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A trip through Austin’s shops and boutiques will send you home laden down with great vinyl, used and new books, and top-notch vintage western wear, but you may be surprised by local designers, too, showing off their stuff, from fashion to housewares.

Wide open prairies and soaring Rocky Mountains, Alberta is defined by diversity. From the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site to the Great Plains, where both dinosaurs and buffalo roamed, the Alberta landscape invites nature-loving visitors to get outside and explore. In the cities, the booming Edmonton and Calgary both delivery their own unique cosmopolitan flare without ignoring the province’s ageless western culture. This is why we love Alberta.

With options ranging from fine French cuisine served in white-cloth dining rooms to local joints dishing out classic muffulettas or po’boys, and pouring perfect Sazeracs, New Orleans offers your mouth the makings of a great vacation.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines are home to a wide variety of restaurants, from fine-dining spots in luxury resorts to authentic local joints on St. Vincent and Union Island. Don’t miss the great beach bars on Bequia and, if you’re lucky enough to be visiting Mustique, the famous Basil’s Beach Bar on Britannia Bay.

Home to a vibrant music scene, innovative restaurants, incredible green spaces, and events like SXSW, Austin also boasts a number of great hotels, from boutique gems with swimming pools to upscale chains overlooking Lady Bird Lake. Choose something on trendy South Congress Avenue, in the hipster haven of East Austin, or within walking distance of infamous Sixth Street and get ready to experience Texas’s capital of cool.

Toronto’s culinary scene is full of great restaurants, ranging from the haute to the hip, from Canadian comfort food to a stunning variety of international cuisines. In Toronto’s booming food scene, you’ll surely find just what you’re craving.

The art collections housed in the great museums of Los Angeles are as varied as the museums themselves. At Getty’s grand villa above the Pacific, marble statues from ancient Greece oversee gardens and fountains. Behind the dazzling ultramodern facade of the Broad, visitors find ultramodern artworks, too. Even when the beaches and rooftop bars beckon, leave time in your schedule to tour these outstanding museums.

Australia’s most remote state is arguably its most rewarding. Tasmania (“Tassie” to locals) features wild and rugged scenery, a thriving artisan food and drink scene, and one of the most talked-about art museums in the world. All the appeal of Tasmania—stunning scenery, empty beaches, weird wildlife—still applies. But now there’s even more to lure you way down under.

Norwegians supposedly drink the most coffee in the world. It’s easy to believe. Stroll the streets of Oslo, and you’ll find coffee shops on every corner.

This bite-size coffee stand in the Victorian-era Strand Arcade building downtown is perfect for a midday lift. Run by the team behind Coffee Alchemy in Marrickville, Gumption serves coffee and only coffee (no food). Six single-origin bean varieties are on offer, three of them filtered hot, the other three dripped cold and served over ice. Don’t think about asking for milk, though, unless you mean a steamed drink. They’ll deny you. The staff is not snobby, just matter-of-fact. The coffees come small and extremely drinkable—even for dairy lovers.

There are more restaurants in Tokyo with Michelin stars—230—than any other city, making Tokyo an unrivaled culinary capital. The city’s range of restaurants is astonishing, from traditional Japanese cuisine to French fusion and beyond. There are also, of course, sushi restaurants where you can try sea urchuin, traditional kaiseki, tasting menus, haute cuisine spots that rely on seasonal ingredients, and so much more. Quick tip: Michelin star or not, it’s a good idea to check in with your hotel’s concierge about your restaurant of choice to make a reservation. Many fine dining restaurants have only a few, very coveted tables.

The sprawling metropolis of Houston is changing its reputation from an oil-and-gas hub to an on-trend city with sports, culture, and terrific bars and restaurants. The city is also home to a host of great hotels, from super-luxe to affordable boutique options. Our favorite ones have a strong Houston accent.

The top 10 things to do on the Greek mainland will give you a comprehensive overview of what makes Greece so special. Make the trek to the Oracle at Delphi. Watch the sunset behind the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. Check out the birthplace of the modern-day Olympics. Here are the Greek mainland highlights to hit before heading off to the islands.

If you’re planning to stay in Beijing, you’ll have your pick of both international hotel chains and a growing number of boutique properties, many within walking distance of major sights. Choose a spot in a central location, near the Summer Palace or an important shopping street, or base your decision on perks like room service and free Wi-Fi. Either way, you can expect to find a great home base for getting to the heart of Beijing.

Australia’s Northern Territory is home to some of the oldest artistic traditions in the world. As such, it’s one of the best places to buy authentic Australian Aboriginal art, which includes dot paintings, bark etchings, wooden objects, and pottery. But it’s important to make sure Aboriginal artists receive their fair share of profits when you purchase indigenous art in the country. These galleries, shops, and Aboriginal arts and craft centers are great places to start.