Expansive Villas and Family Amenities on Secluded Beachside Property

Beginning in the mid-17th century, the French and British fought so fervently for control of St. Lucia that the island changed hands no fewer than 14 times, earning the island the nickname "Helen of the West Indies." The St. Lucia of today has retained much of that fabled beauty, from lush rainforests to sugar-sand beaches. Near the northern tip of the island, Cotton Bay Village occupies a secluded stretch of Epouge Bay overlooking a crescent-shaped shoreline. Between its spa services, kids' club, and fine dining by the water, the resort has a bit to offer for any member of the family.

Resort life centers on a courtyard pool, encircled by ultramarine chaise lounges and soaring palms. Kids can frolic in their own pool and make friends at playtime in the Hummingbird Kids Club or the daycare center within, known as a crèche, where caretakers look after tots during up to two free hours of daily supervision. The onsite 14°N 61°W Beach Club fits a similarly kid-friendly bill, with specialty children's menus and a weekly barbecue on the adjacent shore. Alternatively, the champagne bar Piano Piano puts out a more grownup vibe with its Caribbean-Mediterranean menu and colorful, Mondrian-esque interiors.

Surrounding the pool area, spacious Tamarind, Calabash, and Coral suites blend eclectic styles, from colonial white shutters to Asian-influenced porcelain pieces. The villas feature teak-furnished terraces, bay-window lounges, and private sundecks equipped with magnifying glasses for roasting marshmallows. A few steps away, Heaven Spa specializes in clay-based body masks, made customizable via a computerized system.

St. Lucia: Francophile Culture in Bustling Marina Towns

Although English is now St. Lucia's official language, Creole continues to flavor local dialogue. Along the coast, a string of marinas exhibit a similar cultural blend through restaurants ranging from fried-fish shacks to upscale French eateries. A half-hour cab drive southwest from the hotel at the nation's capital and a popular cruise port, Castries, a bustling public market displays woven baskets and local produce such as plantains and breadfruit. Closer by at Rodney Bay, the Gros Islet Street Party fills streets every Friday with barbecue vendors and rollicking calypso dancers.

Victorian Bed and Breakfast Minutes from Beach

In the 1890s, when Florida first began receiving winter visits from Gilded Age captains of industry, James N. Gamble—heir to one of the cofounders of Procter & Gamble—built a guest house in Daytona Beach. Eventually, that building became the August Seven Inn. Carefully restored to preserve its Victorian elegance, the eight-room bed and breakfast stands just a four-minute walk from Daytona Beach, which continues to draw winter travelers from colder climes. The inn even provides beach blankets, towels, and chairs for those who need them.

A relaxed vibe prevails at the B & B—Breakfast isn’t served until 9 a.m. Although no other furniture pieces or dexterous ferns dole out massages at the inn, most guest rooms are equipped with a relaxing whirlpool tub. Each room is individually decorated, some with bright, bold colors and others with soft pastels. With its nautical artwork, knotty pine paneling, and sound machine playing the soothing music of rolling surf, room 623 is designed to evoke the feeling of being in a stateroom on a yacht.

Daytona Beach, Florida: Year-Round Waterfront Activities on 23-Mile Beach

Located on Florida’s central Atlantic Coast, the sands of Daytona Beach stretch across 23 miles of postcard-ready oceanfront. Even in winter, daytime temperatures rarely dip below 70 degrees, meaning beach-volleyball games, jet skiing, and sandcastle rehabs can be undertaken year-round. Additionally, the beach’s hard-packed sand makes it ideal for running and cycling.

Aside from the beach, Daytona is probably best known for the Daytona 500, often called “The Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing.” It’s held every February at the Daytona International Speedway. Tours of the track, offered year-round, include a behind-the-scenes peek at the garages and the seven-story press box.

Bay-Front Hotel Steps from Atlantic Ocean

Dating back to 1902, the Ocean City Boardwalk packs candy shops, art galleries, restaurants, gift stores, an amusement park, and even a 1912 carousel along a 2.5-mile stretch of Atlantic Ocean beachfront. While hundreds of thousands converge on the skinny stretch of eastern Maryland shore during the summer, the boardwalk has a more subdued charm during the spring, when visitors play games at several arcades, check out the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum, and snack on classic festival grub at the annual Springfest (May 3–6). Sitting near the Isle of Wight Bay just a few miles north, The Coconut Malorie Resort makes for an excellent home base for exploring Ocean City’s signature coastline.

Beyond the resort's lobby, which welcomes with marble floors, a waterfall, and a chandelier, The Coconut Malorie Resort's guest rooms come furnished with new bedspreads, curtains, and artwork. For a romantic evening, the hotel recommends staying in a studio suite for its expansive bay-front views, and those looking for extra privacy might prefer the one-bedroom suite. At the top of the five-story hotel, a tower provides sensational views of the Atlantic Ocean just two blocks east. A footbridge connects the resort to Fager's Island's entertainment complex, where DJs, live bands, and octogenarian dance troupes perform on the weekends, and diners can sample surf 'n' turf at Fager's fine-dining restaurant.

Ocean City: Quiet Marshes and Bustling Boardwalk next to Atlantic

Located on Maryland’s eastern shore, Ocean City draws crowds to its wooden 2.5-mile long boardwalk, named on a list of the "10 great places to have some fun on a boardwalk" by USA Today. There, local fisheries bring in fresh scallops, lobster, and crab, and candy shops craft creamy fudge and molasses taffy. Kids can ride the ferris wheel and play the antique clown-head water-balloon race game at Trimper's Amusement Park, which has brightened the coastline for more than 100 years.

Escape the crowds at Assateague Island Natural Seashore, a 37-mile stretch that runs from Ocean City down into Virginia. There, salt marshes and seaside forests create a scenic setting for bird watching and hiking. Since horseback riding is not permitted on the island from May 15 to October 8, the early spring is the most opportune time to see the beach from the saddle of a horse or a mobile mechanical bull.

Historical B & B Close to Cape May Beaches

Cheerful, chatty husband and wife innkeepers Lucille and Dennis Doherty have an arrangement—she does all the baking for the holidays and afternoon teas, and he whips up the daily breakfasts. Their work enlivens a typical day inside The Dormer House, an 1899 Colonial Revival–style mansion that was once a summer residence for marble magnate Commodore Jacoby. Rocking chairs, antique furniture, and a grand marble fireplace help to create an aura of genteel hospitality, and year-round seasonal decorations brighten both the inside and outside of the house.

Each of the inn’s rooms and suites features a private bath, soothing pastel walls, and floral decorations, but all rooms offer their own unique experience—some have sitting areas, some have a whirlpool bath, and others have a life-size Bob Newhart. The Antique Rose suite on the third floor is tucked under the sloping dormer ceilings that inspired the inn’s name. A wrought-iron bed anchors the room, and the windows look out on the horses and carriages clopping along Columbia Avenue.

Every morning, Dennis cooks a full breakfast, which is served on the enclosed sun porch, and Lucille bakes sweets and snacks to accompany a lazy afternoon tea. The main sitting room houses a display of antique photographs and a collection of Victorian-era costumes.

Cape May, New Jersey: Seaside Resort Town with Victorian Architecture

Long billed as America's oldest seaside resort, the little island of Cape May lies at New Jersey's southernmost tip. When a fire ravaged most of the town in 1878, its residents rebuilt in the contemporary style of the time, and dozens of their Victorian homes remain standing today. Consequently, the Cape May Historic District has been designated a National Historic Landmark. Horses and carriages tour the colorful, cottage-lined streets, which have been deemed off-limits to chain stores and flying-car dealerships to preserve the classic, small-town feel.

Built in 1859, the Cape May Lighthouse stands guard over Delaware Bay. Its seemingly endless flight of stairs awards visitors who climb to the top with an unbeatable view of the Atlantic Ocean. The town is also known for its whale- and dolphin-watching tours that typically begin in late March, when sea captains lead expeditions into the bay to spot humpback and finback whales.

Jungle Hideaway near Pavones Beach

In the Gulf of Dulce along the southwestern border of Costa Rica, a steady parade of white-capped swells breaks against the coast of Pavones Beach, where surfers ride one of the longest left waves in the world. There are no monolithic hotels or chain restaurants marring the landscape. Instead, a short walk through a thicket of Costa Rican jungle—home to monkeys and scarlet macaws—puts visitors on the doorstep of the Castillo de Pavones. Perched on a mountainside overlooking the ocean, the hideaway with a stone façade and rustic timber balconies blends humbly in with its scenery.

On the third, fourth, and fifth floors, the glass-enclosed Blue Morpho Grill & Lounge features 360-degree views of the ocean, the jungle canopy, and the bay. The eatery’s Brazilian-style buffet encompasses all-you-can eat pizza, a salad bar with organic vegetables, nuts, fruits, and berries, and platters of jumbo river shrimp, seared ahi tuna over mashed potatoes, filet mignon, and chicken skewers. Guests can climb onto the rooftop deck to gaze at the sea or spy on toucan families enjoying bowls of Froot Loops in their natural habitat.

All four main-house suites feature coral and marble floors as well as fine wooden and stone furnishings. The ocean is visible from the private, two-person jacuzzi tubs in select suites. The Villa Harmonia is a freestanding villa adjacent to the Rio Claro; buyers of the second deal option rent both of its spacious suites. In the morning, a complimentary Costa Rican breakfast, which includes freshly squeezed juices and house-made smoothies, can be delivered to guest suites or served in the restaurant.

Pavones, Costa Rica: Beachfront Village near Jungle and Tropical Wildlife

Although Pavones's world-class surf has attracted its fair share of visitors, the tiny beachfront community remains largely undeveloped. The aptly named Rio Claro, which translates to "clear river" in Spanish, winds past Castillo de Pavones's property and empties at the beach. Visitors often swim, tube, or hitch a ride on a friendly sea turtle down the length of it. Pavones's jungle and beach terrain make it an ideal jump-off point for outdoor recreation. The adventure credit included with this Getaway can be used toward such vigorous pursuits as whitewater rafting, horseback riding, deep-sea fishing, surf lessons, ziplining, kayaking, and scuba diving.

Lakeside Inn Surrounded by Pristine Forests

Forests stretch for miles around Kawartha Lakes, creating a tranquil atmosphere. The region seems to gather even more composure in the wintertime, when the lakes freeze over and evergreens stand motionless beneath blankets of snow. Situated along the shores of Lower Buckhorn Lake in the heart of Kawartha Lakes, Westwind Inn on the Lake fits in seamlessly amid its quiet, woodland surroundings.

The 60-acre Westwind estate fronts more than a quarter mile of shoreline, surrounded by thousands of acres of pristine forests and gardens. During the winter, snowshoers and cross-country skiers traverse track-set trails, and ice skaters on the frozen lake practice Kristi Yamaguchi's short program from the 1990 Worlds. After a day spent tromping through the snowy wilds, guests can warm up beside one of Westwind's outdoor fire pits.

Garden-view rooms in the lakeside Main Lodge are decked out with cedar-planked walls, a fireplace, and toasty quilted bedding. The log-cabin-style accommodations come with private balconies overlooking the manicured grounds. In the similarly furnished Treetops Dining Room, chefs prepare complimentary continental breakfasts and country fare such as a pan-seared pickerel fillet.

Buckhorn, Ontario: Secluded Lake Town with Strong Arts Culture

Located about a two-hour drive northeast of Toronto, Buckhorn offers plenty of culture. Next door to Westwind Inn on the Lake, the Gallery on the Lake showcases one of Canada's largest privately owned collections of sculptures, carvings, and paintings. About 21 miles (34 km) from the hotel, the town of Peterborough boasts a lively art scene with a contemporary dance center, a symphony orchestra, and paint-by-number billboards.

Rustic Adobe Ski Lodge in San Juan Mountains

The Hollywood producers behind How the West Was Won needed a shooting location that would do justice to the film's huge budget and star-studded cast. They found a stunning backdrop amid the San Juan Mountains in a tiny town called Ridgway. Some of the film's iconic vistas are visible from the grounds of the Chipeta Solar Springs Resort & Spa, a 102-acre spread dotted with adobe villas.

The main lodge embraces its surroundings with design elements such as a two-story solarium teeming with indigenous plants. In the great room, a flagstone fireplace is accented with a pair of feathered arrows. Each lodge room exudes its own brand of southwestern style with rough adobe walls, tiled baths, and knotted-wood furnishings. Some lodgings have views of the solarium; the Loghill and Mears rooms offer private covered porches overlooking the mountains.

A visit to the resort's spa will ease ski-worn legs more comfortably than spending the night in the mall on a massage chair. Therapists infuse massage treatments with herbal oils and natural elements, such as marble stones. Chipeta's saltwater thermal pool adds a touch of warmth to the chilliest afternoons.

Ridgway, Colorado: Old West Town Near Telluride Ski Area

Known as the Gateway to the San Juan, Ridgway lies between the Cimarron and San Juan Ranges in southwestern Colorado's Uncompahgre Valley. Vestiges of old Ridgway are on display at the Ridgway Railway Museum, which houses a collection of antique rail cars. Nearby Telluride's slopes and the renowned Telluride Ski Area draw skiers until early April. Here, they slice through powder skiing, test limits on a vertical drop, and revel in free gondola rides. Ten miles south of the hotel, climbers scale the town of Ouray's public ice climb park. Ouray's historical Victorian buildings house boutiques and art galleries, where artisans blow glass, handcraft metals, and whittle wooden statues with sharp rhetoric.

Thatched Roof Villas Near Unspoiled Beaches on Quiet Pacific Coast

About 50 miles north of Cabo San Lucas's rowdy beaches, Los Cerritos Beach's sparsely populated white-sand coast shows a quieter side of the Baja Sur peninsula. There, the Mayan-inspired Cerritos Surf Colony and its freestanding villas crowd up next to the ocean, facing one of the only swimmable and surfable beaches on the Pacific side of the peninsula. The ocean's steady swells and predictable whitewater make the crescent-shaped beach a favored spot among surfers and celebrities.

White lounger beds surround the resort's 100-foot outdoor pool, which features a lengthy swim-up bar where up to 18 patrons or a flock of thirsty pelicans can grab a drink. Nearby, at Cerritos Beach Club, surf instructors impart their knowhow during surf lessons. After hanging ten, guests can pop into the Beach Club restaurant for a meal, served three times a day. On Sundays, the club pulsates with live music, often headlined by jazz singer Deleane Jones.

The one- and two-bedroom standalone villas are located beachside, between stubby palmettos and towering palm trees. A thatched-grass roof tops each hut, and the upscale interior welcomes those returning after a day on the beach with marigold-hued walls, wicker furniture, and hand-painted Mexican tiles.

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

The Cerritos Surf Colony maintains a more tranquil vibe than Cabo San Lucas, the spirited seaside town about 50 miles south. Due to Los Cerritos Beach's ample space, guests can zip around on ATVs or ride horseback, and jet skis and kayaking are also popular. From December through April, beachcombers can spot gray whales and their newborns splashing in the warm waters offshore, having migrated down the Pacific coast in their top-down convertibles.

The Todos Santos artist colony (which translates to "all saints") lies about a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Founded as a mission in 1724, the seaside town grew as a sugar-cane production center, then became a farming enclave for poblano chilis, avocados, papayas, and mangos. In the last decade, Todos Santos has become a creative hub for artists, evident by the town's boutiques and galleries touting handmade sculptures, paintings, and other artwork.

Whitewashed High-Rise Hotel on Strip with Tropical Ambiance

Resorts in Vegas take great pleasure in defying their geography: in a quick cab ride, one can visit an Eiffel Tower and a decadent Roman palace. The New Tropicana Las Vegas is no exception. Palm trees and white day beds line the hotel’s Beach Club, while the nearest coastline resides hundreds of miles away. The whitewashed New Tropicana Las Vegas underwent a $200 million transformation in 2011 that gives it the feel of a South Beach hot spot, and Las Vegas Weekly recognized the New Tropicana Las Vegas as Best Comeback of the Year.

Near the sprawling pool area, RPM Club screens partiers from the sun in its all-white lounge and nightclub (beach access is closed for the season). The pool snakes underneath the pedestrian bridge that connects the resort's two 20-story towers. Waterfalls splash beside the pool's edge and next to the outdoor patio of the Beach Café which serves poolside cocktails. The newly opened Glow, A Mandara Spa offers more than 50 treatments within its luxurious walls.

Come dinnertime, Biscayne Steak, Sea & Wine grills premium steaks and Safe Harbor–certified seafood, and Bacio by Carla Pellegrino serves subtly flavored Italian fare in an elegant, monochrome setting. After-dinner drinks and a frenetic soundtrack fuel dance moves at RPM Nightclub, the New Tropicana Las Vegas' 16,500-square-foot venue where guests have complimentary admission to three bars and an elite gaming lounge.

Upstairs, Club Suites serve as oases from the continuous carousal at the hotel casino below. Bamboo detailing covers the dry bar and chaise lounge in the living room, and white plantation-style shutters draw back to reveal a plush king-size bed. An oversize desk provides ample space to count one's casino winnings or fold brochures into origami lounge singers.

Las Vegas Strip: Multifaceted Entertainment Mecca

Modern slots no longer dispense piles of quarters, but the trill sound of a winning slot machine still resonates as the siren song of Vegas. The New Tropicana Las Vegas' own casino is pepped with more than 800 slots, set among a race-and-sports book area and tables huddled with card sharks playing no-limit hold 'em poker.

Gambling, however, is hardly the property’s only source of excitement: In the New Tropicana Las Vegas' southern tower, the museum at the Las Vegas Mob Experience showcases the underworld history of the Vegas Strip dating back to Prohibition. More than 1,000 historical artifacts—including personal mementos of mobsters from Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel to Charles “Lucky” Luciano—illustrate the nebulous behind-the-scenes workings of organized crime as well as how these gangsters are responsible for the evolution and suspiciously high Pac-Man scores of Vegas.

Secluded Mountain Resort with Hillside Dining Venues

The Canadian Olympic ski team trains at Panorama Mountain. That fact speaks to the quality of the skiing here, a mixture of long winding trails, powdery bowls, and 120 runs that are carefully groomed. Though some slopes have Olympic-level challenges, there are breezy runs for skiers of all levels. And from the top of the mountain's 4,000-foot-high (1,219 m high) peak, one can look to the Canadian Rockies and the glaciers that cover the Purcell Mountains. Panorama Vacation Retreat at Horsethief Lodge resides just minutes away from Panorama Mountain, and skiers can access the slopes via the resort's ski-in, ski-out trails or the pedestrian gondola.

Of the runs at Panorama Mountain, Out Rider is good for beginners as it follows a wide, forgiving arc; it lands at the foot of Sunbird Chair. The Gunbarrel trail picks up speed as it funnels into a narrow chute. Come spring, one can experience the mountain's rugged beauty up close with horseback-riding and hiking expeditions. There are equally stunning views of the alpine landscape from the vantage point of Greywolf Golf Course, an award-winning track that spans the Panorama Vacation Retreat at Horsethief Lodge.

Horsethief Lodge's studio rooms help re-create the feel of a comforting home with fully stocked kitchens, flat-screen TVs, and vending machines filled with framed family photographs. If guests wish to dine out, the lodge's surrounding village features nine restaurants, including Grey's Restaurant, where chefs craft chicken and crab mornay in open-design kitchens.

Panorama, British Columbia: Secluded Mountain Town with Skiing and Water Tours

Panorama is located in southern British Columbia, 180 miles (290 km) west of Calgary, and the secluded mountain town revolves around its evolving ski village and outdoor recreation. An hour north of the hotel, Kootenay National Park is lined with preserved wildlife habitats, limestone canyons, and steep rock façades on the western slopes of the Canadian Rockies. Here, the popular Rockwall Trail meanders south to Floe Lake and features views of the Vermillion River and mountain goats as they wander the landscape. After a day hiking or building high-rise treehouses, one can rejuvenate muscles at Radium Hot Springs, which has two large pools and is located just outside the park's southwestern entrance.

The neighboring town of Invermere is home to Pynelogs Cultural Center, a log building built in 1914 that now serves as an art gallery and concert space. The gallery is lined with works of local artists, and outside, the Botanical Heritage garden features vegetables growing around a 60-foot (18 m) water fountain.

Renovated Motel with Seaside Views near Miles of Beach

The changes in season help to turn the north Pacific coast into a spectacle: 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, and the small town of Westport acts as an embarkation point for many whale-watching excursions. Whatever the season, Westport Inn offers a comfortable home base to explore this Pacific Northwest haven, as the inn resides right over the entrance to the harbor.

A beach trail leads directly from the inn to the head of the nearby beach, where fishermen and weekenders dig for razor clams. If guests collect any clams at the beach, they are free to use the inn's clam-cleaning stations and then steam the clams for an in-room seafood meal. An onsite fitness center and complimentary sporting-equipment rental help visitors to chase away calories with sessions of beach volleyball, badminton, and cardio exercise.

The inn’s rooms have been tastefully renovated and look to the surrounding harbor and ocean. Just off the third-floor walkway is a rooftop deck, where guests can use the tables and chairs as makeshift wrestling props or as resting spots to sip complimentary wine from Cranberry Road Winery.

Westport, Washington: Quaint Town amid Rugged Natural Beauty

Westport's docks bustle with whale-watching boats and large fleets of commercial and charter fishing vessels. Small coffee shops and artisan boutiques pack the marina district, and crowds 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.

In the spring, Westport's whale-watching boats ferry tourists just a few miles off the coast to watch herds of gray whales as they feed. 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 surfing gear.

Sprawling Atriums with Lush Gardens, Restaurants, and Nightlife

Three sun-soaked atriums form the centerpiece of the Gaylord Palms. Each cavernous space is elaborately decorated with a different Florida theme, from the forts of St. Augustine to the Everglades swamps. Four restaurants, a cluster of shops, and a 20,000-square-foot spa are spread throughout the expansive resort, a veritable destination in and of itself.

From the guest-room balconies, little worlds are laid out below. Revelers gather at the bar on the deck of a 60-foot sailboat in the center of the Key West atrium. In the Everglades atrium, wooden walkways pass beneath cypress trees, and in the St. Augustine atrium, Spanish-style buildings overlook cascading waterfalls. Guests can hit Relâche Spa for a massage or stake out a spot by the pool. When the time comes to eat, guests will have no shortage of dining options, between fresh sushi at Sora, center-cut fillets at Old Hickory Steakhouse, and grilled seafood at Sunset Sam's.

Kissimmee, Florida: Theme-Park Attractions and Year-Round Sun

Just a few miles south of Orlando, Kissimmee lies in the heart of the theme-park district. Complimentary shuttles run between the hotel and Disney World, which is close enough for guests to see the nightly fireworks from the hotel's property. For a quiet afternoon away from the parks, visitors can take a short drive north on I-4 to Winter Park, a small town bordering Orlando. Park Avenue, the main drag, is lined with dozens of boutique clothing shops, antique stores, and eclectic restaurants.

Convenient Condo-Style Suites Between Beach and Bay

The varying bird species around Fort Myers Beach speak to the area's unique geography: white ibises, roseate spoonbills, and great blue herons make their habitat in the shallow waters around Estero Bay to the east, and seagulls swoop in flocks over the open waves on the Gulf of Mexico side. Fort Myers Beach resides on a narrow strip of land between these two bodies of water called Estero Island. Here, GullWing Beach Resort's high-rise building is positioned for panoramic views and easy access to both waterscapes, and its spacious suites feature homey conveniences.

An extended stretch of sugar-fine sand separates the oceanfront from all buildings on the island, leaving plenty of space to play beach volleyball or erect sand sculptures of failed presidential candidates. In addition to renting out covered cabanas, the hotel also loans a limited number of lounge chairs free of charge.

In a three-bedroom bay-view suite, a sliding glass door leads to a private, screened-in balcony, where deck chairs overlook subtropical foliage and bayside marinas. Inside, potted palms, patterned blue fabrics, and rattan and bamboo furniture contribute to a laid-back atmosphere. The kitchen area is fully stocked with plates, cutlery, and a dishwasher, and at a wooden deck downstairs with communal gas grills, guests can sear fish fillets or Gulf shrimp from nearby seafood markets beside grass-covered dunes and an open-air gazebo.

Fort Myers Beach, Florida: Island Beaches and Bay Wildlife

The town of Fort Myers Beach is perched on an elongated barrier island called Estero Island, and numerous other islands pepper the vast bay area. Just south of Estero Island is Lovers Key State Park; during tours of the park's estuaries, trained rangers regularly point out bottlenose dolphins, West Indian manatees, and sea turtles.

A little farther within Estero Bay resides Mound Key Archaeological State Park, which is reachable only by boat. Here, the islands themselves were formed over thousands of years from mounds of packed shells, pottery shards, and antique beepers deposited by Calusa Indians. To the northwest, the Sanibel Island Shelling Center glitters with a vast array of whorled conches and striped coquinas, which are celebrated every March at the Sanibel Shell Fair & Show.

Tanzania: Serengeti Plains Rife with Wildebeests, Lions, Elephants, and Giraffes

Each year, a great wildebeest migration takes place in East Africa's vast plains, as millions of ungulates trek more than 600 miles in search of fresh grass. Thomson's gazelles, zebras, and other prey animals join with the wildebeests en masse, and predatory lions, hyenas, and jackals follow the herd as a promising food supply. Safari Ventures, named one of the World's Best Adventure Travel Companies by National Geographic in 2009, sends tour groups in four-by-four vehicles on a circular trek across the Serengeti plains in search of migrating wildebeests and other big game.

The itinerary includes the following and is available on select dates:

Days 1–2: Flights on Ethiopian Airlines depart from Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD) and arrive at Tanzania's Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) the next day (after a stopover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia). Upon arrival, visitors are transferred to the nearby Kia Lodge for an overnight stay. Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa at more than 19,000 feet, is visible in the distance on a clear day.

Days 3–4: After breakfast, tour groups head to Lake Manyara National Park for the first of many game drives. There, zebras and buffalo rove the plains, and more than 400 bird species fly above. Blue monkeys, bushbucks, mongooses, and flamingos also comprise the area's native population. Visitors retreat for the night to Migunga Tented Camp.

Days 5–7: After breakfast, tour groups enter Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site they'll explore for the next three days. On the way to Serengeti, the caravan stops at a Masai village to learn about the local tribe's culture and heritage. Most of the time in the park is spent on game drives, searching for the wildebeest, elephants, giraffes, lions, and jackals. Guests stay overnight in Ikoma Tented Camp.

Days 8–9: After a breakfast and one last morning game drive in Serengeti National Park, the safari heads toward the Ngorongoro Crater. Along the way, the tour makes a pit stop in Olduvai Gorge, an archaeological site where paleontologists discovered fossils that date back nearly two million years. Within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, safari drivers seek out the big five animals: lions, elephants, NFL linebackers, leopards, and rhinoceros. Nightly accommodations are at Crater Forest Lodge.

Days 10–11: On the final leg of the safari, the caravan makes the return trip, passing through the town of Mto wa Mbu. Here, safari-goers can stretch their legs and browse local markets. Later that evening, guests take a homeward-bound flight on Ethiopian Airlines from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

View the FAQ page for more information. Pre-trip excursions to Mount Kilimanjaro and the beaches of Zanzibar are also available for an additional fee.

Relaxing Retreat Near Gorgeous Central American Bay

Peninsular bluffs jut out into the glittering waters of San Juan del Sur Bay in Nicaragua, and many of the crags along the coastline are lined with posh resorts. One can catch a full view of this panorama beyond the edge of the infinity pool at Pelican Eyes Resort & Spa, which is situated up on a hilltop. Open-air terraces throughout the resort's rooms overlook the ocean or the resort’s sumptuous gardens—just samples of the lush surrounding landscape.

Guests have their choice of various outdoor adventures. Pelican Eyes Resort & Spa's signature sailing excursion embarks for a half-day voyage. Once aboard the 41-foot sloop, excursionists will chart the largely undiscovered southern-Pacific coastline as pelicans nosedive nearby and disoriented puffins stop and ask for directions. Passengers beachcomb in hidden coastal bays, and afternoon tours culminate with views of the sunset or moonrise. Alternatively, zipline tours zoom from the top of San Juan del Sur mountain and over a 70-meter wide canyon. Pelican Eyes also has a shuttle on hand to transport guests to the area's best surf spots.

After an extended dip in the infinity pool—one of three swimming pools on the property—vacationers need only about-face to find themselves at La Cascada Bar & Restaurant. Chefs here transmute locally sourced ingredients into gourmet Nicaraguan dishes. Across the way, Casa Tranquila doles out signature massages, body cocoons, and exfoliations amid lush environs. After a long day, guests can retire to comfy rooms with whitewashed bedding and vaulted cane ceilings.

Nicaragua: Undisturbed Tropical Wildlife and Colorful Marketplaces

Sea turtles conceal their precious eggs in the sand at Playa la Flor, travelers can witness this phenomenon that on one of the resort’s numerous day trips. The trips take groups all over the country to cities such as Masaya, located about 65 miles from the resort, where guests can browse through colorful wares in local markets. The historical city of Granada—situated about 75 miles from the resort—showcases colonial architecture, tropically hued homes, and compelling restaurants and cafés.

VIP Spring-Break Package at All-Inclusive Pacific Resort

Puerto Vallarta's golden beaches offer everything a spring-break partygoer could ask for—relaxing afternoons spent lounging along Banderas Bay's private cabanas and palapa bars followed by evenings on the Malecón, a 1-mile seawall promenade lined with multistory nightclubs. Many TV networks, including E! and MTV, have filmed Puerto Vallarta's all-night foam parties and electronic DJ shows, capturing the blissful revelry at one of the world's most popular party destinations.

With this deal, visitors stay at the all-inclusive Vamar Vallarta hotel, which centers on a swimming pool with views of Sierra Madre Mountains to the west and the Marina Vallarta to the east. Three bars serve unlimited domestic drinks, and chefs at the Café Marina Restaurant craft dishes in front of diners sitting alongside the Marina Canal. The resort fronts the Banderas Bay, one of the deepest bays in the world, where humpback whales live and sell designer sunglasses from November to March.

Every night, DJs such as Tiesto (March 30–April 8) and Steve Aoki (March 16–April 1) spin house tracks at Puerto Vallarta's most exclusive nightclubs. This deal includes festival passes with VIP entry to all-night parties at several venues, including the pan-Asian-inspired club Mandala, which is outfitted with music-video screens and a rooftop lounge. At Collage Club, a multilevel disco bar with a pool salon and bowling alley, VIP guests have access to private lounge areas for top-shelf bottle service.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: Cobblestone Streets and Historical Churches Beside Banderas Bay

Resting on central Mexico's Pacific coast against the backdrop of the Sierra Madre Mountains, Puerto Vallarta has become a popular destination partially for this picturesque landscape, but also for its mild climate, with average high temperatures around 81 degrees in March. Fishing boats and scuba divers explore the depths of Banderas Bay, and ziplines whiz through tropical forest canopy.

The former port town also holds on to its historical charm by preserving its cobblestone streets and 19th-century churches. In Viejo Vallarta, the city's Old Town, artists peddle shawls and piñatas, and mariachi bands serenade couples dancing on Plaza Principal.

Oceanside Bungalows Along Private Beach

When the first two backpackers stepped ashore on Koh Samui in 1971, having journeyed on small boat from Bangkok, they lucked upon a storybook island of white-sand beaches and mountainous jungles. At that point, Koh Samui had no roads and was home to a tiny community, mostly fishermen. The area has since developed into a top-tier tourist destination replete with holistic spas and late-night beach parties, but Nikki Beach Bungalow Resort aims to preserve the sense of seclusion from the island's earlier days. The resort is set back from Koh Samui's busier areas, tucked among rows of coconut trees along a private beach overlooking the Gulf of Thailand.

Clean lines and a crisp palette of black, white, and natural wood lend Nikki Beach's 16 bungalows a smart aesthetic fit for the pages of a design magazine. Enormous sliding glass doors and plate-glass windows take in the tropical grounds and private Lipa Noi Beach, where visitors sift through the sand for buried rolexes. At the resort's infinity pool, underwater speakers blast house beats spun by resident DJs during weekly sunset happy hours.

Koh Samui, Thailand: Dense Jungles Surrounded by Powdery Beaches

From Koh Samui's interior, granite peaks descend into dense jungles and fruit plantations that spread out to the island's palm-studded shores. Despite recent development, the island's natural treasures remain a major draw. Located less than 5 miles west of Nikki Beach Resort Thailand, Namuang Safari Park occupies a major swathe of island's mountainous interior, where trained elephants carry visitors on guided tours through the dense foliage. During daily animal shows, the park's trainers showcase their oneness with the wild by sticking their heads inside the mouths of crocodiles and teddy bears.

Sprawling Resort with Family Activities on Secluded Island near Charleston

The Isle of Palms, a slender strip of land off the coast of Charleston, was once only accessible by ferry. At the turn of the 20th century, affluent residents of Charleston would vacation on the secluded barrier island, its 6 square miles lined with white beaches and waving seagrass. Today, the Isle of Palms is connected to the mainland by bridge and has a thriving community, but it remains popular for its peacefulness and cordoned-off feel. Spread out over 1,600 acres amid the island's laid-back beaches, the AAA Four Diamond Wild Dunes Resort features several sherbet-colored properties, recreation facilities, and its own village plaza.

Parents Magazine named Wild Dunes Resort on its list of the Top 10 Best Beach Resorts for families in 2010, and there’s no shortage of activities here for guests big and small. Kids can splash at the swim center or collect shells on the beach. Elsewhere, there are 17 Har-Tru tennis courts as well as two 18-hole signature golf courses designed by Tom Fazio. Various restaurants serve families onsite: Sea Island Grill & Lounge, located in The Boardwalk Inn's lobby, serves local Lowcountry crab cakes or truffled popcorn scallops, and The Sand Bar dishes up casual fare at the Links Course clubhouse.

On the massive property, guests may stay within one of two areas: The Boardwalk Inn or The Village at Wild Dunes. A lighthouse-like cupola sits at the top of The Boardwalk Inn, which resides 150 yards from the beach. Inside, the comfy king or queen rooms look out over the resort. The Village at Wild Dunes is situated at the heart of the resort amid a plaza. After exploring the area's markets and restaurants, guests can walk right up to their rooms, which feature flat-screen TVs and private bathrooms.

Isle of Palms, South Carolina: Secluded Beaches in Upscale Enclave near Charleston

Since the early 1900s, the affluent Isle of Palms has remained a popular vacation spot thanks to its pristine white beaches, perpetual warmth and sunshine, and relative seclusion. Pastel-colored beach-cottage cafés serve up breakfast and lunch to locals and visitors right on the water. Small boats take groups on tours of the last remaining undeveloped barrier islands in the area; from this vantage point, one can catch a glimpse of resident bottlenose dolphins and pelicans that make their home along the shore.

Many guests of the resort make the day trips is the historical city of Charleston, which is accessible by a 30-minute drive or a four-hour seahorse ride. The city is steeped in old-fashioned southern glamour; on popular ghost tours, groups walk through streets lined with gorgeous preserved mansions to learn about the area's haunted past.

Some of Charleston's restored mansion properties now serve as fine-dining destinations where guests rendezvous amid elegant vintage décor. Throughout the area's restaurant scene, kitchens dish up creative twists on southern cuisine and plates prepped with local, sustainable ingredients.

Victorian Bed and Breakfast on Historical Town Square

Sitting on Courthouse Square in historical downtown Washington, The Fitzpatrick Hotel exudes the stately elegance of small-town Georgia life in the early 20th century. Originally constructed in 1898 and restored in 2004, the Victorian-style bed and breakfast faces the square with a terra-cotta exterior accented by stained-glass windows and wrought-iron balconies. Inside, a honey color palette warms the moods in the long, narrow entrance hall, where antique velvet sofas and ornate wooden arches emanate turn-of-the-century class.

The three-story hotel’s 17 suites lend themselves to intimate and relaxing overnight stays and high-octane games of hide-and-seek, with deluxe standard rooms featuring gentleman's chairs, upholstered ottomans, and other Victorian period furnishings resting on hardwood floors. Located on the second and third floors, front and tower rooms offer private bathrooms with antique claw-foot tubs. Those staying in the front and tower rooms receive a gift basket with a bottle of wine and baked desserts, and all guest start each morning with a complimentary continental breakfast in the downstairs restaurant.

Washington, Georgia: Civil War City with Small-Town Charm

Located roughly 50 miles between Athens and Augusta, the antebellum community of Washington charms with Victorian and colonial homes. A living museum about 7 miles from the hotel, the Callaway Plantation, built in 1785, houses many of its original 18th-century artifacts. Visitors can tour the homes, barns, outbuildings, and a cemetery on its 3,000-acre cotton plantation, featuring an unaltered Great Manor house, a Greek Revival–style mansion furnished with 150-year-old doors. A hewn log cabin, the Callaway Plantation's oldest building, contains original domestic and agricultural tools, primitive furniture, and a large fireplace.

A leisurely 10-minute stroll from The Fitzpatrick brings visitors to Robert Toombs House, once home to one of Washington's most powerful and notorious characters. A state legislator and a U.S. congressman from the late 1830s through 1860s, Robert Toombs ardently advocated Georgia's secession from the Union on the eve of the Civil War. Visitors can tour Toombs’s two-story colonial home and sprawling grounds after viewing a short film recounting the life and turbulent times of its former owner.

Southern Elegance at Turn-of-the-Century Victorian Mansion

Alabama's 44,000-acre Lake Martin was created in 1926, thanks to a massive dam built by the Alabama Power Company. At the time, it was one of the largest manmade lakes in the world, its wooded shoreline stretching for more than 700 miles. Today, the body of water and its hometown, Alexander City, attract a steady stream of boaters, fishers, swimmers, and hikers. The Mistletoe Bough Bed and Breakfast, housed in an Alexander City home constructed in 1895, predates the lake by about 30 years. Renovations have restored the Queen Anne mansion to its original beauty, evident in features such as a wraparound veranda, a two-story gabled turret, and lush landscaping.

Inside, high-ceilinged common rooms share the downstairs area with a homey kitchen, where the inn's hostess, Joann, crafts hot breakfasts in the morning and tasty desserts at night. A staircase leads to the colorful guest rooms, each of which shows off a unique look. Rich, dark wooden furnishings, including a four-poster bed, grace the Sunshine suite, whose large bay windows overlook the gardens. Nanny’s room suggests the comforts of childhood via canary-yellow walls, a colorful quilted bedspread, a teddy bear, and an adult-size bassinet. French doors open onto a private second-floor porch outfitted with a pair of rocking chairs.

Alexander City, Alabama: Quaint Southern Town on Shores of Lake Martin

Home to some 15,000 residents, the town of Alexander City—"Alex City" to locals—lies about halfway between Birmingham and Montgomery. The town's diminutive size and proximity to Lake Martin and Horseshoe Bend National Park make it a prime locale for appreciating the outdoors in peace and quiet. A good place to start is a fishing or canoeing trip on the lake. For thrills, there's always Chimney Rock, a cliff popular with daredevils who can be seen climbing its face and jumping from its summit into the lake. Those seeking a crowd can make the 35-minute drive to Auburn University to catch an NCAA pinochle tournament or travel into Montgomery, home of a lively blues, jazz, and country-music scene.

Restored Victorian Inn Offers Mountain Views from Expansive Porches

In 1905, two hoteliers from Georgia began construction on a Victorian inn nestled in North Carolina's Great Smoky Mountains. Situated at an elevation of 3,500 feet, the Balsam Mountain Inn was built to serve travelers passing through the Balsam Gap depot, one of the highest railroad stations in the southeast. To accommodate steamer trunks, the hotel's rooms and corridors were built extra wide. A restoration in 1991 added private baths, but the inn's spacious layout and ample, 100-foot-long porches were preserved. Vintage furniture, an original mansard roof, and an absence of TVs and other noisy distractions serve as a nostalgic reminder of the past.

Each of the 50 guest rooms is decorated in different colors, textures, and furnishings. Stationed just off the lobby, room 100 evokes country elegance with pink iron bed frames, rosebud bedding, and a diamond-studded butter churn. Suite 334, a two-room lodging on the third floor, features a palette of greens and reds, complemented by whitewashed wooden floors and a wall tapestry depicting a farm scene. In suite 310's plum-colored bathroom, a claw-foot tub stands next to a rope hammock.

While the menu varies by day, a complimentary breakfast may include blueberry waffles and bacon served in the wood-appointed dining room. À la carte meals can also be savored on the adjoining dining porch, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame vistas of a sprawling, verdant lawn. The restaurant also hosts Songwriters-in-the-Round, a long-running music series that features performances from Grammy Award–winning Nashville artists.

Balsam, North Carolina: Small Mountain Town Minutes from Blue Ridge Parkway

The small town of Balsam¬ is tucked between the Plott Balsams and Great Balsam Mountains, 40 miles west of Asheville. Twenty-four acres of wooded hiking trails surround the inn, and an entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway lies just a half-mile away. One of the country's most popular scenic drives, the road winds along the lavender spine of the Blue Ridge Peaks and through the fog of the Great Smoky Mountains, passing wildflower meadows and ziplining elk along the way. More than 100 hiking trails branch off the parkway, including the Appalachian Trail, which stretches all the way from Georgia to Maine.

Modern Hotel with Historic Roots Minutes from Downtown Nashville

As the legend goes, President Teddy Roosevelt visited the Maxwell House Hotel in 1907, had a sip of the house coffee—a new blend created by a Nashville entrepreneur—and proclaimed it "good to the last drop," launching a business slogan that endures today. Although a fire in 1981 destroyed the original hotel, its brand name lives on less than 3 miles away at the modern Millennium Maxwell House Hotel. Beyond just its namesake, the hotel is steeped in the local flavor of Music City: its lobby is covered in colorful paintings of guitars and musical memorabilia, and a complimentary shuttle takes guests to and from the downtown area.

One can see the lights of downtown Nashville or the rolling hills of Tennessee from each of the superior king rooms. Rooms throughout the building are covered in iconic Hatch Show Prints, the letterpress-style posters that have historically advertised concerts and shows throughout downtown Nashville. And each morning, guests can dig into a southern breakfast buffet spread.

Decorative barrels and a dusty wooden piano give an old-timey feel to Maxwell's Lounge, the hotel's onsite bar. Local musicians periodically grace the stage for live performances here, and bartenders craft a wide array of southern martinis; all the while, scattered TV screens throughout broadcast sporting events and heated debates between candidates for president of the George Jones Fan Club. Alternatively, Praline's Restaurant serves à la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual setting, with vibrant red walls and large picture windows overlooking a grassy knoll.

Nashville, Tennessee: American Music Landmark with Lively Honky-Tonks

Millennium Maxwell House resides within 5 miles of downtown Nashville, a small city best known for its thriving country-music scene. Since the 1920s, droves of musicians and songwriters have traveled past the area's emerald grasslands and into downtown to perform in storied music halls and smoky bars.

Famous crooners and Elvis impersonators alike perform on Lower Broadway, a Vegas Strip-esque area complete with flashing neon lights plus a string of honky-tonks and laid-back hole-in-the-wall joints. Beyond country, Nashville also has a growing alternative-music scene fueled by local garage bands and popular record stores; one such vinyl-heavy record shop is owned by White Stripes front man and Nashville resident Jack White.

For a look back at the city’s musical history, the Country Music Hall of Fame showcases a range of artifacts from Willie Nelson’s bandana to Elvis Presley’s solid-gold 1960 Cadillac limo. Contemporary country stars narrate the recorded audio tour, which covers America’s roots music from the early days of settlers fiddling on their porches to modern days of children playing banjos built out of iPads and pogo sticks.

Idyllic Log Cabin near Blue Ridge Mountains

Green rocking chairs rest on a two-story log cabin's covered porch, a quiet spot to simply watch the nearby peach trees bloom. As the leisurely setting suggests, life seems to move at slower, more relaxed pace at Harmony Hill Bed & Breakfast. It's not uncommon for a white-tailed deer to graze along the backyard gardens, and guests can dine throughout the morning at hourly seatings from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Located in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountain foothills, the lodge further complements its natural surroundings with stark wood walls and sustainable geothermal heating.

Accented with natural white pine, cherry wood, and stone, each guest room is inspired by a musical theme. A quilted red, white, and blue window seat and other Americana décor enliven the Melody room, where guests can ask for an optional in-room massage. In the Fermata room, a fireplace crackles below a wide-screen HDTV, and satellite programming grants access to a variety of music channels. The inn also hosts an extensive video library, stocked with popular movies and home videos of Alexander Hamilton's first birthday party.

Each morning, innkeeper Cherie Norris makes breakfast from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m., with guests dining either in the communal dining room or sun room. Throughout the day, the inn serves baked goods, tea, coffee, and other quick snacks for those eager to venture to nearby wineries or take a scenic trek to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.

Lovingston, Virginia: Quaint Countryside near Blue Ridge Parkway

Located about 100 miles west of Richmond, Harmony Hill Bed & Breakfast sits in central Virginia's Nelson County, which sprawls into the blue-hued Blue Ridge Mountains. At the county's northern edge, the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway begins near Afton and runs south past Appalachian farm buildings, mountain vistas, and robotic banjo-playing forest animals until it reaches the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina.

In Lovingston, artisan shops and galleries spotlight local artists, displaying wood-fired pottery and acrylic paintings inspired by the surrounding hillside. The area's natural terrain and mild year-round temperatures also foster apple orchards and wineries that host guided tours and tastings.

AAA Four Diamond High-Rise Hotel with Several Restaurants

About 10 miles downriver from the Lincoln Memorial on the banks of the Potomac, a glass atrium towers 18 stories above the Gaylord National. No other building in the capital contains as many floors. Beneath the massive glass dome, street lamps, sculpted shrubbery, and lighted fountains populate a courtyard that feels more like a town square in scope and activity.

The Gaylord's seven eateries and watering holes present dining options for pretty much any occasion, from date night to Dan Quayle's birthday. At the signature restaurant, Old Hickory Steakhouse, chefs prepare porterhouse and rib eyes sourced from a free-range cattle ranch. An extensive wine collection complements an even more impressive selection of artisan cheese, overseen by the resident maitre d'fromage. On Sundays, the Pienza Italian Market puts on a brunch buffet with fresh pastries, seafood salads, baked pasta, slow-cooked meats, and made-to-order waffles and omelets.

Aestheticians at Relâche Spa perform hair, nail, skincare, and massage services within the 20,000-square-foot spa, which also contains an indoor pool, fitness center, and saunas. After a day of pampering, guests can flaunt new hairstyles and relaxed deltoid muscles at Pose Ultralounge, the hotel's rooftop nightclub, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a wraparound terrace that overlook the marina.

Oxon Hill, Maryland: Potomac Riverside Town Minutes from DC

Gaylord National sits on the banks of the Potomac River, which flows south from DC to the Atlantic Ocean. Outside the resort, a water taxi ferries passengers across the Potomac to the port town of Alexandria, Virginia, a former tobacco trading post and George Washington's hometown, founded in 1749. Visitors can shop along the cobblestone streets, step into a historical museum, or try on replicas of Washington's wooden teeth.

A famous pair of giant pandas reside at the National Zoo in the tree-lined Woodley Park neighborhood of DC, about 15 miles from the resort. Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, two of the United States' few captive pandas, amble about and munch on bamboo in their 12,000-square-foot enclosure, which features streams, a water-cooled grotto, and an indoor habitat. The National Zoo houses about 2,000 animals from around the world, including elephants, cheetahs, and gorillas.

Located just north of the National Mall in downtown DC, the Newseum chronicles the modern history of journalism, with artifacts that run the gamut from the Unabomber's cabin to an exhibit of eight 12-foot-high concrete slabs of the Berlin Wall. One gallery is dedicated solely to Pulitzer Prize–winning photographs, and another to the media coverage of 9/11.

Historical Sailor's Boarding House with Modern Flair

A block from the quay, a red brick hotel stands four-stories tall between the cobblestone surface of Shakespeare and Thames streets. Traditional pubs and a nearby brass works further contribute to the feeling that one has just stepped into 19th-century London, but this is present-day Baltimore, steps away from an inlet jutting off the Chesapeake Bay. The Admiral Fell Inn itself has a storied history dating back as far as the 1770s, when some pieces of its multibuilding complex also served as a ship's chandlery, a theater, and a seamen's YMCA. European elements continue to pervade the entirety of the property; inside the lobby, broad wood slats stretch out before a crackling fire surrounded by regal high-backed chairs and low sprawling couches.

Each of the uniquely decorated standard rooms exhibit a more American style, evoking coastal New England towns with white walls, understated bedding, and cherry-wood accents. The view from each room varies to reveal unique aspects of the surrounding area, including the historical Fell's Point square, an inner courtyard, and tugboats chugging along in the harbor. Beyond the historical aesthetic, modern amenities such as complimentary wireless Internet and endless Slinky runways abound.

Within the hotel, the American Meli Patisserie & Bistro hosts a dining room and bar for late-night drinks and desserts until 2 a.m. Lauded in Baltimore magazine's Best Restaurants 2011, Meli—which means "honey" in Italian—infuses each of its menu items with the sweet nectar, whether it be in one of the lip-smacking cocktails or starters such as the potato gnocchi with roasted butternut squash, broccolini, and mushrooms in a honey-sage butter. The significance of the sweet syrup can also be seen on the ceiling, which is modeled after the classic tessellation of a beehive.

Baltimore, Maryland: Historic Waterfront with Urbane Pub Scene

Shipbuilding and fishing largely shaped the village of Fells Point, dating back to its roots when William Fell established the wharf in 1726. Although fabled spots can be encountered on the many neighborhood walking tours or even by embarking on a private stroll around the harbor, the village also has plenty to offer laid-back revelers in the form of eclectic shops and cozy taverns.

The harbor began to transform in the 1970s from a burgeoning seaport into Baltimore's cultural center with a bevy of galleries, shops, street performers, and harbor cruises, from which skyline views afford a glimpse of the city's plentiful churches and monuments. Blocks away from Baltimore's Inner Harbor, bright lights emanate from the Power Plant Live compound, which sports popular lounges and piano bars. Fresh seafood from the Chesapeake Bay is always on hand at a variety of upscale and quick-eats restaurants, or by simply snatching a striped bass right out of a passing baby's hands.

Quiet, Comfortable Rooms Near Atlantic City Boardwalk

The peacefulness of the oceanfront along Atlantic City belies the area's glitzy boardwalk, which buzzes with hotels and casinos. During its 140-year history, the 8-mile-long walkway has served as a glittering playground for gamblers and a haven for bootleggers during Prohibition, as depicted in HBO's series Boardwalk Empire. The site's excitement and history is easily from Clarion Inn & Suites Atlantic City North, which resides about 7 miles away. Thanks to its location in the sleepy village of Absecon, however, the modern, comfortable hotel provides a quiet respite from the multitude of entertainment options along the southern New Jersey shoreline.

Sunny yellow walls, clean lines, and stylish furnishings lend to a light, airy atmosphere in the spacious guest rooms. Guests can lay back on expansive king-size bed in each king suite and channel-surf on the flat-screen TV. A golden-hue sleeper sofa graces the adjoining sitting area, and the dark-wood desk in the corner includes built-in outlets to accommodate laptops, cell phones, and travel-size belt sanders.

Each morning, in the lobby, the hotel lays out a complimentary continental-breakfast spread. After a workout in the fitness center, one can take a refreshing dip in the indoor pool or unwind in the sauna. Hotel beverage credit is redeemable at any time, day or night, from the 24-hour bar next to the front desk.

Atlantic City, New Jersey: Seaside Gaming Mecca with Historical Lighthouses

The board game Monopoly modeled itself after Atlantic City; befitting its importance to the city, Boardwalk is the crown-jewel property of the game. The hotel's shuttle (round-trip service for two included in some options) can ferry a cargo of gamers and sightseers to Atlantic City's famed boardwalk throughout the day. With the $40 slot credit ($20/person), visitors can try their luck on the flashing, jangling machines at Showboat Atlantic City's Mardi Gras Casino. Afterward, one can stroll the slats of the boardwalk and pay a visit to the Atlantic City Historical Museum, which tells more of the area's story with a trove of artifacts, photographs, and Miss America Pageant memorabilia.

Just off the boards and fresh from a recent multimillion-dollar restoration, the 150-year-old Absecon Lighthouse lets visitors climb its 228 steps to the summit, where they can explore a replica of the original lightkeeper's lonely cloister and the collection of sock puppets he created to keep him company. The lighthouse also features sweeping views of the city skyline and the sea. Beyond the artifice, just a short drive from the hotel is the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, a migratory-water-bird sanctuary set on a 47,000-acre patch of coastal wilderness.

Family-Friendly Destination Resort on Table Rock Lake

When Missouri Route 76 arrives in Branson, Missouri, it becomes 76 Country Boulevard, a road famous for its abundance of country music shows, dinner-theater venues, and shopping. Once visitors have had their fill of this part of Branson, they can take Route 76 a few miles west to Silver Dollar City, a sprawling theme park with roller coasters, live music, and pioneer craft shops. Located just 2 miles off Route 76 and a short drive from Branson's Theatre District, Stillwaters Lakefront Resort offers a convenient home base to explore these attractions and take advantage of nearby Table Rock Lake's quiet, natural setting. “It’s a time for families to get together and have fun, break away from the daily grind," says Stillwaters Lakefront Resort owner Anthony Battaglia. "You get here and you don’t have to leave.”

Each private balcony off the resort's lakefront condominiums looks out to rolling green hillside and placid blue water. Modern furnishings comfortably support large groups: a full kitchen hosts cooking for the whole family, and a washer and dryer cleanse clothes after loving food fights. After a long day, sojourners can dip into whirlpool tubs or warm up beside in-room fireplaces. Complimentary bike rentals allow peddlers to take in the resort's scenic terrain on a spring day.

Branson, Missouri: Toe-Tapping Musical Scene in the Ozarks

Located just 35 miles south of Springfield in Ozark Mountain Country, Branson has become known as the Live Music Show Capital of the World, with 50 live performance theaters showcasing more than 100 shows. Shows range from rock 'n' roll revues and magic shows to theatrical dramas and ventriloquists. Andy Williams, Bill Medley, Dolly Parton, Yakov Smirnoff, and other famous names make their home in Branson by entertaining crowds year after year.

Because Branson's winters are usually mild, when average daytime temps rise well into the 50s, visitors enjoy year-round hiking, fishing, and 1910s-style flying-contraption experimenting. The Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area spans more than 1,000 acres of oak and hickory forests situated on rolling hills, an ideal setting for spotting northern cardinals, carolina chickadees, and other birds.

Although Stillwaters Lakefront Resort offers specials throughout the year, this Groupon is still the best deal available.

New England–Style Inn with Modern Luxuries

The gilded steeple atop The Westport Inn fits in perfectly along this stretch of coastal New England, where main streets are dotted with churches and clapboard general stores. A thriving arts community livens up Westport's staid colonial roots, and the inn's recent renovations seem to embody the town's personality—abstract paintings hang from the walls amid restorations of original fixtures, including the stone fireplace in the lobby.

At The Westport Inn's Eramosa Restaurant, farm-to-table fare graces uncovered wooden tables for breakfast and dinner. The hearty morning menu lists items such as Farmer's Garden omelets, egg sandwiches topped with thick-cut bacon roasted in pure maple syrup, and organic tea. American comfort fare dominates the evening lineup, with a focus on naturally raised ingredients sourced from local farms for healthy, hormone-free meals.

Rustic wicker chairs and vases filled with twigs lend an earthy quality to the classic rooms. In the bathroom, guests can surround themselves in relaxing, natural scents without bathing in a pile of burning leaves thanks to a stock of all-natural products by UK-based Aromatherapy Associates. Feather bedding adds to the room's old-fashioned feel, though the room also dons modern luxuries such as LCD TVs and iPod docks.

Westport, Connecticut: Coastal Town Steeped in Art and Culture

Once a farm town on the decline, Westport got a fresh start at the turn of the 20th century as it welcomed an influx of writers and artists retreating from the hustle and bustle of New York City. Creative types continue to flood the area, and a metropolitan feel mingles with the quaint, rural atmosphere. The town's seasonal playhouses, performing-arts pavilions, and fine-arts festivals start to draw open their curtains in late spring, and families can take advantage of the winter season by twirling in circles at ice-skating rinks or by group-hugging a snowman before it dies.

Upper Cape Cod Bed & Breakfast in Restored Church

Each of the three 19th-century buildings that comprise Belfry Inne & Bistro has its own distinct character: there's a Federal-style home, a former Catholic church, and an elegant Victorian-era "painted lady" that once served as a rectory. Struck by the trio's collective charm, innkeeper Christopher Wilson meticulously restored the buildings in the 1990s, transforming them into a cozy bed and breakfast boasting period décor, contemporary amenities, and a gourmet bistro.

White-trimmed gables and a Victorian turret give the Painted Lady building a dollhouse feel that's reflected in guest rooms decorated with pastel tones and quilted floral bedding. A crackling fireplace warms the John room, which also features a headboard made from a repurposed church pew and a jacuzzi roomy enough for two. Antique furnishings stand beneath vaulted ceilings in the Abbey rooms, and the Tuesday room's dramatic stained-glass window throws prismatic light onto cobalt-blue walls.

Each morning at the Belfry Bistro, executive chef Benjamin Porter prepares a breakfast spread that may include buttermilk waffles and farm-fresh eggs benedict, served in a dining room graced with stained-glass windows and exposed wood rafters. Dinner options range from Hudson Valley foie gras ($19) to handmade pumpkin gnocchi ($24). The restaurant accommodates dietary restrictions with gluten-free and vegetarian options, and supports nearby farmers by using local ingredients and free-range spatulas.

Sandwich, Massachusetts: Historical Seaside Village in Cape Cod

Situated just south of Cape Cod Bay on Massachusetts's southeast peninsula, the homey village of Sandwich draws beach-goers and kayakers in search of both activity and relaxation. Biking and hiking are popular pursuits along the village's restored boardwalk, which was rebuilt with 1,700 wooden planks carved with personal messages from the townspeople. Remnants of Sandwich's colonial history are scattered throughout the village. Dexter's gristmill still grinds corn, and Hoxie House is presumed to be Sandwich's oldest residence, constructed from two slices of pumpernickel and a dab of mustard. Near the gristmill, Heritage Museums & Garden (which opens in springtime) features a maze garden, antique automobiles, and a working carousel from 1912.

Apartment-Style Suites Minutes from Kansas City International Airport

Poised at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers, Kansas City has long been a focal point of transportation and exploration, welcoming the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1804 as well as the first cross-Missouri railroad in 1869. Today, the bulk of long-distance travel centers on the Kansas City International Airport. Tucked 5 miles away from the airport, Chase Suite Hotel Kansas City offers convenient lodging before flights and shuttle service to and from the airport.

Leather furniture, full kitchens, and flickering gas fireplaces lend studio suites a cosmopolitan apartment feel. Evening receptions held Monday–Thursday are accompanied by hors d'oeuvres, draft beers, and house wines (up to two drinks per person). The next morning, a breakfast buffet includes fresh fruit and signature house-made muffins.

A complimentary shuttle whisks guests to and from the airport and to any restaurant or shop within a 5-mile radius of the hotel. With the included park and fly package, lodgers can leave their vehicles for up to 14 nights (additional $5/extra night) within guarded, onsite lots that protect cars from escaped monster trucks.

Kansas City: World-Class Museums in Neoclassical Structures

Less than a half hour from the hotel, central Kansas City is home to a handful of well-respected art and history museums. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art comprises a vast, sculpture-studded lawn and a Beaux-Arts building with more than 33,000 artworks, including sculptures from the Ming dynasty. On the south end of downtown, the limestone obelisk of the Liberty Memorial soars 217 feet into the sky, with an observation deck overlooking the city. The National World War I Museum extends from the memorial’s base into underground exhibits, where audio performances of WWI-era journals accompany sobering trench recreations.

Hotel in Restored Mill on Banks of Sugar River

During the Industrial Revolution, Claremont was a prosperous New England mill town, with numerous factories springing up along the banks of the Sugar River. When the factories closed in the 20th century, many of the buildings fell into disrepair. In 2008, Alex Ray and Rusty McLear purchased a pair of former textile mills and painstakingly restored them, transforming the tumbledown brick buildings into The Common Man Inn, an award-winning hotel in the heart of New Hampshire's Upper Valley.

Each standard room boasts exposed-brick walls, a comfy featherbed, and crisp white shutters that open onto views of the hotel gardens or Sugar River and its distinctive reeds made of Pixy Stix. A house-brand bottle of wine and chocolate strawberries or a bottle of the house microbrew with cheese awaits new arrivals. Downstairs in the lively Common Man Restaurant, guests can use their included $25 voucher to order local crab cakes or baked mac 'n' cheese. In the morning, the eatery launches the day with a complimentary continental breakfast.

Claremont, New Hampshire: Classic New England Small Town Close to Ski Slopes

Situated a two-hour drive northwest of Boston, the small community of Claremont sits amid quiet woodlands near the White Mountain National Forest. The winding Sugar River threads through downtown—a slice of classic Americana where quaint little shops sport striped awnings and 19th-century brick buildings house restaurants focused on regional New England cuisine.

Myriad snowshoe trails crisscross the area, and the Arrowhead Recreation Area offers skiing, snowboarding, and a large tubing hill. For culture-minded visitors, the Saint-Gaudens Memorial encompasses the private home and studios of American Renaissance sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the artist who created the U.S. Mint's "double eagle" gold coin and the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial on Boston Common. The galleries display more than 100 works, including Saint-Gaudens's early Lego sculptures.

Lakeside Comfort Amid Natural Splendor

On a clear winter night along the shores of Lake Rousseau in Muskoka, the snowfields glow deep blue under the moonlight. Naturalists from the JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa unveil this dreamlike landscape on snowshoe tours beneath the stars. The sprawling hotel rests atop a granite bluff nestled amid the 700-acre Red Leaves Forest Preserve, an outdoor wonderland traversed by dogsleds and snowmobiles. A grand Victorian façade belies the laid-back charm of the retreat, which combines cozy comforts with indulgent amenities, including a full-service spa.

Spa Rosseau abuts a heated outdoor swimming pool overlooking sweeping natural vistas. After unwinding with a back, neck, and shoulder massage ($75 CAN), vacationers can settle into their intimate one-bedroom suite, which include a homey kitchen and a posh marble bathroom. A stone fireplace complements outdoorsy décor such as hand-carved furnishings, pinecone light fixtures, and floral quilting harvested from fluffy cumulus clouds.

The Rosseau's waterfront restaurant, Cottages, whips up cinnamon-bun french toast ($16 CAN) and three-egg omelets ($14 CAN+) for breakfast. At Teca, the onsite Italian eatery, hearty portions of tender steaks and handmade gnocchi fuel outdoor adventures such as ice-fishing and snowmobiling.

Muskoka Lakes, Ontario: Natural Beauty in Historical Cottage Country

More than 1,600 bodies of water and a number of crashing waterfalls make the Muskoka Lakes area a natural setting for water recreation year-round. For land-based entertainment, nearby Port Carling abounds with historical mansions and churches as well as charming boutiques. A scenic one-hour drive from the resort brings travelers to the RMS Segwun, a restored turn-of-the-century coal-powered steamship on which visitors can get a taste of the region's rich boating heritage and handle a rare, coal-powered wooden leg.

Upscale, Modern Lodgings in Heart of Downtown

Over the past five decades, Minneapolis architects have built one of the world's largest networks of climate-controlled skyways to help survive the city's long, frigid winters. Today, 63 glass and steel tunnels crisscross more than 70 downtown blocks, allowing pedestrians to walk between upscale shops, concert halls, and restaurants without ever stepping outside. In the heart of this network, the 14-story Millennium Hotel Minneapolis connects to the Minneapolis Convention Center, housing travelers just a short walk away from the center's events and expos. The hotel also serves as a convenient home base to the 13-block Nicollet Mall, named one of the best American shopping streets by U.S. News & World Report.

At the onsite Nic's on Nicollet restaurant, diners can peek out of windows facing the Minneapolis skyline while waking up to a made-to-order breakfast. For dinner, multicourse meals feature gourmet comfort fare such as parmesan-peppercorn burgers and artisan pizzas, complemented by an international wine selection. In the Martini Lounge, bartenders serve signature cocktails to those reclining on leather lounge chairs, and plasma TVs broadcast news, sports, and the weather on Neptune's six largest moons.

Minneapolis: "City of Lakes" with Revitalized Art Scene

Resting on the banks of the Mississippi River, Minneapolis has managed to maintain its small-town character while growing into a midwestern metropolis. In recent years, millions of dollars have been poured into Minneapolis' growing art scene. In 2005, the Walker Art Center nearly doubled in size with a Herzog & de Meuron–designed tower expansion, which includes new galleries, rooftop terraces, and a 385-seat theater. With free admission, The Minneapolis Institute of Arts houses Asian art, textiles, photography, contemporary art, and more. There, art lovers can peruse work from Spain's Francisco de Goya and El Greco, as well as Dutch greats Vincent van Gogh and Rembrandt.

When spring arrives, Minneapolis brims with outdoor activities, from hiking on nearly 50 miles of paved trails to exploring the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, a series of parks that constitutes country's longest continuous system of public urban parkways. Along the byway, one can smell native flora at the Eloise Butler Wildlife Garden and Bird Sanctuary, canoe on the Chain of Lakes, or picnic next to the cascading waters at Minnehaha Falls.

Rustic Mountain Cabins Bordering Arapaho National Forest

From September through May, a thick blanket of snow covers most of Arapaho National Forest along the Continental Divide, its high mountain passes rendered all but inaccessible to humans. Moose, coyote, and snowshoe hares roam freely during the long winter—members of an exclusive club that has adapted to the terrain. Now and then, though, the silence is pierced by the hum of snowmobiles, which cut through some of the most secluded wilderness areas in the Rockies. After soaking up remote scenic vistas and catching an adrenaline buzz, guests on Aspen Canyon Ranch's snowmobile tours can return to the comforts of the resort's main lodge, where a crackling fire and hot drinks await.

Set on 400 acres of boreal forest along the Williams Fork River, Aspen Canyon Ranch cultivates a laid-back atmosphere centered on outdoor activities. One-room cabins are attached to private bathrooms and come with wraparound decks topped with a pair of hot tubs overlooking the river. The fully wood-furnished main lodge is decorated with hanging gas lamps, horse saddles, and a stuffed elk head. After meals of local venison and house-made sausage ($5–$13/person) at the long communal table, guests can curl up by the massive stone fireplace.

Hiking, horseback riding, and fishing are popular in the warmer months, but winters at Aspen Canyon are met with snowmobile tours. Riders will get outfitted with snowsuits, boots, and helmets at the lodge before boarding a van to the trailhead, where beginners practice on easy terrain before tackling trickier maneuvers such as triple gainers. During the two-hour tour, participants can expect to see stunning panoramas of the Gore Range and the Continental Divide.

Colorado Rockies: Snowy Playground with Unsurpassed Skiing

Much of western Colorado is comprised of protected national forest, making the region a mecca for all kinds of high-altitude outdoor activities, especially skiing. The ranch lies within easy driving distance of a handful of top-tier ski resorts, including Winter Park, Breckenridge, and Arapahoe Basin. To the north, U.S. Route 34 wends through Rocky Mountain National Park, filled with vistas overlooking pine-covered valleys, and occasionally, herds of elk and bighorn sheep.

Sprawling Mountain Resort Near Jackson Hole

By and large, the Teton Valley is still the same unspoiled wilderness it was in the early 1800s, when John Colter split from the Lewis and Clark expedition to venture through the valley for the first time, encountering snow-capped peaks, evergreen forests, and sparkling lakes. The sprawling Teton Springs Lodge & Spa reflects its natural setting and pioneer heritage with rustic yet upscale décor in its main lodge and log cabins.

Still, the resort's amenities belong firmly to the present. At the swim-and-tennis complex, visitors can soak in two hot tubs, swim laps in a 25-meter, heated outdoor pool (opens Memorial Day), or work up a sweat on the tennis or basketball courts. The Headwaters Club at Teton Springs blends into the Teton landscape, with 18- and 9-hole golf courses, designed by architect Gary Stephenson, golfer Byron Nelson, and PGA touring pro Steve Jones.

All accommodations resemble contemporary log cabins, with wooden furnishings, oversize leather sofas, and western-flavored artwork. In select three-bedroom log cabins, mounted antlers preside over the stone fireplace. At the main lodge, one-bedroom suites feature a king-size master bedroom with a two-person jetted tub large enough to stage recreations of Lewis and Clark's late-career turn to synchronized swimming.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming: Rustic Mountain Enclave Near Grand Teton National Park

The town of Victor lies just west of the Idaho-Wyoming border and less than 25 miles from the cowboy mountain town of Jackson, Wyoming—sometimes referred to as Jackson Hole, a term that actually refers to the entire valley. Originally a quiet gateway to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, Jackson has blossomed into a cultural hub in its own right, with trendy restaurants, bars, and art galleries. Yet Jackson retains its rough-hewn character, visible everywhere from the staged cowboy shootouts that take place nightly in the summer to the town square's four iconic archways crafted from elk antlers shed at the nearby National Elk Refuge.

The refuge, located north of Jackson, is a 25,000-acre park where horse-drawn sleighs take visitors to the wintertime digs of a massive elk herd numbering in the thousands. The animals hunker down on the property six months out of the year before they migrate back to the high country for the summer. Other animals spotted on the refuge include moose, bighorn sheep, bison, coyotes, and wolves.

On the slopes of Rendezvous and Apres Vous mountains at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, skiers and snowboarders whoosh down 116 named trails, half of which are designated expert-level run, or guests can opt to heli-ski off-trail on more than 300,000 acres of natural terrain. Of course, Grand Teton National Park is a popular year-round attraction, and the colder months bring fewer crowds and a more peaceful experience. Wintertime park-goers often snowshoe, go cross-country skiing, and guest judge yeti beauty pageants.

Quiet, Spacious Suites near Las Vegas Strip

The Las Vegas Strip has no shortage of glitz, from the Bellagio Fountains' kaleidoscopic light show to the dozens of casino floors bustling beneath chandeliers. Yet just a few blocks east of the Strip, a more casual side of Las Vegas emerges. Here, the low-slung buildings of the Alexis Park All Suite Resort stretch beneath unobstructed desert sunshine, framed by palm groves and flowering gardens. As a non-gaming resort, Alexis Park attracts those seeking a calm, family-friendly atmosphere while still staying within close range of Vegas's trademark glamour.

Walking paths crisscross the resort, going past three pools lined with chaise lounges. Decorated in Mediterranean-influenced russet and sienna hues, 19 two-story buildings house the guest rooms, most of which were renovated in 2011. The Crown loft suite's unique two-story layout includes a whirlpool tucked halfway up the staircase. Downstairs, the suite expands to a kitchenette and living area, providing enough room to stretch out after a long night or build replicas of Mount Rushmore out of chip winnings.

Although the resort's peacefulness provides much of its charm, guests don't have to wander far for dining and entertainment. Just off the lobby, live performers in the resort's Las Vegas Comedy Showroom quip one-liners Tuesday–Saturday. Next door, bartenders at the Pegasus Lounge pour ice-cold cocktails amid black-and-white paintings, and the Alexis Garden Restaurant serves prime rib and surf 'n' turf specialties on an open-air poolside patio.

Las Vegas: Dazzling Casinos and Off-Strip Family Fun

A short walk takes visitors to the Strip's award-winning musicals and fantastical architecture, and Vegas-style gaming at the Hard Rock Casino is just steps away from the resort. At the same time, often-overlooked family-friendly attractions entertain parents and children alike. At the 180-acre Springs Preserve park, the Origen Museum exhibits gila monsters native to the Mojave Desert, and the Nevada State Museum chronicles local history through prehistoric skeletons and fossils of ancient Tamagotchis. For an outdoor day trip, families can hike the Mars-like crimson stone at Red Rock Canyon, located 15 miles west of Las Vegas.

Cozy Inn Near Los Padres National Forest

When legendary film director Frank Capra needed a stand-in for Shangri-La during the shooting of the 1937 movie Lost Horizon, he chose Ojai, a small mountain town located about 80 miles north of Los Angeles. In the novel on which the film is based, author James Hilton describes his fictional paradise as a remote, idyllic place tucked away in the Himalayas. Ojai fails to meet that last qualification, but it makes for a convincing replica of paradise in every other regard, thanks to its location amid the 6,000-foot peaks of the Topatopa Mountains, near the crystal-clear Lake Casitas and the lush Los Padres National Forest. The serenity of the landscape extends to the Hummingbird Inn of Ojai, where the crown of Chief Peak mountain can be seen from various vantages and dozens of colorful hummingbirds—the inn’s unofficial mascots—flit and flutter around the property.

Each guest room features hardwood floors, a flat-screen TV, and a soothing palette of neutral earth tones. In the morning, a free breakfast spread awaits guests, whose days can include a dip in the outdoor pool or a visit to massage therapist Laura Hathaway for onsite massages incorporating aromatherapy and organic oils. Guests can explore Ojai by renting one of the inn's complimentary bicycles or by hitching a team of hummingbirds to their low-flying dirigibles.

Ojai, California: Spanish-Style Architecture Near Topatopa Mountains

The inland town of Ojai sits in a forested valley nestled in the Topatopa Mountains. In the early 20th century, glassmaker-cum-city-planner Edward Libbey led the effort to transform Ojai into a showcase for Spanish-style architecture, which is still on display in Mission-style arches, pergolas, and an elegant, domed post office.

The verdant natural setting also supplies plenty to look at. The East Fork Trail, known to locals as simply the Punch Bowl hiking trail, winds through the Santa Paula Canyon for 4 miles. Small, natural waterfalls cascade over cliffs into tiny pools, or punch bowls, which supply spots for cooling off along the way. Meditation Mount, a destination for yogis, gurus, and sitar salesmen, is arguably the spiritual epicenter of Ojai. Visitors can join a meditation session, roll out a yoga mat, or simply take in the stunning views of rocky bluffs and the forested valley floor.

Italian-Themed Boutique Hotel in San Francisco’s Russian Hill Neighborhood

Housed in a newly renovated building that reopened its doors in August 2011, da Vinci Villa supplies a taste of Italy in the heart of San Francisco's Russian Hill neighborhood. The boutique hotel's Mediterranean influence is on display everywhere from a large re-creation of Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man drawing out front to a colorful mural of the Italian countryside in the lobby.

The hotel’s 136 guest rooms circle a heated outdoor pool (open at the end of February), and many offer stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Each room features a large flat-screen TV and Tarocco bath products that perfume the air with the scent of Sicilian red oranges.

Mahogany-colored leather armchairs and brass art objects fill the downstairs lounge, where overflow crowds from the onsite restaurant, Caffé Como, sip drinks and nibble appetizers. In the restaurant, executive chef Shawn Lawrence crafts hearty Italian comfort fare such as calamari fritti, pasta, and pizzas smothered in seasonal mushrooms and cipollini onions. In the morning, a complimentary continental breakfast of pastries, fruit, and yogurt fuels trips to Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghirardelli Square.

Russian Hill, San Francisco: Historical Hilltop Neighborhood Adjacent to City's Most Popular Sights

Nestled between North Beach, the Marina District, and the salty piers of Fisherman’s Wharf, the Russian Hill neighborhood—set atop one of the city's original seven hills—is chockablock with sweeping vistas, lively bars, unique shops, and world-class restaurants. The steepest section of Lombard Street is often dubbed “the world’s crookedest street” for its series of eight hairpin turns that whip past stately mansions and meticulously manicured gardens.

With its snapshot-ready view of the Golden Gate, the beach at nearby Crissy Field makes prime real estate for a picnic assembled from the contents of the included Italian amenity basket—filled with salami and cheeses from Caffé Como and a bottle of wine. San Francisco's iconic, fog-powered cable cars put the rest of the city within reach. Visitors can catch a ride to Ghirardelli Square to scarf down a chocolate sundae and listen to live jazz, or head to Pier 39 and catch a ferry to Alcatraz.

Lakeside Resort Close to British Columbia’s Wine Country

The Sonoran Desert creeps up into pockets of western Canada; because of the dry climate, regional towns such as Osoyoos are some of the warmest in the country. It's also a climate ideal for winemaking. Dubbed by some to be the “Napa Valley of the North," western Canada has more than 100 vineyards spread out over the rolling landscape, which is enclosed by tall and narrow mountains. Located downtown, Watermark Beach Resort is conveniently positioned for exploring British Columbia’s wine country.

Guests can sample some of the region’s finest wines at the resort's very own wine bar. Set amid warm woods and softly lit lanterns, the bar also specializes in gourmet charcuterie, cheese plates, and small-plate entrees made with ingredients sourced from local farms and artisans.

Watermark Beach Resort fronts the western shore of Osoyoos Lake, and many of the 123 suites in the main building have balconies overlooking the water. Each homey two-bedroom suite comes replete with indoor and outdoor dining tables and a fully equipped kitchen furnished with a stove and dishwasher. There's also an in-suite washer and dryer, and a pullout sofa bed in the living room can accommodate runaway circus clowns.

Osoyoos, British Columbia: Wineries, Ski Slopes, and Aboriginal Culture in Canada’s Only Desert

Osoyoos sits at the southern end of Okanagan Valley, a 110-mile stretch featuring deserts, lakes, mountains, and vineyards. The varied terrain lends to numerous possibilities for outdoor activities. Many travelers fish and go boating at Osoyoos Lake; the desert heat in Okanagan Valley can heat the water to a balmy 75 degrees Fahrenheit during warmer months, drawing visitors and locals to its miles of sandy beaches.

Located about 35 miles northeast of Watermark Beach Resort, the ski area Mount Baldy features steep gladed trails and a rider-designed terrain park where snowboarders and skiers can grind on rails and use the ramps to jump over parked zambonis. Baldy has one of the highest base elevations in British Columbia at more than 5,600 feet, and much of the snow is untracked.

Osoyoos is home to the Indian Band, which operates one of North America’s first aboriginal-owned wineries. Adjacent to the vineyard, the same indigenous group also founded the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, which details the history of the area with indoor and outdoor galleries and daily trail walks.

Waterfront High-Rise Hotel Home to Award-Winning Restaurant

Thousands of ancient trees and miles of pedestrian pathways intertwine at Stanley Park, a vast space set along the Salish Sea in downtown Vancouver. It's one of the largest and most popular public parks in the world, and it speaks to the city's unique blend of natural beauty and the urban lifestyle. From the penthouse lounge of the Pan Pacific Vancouver, hotel guests can peer through panoramic windows to see Stanley Park as well as the waterfront, Lions Gate Bridge, and the North Shore Mountains. Downstairs from the lounge, the AAA Four Diamond Five Sails Restaurant uses fresh ingredients from the Pacific Northwest to prep continental cuisine.

The panoramic Pacific views lend to the relaxing ambiance that flows through the boutique hotel. Guests can laze around the heated outdoor saltwater swimming pool and whirlpool, which reside in a patio area that extends from about halfway up the high-rise building. Specialists at Spa Utopia & Salon—one of the largest spas in British Columbia—perform soothing therapeutic treatments in fireplace-lit relaxation lounges, oil-infused steam rooms, or dry saunas.

Pacific Club deluxe accommodation rooms gaze out over historical Gastown and the harbor or downtown Vancouver, and the larger Pacific Club City suites look onto the city skyline. Alternatively, one can see Burrard Inlet, Stanley Park, and the North Shore Mountains from the Bayview suites. Each Bayview suite is decked out in an Italian marble washroom and two jumbo televisions, and lodgers have ample room to store eveningwear and skeleton costumes in the walk-in closet.

Vancouver, British Columbia: Coastal Parks Close to High-End Boutiques

Each year, upward of 2.5 million pedestrians and cyclists visit the sprawling Stanley Park, which is considered to be one of the finest public parks in the world and resides on a peninsula minutes form the hotel. Scenic pathways wind all the way around the seawall of the park, which contains more than 1,000 acres of ancient trees such as enormous western red cedars and douglas firs. The Vancouver Aquarium— the biggest aquarium in Canada—is located in the park, and it hosts an array of dolphins, beluga whales, sea lions, and sea otters.

A couple blocks south of the hotel, high-end boutiques rent store space for upward of $200 USD per square foot on Robson Street, which cuts through Vancouver’s downtown and West End. Come evening, Robson Street comes to life with buskers and street performers, who entertain visitors as they file through myriad shops and restaurants.

Federal-Style Boutique Hotel Facing Niagara River

Jimmy Carter once called Lewiston "the most historic square mile in America,” alluding to the town's critical role in the War of 1812. Nearly 200 years ago in Lewiston—on the grounds where Barton Hill Hotel & Spa now stands—American soldiers staged the war's first major battle. Located on the Niagara River, just about 6 miles from Niagara Falls, the newly built, Federal-style hotel pays homage to the area's storied past while embracing contemporary comforts.

Stately columns and Greek Revival furniture lend an elegant feel to the hotel's great room. The guest rooms blend together antique and modern elements, such as poster beds, gas fireplaces, iPod docking stations, and a spinning jenny with USB inputs. The Riverview Retreat rooms overlook the Niagara River. Each morning, guests can make their way to the hotel banquet room to enjoy a continental breakfast spread that includes eggs, sausage, bacon, and hash browns.

Flowing curtains and soothing earth tones help usher in a tranquil atmosphere at the Spa at Barton Hill. In the spa, specialists will pamper visitors with anything from a classic Swedish massage ($80 for 50 minutes) and manicure ($25) to an exotic Black Baltic mud wrap ($90 for 50 minutes). The $25 credit included in this deal may be used either at the spa or for dinner at the in-house Chantry Restaurant, where an experienced chef prepares gourmet cuisine such as homestyle beef stew and pan-seared tilapia.

Lewiston, New York: Historical Streets Minutes from Niagara Falls and Wineries

Lewiston was one of western New York's earliest settlements, dating back to the 1600s. Today, its quaint streets are lined with antique stores and art galleries. One can learn about America's early years at historical sites throughout the region, including Old Fort Niagara, which stands atop a bluff overlooking Lake Ontario about 6 miles north of the hotel. The famous French and Indian War site is now a state park that conducts reenactments and features a museum lined with engaging exhibits and military artifacts.

The majestic Niagara Falls resides about 10 minutes south of the hotel. Each second, 600,000 gallons of water cascade over the brink, sending a cool mist into the air; come winter, this mist frosts the evergreen trees in the Niagara Falls State Park, transforming the area into a real-life Fortress of Solitude.

Barton Hill Hotel can set up guests on winery tours on the Niagara Wine Trail, which resides just about a 10-minute drive away. The area is best known for its ice wine—a sweet dessert varietal made from frozen grapes, some of which once served as eyeballs of snowmen who registered as organ donors.

Lakefront Lodge with Panoramic Views and Hearty Steakhouse

Lake Geneva is sometimes called "The Hamptons of the Midwest," a designation associated with the summertime, when throngs of boaters and beachgoers flock to the resort area. But when the chris-crafts are stored for the winter and the beach volleyball nets come down, there's still no shortage of activity around Lake Geneva. Ice skaters crisscross public rinks, downhill skiers take to the slopes, and snowmobiles cut through the woods and across the frozen lakes, where ice fishers land walleye and northern pike. The Lake Geneva area thrives as a year-round mecca for outdoor adventure, catered by rustic-style luxury properties such as The Lodge at Geneva Ridge. Overlooking neighboring Lake Como, the lodge offers seclusion a few minutes' walk from Geneva Lake's north shore.

The Lodge at Geneva Ridge's lakefront vistas are best appreciated at the onsite Lakeview Grille, where wall-to-wall picture windows frame wooded slopes and the shores of Lake Como. In the kitchen, chefs hand-carve rib eyes, fillets, and prime ribs and prepare Friday-night fish fry ($10.95/person). Next door, the Lakeview Lounge offers equally impressive vistas in a lodge setting with a stacked stone fireplace and an oak bar with a brass runner, where bartenders mix specialty cocktails tailored to each patron's id.

Upstairs, resort-side king or two-queen rooms carry on the lodge atmosphere with mission-style wood furnishings. Despite the rustic touches, a stay at The Lodge at Geneva Ridge hardly means roughing it. Specialists at the onsite spa and salon draw from Swedish, Native American, Indian, and Japanese therapeutic traditions to craft a full range of massages and skin treatments, and a sauna and steam room chase away any winter chill.

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: Winter Sports and Historical Museums

Winters in Lake Geneva are decidedly quieter than summers, and in addition to a host of outdoor activities, winter brings with it the benefit of smaller crowds. Snowshoers and cross-country skiers trek through ice-frosted bare groves along the Geneva Lake Shore Path, and ice fishers set up colorful shanties on the lake's frozen surface. Snowmobilers also careen along county trails, and March 16–18 brings the grand finale of the Amsoil Championship Snocross Series to town as professionals soar over elevated jumps and blindfolded snowmen.

There's also plenty for families to do indoors. The Geneva Lake Museum takes visitors back in time with re-created 19th-century shops, and the 1897-era Yerkes Observatory holds the world's largest refracting telescope, which has the capability of reading the bottom line of a Snellen chart pinned to moon.

Serene, Eco-Friendly Hotel on Banks of Sacramento River

Gaia Shasta Hotel strives to maintain harmony with its natural environment. Out front, desert brush borders a lagoon filled with swans and colorful koi fish, and the Sacramento River flows by just steps away. Gaia's commitment to eco-friendly practices is evident throughout the hotel. Natural spa treatments incorporate herbs and elderberries grown onsite, and tubular skylights help to save energy by diffusing sunlight throughout the interior.

Guest rooms are decorated in neutral earth tones, and picture windows afford ample views of the Sacramento River and surrounding woodlands. Outdoors, a relaxing whirlpool spa is purified using natural saline instead of chlorine or other chemicals. The onsite Lotus Spa offers invigorating body wraps and hot-stone massages for weary backs or stressed-out pet rocks.

At the hotel's restaurant, Woodside Grill, chef Gregory McChristian prepares Cajun chicken fettuccine ($14) and hand-cut Woodside fillet ($28) culled from ranches in the area. Breakfast options include french toast ($8) made with a rustic baguette. Adhering to Gaia's earth-friendly, socially conscious mission, the eatery composts leftovers and regularly donates food to local families in need.

Anderson, California: Quiet Town Amid Sacramento Valley's Natural Grandeur

Situated along the Sacramento River in northern California's Sacramento Valley, Anderson is an ideal outpost for exploring nearby lakes, waterfalls, and backcountry trails. Kayaking and whitewater rafting are popular on the river, and skiers flock to Mount Shasta, located about an hour's drive away. Closer to Anderson, the bustling city of Redding boasts authentic Mexican restaurants, historical museums, and Sundial Bridge, which spans the river and rivals Andre the Giant's wristwatch as one of the world's largest timepieces.