gardens and reefs.
• Guests can take complimentary excursions in and around Negril, including a historic walking tour and sunset trip to the cliffs at Xtabi.
• Staff members at the onsite spa administer coffee body scrubs and aromatherapy massages in a tranquil, outdoor treatment garden.
• Stylish accommodations with private verandas and sleek, dark-wood furnishings have earned praise from Architectural Digest and Frommer’s.

Negril, Jamaica: Laid-Back Beach Town with Picturesque Sunsets, Snorkeling, and Cliff Diving

Located on Jamaica’s western coast, Negril is known for its white sand beaches, dramatic rugged cliffs, and coral reefs lying just offshore in the Caribbean. Its underwater beauty makes the town a popular spot for scuba diving and snorkeling at Negril Marine Park, and anglers have found the sea filled with blue marlin, wahoo, and mahi-mahi. The city has a front-row seat to some of the world’s most beautiful sunsets, and people often climb to the top of waterfront cliffs just to watch. At Rick’s Cafe, which is listed in the book 1,000 Places To See Before You Die, groups congregate every night to watch the sun dip below the horizon; some brave adventurers even leap off the 35-foot cliffs into the water.

Often called "the capital of casual," Negril is best defined by its laid-back vibe, from the slow and steady rhythm of the indigenous reggae music to its unofficial uniform—swimsuits and flip-flops. Running along the town is Seven Mile Beach, a stretch of powdery, white sand coastline that earned a spot on Frommer’s Best Beaches in the Caribbean list. The town center comprises a shopping mall and a craft market where visitors can pick up locally produced goods.

Farther inland, the mountainous terrain harbors several eco-tourism attractions including hiking, ziplining, and waterfall tours. Take a 60- to 90-minute drive east to reach the cascading YS Falls or Mayfield Falls, where you can wade in 21 natural pools shaded by exotic tropical flowers and ferns. Or stay close to Negril by visiting the Royal Palm Reserve, where 300 acres of swamp forests and wetlands shelter more than 300 types of birds, butterflies, and abandoned Rubik's cubes.

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

Drive Through the Irish Countryside and Stay in Quaint Villages

On this eight-day vacation from Great Value Vacations, you have the freedom to explore four traditional Irish villages—Killenard, Kinsale, Adare, and Dublin—on your own. Once you arrive at Dublin Airport, hop in your manual-shift rental car and you’re set to cruise across the Irish countryside.

The vacation includes:

• Round-trip airfare from New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), or Chicago (ORD)
• One night at the Heritage Golf & Spa Resort in Killenard
• Two nights at the Actons of Kinsale
• Two nights at the Fitzgerald Woodlands House Hotel in Adare. Breakfast is included at this location.
• Two nights at the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel in Dublin
• Manual-shift rental car

For more information about each village and hotel, click here.

Days 1–2: Killenard

Must-see attraction: Killenard is surrounded by horseracing tracks, including the Curragh Racecourse, which hosts the Irish Derby and other classic horse races from May–October.
Stroll like a local: Many of Killenard’s neighboring villages have well-marked hiking trails that take you through the Irish countryside. The town of Stradbally, about 20 minutes south of the hotel, connects to six forest trails ranging from 2–12 kilometers.
Hotel amenities: The 18-hole golf course at Heritage Golf & Spa Resort was rated one of the Top 10 parkland courses in Ireland by Golf Digest.

Days 3–4: Kinsale

Must-see attraction: Life in Kinsale revolves around the harbor, which you can explore on a harbor cruise. Yachting and fishing are particularly popular activities in town.
Eat like a local: Kinsale is widely recognized as the Gourmet Capital of Ireland. Pull up a chair at Fishy Fishy Cafe for local oysters and pan-roasted cod.
Hotel amenities: Actons of Kinsale, built in 1946 and renovated in 2012, features an indoor swimming pool and sauna, Irish restaurant, and nice views of the harbor.

Days 5–6: Adare

Must-see attraction: Built in the early 13th century on the banks of the River Maigue, Desmond Castle was an important fortress for hundreds of years. Tours of the castle run from June 1–September 30.
Dance like a local: There are many bars in Adare that host live traditional Irish music most nights of the week.
Hotel amenities: You can get a body treatment with multi-colored mud inside a rasul, or Turkish steam room, in the onsite spa at Fitzgerald's Woodlands House Hotel.

Days 7–8: Dublin

Must-see attraction: The Book of Kells, a 9th-century religious manuscript known for its extravagant illustrations, is on display at Trinity College Library (the largest library in Ireland).
Drink like a local: Grab a pint of locally brewed Guinness at one of the city’s nearly 1,000 pubs. The dry stout beer has been brewed at St. James’s Gate Brewery since 1759.
Hotel amenities: Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel’s 20-meter pool and Scandinavian wood sauna and steam room are good spots to relax after a day of sightseeing.

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

Top Reasons to Visit Palm Beach Resort & Beach Club

• Located on the island of Palm Beach, the resort is just a short walk from the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean.
• You can borrow a bicycle from the main office to explore the island, or borrow beach chairs and umbrellas for a day of beachcombing.
• The palm-lined sun deck—with a heated outdoor pool, lounge chairs, patio tables, umbrellas, and barbecue grills—is a pleasant spot to spend an afternoon.
• Guests can fish from the onsite fishing pier, which extends into the Intracoastal Waterway, or book a fishing charter through the resort.
• Each one- and two-bedroom unit has excellent views of the Intracoastal from private balconies or patios off the living room and master bedroom.

Palm Beach, Florida: Upscale Beach Town North of Boca Raton

Palm Beach has long been a favored retreat for America’s rich and famous—the Kennedys, Trumps, and Rockefellers have all spent winters here. The warm weather, beautiful beaches, and golf courses are a surefire cure for the winter blues, but there’s plenty to do all year round. Midtown Beach, a kid-friendly stretch of golden sand surrounded by glitzy estates, is an ideal spot for working on a tan or building a sandcastle.

On the western edge of the island, visit the Gilded Age at the Flagler Museum. It’s housed in the beautiful Whitehall Mansion, which was built in 1902. Walk through the halls, parlors, and ballrooms on a guided tour or stop in for afternoon tea in the glassed-in pavilion. Across the causeway, about 10 miles north of the resort, lies lively West Palm Beach. You can head to CityPlace, a stylish outdoor mall, for a host of dining and shopping options.

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

See Europe’s Most Storied Landmarks in London and Paris with Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tours

This tour package includes:

• Round-trip airfare to London on best available airline
• Three nights accommodation in London at the Comfort Inn Vauxhall or similar
• Three nights accommodation in Paris at the Villa Eugenie or the Boronali Hotel
• The Original London Sightseeing Tour 24-hour hop-on, hop-off ticket
• Two-day ticket for City Sightseeing Paris hop-on, hop-off tour
• Daily breakfasts
• All taxes

Days 1–4: See London’s Bridge, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey by Trolley and by Foot

During your three-night stint in London, you'll settle in at Comfort Inn Vauxhall. Included in this Getaway, you’ll have a ticket on The Original London Sightseeing Tour that is good for 24 hours. Once the bus stops at a landmark—such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, or London Bridge—you’re free to hop off and check the place up close for as long as you’d like. Then, you can hop back on the bus once it makes its way back.

You'll also have plenty of leisure time to check out the city during your stay. Make some time to stop by Westminster Abbey, a thousand-year-old Gothic cathedral decorated with stained glass, paintings, and other artifacts. The Piccadilly Circus rivals New York's Times Square with its giant illuminated billboards, which are offset by some elaborate 19th-century architecture.

Days 5–8: Tour the Eiffel Tower at Night and Walk through the Louvre

A short flight takes you to Paris, where you'll transfer to the Villa Eugenie or the Boronali Hotel, where you’ll stay for the duration. With your two-day pass for City Sightseeing Paris, you’ll see some of Paris's most renowned landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower. The tower doesn't close until midnight, and it's worth it to visit after dark when the tower lights up in brilliant colors. Hop on and hop off to check out landmarks as you please.

A staggering collection of masterpieces make their home at the Louvre, including the Mona Lisa, and works by Titian, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. You could get lost for days in the Louvre and not see all of its works, but leave some time to see the Notre Dame Cathedral or the Arc de Triomphe, an ornate monument that commemorates those who fought for France in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.

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

Seven-Day, All-Inclusive Vacation in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Included in all trip options:

• Round-trip airfare from ATL, BNA, BOS, BWI, CVG, JFK, MSY, or ORD
• Six nights of accommodations at Natura Park Beach Eco Resort & Spa
• All meals served at La Cana Buffet
• All local alcoholic beverages, juices, and soft drinks
• House wine served with lunch and dinner
• Ice cream service at the beach
• Three evening meals per week in an a la carte restaurant
• Daily re-stocking of mini-bar
• One bottle of rum upon arrival to the room

Throughout Natura Park Beach Eco Resort & Spa, footpaths wind past lagoons and bridges to a white sand beach, Playa Bávaro. Situated on the far eastern portion of the Dominican Republic, the resort sits on a lush plot of land overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Once you’re at the beach, you can kick back on chaise loungers beneath thatched-roof umbrellas, or rent a kayak for free and ride the waves. Elsewhere on the property, you can play volleyball, or enjoy complimentary tennis, dance, or sailing lessons.

Natura Park Beach Eco Resort & Spa’s buildings are comprised of local, natural materials including coconut trees, stone, wood, and cane, helping the resort blend nicely into its surroundings. Guest rooms are decked out in subtle, tropical décor with a balcony or terrace that overlooks the sea or garden.

With the all-inclusive plan, you can pile your plate three times a day at La Cana Buffet. The eatery features internationally influenced cuisine a wellness buffet with healthy, low-fat meals. Enjoy one dinner during your stay at one of the three a la carte restaurants, which specialize separately in Italian, grilled meat, and seafood. Throughout your vacation, you have access to unlimited tropical cocktails, juices, and local alcoholic beverages at any of the six bars on the property, including one swim-up bar.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: Miles of White-Sand Beaches

When Christopher Columbus landed on the Dominican Republic more than five centuries ago, he described it as "a beautiful island paradise." Punta Cana, located on the island's easternmost tip, lays legitimate claim to that description. The coast stretches for more than 20 miles and is dotted with coconut palms, chaise lounges, and laid-back bars. Glitzy resorts feature prominently along the shoreline, but Playa El Cortecito, a short drive up the coast, harks back to earlier times. Brightly colored, thatched-roof shacks line the beach, and local fishermen bring their boats to shore each afternoon with the day's catch.

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

All-Inclusive Beachfront Resort with Natural Sun Deck

Located about 10 minutes from Puerto Plata, the small town of Sosúa is known for having some of the finest beaches in the Dominican Republic. Not only is the amber sand soft and the water crystal clear, but the vendors lining the shore also reflect the area’s unique cultural makeup. Founded by European Jews, Sosúa has a population today that includes native Dominicans, as well as German expats. As Fodor’s writes, “it sometimes seems that you can get schnitzel here more easily than sancocho.” Built on a reef that serves as a natural sun deck, Casa Marina Reef has access to a private stretch of beach and is just a short walk from the town’s popular public beaches for those visitors who want to experience the village lifestyle.

With a dive shop onsite and complimentary kayaks and boogie boards, the all-inclusive resort makes it easy to take advantage of the nearby Caribbean Sea. There’s also plenty to do inland, including playing volleyball and lounging in the property’s many pools and hot tubs. During the day, the resort hosts kids' programs and activities such as aqua aerobics. Nighttime entertainment ranges from the discotheque and casino to shows in the amphitheater.

With this package, you can dine at any of the five buffet and à la carte restaurants onsite. Some specialize in a particular type of cuisine—seafood or Italian, for example. The resort also has nine bars. Guest rooms are decked out with local crafts, rattan furniture, and bright tropical colors, and each comes with a terrace or balcony overlooking the ocean or surrounding gardens.

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic: Waterfalls, Beaches, and Centuries-Old Historical Sites

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

You can get an aerial view of Puerto Plata and the Caribbean Sea on a teleférico, or cable car. One of them climbs 2,565 feet to the apex of Mount Isabel de Torres, which is crowned with blooming botanical gardens and a replica of Rio de Janeiro's massive Christ the Redeemer statue. It's also worth it to take a scenic drive to Parque Histórico La Isabela, where you'll find the remains of a church as well as ruins of a colonial village where Columbus routinely woke his neighbors by blasting the Santa Maria's foghorn.

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

Historical Resort Directly Across the Street from Waterfalls

When Marilyn Monroe wasn’t on set filming her 1953 movie Niagara, she might have been in her room at Crowne Plaza. Located directly across the street from the iconic Horseshoe Falls, the hotel has hosted a number of notable guests during its 80-year history, including Walt Disney, Shirley Temple, Jimmy Stewart, and Queen Elizabeth II. From your own Upper falls-view room, you can look out on the same dramatic falls views they enjoyed—a vista showcasing the awesome spectacle of 2,800 cubic meters of water barreling over the falls’ edge every second.

The hotel is part of the 20-acre Falls Avenue Resort featuring entertainment and activities, all on-site. Seven restaurants in nearby and adjacent properties provide diverse dining opportunities. But be sure to use your C$40 dining credit at the The Rainbow Room by Massimo Capra. The restaurant pairs spectacular views with upscale, locally sourced dishes and Niagara-on-the-Lake wine. This Getaway includes a tasting and tour at two nearby wineries, Trius Winery at Hillebrand and Peller Estates Winery.

Casino Niagara is directly connected to the hotel. The lively casino hums to the tune of 1,500 slot machines and the clack of dice. After trying your luck, head to The Hershey Store, adjacent to the hotel, for 650 square meters of decadent chocolate treats.

Niagara Falls, Ontario: Panoramic Views of the Falls near Vegas-Style Casinos and Water Parks

At Niagara Falls—considered by many to be one of the world’s seven natural wonders—water thunders downward from a height of nearly 200 feet, crashing onto craggy boulders below. The falls straddle the border between Canada and the United States, with segments located in both New York and Ontario, but the Canadian side of the Niagara River is universally hailed as the finest vantage point to take in all three of Niagara Falls' photogenic brinks: American, Bridal Veil, and Horseshoe Falls.

The iconic Maid of the Mist has ferried raincoat-clad passengers around the base of the falls since 1846. The tours run from April through October, depending on the river's ice conditions. Year-round, Journey Behind the Falls grants a glimpse behind the curtain of Horseshoe Falls—board an elevator that descends 150 feet into the bedrock, then stand at an observation deck steps away from the cascading water.

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

Top Reasons to Stay at Houston Marriott Energy Corridor

• Thanks to the hotel’s location right off the I-10 Katy Freeway, you can reach downtown Houston in about 20 minutes.
• The outdoor pool deck has a fire pit and seating area.
• Convenient for business travelers, the hotel sits near the headquarters for major corporations such as Shell, ExxonMobil, and Mustang Engineering.
• The onsite Petroleum Grill serves Texas cuisine with a southwestern twist for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Next to the pool deck, there’s a full bar with an outdoor patio featuring a waterfall.
• From this spot in the city, you’ll have easy access to several area golf courses, as well as trails for walking and cycling.

Houston, Texas: Space History, Museums, and World-Class Dining in Nation’s Fourth-Largest City

As the nation’s fourth-largest city by population, Houston has established itself as one of the Gulf Coast’s most thriving cultural hubs. The city has 19 museums covering everything from history to art to science. For art lovers, the Menil Collection—which Frommer’s calls “one of the world’s great private collections”—is a must-see. Here, you’ll browse a wide array of 20th-century art from Jasper Johns, René Magritte, and Andy Warhol, as well as artifacts from Africa and the Pacific Islands.

You could spend an entire day exploring Houston’s science institutions. When Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell said his famous “Houston, we have a problem” line, he was talking to mission control at Space Center Houston. Visitors can tour the historic mission-control room and get a behind-the-scenes look at astronauts training for the International Space Station. In Hermann Park, The Health Museum exhibits a large-scale human body that you can enter to learn about how your organs operate.

For shopping, visit Uptown Park, an outdoor mall that brings to mind an Italian piazza through Romanesque columns, stone fountains, and open-air bistros with strings of twinkling lights. According to a Zagat survey, Houstonians dine out more than anyone else in the country, and this mall offers some of the city’s best eats, from sushi to Spanish tapas to creamy cupcakes.

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

Wooden Lodge Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains

Things move at a relaxed pace at the 75-year-old Grandview Lodge in Waynesville, North Carolina. On a large wraparound deck, you can kick back on one of the rocking chairs that look out over the Great Smoky Mountains. The forested peaks surrounding the lodge provide a sense of peaceful seclusion.

During the day, take a stroll around the property. You’ll find an onsite orchard growing golden delicious, gala, and red delicious apples. Wood-paneled walls and old-fashioned quilts decorate the lodge’s guest rooms. None of them look quite the same and some feature windows facing the mountains; all have private bathrooms and front porches with rocking chairs. You can also choose to stay in the Grandview cottage, a standalone structure large enough to accommodate eight people. It contains two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a large kitchen.

Waynesville, North Carolina: Scenic Drives amid Mountains, Forests, and Rivers

The town of Waynesville is located about 10 miles from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which—unlike most national parks—never charges admission. Naturally, the area is a haven for outdoorsy activities, including kayaking, whitewater rafting, and trout fishing. Become acquainted with this colorful stretch of the Appalachians by motoring down the Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic drive with unexpected hairpin turns and views of maple-covered peaks.

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

Comfortable, Convenient Hotel in Connecticut

Shelton experienced an economic revitalization in the 1980s, when several major companies, including General Electric and Black & Decker, opened offices here. The Courtyard by Marriott Shelton is conveniently located to offer easy access to—or reprieve from—the corporate corridor. Located just south of town, the hotel provides a wealth of relaxing amenities.

In the indoor pool you can relieve the stress of an intense budget meeting or the stress of discovering that your tie reacts to flute music like a cobra. Floor-to-ceiling windows surround the pool and look out on the property’s gardens. Later, you can sip a cocktail while perched on a high-backed bar chair with the lobby fireplace at your back. The Bistro prepares contemporary American fare for breakfast and dinner. Comfortable guest rooms are outfitted with flat-screen TVs and free WiFi.

Shelton, Connecticut: Revitalized Hamlet Outside Hartford

Shelton's minor industrial revolution near the turn of the 21st century helped make it one of the fastest-growing cities in Connecticut. Big companies converted defunct warehouses into high-tech facilities. The influx of work has revitalized downtown, which today boasts charming mom-and-pop stores along brick and cobblestone sidewalks. A farmers' market offers fresh produce, and the 10-acre Riverwalk Park provides a scenic jogging path along the Housatonic River.

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

Vegas-Style Hotel with Saloon and Seven Restaurants

A mechanical bull bucks in Deuces Wild Buckin' Bull Saloon, Valley Forge Casino Resort's onsite rock ‘n’ roll and country bar. People clad in cowboy boots strut through line dances with drinks in hand beneath the dance floor's green and blue lights. But unlike the Wild West, there's no blazing desert outside. Instead, you’re just a short drive from Valley Forge National Historical Park, home to hundreds of acres with trails past restored historic buildings. You can also take the hotel’s complimentary shuttle to King of Prussia Mall, one of the country’s largest shopping malls.

The hotel’s Casino Tower rooms welcome guests with contemporary furnishings. Inside the hotel, the casino brims with 600 slot machines and 50 tables of blackjack, craps, and roulette. Seven onsite restaurants cater to different cravings: there's casual sushi at Asianoodle, and Pacific Prime's upscale atmosphere complements dishes such as maine lobster and loch duart scottish salmon.

King of Prussia, Pennsylvania: Revolutionary History At Every Turn

Colonial history surrounds King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, located about 30 minutes outside of downtown Philadelphia. George Washington led troops to battle in nearby Germantown, and Valley Forge National Historical Park is home to Washington's original headquarters and several soldier monuments. Take a Magical History Tour to follow the Continental Army's path to its 1777–1778 winter camp, or drive 30 minutes east to Chestnut Hill to wander cobblestone streets dotted with shops and restaurants.

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

4.5-Star Luxurious Resort on Isolated Islet Facing Bora Bora

Facing the romantic Bora Bora in French Polynesia is a small, isolated islet named Motu Tevairoa. Here you’ll find the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa, a luxurious destination that has won numerous awards from Condé Nast Traveler¬ and Travel + Leisure, solidifying its standing as one of the Pacific’s best resorts. With breathtaking views of Mount Otemanu and overwater bungalows as lodging, the authentic Polynesian-style, 4.5-star resort has a magical atmosphere that makes it seem straight out of a Tahitian postcard. Best yet, you’ll feel secluded in paradise, with a private beach at your feet and no other resorts in sight.

The resort’s overwater bungalows are a network of palapa-style huts set out in the lagoon. The bedside tables and a coffee table are made of glass, allowing you to peer down into the underwater life of the ocean below. The coffee tables even have a top that slides open so you can feed the fish below. The garden pool bungalows welcomes guest with their own private garden and spacious sitting area with plunge pool. The suites also feature outdoor showers.

While you can hop on the free shuttle for a five-minute ride to the main island of Bora Bora, there’s plenty to do at the resort. You can spend your day relaxing at the Manea Spa, swimming in the freshwater pool, or playing bocce ball or volleyball. The resort’s beach has no current, making it ideal for snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddling, and swimming.

You can also visit To’A Nui, a marine nursery where a colony of 4,000 coral grows in perfect ecological conditions. More than 70 species of fish have also settled here. Those who take a snorkel trip to see this homegrown coral might also want to take a bigger dive with assistance from the Blue Nui Dive Center, located on-site.

For dinner, head to one of the three onsite restaurants. Don’t miss the dining experience at Tevairoa Restaurant, where the main dining room overlooks the turquoise Bora Bora Lagoon from 20 feet above the sea. On some evenings, the restaurant hosts a Polynesian cultural show.

Bora Bora: French Polynesia’s Most Romantic Island

More than 100 islands comprise French Polynesia, and they each have their own distinct geography, from desert-like atolls carved out by lagoons to mountainous islands covered in verdant vegetation and waterfalls. Although all are worth visiting, Bora Bora is considered by many to be the most beautiful. Captain James Cook called it the “Pearl of the Pacific” when he landed here in the late 1700s. It’s here that you’ll find the iconic palapa-style bungalows set over the emerald water, nestled into the white sand.

Vacationers here make the most of the island’s scenic surroundings. The snorkeling and scuba sites at Anau and Tapu reefs draw divers for their year-round population of lemon sharks and manta rays. Other popular activities include outrigger canoe rides, 4x4 tours through Bora Bora’s lush valleys, and shopping for Tahitian pearls, perfumes, and handicrafts.

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

Luxurious Lodge with Botanical Gardens and Views of Arenal Volcano

Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the world; it steams and smokes almost constantly, creating a spectacle that Frommer's calls "awe-inspiring." At night, blazing red lava bubbles over the crater's edge. You can see Arenal from Volcano Lodge and Gardens, and you can get an up-close view of it on one of the lodge’s tours, which take you southwest of the volcano. The tours aren’t limited to Arenal; you can also try whitewater rafting on Rio Toro and zipline canopy tours.

You can see Arenal Volcano towering in the background from the terrace of superior rooms as well as the lodge's outdoor pool and jacuzzi, which are surrounded by lush tropical foliage and colorful blooms. The pool leads up to Surá Restaurant, which serves sea bass with fresh heart of palm and other traditional Costa Rican cuisine.

When you want to unwind, head to Volcano Spa. The spa offers invigorating facials, massages, and body scrubs infused with all-natural ingredients, including fresh fruit, brown sugar, and chocolate.

La Fortuna, Costa Rica: Arenal Volcano, World-Famous Hot Springs, and Sprawling National Park

About 50 years ago, Arenal Volcano was dormant, and La Fortuna, a farm town tucked inland in northwest Costa Rica, was relatively unknown to the general public. Then in 1968, Arenal erupted, and it hasn’t stopped since. Nowadays, tourists come in increasing numbers to see the volcano, which punctuates the diverse geography of Arenal Volcano National Park.

The park has a diverse ecosystem in its 30,000 acres: there are numerous waterfalls and a few rivers ideal for whitewater rafting, especially Rio Toro. Several hanging bridges span dense patches of cloud forest, making for a scenic hike. Be on the lookout for howler monkeys and parrots, which are native to the area.

You can also make a more rugged trek down Sendero Coladas, or Lava Flow Trail, which leads to a field of jagged volcanic rock that formed after the eruption decades ago. Due to its almost incessant geothermal activity, the park is also home to a number of natural hot springs. These therapeutic springs are a nice spot to unwind after the hike.

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

Top Reasons to Stay at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino

• Located just south of Phoenix, the Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino is a sprawling destination: it has an on-site casino, several live shows, and a slew of restaurants and bars.
• The massive on-site casino is outfitted with 1,000 slot machines, more than 70 table games, and poker. Two $10 vouchers are included in this deal, which you can put toward free play on slots at the casino (included with this Getaway).
• Dig into steak and premium seafood at Don Shula’s American Steakhouse, or Asian cuisine at Ling & Louie’s. Café 24/7 offers casual comfort food around the clock.
• You can escape the Arizona heat at the outdoor pool, which is surrounded by private cabanas and a full bar.
• There’s a lounge suitable for every state of mind. AiRIA Unplugged has wine and live music, there’s sports and gaming at Center Bar, and Classics with a Twist serves flashy cocktails.
• Standard rooms are outfitted with one king-size or two double beds, plus a 40-inch flat-screen TV.

Chandler, Arizona: Suburb of Phoenix with Rail Museum and Old West History

Chandler is a prominent suburb of Phoenix, located less than 20 miles south of the city. It’s worth the quick drive to Phoenix, which is home to major attractions such as the Desert Botanical Garden, filled with southwestern flora such as huge sonoran cacti and other moisture-hoarding succulents. For an in-depth look at the cultures of Arizona’s indigenous population, browse the 12 exhibition galleries and sculpture garden at the Heard Museum. The collection’s nearly 40,000 pieces of art range from 500 Hopi katsina dolls to a full-size Pueblo oven.

There’s plenty to do in Chandler, too. The Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse re-creates the Old West town known as Rawhide. Here, you can ride a mechanical bull, pan for gold, watch a cowboy-themed stunt show, and interact with barnyard animals at the petting zoo. Wet your whistle at the saloon or dig into barbecue baby back ribs at the steakhouse.

Located just steps from the property, Phoenix Premium Outlets offers shopping options for items including clothing, shoes, jewelry, and home furnishings. Shoppers can choose between a variety of well-known brand names including Armani, Banana Republic, Converse, and DKNY.

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

Romantic Getaway with Natural Hot Mineral-Water Pools

More than a century ago, in the California town of Desert Hot Springs, both hot and cold natural mineral springs were discovered atop the aptly named Miracle Hill. As a result, resorts and spas populated the town, hoping to take advantage of the springs’ believed holistic healing properties. You can soak in these mineral-rich waters at Miracle Springs Resort & Spa, set on an acre in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains.

The Mediterranean-influenced hotel, topped by a terra-cotta stucco roof and surrounded by lush gardens, pumps the 140-degree water straight from the earth before cooling it down to 90–105 degrees. The water then fills eight pools and hot tubs, which are open 24 hours. There, you can bathe in the waters for as long as you’d like—the hotel suggests dipping into the pools and tubs two–three times a day to reach total relaxation.

Near the mineral pools, the onsite Capri restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Typical entrees include top sirloin ($14) and gnocchi à la romano ($11). At the onsite spa, aestheticians and massage therapists are on hand to perform massages ($65+), facials ($60+), and body wraps ($40+).

Desert Hot Springs, California: Spa-Centric Oasis Minutes from Palm Springs

In 1913, settler Cabot Yerxa was digging a well in the San Bernardino foothills when he unearthed natural hot springs bubbling beneath the Californian desert. These hot springs created a spa-centric culture in Desert Hot Springs—the mineral waters, which reach temperatures of up to 148 degrees, flow directly into several local spas. Yerxa also used material found throughout the desert to handcraft a Hopi-influenced pueblo home that towers four stories high. It’s now immortalized as Cabot's Pueblo Museum, and is open for tours.

Twelve miles south of Desert Hot Springs, you’ll find a retro '50s and '60s vibe in Palm Springs. The ritzy vacation spot features world-class golf courses and shopping centers. Joshua Tree National Park lies 40 miles east, an 800,000-acre swath of land that stretches across parts of the Colorado and Mojave Deserts. The five palm oases scattered throughout the park are the best spots to see native animals, such as snakes, bighorn sheep, and black-tailed jackrabbits.

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

Family-Friendly Hotel near Los Angeles Offers Beautiful Outdoor Pool

The Simi Hills separate the city of Simi Valley from Los Angeles 35 miles to the east. The hills effectively shield Simi Valley from the whir of the metropolis, and a serene atmosphere prevails here. Nestled in the foothills of this oasis is the Grand Vista Hotel, a secluded spot surrounded by park preserves. At the heart of the property, a modern pool deck is adorned with cream-colored umbrellas, a bubbling hot tub, and towering palm trees. Guests can soak up the Southern California sunshine here year-round or venture out to explore the local family-friendly attractions.

The hotel is located about 30 minutes from Universal Studios Hollywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain, a 260-acre park filled with thrill rides including the world’s tallest and fastest standup roller coaster. Southern California’s famous state beaches are only 20 miles away, and it’s a straight shot south to Malibu’s stunning coastline.

After a day out, families can come back to Grand Vista Hotel for California-style meals. Settle on a spacious patio that overlooks the valley at Vistas Restaurant to dine on dishes such as tequila-sautéed halibut or braised lamb shank. Arena Sports Grill and Bar offers a livelier scene with pool tables, more than 25 TV screens, and a large dance floor.

Simi Valley, California: Secluded Community Surrounded by Theme Parks

Simi Valley is situated 35 miles east of Los Angeles. One of its landmark attractions is the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, which holds the Air Force One plane that once carried President Reagan around the globe. From the plane’s cockpit, you can look out to the Simi Hills, which are situated amid the Santa Susana Mountains. For a quiet afternoon, head out to the hiking trails around these mountains.

If you want a taste of Hollywood, though, it's an easy drive to LA. West Hollywood has so many famous landmarks and attractions it almost seems unreal. And plenty of what goes on here is unreal: you can stroll by CBS studios, movie sets, and streets that have been used as filming locations for the silver screen over and over again.

That surreal aura extends miles to the north at Universal Studios. Here, a one-hour tram tour ushers visitors through extensive sets from films such as War of the Worlds and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

While you're in town, stroll around the Melrose shopping district populated by comedy clubs, funky clothing boutiques, vintage stores, and kitschy themed restaurants. Melrose is designed for pedestrians, and it's a nice change of pace from the traffic and sprawl of the city as a whole.

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

Contemporary Mountainside Resort with Luxurious Amenities

Though the Colorado town of Telluride is best known for its ski slopes, there's still plenty of wilderness to explore once the snow melts. A 2-mile hike from town will bring you to Colorado’s tallest waterfall, the 365-foot Bridal Veil Falls. And a drive down the San Juan Skyway, nicknamed "Road to the Sky," winds past 14,000-foot mountains and Indian pueblos. Nestled in the heart of Telluride's vibrant mountain village, The Peaks Resort occupies a prime location for exploring the area's many warm-weather activities, from fly-fishing on the San Miguel River to horseback riding around the resort.

After an active day, you can relax at the resort's 42,000-square-foot spa, one of Colorado's largest. Here, you can whisk down a water slide into the indoor-outdoor heated pool or rejuvenate a worn-out pet koala in one of the eucalyptus-infused steam rooms. The spa even features an oxygen-inhalation room to help you adjust to the high altitudes.

During your stay, you’ll be treated to gorgeous views of the majestic Rockies, both in your alpine vista room and at the Palmyra Restaurant, one of three onsite eateries.

Telluride, Colorado: Historical Mining Town with Hiking, Fly-Fishing, and Other Warm-Weather Activities

Telluride Mountain Village's legendary ski runs aren't the town's only claim to fame. In summer, visitors flock to Telluride Mountain to take advantage of winding trails fringed with colorful wildflowers. Head out in a Jeep to travel the rougher terrain on a four-wheel-drive trek. Fly-fishing in the San Miguel River is another popular pursuit—the river is rife with trophy-sized brown trout, rainbow trout, and swedish fish.

Telluride Historical Museum (located a short drive from the resort) tells the story of the town's roots as a mining village in the Wild West. Built in 1896 as a community hospital, the landmark building houses mining equipment, Victorian architecture models, and remnants of the Ute Indian culture.

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

Top Reasons to Visit Kingwood Country Club & Resort

• Kingwood Country Club & Resort is situated in the midst of the Blue Ridge Mountains of northern Georgia, with easy access to hiking trails, whitewater rafting, and trout fishing.
• Inn rooms have private balconies with nice views of the surrounding mountains.
• Some options include a round of golf for one on the resort’s picturesque 18-hole course, featuring meandering brooks and lush hardwoods.
• Use the spa credit included in some options toward an enzymatic seaweed body wrap or mineral sea salt scrub at the onsite spa.
• The park puts you next to Black Rock Mountain State Park, home to canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.
• The resort has three dining options: two casual eateries and The Lodge, an upscale restaurant that overlooks the ninth-hole green.

Clayton, Georgia: Small Mountain Town with a Quaint Downtown

Clayton sits in the misty shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northeastern Georgia. Outdoor adventure abounds in the small town—head to nearby Black Rock Mountain State Park to tackle forested hiking trails such as the Ada-Hi Falls trail, a half-mile track that leads to a small waterfall, or the more challenging 2.2-mile Tennessee Rock trail. You can fish for rainbow trout and large-mouth bass in Black Rock Lake, about 20 minutes north of the resort.

Downtown Clayton has a main street lined with quaint boutiques, antique stores, and an old-fashioned drug store and soda fountain. There’s also a thriving arts scene. Featured in the New York Times and Better Homes and Gardens, Main Street Gallery stocks original artwork, pottery, and handcrafted furniture.

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

Top Reasons to Stay at The Yarrow Hotel & Conference Center

• Just a mile north of the main drag of Park City, The Yarrow Hotel & Conference Center is located on the route of the complimentary Park City shuttle—you can hitch a ride downtown directly outside the hotel’s main entrance.
• There is a trio of nearby ski resorts—The Canyons, Deer Valley, and Park City Mountain—where you can mountain bike, hike, and race down the slopes on an alpine coaster in the warm summer months.
• Hit up the Mountain Grill for breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrees, including halibut fish and chips ($11.95), buffalo burgers ($11.95), and smoked gouda mac and cheese ($9.95).
• Take a dip in the outdoor pool and hot tub, which are open year-round.
• Both deluxe and studio guest rooms measure in at 300- square feet and are equipped with a 32-inch flat-screen TV; studio rooms also come with a kitchenette and fireplace.

Park City, Utah: Historical Mining Town Turned Ski Mecca

Park City has humble roots as a mining town nestled in the Wasatch Range east of Salt Lake City—but in the past 30-odd years, the town has blossomed into an international skiing destination. That’s largely due to Park City Mountain Resort, a venue for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games halfpipe and alpine giant-slalom events. Each winter, the mountain is blanketed with an average of 365 inches of snow, which means plenty of fresh powder across 100-plus ski runs and three terrain parks. In the warmer months, you can weave through groves of trees on miles of hiking and mountain-biking trails. The Alpine Coaster, open year round, hurtles down the mountain at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.

Back in town, Park City's former saloons and boarding houses have given way to more than 100 independent boutiques, 30 art galleries, and 50 restaurants along historical Main Street. For about 10 days each January, Park City glams it up Hollywood style as the host of the Sundance Film Festival. When Sundance isn’t in town, you can catch a play, concert, or comedy show at the circa-1929 Egyptian Theatre. The discovery of King Tut’s tomb in the early ’20s launched a nationwide fascination with ancient Egypt, and hundreds of Egyptian-revival theaters were built across the country. Today, Park City’s carefully preserved theater is one of only six of its kind remaining in the United States.

Located on the main drag, the 12,000-square-foot Park City Museum chronicles the town’s history with artifacts and interactive exhibits. In the eerie museum basement, you can check out the former territorial jail—nicknamed “the dungeon” for its dim lighting, stone walls, and rusted leg irons. In the space between cells, Wanted posters showcase the outlaws, murderers, and thieves who passed through the subterranean slammer.

No-shows will be charged total Groupon rate; no refunds, rescheduling, or rebooking allowed. Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

Top Reasons to Stay at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

• It’s an ideal location for exploring Reno: adjacent to I-80 and just 4 miles south of downtown. The hotel also offers a free shuttle to Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
• At the 24-hour, onsite casino, players try their hands at specialty table games, including blackjack, roulette, and craps, as well as poker and slots.
• There are several restaurants to choose from: dig into prime rib at The Steakhouse Grill, Polynesian cuisine at Trader Dick’s, or hearty comfort fare at The Rotisserie.
• You can take a swim at the indoor atrium pool, which is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows that look out to the mountains.
• Guests can maintain workout routines at the onsite health club or visit the spa for relaxing massages, body wraps, and haircare.

Reno: Casino City with Arts and Outdoor Adventure

The town of Sparks is located just east of Reno, situated at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains. In summer, Sparks’s downtown (known as Victorian Square) hosts a variety of events, including farmers’ markets, a rib cook-off, and Hot August Nights, a monthlong celebration of retro cars and ’50s and ’60s rock ‘n’ roll. Head down to the Sparks Marina to swim, boat, fish, scuba dive, or picnic along the 80-acre body of water.

Nearby, Reno lives up to its billing as “The Biggest Little City in the World" thanks to its flashy casinos, cultural centers, and restaurants worthy of a much larger metropolis, all packed together on Virginia Street. If you need a break from courting Lady Luck at the big gaming palaces such as Circus Circus and Harrah's (which was born here), head to the Truckee River Arts District to explore the Nevada Museum of Art and the National Automobile Museum. Because of its location at the foot of the Sierra Nevada and just east of Tahoe National Forest, the city also puts visitors within reach of rushing rivers and high mountain ranges for hiking, rafting, and gold-rush reenacting.

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

Tokyo, Japan: Historic City with a Modern Skyline

Tokyo is home to an almost endless array of neon boulevards lined with ultramodern buildings, shopping centers, and restaurants. But there’s a historic side to the city as well: a number of museums, temples, and centuries-old gardens can be found here. On this seven-day Tokyo vacation from Friendly Planet Travel, you’ll see both sides of the city on guided, self-guided, and optional excursions.

This vacation package includes:

• Round-trip airfare from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) via Singapore Airlines (nonstop jet service)
• Five nights superior first-class accommodations at the four-star Keio Plaza Hotel
• Buffet breakfast daily
• Arrival and departure transfers via airport bus
• City tour of Tokyo with local guide

Below, you can check out some of our favorite vacation highlights. Click here to see a full daily itinerary.

Tokyo City Tour

On your first full day in Tokyo, you’ll take a guided city tour that visits some of Tokyo’s most famous sites, including Meiji Shrine and Tokyo Tower, a red-and-white structure that’s modeled after the Eiffel Tower. Next is the Imperial Palace, where the emperor of Japan currently resides. Visitors are not allowed inside, but you can wander through the gardens and see the remains of the 15th-century Edo Castle, once home to samurai warriors. Your tour concludes in Ginza, a popular shopping-and-entertainment district, where you’ll have plenty of time to browse boutiques and grab dinner before making your own way back to the hotel.

The next three days are yours to explore Tokyo at your leisure. The Keio Plaza Hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from the Shinjuku train station, an easier way to get around the city than hiring a sumo wrestler to carry you piggyback. You can also sign up for optional excursions (extra fees) on days 4, 5, and 6 to learn more about Tokyo and its surrounding areas. All excursions begin and end at your hotel.

Optional Excursions

Day 4: Take a guided walking tour of Tokyo’s modern Shinjuku neighborhood, a business district home to many skyscrapers. On this excursion, you’ll stop at a stylish shopping center, a Japanese comic-book store, and a karaoke bar.

Day 5: On a full-day tour of Mount Fuji and Hakone, the group drives part of the way up Japan’s iconic volcano to a lookout station with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Hakone is your next stop—a town famous for its natural hot springs. Break for a quick lunch (provided) before taking a scenic sky-gondola ride and a cruise on Lake Ashi, with Mount Fuji looming in the background.

Day 6: Today, you can learn more about Japanese history with a tour that visits Hama-Rikyu Garden, a traditional garden from the Edo period. It also includes a boat ride from Hinode Pier to Asakusa and a stop at Asakusa Kannon Temple, which honors the Buddhist deity of mercy and compassion. The group will also stop at a local craft market to pick up souvenirs.

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

4-Star Boutique Hotel with Stunning Views of Marcel Cove

During a vacation in the Caribbean, French nobleman Gérard de Vion happened upon a secluded cove called Anse Marcel on St. Martin's northern coast. It was love at first sight. Years later, he built a hotel—the Marquis Boutique Hotel & Spa—on the hills overlooking the inlet. Although the marquis spends most of his time in France, he frequently bestows lavish gifts on his island retreat. Imported wines from his Bordeaux estate complement meals, and artwork from his collection adorns the walls in guest rooms.

Deluxe units are decorated in traditional Caribbean style, with accents of vibrant blues, yellows, and pinks. The ocean is visible from furnished terraces and swaying hammocks. For breakfast, you can dig into a spread of pastries and fruit. At dinnertime, head out to one of the restaurants along the bay. The hotel maintains partnerships with several eateries, and you can have your meal invoiced directly to your room. The hotel has a pool and spa onsite, and you can take the shuttle down to the beach to sunbathe, snorkel, or refill your hourglasses.

Anse Marcel, St. Martin: Secluded Town in "Gourmet Capital of the Caribbean"

Set in a beachfront valley on St. Martin's northern coast, Anse Marcel was once a sacred site for the Arawak Indians, who came to the cove to worship their gods. The Dutch, French, and English eventually arrived, creating the island’s distinctive blend of cultures. Today, this diversity is especially apparent—and especially tasty—at St. Martin’s many fusion restaurants. French wines, Caribbean flavors, and local seafood combine to form what some consider the best gourmet cuisine in the region.

Anse Marcel lies on the French side of the island in a secluded and quiet area. But it's a short drive to shops, nightclubs, and casinos. Along the way, you'll see panoramic views of the tropical hillsides dotted with creole huts partially hidden by the foliage. Among the island’s 36 beaches, the one at Anse Marcel features shallow waters, making it suitable for swimmers of all ages. Snorkeling and scuba diving are also popular pastimes here. A nearby reef both protects divers from heavy waves and serves as a home for tropical fish.

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

Historic Inn in Vermont Countryside

The Inns at Equinox occupy 30 newly renovated townhouses and 13 rooms at the historic 1811 House. Though located on the history-soaked grounds of The Equinox Resort, the Townhouses have a fresh, contemporary look, thanks to bright splashes of color, stylish light fixtures, and photographs of the surrounding Vermont countryside taken by local artists. At 1811 House, the former home of Abraham Lincoln's granddaughter, guests can relax in one of 13 guestrooms featuring antique furniture and fixtures, canopied beds, and views of Manchester Village.

The resort sits on 1,300 wooded acres abounding with opportunities for both leisurely and active pursuits. Year-round, the rocky terrain accommodates Land-Rover Experience Driving School classes, and British School of Falconry lessons take place about a mile from the hotel. The resort’s onsite spa houses a shimmering 75-foot turquoise pool surrounded by loungers and statuary. Body treatments and steam rooms help unknot muscles, and an elaborate 24-hour fitness center treats exercisers to views of the grounds. With this getaway, you’ll receive a $20 voucher that you can apply toward a spa massage or greens fees at the resort’s award-winning golf course. The par-71 beauty was named the fourth-best course in Vermont by Golfweek in 2012, and offers dazzling views of the surrounding mountains.

Manchester, Vermont: Quaint Town near Prime Outdoor Recreation

Slate-gray roofs studded with dormer windows crown the antique shops and outlet stores of tiny Manchester, which boasts a number of colonial buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many of the charming restaurants you’ll find nearby dish out local, sustainable eats.

The Green Mountain National Forest surrounds the village, which is nestled between the Green and Taconic Mountains. About a 15-minute drive east, Bromley Mountain offers a zipline, chairlift tour, climbing wall, and miniature golf, as well as other summer activities for the whole family.

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

Secluded, Four Diamond–Rated Boutique Resort in California Wine Country

Stevenswood Spa Resort is hidden deep within a redwood forest on a sprawling 12-acre estate along the Mendocino Coast. The towering trees establish a sense of tranquility, adding a nice counterpoint to the bed and breakfast's modern architecture. There is no cell-phone service and not a traffic light in sight, encouraging guests to curl up and read books or lounge in one of the mineral-infused spas tucked into the woods. Amid this secluded setting, Stevenswood Spa Resort boasts a Zagat-rated restaurant and an eco-friendly spa—luxuries that have earned it the AAA Four Diamond Award for the past 21 years.

Stevenswood’s spacious, contemporary suites have plasma TVs and wood-burning fireplaces. When you want to see the great outdoor scenery, simply follow the nearby trail—it leads right to the ocean. Back at the resort, you can unwind in Indigo Eco-Spa’s whirlpools or infrared sauna.

The resort is also a cofounder of the Mendocino 100-Mile Initiative, an organization committed to sourcing locally, and the 14-table Restaurant at Stevenswood, which uses organic, sustainable ingredients and is open every day except Wednesday. Diners can select pairings from an impressive collection of California wines. The hotel's SoHo-style wine bar—which contains the copper-top bar from the set of the movie Rent—hosts complimentary tastings of the lodge's private-label olive oils. Additionally, guests will receive champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries or evening hors d'oeuvres, depending on the restaurant's availability.

Mendocino Coast, California: Small Towns Along Scenic Oceanfront and Redwood Forests

Located about three hours north of San Francisco, Northern California’s Mendocino Coast is a region filled with tiny towns, art colonies, and varied terrain. Within a few minutes of one another are sunlit valleys, fertile vineyards, rocky headlands blanketed by fog, and serene forests of old-growth redwoods. The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens showcase the area’s geographical diversity through its native rhododendrons, prickly succulents, and colorful blooms stretching to the ocean.

Partially because of its scenic land and sea scapes, the coast is popular with painters, who gather in artists' collectives such as the Mendocino Art Center. To see the land that inspires local artwork, head to Russian Gulch, Mendocino Headlands, or any of the region’s coastal state parks. At Mendocino Headlands State Park, waves crash into carving arches, grottos, and stony bluffs, while MacKerricher State Park north of Fort Bragg contains dramatic sand dunes.

Although normally quiet, the region comes alive during a series of whale festivals every March and April, when California gray whales pass by the coast as they migrate from Mexico to Alaska. You'll find one of the best vantage points for whale watching at Point Cabrillo Light Station, a lonely lighthouse first lit in 1909.

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

Suburban Chicago Suite Hotel Minutes from Woodfield Mall

Woodfield Mall is home to about 300 stores and restaurants. It’s one of the country’s 10 largest malls, occupying more than two million square feet of retail space in suburban Schaumburg, just outside of Chicago. The mall’s anchor attractions include Macy’s and JCPenney, but it also features fashion-forward boutiques such as Coach and Tumi. Just five minutes away, Comfort Suites Schaumburg puts its guests in perfect position for a suburban shopping escape.

The all-suite hotel houses comfortable suites, each with a 32-inch TV, a mini fridge, and a wet bar. An indoor heated pool idles in a sunshine-filled room with an adjacent hot tub. Each morning, you can pay a visit to the hot breakfast buffet, which has a make-your-own-waffle station.

If you choose the romance package, you’ll stay in a deluxe suite or Jacuzzi suite and enjoy a heart-shaped pizza, wine, and rose petals. There’s also a family-friendly deal option, which includes four passes to the nearby Legoland Discovery Center and a gift card for pizza at Lou Malnati’s.

Schaumburg, Illinois: Family-Friendly Northwestern Suburb Home to Woodfield Mall and Nature Preserve

Schaumburg is conveniently close to Chicago—it’s 28 miles northwest of downtown and minutes from the intersection of I-90 and I-290—but it still has its own identity and a variety of family-friendly attractions. Schaumburg is best known as the home of Woodfield Mall, the nation’s ninth-largest shopping center. Among roughly 300 stores and restaurants, Woodfield’s anchor attractions include an Apple Store, Macy’s, and Nordstrom. It also features fashion-forward boutiques such as Coach and Tumi.

Just around the corner, The Streets of Woodfield offers an outdoor, pedestrian-friendly experience with a movie theater, coffee shops, clothing stores, and the Legoland Discovery Center. Here, kids can tour an interactive Lego “factory,” catch a 3-D flick, and build their own Lego creations such as miniature cars that can be put to the test on a racetrack. Come evening, journey back to the Middle Ages at Medieval Times, a restaurant that puts on a nightly show—a jousting tournament featuring horseback-riding knights and falconry demonstrations.

Experience the outdoors at the Ned Brown Forest Preserve—popularly known as Busse Woods—a 3,700-acre expanse on the border of Schaumburg and Elk Grove Village. Bikers and joggers and take advantage of an 8-mile paved loop as fishers post up around Busse Lake in pursuit of channel catfish, largemouth bass, and northern pike. Be sure to swing by the elk pasture, where the preserve’s resident herd of elk lives.

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

Bed and Breakfast on Lake Garfield

Lakeside Terrace overlooks pristine Lake Garfield in the heart of the Berkshires, and there’s no shortage of ways to kick back and relax amid this scenery. You can spend the day swimming, boating, or fishing for bass, perch, and pickerel. There’s a screened-in wraparound porch where you can get expansive views of the lake, and there are lawn chairs and hammocks throughout the property.

Constructed in 1875 as a guesthouse, the property features seven individually appointed rooms. Done up in cornflower blue, room three occupies a corner of the house and features views of both the lake and the surrounding forest. One of the brightest spots in the house is room two, where natural light pours in from large windows overlooking the water. Five of the rooms have private bathrooms with showers; rooms six and seven share a bathroom. Each morning, enjoy a continental breakfast of baked goods, fruit, hard-boiled eggs, and coffee.

Monterey, Massachusetts: Cultural Attractions and Mountain Hiking amid the Berkshires

Located in western Massachusetts, the tiny town of Monterey sits at the headwaters of the Konkapot River, which begins at Lake Garfield. Monterey is one of many towns that make up the Berkshires, a beautiful highlands region famous for its arts scene and river valleys. Since the 19th century, artists and writers from Herman Melville to Edith Wharton have found solace and inspiration here while writing their most famous works and filling out typewriter rebate forms.

The region's arts-centric tradition continues today at a number of repertory theaters and world-class museums, including the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge and Herman Melville’s Arrowhead in Pittsfield. Outdoorsy types can keep pretty busy in the Berkshires: the geography is made up of mountains, forests, and valleys, as well as a portion of the Appalachian Trail.

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

French Country Inn and Cooking School amid Wine Country

Woodinville wine country is only a half-hour drive from the brewpubs and art galleries of downtown Seattle, but the two areas couldn't be more different. Rolling orchards, wooded hills, and replica chateaus make Woodinville feel more like the Loire Valley than a metropolitan suburb. This is where you'll find award winning French Country Inn L'Auberge at The Edge of Seattle Inn. The 5-acre property is secluded amid towering pines and banks of lavender.

The cooking school operates out of an open-plan kitchen with a wraparound chopping block. With this Getaway, you get to take one class on classic French fare, which runs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Up to 12 students learn to craft a three-course meal that might center on mushroom crepes, leek-stuffed salmon, or chicken cordon bleu as well as desserts such as crème brûlée or chocolate mousse. For the dinner that follows, each person is allowed to bring one bottle of wine.

The attached bed and breakfast shows a similar indebtedness to French culture—the rooms feature antique French furnishings and country-floral prints. But there's also a general homey feel to the place. There are extra pajamas in the dresser and spare toothbrushes in the bathroom. The studio suite comes with a book collection and decorative china, and the Honeymoon suite boasts a wood-burning fireplace, a private veranda, and an elegant vanity set. Every morning, there's a continental breakfast spread that includes french pastries and house-made jam; if you want to upgrade, the gourmet breakfast (included in the Honeymoon option) serves parsley potatoes and belgian waffles with strawberries and cream.

Woodinville Valley, Washington: Wineries and Breweries Minutes from Seattle

Located about 25 miles northeast of Seattle, the Woodinville Valley features dozens of boutique wineries. One of the oldest, Chateau Ste. Michelle, also hosts a concert series every summer; this year's performers include the Steve Miller Band and Counting Crows with special guests The Wallflowers. Wine-tasting tours are understandably popular here, but it's also worth looking into the region's microbreweries, which supply many of the craft IPAs that are a hit among Seattleites.

Outside the realm of grapevines, there are some lovely parks in the area. Along the banks of Lake Washington, the 316-acre Saint Edward State Park shelters bald eagles and otters. Marymoor Park borders Lake Sammamish and has its own velodrome, an angled racetrack that was built for bicyclists and to prop up coffee tables with missing legs.

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

Beachfront Villas near Renowned Snorkeling

Belize is considered one of the best snorkeling destinations in all of the Caribbean. Its 180-mile barrier reef—the second longest in the world—is dotted with hundreds of dive sites, and two of the best are located just off the coast of Ambergris Caye. The north end of the island is home to La Perla del Caribe, a hotel comprising Mediterranean-style villas situated along 5 acres of secluded beachfront. By law, no building on the island can stand taller than the tallest coco palm, so you’ll enjoy unobstructed views of the Caribbean Sea at every turn.

During a stay at La Perla del Caribe, you can explore the island’s renowned underwater world—a portion of the barrier reef runs past the hotel. Other nearby snorkeling sites, such as the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, harbor green morays and more than 160 fish species. In nearby Shark Ray Alley, you can swim amid nurse sharks and stingrays.

To take in the sights from above the sea’s surface, stroll to the edge of the 350-foot pier or rent a complimentary kayak and keep an eye out for lobsters and octopi as you paddle. In town, fuel up with local Caribbean cuisine at one of the many seafood restaurants.

Back at the hotel, individually designed villas await, each outfitted with artisan-crafted furniture. The two-bedroom villas—the most modern-looking of the bunch—are located closest to the water. In villa Sand, hand-hewn walls and mahogany floors share space with Guatemalan antiques. Mexican tiles and Moroccan bedding add bursts of color to the contemporary villa Amber, and you can enjoy the balmy ocean breeze from a hand-woven hammock on the porch at villa Emerald. All villas seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor space, which enhances the tropical vibe.

Ambergris Caye, Belize: Small Island near World’s Second-Largest Barrier Reef

Recognized by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the World’s Best Islands in 2011, Ambergris Caye sits just off the northeastern coast of mainland Belize. By law, none of the island's buildings can be taller than the highest coco palm, which helps create a serene, unspoiled vibe. The entire island is only about 25 miles long and 1 mile wide, but its varied ecosystems range from low sand ridges to lagoons and mangrove swamps.

Hop aboard a speedboat or glass-bottom boat to reach the Belize Barrier Reef, which lies about 10 minutes away. It's part of the second-longest barrier reef in the world and was designated an UNESCO World Heritage site for its biological diversity. The reef shelters a remarkable variety of sea life, including nearly 500 species of fish and rare, massive West Indian manatees that can reach the size of a compact car.

The town of San Pedro is situated on Ambergris’s southern end. Formerly a small fishing village, it’s now home to various boutiques, which stock artisan crafts ranging from ziricote woodcarvings to Guatemalan jewelry.

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

Visit Mount Zion, Jerusalem, River Jordan, and Tel Aviv's Church of the Annunciation

Included in this tour package:

• Round-trip airfare from New York on a major airline (Flight time: about 12 hours)
• Four-night stay at Prima Royale Hotel Jerusalem in Jerusalem
• Two-night stay at Royal Plaza Tiberias in Tiberias
• One-night stay at Tal Hotel Tel Aviv in Tel Aviv
• Sightseeing and meals as indicated on itinerary

This tour of Israel includes stops in Jerusalem, Tiberias, Nazareth, and other major sites. Click here to see the daily itinerary.

Days 1–5: Jerusalem and its Old City

• After an overnight flight, you'll arrive in Tel Aviv and transfer to Jerusalem.
• Take a walking half-day tour of Jerusalem's Old City, built in the 16th century and encompassing Jewish, Armenian, Christian, and Muslim architectural and cultural districts. Highlights include colorful outdoor bazaars and Mount Zion, where you can see King David’s Tomb.
• On your third and fourth days in Jerusalem, you're free to see the sights at your leisure. Visit the Southern Wall of the Temple on the Mount, or grab some falafel and shawarma at the Mahane Yehuda Market.

Days 6–7: Beit She'an & Tiberias

• The tour heads northward to the city of Beit She'an, in the Jordan River Valley. Here, you’ll see ruins of ancient theaters, bathhouses, and stone columns dating as far back at 63 BC.
• The tour follows the River Jordan south to the Sea of Galilee, where you'll explore Capernaum, an abandoned fishing village said to be the home of Saint Peter. You can also see 3rd-century synagogues and an ancient olive press dating back to the 2nd century.
• Then, you’ll stop in Tiberias, a historic city located along the Sea of Galilee. Rest in the area's natural hot springs, which result from the city's surrounding geothermal activity. Many of the town’s older structures are made from black volcanic rock.

Days 8–9: Nazareth & Haifa

• Make your way west en route to the Mediterranean, stopping in Nazareth, home to the Church of the Annunciation, the Middle East's largest basilica. Inside, ornate mosaics honor the Virgin Mary—the basilica is built above a cave believed to be where an angel told Mary that she would give birth to Jesus.
• Not far from the Mediterranean in the town of Haifa lies the spectacular Baha'i Shrine & Gardens, which features 19 meticulously landscaped terraces encircling a shrine made from Italian marble.
• The tour heads along the coast to Tel Aviv, where you’ll board a flight back to the United States the next day.

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

Australia Trip with Stops at Sydney and Cairns, the Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef

This trip includes:

• Round-trip airfare from Los Angeles (LAX) on Virgin Australia airlines (flight time: about 15 hours)
• Four-nights stay at the 4-star Vibe Rushcutters Bay Hotel in Sydney
• Four-nights stay at the 4-star Ibis Styles Cairns Colonial Club in Cairns
• Internal flight from Sydney to Cairns
• Airline taxes and fuel surcharge

On this 11-day Australia vacation, you’ll split your time between Sydney and Cairns. The package includes 4-star accommodations in both locations, and you can explore both cities at your leisure. See a full itinerary here. For most dates, guests have a choice of starting in Sydney or Cairns, although June 25-28 and September 18-21 they must start in Sydney, and in Cairns July 2-5.

We’ve listed some of our favorite highlights below.

Four Nights in Sydney

Accommodations: 4-star Vibe Rushcutters Bay Hotel, located within walking from the fashion boutiques on Sydney’s Paddington’s Oxford Street.

Fodor’s ranks Sydney as “among the most beautiful cities on the planet.” Located on Australia’s southeast coast, it’s dotted with more than 50 beaches covered in sunshine almost all year long. The city’s most-iconic attraction, the Sydney Opera House, sits on the Sydney Harbour two miles from the hotel. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, its towering white sails host world-renowned musicians and the country’s principal opera company. Across the harbor, the historic Rocks neighborhood is a popular destination for vintage shopping and pub crawls.

With its near perfect weather conditions, Sydney is a city best experienced outside. Sail across Sydney Harbour, stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens, or take a surfing lesson on the epic waves at Bondi Beach. For a more laid-back scene, you can head to the lesser-known Milk Beach and watch seaplanes land on the warm shallow water. Ferries departing from the harbor can also take you to the Taronga Zoo, which overlooks the harbor from a hill.

Four Nights in Cairns

Accommodations: 4-star Ibis Styles Cairns Colonial Club, located near the city center.

A flight will take you from Sydney to the tropical city of Cairns, where you’ll spend the second half of your vacation. Set on the Coral Sea on Australia’s northeast coast, Cairns is known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest reef system. This underwater paradise supports a mind-blowing assortment of tropical fish, sharks, and colorful coral formations, making scuba diving here a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Cairns offers other adventures as well. A gondola ride on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway reveals unbeatable views of the ocean as it glides above the rainforest canopy. And at Tjapukai Cultural Park, one of Australia’s Aboriginal tourist attractions, theater performances and art exhibitions trace the history of the indigenous people. No matter what excursion you choose, most visitors start or end their day on the enchanting Cairns Esplanade. Set along the harbor, this bustling thoroughfare is lined with seafood restaurants, jewelry shops, and a seaside lagoon that often hosts weekend concerts.

Buddhist Temples, Colorful Flower Markets, and Ancient Ruins

The tour includes:

• Round-trip airfare from New York (JFK) or Los Angeles (LAX) via Air China
• Fuel surcharge and tax
• Round-trip airport-hotel transfers
• Daily breakfast and some meals (per itinerary)
• Three nights at Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok, one night at Felix River Kwai Resort, one night at Krungsri River Hotel, and three nights at Holiday Inn Chiang Mai.
• English-speaking tour guides

We've outlined a few select trip highlights below. To see a full daily itinerary, click here. An extended stay in Bangkok or a 4-day, 3-night extension tour to Beijing, China (visa free) may be available through AffordableAsia.com. Both are subject to availability and will incur an additional fee.

Days 1–4: Bangkok An overnight flight takes you to the bustling Thai capital, which Frommer's calls "an exhilarating attack on the senses." After a night of leisure, you'll spend the third day of the trip visiting some of Bangkok's most revered sites. At the Temple of the Golden Buddha, you’ll find the world’s largest solid-gold Buddha statue, a masterpiece weighing in at nearly six tons. The tour then winds past fragrant outdoor flower markets en route to the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the city's oldest temple, dating back to the 7th century.

Your final day in Bangkok is yours to spend however you’d like. An optional tour includes a boat ride along the Chao Phraya River and a visit to the Grand Palace, an extravagant structure crowned with golden spires.

Day 5: River Kwai

Guests begin the day by heading to the War Cemetery and The Bridge over River Kwai before taking a trip on the 415 km long Burma-Thailand railway constructed by Allied prisoners of war during WWII. After lunch, guests can relax in the hotel or take the option Elephant Trekking & Bamboo Rafting tour.

Day 6: Ayutthaya

In the morning, the tour journeys north to Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that served as the capital of Siam for four centuries. You’ll see the ruins of temples, monasteries, and palaces, including Bang Pa-In Palace, which is surrounded by a massive moat over a thousand feet wide.

Days 7–11: Chiang Mai On day seven, a short flight brings you to Chiang Mai, a hillside village steeped in history and dotted with hundreds of sacred temples. One of them, Wat Chedi Luang, stands nearly 300 ft high and features a lengthy stairway adorned with stone snake sculptures. Also on the agenda is a tour of some local villages, where you can browse handcrafted items. In Bor Sang, the shops and vendor stalls overflow with colorful umbrellas and delicate, handheld fans. Before heading home, you have two free days to explore Chiang Mai on your own. Optional excursions include an elephant ride, river rafting, and a stop at Doi Suthep Temple, built in the 14th century.

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

Nine-Night Mediterranean Cruise of Greece, with Optional Trip to Turkey

Included in all options:

• Two nights in a standard room at the 5-star Royal Olympic Hotel in Athens
• Seven nights of accommodations on the MS Ryndam—inside, outside, or verandah cabin
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks during the cruise

During this seven-night cruise, you’ll board a recently enhanced Dutch-inspired ship and sail the Mediterranean, visiting resort towns in Greece and Turkey, and sun-soaked Greek islands. Both trips begin with a two-night stay in Athens, but the cruise itineraries differ. This deal includes meals and accommodations.

Click here to see a detailed itinerary for options 1–9, which visits the Greek islands and Turkey (departing 9/4/13, 9/18/13, and 10/2/13).

Click here to see a detailed itinerary for options 10–18, which visits the Greek islands (departing 9/11/13, 9/25/13, and 10/9/13).

Days 1–3: Athens

After an overnight flight, you’ll arrive in Athens on day 2 and transfer to the 5-star Royal Olympic Hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city, or check out the hotel’s atrium pool, gardens, and rooftop restaurant.

Day 3 kicks off with a guided city tour that stops at the Presidential Palace and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. At the Acropolis, you’ll see sacred temples and Doric limestone buildings dating back to the 5th century B.C.

Day 4: Board the Ship

Guests will be transferred to the port to board the MS Ryndam, a luxury ship decorated with 17th-, 18th-, and 19th-century art. There’s plenty to do on board—lounge by one of the outdoor pools or get a hot-stone massage at Greenhouse Spa & Salon. At the Pinnacle Grill, you can enjoy a fresh seafood medley. The boat’s new entertainment venue “Mix” features three different themed bars.

The itineraries for Options 1–9 and 10–18 differ from this point

Itinerary for Options 1–9, Greek Islands & Turkey Cruise

Days 5–8: Istanbul, Lesbos, and Ephesus

The ship sails across the Dardanelles en route to Istanbul. You’ll have two full days to explore this enchanting Turkish city, considered the gateway between Europe and Asia. It served as the capital for four distinct empires—the Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman—and has been formerly called Constantinople and Byzantium. Today it’s home to several architectural masterpieces, including the Hagia Sophia, a cathedral-turned-mosque-turned-museum renowned for its enormous dome and richly decorated mosaics.

A stop in the Greek Island of Lesbos on Day 7 gives you time to explore the beautiful landscape that inspired Aristotle and Sappho. The following morning, you’ll arrive in Kusadasi, a resort town located on Turkey’s Aegean Coast near the ancient city of Ephesus. An archaeological site here contains the eastern Mediterranean’s largest collection of Roman ruins.

Days 9–11: Mykonos and Crete

The rest of your trip will be split between Mykonos and Crete, two of Greece’s most popular islands. An international party destination since the early 1970s, Mykonos caters to a lively crowd with 24-hour beach parties and clifftop nightclubs. In Crete, the seat of ancient Minoan culture, you can visit Knossos Palace, a labyrinthine network of shrines, altars, and royal chambers. After breakfast the following morning, guests make their way to the airport for their flight home.

Itinerary for Options 10–18, Greek Islands Cruise

Days 6–8: Corfu, Katakolon, and Santorini

The boat arrives in Corfu, the second-largest of the seven Ionian Islands, in the morning of Day 6. The beaches here stretch up to groves with millions of olive trees, a verdant landscape that gives Corfu its nickname “Emerald Island.”

After a day in the coastal town of Katakolon, you’ll sail for the Greek Island of Santorini, which was named the world’s sixth-best island by Travel + Leisure in 2012. A major volcanic eruption took place here nearly 4,000 years ago, resulting in the island’s famous black-sand beaches, striated red cliffs, and a crescent-shaped caldera that now serves as the island’s harbor.

Days 9–11: Ephesus & Rhodes

The rest of your trip will be split between Kusadasi, a resort town on Turkey’s Aegean Coast near the ancient city of Ephesus, and Rhodes, the largest island of the Dodecanese archipelago. Both spots offer beautiful beaches and historical religious sites. After breakfast the following morning, guests will make their way to the airport for their flight home.

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

Italian Vacation with Stops in Rome and the Amalfi Coast

This trip includes:

• Round-trip airfare from New York (JFK)
• Three-night stay at the Mecenate Palace hotel or similar hotel in Rome
• Three-night stay at the Hotel Vesuvio or similar hotel in Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast
• Arrival transfer to hotel and coach transfer to/from Sorrento
• Daily breakfast
• Hop-on, hop-off tour of Rome
• Panoramic tour of Naples
• Guided visit of Pompeii

On this eight-day Italy vacation, you’ll split your time between Rome and the Amalfi Coast, a chic resort region located on Southern Italy’s Mediterranean Coast. The package includes hotel accommodations and daily breakfast. View the itinerary here.

We’ve included some of our favorite highlights below.

Three Nights in Rome

Accommodations: The Mecenate Palace hotel features a rooftop garden restaurant, and guest room with panoramic views.

Italy’s “Eternal City” dates back nearly 3,000 years. Its early inhabitants left behind a wealth of architectural masterpieces: the Colosseum, built in 72 A.D. for gladiator contests and animal fights, is an elliptical amphitheater that could fit 55,000 Roman countrymen. Today, you can tour its dilapidated interior and see its labyrinth of masonry walls and chambers. The hop-on, hop-off tour allows you to visit Termini, Piazza Venezia, Colosseo, Circo Massimo, Monte Savello, San Pietro, Castel St. Angelo, Arapacis, Tritone and Barberini.

From here, the city’s crowded cobblestone paths lead to attractions including the magnificent Trevi Fountain. It’s Rome’s largest Baroque fountain, festooned with Neptune, Tritons, seahorses, and several waterfalls. According to legend, those who throw a coin in the water will return to Rome one day.

The city also has some world-class art. At the Vatican Museums in Saint Peter’s Square, you can see Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, home to his most famous frescoes The Last Judgment and The Creation of Adam, and sculptures by legendary artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Before you leave, indulge in some local Roman traditions: feast on kosher artichokes in the Jewish Ghetto, drink grappa in a secluded alley side cafe, and watch the sun set from the Pincio Terrace located behind the Villa Borghese.

Three Nights in the Amalfi Coast

Accommodations: The Hotel Vesuvio—in the coastal town of Sorrento—has three restaurants including a poolside oasis.

Colorful villas cling to sheer cliffs and cobblestone streets give way to black pebble beaches along the Amalfi Coast, located in Southern Italy where the Mediterranean Sea meets mountains. You’ll stay in Sorrento, a bustling port town on the Bay of Naples. The lemon trees here bear fruit that can grow to the size of footballs, and one of the most popular Sorrento exports is its Limoncello, a lemon-based liqueur. It’s traditionally served as an after-dinner drink, but local shops start handing out samples of it as soon as their doors open.

About 20 minutes east of Sorrento is Positano, a popular honeymoon destination that occupies the most spectacular stretch of the Amalfi Coast. You can go lounging on the beach here or shopping for embroidered linen clothing. These coastal towns are well-positioned for a number of exciting day trips as well: charter boats can take you out to the jet-setting island of Capri, with a stop at the famed Blue Grotto along the way. And about 17 miles north, in the volcanic ruins of Pompeii, you can see paints still sitting in their pots beside unfinished frescoes.

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

Stately Historical Mansion in New England Countryside

The wallpaper inside The White House Inn was hand-painted nearly a century ago. In fact, much of the decor inside the Victorian-style mansion can make you feel like you've entered a time warp: it still has its original light fixtures, an old-fashioned servant-call system, and even a hidden staircase.

Built in 1915 as a summer home for a local lumber baron, the inn is set atop a rolling hill on 16 quiet acres in southern Vermont. Take a walk through its 1.5 acres of gardens, and you'll find stone terraces designed by English landscape architect John Hall.

Various New England period pieces adorn each of the inn’s guest rooms, which feature one or two queen beds or one king bed draped in elegant linens. Select rooms come equipped with a private terrace or balcony. Come morning, you can dig into a breakfast spread of omelets, pancakes, and more. Later risers can enjoy bloody Mary's and rhubarb mimosas during live music Sunday brunch.

Relaxation is king at The White House Inn: there's an indoor heated pool, a spa, and a steam room. Feel free to play billards, ping pong, and darts, or enjoy the view from an Adirondack rocking chair under a covered patio.

Black Dog Tavern offers a casual environment, cocktails, and a gorgeous view of the sunset, while the onsite restaurant has a more upscale feel. Chef Aaron Mitchell-Patrick crafts gourmet cuisine that can be enjoyed in the original Mahogany Dining Room or on the garden terrace around a fire pit.

Wilmington, Vermont: Charming Small Town in the Green Mountains near Lake Whitingham

A quaint town nestled in the mountains, Wilmington is classic Vermont: family farms set up roadside stands for selling produce, and vintage buildings host gallery displays by local artists. It’s also a haven for outdoor activities in the spring and summer. The nearby Mount Snow has more than 20 miles of trails coursing through Green Mountain National Forest—perfect for a peaceful hike or mountain-bike ride. You can also take a chairlift ride to the summit, which towers at 3,600 feet. A scenic drive from the inn is Lake Whitingham, also known as Harriman Reservoir. Stop by here for a boat cruise or to fish for walleye and pike.

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

Top Reasons to Visit Casa del Mar

• The hotel has direct access to the white-sand beaches along the Sea of Cortez.
• There are seven pools—one of which has a bar—where you can swim, lounge, and admire ocean views.
• Each one-bedroom condo has a fully stocked kitchen, dining room, and living room, as well as a furnished patio.
• The onsite concierge can make restaurant reservations, book airport transportation, and set tee times at one of the area’s world-famous golf courses. The nearby Cabo Real Golf Course has three oceanfront holes with spectacular vistas.
• You can pre-order groceries and have your pantry and refrigerator stocked upon arrival.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico: Watersports, White-Sand Beaches, and Festive Parties

Located on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula in Mexico, Cabo San Lucas enjoys pleasant year-round temperatures. Just south of town, the white-sand Lover's Beach (or Playa del Amor) stretches alongside the Sea of Cortez and is frequented by sea lions, and, depending on the season, humpback whales. It's a popular spot for snorkeling, scuba diving, and swimming. Tour boats and water taxis regularly zip from Cabo to Lover's Beach and the neighboring El Arco, a granite rock formation that has become Cabo's unofficial symbol.

Surrounding the marina waterfront, downtown Cabo buzzes 24 hours a day with visitors sampling local tequilas and fresh grilled seafood. Slip into one of the trendy restaurants near the marina to try chicharrones—fried pork rinds—and chilies en nogada—poblano chilies topped in a walnut cream sauce. The tourist district is also filled with nightclubs and cantinas catering to every kind of visitor, whether they're looking for conga lines or jazz tunes.

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

Top Reasons to Stay at Cobblestone Manor Bed & Breakfast

• Located just 30 miles north of Detroit, the historical Victorian-style inn was originally built in 1840 as an 11-room farmhouse. It still features period furniture, such as the writing desk in the Presidential suite that once belonged to Henry Ford.
• It has manicured grounds that resemble a quaint cottage garden, with a gazebo, fountain, and walkways.
• Guest rooms are outfitted with queen-size beds (king-size in the Presidential suite), and most have whirlpool tubs and fireplaces.
• Each morning, innkeepers Paul and Heather prepare a complimentary breakfast in the sunny breakfast room or candlelit dining room. When it's featured on the menu, you can sample a Cobblestone—their signature dish—a flaky biscuit topped with cinnamon sugar and chopped pecans.
• The inn is located just 3 miles from The Palace, home of the Detroit Pistons, and less than 5 miles from the Great Lakes Crossing outlet mall in Auburn Hills.

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

Auburn Hills, Michigan: Nature Parks and Detroit Pistons Headquarters

Auburn Hills is roughly 45 minutes northeast of Detroit. It has a subdued setting; state and national parks are accessible in almost any direction from Auburn Hills. The Clinton River cuts through Auburn Hills, and the Clifton River Trail follows it for more than 10 miles via a now-defunct rail line. Its tree-lined trails and postcard-perfect bridges are popular with bikers and hikers, and nearby Riverside Park features a canoe launch. It's worth it to check out Hawk Woods Nature Center, which spans nearly 100 acres of wetlands, forests, and ponds.

For all its natural beauty, Auburn Hills is also a destination for its city center—it's home to The Palace, headquarters for the Detroit Pistons. It also has Great Lakes Crossing Outlets for discounted designer clothing and a family-friendly dining experience at The Rainforest Café.

Four-Star Villas on Quiet Beach in Riviera Maya

Las Villas Akumal’s thatched villas are just a few steps from the Caribbean Sea in the coastal town of Akumal, about 66 miles south of Cancún. The small resort town is just a half hour’s drive from the activities and nightlife of Playa del Carmen, but it’s far enough away to feel quiet and secluded. Here, white-sand beaches are lined with swaying palm trees, bars, and small coral reefs teeming with tropical fish. You can borrow snorkeling gear to explore these underwater ecosystems or hop in a kayak—the resort rents out both for free.

All of the villas have fully stocked kitchens; ocean-view villas also have private terraces set with hammock chairs and patio furniture. Some overlook the beachside pool area, which is surrounded by shaded lounge chairs. The resort’s rooftop restaurant serves chicken or grouper baked in banana leaves, jicama-and-papaya salad, and other traditional dishes of the Yucatán Peninsula in a palapa with panoramic views of Akumal Bay.

Akumal, Mexico: Small Resort Town Along Riviera Maya

Akumal is situated just south of Playa del Carmen along the Riviera Maya, a popular tourism destination on the Yucatán Peninsula. There are plenty of snorkeling spots along the town’s white-sand beaches, particularly in Yal-ku Lagoon, where the brackish water teems with tropical fish. Farther out, you can go scuba diving along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which stretches along the entire Yucatán Peninsula and shelters five species of sea turtles and one of the world’s largest congregations of whale sharks.

The area is also home to a number of Mayan archeological sites, including the ruins of Tulum, located just a half hour’s drive from the hotel. Tulum is believed to have been one of the most important cities of the ancient Maya. Today, you can still see the remnants of frescoes inside some of the structures.

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

Top Reasons to Visit Sonora Inn

• Built in 1896 as a Victorian hotel, this historic bed and breakfast in the Sierra Nevada foothills has since been remodeled in the California Mission style, with Spanish tiled roofs and arched walkways.
• The property has welcomed a number of Hollywood starlets over the years, including Drew Barrymore, who stayed here during the filming of Bad Girls, and actress and former Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly.
• Newly remodeled in 2012, guest rooms have new carpeting, new beds, and flat-screen TVs. Floral linens and white shutters retain the rooms’ elegant country style.
• The hotel is 5 miles from Columbia State Historic Park, where visitors can experience the former mining town’s gold-rush-era heyday by making candles, panning for gold, and riding through town on a horse-drawn carriage.
• There are fishing creeks and golf courses tucked amid the mountain landscape.
• Sonora’s historic main street is lined with antique shops, bakeries, and gourmet wine bars. The hotel is also about an hour from Yosemite National Park.

Sonora, California: Former Gold-Mining Town Close to Yosemite National Park

Located about two hours east of the San Francisco Bay Area is Sonora, a small town tucked along the Sierra Nevada in California’s Gold Country. Learn about the area’s gold-rush history at the nearby Columbia State Historic Park, which contains buildings from the 1850s, a century-old stagecoach, and saloons with sarsaparilla and piano music.

Sonora is about an hour’s drive from Yosemite National Park, the third most visited national park behind the Great Smoky Mountains and the Grand Canyon. Spring is one of the best times to see Yosemite’s famed waterfalls, thanks to the snowmelt brought on by warmer weather. Yosemite Falls—a three-tiered waterfall considered the highest in North America—transforms into a thundering cataract each spring. Serious hikers can trek to the top on the strenuous Upper Yosemite Falls trail, which gains 2,700 feet in elevation in just 3.5 miles.

Though much of the park is covered in snow through May, springtime has its perks. Stroll the 5-mile loop around Mirror Lake, which seasonally dries up and becomes a meadow. In the spring, it’s full of water reflecting one of the park’s most iconic geologic formations: the granite Half Dome.

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

Hacienda-Inspired All-Inclusive Resort with Oceanfront Pools

Although there are many resort towns along Mexico's Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta has a bit more history than most of them. Old Vallarta is lined with cobblestone streets, bougainvillea-draped villas, and a 1920s cathedral topped with a sculpture of a crown. The romantic setting helped earn the city the top spot among Mexican destinations in TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice 2012 awards.

Today, the city has expanded to the north, which features a hotel zone lined with luxury high-rises. This is where you'll find the all-inclusive Krystal Puerto Vallarta Resort, whose hacienda-inspired architecture includes stucco façades, rustic archways, and wooden pergolas. More than 40 old-fashioned fountains dot the 25-acre beachfront property. One of them, a re-created aqueduct, trickles through the gardens.

Each day, the resort's entertainment staff leads poolside activities such as bingo and karaoke. Kids can find plenty more to do at Kamp Krystal (open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily), from painting figurines to earning their scuba-diving certification in a ball pit. Meanwhile, adults can visit the Millennium Spa.

Buffets run continuously from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Las Velas Restaurant, an international eatery overlooking Banderas Bay, but the dining options don't end there. You can sit down for a formal Mediterranean meal at Cinque Terre Restaurant or sushi at Kamakura Restaurant.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: Tropical Paradise with Cosmopolitan Flair

Puerto Vallarta is among Mexico’s most sophisticated cities, with trendy restaurants and bustling beaches such as Playa los Muertos, a popular stretch of golden sand filled with fishermen and beach-volleyball players. Nearby, a 10-block boardwalk known as the malecón offers unobstructed ocean views as it extends from the city center, past fountains and a famous 9-foot-high statue of a boy riding a seahorse.

Called “the most gay-friendly city in Mexico” by Frommer’s, Vallarta draws a diverse crowd of vacationers intent on relaxing during the day and living it up at night, bouncing between the city’s numerous dance clubs and bouncy castles. For a glimpse of the city's history, head to Old Vallarta, where artists peddle shawls and piñatas, and mariachi bands serenade couples dancing on Plaza Principal.

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

Quaint Jacuzzi Cottages with Views of Surrounding Countryside

Spruce Hill Inn & Cottages is set on sprawling wooded acreage in Ohio's countryside. During the winter, the hills hide under a blanket of fresh snow, but when spring comes, it melts to reveal bright-green, rolling hills. Though the scenery changes, the objective remains the same every season: to relax and get close to nature in a quiet, secluded environment.

Spruce Hill's 28 private cottages sit on hilltops connected by meandering walkways. They all feature sitting areas with windows or private decks that look out to the countryside; some face the neighboring mountains, and others look out onto a tranquil pond. The furnished deck on Cottage 121 has some of the best farmland views, and guests can fix homemade meals in the kitchenette inside.

Though the views vary from cottage to cottage, each A-frame dwelling comes stocked with similar homey amenities, including dining areas, fireplaces, and jacuzzi tubs.

Mansfield, Ohio: Rural City with Family-Friendly Attractions and Countryside Trails

Mansfield is located in north central Ohio about halfway between Columbus and Cleveland. In a region covered with flat farmland, the city stands out: it has many peaks that reach as high as 1,400 feet. Even more unusual, this rural midland spot has been the setting for a number of major motion pictures, including Air Force One, Tango & Cash, and The Shawshank Redemption, which filmed its famous prison scenes at the Ohio State Reformatory in town. Originally built in 1886, this Gothic-style penitentiary no longer houses inmates, but it's still open for overnight ghost hunts as well as ghost tours, which Frommer's called among the best in the country.

The town's Historic Carrousel District, located about 7 miles from the inn, is home to the charming Richland Carrousel Park. It's an indoor merry-go-round adorned with 30 horses and 22 other intricate animal figures that were designed, hand-carved, and painted at the largest wooden-carousel manufacturer in the world—less than 10 minutes up the road.

You can also take advantage of golf, biking, and hiking opportunities along the 18-mile B&O Trail. During the winter, skiers, boarders, and tubers flock to Snow Trails Ski Resort, one of the few skiing destinations in the state.

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

Pre-Revolutionary Bed and Breakfast with Award-Winning Farm-to-Table Restaurant

The history of the Home Hill Inn goes back to 1763, when New Hampshire colonists Thomas and Hannah Gallup received a grant from King George III for three hundred acres of land along the Connecticut River. In the years since the Gallups built their Federal-style home on the site, ownership has changed only a handful of times, which might help explain why the property is so well preserved. Modern improvements include the installation of an outdoor heated pool, a clay tennis court, a putting green, and an award-winning restaurant. But the building retains its old-world elegance in antique-filled guest rooms and tranquil gardens.

The menu at the inn’s farm-to-table restaurant earned a spot on _Yankee Magazine_’s 2013 Editors’ Choice list for Best Seasonal Inn Menu. Using fresh produce and meats from local farms, head chef Peter Varkonyi prepares dishes such as rack of lamb from Maine ($26) and buttered Nantucket scallops ($26) served on a bed of goat cheese agnolatti. For dessert, try the eggnog crème brulee ($8) or a chocolate martini ($12).

Plainfield, New Hampshire: Rural Town along the Connecticut River

Several New England souvenir shops sell t-shirts that say “Vermont and New Hampshire: Spooning Since 1791.” The cuddling states are separated only by the Connecticut River, and right along this natural boundary is where you’ll find the small town of Plainfield. It’s a conveniently located spot for visiting sites in both states: an intersection of two major highways is located just a few miles north, putting Manchester, Lebanon, and Burlington all within reach.

Plainfield was incorporated in 1761 and flourished as an agricultural center throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Many of the original buildings are still standing today. You can see many of them on a tour that includes a stop at Plainfield Town Hall, which was built as a church and meetinghouse in 1798. You can also pay a visit to the home of wealthy settler Francis Smith, whose property has been converted into a dairy farm—one of the last in the area where you can buy fresh milk on site.

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

Serene Inn near Los Padres National Forest

When director Frank Capra needed a stand-in for Shangri-La for his 1937 film Lost Horizon, he chose Ojai as the setting for the fictional idyllic village in the Himalayas. Located about 80 miles north of Los Angeles, Ojai may not look like it’s in the Himalayas, but it makes for a convincing replica of paradise in every other regard. The small town is located amid the Topatopa Mountains, near the crystal-clear Lake Casitas and the lush Los Padres National Forest. The serene landscape extends to the Hummingbird Inn of Ojai, where the crown of Chief Peak mountain can be seen from various points. True to its name, the property has dozens of colorful hummingbirds fluttering around.

Each guest room features hardwood floors, a flat-screen TV, and soothing colors. In the morning, a free breakfast spread awaits guests, who afterward can take dips in the outdoor pool, sit on the pine-log bench swing in the front yard, or visit massage therapist Laura Hathaway for onsite massages. Explore Ojai by renting one of the inn's complimentary bicycles or by hitching a team of hummingbirds to its low-flying dirigibles. Enjoy two glasses of wine in your room or a craft beer at the nearby Deer Lodge.

Ojai, California: Artsy Small Town in Peaceful Mountain Valley

In Ojai at dusk, the light from the setting sun reflects off of the Topatopa Mountains in such a way that the face of the mountains starts to glow with a distinctive rouge color. Locals call it the "pink moment," and Ojai is one of the few places in the world where this phenomenon occurs. You can get a nice view of this event at Meditation Mount, a New Age center.

Serenity and simplicity seem to be some of the defining characteristics of Ojai, contrasting it with the sprawling Los Angeles, located about 90 minutes southeast. Ojai has just a handful of traffic lights and some well-kept bridle paths. The city also used to be home to the peaceful Chumash tribe, who believed that the land's east-west configuration gave it magical powers. Spiritual traditions still linger; today, the town features a number of sites, spas, and shops dedicated to holistic healing and meditation.

Many restaurants in Ojai rely on local farms to source their food; the produce grown in town is well-regarded enough that residents of neighboring towns have been known to travel to Ojai on Sunday mornings for the weekly farmers' market.

There's also a strong artistic presence in town, due in no small part to former resident Beatrice Wood, a renowned sculptor. She worked until her death at age 105. You’re likely to stumble upon the works of local artists hanging on the walls in the area's restaurants and shops, and many artists open up their studios to outside visitors.

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Top Reasons to Visit Elevation Hotel and Spa

• It’s located at the base of Crested Butte Mountain Resort, just a short walk from outdoor activities on the mountain and the village’s shops, restaurants, and art galleries.
• The Summer Adventure Park has activities to keep both kids and adults busy, including a climbing wall, bungee trampolines, and an 18-hole mini-golf course. Or simply make the mountain your playground—it has trails with scenic overlooks and picnic areas.
• The summer chairlift (two passes are included in this Groupon) is a great way to see the beautiful mountain scenery. At the top of the Silver Queen line, you can hike the iconic Mount Crested Butte. If you take the Red Lady Express, bring your mountain bikes to tool around the network of single-track trails.
• Handsome furnishings and mountain-chic decor give the guest rooms an upscale-lodge feel. The hotel’s shared spaces welcome you to relax by the two-sided fireplace, and each night there’s a wine reception where you can sample selected varietals.
• Your two $30 spa credits can be used toward any of the services at Elevation Spa, such as massage therapy ($65+), body treatments ($85+), and facials ($85+).
• Breakfast and lunch are served at the onsite 9380, but it’s best at dinnertime when all the candles are lit. It’s a swanky atmosphere yet still casual, with flat-screens TVs over the white-marble bar.

Crested Butte, Colorado: Small Resort Town in the Rockies with Authentic Old West Charm

Crested Butte is situated at 9,000 feet in southwest Colorado's Rocky Mountains, and is surrounded by some lovely scenery. Crested Butte's downtown area nods to its Old West roots. Victorian storefronts and art galleries line downtown Elk Avenue, and there’s a famous rum distillery that welcomes visitors year-round. For a glimpse into the town's history, head to the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum, which has an elaborate diorama that elucidates life here in the mining days of the 1920s.

Though most famous for skiing, Crested Butte is also hailed as one of the most dynamic cities in the country for mountain biking. Some even claim the sport actually began here. A must-do for bikers is Pearl Pass—the birthplace of the "fat-tire" craze—which stretches for nearly 40 miles through rugged alpine terrain.

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Four-Star Boutique Hotel Steps from Caribbean Sea and Fifth Avenue

You won't see a car driving down Playa del Carmen's main thoroughfare, Quinta Avenida, or Fifth Avenue. Cars are off-limits here. Instead, live marimba musicians, pedestrians, fire-breathers, and vendors hawking handmade goods and Cuban cigars flood the cobblestone street. Less than a block from this cultural hub, the 4-star Acanto Boutique Hotel puts you in good position whether you want to explore Playa del Carmen's Mayan architecture, check out its hip nightlife, or kick back on the Caribbean beaches that are just steps away.

Tropical trees shade the hotel, which resembles a hacienda through its wrought-iron terraces, arched windows, and adobe façade. Walk down to the grotto-like courtyard to take a dip in a swimming pool surrounded by palm trees and stone siding, or head up to a rooftop jacuzzi to find ocean views. Marble bathrooms, a balcony or terrace, and a full kitchen make Acanto’s artfully designed one-bedroom condo villas feel luxurious yet contemporary. Deluxe rooms feature vibrant artwork and mahogany wood furnishings.

If you want to pick up the pace, the concierge can set up various eco tours. Scuba dive along Playa del Carmen's massive barrier reef or swim with dolphins and teach them to whistle Creedence Clearwater Revival songs through their blowholes. You can also venture nearby to take in some horseback riding, go ziplining through the jungle, or take a day trip to the Mayan pyramid at Chichén Itzá.

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

Just across the sea from the island of Cozumel, Playa del Carmen has been called "the hippest city in all of the Yucatán Peninsula" by Lonely Planet. The laid-back beach bars and cafés have a way of converting vacationers into expats, but Playa's most compelling draw might be its cenotes—cavernous sinkholes filled with turquoise pools. The water in the cenotes is crystal clear, particularly at the lily-pad-dotted Xlacah cenote, where you can snorkel among schools of colorful fish.

To the south, you'll find preserved ruins of pre-Columbian cities. Tulum's crumbling temples are situated above a dramatic ocean bluff, and Coba's enormous pyramid rises between two lagoons. For a fun day trip, hop aboard the ferry to Cozumel, which docks at the pier east of Calle 1. There are about a dozen dive shops on Cozumel, and they offer trips offshore to the reefs that Jacques Cousteau declared some of the world's most beautiful.

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Beachfront Resort near Reef Formed from Shipwreck

Around the turn of the century, a triple-mast merchant ship known as the Andes was en route for Chile when deckhands noticed smoke coming from below. They dropped anchor in Antigua's Deep Bay and opened the hatches to investigate—whereupon the vessel exploded in flames, sinking within 100 yards of land. Today the sunken ship lies only 30 feet below the waves, and its steel hull has become encrusted with coral and inhabited by schools of tropical fish. The Grand Royal Antiguan Beach Resort is a great place to launch your adventure to the shipwreck; it sits on a right beside Deep Bay and offers complimentary kayaks, sailboats, and snorkeling gear.

Because it's on a peninsula, the 40-acre resort overlooks a lagoon on one side and on the other, a half-mile of beachfront boasting white sand and coconut palms. If the lagoon and the ocean aren’t enough water for you, there's a pair of pools at the heart of the property. The pools are surrounded by thatched umbrellas and a cabana where you can often find a palm reader who can foretell how many high-fives are in your future.

You can sip a tropical cocktail at the swim-up bar, or dine at one of four onsite restaurants, where outdoor patios overlook the beach, lagoon, and pools. Upstairs, each ocean-view room supplies equally stunning views of the Caribbean from a private balcony.

Antigua: Colonial History Blended with Laid-Back Island Charm

On Antigua, the largest of the British Leeward Islands, you can visit a different beach every day of the year. The island has 365 of them, some of which were named by Frommer's as the Caribbean's best. Celebrities such as Oprah, Eric Clapton, and Giorgio Armani have been drawn to the powder-soft sands here, building sprawling estates amid the thatch-roofed bungalows. In the northwest, Dickenson Bay is a popular destination with something for every type of beachgoer: umbrellas and loungers, glass-bottom boat tours, and fast-paced watersports. There's an equally lovely landscape beneath the waves—just offshore, Cades Reef, a 32-foot-deep barrier reef, shelters barracuda, eels, eagle rays, and nurse sharks.

Like other isles of the British West Indies, Antigua retains a lot of English culture from its days as a colony, including a pervasive love of cricket and traditional afternoon teatime. You can see a lot of the island's colonial roots in its capital city, St. John's, where Fort Barrington served as an important military defense post for the British Royal Navy as far back as 1652. Today, the stronghold still boasts a powder magazine and gun platform alongside some of the most panoramic views in the Caribbean.

The island's distinct culture also shines through in its cuisine, which includes conch fritters and cornmeal fungi, a dish similar to polenta. You can sample local flavors at St. John's Saturday-morning market, which bustles with vendors selling pineapple, breadfruit, and tamarind. Next door, a smaller market showcases crafts, jewelry, and parrots selling the season's hottest feather extensions.

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Private Balconies Overlook Grenada’s Morne Rouge Bay

One of the West Indies’ southernmost islands, Grenada owes its name to a fit of homesickness. According to legend, the island's lush hills reminded Spanish sailors of Granada in Andalusia, Spain, so they named the island after the Spanish town. Near the southwestern tip of the island, Kalinago Beach Resort has its own origin story—"Kalinago" is the original name of the indigenous Carib people, and the hotel owner's great-grandmother was one of the few remaining Caribs. The hotel stays connected to the region's past with a restaurant serving traditional Caribbean dishes and a weekly Carib Talk lead by a local historian.

The resort sits along Morne Rouge Bay, its archways and railings as white as the sandy beach below. At the small, boutique property, each of the 29 guest rooms looks over the Caribbean Sea from a private patio. Inside, teak furniture and rainforest prints continue the tropical vibe.

Though the restaurant next door serves cocktails blended from local rums, many prefer sipping at the open-air beach bar. There's also a swim-up bar next to the pool in case you don’t feel like getting out of the water. Each deal option includes a daily breakfast of healthy, tropical fare; three of the options also come with nightly dinner comprising creole and international cuisine. A local gardener named Asmo leads tours of the gardens, plucking tropical fruits for guests to sample.

Grenada: Historic Spice Isle with Waterfalls and Rainforests

Located about 100 miles north of South America, Grenada has become one of the world's biggest exporters of nutmeg, and it shows. Groves of nutmeg trees blanket the island, and factories such as the Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Station perfume the air with racks of drying seeds. In local markets, the spice shows up in jams, syrups, and even ice creams, alongside mace, cloves, cinnamon, cocoa, and whole vanilla pods.

The Grand Etang National Park at the island’s center showcases the landscape's less cultivated side. Tangles of teak and mahogany trees shelter mona monkeys, iguanas, and mongooses. Trails snake toward waterfalls such as Seven Sisters and Concord Falls, but be careful—paths can be muddy or slippery, so you might want to hire a local guide.

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

All-Inclusive Beach Resort in the Heart of Cancún's Hotel Zone

The Discovery Channel called Kin Ha the best natural beach in Cancún for its sugar-white sands and translucent blue water. Beachscape Kin Ha Villas & Suites has garden paths lined with palms and blossoms that lead directly to Kin Ha Beach; once you get there, you can relax in the resort's mini palapa huts. Also on the beach is the resort's restaurant and bar, where you can stop for a fruity drink and a quick meal.

All meals, snacks, tips, and alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages are included during your stay at Beachscape Kin Ha. In addition to the beach restaurant, there's La Terraza, which has indoor and outdoor seating and serves international cuisine. The resort is located in Cancún's Hotel Zone; walk out the front door and you'll find numerous shops, restaurants, and clubs.

Each of the resort's standard rooms has a terrace or balcony overlooking the beach. Each of the one-bedroom suites, meanwhile, has a full kitchen stocked with appliances, dishes, and silverware.

Cancún: Cool White Sands and Mayan Relics

Located on a barrier island shaped like the number seven, Cancún's Hotel Zone juts into the Caribbean Sea at the northeast tip of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. With the sea on one side and freshwater lagoons on the other, it's a popular spot for sailing and snorkeling. Although the beaches and barrier reefs are a major draw, the geography is equally enticing further inland, where you can dive into an underground river or take a speedboat through a mangrove jungle.

Cancún pulls in millions of visitors each year, so escaping the crowds and the party atmosphere isn't always easy, but a visit to Playa Delfines offers a chance for sunbathing in relative seclusion. Resorts have yet to encroach upon this stretch of sand, and it's especially popular with surfers.

The stone columns of El Rey Ruins, an ancient Mayan site dating back to the second and third centuries BCE, lies within the city’s Hotel Zone. Believed to be a royal burial ground, the archaeological site is also home to wild iguanas that lounge in the sun and read Tom Clancy novels. For a Mayan-themed day trip, take a 1.5-hour drive from Cancún down the coast to Tulum, a pre-Columbian walled city located on a bluff overlooking the sea—one of the Yucatán Peninsula's most visited Mayan ruins. The Mayan city of Chichén Itzá, chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, is only a 2.5-hour drive from Cancún.

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Family-Friendly Caribbean Getaway on Private Beach

With its tiny coves and shallow reefs, St. Maarten has earned a reputation as one of the Caribbean’s best snorkeling destinations. The water is particularly clear for snorkeling at Simpson Bay, which is situated among dozens of white-sand beaches on the southern Dutch side of the island. Flamingo Beach Resort wraps around the sea near here; you'll have access to your own private stretch of beach. And when you're not scoping out the scene underwater, you can find a number of outdoor bars and 24-hour casinos along the beach.

Throughout the week, Flamingo Beach Resort finds ways to keep families occupied, with activities such as scavenger hunts, T-shirt painting, and aqua aerobics. But if you just want to relax, feel free to use the resort's lounge chairs, palapa huts, and blue-and-white-striped umbrellas on the beach. The infinity-edge pool looks out to the ocean, where sailboats and cruise ships float by throughout the day. There’s an open-air bar by the pool, where small chalkboards display happy-hour specials and the day's homework assignment.

Each 750-square-foot studio room features a full kitchen, a spacious living room, and a furnished balcony. Splashes of vibrant colors in the artwork, upholstery, and window treatments give rooms a playful vibe. Some rooms look out onto the ocean.

Saint Martin: Island Paradise with Split Cultural Heritage

Located in the northern Caribbean, the 37-square-mile island of Saint Martin has been peacefully shared by the French and the Dutch for more than 350 years, giving the island two very distinct yet harmonious personalities. On the Dutch side, to the south (known as St. Maarten), crowds gravitate toward the neon-lit clubs and the live-music bars at Simpson Bay; when those establishments close, revelers make their way to the 24-hour casinos. Meanwhile, the French portion to the north is more secluded and less developed. It has some gorgeous beaches, and the emphasis here is on relaxation.

You can get an understanding of Saint Martin's blend of cultural influences when you consider its restaurant scene; there are more than 400 eateries on the island. Many travelers praise the authentic French cuisine and fine wines at Grand Case Beach Club on the French side, known as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean. Casual barbecue restaurants, known as lolos, are located along the beach and serve up spicy shrimp, ribs, chicken, and heaping helpings of side dishes complemented by guava-berry rum. The quieter Back Street, on the Dutch side, is lined with some authentic Chinese eateries that are typically inexpensive.

Both parts of the island share crystal-clear bays filled with palatial coral structures and tropical fish. Take a guided snorkeling trip to Pinel Island, or to Creole Rock to see reef-ringed boulders. Deep-sea fishing charters send anglers out in search of marlin, blackfin tuna, and wahoo.

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

11-day Tour of China, from Beijing to Shanghai

This tour package includes:

• Round-trip airfare on Air China from San Francisco, Los Angeles, or New York
• China domestic airfares: Beijing to Xian, Xian to Guilin, and Guilin to Shanghai
• Three-night stay at 4-star DoubleTree Hilton in Beijing
• Two-night stay at 4.5-star Grand Noble Xian
• Two-night stay at 4.5-star Lijiang Waterfall Hotel in Guilin
• Two-night stay at 4.5-star Renaissance Yangtze in Shanghai
• Nine buffet breakfasts
• English-speaking guide
• Fuel surcharge and tax
• Round-trip airport transfers in each city
• Orientation tour in each city

We've outlined some trip highlights below. Click here to check out a full itinerary.

Days 1–4: Beijing

• Accommodations: 4-star DoubleTree Hilton

• After an overnight flight and some time to relax at the hotel, you'll take a city tour on Day 3. Stroll along Qianmen Street, which has been one of Beijing’s major pedestrian thoroughfare for nearly six centuries.

• Occupying nearly 100 acres in the heart of Beijing, Tiananmen Square is one of the world’s most expansive city squares. It's been the site of several political gatherings throughout history and is home to the Monument to the People's Heroes, a towering obelisk that honors China's fallen war heroes.

• Optional Tours (extra fee): Visit Forbidden City, an Imperial Palace once reserved for China's Ming and Qing Dynasty emperors. On Day 4, you can head north to the Great Wall of China, a world landmark built over several centuries.

Days 5–6: Xian

• Accommodations: 4.5-star Grand Noble Xian

• A short flight south takes you to Xian, one of China’s oldest cities and an ancient capital. You'll see the city's Drum & Bell Tower, 14th-century buildings built during the Ming Dynasty.

• Optional Tours (extra fee): Visit Xian's most-popular attraction, the Terra Cotta Army at the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. This museum is filled with hundreds of ancient soldier statues individually hewn from terra cotta, positioned there to protect the emperor. The night comes to a close with a dinner show featuring the traditional music and dance of the Tang Dynasty.

Days 7–9: Guilin

• Accommodations: 4.5-star Lijiang Waterfall Hotel

• Guilin is known its views of the Li River, which is flanked by imposing, fog-veiled karst topography.

• Explore Reed Cave, a multicolored limestone cave just outside Guilin’s downtown area. Bright green reeds—which have been used to make flutes—surround the cave’s exterior. Inside, colorful lights illuminate massive stalactites.

• Optional Tour (extra fee): Cruise along the Li River via riverboat—keep a camera handy to catch snapshots of the mist as it rises up the hillside.

Days 10–11: Shanghai

• Accommodations: 4.5-star Renaissance Yangtze

• The final leg of the tour spotlights Shanghai, one of the world’s most-populous cities. Learn about the city’s history at Shanghai Museum, which boasts more than 100,000 artifacts, furniture, and artwork dating back to the Ming dynasty.

• Walk along the Bund, Shanghai’s waterfront area, where you’ll see modernistic structures and historical buildings from the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque eras alongside the Huangpu River.
• Optional Tour (extra fee): Finish your vacation by watching an acrobat show with dinner.
• Optional Tour (extra fee): An extended stay in Shanghai or an extended tour in Hong Kong may be available. Both are subject to availability and are not included with this Groupon.

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

Coastal Hotel with Fresh-Seafood Restaurant Overlooking Pacific Ocean

Despite its remote location along the Pacific coastline, the city of Bandon, Oregon, has built a reputation for great food. Budget Travel named it one of the Coolest Small Towns in America, labeling Bandon a haven for farm-to-table restaurateurs drawn to the area due to its local produce. At The Inn at Face Rock, a Best Western hotel, you won’t have to look far for a great meal. The onsite Bandon Bill’s Seafood Grill serves fresh fish and barbecue, often slow-cooked in a smoker.

With this Getaway to The Inn at Face Rock, you’ll receive a $20 hotel credit that you can apply toward a meal at Bandon Bill's Seafood Grill. The restaurant’s signature dish is a fish fillet that’s charbroiled with mesquite on an ale-soaked cedar plank and served atop of a bed of asparagus-mushroom risotto. Breakfast is served each morning at Bandon Bill's, too. From 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., you can dig into a hot breakfast buffet of scrambled eggs, pastries, muffins, sausages, make-your-own waffles, cereal, and biscuits. The hotel credit can also be applied toward onsite dining at Tony's Fireside Pizza.

The area contains several attractions waiting to be explored. The Inn at Face Rock has access to secluded beaches across Beach Loop Drive, where you can walk along the Pacific coastline and spot the large, misshapen boulder known as Face Rock. The craggy rock resembles the profile of a woman who has just surfaced from beneath the sea.

Bandon, Oregon: Windswept Beach Town with Renowned Golf

Bandon is located on Oregon’s Pacific coast and surrounded by forested hills. On a stroll along its unspoiled beachfront, you can find agate, petrified wood, jasper, and tide pools. Just a 10-minute drive from the hotel is downtown Bandon, whose charming Old Town area features quaint shops and boutiques brimming with various homemade goods and artisanal wares.

The windswept Bandon Dunes is a must-visit for golfers, when the weather is warm enough to play. It’s made up of four award-winning courses, each of which sits 100 feet above the Pacific Ocean. The grassy dunes sprawl over Oregon's rugged coastal terrain, which recalls Scotland’s links-style courses.

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Mountain Resort with Championship Golf and Spa

Two championship golf courses weave up and down Crystal Mountain, a four-seasons resort located about 20 miles away from the western shoreline in northern Michigan. The Mountain Ridge course climbs to high elevations, allowing players to take in panoramic views of the resort. The Betsie Valley course, which recently underwent a $1 million renovation, tests the mettle of experienced golfers. Together, the courses contributed to FamilyCircle magazine declaring Crystal Mountain one of the nation’s Best Ski Towns for Summer Vacations.

A variety of accommodations allow for custom vacationing. Hamlet and Crystal Colony are conveniently located in the heart of the resort, close to the indoor pool and fitness center. Both are just steps from the mountain, as well as from the 18,500-foot Crystal Spa. The Pinehurst residence is located steps from the core area, ensconced in pines along the 18th fairway of the Betsie Valley golf course.

Two parallel, 1,700-foot-long slides, called the Crystal Coaster Alpine Slide, curve down the length of the mountain. Riders sit on a specially designed sled with built-in speed control, rounding high-bank turns and taking in views of the valley. Elsewhere, the Park at Water’s Edge outdoor pool features a 4,200-square-foot pool with an aquatic playground and zero-depth entry.

Thompsonville, Michigan: Resort Town Lined with Hiking Trails

Thompsonville is a small town in northern Michigan’s Benzie County, best known as the home of Crystal Mountain. Luckily, the 1,500-acre resort offers a wide range of attractions. Thirty of those acres are the dedicated site of the Michigan Legacy Art Park, home to more than 40 sculptures, poetry stones, and an outdoor amphitheater, as well as 1.6 miles of hiking trails. Additional hiking trails on the property include the easily accessible 22-mile Betsie Valley Trail, which can also be bicycled, rollerbladed, or West Side Story dance-fought. There’s also an abundance of offsite activities.

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

Top Reasons to Stay at Doral Desert Princess Resort

• This sprawling resort is set on 345 lush, landscaped acres surrounded by the San Jacinto Mountains. You’ll be 5 miles from the shopping and restaurants of downtown Palm Springs and an hour’s drive from Joshua Tree National Park.
• There are 27 holes of championship golf onsite, divided among three nine-hole courses. You’ll also find a full-service spa offering treatments such as orange-blossom exfoliating scrubs and hot-stone massages.
• The standard rooms are spacious and have balconies overlooking the desert.
• After a game of tennis on one of the 10 courts, you can dive into the Olympic-size outdoor swimming pool to cool off. A poolside bar serves fruity drinks and casual meals such as club sandwiches and cobb salads.
• The resort’s Fairway Café serves healthy, California-style cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Head to Divots Lounge for appetizers and drinks.

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

Nestled in the Coachella Valley in Southern California, Palm Springs has fallen in and out of fashion throughout the past two centuries. The desert city, which boasts a strong Native American influence, remained relatively unknown up until the 20th century, when Hollywood A-listers flocked there for its temperate weather and tucked-away feel. Word spread quickly, and by the 1950s and 1960s, the landscape was dotted with tennis courts, swimming pools, and flashy modern homes owned by the likes of Elvis and Frank Sinatra.

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

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

Hands-On Culinary Tour of Italy’s Scenic Umbria Region

This trip includes:

• Seven-day deluxe lodging at 4-star Relais Il Canalicchio
• Round-trip transfers from Rome Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Umbria
• All meals
• Four hands-on cooking classes
• One market tour with chef
• One wine and olive mill tour
• Two private spa sessions
• One quad bike excursion through valleys, vineyards and orchards

On this seven-day culinary tour in central Italy, you’ll explore the hills of Umbria and use the region’s fresh, seasonal ingredients during hands-on cooking classes. Each night, you’ll stay at the 4-star Relais Il Canalicchio, a castle-like structure set atop a hill. In between excursions and cooking classes, there will be plenty of time for relaxing by the pool or hiking through the surrounding mountains. While on this Italian vacation, you can adopt the regional mantra, “Chi mangia bene, mangia Italiano,” which translates to, “Those who eat well, eat Italian.”

Click to view the full itinerary.

Trip Highlights

• Marsciano market tour: Head to a local, bazaar-like market off the tourist path to stock up on Italian goods, including cheese, wine, clothes, and shoes.

• Hands-on cooking classes: Throughout the seven-day stay, a chef will teach you how to craft antipasti dishes, pizza dough from scratch, chocolate salami, gnocchi, peaked meringues, Norcina sauce, and tiramisu. All meals are also included.

• Quad bike excursion: Zoom through the Umbrian countryside on the back of a four-wheeler during this two-hour guided tour, which wends past nearby vineyards and orchards.

• Olive oil and winery tour: The group stops by the medieval-era Hamlet of Montecastello, home to some of the world’s most-renowned varieties of olive oils. You’ll watch the step-by-step process of converting olives into olive oil before touring the vineyard and sampling wine and cheese.

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

Palaces, Mosques, and Bustling Bazaars on a Three-City Tour of India

This tour package includes:

• Round-trip airfare from New York (JFK) via scheduled nonstop Air India flights, including fuel surcharges, taxes, and fees (ORD departure available for additional fee)
• Two nights’ standard accommodations at 5-star Shangri-La Eros Hotel
• Two nights’ standard accommodations at 4.5-star Trident, Agra
• Two nights’ standard accommodations at 4.5-star Trident, Jaipur
• Intra-India ground transportation
• Full American buffet breakfast daily and a farewell dinner
• Comprehensive guided touring program including all entrance fees to places visited
• Special discounted optional tours package
• Experienced English-speaking tour director

On this nine-day, six-night tour of India from Friendly Planet Travel, you’ll get an in-depth look at three cities—Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur—via guided tours, optional excursions, and leisure time at each stop. Along the way, you’ll see some of the country’s biggest attractions, including the Taj Mahal, as well as off-the-beaten-path stops such as Barara Village, a rural town outside of Jaipur where travelers interact with locals and learn about Indian village life.

For a full itinerary, click here.

Delhi Highlights: You’ll take a bicycle rickshaw to India’s largest mosque, Jama Masjid. Built in the 1650s, it’s one of the most beautiful houses of worship on the planet, thanks to a decorative exterior etched with intricate carvings and verses from the Koran. The minarets offer expansive views of Old Delhi. In addition, you'll tour the modern Laxmi Narayan temple; Qutab Minar, the tallest free-standing minaret in the world; the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, Raj Ghat; and the Parliament building and the president's residence, Rastrapathi Bhawan. You’ll spend your nights in Delhi at Shangri-La Eros Hotel.

Agra Highlights: View the Taj Mahal during a sunrise tour. The Taj Mahal was built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife, and is one of the undisputed seven wonders of the world. It took 22 years and 20,000 workers to build the white-marble temple, which seems to glow in the light of the moon. Agra accommodations are at Trident, Agra. Optional excursions to Agra Fort, a massive fortress and UNESCO World Heritage site, and Itmad-Ud-Daulah, the first Mughal structure made completely out of marble, are available for $25 per person for each tour (or at a discounted rate with the optional excursions package mentioned above).

Jaipur Highlights: Before arrivinig in Jaipur, you'll visit the city of Fatehpur Sikri, built by Mughal emperor Akbar in the 1500s. In Jaipur, you'll tour the Amer Fort—set atop the Aravalli hills, it features impressive battlements and crenelated walls. You’ll ascend to the fortress by Jeep or elephant (based on availability) to see its many courtyards and halls inlaid with precious stones, and enjoy a stay at Trident, Jaipur.

Hawa Mahal is also on the agenda. Looking very much like a beehive, Hawa Mahal, known as the Palace of the Winds in English, is one of the Pink City’s biggest attractions. It was here that royal women, who were never seen by the public, could look out of 950 windows to watch day-to-day life in the city. An optional excursion explores the City Palace Museum and the Jantar Mantar observatory ($30 per person).

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

Explore the Russian Capital

On this six-day vacation from Gate 1 Travel, you can explore Moscow at your leisure, visiting many of the Russian capital’s most famous landmarks such as the Kremlin and St. Basil’s Cathedral. Your hotel, which sits in a quiet neighborhood a few miles from the center of the city, is a short walk from the subway system, making it easy to get around town. A number of optional tours are available for an additional fee.

The vacation includes:

• Round-trip airfare from New York (flight time is about 10 hours)
• Four nights at Katerina Park Hotel
• Daily breakfast at the hotel’s buffet

Katerina Park Hotel

The hotel overlooks a lush expanse of public parkland in southern Moscow, just 10 miles from downtown. Crossed with wide, tree-lined paths, the park is a nice spot to soak up some fresh air on a leisurely stroll. Inside the hotel, you’ll find murals of dense forests and rocky lakeshores in the lobby and fitness center, creating a tranquil atmosphere that’s still within easy access of Moscow’s busy attractions.

Steps from public transportation. A five-minute walk from Katerina Park will bring you to the Prazhskaya metro station, where trains will zip you into the center of the city in less than an hour. That’s where you can visit Moscow’s most famous attractions, including St. Basil’s Cathedral—a colorful landmark built in the 16th century—and the Kremlin. Set on the banks of the Moskva River, this historic fortress contains a number of lavish cathedrals and palaces, many of which are open to visitors.

Scandinavian and Russian cuisine served onsite. Back at the hotel, Katerina Park Restaurant prepares tasty dishes such as fresh Scandinavian salmon. In the morning, the restaurant sets out a complimentary breakfast buffet with pastries, cereal and milk, and hot dishes.

Spacious rooms with city views. Medium guest rooms comfortably accommodate two guests on one king or two twin beds. All units include free WiFi, a mini bar stocked with complimentary snacks and beverages, and sweeping views of the city.

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

Centuries-Old Churches Along the Danube and Prague Castle

The tour includes:

• Round-trip airfare from LGA, EWR, or JFK (per Gate 1 Travel's discretion)
• Two nights at Mercure Budapest Metropol Hotel
• Two nights at Austria Trend Hotel Ananas in Vienna.
• Two nights at Park Inn Hotel Prague
• Meals and tours per itinerary

Days 1–3: Budapest An overnight flight takes you to Budapest, where you'll spend the next day exploring the city at your leisure. On day three, you'll embark on a city tour that goes past the neo-Gothic Parliament building along the Danube River. Cross the water to visit Matthias Church and the Royal Palace in the hills of Buda. The tour culminates at Fisherman's Bastion, which boasts stunning views of the city.

Days 4–5: Vienna After a journey through the Austrian countryside, the group arrives in Vienna. Cruising along the city’s main thoroughfare, the Ringstrasse, you’ll visit the elaborate Hofburg Palace—the former royal seat of the Habsburg empire. This Groupon includes a trip to the palace, but does not include entrance. Other stops on the tour include the opera house and Prater Amusement Park, one of the oldest attractions of its kind in the world. The 200-ft Ferris wheel, which was built in 1897, is still operational.

Days 6–8: Prague Finally, the tour heads north to Prague, known as the City of a Thousand Spires for its dramatic architecture. On day 7’s sightseeing tour, you’ll visit the enormous Prague Castle, where the Bohemian kings once lived and ruled. One of the last stops is St. George's Basilica, which dates back to the 10th century and boasts a striking red-and-white Romanesque façade.

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

Family-Friendly Lodge with Ziplining, Spa, and Indoor Water Park

Spring and summer in New York’s Finger Lakes region mean hiking, fishing, and swimming at one of the area’s many pristine lakes. At Hope Lake Lodge and Conference Center, you can enjoy the warm weather by heading to one of the nearby lakes, ziplining over a canopy of evergreens, or riding an alpine coaster down a mountainside at the resort’s Adventure Center. The Adventure Center—as well as its indoor water park—helped Hope Lake Lodge earn a spot on TripAdvisor’s list of the Top 25 Large Hotels & Resorts for Families in the World.

At Cascades Indoor Waterpark, you can hop on one of two tube slides that wind from inside the water park to the hotel, and then back in the park again before splashing into a crystal-clear pool. There’s also a wave pool that undulates with 67,000 gallons of water. At Little Bear Falls, kids can splash on a swing set or pintsize water slide. Later, you can unwind at Waterfalls Spa, where the service menu includes naturally infused hydrotherapy and vichy treatments.

The resort resembles an alpine lodge with a crackling, 40-foot-tall stone fireplace and walls made of thick timber. Suites are trimmed with knotted-wood accents and are equipped with full kitchens and flat-screen TVs. In the morning, visit the Acorn Grill for farm-fresh eggs, scrumptious cinnamon rolls, and other breakfast fare.

Finger Lakes, New York: Rolling Vineyards, Deep Gorges, and More than 1,000 Waterfalls

Upstate New York's Finger Lakes region is known for its long, thin lakes and more than 1,000 waterfalls that cut through the area's famous rocky gorges. About 25 miles west of the resort is Ithaca, which borders the longest of the Finger Lakes, Cayuga Lake, and is home to Ithaca Falls. At more than 100 feet high, the falls cascade down a terraced cliff.

Ithaca is home to Cornell University. Like many of the villages in the area, Ithaca has a walkable downtown filled with bistros, boutiques, and taverns housed in historical buildings.

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

Tanzania Safari: Game Drives Through National Parks and Ngorongoro Crater

This safari package includes:

• Round-trip airfare from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) on Ethiopian Airlines to Addis Ababa (about 15 hours overnight)
• Flight from Addis Ababa to Mt. Kilimanjaro Airport (KIA)
• Two nights at East African All Suites Hotel
• One night at Roika Tarangire Tented Lodge
• Two nights at Oldeani Ngorongoro Mountain Lodge
• Game drives, each led by an English-speaking guide
• Tour of Ngorongoro Crater
• Tour of Maasai Village
• Meals per itinerary
• All taxes and fees

For a full itinerary, click here.

Days 1–3: Tour Arusha and a Maasai Village

After your overnight flight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, you’ll make a morning flight to Arusha, Tanzania, where you'll set up shop at the East Africa All Suites Hotel. It’s right near the town center; from many of the rooms, you can see Mt. Kilimanjaro in the distance.

On Day 3, you’ll take a tour through Olpopongi, a traditional Maasai village (about 85 km from Arusha). You’ll learn about how the villagers live—many locals have built their own thatched-roof houses from local materials. You can also check out their handcrafted jewelry and wares.

Days 4–5: See Mahogany Forests, Elephants, and Baboons in Manyara National Park

Your next stop is Roika Tarangire Tented Lodge. where you’ll embark on an afternoon game drive through Tarangire National Park in northern Tanzania. During each game drive, you have automatic dibs on the vehicle’s window seat, so you’ll be able to get an up-close view of the wildlife.

The morning kicks off with another game drive, this time in Manyara National Park—a destination Ernest Hemingway called “the loveliest [he] had seen in Africa.” The more than 100-square mile park is centered by Lake Manyara, which has a dramatic stone rift that reaches 600 meters in height. The acacia and mahogany forests here are inhabited by elephants, hippopotami, zebras, giraffes, and hundreds of baboons. Overnight, you’ll make your way northwest toward the Ngorongoro crater stay at Oldeani Ngorongoro Mountain Lodge.

Days 6–8: Tour a Massive Volcanic Crater and See Lions, Hyenas, and Cheetahs

Journey northwest of Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, best-known for the massive Ngorongoro Crater, one of the largest of its kind. Hundreds of thousands of exotic animals live inside this 2000-foot deep volcanic caldera dwell, including hyenas, lions, and cheetahs. It’s one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in the world, and it has various ecosystems—forests, swamps, lakes, dunes, and grasslands, for example.

You’ll hop aboard a 4x4 vehicle to tour through the crater and park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The chances are good you’ll be able to spot a rare black rhino along the way, too.

On days 7 and 8, you’ll head back toward Arusha, fly to Addis Ababa, and then fly overnight to the States.

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

Top Reasons to Stay at Hotel Carlingview Toronto Airport

• Less than 10 minutes from Toronto Pearson International Airport, the hotel offers guests a 24-hour complimentary shuttle and a stay, park, and fly option.
• Guests are granted access to nearby sister hotel Courtyard by Marriott Toronto Airport, where they can take dips in the pool or hot tub. The Courtyard also has an onsite fitness center.
• Dine at Mr. Greek, the onsite eatery, or try out one of the restaurants that are within walking distance.
• The guest rooms are outfitted with modern amenities that include flat-screen LG TVs and wireless Internet access.
• The hotel serves a light continental breakfast from 3 a.m. to 9.a.m. with coffee, tea, and pastries that guests can enjoy.
• Business travelers can take advantage of a spacious meeting room that can accommodate up to 40 people.

Parking and Flight Information

With this Groupon, you get a one-night stay at the Hotel Carlingview Toronto Airport and up to eight days of offsite parking. It’s an ideal arrangement for those traveling outside of Toronto since you can rest easy knowing that your car is safe and sound in the hotel lot.

Once you’ve returned to Toronto Pearson International Airport, simply take the complimentary 24-hour shuttle back to the hotel to pick up your vehicle.

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

Spanish Vacation with Stops in Madrid and Barcelona

This trip includes:

• Round-trip airfare from New York (JFK), Miami (MIA), or Los Angeles (LAX).
• Two-nights stay at 4-star Hotel Husa Princesa or a similar hotel in Madrid
• Three-night stay at 4-star Hotel Barcelona Center or a similar hotel in Barcelona
• Train ticket from Madrid to Barcelona
• Daily breakfast buffet
• Hop-on/hop-off double-decker bus tours in Madrid and Barcelona

On this seven-day Spain vacation, you’ll split your time between Madrid and Barcelona, Spain’s most-prominent cities. The package includes double-decker bus tours and four-star accommodations in both locations.

We’ve listed some of our favorite highlights below. Click here to see the full itinerary and trip details.

Days 1–3: Madrid

Accommodations: The 4-star Hotel Husa Princesa, featuring glamorous guest rooms decorated with large prints of Prado masterpieces

Spain’s capital city is an intoxicating blend of fine-art museums, late-night dance clubs, and mouth-watering tapas. While night owls thrive here, the city is just as enchanting during the day. On Day 3, you can take the included hop-on, hop-off bus tour. You might also want to make time for some shoe shopping on Augusto Figueroa, and a stroll through the rose gardens at Parque del Oeste.

Madrid boasts some of Europe’s most-impressive art collections. The Museo del Prado, a neoclassical fixture on the city’s famed Golden Triangle of Art, displays nearly 7,000 paintings, including masterpieces by Botticelli, Raphael, Goya, and El Greco. Walk down the street to Museo Reina Sofia, which focuses on 20th- and 21st-century art, including work by Salvador Dali and Joan Miro. Reina Sofia is best known as the site of Guernica, Picasso’s masterful response to the bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War.

Days 4–7: Barcelona

Accommodations: Hotel Barcelona Center, located a 10-minute walk from Plaza de Cataluña, is home to a renowned Spanish restaurant.

On Day 4, you’ll leave Madrid and board a high-speed train to Barcelona. Set on the Mediterranean, this cosmopolitan city (and capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia) is sprinkled with eye-catching diversions, including ancient churches, verdant parks, and avant-garde cuisine. Catalan native Antoni Gaudi left his mark on the city with the Sagrada Familia, a stunning, beehive-like basilica with towers rising more than 300 feet. Outside, ornate protuberances comprise a stone tapestry of Christ’s life.

While here, you can explore the city during Day 5's hop-on, hop-off bus tour, at your leisure, or via optional tours such as a visit to the whimsical Dali Theatre-Museum in Figueres. Cutting through the middle of Barcelona is Las Ramblas, one of the world’s most-famous boulevards. The mile-long walkway bustles with vibrant flower stalls, fortune tellers, and La Boqueria, the city’s centuries-old market. You’ll see a different side of Barcelona just north of here in the Barri Gotic neighborhood. The city’s medieval heart, its narrow alleyways and secluded squares are home to ornate Gothic buildings and The Picasso Museum.

Top Reasons to Visit Kitzhof Inn

• You can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities all year long; in the summer months, try hiking or mountain biking on Mount Snow.
• A free hotel shuttle bus will take you from the inn to the mountain or into nearby Dover and Wilmington.
• Some options include a mahjong package with daily meals and 10 hours of instruction that will sharpen the skills of players of all levels.
• Head to the Swiss-style dining room each morning for a breakfast that may include pancakes, eggs, and bacon.
• The spacious lounge area houses a game room, a fireplace, and a BYOB bar with ice and soda machines.
• Guest rooms showcase the lodge’s cedar-log, alpine construction with wood-panel walls; many have views of the gardens and a nearby brook.

West Dover, Vermont: Small Rural Town near Popular Ski Area

Tucked in the rural region of Vermont’s Mount Snow Valley, West Dover has a classic New England look complete with a prominent steeple and white clapboard houses. There’s not much to the town itself aside from a few landmark structures, however; the area owes its popularity to Mount Snow. As one of the closest ski areas to New York and Boston, the resort gets a steady stream of out-of-towners. It doesn’t hurt that the resort has a reputation for well-groomed trails and a lively après-ski scene. But it’s equipped to handle the crowds, boasting five mountain areas and the largest freestyle-terrain-park system in the East. Advanced skiers head for the bumpy slopes and open glades of the North Face; there are also plenty of wide, beginner-friendly runs on the front of the mountain.

There’s plenty to do during warmer seasons at Mount Snow as well; hikers and mountain bikers can take advantage of more than 20 miles of trails through the mountain terrain. The mountain also has an 18-hole golf course and chairlift rides offering views of southern Vermont and New York State.

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

Top Reasons to Stay at Loews New Orleans Hotel

• It’s a mere three blocks from the French Quarter, the city’s oldest neighborhood, where you’ll find raucous parties on Bourbon Street and musicians, artists, and fortune tellers at Jackson Square.
• The hotel has earned the AAA Four Diamond Award of Excellence for nine consecutive years and was listed on Travel + Leisure’s list of Top 50 Large City Hotels in the U.S. and Canada.
• Nothing helps you recover from a night of partying in the French Quarter like a visit to the onsite Balance Spa, where you can unwind with a manicure, reflexology treatment, or massage therapy.
• Harrah’s Casino is directly across the street from the hotel.
• All guests enjoy complimentary access to the fitness center, lap pool, whirlpool, and dry sauna.
• Wine Spectator magazine bestowed its award of excellence on the hotel’s Café Adelaide for its scrumptious Creole fare. Stop by for New Orleans beignets for breakfast or the shrimp-on-shrimp grits for dinner.
• Each of the guest rooms offers fantastic views of the city skyline, Mississippi River, or French Quarter.

New Orleans's French Quarter: Let the Good Times Roll

Some folks think there is something distinctly foreign about New Orleans, a place where people’s priorities seem inclined toward enjoying life and relishing the moment at hand. Nothing says it better than the town’s unofficial Cajun creed: Laissez les bons temp rouler, or "Let the good times roll."

Historical buildings with intricate wrought-iron balconies line the narrow streets of the New Orleans French Quarter. Here, street musicians often fill the air with jazz music, their trombones and tubas swinging back and forth. Just off Jackson Square and near the towering St. Louis Cathedral, the legendary Café Du Monde serves beignets under heaping piles of powdered sugar, as well as cups of iced or steaming café au lait.

And then there's Bourbon Street, where neon lights advertise frozen cocktails and crowds gather along 13 city blocks. The nearby Frenchmen Street, just north of the Quarter, provides a slightly less touristy taste of New Orleans nightlife. Some of the city’s most popular live jazz and blues bars dominate this historic two-block district, with each venue hosting world-class musicians nearly every night of the week. Jazz fills the air at the Spotted Cat Music Club, where a sign warns that both drinks and drunks are barred from the piano—but like all rules in New Orleans, it's one that's bound to get bent from time to time.

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

Eclectic Hotel with Luxury Rooms and Hip Lounge

Instead of the usual Southwestern decor you’ll find in most Santa Fe hotels, the Luxx Plaza Hotel in downtown Santa Fe features a bold, contemporary look. Lanterns and skylights illuminate midcentury furnishings and abstract paintings in the lobby, and striking artwork enlivens guest rooms. And when you want to see that classic adobe architecture, walk just two blocks south to the Santa Fe Plaza, a National Historic Landmark and the unofficial center of the city.

Individually decorated guest rooms range from spacious two-room suites to king suites and queen deluxe rooms. Each room has several high-tech amenities, including a Blu-ray player and a flat-screen TV, which operates with Google TV and includes Netflix. While you’re here, you can grab lunch at the onsite Italian café, sample traditional Japanese cuisine at the sushi-and-sake bar next door to the hotel, or relax in the outdoor jacuzzi.

Santa Fe, New Mexico: Adobe Architecture and Traditional Southwestern and Multicultural Cuisine

Voted a top U.S. travel destination in Condé Nast Traveler magazine's readers’ poll, Santa Fe's vibrant mosaic of cultural influences includes pieces of Native American, Latino, and Western traditions. You can get an idea of the city's varied background at the Santa Fe Plaza (located one block from the hotel), which has served as the city center for more than 400 years. On a walkthrough, you'll see old buildings made of adobe, the red brick-like material that defines much of Santa Fe's architecture, as well as historic territorial-style homes. Centuries of colorful southwestern artwork are also on display in the New Mexico Museum of Art, which is located in the plaza.

Fiery chili is the signature flavor at many restaurants in Santa Fe, which earned a place on TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Food & Wine Destinations in the United States in 2011. It's worth it to sign up for a walking food tour of the area, where popular eateries put their own spin on zesty southwestern cuisine.

For more than 300 days a year, Santa Fe soaks in sunshine. Such consistently great weather, paired with New Mexico’s varied terrain, makes the region ideal for hiking and biking. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains have peaks that stand over 13,000 feet high, and they're traced with trails that wind past picturesque meadows filled with Indian paintbrush, purple lupine, and undomesticated landscape painters. From late fall to early spring, up to 300 inches of snow falls on the slopes of the mountains, which offer miles of downhill-skiing and snowboarding trails.

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

Top Reasons to Stay at Grand Lido Negril

• Located steps from the Caribbean Sea, the resort is ideal for leisurely beachcombing.
• Those looking for more active pursuits can take advantage of the resort’s nonmotorized watersports equipment, which is free to use with this all-inclusive package.
• Other onsite activities include scuba lessons in one of two outdoor pools, reggae classes, and beach volleyball. There are also five jacuzzis scattered throughout the property.
• Six themed restaurants offer diverse dining options. You can choose from international cuisines, such as Japanese or authentic Jamaican, or opt for a sumptuous buffet served on Mondays and Fridays.
• At night, guests can listen to live piano music or dance at one of the resort's six bars.
• While at the resort, it's easy to forget the outside world, but the deluxe junior suites keep you in touch with modern amenities, such as free WiFi and satellite TVs. Rooms may look out on the surrounding tropical gardens or boast private terraces overlooking the Caribbean.

Negril, Jamaica: Laid-Back Beach Town with Picturesque Sunsets, Snorkeling, and Cliff Diving

Located on Jamaica’s western coast, Negril is known for its white sand beaches, dramatic rugged cliffs, and coral reefs lying just offshore in the Caribbean. Its underwater beauty makes the town a popular spot for scuba diving and snorkeling at Negril Marine Park, and anglers have found the sea filled with blue marlin, wahoo, and mahi-mahi. The city has a front-row seat to some of the world’s most beautiful sunsets, and people often climb to the top of waterfront cliffs just to watch. At Rick’s Cafe, which is listed in the book 1,000 Places To See Before You Die, groups congregate every night to watch the sun dip below the horizon; some brave adventurers even leap off the 35-foot cliffs into the water.

Often called "the capital of casual," Negril is best defined by its laid-back vibe, from the slow and steady rhythm of the indigenous reggae music to its unofficial uniform—swimsuits and flip-flops. Running along the town is Seven Mile Beach, a stretch of powdery, white sand coastline that earned a spot on Frommer’s Best Beaches in the Caribbean list. The town center comprises a shopping mall and a craft market where visitors can pick up locally produced goods.

Farther inland, the mountainous terrain harbors several eco-tourism attractions including hiking, ziplining, and waterfall tours. Take a 60- to 90-minute drive east to reach the cascading YS Falls or Mayfield Falls, where you can wade in 21 natural pools shaded by exotic tropical flowers and ferns. Or stay close to Negril by visiting the Royal Palm Reserve, where 300 acres of swamp forests and wetlands shelter more than 300 types of birds, butterflies, and abandoned Rubik's cubes.

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

Top Reasons to Stay at Port of the Islands Everglades Adventure Resort

• The resort sits at the edge of a waterway that links to the Everglades, the Ten Thousand Islands, and picturesque bays along Florida's balmy southwest coast. Popular pursuits nearby include charter fishing, kayaking through mangrove tunnels, and riding airboats through the swamp.
• Boaters can dock at the onsite marina, which also features houseboat rentals and manatee-watching tours. Sometimes you can spot gators and other swamp wildlife.
• The intimate guest rooms are decorated in warm brown and gold tones and equipped with free WiFi and cable television. Some boast screened-in lanais that look out onto the waterfront.
• Guests have access to an outdoor heated pool and a fitness center for low-key recreation.

Naples, Florida: Nature Retreat near the Everglades

Located along the southwest edge of Florida on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, Naples is a small city set among wandering waterways and scenic estuaries. Everything in Naples seems impeccably clean, from the bleached sand of its 10-mile-long pristine beaches to the bathwater-warm water that’s as clear as glass. One of the prettiest spots is Naples Pier. This dock extends 1,000 feet into the Gulf of Mexico, leaving plenty of room for a crowd of anglers to cast their lines for pompano, a plump silver fish that makes for good eating.

In nearby Everglades City, there's many tour opportunities to get outdoors. You can observe subtropical nature by touring the Everglades in a swamp buggy or air boat. A kayak tour of the Mangrove forest penetrates deep into the dense vegetation.

More than 80 championship golf courses are located throughout the Naples area, and the city bills itself as the Golf Capital of the World. It's a lofty claim, to be sure, but Naples has warm, tropical weather year-round and the second-most golf holes per capita in the country, according to World Golf.

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

TripAdvisor's #1 Ranked Hotel in Troncones, Located on Mexico’s White-Sand Pacific Coast

A TripAdvisor 2013 Traveler’s Choice Award winner for one of Mexico’s best small hotels, Present Moment Retreat has the look of a relaxing, sunny vacation destination from its spot on western Mexico’s Troncones Beach along the Pacific Coast. But the retreat aims to be more than just a relaxing getaway; it’s also a spiritual-wellness center, coordinating meditation and yoga classes along with healthy meals, therapeutic massages, and nightly dancing and drum circles.

Set on stilts above the private beach, the open-air yoga pavilion is the center of the resort. Here, you can take a variety of classes designed to connect the mind and body. Learn to control breathing during pranayama classes, or reconnect with the universe with yoga-teacher training. A daily schedule may look something like this:

8 a.m.–9 a.m.: Mindful Guided Meditation
9 a.m.–11 a.m.: Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
1 p.m.–2 p.m.: Qigong (Chinese Yoga) or Tai Chi
4 p.m.–5:30 p.m.: Restorative Yoga

Named after virtues such as serenity, harmony, and intuition, each of the resort’s bungalows has been crafted using reclaimed local wood and features an open-air design that eliminates the need for air conditioning and lets you catch errant frisbees. The resort uses its own water-filtration system, meaning no gas is spent shipping water in, and biodegradable and nontoxic soaps are used throughout the property.

At the onsite restaurant, meals are artfully crafted using all-natural, local ingredients. Past favorites have included plantain-crusted mahi-mahi in a tropical salsa and apple crisp made with goat-milk caramel, housemade granola, and nutmeg whipped cream.

Troncones Beach, Mexico: Secluded Paradise North of the Mexican Riviera

Located between the Sierra Madre and the Mexican Riviera, Troncones has a population of fewer than 1,000 and enjoys a secluded atmosphere away from touristy developers. Present Moment Retreat has affiliations with a number of local guides who can lead eco-tours of the area. Feel free to sail in a kayak down nearby estuaries or hike the nearby Sierra Madres. Troncones is also one of Mexico’s most popular surf destinations, attracting wave catchers of all skill levels—choose the Yoga Surf Combo package to learn how to surf along the beach’s signature point breaks.

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

A Mountain Lodge in the Heart of Whistler Village

Located in the heart of Whistler Village, Summit Lodge & Spa puts guests just a short walk from the lifts going up Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Peak, where they can enjoy the views from the Peak 2 Peak Gondola or hike along the mountains’ 18 trails. After a day on the mountain, the Lodge pampers guests with gourmet dining options and relaxing spa services. The hotel also goes to great lengths to offer attentive, personalized service for four-legged tagalongs. The pet-friendly lodge rolls out the red carpet for canines at no extra cost, greeting them with treats upon arrival and setting up guest rooms with pet beds and bowls before they even arrive.

Summit Lodge is composed of 81 suites, each of which comes equipped with a kitchenette, a fireplace, and balconies. Guests can explore the many shops and restaurants of the village just outside or take a dip in the heated outdoor pool and hot tub.

A $25 credit toward body treatments at the onsite Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa is included with each Groupon. Try a 60-minute Javanese massage, which uses Indonesian essential oils to stimulate the circulatory system, or a papaya enzyme body polish.

Whistler, British Columbia: Mountain Biking and Golfing at 2010 Olympic Site

Connected to Vancouver—which lies about 80 miles (130 km) south—by the scenic Sea to Sky Highway, the Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort spans two mountains, each more than 7,000 feet in elevation, which are connected via the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. Since the resort contains more than 200 ski trails and more skiable terrain than any of its North American equivalents, it makes sense that Condé Nast Traveler readers ranked it the No. 2 North American Ski Resort in a 2011 poll.

The mountains gained worldwide recognition in 2010, when they hosted the alpine skiing, bobsled, and luge events of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. The Whistler Museum tells the stories of those games with athlete memorabilia, including the uniforms of local gold medalists and an Olympic torch you can hold yourself.

In the summer, Whistler Blackcomb transforms from ski resort to bike park, with 124 miles (200 km) of lift-serviced mountain-biking trails. The warmer temperatures also allow for hiking along 18 scenic trails, including the Overlord Trail, which meanders past fields of wildflowers and glacier-fed alpine lakes. Animal lovers can inquire inside the Roundhouse Lodge atop Whistler's peak for guided tours that focus on local wildlife, including black bears, black-tailed deer, the whistling marmot, and the nose-picking mongoose. And three of golf’s biggest names have chosen the Whistler area for their courses: choose from Arnold Palmer’s Whistler Golf Club, Robert Trent Jones Jr.’s Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club, and Jack Nicklaus’s Nicklaus North.

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

Top Reasons to Stay at The Capri Hotel

• The chic hotel resides in the Ojai Valley, amid views of the Topa Topa Mountains and a short drive from the Pacific Ocean.
• From the retro sign outside to the lobby’s button-back white sofas, this boutique hotel exudes vintage style. But its recently overhauled guest rooms still have plenty of modern comforts, including 42-inch plasma TVs and iPod docking stations. Each room has a patio or balcony with expansive vistas of the mountains or the landscaped garden.
• Guests can access The Capri’s extensive DVD library of more than 400 titles. Complimentary bike rentals provide an opportunity to get outside and take in the Ojai Valley.
• For a bit of R & R, indulge in a hot-stone massage from the onsite massage therapist or, weather permitting, take a dip in the outdoor pool.
• Less than five minutes away, downtown Ojai is lined with teahouses, boutiques, and art galleries.

Ojai, California: Artsy Small Town in Peaceful Mountain Valley

In Ojai at dusk, the light from the setting sun reflects off of the Topa Topa Mountains in such a way that the face of the mountains starts to glow with a distinctive rouge color. Locals call it the "pink moment," and Ojai is one of the few places in the world where this phenomenon occurs. You can get a nice view of this event at Meditation Mount, a New Age center.

Serenity and simplicity seem to be some of the defining characteristics of Ojai, contrasting it with sprawling Los Angeles, located about 90 minutes southeast. Ojai has just a handful of traffic lights and some well-kept bridle paths. The city also used to be home to the peaceful Chumash tribe, who believed that the land's east-west configuration gave it magical powers. Spiritual traditions still linger; today, the town features a number of spas, shops, and other sites dedicated to holistic healing and meditation.

Many restaurants in Ojai rely on local farms to source their food; the produce grown in town is well regarded enough that residents of neighboring towns have been known to travel to Ojai on Sunday mornings for the weekly farmers' market. There's also a strong artistic presence in town, due in no small part to former resident Beatrice Wood, a renowned sculptor who worked until her death at age 105. You’re likely to stumble upon the works of local artists hanging on the walls in the area's restaurants and shops, and many artists open up their studios to outside visitors.

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Top Reasons to Stay at The 4-Star Chateaux Deer Valley

• Located just a few steps from the Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah, The Chateaux Deer Valley is a French chateau -inspired, AAA Four-Diamond hotel in the heart of the Wasatch Mountains.
• Comfy and chic guest rooms are equipped with stone fireplaces, cashmere throws, heated towel racks, flat-screen TVs, and jetted tubs.
• In the summer, the nearby chairlifts whisk you up Deer Mountain, where you can mountain bike and hike down several trails. Warm weather also means alpine golf at several local courses.
• At the on-site Cena Ristorante and Lounge, diners dig into Italian eats such as creminelli pepperoni pizza ($11), cheese raviolo and prociutto ($20), and chicken parmesan ($25). Choose options 2 or 3 for a $100 dining credit.
• Guests can cool off in the courtyard pool or spend a breezy summer night in the hot tub.
• Park City’s historic Main Street—lined with art galleries, boutiques, and independent restaurants—is just a five-minute shuttle ride away.

Park City, Utah: Historical Mining Town Turned Ski Mecca

Park City has humble roots as a mining town nestled in the Wasatch Range east of Salt Lake City—but in the past 30-odd years, the town has blossomed into an international skiing destination. That’s largely due to Park City Mountain Resort, a venue for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games halfpipe and alpine giant-slalom events. Each winter, the mountain is blanketed with an average of 365 inches of snow, which means plenty of fresh powder across 100-plus ski runs and three terrain parks. In the warmer months, you can weave through groves of trees on miles of hiking and mountain-biking trails. The Alpine Coaster, open year round, hurtles down the mountain at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.

Back in town, Park City's former saloons and boarding houses have given way to more than 100 independent boutiques, 30 art galleries, and 50 restaurants along historical Main Street. For about 10 days each January, Park City glams it up Hollywood style as the host of the Sundance Film Festival. When Sundance isn’t in town, you can catch a play, concert, or comedy show at the circa-1929 Egyptian Theatre. The discovery of King Tut’s tomb in the early ’20s launched a nationwide fascination with ancient Egypt, and hundreds of Egyptian-revival theaters were built across the country. Today, Park City’s carefully preserved theater is one of only six of its kind remaining in the United States.

Located on the main drag, the 12,000-square-foot Park City Museum chronicles the town’s history with artifacts and interactive exhibits. In the eerie museum basement, you can check out the former territorial jail—nicknamed “the dungeon” for its dim lighting, stone walls, and rusted leg irons. In the space between cells, Wanted posters showcase the outlaws, murderers, and thieves who passed through the subterranean slammer.

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Renovated Motel with Seaside Views near Miles of Beach

The changes in season along the north Pacific coast produce oceanic conditions that range from tempestuous to tranquil. In the winter, the horizons light up with morning thunderstorms that crash whitecaps onto the sandy shores just south of Grays Harbor on Washington’s mid-coast. Spring brings calmer waters and herds of migrating gray whales. During this time, the town of Westport acts as a launching point for many whale-watching excursions. With its proximity to the harbor, Westport Inn offers a comfortable home base for travelers to soak up the coastal charms of the Pacific Northwest.

The inn’s king suites promise views of the surrounding harbor and ocean, while jacuzzi cottages feature full kitchens, private porches, and a picturesque setting right on the beach. A rooftop deck lies just off the third-floor walkway of the main building, with tables and chairs that can be used as wrestling props or a scenic seating area where you can sip complimentary cranberry wine from Cranberry Road Winery.

You’ll have easy access to the beach as well. A beach trail leads directly from the inn to the head of the beach, where fishermen and weekenders dig for razor clams. Guests can scour any clams they find at the inn's clam-cleaning stations and steam their catch for an in-room meal. Complimentary sporting-equipment rentals are available from the hotel for sessions of beach volleyball, badminton, and cardio exercise.

Westport, Washington: Quaint Town with Rugged Natural Beauty

In the coastal town of Westport, docks bustle with large fleets of commercial and charter fishing vessels. Crowds often gather at the marina’s observation tower for bird’s-eye views of the boaters on Grays Harbor, Half Moon Bay, and North and South Bays. The marina district is also home to a number of small coffee shops and artisan boutiques.

In the spring, Westport's whale-watching boats ferry tourists just a few miles off the coast to watch feeding herds of gray whales. You can spot other wildlife here as well—cormorants and herons make their seasonal homes in the state wildlife preserves and tributaries that surround the town, and bald eagles are often seen gliding over the beach to the tune of patriotic rock music. Down the coast, surfers catch waves year round, and small shops rent out the required gear.

Rustic Cabins amid Willamette National Forest

Oregon’s Willamette National Forest stretches across 110 miles along the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains, encompassing more than a million acres of cedar and fir trees, alpine streams, and waterfalls. The town of Blue River lies on the western outskirts of the forest, just 40 miles east of Eugene. Here, on 6 rustic acres, is McKenzie River Mountain Resort—an ideal base from which to explore Oregon.

The homey waterside cabins are equipped with full kitchens, overstuffed sofas, and deep soaking tubs. Head to the game room for ping-pong and air hockey, or venture outside to play horseshoes or volleyball. For quality fishing, the Blue River—so named because the rocks in the riverbed seem to tint the water—is the place to go to catch rainbow trout and steelhead salmon.

The waterfall-tour option allows guests to go on a self-guided excursion to three area waterfalls. The mountain-biking package includes bike rentals and scheduled shuttle service that will ferry you to two bike trails. One, the McKenzie River Trail, offers views of waterfalls and pristine lakes amid an 300-year-old growth forest. The trail also includes handmade log bridges, streams, and a lava flow. With the scrapbooking option, guests can hunker down in the conference room with snacks and crafts to make their own scrapbooks.

Blue River, Oregon: Forested Mountain Town near Skiing and Hot Springs

Just 40 miles east of Eugene, the small town of Blue River lies in the western range of the Cascade Mountains near the border of Willamette National Forest. The surrounding McKenzie River Valley is a haven for lovers of the outdoors. Come winter, the Hoodoo ski area in nearby Sisters is a hive of activity, with 32 ski and snowboard runs and a tubing park. You can go for an après-ski soak at Terwilliger Hot Springs, where clothing is optional. When the weather warms up, popular pursuits include whitewater rafting, horseback riding, fishing, and golfing at the Tokatee Golf Club, which boasts views of the Three Sisters Mountains from the greens.

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