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Dingle is a charming fishing village in County Kerry, Ireland, and a popular tourist destination known for fresh seafood, sunrises, rolling hills, and live music. I enjoyed the music we heard in the bars and pubs we visited (the Guinness we drank keeps me from remembering all of it), but was particularly fond of the street buskers we met throughout the city. We met this gentleman on The Wood, and parted with a few pennies as he played us a tune. I was surprised at how many people walked right past him without lending an ear, only to slip into a crowded pub and stand some fifty yards away from the musicians on the stage.

Puntacana Village is a neat little collection of shops, boutiques, restaurants, and cafes that is never more than a 15-minute shuttle ride from anywhere on the Puntacana Resort & Spa compound. Shopping here is perhaps the most laid-back retail experience you can have anywhere on the island. There are no touts, no buskers, and no pressure—just high-quality, handmade goods, ranging from jewelry to textiles to home décor. You can also dine on excellent island cuisine (Punta Cava, the lively local bar and tapas joint, is well worth checking out), and even visit the Puntacana grocery store for under-the-radar treats you might not otherwise find.

Dolphin Island is a curious collection of sea pens not far from the beach at Bavaro, where visitors have the opportunity to swim with dolphins, sea lions, sharks, rays, and more. The animals here seem well cared for, though you should decide for yourself whether or not it’s worth visiting a place with no stated scientific or ecological purpose; Dolphin Island is offering unique experiences for visitors, and generating income while these experiences take place. But if visiting a place where you can swim with sea animals in a safe, controlled environment results in visitors becoming more interested in marine conservation and wildlife conservation in general, then there is certainly long-term potential for a visit to do some good.

As proof that Dallasites aren’t all about the carnivore life, this downtown market has been peddling farm-fresh veggies, dairy, and more since 1941. What started as a small horse-and-wagon wholesale market is now a 26,000-square-foot hall lined with farm stands, artisan food vendors, and specialty purveyors, plus food hall–style stalls and four permanent restaurants. From fresh baked goods to gourmet cheeses, globally sourced spices to locally grown produce, and seafood to spirits, you’ll find everything you need to stock your pantry or picnic basket. After shopping, grab some coffee or lunch to enjoy at the indoor or outdoor seating areas—the latter facing views of the downtown skyline.

An archaeological site of some renown (I have yet to uncover which type of renown this is specifically), An Riasc is basically a giant circle of stones with an ancient Celtic cross in the center. No pub, no Guinness, no bacon and cabbage. Nothing but a couple of old fellas excavating stones, day after day, in the Irish countryside. An oratory, shrine, garden, burial ground, and corn kiln used to occupy the site in the 6th Century. All that remain today are the stones - so use your imagination. Have a bit of heart and stop by on your way around the peninsula, and lend these fellas a hand. They’ll be glad you did. They might even let you touch the cross (not nearly as disease-addled as the Blarney Stone). The Office of Public Works in in charge of the site, and admission is free.

Feast your eyes upon the Francesinha. What is in this curious looking sandwich, you ask? Heaven. Sausage. Cheese. Port wine. Onions. And a bit more heaven. If you visit Porto - and why wouldn’t you visit the home of Port wine - you’ll come to know the Francesinha. How well you come to know this sammy has a direct correlation to how good of a time you have in this gem of a throwback European town. Restaurants throughout Porto claim that they were the first to invent this sammy or that they were the first to add foi gras or the first to serve it with prawns - none of that matters. All that is important is that you ear more than your fair share of one of the world’s sauciest culinary marvels. And that you do it with a pint of beer, and a glass of port nearby.

This national park is centered along the spine plateau above Bryce Canyon, which drops to the east from the main park road. Along the road are numerous pull-offs for enjoying views down into the canyon, with its miles and miles of awe-inspiring sandstone hoodoo spires. Drive to the far south end of the park where the road terminates for the best views of Rainbow Point, named for the colorful rocks that lead into the Grand Staircase National Monument, then get away from the crowds by hiking one of the many trails that drop into the canyon. Visitors can also pick up a backcountry permit and stay overnight to see the stars. While most tourists come during the spring and summer months, Bryce is particularly stunning in the winter when it’s covered in snow.

One of the most beautiful bits of Bimini are the mangrove forests – yet this unique eco-system rarely gets the attention it deserves. Bimini’s mangroves are home to many important island species, including lobster, conch, sharks, the Bimini Boa, and the critically endangered smalltooth sawfish. This delicate system is seriously threatened by development – an important marine reserve may soon be leased out to hotel developers, who would destroy much of what little mangrove remains. Often, one first-hand experience is enough to show visitors that change is needed. You can support the health of the mangroves by choosing a low-impact tour with a local guide or kayak or paddle board adventure to explore the mangroves – local guide Strata G Smith (as well as Ebbie David and Ansil Saunders) can combine mangrove visits with charter tours (depending on tides and boat size). Photo courtesy Kathleen Fisher/Bimini Healing Arts

They don’t serve drinks at this bar, but festive libations are not the draw to this part of the sea. Not far from the beach at the Westin Puntacana Resort & Club—we’re talking maybe 200 feet—rests a massive sand bar surrounded by beautiful coral reef. Catamaran trips deliver passengers to this blissful patch of sand, though it’s never that crowded; there’s space for 100 or more people to chill out at once, but only about a dozen are present at any given time. There’s something unique about standing on sand in what can feel like the center of the sea, and if you’re a decent swimmer, you can make it out here on your own with little issue (though it’s usually more fun to visit a bar with your friends).

My idea of a good time is getting lost in the woods all so I can spend a few days finding my way home, but I can’t deny the allure of glamping – especially when it comes packaged up in the form of the Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge, the Northern Territory’s answer to rustic chic. The luxury eco-cabins – fully heated and air conditioned – are wonderful, but there’s little reason to tuck yourself away inside when you can sip Aussie wine by the fire, or enjoy a gourmet meal under starry skies (or in the lodge restaurant on chilly winter nights). The last thing I expected to tuck into in the Outback was a spicy prawn curry, but I shouldn’t have been surprised – the Northern Territory has plenty of tricks up her sleeve.

Miles City is usually a nice, quiet place - a quaint eastern Montana town, known for its laid-back pace, outdoor access, and Western graces. But when the Bucking Horse Sale rides into town, things can get a little hectic. Just ask the poor cowboys pictured here what they think of the pace of Miles City. 2016 will mark the 66th edition of the famed Bucking Horse Sale, so put a note in your calendar now, shine up your cowboy boots and poke around in your closet for that dusty wide-brimmed hat of yours - there’s a rodeo, horse races, dances, cowboy concerts, and more to see to.

This is a 5-star boutique hotel located in the heart of Montreal, across the street from the Centre Bell, home of Les Montréal Canadiens, and tucked along famed rue Sainte-Catherine. Was I blown away during my stay here? Yeah, and then some. After checking in, I was greeted by a frosty bucket filled with my favorite beer, tossed the curtains back to reveal the stunning view of downtown Montreal, then scrambled up to the 12th floor for a dip in the saltwater pool, and relaxed in the outdoor hot tub as the day rolled along. I rarely thought about leaving. I dined at La Coupole and had a few cocktails in the Wine Bar, and... well, that’s enough. Things got out of hand from there. I spent four nights at Hotel Crystal, and had what is to date my best hotel experience in my homeland.

Located in Park City‘s renovated Masonic Hall on historic Main Street, the Riverhorse caters to a high-end fine-dining crowd. Seth Adams, the executive chef and co-owner who drives the seasonally appropriate creative menu, has brought home prestigious awards, including a few that were firsts in the state of Utah. While the Riverhorse has a great selection of wine, it does allow patrons to bring in their own bottles for a $25 corkage fee. The restaurant is family friendly, with healthy selections on the kids’ menu. Dress is “mountain casual,” and reservations are strongly encouraged.

If you’ve ever wandered into Sheridan’s Historic Downtown, you may have been greeted by a Bozeman scout, a Tree of Life, or a Tin Man with a huge heart. Downtown Sheridan is home to more than 60 unique pieces of outdoor art, evidence that a modest public art project that was launched in 2001 with eight sculptures has become something of a community phenomenon. From Jerry McKellar’s beloved Huckleberry Daze grizzly bear to D. Michael Thomas’ epic Cool Waters cowboy at Whitney Commons, Sheridan’s community art sculptures are curious, creative, and unique. Sheridan is likely the only place in America where you can watch cowboys lock horns with Rhinos, try on a giant steel War Bonnet, or peek inside a metal goat’s gut. You can support community art by sponsoring your favorite sculpture, or test your own artistic mettle by submitting your next masterpiece for consideration to the Sheridan Public Arts Committee.

Polo has been a part of life in Sheridan County since the 1890s, when Malcolm and William Moncrieffe, ranchers with deep Scottish roots, began teaching the game to their cowhands in order to muster the numbers required to start a match. The game has grown by leaps and bounds in the hundred years since, with Bighorn, Wyoming’s Flying H Polo Club continually hosting many of the world’s greatest players during summertime matches. The Flying H, nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Bighorn Mountains, is a great place to spend a Saturday afternoon; I caught my first polo match back in the summer of 2011, and was enthralled by the speed of the game, the grace of the horses, and the skill of the strikers. I never thought I’d visit a polo pitch in Wyoming, and I certainly didn’t expect to love it as much as I do. The best part? Admission to the Flying H is free on match days (Thursday and Saturday).