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Designed by Fuster + Architects, an award winning firm located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, El Blok takes its visual cues from the surrounding light, land and sea. In addition to being a playful structure, it is highly functional and built to withstand storms and hurricanes (a big plus anywhere in the caribbean!). It is located at the beach, at the start of Esperanza’s sleepy malecon, with its low-key seaside huddle of restaurants, bars, and stores, most of them back open after hurricane Maria’s devastating sweep of the island.

I loved my room, one of the spacious corner suites. The way the space captured the light was uncanny, every time I got back to my room, a new play of light beams and shadows was waiting for me. The restaurant downstairs serves up amazing food, hands down the best I had on island. Executive Chef, Carlos Perez. brings to the table a delicious, fresh take on Puerto Rican cuisine, centered around their bayahonda mesquite fired grill and Rotisol rotisserie. Just don’t expect much of a breakfast at the hotel. I took a short walk each morning to some cafés nearby, to grab a coffee and omelet. El Blok’s rooftop bar was ‘the’ place to hang in the evenings with locals and travelers alike, while listening to amazing music. When we were there, the duo Más Que Dos was playing and it made for an all around perfect sunset.

El Blok currently has 22 rooms and is adding another 11, slated to open in summer 2019. We were warned about construction noise between 8am and 2pm, but I can honestly say it didn’t interfere at all with my stay. It’s of course when you’re supposed to be out and about anyways, exploring the island!

Rates start at $140 per night plus tax.

A heartfelt thank you to Discover Puerto Rico (@DiscoverPuertoRico) for 3 days in beautiful Vieques and a fun stop-over in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Captain Dave’s ocean safaris offer visitors a different way to see Laguna. Departing from Dana Point, the cruises take place on a high-tech, high-speed catamaran equipped with underwater viewing pods so guests can see marine life up close. The boat also features three tram nets on the bow, offering prime views of everything from blue, humpback, and fin whales to orcas, dolphins, and even great white sharks. Cruises are limited to 49 people so everyone gets a front-row seat—plus Mrs. Captain Dave’s legendary triple fudge brownies that she bakes fresh for every trip.

Pinotxo, which stands for Pinocchio in Catalan, is a longtime family-owned restaurant in the Mercat de la Boqueria, Barcelona‘s most important central market. Reasonable prices and fresh produce entice tourists and locals for breakfast, lunch, or a quick coffee and fried donut (called a xuxo). Look for Juanito in the bowtie.

San Juan Cemetery lies on the coast adjacent to El Morro (San Juan’s beloved fort) and nestled in the district La Perla, a rougher part of town. Its statues and tombs make it as beautiful as a New Orleans cemetery. Exiting El Morro, head down the grassy field to your left to catch this flustering overhead view. On this day, a powerful storm was rolling in, casting everything in gray.

Although it might not seem so when standing in the center of any large city, but there are still some wild places to get lost around the globe. Whether you’re hiking through a sea of sand in Namibia or on an expedition in Antarctica, exploring the Guyanese Amazon by boat or marveling at the baobabs in Madagascar, these are the best places in the world to just get lost in the natural world.

Theme parks like the Magic Kingdom, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios are still the main draw in Orlando, but the ultimate family vacation destination is growing a reputation for upscale hotels and resorts with luxe spas, lush golf courses, and fine dining. Here is a range of stellar properties from International Drive to the Walt Disney World grounds.

Although many travelers see Tahiti as an entry point to French Polynesia, it really is a destination in its own right. It’s different from the other islands, with a bustling capital, a lush, waterfall-studded interior that is perfect for hiking, and the best surfing in French Polynesia—possibly the world. It is also more affordable to plan a vacation to Tahiti than outer islands like Bora Bora. And you can always pop over to Moorea on the ferry for a day trip.

Whether you’re an urban explorer or more of a beach bum, there’s a hotel in the Philippines for your type of trip. While business travelers tend to stay near Manila, many will fly through the hub to hit the famous beaches of the Philippine islands, where there are five-star resorts and plenty of sunshine. Here’s where to find everything from a historic hotel with views of Manila Bay and a luxury property near Makati’s best shopping to a private island resort surrounded by coral reefs.

From trinkets and tchotchkes to silver jewelry, high-quality hand blown glass, and the pottery of your dreams, the shops on the Baja Peninsula can cover your every spending whim. There are plenty of clothing shops too, if you forgot to pack enough bathing suits or some beach-to-dinner-perfect flip-flops. Between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, you can shop an art gallery or 12, open air markets, and shopping malls.

I think the most appealing aspect of Old San Juan is the architecture and design of the city. Residential apartment buildings have been converted to designer boutiques or little B&Bs, and interior courtyards invite hungry guests to relax and unwind in the shade.... I’ve been to this area multiple times and still I manage to find a street I’ve never wandered down. Some are more popular than others, in particular Calle San Sebastian, which hosts eateries, bars, and shops, and Calle San Francisco. At the corner of this street is my particular favorite, Franky’s antiques. It’s in a four-story building, loaded with vintage goodies. There’s so much to see, one trip is not enough. If you want to shop, consider wandering all morning and into the early afternoon. You’ll be delighted by all the unique shops. Then, take a break at my favorite restaurant, Triana, for Spanish-style tapas and their famous sangria. It’s a must-stop place any time I’m in the old city. You don’t need a car to get around. Just park at one of the garages and explore by foot. There’s lots to see and do in Old San Juan.

Fish fanatics beware: vacation in Turks and Caicos and there’s a good chance you’ll start dreaming about living on the islands forever. Conch and grouper are often the stars of the menus so you’ll have plenty of chances to try them served all kinds of ways. But, really, chance up your order a bit here and there. After all, there’s a lot to be said for a lobster dinner at a fine dining restaurant overlooking the water or for hanging out at the touristy but fun Thursday-night fish fry off of Grace Bay Beach.

There are two different kinds of whales that visit Baja each year, the humpback and the gray. The humpback can usually be spotted October through January, then again in April. The gray whale arrives from Alaska in late January and stays through mid-March to breed, mate and train their young for the long journey back. I was out on the water in a small fishing boat early February and we saw a great number of humpbacks–a truly magical and breathtaking experience. Unforgettable!

In Maui, visitors are spoiled for choice when it comes to hotels. The island is home to everything from plantation-style B&Bs to sprawling beach resorts with floating restaurants, offering something for every type of traveler, whether they care most about spacious rooms, outdoor pools, or ocean views. Find family-friendly elegance at the Fairmont Kea Lani; an artsy, boho-chic vibe at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort; or utter luxury at Four Seasons Hotel Lanai, a sanctuary on a nearby island that was once home to the world’s largest pineapple plantation.

Los Baúles de Juana Cata is a must-stop for anyone interested in high quality textiles. The boutique is run by Remigio Mestas Revilla, who is devoted to reviving and preserving lost or disappearing textile techniques. He works directly with artisans in various communities who produce very fine pieces. The boutique offers blouses, dresses, embroidered huipiles, and rebozos (shawls) and other traditional garments. Many of the pieces are exquisite, and they are priced accordingly. The shop is located in the same building as Oro de Monte Alban jewelry store and Los Danzantes restaurant.

Swim the Caribbean Sea. Hike through Tayrona National Park. Trek to Ciudad Perdida, the Lost City. Take in Colombian coffee culture in the Coffee Triangle. Or just wander the streets of one of Colombia’s cities to take in enough art and culture to keep you talking about this stellar South American country for the rest of your life.