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The hike up Lion’s Head affords incredible views. Since the trail winds around the mountain, you’ll have the unique opportunity to see every side of Cape Town from above. When you start, the ever-stunning Table Mountain will be just to the left, but soon enough, you’ll be facing Robben Island in the distance, with all of Cape Town below. The Lion’s Head hiking trail is eight miles round-trip and takes about three to four hours to complete, depending on your pace. If you happen to be in town during the full moon, be sure to start hiking mid-afternoon and bring your headlamp and a picnic dinner. Along the way, you’ll meet many a local honoring their monthly tradition of hiking up, eating dinner during the sunset, and hiking back down in the moonlight glow.

La Recoleta Cemetery is one of the most visited cemeteries in Latin America, mainly because Evita Peron is buried there, among other notable figures. The cemetery is built around a convent and a church, Our Lady of Pilar (Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Pilar), that was built in 1732. The order was disbanded in 1822, and the garden of the convent was converted into the first public cemetery in Buenos Aires. Occupied by mostly wealthy families of Buenos Aires. Highly recommended to have a guided map to find some famous graves.

Iceland’s largest and most famous geothermal spa lies around an hour outside Reykjavik, quite close to Keflavik Airport. With a dramatic setting amidst large black lava boulders, the steam-filled, creamy-blue pool area is a striking and surreal sight. The Blue Lagoon has been open since the 1980s and today draws some 700,000 visitors a year. The pools are actually created by heated seawater that flows from the adjacent geothermal power station. The waters allegedly cure all manner of skin-related ailments (eczema, psoriasis), but whether these claims are true or not, it’s certainly an atmospheric place to unwind, with very comfortable (99 degrees Fahrenheit) temperatures. The complex includes a small bar that dispenses healthy juices and beer, as well as a spa area for massages andbeauty treatments, and a very good restaurant; there’s also an upscale hotel if you wish to stay overnight.

After a busy Friday filled with an air boat ride and tour at Wild Florida, golf lessons at the Leadbetter Golf Academy, and sampling the food at three restaurants at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, I was ready to wake up on Saturday to a little calming relaxation and luxury. I found it at the Mokara Spa. The spa offers massage and facial therapies, body treatments, manicure and pedicures, waxing,and hair services. I enjoyed the 50-minute massage (also available for 80 minutes). My friend tried the Mokara Signature Facial. We both came out relaxed and glowing. The facilities have an understated and calming elegance. The staff is very courteous and attentive without hovering. The changing room and whirlpool were spotless. After my massage I was ready for lunch by the pool and more relaxing on the Lazy River. (Please see my post on the great pool offerings at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate).

“Heavenly” might be a common descriptor for a resort with Frette linens, American Indian–inspired spa treatments, and round-the-clock room service, but the experience at Primland is quite literally heavenly. The showpiece of this remarkable eco-resort is an on-site observatory, a giant silver, silo-like structure attached to the main lodge, with a powerful telescope whose images can be seen via closed-circuit TV in the guest rooms or on nightly guided star walks. The property’s altitude, at nearly 3,000 feet, makes it ideal for stargazing, especially if you are in one of the two-floor Pinnacle Suites overlooking the Dan River Gorge, or in an even more secluded tree house suite with views of the mountain valley from the balcony. Encompassing 12,000 acres, the property is so large that different driving directions are provided whether you are arriving for clay shooting, hiking, dinner, or an overnight stay. Meals at Elements restaurant showcases organic Blue Ridge ingredients with a French flair, served on fine china, while moonshine cocktails and a club sandwich with sugar-coated “pig candy” are on the menu at the 19th Pub. Primland is especially a dream destination for golfers and hunters in their respective seasons, but an extensive list of outdoor sports, family activities, and a large media library will please every guest no matter the weather.

Situated roughly halfway between Da Nang and Nha Trang, Qui Nhon is a quiet coastal town with a curvy beach that is refreshingly low-key. It doesn’t get the hordes that visit Nha Trang to the south (the stretch of sand isn’t quite as alluring here), and certainly lacks the development that is a feature of Da Nang’s beaches, resulting in a city that is remarkably unaffected by the unstoppable reach of tourism—note the number of fishing boats that still dot the water here. There are some fine Cham ruins in the vicinity, including the Thap Doi (meaning Double Towers) and the Banh It Towers, as well as the Long Khanh Pagoda, constructed by a Chinese businessman in the 18th century.

Less than an hour from Christchurch, the spectacle of the Waimakariri River Gorge awaits. The icy river flows from the Southern Alps, making for pristine water and scenic mountain views. Opt for a jetboat ride, or if you prefer to stay dry, a horse trek can take in the same serene beauty and is suitable for even beginning riders. Combine either mode of transportation with a visit to a hill country farm for a true Canterbury country experience.

Haleakala, a huge and dormant shield volcano, forms more than 75 percent of Maui’s landmass. As such, it pretty much demands you ascend its slopes and peer into its crater—the island’s very soul. Legend claims the demigod Maui snared the sun here, freeing it only after it swore to inch more slowly across the sky.

The 38-mile, two-and-a-half-hour drive up Haleakala climbs from sea level to 10,023 feet through several different ecological zones. One of the most popular ways to experience the volcano remains cycling down from the summit at sunrise. Do it yourself if you’re confident, or join a guided tour (Skyline Eco-Adventures offers one that includes a zip-line ride). Once you’ve mastered the motion—and the 21 switchbacks along the road—effortless downhill freewheeling rewards you with unsurpassed views of the island. If you’d rather savor the vistas from a lofty perch, drive to the top for the sunset or book an overnight at one of the park’s wilderness cabins, accessible only by hiking trail.

Whether you’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo, a romantic anniversary or the fact that it’s Wednesday and you’re in Bermuda, Rosa’s Bermuda makes a great lunch or dinner spot. Located on Front Street, above the Docksider Pub & Restaurant, Rosa’s overlooks Hamilton Harbor. Rosa’s features all of the traditional Mexican menu staples you would expect: tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, burritos, and the like. A signature margarita menu offers 10 different tequilas from which to choose as well as wine, beer, and cocktail selections. Gosling’s Black Seal rum is, of course, on the list of libations. Not in the mood for Mexican? No problem. Rosa’s also serves wings, wraps, burgers, ribeye steak, seafood, and the recently awarded number one fish sandwich in Bermuda. Photo by Jeffreyw/Flickr/CC

Let me put the good news front and center: This is not your father’s Ritz-Carlton (nor your mother’s). For example take the infinity pool, which practically drops you in the Atlantic. Then, there’s the art deco décor, which comes alive with the Latin beat infused throughout the property. Finally, consider the location: the completely restored landmark hotel is literally steps from Lincoln Road, the epicenter of South Beach life – at least the part of life that’s off the beach. I, for one, could not have been happier reading in a poolside chaise or taking a soak in the Jacuzzi, unless it was when I headed up to the state-of-the-art spa, and then down to the beach, where attendants are standing by to cater to your (nearly) every whim. Sunrises are breathtaking — instead of taking photos to post online, I suggest you do what I did: Stand there and let the new day bathe you in its rays. But there is one important way that this Ritz-Carlton is like every Ritz-Carlton: The top-flight service. I barraged handsome Patrick, the day concierge, with a series of questions: “Where can I have dinner that is quiet and outside?” “Can you find me a yoga studio with ‘flow’ classes?” And so on. Let me say this: He knows his stuff and so does the rest of the staff. I was genuinely sad to leave, wanting more time at the pool, at Bistro One LR. Basically, more of everything, which is the ultimate compliment for any hotel. (A $28 resort fee is charged per night, per room)

The Altar of Peace, also known by its ancient name, Ara Pacis, is a 1st century BC monument embellished with marble reliefs. The structure’s carved stone surfaces depict religious processions and allegories, all of which glorify the family and virtues of the Emperor Augustus. Inaugurated in 9BC, the altar was a destination for ritual and sacrifice for four centuries, after which time it was neglected and ultimately buried by deposit left by Tiber floods. Its rediscovery took centuries and culminated in a Fascist-era excavation, followed by the repositioning of the monument in its current location beside the Tiber River. In 2006, American architect Richard Meier completed the Museo dell’Ara Pacis, the glass and limestone building that houses the Altar, as well as numerous exhibition spaces.

There are no guarantees the Northern Lights will start dancing on the night you look skyward, but it’s so worth taking the chance. One of the great rewards for hanging out in Alaska once the dark and cold settle over the state, the Northern Lights (or if you want to be scientific about it, aurora borealis) serve up a light show that is equal parts science, magic, and art. Your best bet for catching the light show is to head away from city lights. That’s one of many reasons it’s worth making the trip to Denali National Park, open year-round. When the park’s summer crowds disappear, visitors feel as though the massive national park is an intimate personal space.

You’ll need to hire your own boat to get here, so it’s not the sort of pub you can simply stop into for a drink. But adventurous travelers seeking an offbeat drop and stay should look no further than this charming speck of an island in the middle of the Adelaide River. Yep, that’s the same Adelaide River that’s famous for jumping crocodiles. Kai Hansen (you’ll quickly understand why he’s been nicknamed “Happy”) is the sole inhabitant of Goat Island, unless you count his pet: an 11-foot, 770-pound saltwater crocodile named Casey. The bar is named after the joint’s toothy friend and serves burgers, hot dogs, fresh-caught barramundi, local crayfish and Kai’s famous croc balls. Don’t tell Casey what they’re made of. The place has long been a haunt of local fishermen, but the word got out. Call Jim at Arafura Boat Hire (+61 8-8988-1265) and tell him Happy sent you.

Ollantaytambo’s namesake archaeological site is one of the best examples of Incan architecture in the region. It’s easy to spend a half day exploring the temples and other structures there, especially if you factor in time to hike up beyond the ruins. Meanwhile, the quaint town itself remains much as it was in Incan times, with original houses, streets, and waterways. Some buildings are open to the public, offering a fascinating glimpse into a centuries-old way of life. Most Machu Picchu–bound trains leave from the station here.

The Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal is a majestic resort that sits at the spot where the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortéz meet. All 119 rooms have an ocean view, complete with binoculars for whale-watching, as well as a private plunge pool, a fireplace, a rain shower, and a welcome bottle of Clase Azul tequila. Decorative accents include tasteful local art, such as hand-embroidered pillows, ceramic sculptures, and hand-forged metal light fixtures. On the service side, every guest is assigned a round-the-clock personal concierge. The relatively small number of rooms keeps the vibe intimate and creates a sense of privacy throughout the property.