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As obvious as it may sound, what sets Sanctuary apart from any other Scottsdale resort is location. Sitting on the north side of Camelback Mountain yet minutes from downtown Scottsdale, it has a balance of desert mountain isolation and easy access that no other Scottsdale resort can match. Since Sanctuary opened in 2002, the combination has especially appealed to publicity-shy celebs (Beyoncé and Jay-Z even stayed here while on their honeymoon). The views from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the adobe casitas look out at the mountain and across Paradise Valley. The casitas have wood-block floors, glass-tiled showers, and, in many of them, oversize tubs with romantic votive candles.

Far above the plains where lions roam, there’s another Kenya, where life moves slowly and the people run fast. Writer Matt Gross tries to keep up.

Most travelers kick off their Thai adventure in the country’s capital, Bangkok, an exhilarating place where tradition and modernity collide. Away from the big city, Thailand supplies the whole spectrum of travel experiences. The country’s north offers mist-shrouded mountains, its south some of the world’s best beaches. With beautiful landscapes, amazing food and friendly people, the “Land of Smiles” continues to capture the hearts of visitors.

Good wine flows through Santiago, the Chilean capital, like water. Santiago’s bars also serve up stellar craft beer, fresh juices, and well-mixed cocktails. Find a seat, a bar stool, or a rooftop lounge to sip in style as the setting sun reflects off the Andes Mountains.

You can take your rented bike and pedal down to a waiting Zipcar and get out of town. From the mountains to the coast—and everything in between—you’ll enjoy an easy break from the urban outlook, usually with an hour of driving, or less.

So you love the outdoors, and you really enjoy a good day of hiking. But at the end of that day, you’d rather treat yourself to a little post-hike pampering at a luxe hotel than camp or simply return home. If this is your style, there are plenty of destinations in the U.S. that offer superb hiking trails alongside posh lodgings. After all, you just climbed a mountain, you earned that spa treatment and Michelin-starred dinner.

Switzerland seduces visitors all year round with some of the best and most astonishing natural scenery in the world. In summer, the shimmering lakes of Geneva, Zurich, and Como host an array of water activities and have numerous scenic spots to lounge around. Rising up from the blue waters are the dramatic Swiss Alps, with their snow-capped peaks penetrating the wispy clouds. In winter, Switzerland’s scenic mountains dominate the skyline—none more so than the iconic Matterhorn.

The Austrian Alps are a winter sports paradise offering some of the world’s best skiing and a winter wonderland. But you don’t have to hit the slopes at Kitzbühel or strap on the skates and glide over Lake Zell to have a great time in Austria during winter. Lower prices and fewer tourists make winter city breaks a bargain, while the charm of a traditional Austrian mountain resort is not to be missed. The amazing views of an Alpine winter can also be enjoyed from inside a luxurious spa as well.

With 24 national parks, 15 national reserves, 6 marine parks, and private conservancies on top of that, the choice can be overwhelming when it comes to visiting Kenya’s national parks. To help you decide between north, south, east, and west, between hot and dry or luscious and green, and between mountainous or flat, here’s a quick hit list of some of the best national parks in Kenya.

November to April, snowbirds settle in and everyone soaks up Arizona’s sun. But if you want snow, just go up! After golfing or swimming down in the desert, in less than an hour you can be up in Arizona’s mountains skiing among evergreen forests. Traveling to Arizona can mean fleeing from the snow or escaping to seek solace in a quiet white landscape. Take your pick; it’s here waiting for you.

A short drive from San Sebastián, the village of Getaria sits sleepily on the coast. Set between the sea and vine-covered mountains, Getaria has a privileged position that makes it a destination not to be missed if visiting nearby San Sebastián. Enjoy the local Basque wine, txakoli, in situ. Bonus points if you do so over some grilled fish, caught and brought daily to Getaria’s active port.

Taiwan has a truly unique natural beauty. The subtropical volcanic island is more than 70% towering, jagged mountains that in some places rise nearly straight out of the Pacific Ocean. Volcanic activity has created numerous hot springs and cavernous lava rock coastlines on Taiwan. Sandstone protrusions on the northern and southern tips have been whipped by the wind into beautiful and surreal landscapes. Taiwan is home to many natural spectacles that can’t be found together anywhere else.

There are more sparkling blue alpine lakes in New Zealand than you can possibly imagine. In a land that is so geologically new, it’s no surprise that these beautiful waters go hand in hand with ancient glaciers and towering mountain peaks. Whether it be the stillness of New Zealand’s South Island picture-perfect lakes, or the geothermal heated waters of the North Island, you will not be disappointed by the beautiful lakes all around.

Los Angeles is a beacon for people from around the country who want to revel in its sunny weather, mountainous coastal landscape, and boundless creativity, and visitors will find themselves well entertained.

A visit to Switzerland wouldn’t be complete without indulging in some of its most luxurious local experiences. High-end eateries dot the streets of Geneva and Zurich, while hidden in the stunning Swiss mountains are some exquisite Michelin-starred restaurants. Think it’s time to purchase one of the world’s best watches? Switzerland’s affluent cities boast a plethora of opportunities to find your perfect luxury timepiece—maybe an Omega, Rolex, or Tag.