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If the viewing platform from the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa doesn’t induce vertigo, why not jump out of a perfectly good airplane at Skydive Dubai? The view of the Palm Jumeirah from 13,000 feet up will literally take your breath away—falling from that high above the ground tends to do that. If that sounds a little too extreme, give one of the biggest vertical wind tunnel in the world a go at Inflight Dubai. The tunnel, 16.5 feet in diameter, produces wind not by the inescapable force of gravity but by four 2,000-hp electric motors that let you experience skydiving without ever jumping out of an airplane. Tthe folks at Inflight Dubai opened an even bigger wind tunnel at Palm Jumeirah.

The Cederberg Mountains are where Capetonians go to hike and camp in the Western Cape. After a very bumpy (7km or so) ride deep into the hills and valleys of the Cederbergs, you’ll arrive at Gecko Creek Lodge. Each evening, watch the sun fall snugly between the mountains from your tent, pictured here. You can bring your own tent or opt to use Gecko’s, which was setup with two twin beds and included linens. Gecko also offers wood cabins with hammocks on a small front patio. With a swimming pool, hiking trails to wander, a nearby river, plus a lapa and boma (dining/cooking area) for mingling with the other guests, there was no shortage of activities to partake in.

Situated on the northern end of Delaware Park, the Buffalo Zoo offers family-friendly fun for warm summer days. Built in 1975, it’s the third-oldest zoo in the country, but the facilities have been updated over the years to provide spacious habitats for the resident animals. The underground sea lion exhibit and Rainforest Falls are favorites, as they allow visitors to get close—but not too close—to the animals. Also be sure to catch a glimpse of the giraffes enjoying the sunshine from their street-side enclosure. To avoid crowds, arrive early in the day—the place can get packed, especially on nice days.

Tucked down a long and bumpy dirt road on the way to Hopkins, Mayflower Bocawina National Park is a well-maintained nature escape offering a variety of adventures, from the casual to the extreme. Decide how brave you feel and choose from the options: hiking and birding along moderate trails to waterfalls; a two-hour, steep, adrenaline-pumping hike, with the occasional rope to climb, to the breathtaking 1,000-foot-high Antelope Falls; zip-lining across the park day or night; or rappelling 150 feet down a couple of waterfalls. Fill up afterward at the on-site restaurant before hitting the road, or book an overnight stay at the park’s cozy cabanas.

In the spirit of going big or going home, Hakkasan Las Vegas is a nightclub that basically outdoes all other when it comes to size and entertainment. To begin with, there is a two-story restaurant, which has a contemporary design and offers the perfect place to warm up for an evening in the nightclub. The club, which encompasses levels three, four and five, has a variety of rooms, each with its own feel and vibe. Level three consists of the Ling Ling Room and Club, which are chic and, in the case of the lounge area, dark and sleek as well. The main nightclub is located on the fourth floor; this is where party goers can watch DJs like Calvin Harris, R3hab and Tiesto perform. The fifth floor houses the Pavilion, which has an outside-type of energy. Come for dinner and stay all night long, rotating between the many nightlife experiences to say you’ve done a little bit of everything in Las Vegas.

In 2007, hedge fund investor Jim Manley bought a working cattle ranch on the site of a historic silver-mining claim to stake as his bigger-than-life family retreat. In 2010, he opened up the Ranch at Rock Creek, a toy-filled haven in southwest Montana’s Big Sky Country, with 13 houses with one to five bedrooms, luxurious canvas cabins for “glamping,” or a nine-room granite lodge. All are decorated by designer Jet Zarkadas and feature Oriental carpets, deep leather chairs, cow skin and woven Navajo rugs, custom duvet covers, and period Western photos and memorabilia. Despite the remote location and 5,200-foot elevation, all accommodations have landline, working Wi-Fi, and cell phone coverage; some have moose antlers, a private sauna, outdoor hot tub, and indoor copper bathtub.

Open year-round, the 10-square-mile property encompasses meadows, high country lakes, grassy ridges, and stunning vistas of the Pintler and Sapphire mountains. This self-contained adventureland offers horseback riding; heli-hiking; fly-fishing; river floating; high-tech mountain biking; rope courses; trap shooting; and archery on a 3D course using powerful hunting bows to shoot life-sized models of animals. Weekly rodeo and stagecoach rides underscore the Western theme; in winter, guests cross-country ski, ice skate, and snowshoe on-site. A kids’ club frees parents for spa time and other pursuits.

An art deco icon, built in 1939 for the silver screen stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, the Hotel Shangri-La is a beachfront beauty made for decadence. As the original Shangri-La—the big chain is just leasing the name—the boutique hotel has long been a hideaway for celebrities, a home-away-from-home for design-conscious international elite, and a host of some of Los Angeles’ most elegant soirées.

The Mexican food at Guisados is great simply because it doesn’t try too hard. The owners, Armando de la Torre Sr. and Armando de la Torre Jr., aim to make every dish just how mom used to make it, and they succeed on every level. From humble beginnings in Boyle Heights to outposts in Echo Park, Downtown L.A., West Hollywood, Burbank, and a Koreatown location on the second floor of the Platform 35 food hall. Guisados has flourished thanks to handmade tortillas anchored by braised chicken breast, flank steak, or pork. The mole poblano taco is especially mouthwatering, and the quesadilla con chorizo is big enough to share—though you probably will want to keep it all to yourself.

For the thrill of your life, head to the top of the Stratosphere on the north end of the Strip. My favorite is the Big Shot -- I can’t count how many times I’ve been. Take the elevator to the very tippy top, where you’ll find yourself outside, literally on top of the 921-foot tower. Then you’ll be strapped in and shot up in the air, where you’ll pause to take in the sites before coming back down so fast you reach negative G force. Oh, I love it! There are two other rides up there, and for the really brave, you can now jump solo over the edge (yes, from the very top), with harness technology that allows you to land on the ground right on your feet.

Bungee jumping was invented in New Zealand, so if you’re going to try it anywhere in the world, shouldn’t it be at the world’s first commercial bungee site? With a 140-foot drop from an old bridge straddling a beautiful turquoise river, the location outside of Queenstown couldn’t be more perfect. In fact, its beauty might even distract from what lies ahead. Choosing between jumping tandem or solo, bobbing above the water, touching it, or even getting dunked, the Kawarau Bridge has every option available—though maybe none for the faint of heart. In the few minutes I watched dozens of people fling themselves off the platform, from kids to parents, everyone had a big smile on their face when finished.

This is where the cool kids (Uma Thurman, Led Zeppelin, Anthony Bourdain) lay their heads when they stop over in the Big Easy. The look is modern but not excessively so, location-appropriate, but not in an overly Fleur-de-Lys kind of way. Think: creamy hues, contemporary furnishings, and lofty ceilings paired with intricate woodwork, ornate chandeliers, and black-and-white photos of jazz greats. The former bank is also well positioned for late-night revelry, while still being far enough away from the French Quarter action—so you can get a good night’s sleep in one of the just-renovated king-size Apple rooms.

The second most famous public sculpture in Chicago is 50ft high, made of steel and no one knows what it means. It’s doesn’t even have a proper name so it’s just known as “The Picasso.” Pablo Picasso gifted this untitled sculpture to the city of Chicago in 1967 and it caused a big ruckus because, well, it’s weird looking and no one knew what it was supposed to be. A woman? A chimera? A face? Hard telling. We do know that it was the first modern sculpture installed in the downtown area and it’s now the pride and joy of Chicagoans and photographed almost as much as the Bean. On sunny days you’ll see kids sliding down that sloping steel base and I love that the city still allows those jungle gym antics on such famous real estate.

Stephanie Izard puts together a great restaurant. The Girl and the Goat has been hard to get into since it opened and Little Goat had a 90 minute wait when we went last month. 90 minutes for diner food! That’s impressive. Other things that were impressive? The Fat Elvis Waffles with crunchy bacon bits, sliced bananas and peanut butter sauce. Big enough for 2 people, but who wants to give up any of that deliciousness?? Little Goat is worth a visit but let the newness wear off a bit before you go.

That the Mad Men-esque Butcher & Singer has landed on Philadelphia Magazine’s 50 Best Restaurants list for two consecutive years speaks volumes about serial restaurateur Stephen Starr’s keen design sense and unparalleled stagecraft. Although the plush leather banquettes, imposing ceilings and throwback supper-club experience are certainly striking (“an homage to Old Hollywood,” Starr says), it’s the archetypal steaks and chops that really shine here. Those harboring an obsession with sandwiches, like myself, should opt for the 10oz dry-aged beef burger—a more than suitable strip substitute. As for that tempting third course, don’t be surprised if tuxedo-bedecked waiters encourage you to save room for their signature dessert, the Baked Alaska. Whatever you do, just say yes. Unbutton your pants if you have to, the wait staff will understand. A vintage experience, masterful steaks and a killer ambiance means yet another success story for the Starr empire and a big win for Philadelphia. Reservations recommended.

The area around the rue de Bretagne in the north part of the Marais continues to be a big draw with locals and visitors for a number of reasons: the Marché des Enfants Rouges covered market with food stalls, the wincingly bobo-chic Café Charlot (people go even if the service is uneven and the fries are frozen), the Franco-British brunch institution Rose Bakery and the upstart Candelaria, one of the best places in the city for tacos and cocktails. Equally as iconic as some of these hot spots it Hier Aujourd’hui et Demain, a shop right across from Café Charlot that hawks vintage home decor accessories and French industrial lamps - both of which have reeled me (and my wallet) in many a time. A great source for original pieces and antiques to bring back with you after your trip.