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Inside the city’s most innovative restaurants, maverick chefs are defining modern Czech cuisine.

AFAR chose a destination at random—by literally spinning a globe—and sent Meghan Daum on a spontaneous journey to Peru.

There’s only one thing better than driving or cycling through the drenched Siem Reap countryside after a month of monsoon rains and that’s seeing the sodden landscapes from the air. Sure, you’ll get a short glimpse on your plane’s descent into Siem Reap, however, there’s nothing quite like an exhilarating helicopter flight over Angkor Archaeological Park, and Angkor Wat in particular, and seeing the moat full and the lime-green manicured lawns (kept trim from the resident horses, not lawnmowers). You can do a 15-minute flight for as little as US$60 with Helistar. The pilot flies you over a handful of temples, including iconic Angkor Wat (not once, but twice!) as well as lesser visited temples that appear all the more alluring from the air. The experience has been one of my most memorable since moving to Siem Reap.

Uncorking Switzerland’s Secret

On the beach, over the water, in a shack by the roadside surrounded by trees—Jamaica has some of the most atmospheric and charming bars (and people) in the world. Whether you’re drinking rum, Red Stripe, or wine, belly up to these terrific Jamaican watering holes.

Volcanoes birthed Dominica’s rugged, vertiginous landscape and nine still simmer, creating mudpots and the famous Boiling Lake. Hike, climb, and bird-watch on steep tracks through the tropical rain forest, or challenge yourself on the Caribbean’s first long-distance route, the 115-mile Waitukubuli Trail.

Get active at one of Miami’s best parks. The downtown area has upgraded, adding more green space with views of the bay. If running isn’t your favorite activity, maybe join a free yoga class on the lawn or climb the stairs at an iconic light house. Afterwards, there are many places to stroll and watch the eclectic sites and people that Miami is known for. Watch the sun set on a park bench and take it all in!

Whether facing the Sea of Cortés, the Pacific Ocean, or sandwiched between both (ah, Los Cabos), the beaches and waters of the Baja California Peninsula serve up surfing, some swimming (be careful out there, the waters can be pretty rough), boating, wildlife viewing, and, of course, all the sunny days you can handle.

Shopping in Siem Reap can be a delight—from watching artisans at work in ateliers before you purchase their crafts, to getting fitted for affordable couture fashion, to buying handcrafted gifts at the Made in Cambodia market. We even enjoy the guilty pleasure of bargaining for tacky tourist trinkets at the markets. Start in the morning at the Old Market for the people-watching as much as the shopping, spend the day browsing boutiques and galleries, then finish at the lively night markets.

Explore NYC by taking advantage of its amazing outdoor public spaces. For people-watching, walking, and communing with nature and public art, these parks, paths, and viewpoints bring the beautiful city into a sharper focus.

AFAR chose a destination at random—by literally spinning a globe—and sent Sloane Crosley on a spontaneous journey to Ecuador.

Postcard-pretty cities, turquoise lake waters, and Alpine peaks are just some highlights of day trips from Zurich. Among the Swiss Alps lies Mount Rigi, a mountain almost completely surrounded by water and so beautiful is often depicted in works of art. Luzern attracts visitors for its mountain/lake beauty which is enhanced by the 14th-century Kapellbrücke Bridge, and the Wasserturm water tower.

It’s time to experience island time at your own pace, with your toes in the sand and a cocktail in hand. Sip a happy-hour rum concoction at a beach bar, watch the sun go down with a glass of wine at an open-air bar, or sip a cold local beer while dancing the night away to live music—in the sand.

Jordan is home to a lot more than epic historic sites. Lesser-known but definitely deserving of wider exposure is the country’s collection of nature reserves, where you can splash through rivers, find oryx in the desert, go bird-watching in hidden green oases, or even hike through canyons on the back route to Petra.

The Spanish capital will not disappoint—with knock-out museums like the Prado and Reina Sofia, art galleries, historic sites, busy and colorful markets, green spaces like Retiro Park—even if you just linger in the Plaza Mayor and people-watch, the city will win you over.