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How can you go wrong when you’re surrounded by spectacular hills, crashing waterfalls, shaded paths, glinting mountain lakes, winding highways with dramatic overlooks, and all of it within reach of Dollywood? Come to the Smokies and have some natural fun.

Ever feel the urge to get away and retreat to the outdoors? From a striking Iceland wilderness resort to a luxurious mountain lodge in Scottsdale, use our hotels list as a guide to the natural wonders of the world.

A once-impenetrable country reveals itself to writer Matt Gross one meal at a time.

A writer seeks out the disappearing workshops that have been the source of elegance in Naples for generations.

You wouldn’t expect a tiny country like Belgium to have thousands of festivals, every single year. But Belgian’s love an excuse to party and whether that excuse is food, drink, history, nature, music, or the downright quirky, there is a festival here for everyone.

This popular museum showcases a permanent exhibit of all things dinosaurs including rare finds and Jurassic era life-size replicas. It’s like walking back into time, a scene out of Jurassic Park -dating back a mere 200 million years ago. There’s also a naturalist center and a walk-through simulated volcano. The museum’s advanced planetarium, a full dome theatre, is where the live action happens. Don’t miss “Enchanted Skies,” a very cool look at constellations, planets and the far, deep sky.

Surrounded by Mayan ruins and one of the most luxurious tropical environments in the world, Cancun is rich with cultural and natural history. Its vibrancy attracts visitors year-round.

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.

On arrival at Terranea, it’s natural to release a big, tension-melting sigh. The resort occupies 100-plus acres along the bluffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, providing expansive views of the Pacific and a sense of spaciousness that’s rare in the city. The Mediterranean-style resort hotel spent $40 million in 2017 to upgrade the property, which includes 582 guest rooms and suites, eight bungalows, four swimming pools (take the kids to the 140-foot waterslide at the Resort Pool), and one acclaimed golf course. At its upscale wellness-minded spa, ingredients grown on the grounds go into the treatments, which are designed and timed to improve the body’s circadian rhythm.

Pure pampering aside, regulars return in part for the unparalleled access to dozens of postcard-pretty hiking trails, including a naturalist-led walk (there’s also a falconry program). One of the resort’s nine restaurants can meet virtually any craving that hits, but the mar’sel‘s scallops with basil risotto should be non-negotiable. Pro tip: Book a visit in December or January to watch the sun rise and set from the same vantage point—and maybe even spot some humpback whales.

New York City provides a seemingly endless upwelling of experiences vying for your attention. For starters, find world-class art at the Met Museum or Chelsea’s galleries; catch shows on Broadway or at indie theaters; and admire the bucolic parks and exhilarating skyline views. It’s impossible to do it all in one visit, so give in to what excites you most. Explore by subway, ferry, tram, and, best of all, your own two feet to people watch and absorb the energy.

West Germany is great for enjoying both urban life and nature. Bonn, the former West German capital, is a small town with lots of parks and hip pedestrian streets. Cologne, one of Germany’s largest cities and a host to carnival, has a cosmopolitan population that enjoys both tradition and modernity.

Just north of the city center, Isola is Milan’s slightly offbeat, somewhat hipster, and completely all-natural neighborhood. On any given day, its vibe is friendly and local. The area offers amazing boutiques and specialty stores, boasts the best barber in the city, and features colorful street art.

New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment, rich in landscape and topography. Must-do experiences include exploring New Mexico’s mysterious Sangre de Cristo mountains, deep canyons, mesas, and river gorges; a stunning nature drive; a mountain hike; a night at the opera; and deep immersion into the rich New Mexico culture, arts, and history.

Passionate Mexico City foodies are rediscovering and reviving Mexico’s rural culinary delights.

If you’re determined to see Florida’s iconic animals, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you visit the wildlife refuges, nature centers, or boardwalks, you’re likely to spot manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, alligators, and several birds.