I have a butler, and it’s a little awkward. What do you ask for when you’re staying in a tent in India? I don’t need someone to build me a fire or beat back wild animals; my canvas-walled refuge at Oberoi Rajvilas has polished teak floors, cloth wall hangings, and an exquisite hand-embroidered canopy. There’s a bathroom with a claw-foot soaking tub, and outside, a wraparound terrace with chaise longues, where I enjoy my morning coffee. This type of “camping” dates back to Mughal rule (1500s to 1700s), when kings traveling for war, hunting, or commerce set up portable palaces adorned with gold- and silver-stitched cushions and sandalwood furniture. Today, I get a taste of that tradition, on grounds that house a modern restaurant, a swimming pool, and a spa, just five miles from Jaipur’s rose-hued city center. Read More »

Nine Berber tents welcome guests with warm fabrics and traditional Moroccan furnishings. Each has a deck with Atlas Mountain views, but for a real treat, request one of the five with a private pool. Try authentic dishes such as pigeon pastilla or couscous tagine at the Kanoun Restaurant, and practice your Berber by ordering atay nlikmt (mint tea).

Kasbah Tamadot, (877) 577-8777, from $652. Photo courtesy of Kasbah Tamadot. This appeared in the March/April 2012 issue.

This year, the owners of Dunton Hot Springs plan to open Cresto Ranch, a tent resort four miles from the main property. For now, you can stay at Dunton in Christy’s Tent, right, which features Western memorabilia and a shower with views of the Wilson Mountain Range. Assist the chef in preparing dinner, then soak in natural hot springs that have seduced visitors since the Gold Rush.

Dunton Hot Springs, (970) 882-4800, from $950. Photo courtesy of Dunton Hot Springs. This appeared in the March/April 2012 issue.

Each tented villa consists of a living room, a bathroom, and a teak-furnished bedroom that opens onto a porch and Madivaru’s mosaic-walled infinity pool. After a day of diving or snorkeling, you can arrange for a private dinner on the beach or go night fishing in a traditional dhoni boat.

Banyan Tree Maldives Madivaru, (960) 666-0760, from $3,165, including meals and excursions. Photo courtesy of Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts. This appeared in the March/April 2012 issue.

Brianna Scott recalls watching real-time images of Japan’s devastating March 2011 tsunami from the safety of her dorm room at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “I was up late, and I noticed a friend posted something about the earthquake on Facebook. I Googled it and watched as the water obliterated communities. I just started crying,” says the 21-year-old. Read More »