Beachside Condos Close to White-Sand Beach

Nearly 5% of the world’s coral reefs surround the Bahamas, making it a prime vacation spot for kayakers and snorkelers. But in the late 1600s, these tropical treasures were anything but safe. Pirates, including the legendary Blackbeard, would exploit the maze-like layout of the islands to launch sneak attacks on Spanish galleons and man-of-war ships. The swashbucklers have since subsided, but today Nassau remains the home of adventure-seekers with a wealth of thrills on sea and land. Sitting along the seaside and just a stone's throw from the largest casino in the Bahamas, Sandyport Beaches Resort perfectly positions visitors to revel in the mirth of Nassau.

Sandyport Beaches Resort is part of the gated waterway community of Sandyport, a quiet enclave alongside Cable Beach, a popular 2.5-mile stretch of white sand. The layout of the resort is simple and uncluttered, anchored by three pools and a kiddie pool with water slides. Pastel-colored, two-story villas house 72 guest rooms including the studio room, with a small living and dining area ideal for two guests. Larger groups might opt for the one-bedroom suite, which has private sleeping quarters, a pullout sofa in the living room, and a full kitchen.

Nassau, Bahamas: Island Life in Bahamian Capital

The 3,000 islands that make up the Bahamas bask in the Atlantic waters a couple hundred miles off Florida’s east coast. Nassau, the capital and largest city, is not only a haven for U.S. travelers, but also a celebrity hot spot, entrancing the likes of Sean Connery and Johnny Depp with seemingly endless white-sand beaches and an easygoing mood. Once controlled by the British Empire, sovereignty was restored to the islands in the 1970s. However, some English cultural influences remain: Bahamians still drive on the left-hand side of the road, cheer on cricket teams at Hayne Oval field, and settle lovers’ quarrels over a game of rugby.

Historical Boutique Hotel in Heart of Chicago's Loop

In the late 1890s, the jewelry business was booming in Chicago, especially along a stretch known as Jeweler's Row in the heart of the Loop. After toiling at their craft all day, many local silversmiths bedded down at a nearby boardinghouse built in an emerging architectural style called the Arts and Crafts movement. Today, the structure is a boutique hotel. Though the silversmiths are long gone, many of the original design elements have been carefully preserved. These include glazed, dark-green floors and a zigzag pattern on the lower-story windows. A restored marble mosaic and cast-iron grand staircase further highlight the rich, early-20th-century heritage of what has become the Silversmith Hotel and Suites.

Two welcome cocktails greet lodgers before they retire to spacious guest rooms, each of which features 12-foot ceilings. The onsite New York–style delicatessen, Ada's Famous Deli & Restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner six days a week. At night, the bartenders at the 14 Karat signature lounge sling cocktails until midnight. A 24-hour fitness center, lined with cardio machines and weights, lets guests keep up with their fitness routines, even if they happen to be vampires.

The Loop: Theater District and Acres of Green Space Set Along Lake Michigan

Silversmith Hotel and Suites lies in the thick of The Loop, the commercial and governmental center of Chicago. Around the corner from the hotel is the downtown Theater District, where touring Broadway shows often make lengthy pit stops at some of the city's largest performance venues. For a taste of Chicago's celebrated off-Loop theater scene, locals head north to the Lookingglass Theater Company, winner of the 2011 Regional Tony Award. Housed in the historic Water Tower Water Works building, this ensemble-based troupe places an emphasis on visual spectacle, highly physical storytelling, and adding pie fights to the works of Euripides. The upcoming Rick Bayless in Cascabel stars celebrity chef Rick Bayless in a story set in a 1940s-era Mexican boardinghouse.

The Silversmith is just one block from acres of verdant parks along the lakefront. At Millennium Park, regardless of the weather, camera-toting tourists flock to Cloud Gate, artist Anish Kapoor's reflective sculpture better known as the Bean to Chicagoans. Steps away, the Art Institute of Chicago showcases art from around the world. Famous pieces include works by Monet, Picasso, Dali, and Matisse.

Restorative Rainforest Retreat in Scenic Costa Rica

The piping-hot steam of a turkish bath recalls the nearby Poás Volcano, a landmark in this swath of Costa Rican rainforest. Natural elements and organically derived treatments are paramount to the mission at Asclepios Wellness & Healing Retreat, where guests ditch the stressors of daily life and indulge in some professionally administered R & R.

Whitewashed rooms named for Greek gods and goddesses overlook the resort’s 12,500-acre natural habitat. Asclepios promotes conservation by minimizing its impact on the surrounding acreage. Buildings take their shape from sustainable materials such as bricks, siding, and tofu cubes; thermal solar collectors, sustainably engineered ventilation, and natural lighting help to preserve the area wildlife.

A bevy of onsite wellness options await, from a dip in the ionized swimming pool to an introduction to the alternatively hot and cool hammam, vichy, or scottish showers. Master technicians de-stress clientele in four treatment rooms, and a licensed naturopath dispenses take-home supplements to sustain holistic well-being. Chefs at the resort’s organic restaurant work with ingredients plucked from their own organic garden to plate dishes such as oven-baked eggplant stuffed with cheese and pesto and ginger-glazed tofu with diced mango.

Costa Rica: Teeming Rainforests Opposite Bustling San José

Costa Rica represents a biological and cultural bridge between the Americas. A whole quarter of the country’s land, much of it covered by dense rainforests and mountain ranges, falls under government protection. About 16 miles (26 km) from Asclepios, San José sprawls as the country's capital, bustling with commercial enterprise, museums, and nightlife. The peaceful outlook on life is epitomized by the popular local expression "pura vida." Costa Ricans greet friends and visitors with the multipurpose phrase, which literally means "pure life," but it might be used to express anything from gratitude to indignation at an award-show snub.

Palatial Disney Theme Park Resort Hotel Close to Theme Parks

At a Disney theme park resort, it's feasible to spend a day embarking on a wildlife safari, exploring Moroccan culture, or curtsying with Cinderella. Just outside the grand entrance at the Royal Plaza Hotel, a complimentary shuttle opens up all of these possibilities, departing every half hour and ferrying guests to the heart of the theme parks. Just steps away from the hotel sits Downtown Disney, an entertainment-centric destination filled with restaurants, art, theater, and shops. Inside, the hotel contrasts dramatically with its playful surroundings — the space's trickling fountains, marble corridors, and palatial lobby recall an old-world sensibility, replete with a flickering fireplace and soaring ceilings.

Inside a deluxe tower room, floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto the vast expanse of the nearby theme park. Many of the simply decorated, gold-toned rooms feature granite countertops and oversized roman soaking tubs that require bathers to speak in Roman. Downstairs, the Giraffe Café serves a lavish breakfast buffet and casual American fare, and children eat for free when chaperoned by a paying adult. Tickets for the Magic Kingdom Park, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot are sold in-house, and guests of the Royal Plaza Hotel can enjoy priority seating at dinner shows and theme-park restaurants and preferred tee times at the resort's championship golf courses.

Orlando: Disney Theme Parks, Outdoor Activities, and Local Wildlife

Orlando, located in the center of Florida, is known for its near-perfect sunny weather and reputation as the center of all things Disney. Theme parks, rides, and restaurants sit a short shuttle ride away from the hotel, and just steps from its door, Downtown Disney's pedestrian-only streets proffer themed eateries, live performers, unique souvenir stores, and a space for mermaids to learn to walk on human legs.

Outside of the park, there's plenty of outdoor activities to satisfy adventurers: kayaking day trips on Lake Buena Vista and Lake Bryan, golfing at any of the courses in the area, or discovering South Florida's exotic flora and fauna at nearby sanctuaries and alligator parks.

Private Island Resort with Caribbean Sea Activities

Since buying Isla Marisol in the 1940s, the Usher family has preserved the tropical landscape and wildlife so visitors today can experience the atoll as it looked and felt generations ago. Catch-and-release fishing policies ensure that shoals of colorful parrotfish can still be spotted along the pier. Abundant coconut palms give the seagoing hawks plenty of places to nest and gather ingredients for piña coladas. And because it's still privately owned, Isla Marisol Resort maintains an intimate ambiance—there are just five all-wood cabins and 11 cabanas dotting the island.

The resort limits its occupancy to 36 guests at any time, and visitors all have access to the entire island, from 2 miles of jungle to soft sand beaches studded with conch shells. Vacation packages come with all-inclusive meals served in the laid-back restaurant. Isla Marisol’s chefs prepare dishes with locally sourced conch and lobster and cook with seasonal produce shipped in from family farms and gardens around Belize.

Adventure Tours in Glover’s Reef

Isla Marisol lies about 35 miles southeast of mainland Belize and is the smallest of three coral atolls in the region. Just offshore, Glover’s Reef abounds with marine life and supports recreational activities such as snorkeling and fly-fishing.

Diving adventure packages include three dives per day, one night dive, and all diving equipment. A PADI-certified dive master leads each 45-minute excursion, so even noncertified divers can explore sections of the Belize Barrier Reef system, the second-largest in the world. At the popular Pinnacles dive site, stunning reefs flower up from the ocean floor; other dive sites are characterized by subterranean structures such as sheer vertical walls, deep canyons, and grottos.

Much of the coral around the island flourishes near the surface, yielding prime snorkeling spots. Guest can head out on their own as much as they like, and two guided trips per day are included in the snorkeling package. After a short boat ride across the calm Caribbean waters, surface divers will have a chance to view ocean floors at up to 40-foot depths, thanks to the water clarity, where garden eels and barracudas tango beneath the waves.

Healthy bonefish populations around Isla Marisol make for lively fishing. Though the resort has a private lagoon where guests can fish whenever they like, both fishing packages include guided offshore fishing trips where anglers might troll for wahoo, kingfish, and tuna. On the inshore flats, fly-fishers can perfect their cast while pursuing permit and behemoth tarpons. The resort provides necessary tackle, but guests are responsible for bringing their own fly rods and waterproof copies of Moby Dick.

Virginian Wines, Southern Flavors, and Regional Seafood at 19th-Century Mansion

The culinary-travel specialists at Epitourean create food-focused itineraries for adventurous eaters, highlighting authentic regional cuisine in its own setting through tours, cooking classes, and gourmet meals. This deal takes the culinary curious to central Virginia, an area known for its rolling wineries, southern seasonings, and seafood fresh out of Chesapeake Bay.

The retreat takes place at The Lafayette Inn, an 1840-era Federalist mansion that has served as both a saloon and a Civil War hospital. Current innkeepers Alan and Kaye Pyles have transformed the antebellum manor into a cozy setting for sampling local produce and wines from the surrounding Piedmont region. The culinary adventure begins with a chef's tasting menu of five or more courses, each paired with a vintage from the wine list. Although dishes frequently vary to showcase seasonal ingredients, chefs often draw from the main menu, which includes lump crab in garlic cream, fried green tomatoes, and Southern Comfort shrimp and grits.

The following night, Alan—who doubles as the inn's executive chef—leads an intimate, hands-on cooking class in the onsite restaurant. Visitors transform into moonlighting sous-chefs as Alan teaches culinary tricks of the trade, leading disciples in mincing, whisking, broiling, and searing basketball box scores onto chicken breasts.

Inside The Lafayette Inn's guests rooms, four-poster beds, crocheted quilts, and locally produced bath products enhance the inn's homey charm. The Monroe room boasts a gas fireplace with a carved mantelpiece, and the Washington room honors its namesake with portraits of the first president. Each day, a cooked-to-order breakfast serves omelets and french toast, and inn staff will help to plan a self-guided wine tour through the surrounding countryside and provide an artisanal cheese basket.

Historical Mountainside Resort Fed by Mineral Springs

In the late 18th century, Dr. John Anderson purchased a 2,200-acre plot of land in the Allegheny Mountains. The physician hoped to reap the curative benefits of the many natural springs in the area. His first guests stayed in tents, but shortly afterward he used locally quarried stones to build a lodge that serves as the foundation for today's Omni Bedford Springs Resort. During the past two centuries, 10 U.S. presidents have stayed at the hotel—a National Historic Landmark that recently underwent a $120 million renovation. But even with its newly restored wings and plush furnishings, the Omni's main draw is still its eight mineral springs, some of which feed the heated indoor and outdoor pools.

Inspired by the local Native Americans who first discovered the springs' healing properties, the 30,000-square-foot Springs Eternal Spa uses natural mineral water in every one of its treatments. Bedford Bath rituals alternate dips in hot and cool mineral pools equipped with massaging jets. The service also includes a ginger body polish and steam therapy infused with indigenous botanicals. Other treatments, such as massages and body wraps, employ local herbs, and many culminate with a stint in the private spa garden.

Five restaurants present guests with a wealth of options at mealtime, ranging from fine dining to a casual poolside grill. Lit by chandeliers, the stately Crystal Room features farm-to-table entrees and Pennsylvanian Dutch buffets. Come nightfall, guests can gather around a stone fire pit on the lawn, nibbling on marshmallows toasted over the flames or using them to construct 3-D models of constellations spotted above.

Bedford, Pennsylvania: Rustic Mountain Town Convenient for Hiking and Fishing

Cradled amid the verdant Alleghany Mountains, the rural town of Bedford is a gateway to the outdoor adventure abundant in south-central Pennsylvania. In addition to 25 miles of hiking trails accessible from the Omni, the nearby Blue Knob State Park contains a vast network of gently sloping loops and steady uphill climbs. Multiuse trails are open for mountain biking, horseback riding, and seasonal cross-country skiing. Warmer months invite trout fishing in one of the park's streams.

Bedford celebrates its rich heritage every summer by recreating colonial life at Old Bedford Village—a cluster of more than 30 buildings including schools, a theater, and a tavern. Inhabitants dress up and speak like early American settlers and demonstrate quilting, blacksmithing, candle making, and other crafts. Visitors can glean some trade knowledge by taking classes, impressing friends later by weaving a basket shaped like George Washington's powdered wig.

Spacious Accommodations in the Heart of Niagara Falls

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

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

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

Niagara Falls, New York: Awe-Inspiring Waterfalls and World-Class Casinos

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

Five-City Guided Tour of China from Beijing to Shanghai

Called one of the seven wonders of the modern world, The Great Wall of China stretches more than 5,000 miles across northern China—longer than the length of the continental United States—snaking through lush forests and snow-capped mountains. To the south, Shanghai boasts more than 17 million people, one of the largest populations in the world, as well as two of the world’s tallest structures—the super-tall Shanghai World Financial Center and the futuristic Oriental Pearl Tower. These sights make up just a few parts of Rewards Travel China's 13-day sightseeing tour, which reveals the massive country and its superlative-worthy attractions in visits to Beijing, Xi’an, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Shanghai, and more.

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

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

Day 6–7: Groups take a short flight southwest to the historic city of Xi’an, considered one of the four capitals of the ancient world, alongside Athens, Cairo, and Rome. Here, the Terracotta Horses and Warriors Museum is filled with 8,000 life-size statues of Chinese warriors and horses, built more than 2,200 years ago. Commissioned by Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the statue army was intended to defend him in the afterlife. Afterward, a dancing performance drawn from Tang Dynasty themes entertains while spectators dine from a spread of various dumplings.

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

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

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

Countryside Resort with Walking Trails and Golf Courses

In temperate spring weather, it's possible to play on any of three 18-hole golf courses at Carriage Ridge Resort at Horseshoe Valley. But even when the courses are covered with snow, they serve a great function to guests: near one of the fairways, there's an entryway to ski-in, ski-out trails that lead to a nearby resort lined with downhill runs and terrain parks. Whatever the season, there is a wealth of possibility for outdoor recreation at Carriage Ridge Resort, which rests on a ridge overlooking Horseshoe Valley.

An endless sea of fields and forests encloses the resort, creating a sense of peace and privacy to set the tone for a relaxing retreat. The hotel offers various programs to help guests to stay active, too. Aqua fit classes are held each morning at the heated indoor pool, where the water serves as natural resistance during exercise regimens. When not frolicking at the children's pool and playground, youngsters can test their wits in hosted scavenger hunts.

Housed in three separate buildings, Carriage Ridge's condo-style accommodations feature fireplaces, spacious living rooms, bathrooms with jacuzzi-style tubs, and full kitchens appointed in light wood furnishings. Private balconies extend from the one- and two-bedroom suites.

Oro-Medonte, Ontario: Small Country Town with Thriving Ski and Golf Culture

The rural town of Oro-Medonte is located one hour north of Toronto on the shores of Lake Simcoe. Oro-Medonte also marks what is likely the northernmost point of the Underground Railroad, a network of locations where escaped African-American slaves stopped for food and shelter. There was already a thriving population of African-American residents in Oro-Medonte around 1812, and in 1819, the local government set aside land for runaway slaves along Lake Simcoe. About 10 minutes south of the resort resides the Oro African Methodist Episcopal Church, a tiny wooden structure that is listed as a national histori

The quiet town is a haven for outdoor adventure. Within 20 minutes of the hotel, three ski centers offer manicured downhill trails, snowboarding super pipes, and 65 kilometers of varied nordic terrain. In warmer months, it's possible to navigate mountainous landscape via a network of hiking and biking trails. Or guests can train for sandcastle-building competitions in the bunkers at 1 of 18 area golf courses.

Cozy, Tropical Inn Close to Popular Reduit Beach

White, powdery sands line the shore at Reduit Beach, located on the northern part of St. Lucia. Fine, white sand might seem common for an island in the Caribbean, but St. Lucia is positioned on the tip of a dormant underwater volcano, which has contributed to a craggy, mountainous terrain on the island. Bay Gardens Inn resides in the heart of Rodney Bay, which hosts some of St. Lucia’s rare stretches of pristine beaches. Complimentary shuttles transport guests to the beach, which is a popular destination for windsurfing and snorkeling.

In each of the inn’s 33 rooms, a private terrace or balcony overlooks the freshwater pool, the centerpiece of the hotel. Each room comes colorfully decorated with lime-green or golden walls and floral-print comforters that echo the tropical landscape. The onsite Creole Pot restaurant serves authentic St. Lucian breakfast.

During their stay, guests have full access to the facilities at Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa, one of the inn’s sister locations. Aside from a spa, this resort features a dive shop with equipment for exploring the island's coral reefs or napping in a bathtub. And at Caribbean-fusion restaurant Trios, local chefs blend island flavors with Asian and European influences to whip up entrees such as coffee-spiced grilled strip loin and tapas plates such as jerk-chicken empanadas. Guests can also enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Spices Restaurant in Bay Gardens Hotel, another inn sister location.

St. Lucia: Dense Tropical Jungles Flanked by Twin Volcano Peaks

St. Lucia's interior consists of densely packed tropical jungles and rolling mountains flanked by twin volcanic peaks, known as Pitons. Many trekkers scale the 2,619-foot summit of Gros Piton, where on a clear day, there are panoramic views to the surrounding islands.

At the bottom of the Pitons is Sulphur Springs Park, whose mineral hot springs and mud baths are renowned for their ability to reduce stress, help skin ailments, and spark sudden wrestling matches. The lush, tropical Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens are also in the area around the Pitons, set on the 6-acre site of an 18th-century cocoa plantation. On the grounds, a sulfurous waterfall changes colors from yellow and green to blackish hues throughout the day.

Secluded Pacific Resort Near Waterfall and Jungles

Seeing as it's only accessible via a 15-minute panga-boat ride, Majahuitas Resort clearly caters to those in need of a little seclusion. The resort powers its beachfront casitas solely with solar energy, and there are no televisions and no telephones, making the rest of civilization seem blissfully distant. At night, dozens of candles twinkle along the shore, enhancing the retreat's romantic allure. With unspoiled jungle and rushing waterfalls at its back, Majahuitas Resort presents visitors with an idyllic escape from hectic daily life.

Inside the resort's open-air casitas, padded wicker chairs and brightly colored hammocks overlook the shore. Each day, chefs craft daily meals with fresh-caught fish and fruits harvested onsite. Chilaquiles and huevos rancheros await those waking up for the breakfast spread, and octopus, shrimp, and other seafood tapas make for a midday snack. For dinner, guests can choose between dining in their private casita, at an ocean-side table, or in the dining room beneath the glow of a 25-candle chandelier.

This deal includes a guided trek through the jungle to Quimixto's waterfall, which crashes over crags and into a crystalline lagoon. Back at the resort, guests can use complimentary kayaks and snorkeling gear to explore the ocean, and additional zipline canopy tours grant a bird's-eye view of the jungle and its many Radio Shacks.

Hands-on Cooking Classes and Guided City Tours in Abruzzo Region

The culinary travel specialists at CookingVacations.com by Epitourean create food-focused itineraries for adventurous eaters, highlighting authentic regional cuisine in its own setting through tours, cooking classes, and gourmet meals. This deal takes culinary enthusiasts to the Abruzzo region of Italy, known for its artisan cheese and full-bodied wines. Trip planners are happy to honor vegetarian preferences and all dietary restrictions, which should be mentioned at booking. Each Abruzzo culinary vacation includes the following for each person:

• A six-night stay in a standard room at the Palazzo Tour d'Eau hotel in the Abruzzo region
• Four cooking classes with local chefs
• One pastry class with regional liquor pairings
• Full-day excursion to town on Adriatic Coast
• Tours of a salami plant, olive mill, and cheese producer
• Welcome dinner and cocktails
• Ground transport to and from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day

Upon arrival at FCO, guests are shuttled to the village of Carunchio in the hills of eastern Italy's Abruzzo region. Welcome cocktails await at the Palazzo Tour d'Eau, a 19th-century mansion-turned-hotel perched on the town's highest hilltop. The culinary adventure kick offs the first night with a multicourse dinner that introduces the bold flavors of the Abruzzo cuisine.

Throughout the week, local chefs lead hands-on lessons that demystify the traditions of Italian cooking. During a pasta-making class, students learn to craft their own gnocchi, cavatelli, and chitarra. Later on, an instructional by the Palazzo's sommelier will illuminate the art of food-and-wine pairings and debunk the myth that red wine is just wine with food coloring. Chefs also demonstrate preparations for classic Italian sauces, and pastry makers pair sweet bites with regional liquors during a dessert-making class.

There will also be time to explore the Abruzzo region, beginning with an outing to a local salami plant and an olive press. During a day trip to Vasto, an ancient settlement on the Adriatic Coast, the tour will swing through a historical fishing house and an organic cosmetic lab that produces lotions from olive oil and goat's milk. During an afternoon excursion to the inland town of Agnone, groups visit an ancient bell foundry where church bells are manually produced for the Vatican.

Opulent, Eco-Conscious Coastal Resort with Old-World Charm

When night falls, a constellation of twinkling outdoor fireplaces lights up Terranea Resort’s 100-acre expanse of Pacific Ocean coastline. The fires are a kind of modern-day analog to the encampments of early Spanish explorers who discovered the Palos Verdes Peninsula several hundred years ago. Terranea pays tribute to these first European settlers with a Mediterranean design incorporating red adobe roofs and archways inlaid with colorful mosaic tiles.

The resort also maintains an eco-friendly focus. Its grounds are comprised of roughly 75% green space, including a 2-mile Discovery Trail affording occasional views of gray whales performing graceful offshore line dances from December to April. The resort's emphasis on nature extends to lushly appointed ocean-view rooms and casita suites, which are accented with golden-hued woods and seashells of all sizes. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto private balconies overlooking the water.

A 50,000-square-foot glass-walled fitness center and spa offers state-of-the-art cardio equipment as well as daily classes, including yoga and seaside spin sessions, during which participants pedal stationary bikes on an outdoor terrace facing Catalina Island. Golfers tee off on The Links at Terranea, a nine-hole, par 3 course dotted with indigenous California plants. Water lovers loll by one of three ocean-view pools or shoot down the 140-foot water slide.

Among the resort's many dining options, mar'sel—an upscale, oceanfront eatery—serves flavorful dishes crafted by chef Michael Fiorelli using sustainable methods and local ingredients, including fresh herbs plucked from a garden guests pass on their way in.

Rancho Palos Verdes, California: Secluded Coastal Town Abounding with Aquatic Adventure

Nestled in the hills of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, secluded Rancho Palos Verdes is home to expansive estates set on jagged bluffs looming over the coastline. Terranea's Pointe Discovery adventure shop equips visitors for exploring all that the peninsula has to offer, including standup paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, and mermaid speed dating. Fewer than 2 miles from the resort, the Abalone Cove Shoreline Park, a state ecological preserve, boasts pristine tide pools home to sea stars, pointy urchins, and brightly colored anemones.

Within walking distance of the cove lies Wayfarers Chapel, a structure built from glass and redwoods by Lloyd Wright, son of pioneering architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The Point Vicente Lighthouse also stands nearby. First lit in 1926 as a beacon to mariners aiming to steer clear of rocky shoals, the lighthouse now makes an ideal spot for whale watching.

Four-City Guided Tour of China from Beijing to Shanghai

The Great Wall of China stretches more than 5,000 miles across northern China—longer than the length of the continental United States—snaking through forests and up snow-capped mountains. To the south, Shanghai boasts more than 17 million people, as well as two of the world’s tallest structures—the super-tall Shanghai World Financial Center and the futuristic Oriental Pearl Tower. These sights make up just a few parts of Rewards Travel China's 10-day sightseeing tour, which reveals the massive country and its superlative-worthy attractions in visits to Beijing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Shanghai.

Some deal options include roundtrip airfare from Los Angles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), or Vancouver (YVR) airports. Departures may be made from other cities for an additional fee.

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

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

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

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

Rustic Lodge and Cabins Minutes from Glacier National Park

Montana's Glacier National Park spans more than a million acres, with snow-capped peaks, expansive meadows, wooded hillsides, and massive lakes that reflect the scenery. After the park was established in 1910, a rustic lodgepole-pine lodge served as the western visitors center, set just behind a railway station in the town of Belton. In 1949, the lodge was purchased by a local family and transported, log by log, to a site about 8 miles south, where it began a new life as a popular roadside restaurant. Many years and owners later, the original lodge now stands at the centerpiece property of Historic Tamarack Lodge & Cabins.

Glacier National Park is situated just minutes from Historic Tamarack Lodge & Cabins, and travelers can explore the lush landscape with rental bikes from the resort. In addition to the park land, countless trails crisscross the forest near the cabins themselves, good for walking or hiking. When guests return from their journeys, they can relax by the lodge’s fireplace with board games, books, and puzzles, along with complimentary tea and coffee. Outside, a llama resides in an enclosed paddock to help referee games of horseshoes and volleyball in the front yard.

The lodge was renovated in 2003, with special care taken to preserve its charming lodgepole-pine architecture and massive stone fireplace in the living room. Surrounding the old main lodge are other cabins built from knotty pine boughs, each equipped with modern amenities such as kitchens, satellite TV, and WiFi. Daily housekeeping service ensures that towels are fresh, the log furniture gets dusted, and muddy boot tracks are wiped from hardwood floors. Every cabin also attaches to a deck or patio of some sort, giving guests an outdoor perch to watch dazzling sunsets.

Northwest Montana and Glacier National Park: Alpine Adventure Under Big Sky

Although many of Glacier National Park's roads and campsites are closed during the winter, it’s a fine time to explore the sublime natural scenery without the burden of crowds. The Apgar Visitor Center, located at the park's western entrance, hosts free, ranger-led snowshoe walks on Saturdays and Sundays through March. Dozens of other ski and snowshoe trails are accessible along Going-to-the-Sun Road, a stretch of which remains plowed throughout the winter. To thaw out, travelers can get a hot meal or solicit group hugs from strangers along the main streets of nearby towns Whitefish and Columbia Falls, which are lined with breweries and restaurants.

Hidden-Gem Resort Near Casinos and Ski Slopes

It doesn’t surprise the staff at Lakeside Inn and Casino that readers of the Tahoe Daily Tribune picked their hotel as winner in the Best Casino, Loosest Slots, Friendliest Casino Employees, and Best Happy Hour categories. “We win ‘Best of’ awards every year,” says Lakeside Inn and Casino staffer Chris Garton. “We even won Best Valet Parking, but we don’t have valet parking.” Parking is actually adjacent to the resort’s rooms, which makes transporting gear to the nearby Heavenly Ski Resort easy—an outdoor change-of-pace to the casino’s bustling nightlife.

At the onsite Latin Soul restaurant, chef Alvaro Ochoa has been slicing and dicing for more than 24 years, crafting fare brimming with Latin American flavors. The chef mixes artichoke with blue crabmeat and roasted poblano peppers to fashion a dip for plantains, yucca chips, and garlic breadsticks. Diners dig in while surrounded by a fiery motif expressed in wall murals and red spiral-patterned upholstery.

The Tahoe Daily Tribune's Best Casino 2011 is a haven for locals and vacationers alike. Stripped of gaudy excess, Lakeside’s casino floor features high ceilings and walls fashioned with wood paneling or river rock. Seasoned card players can enter a nightly poker tournament, and newcomers can attend a Wednesday-night class that instructs on the finer points of blackjack, craps, creative nonfiction poetry, and poker.

South Tahoe: Natural Splendor Meets Glitz and Gambling

Located on the eastern side of the California-Nevada border, Stateline offers the glitz and glamour of the Silver State’s distinctive casinos while staying close to the unspoiled beauty of Lake Tahoe. Day trips to Emerald Bay State Park reward with postcard-worthy photo opportunities of the shimmering lake surrounded by glacier-carved granite. Hikers can take in the staggering Glen Alpine Falls, a 65-foot waterfall best enjoyed during the spring. At night, visitors hit Stateline’s glimmering nightclubs, and event-goers take in local concerts, events, and shows.

AAA Four Diamond Hotel Surrounded by Deschutes National Forest

In Sunriver, Oregon, a bucolic meadow near the Cascade Range's foothills has been busy over the years. The meadow has served as a gathering place for Native Americans, a makeshift camp for John Fremont and other 19th-century trappers and explorers, and a training ground for the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1965, a pair of Oregonians laid out plans to create a resort and a residential community that would incorporate the area's stunning natural aspects. Today, the AAA Four Diamond Sunriver Resort preserves its scenic environs while encouraging guests to explore the habitat through hiking, golfing, and other recreational pursuits.

In addition to accolades from Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure Golf, and FamilyFun magazines, Sunriver Resort was awarded the elite gold medal by Golf magazine, a recognition exclusive to the top golf resorts in the country. Sunriver features 63 holes spread across four courses, each designed by an acclaimed architect, including Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Bob Cupp. Complimentary transportation throughout the sprawling campus allows for easy hopping from one activity to the next. Those who prefer to exercise can navigate 35 miles of paved biking trails that crisscross the resort. Deer, eagles, geese, and picnicking coyotes are a common sight along the Deschutes River's forested banks.

The resort's five restaurants range from fine-ding at The Grille at Crosswater to the Owl's Nest pub, a welcoming spot to sample regional microbrews. At Meadows at The Lodge, French-trained chef Fabrice Beaudoin culls local and organic ingredients to craft entrees such as sizzling flatiron steak and chorizo mac 'n' cheese. Two queen-size beds occupy the loft in 900-square-foot lodge village suite. The open loft overlooks the living room, where a stone gas fireplace crackles beside the private deck.

Sunriver, Oregon: Skiing, Mountain Biking, and Hiking in the Cascades

The snow-capped peak of Mount Bachelor is visible in the distance across much of the Sunriver Resort property. For $10 round-trip, the resort offers transportation to and from the mountain's ski resort, just 20 miles away. At Mount Bachelor, skiers and snowboarders explore 71 runs spread out over more than 3,000 acres. With some accompanying adult tickets, kids 18 or younger ski or snowboard free, as do their imaginary skiing friends.

Along the Deschutes River, a series of Class VI rapids known as Benham Falls has been designated impassable for watercraft. But the falls can still be observed from mountain and hiking trails along the riverbanks. Depending on current snow conditions, the trails typically stay open year-round.

Wildlife Refuge Safari in Zululand and Luxurious Accommodations in Cape Town

Big Five refers to the lion, the African elephant, the cape buffalo, the leopard, and the rhinoceros. The term originated with big-game hunters, as these animals were considered to be the most prized pelts in the world. Today, all members of the Big Five save the buffalo are classified as endangered, vulnerable, or near threatened. But it’s still possible to observe these majestic creatures up-close in a protected, natural environment at Thanda Private Game Reserve in South Africa’s northern Zululand, where the animals roam more than 34,000 acres of rehabilitated farmland. Guests can go on safari and scope out metropolitan Cape Town with today’s Getaway from Africa Answers.

Click here for a day-by-day itinerary of the trip.

Days 1–3: Tour-takers depart on an Emirates airline coach-class flight from one of six U.S. cities, touching down in Dubai before moving on to Cape Town. Passengers will travel overnight on the aircraft.

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

Days 4–6: The first full day in Cape Town begins with a guided half-day city tour. The morning is devoted to a guided tour of city sights such as the Castle of Good Hope, the oldest colonial building in the country. On Days 5 and 6, guests have free rein to take a self-guided tour of the town; the Pepper Club’s 24-hour concierge service can provide ideas for exploration.

Days 7–9: The tour takes a dramatic turn when guests transfer to Thanda Private Game Reserve via a flight to Durban on South Africa’s east coast. At Thanda, guests will spend two days on safari, hopping on open-topped Land Rovers to traverse the expansive reserve during morning and afternoon guided tours. The Big Five animals all make their home on the reserve and can sometimes be seen alongside wild dogs, cheetahs, and awestruck Ernest Hemingways. At night, sojourners will stay in tented safari camps, which accentuate the safari experience with regal four-poster beds, en suite bathrooms, and staggering views of the game reserve.

Days 10–11: The journey ends when guests fly out of the Durban airport on an Emirates airline flight, connecting once again through Dubai.

Couples-Only Resort on Secluded Caribbean Beach

Every evening as the sun dips behind the horizon at Keyonna Beach, tiny candles are set atop tables at the resort's beachfront restaurant. Couples take their seats on the open-air terrace against a backdrop of mangrove trees and miles of glassy Caribbean waters. Each meal at this couples-only resort is served here in nature’s very own dining room. Beyond this shaded veranda, the island's rolling terrain and crystal waters support myriad outdoor excursions, from reef snorkeling to hikes through lush, tropical forest.

Each stay comes with one daylong excursion for two to some of Antigua's most striking destinations. A sailboat cruise to Cades Reef transports passengers to one of the island’s best snorkeling spots. Another sail excursion arrives at Bird Island, where hiking trails meander through North Sound National Park. Personable guides take care of all the logistics—including a barbecue lunch—and enforce a strict ban on Lord of the Flies reenactments.

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

Antigua: Tropical Paradise Rich with Outdoor Recreation

Beyond the guided day trips, a multitude of outdoor adventures lies within easy reach of the resort. Boggy Peak, the highest point on the island, is a short hike from the beach and offers dazzling bird's eye views from its summit. A 10-minute drive up the coast, the Jolly Harbour Golf Club spans more than 5,500 yards of lush terrain, sandwiched between tropical hills and the ocean. For a change of pace, Antigua's complex colonial history—from its days as a coveted sugar producer to its independence in 1981—is profiled at the Dow's Hill Interpretation Center at English Harbour, about 15 miles away on the island's south coast.

Scenic Resort Bordering Great Smoky Mountains National Park

To hike the Appalachian Trail through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, most trekkers cross the Little Tennessee River, by way of the Fontana Dam. From the top of the 480-foot-high structure, the tallest dam east of the Mississippi, views of the mountains stretch for miles in every direction. It’s easy to see why hikers often take their time when passing through area, and for visitors of nearby Fontana Village Resort, the lure is just as strong.

The hotel maintains more than 20 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails in the immediate vicinity. Trails vary in terrain from meandering, creek-side footpaths along Lewellyn Cove to steep switchbacks. Down at the resort's marina, pontoon boats are all revved up to navigate the 30-mile-long Fontana Lake. In the Village, the resort's activity hub, guests can toss frisbees down the wooded fairways of the 18-hole disc-golf course, or test the buoyancy of their cell phones at the Stone Creek Pool and Lazy River. After the dance floor at the Recreation Hall begins to settle down, the party might move outside to a community campfire, where marshmallows will surely meet their match.

Deluxe rooms are situated in the main lodge, which features a lobby with stone pillars, oversize leather couches, and a crackling fireplace. There are also a slew of freestanding cabins, each uniquely designed and furnished with a mix of rugged and modern amenities such as a wood-burning fireplaces, flat-panel TVs, and whirlpool tubs. Visits from April through June come with an included daily breakfast of two eggs cooked to order, choice of breakfast meat, bread, and grits or hash browns.

Fontana Dam, North Carolina: Historical Dam Amid Smoky Mountains Wilderness

The town of Fontana Village sprung up in the early 1940s as a place to house Tennessee Valley Authority workers as they constructed the Fontana Dam. Today, Fontana Village Resort is a convenient outpost to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park— the two nearest entrances are about 50 miles away in either direction, through Townsend, Tennessee, or Cherokee, North Carolina. Within the park, visitors should check out Cades Cove, an 11-mile loop accessible to both cars and bicycles. Regarded as some of the area’s best wildlife viewing spots, the meadows along Cades Cove are often visited by deer, black bears, and picnicking college mascots.

Oceanfront Hotel Close to Historic Attractions

A temperate climate and wide, open beaches attract tons of visitors to the Outer Banks, a 200-mile chain of pencil-thin barrier islands clinging to North Carolina’s coastline. But beyond its bountiful sand, the area is rich in American history. Roanoke Island was home to the infamous Virginia colony that mysteriously vanished without a trace in the 1580s. More than 300 years later, the Wright brothers took flight for the first time in Kill Devil Hills—not nearby Kitty Hawk, despite what's taught in fourth grade. And the tallest lighthouse in the United States still stands on Cape Hatteras. The Ramada Plaza Nags Head Beach is close to all of these. The oceanfront hotel offers central access to the region's best beaches as well as its numerous landmarks.

Relaxing days can be spent lounging on the property’s expansive beach, or in motion atop a bicycle or surfboard rented from a nearby shop. An indoor pool and in-room Nintendo consoles ensure fun on days when rainy weather or full-scale alien invasions make the outdoors inaccessible. The hotel's 171 guest rooms feature beach-inspired décor and offer striking views of the city, dunes, or ocean. Peppercorns, the onsite restaurant, serves up seafood, sandwiches, and sweeping panoramas of the beach. The restaurant’s lounge offers live music on Friday nights and karaoke on Saturdays.

The Outer Banks: Monuments and Natural Wonder

Atop the hill near Kitty Hawk where human-powered aviation was born, a 60-foot granite obelisk topped by a shining marine beacon commemorates the achievements of Wilbur and Orville Wright. Located just about a mile north of the Ramada Plaza, the Wright Brothers National Memorial includes wind-tunnel reproductions, replicas of the brothers' early gliders, memorabilia, and the pinch of Tinker Bell's pixie dust that made the flight possible.

A couple miles south of the hotel, some of the tallest natural sand dunes on the East Coast stand at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. The mounds of constantly shifting sand would fill 6 million dump-truck beds. Combative winds from the northeast and southwest keep the dunes from blowing away. Further south, Cape Hatteras National Seashore has earned the nickname “Graveyard of the Atlantic” for the many ships that have wrecked during storms on its dangerous shoals. Wildlife, including nesting seas turtles, abounds, and the surfing is considered some of the best on the East Coast.

Golf, Skiing, and Water Park at Expansive Resort and Spa

From the summit of The Mountain Top, skiers can survey much of the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa’s sprawling, 1,300-acre property. Three miles from the shores of Geneva Lake, the AAA Four Diamond resort livens up vacations with two championship golf courses, an indoor water park, and 18 ski runs that zigzag down the slopes.

During downtime, deluxe courtside or lakeside rooms offer a restful haven in the resort’s ranch-style lodge, inspired by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. A bevy of restaurants cater to different tastes, from the signature fillet medallions at the ChopHouse to handmade pasta with lobster from Ristoranté Brissago, which imports fresh mozzarella, wine, and bespoke suits from Italy on the weekly. Two cafés and a pair of bars and grills offer casual dining alternatives.

Between Grand Geneva's two award-winning golf courses, The Brute challenges even the most accomplished players, whereas the Jack Nicklaus–designed Highlands course accommodates higher handicaps. After scaling the 35-foot rock-climbing wall or playing tennis in the indoor sports complex, guests can unwind at the WELL Spa + Salon. Indoor and outdoor hot tubs bubble year-round at TimberRidge Waterpark, a sprawling facility with a lazy river and twisting waterslides.

Lake Geneva: Where Mansions Meet Watersports

Once a haven for Chicago's captains of industry, residents of Lake Geneva lived large in the 1920s in their mansions along the lake’s shoreline. Some of those mansions still stand today, including the Queen Anne–style Black Point, open for public tours by land or boat. Such homes and history have lent Lake Geneva the nickname “the Hamptons of the Midwest.”

Charming shops and brunch spots line Lake Geneva’s downtown, but the real draw is Geneva Lake itself. Visitors can take in a lake sunset from Flatiron Park, or hop aboard one of Lake Geneva Cruise Line's old-fashioned steamboats in the warmer months. The line offers a range of public tours, including the U.S. Mailboat Tour, a first-hand look at the last remaining marine mail-delivery system in the country. Mailpersons leap onto the docks to quickly stuff mailboxes before the mailboat floats away and they're forced to hitch a ride on the UPS dinghy.

Homey Mountain Lodge in Heart of Eagle County

Daisy, a half-boxer, half-pit-bull mix, bounds through the lobby and eagerly greets a pair of incoming guests, playfully nudging a suitcase with her nose. The young pooch, who belongs to a hotel manager, takes her duties seriously as an unofficial member of the welcoming committee at Eagle Lodge & Suites. A homey sense of hospitality suffuses the hotel, which treats visitors to a number of perks, not the least of which are the views of the Rocky Mountains in its backyard.

A massive elk-antler chandelier dangles from the vaulted lobby ceiling, lending the place a mountain-lodge aura. This woodsy, cabin feeling underscores the décor of the two-story family suites, where framed rustic scenes speckle the walls. A brood of four can comfortably spread their wings and reveal their vestigial tails in the 800-square-foot lodgings, which house four queen-size beds draped in all-white linens. In the comparably furnished, but smaller deluxe suites, bathrooms come stocked with top-shelf toiletries, such as green tea and willow soap by Archive.

Eagle Lodge & Suites showers its guests with complimentary treats and services, including a daily breakfast buffet loaded with cereals, muffins, bagels, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, and waffles. Each day, hotel staff also offers up a plate of freshly baked chocolate-chip cookies. Just beyond the dining room, a 50-foot indoor pool rests below a second-story weight room and the adjacent fitness center. Outside, in warmer weather, lodgers can settle small-claims-court disputes over games of horseshoes or grill out on the barbecue pit.

Eagle, Colorado: Quaint Mountain Town Minutes Away from World-Class Recreation

Fortified by mountains on all sides, Eagle sits in a scenic enclave smack-dab between the outdoor haven of Glenwood Springs and the posh ski resort of Vail 30 miles to the east. Vail is one of the most legendary ski destinations in the western United States thanks to more than 5,000 skiable acres. Travelers can cash in their 15% rental discount at any of Avon Venture Sports' three valley locations and hit the slopes on a late-model snowboard or skis. After a day on the mountain, it's well worth exploring Vail Village, whose alpine architecture and dirndl-wearing mail carriers call to mind a bucolic Bavarian hamlet. Bronze sculptures of bears, bighorn sheep, and skiers decorate the pedestrian pathways, lending an artistic touch to the athletically minded resort town.

On the 30-mile drive westward to Glenwood Springs, winding byways pass through the scenic Glenwood Canyon, carved by the rushing waters of the Colorado River. In the warmer months, bicyclists pedal 16 miles of paved trails alongside the river, whose mighty rapids whizz past mountain faces freckled with aspens. Natural hot springs supply two pools—as well as lap lanes and a waterslide—with water heated to a steam at Glenwood Hot Springs.

Iconic Hotel Steeped in Western Traditions

The valley of Jackson Hole lies between the snow-capped Teton Mountains and the striated cliffs of the Gros Ventre Range. Rooted along the valley floor, the town of Jackson comprises a tiny pocket of development amid a prodigious expanse of wilderness. Due to its isolation, the town was a gambling hotbed during the 1940s–50s. The AAA Four Diamond Wort Hotel pays homage to Jackson’s freewheeling past with its Silver Dollar Bar, inlaid with row upon row of 1921 Morgan silver dollars. A few nights a week, the 2,032 profiles of Lady Liberty soak up spilled sips of specialty martinis and margaritas to the tunes of live bluegrass and country music.

Housed in a timber frame and stone exterior, the guest rooms reflect the hotel's 1941 origins and position on the National Register of Historic Places. Though The Wort underwent extensive renovations after a 1980 fire, the interiors look much the same as when the hotel was built 70 years ago. Lodgepole-pine furnishings receive guests with rustic comfort in Deluxe rooms where cowboys mosey across the custom-printed linens adorning down pillows and comforters.

Continuing the Old West theme, a hotel-wide collection of hundreds of oil paintings and bronze sculptures capture buffalo herds and rowdy saloons alike. When bellies grow jealous of the eyes' relentless feasting, the Silver Dollar Grill mediates with smoked game and other regional cuisine served beneath an original Wort Hotel roulette wheel. In the morning, chefs whip up breakfasts of grilled potato skillets and buttermilk biscuits in gravy.

Jackson, Wyoming: Hiking and Wildlife-Spotting Near Yellowstone

Around Jackson's town square, four white arches soar overhead at each corner, formed from a bramble of age-bleached elk antlers. Similarly, in every direction, the city limits of Jackson stretch toward dense wilderness and wildlife. During winter, ski slopes overlook elk, moose, and bison congregating in the National Elf Refuge. A sleigh ride (included in winter option) jingles through thousands of wintering elk and glides close enough for passengers to snap portraits or hang ornaments on antlers. Perched on a cliff overlooking the refuge, the National Museum of Wildlife Art pays homage to the Great West with a crafted menagerie by artists such as Rosa Bonheur and Georgia O’Keeffe.

In addition to bordering the Shoshone, Bridger, and Targhee National Forests, Jackson forms a gateway to the stony crown of Grand Teton National Park. To the north, the Tetons meet Yellowstone National Park, America’s oldest national park and home to Old Faithful.

Spacious Old-World Rooms in the Heart of Colonial Santo Domingo

Before its conversion to a hotel, the colonial estate at 106 Calle Duarte passed through hands of two Dominican presidents, Buenaventura Baez and his son Ramón. Today, the Hotel Palacio wears her age proudly, thanks in part to a makeover in the early 1990s that restored the guest quarters to their former elegance.

From the outside, Hotel Palacio looks as if it we’re frozen in time. Ornate sconces and original iron balconies extend from the 17th-century building’s stucco façade. Brick archways lead into a palm-fronded interior courtyard, which puts out a café vibe with its wooden folding chairs and patio umbrellas. In each of the eight superior rooms rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows let in light from the courtyard or streets below. Wrought-iron chandeliers, red tiled floors, and alarm clocks that shake like maracas hark back to the Spain of old.

In the morning, a hot, full breakfast buffet perks up sleepy-eyed travelers. As the day wears on, Hotel Palacio’s multilevel outdoor pool sparkles beneath the Caribbean sun and offers a cool respite from the day’s heat.

Santo Domingo: Oldest City in the New World

The Dominican Republic’s capital, Santo Domingo, is a city of firsts. It was the first city in the Americas, founded in 1498 by Bartholomew Columbus, the lesser-known and larger-pantalooned brother of Christopher Columbus. It holds the first castle, the first monastery, the first paved street, and the first fortress in the New World. Two blocks from Hotel Palacio, the first church, the Cathedral of Santa Maria, stands in the heart of the Colonial Zone.

Within walking distance of the hotel, there are scores of Caribbean restaurants that serve fresh seafood and the Dominican Republic’s national dish, a zesty stew called sancocho. Though Santo Domingo’s nightspots fall in line with a moderate curfew, the bars and dance floors around the capital come alive with merengue beats.

Ancient History and Iconic Holy Sites Along Aegean Coastline

When Hagia Sophia's basilica was inaugurated in 537 CE, it was the largest cathedral in the world, renowned for its massive dome that sits atop a ring of 40 windows. In 1453, the Ottoman Turks transformed the church into a mosque, adding four towering minarets and a mihrab, an Islamic prayer niche. Today, the sanctuary has become one of the country's most popular museums, with more than 2 million visitors each year. During an eight-day, seven-night tour from Classic Escapes, an English-speaking guide leads groups from the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul down the Aegean Sea's eastern coast.

Days 1–3: An overnight flight whisks travelers from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport (IST). Upon arrival, a guide leads the way to the Germir Palas Hotel, located in Istanbul's Taksim Square.

Istanbul served as the seat of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires, with several royal palaces built in the process. The 15th-century Topkapi Palace displays the robes, weaponry, and jewelry of the Sultans who ruled the Ottoman Empire from there. Nearby, 20,000 blue porcelain tiles give the Blue Mosque's dome its distinctive color, and a half-mile away, the Hagia Sophia combines restored Christian mosaics with Islamic scrollwork. The visit to Istanbul ends with a trip to the Grand Bazaar, a 15th-century covered market with more than 4,000 shops selling spices, brassware, Lionel Richie action figures, and woven carpets.

Day 4: Groups take the ferry across the Dardanelles Strait to Gallipoli, where World War I memorials have been erected for the more than 100,000 casualties incurred during the war's Gallipoli Campaign. After a stop at the site of the ancient city of Troy, travelers spend the night along the Aegean coast, either at the Kolin Hotel or the Canakkale Grand Assos Hotel.

Days 5–8: Tours explore several ancient ruins that line the coastline. The acropolis of Pergamon was mentioned in the Book of Revelations, and the Roman town of Ephesus features the ruins of Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and a Great Theater where St. Paul once preached.

At the large metropolis of Izmir, once known as Smyrna, ancient monuments and ultramodern skyscrapers blend between the Mediterranean and the surrounding mountains. A city tour through palm-lined promenades culminates at the colonnades of the Hellenic Agora, the city's market, built during Alexander the Great's reign. Finally, a domestic flight hops from Izmir to Istanbul before the final trip back home.

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

Beachside Retreat Surrounded by Rainforest

Unlike waves at most other beaches on the northern coast, the waves that roll in the horseshoe-shaped bay near Playa Samara, buffered by nearby islands and headlands, are relatively calm and easily navigable. Guests of the waterfront Hotel Villas Playa Samara take advantage of this phenomenon on kayaking tours—one of many activities available onsite—that send paddlers skimming over the ocean, just a few feet above colorful coral reefs. Located far from urban bustle and surrounded by 200 acres of tropical jungle, the resort makes a relaxing home base for adventures by land or sea.

Hotel Villas Playa Samara resembles a Spanish-style village with its white stucco walls, red tile roofs, and wild herds of matadors roaming the grounds. Deluxe rooms, which lie only steps from the beach, come furnished with a private garden- or ocean-view terrace. The onsite Arrecife Restaurante also offers inviting island views on its patio, where diners can sample international cuisine and traditional Costa Rican breakfasts consisting of gallo pinto, maple ham, and fiambres.

Samara Beach, Costa Rica: Coral Reefs and Rainforest Adventure

Hotel Villas Playa Samara makes it easy to book an array of outdoor adventures set amid the rainforest or on the crescent-shaped beach. A nearly three-hour kayak trip, included with this Getaway, features a guided sojourn to Isla Chora—a secluded island whose shores boast pink and white sand. Snorkeling through the crystal-clear waters along the bay provides an up-close look at tropical marine life, such as hermit crabs.

Mountain-biking and ziplining tours take explorers deep into the jungle. A float down one of the rainforest’s rivers may supply glimpses of howler monkeys and iguanas. Anglers can take to the Pacific on sport-fishing charters, which steer to big-game fishing spots. Even novices stand a fair chance of hooking tuna and mahi-mahi or wrestling with a trophy-size plankton in the boat's fighting chair.

Snorkeling, Dolphins, and Fire Dancing at Island Resorts in French Polynesia

“I think Moorea is the most beautiful island in the world,” says travel writer Bill Goodwin in Frommer's South Pacific. “Nothing compares with its sawtooth ridges and the dark-green hulk of Mount Rotui separating Cook's and Opunohu bays.” Just 9 miles northwest Tahiti in the South Pacific, the tiny French Polynesian island of Moorea is less congested than its better-known neighbor. But in-the-know travelers head to the island for its gorgeous mountain vistas and the chance to swim with dolphins. Nearby, residents of the even tinier Motu Tautau might politely disagree with Goodwin's "most beautiful island" assertion. There, Le Taha'a Island Resort & Spa welcomes with overwater bungalows, a treetop restaurant, and a coral garden for snorkeling. With Travelscene's French Polynesian packages, travelers choose which of these two islands they want to visit after a quick visit to Tahiti.

Click here for a basic trip itinerary and valid departure dates. Click here for a FAQ page.

Both deal options begin with an economy-class Air Tahiti Nui flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Tahiti Faa’a International Airport (PPT). Guests will spend one or two nights at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa, a tropical retreat on Tahitian west coast. In Tahiti, daily activities range from snorkeling and participating in Tahitian quilt-making. Guests spend the night or nights in comfortable lagoon-view rooms.

Magic Tahiti Trip

Guests ferry across the bay to Moorea for three nights at the InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa, located next to the mountains on the dove-shaped island’s northwestern wing. Guests retire to lanai rooms that peer onto the resort’s verdant gardens. A gourmet restaurant serves Polynesian specialties, with three theme nights each week incorporating beach buffets, barbecue, fresh fish, and Tahitian dance. Day 4 of this trip includes a lagoon cruise for snorkeling and a picnic lunch beneath coconut trees and the island's monument to John Stamos's hair. For the last day on Moorea, guests are free to explore the island or meet and greet a dolphin at the Moorea Dolphin Center, located at the resort.

Luxury Island Escape Trip

After flights from Tahiti to Raiatea, groups take a scenic 35-minute boat ride from the airport to the islet of Motu Tautau, located just off the coast of Tahaa. There, guests begin a four-night stay at Le Taha'a Island Resort & Spa, called "one of French Polynesia's most luxurious and architecturally creative resorts" by Frommer's. The resort’s serene overwater suites include a private deck that stretches out above lagoon water. Hoisted into the treetops, Le Vanille restaurant serves three-course meals while diners watch fire dancing from Tavita, one of French Polynesia's most tattooed men. Following the stay, guests return to Tahiti and depart for Los Angeles.

For more information click here or call (866) 464-9374.

Family-Friendly Resort near Myrtle Beach Attractions

The elaborate indoor aquatic facility at Landmark Resort Hotel keeps visitors splishing and splashing even during the winter. Set beneath a glass ceiling, the massive swimming pool centers on a tiled fountain and is augmented by a pint-sized pool for kids and a slowly drifting lazy river for tubers. Located just steps from Myrtle Beach, this family-friendly, water-soaked resort makes for a fun-filled home base for exploring the Grand Strand's amusement parks, live shows, and white-sand beaches.

Each interior or ocean-view guest room has been decorated in a palette of cornflower blue and canary yellow. Sunlight and coastal breezes grace the ocean-view room's private balcony, which looks out on the Atlantic Ocean. In the recently renovated Latitudes Grill, wicker chairs and nautical ropes create a maritime atmosphere as diners nosh on casual fare and strike up sea-shanty sing-alongs. Afterward, families take to the nine-hole putt-putt course or opt for a soak in one of five indoor whirlpools.

Myrtle Beach: Seaside Recreation with Classic Amusement-Park Vibe

Myrtle Beach is situated on South Carolina's Atlantic coast, making the area a popular destination for surfers, fishers, and kayakers. Along the shore, the city's wooden boardwalk stretches for more than a mile and buzzes with carnival games and amusement-park rides. The SkyWheel ferris wheel boasts glass-floored gondolas and more than a million LED lights.

Just 10 miles south of Myrtle Beach, the tiny fishing village of Murrells Inlet provides a tranquil contrast to the boardwalk's hustle and bustle. At Brookgreen Gardens, more than 1,400 original sculptures play freeze tag amid sprawling floral gardens and massive, moss-covered oak trees.

Sports-Themed Hotel Close to Vibrant College Campus

Chartered as America’s first state college in 1789, the University of North Carolina is embedded in the identity of its hometown, Chapel Hill. The school’s picturesque, tree-shaded campus sits in the center of the downtown area. Multitudes of visitors visit each year to cheer on the Tar Heel sports teams, especially the men's basketball squad, which has won six national championships. The school’s familiar sky-blue banner with an interlocking NC logo hangs above the front desk at the comfy Chapel Hill University Inn, located 2 miles south of the university.

Seventeen HDTVs show all the Tar Heel games at the hotel’s adjoining Time-Out Sports Bar and Restaurant. The eatery serves standard pub fare punctuated by southern favorites, including Carolina-style pulled pork and a famous chicken-and-cheddar biscuit profiled on the Travel Channel’s Man vs. Food. Pool tables and video games fill the competitive void left behind when there is no Carolina basketball, soccer, or catfish wrestling on TV.

The inn’s clean, comfortable guest rooms overlook a central courtyard; in warm weather, guests can head to the courtyard to soak up sunshine from an adirondack chair or take a dip in the outdoor pool. Complimentary in-room WiFi makes it easy to check up on what’s going on around Chapel Hill, and a complimentary shuttle service departs every hour to designated downtown and campus sites. The hotel also grants free passes to the nearby Kinetix Health Club, which offers a full schedule of daily classes in addition to cardio equipment and weights.

Chapel Hill, North Carolina: Southern College Town with Lively Main Street

Locals refer to Chapel Hill "the southern part of heaven,” and it’s hard to disagree, especially on an idyllic sunny day on Franklin Street, the main campus drag. Coffee shops, cafés, and bookstores line the charming street, and green space abounds in this area, from the wide-open grassy quad areas to the university’s scenic Coker Arboretum. Diehard Tar Heel fans can take a short walk through campus to find the Carolina Basketball Museum, where artifacts, photos, and videos detail the program’s illustrious history.

Just a few minutes’ walk down Franklin Street, crowds thin and a more bohemian air takes over as Chapel Hill merges with the neighboring township of Carrboro. Travelers with access to a set of wheels or a sled pulled by a cross-country team may also want to explore the beautiful rolling farmland outside the town limits, perhaps winding up at the Maple View Farm Country Store to enjoy an ice-cream cone on its wide front porch.

Spacious Condos in Area Steeped in Colonial History

The manor house that stands on the grounds of The Historic Powhatan Resort dates back to 1735. Sturdily built with 20-inch-thick brick walls and distinctive T-shaped chimneys, the two-story structure survived the American Revolution and a fire during the Civil War that ravaged the surrounding plantation. Today, the house stands amid carefully manicured gardens and rolling hills on the resort's 250 wooded acres.

Powhatan's spacious suites occupy several buildings stationed near its historical showpiece. Inside, separate dining and living areas give families room to spread out or use the sofa to stage reenactments of General Washington's crossing of the Delaware. Industrious guests can craft their own meals in a fully equipped kitchen stocked with all the necessary dishes and cutlery. Alternatively, the resort's onsite restaurant, The Kitchen at Powhatan, serves seasonal fare lauded by Gourmet magazine for its fusion of southern cooking and California cuisine. The dining room reinforces the colonial vibe with its enormous stone fireplace and period décor.

In between visits to Williamsburg's historic sites and theme parks, kids can occupy themselves on the resort's playground and mini-golf course. There are also tennis and racquetball courts as well as a full calendar of events such as art classes, fitness activities, tours, and parties.

Williamsburg: Citywide Living History Museum

Located 150 miles south of Washington, DC, Williamsburg was the capital of the Virginia Colony from 1699–1780 and a hotbed of political dissent leading up to the American Revolution. The city's historic area has been meticulously restored to look exactly as it did in the 1770s. The area known as colonial Williamsburg encompasses dozens of 18th-century structures, including the capitol—the site of the first unanimous vote for independence from the British. Live-action historical interpreters enliven the district's taverns, shops, and rebuilt homes. Sparks fly at blacksmiths' workshops, faux Minutemen fire muskets, and old-fashioned printers churn out incendiary pamphlets decrying unjust tea levies and the abolition of tricorn hats.

Vacation Condos Near Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, and Other Ski Resorts

Though associated with world-class skiing, northwestern Colorado's Rocky Mountains are a worthy destination for any season. In the winter, powdery snow blankets the slopes at the country's most popular resorts. In warmer months, that snow becomes crystal springs and crashing waterfalls, including the 80-foot triple waterfall at Rifle Falls State Park. SkyRun Vacation Rentals has more than 200 condos at five resorts that immerse visitors in the natural beauty at Silverthorne, Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs, Summit County, and the U.S. Ski Team training site Copper Mountain. Whether one wants to ski on Breckenridge's four mountains or find prime fishing spots along Silverthorne's Blue River, SkyRun's properties allow visitors to stay in Colorado's most scenic spots.

Each condo comes equipped with full kitchens fully stocked with pots, pans, and dishwashers. Many also boast tennis courts and heated outdoor pools—a welcoming sight after a day cruising the slopes. SkyRun's Copper Mountain property features 22 lifts and more than 2,000 skiable acres, while SkyRun's Lone Eagle property at Keystone sleeps up to six at a ski-in, ski-out village on the banks of the Snake River. There, a crackling stone fireplace warms the room on a chilly night, and a jetted tub relaxes sore muscles. The spacious three-bedroom Crosstimbers Trail condo at Steamboat Springs exudes an outdoorsy vibe with log furnishings, wall-mounted fish, and complimentary bottles of mountain air.

Northwestern Colorado: Ski Towns with Storied Past

With North America's Continental Divide snaking through the area, northwest Colorado boasts some of the world's most popular ski resorts and several mountains reaching elevations of more than 13,000 feet. Though ski seasons vary based on snow conditions and are subject to change, skiers can typically hit the slopes until early to mid April, with snow lasting until early June at nearby Arapahoe Basin. The snow-capped peaks and powdery bowls attract snowshoers and skiers.

In addition to their outdoor beauty, many of the towns with SkyRun condos retain historical attractions. Breckenridge's Victorian architecture provides a glimpse of the town's 19th-century mining days. A visit to downtown Steamboat Springs feels like stepping into an Old West town, with its summertime rodeos and century-old stone buildings.

Comfortable Cabins on Working Ranch with Horse Stables

There’s a sweeping view of the Montana countryside at the top of Gratitude Peak, a vista on the east end of Gaynor Ranch and Resort. But before guests can enjoy the sights they must follow a strict but simple rule: all of one’s worries must be deposited down below at the Gratitude Tree. Perched atop this overlook is a Native American medicine wheel designed by ranch owner Nancy Gaynor, a Kootenai tribe member, and the wheel is said to inspire meditation and self-reflection. This overlook underscores the resort’s focus on relaxation and reverence for the natural beauty of the area, which is set amid forested hills and wide blue skies.

Touches of the Old West, including a weathered wagon and a large white teepee, are scattered throughout the working ranch. Visitors can feed the resident horses, teach them to neigh the ABCs, or hop in the saddle and embark on a trail ride through the property’s pathways ($45/person for a one-hour ride).

Near the horse pasture stands a cluster of ranch cabins, each of them spacious enough for groups and equipped with a full kitchen. For more secluded accommodations, there are eight freestanding cabins in the woods a short distance from the ranch.

Whitefish, Montana: Charming Alpine Gateway to Glacier National Park

Gaynor Ranch and Resort is tucked into the Flathead Valley, an expanse of jagged peaks and windswept lowlands carved out by glaciers during the last ice age. Within the valley—and fewer than 7 miles from the resort—is the charming alpine village of Whitefish. Restaurants, specialty boutiques, and a microbrewery are dotted along the main drag of Central Avenue, and jutting out of the skyline to the north are the snowcapped peaks of the Northern Rocky Mountains. Though outdoor activities are a major draw, Whitefish also features an independent theater company, art galleries, a historical museum, and a Frank Lloyd Wright–designed building—one of a scant few in Montana.

About 30 miles away from the ranch resides the west entrance to Glacier National Park, where the glittering Lake McDonald comes into view as visitors drive down Going-to-the-Sun Road. Although heavy snowfall can close down portions of the park's internal roads, the National Park Service regularly plows the 10-mile stretch of road that runs from the entrance to Lake McDonald Lodge. Rangers can lead expeditions and referee snowball fights on guided snowshoe walks departing from the nearby Apgar Visitor Center; several skiing and snowshoeing trails splinter off in the area as well. Depending on snow melt, the warmer spring months mark the opening up of scenic hiking trails such as Logan Pass—the highest point on Going-to-the-Sun Road and a popular launching point for backpackers.

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.