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The name Punta Cana conjures images of endless white-sand beaches, swaying palm trees, seaside sundowners, and a relaxed Caribbean vibe. What many folks don’t realize, however, is that there is also plenty to explore, and that nearby Bavaro is a hub of activity.

Forget about generic buffets and cheesy nightlife options, or destinations solely located in a region’s tourist zone. Today’s best all-inclusive resorts can be mega but still feel intimate—thanks to fine dining restaurants with a la carte menus and perks like designer fashion shows and top shelf liquor. Our list also highlights some less traditional, boutique picks both on and off the beach, offering eclectic and exclusive all-inclusive adventures.

How to spend one week in Jamaica? Combine the west and south coasts for an ideal first timer’s look at the island. Start with the white sands of Negril, bathe in nearby rivers and waterfalls, and continue on to the charming Jamaican fishing villages of Treasure Beach before arriving back in Montego Bay.

A number of influences combined to make Belizean cuisine what it is today. Sample Creole chicken stew in Belize City, Mestizo tamales or escabeche on Ambergris Caye, Mayan fish in San Pedro, Garifuna hudut in Hopkins, or Mayan caldo in Punta Gorda. Here is a list of the best restaurants in Belize to sample it all in.

You want variety? Puerto Rico’s shops and boutiques have got variety! Cigars, ice cream, must-haves for the beach, handicrafts, vintage clothes, antiques, housewares—shoppers beware.

The best parks and hiking trails in the Bahamas provide a worthy diversion from the beach. Once you’ve had your fill of island fare (and sunburned bits of skin you never knew you had), you may be inclined to chart a hiking adventure. The Bahamas offer incredible parks—on both land and sea—thousands of incredible national attractions, and plenty of open space where you can stretch your legs, hike, and enjoy.

Doha is not Disneyland, mainly because of its harsh weather. But this doesn’t mean that the city doesn’t have pockets of indoor and outdoor fun for the little ones. Gondolania, Megapolis, Circus Land, and Jungle Zone are just a few of the places visitors with children should visit. From ice rinks to bowling alleys to state-of-the-art simulators, Doha offers a great deal of indoor fun. For those wanting to soak up some sun, Aqua Park, Al-Khor Park, and Umm Bab Beach are children’s favorites.

Surrounded by lush greenery, white-sand beaches, and turquoise waters, these Saint Lucia resorts could make a romantic out of anyone. Go for the open-air suites with views of the Pitons, stay for the private plunge pools, luxurious spas, and tasty Caribbean cuisine.

Galveston is only an hour drive away from Houston, making it the perfect escape for a day or weekend trip. With over 30 miles of beaches, Victorian neighborhoods, shopping, and entertainment, Galveston is earning the reputation as the Gulf Coast’s playground. The city has experienced a tourism boom in recent years after being hit hard by Hurricane Ike in 2008. Major efforts were put into rebuilding Galveston – restoring not only its charm, but also its spirit.

Explore Jamaica’s dreamy east coast landscape and experience rugged cliffs, peaks, waterfalls, and ancient forts. Port Antonio and the east is one of the lesser visited areas of Jamaica, in part due to the lack of a nearby airport. Yet the Port Antonio region is home to some of the lushest and most spectacular scenery on the island, and a string of the alluring public beaches for which Jamaica is known.

Zurich’s locals are fanatical about swimming and the best way to join them is to take a plunge into one of the badis, or outdoor pools. Strandbad Mythenquai is popular, not only because it’s the only badi in Zurich with a beach, but because of its five-meter diving board. One of the most aesthetically pleasing badis is the art deco Frauenbad Stadthausquai, and the oldest in Zurich is the Männerbad Schanzengraben, a spot surrounded by an ivy-laden wall.

Monaco has more to offer than casinos, yachts, and fancy race cars. The Monte Carlo Beach Hotel reminds guests of the city’s glitterati glory days. The casino may steal the spotlight at Le Fairmont Monte-Carlo, but the Nobu restaurant and stellar spa deserve equal attention. Grand Prix fans will want to book a room at Port Palace for its terrific race views, not to mention harbor location. Housed in a 1900s Italianate-style palace, Hotel Métropole Monte-Carlo delivers over the top glamour.

While tourist destinations are plentiful in Ireland, make sure to also get off the beaten track. Ireland is full of wonderful sights to see, from ruins of Desmond Castle, to deserted beaches, and of course the Irish whiskey trail, there’s plenty to do off-the-beaten-path in Ireland. If you wander far enough, you will soon have the place to yourself—or maybe just have to share with some wandering Irish sheep.

Just behind the Pantheon hides the church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, a gem in its own right. The only Gothic church in Rome’s center, it’s a breath of fresh air from over-the-top Baroque opulence. Plus, it has gorgeous frescoes by Filippo Lippi (an early Renaissance master), the body of Italy’s patron saint Catherine of Siena, the tomb of painter Fra Angelico, and a statue done—at least partly—by Michelangelo himself.

Antigua (pronounced An-tee’ga) encompasses 108 square miles of coastline and 365 white sand beaches between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. For an uncommon, all-inclusive Caribbean holiday, stay at The Galley Bay Resort and Spa. In and around the property are ruins of forts hundreds of years old, wrecks for snorkeling, a spa with tree houses for treatment rooms, plenty of authentic dining options, and even world-class sailing opportunities.