Cancun is one of the world’s best known beach towns and with reason. The pristine waters, white sand beaches and killer nightlife make it one of the most popular destinations in Mexico. But for an even better experience, head just an hour down the coast to the Riviera Maya. Little more than a series of beach villages a couple of decades ago, the Riviera Maya is now home to amazing resorts that are perfect for everyone from families to couples looking for a romantic escape. My favorite town is Playa del Carmen, a town that has witnessed a renaissance in recent years. For history buffs head to nearby Tulum, a beautiful collection of Mayan ruins overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

While visiting Grand Cayman on a cruise, I had the opportunity to visit the Cayman Turtle Farm. While holding a young sea turtle I learned that if they are flapping around you can calm them down by gently rubbing them on the underside of their neck. A little turtle massage! Visitors have mixed feelings about the turtle farm. They were founded to raise turtles for commercial purposes (meat and shells primarily). Now they mainly serve the local market due to international regulations regarding the sale of sea turtles, wild or farmed. Many people are upset that the are farmed for commerical purposes, however, by "farming" turtles they are protecting the wild population. They also do a lot of turtle conservation work and do release some of their turtles to the wild.

Not your typical beach destination, believe it or not Antarctica does have some beautiful, if not rocky beaches. Antarctica is often known as being incredibly cold, which is true – in the Austral winter. But in the summer months that last from November through March, the 7th continent can be comfortable and even temperate. The ultimate bucket list adventure though is to go for a dip in Antarctic waters. Deception Island is located in the South Shetland island chain off of Antarctica and has long been home to those wishing to make Antarctica a base. From whalers to scientists, the uniquely perfect bay has protected them all. However that bay is actually a caldera of a still active volcano, making this an uncertain place of safety at best. But that thermal heat has created an interesting phenomenon – the waters nearest shore are warm, even hot making a polar bear plunge possible. Even if you don’t want to take the plunge, walking down the beach as the thermal mist lifts off the water is a magical experience.

Located less than two hours from New York and Washington, DC, Bermuda is the perfect long-weekend destination in large part due to its famous pink beaches. The unique pinkish hue actually comes from miniscule creations that call the island’s massive coral reef system home. That doesn’t take away from the beauty of these unique beaches though, my favorite of which is located alongside the Fairmont Southampton resort. This massive hotel enjoys a prime position along the Atlantic Ocean, guaranteeing guests prime access to the pink sand beaches and warm waters for which the island is famous. One of my favorite things to do there though is to wander down the shore and discover quiet coves and hidden beaches I can call my own; at least for the day.

The famous Tanah Lot Temple, located on a rocky outcropping along the coast, is a tourist destination for a reason. Here, cultural heritage and natural beauty combine to create one of the most dramatic vistas to be had on the island. Brave the shops & vendors along the way, pay the entrance fee, and take it all in—a photographer's dream. Photo by Madeleine_H/Flickr.

Fry fry is a catchall term for a variety of (usually fried) foods—plus spaghetti, randomly—that is served on the street with bread. Offerings might include fried plantains, akara (fried black-eyed-bean fritters), gari (shredded cassava) cake, bongo (smoked herring, served whole), french fries, fried chicken, spaghetti, hard-boiled eggs, perhaps some binch (black-eyed beans), and always nice loaves of fluffy Fula bread and spicy pepper sauce. Be creative—you can make something really delicious here!

The Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary is just 12 square kilometers, but it's home to one of the world’s most concentrated and diverse primate populations (including wild chimpanzees), more than 135 species of bird, 700-plus species of plant, and the very rare, endemic pygmy hippopotamus. You're not guaranteed to see all of that, but you will spot some cool monkeys (on guided hikes around the island), eat well (courtesy of the island's lone, resourceful cook), and camp out (in comfy tents on elevated, covered, solar-powered platforms) in a one-of-a-kind, secluded, and stunning tropical setting.

Twenty miles south of Freetown along the gorgeous Freetown Peninsula, John Obey beach is the spectacular site of Tribewanted, an eco-voluntourism venture that combines sustainable development with community empowerment and cross-cultural exchange. Guests are invited to have a genuine cultural exchange with the people of the adjacent John Obey fishing village (many of whom are employed by Tribewanted), and have the option of pitching in on community projects—helping to build a hut, repair fishing lines, teach local schoolkids, work in the kitchen—or not: It's perfectly OK to swim in the warm ocean and park yourself in a hammock all day long (you'll likely have the expansive beach to yourself). Or you might book a local excursion, like a guided hike or canoe paddle. Accommodation includes tents, comfortable wooden bungalows, and adobe-like mud huts made of local earth, built collectively by trained John Obey villagers and past TW guests (other sustainability initiatives include solar power, compost toilets, bucket showers, and an organic garden). As for the food? You'll eat very well here: The Sierra Leonean food on offer, from spicy pumpkin stew to local lobster and poyo, or palm wine, is some of the best you’ll find in the country.