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Coco frios are sold on every corner during the high season (fall and winter) in Puerto Rico. Cold, fresh coconut water is the lifeblood of island living. Literally, if you were ever stranded on an island, you could sustain yourself on what’s inside a coconut (just ask Les Stroud). There is a difference between coconut water and coconut milk. Coconut water is clear to translucent and not as sweet—you harvest this from a fresh green coconut that has just fallen, or is ready to fall from the tree. It might taste unusual at first if you have never tried it, but this is actually the best form of natural electrolytes to replenish yourself after a workout or surf session. Watch the roadsides for the carts and folks with machetes—because this is your hint that coco frios await you!

Want to lounge around the pool that Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh and Diana Rigg once swam in? Then this is the place. Can Talaias, a large finca-turned-B&B, pushes its ‘agrotourism’ credentials and certainly the home cooking, with eggs and veg straight from the garden, is a powerful attraction. But it has a rather more glamorous draw too. The beautiful interiors of this 1960s villa suggest that someone with both money and taste had a hand in its making; and the photos on the wall reveal who. Comic actor Terry Thomas fell in love with Ibiza after his Hollywood pal Denholm Elliott introduced him to the island; this bohemian pad was his escape from an actor’s life. And his friends came to visit in their droves - Terry Thomas’s parties were legendary, and his swimming pool was one of the first to be built on the island. Somehow, that slice of history makes hanging out at this luxury rural retreat even more enjoyable.

Korea puts its own spin on sashimi at the Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market. Bargain for a piece of raw fish (hoe, pronounced “hway”) amid the lanes of fishmongers, then head upstairs to have one of the in-house restaurants garnish your prize with generous sides of kimchi. susansijang.co.kr. This appeared in the January/February 2014 issue.

A long jetty with a thatch-roofed shelter at the far end is the signature motif of Pigeon Point Heritage Park. This is Tobago’s favorite swimming beach, a classic scene of golden sands bordered by coconut palms. The well-maintained 125-acre park is also a hub year round for island events, from dragon-boat races and culinary feasts to jazz and other music festivals. Colorful glass-bottomed boats pick up visitors here for tours over the ample reef system. And there’s shopping, too: Look for island-made ceramics, batik and beachwear.

Chef Drew Hedlund combines classic and contemporary Southern fare here in a retired 1940s naval building on the east side of the Charleston peninsula. Long used for storage by the South Carolina Port Authority, today it’s home to one of the city’s most popular waterfront restaurants, with incomparable views of the harbor. Some highlights of the menu include crispy whole flounder with apricot glaze, Charleston shrimp and grits, crab cakes, Lowcountry boil and lump crab bruschetta.

Families that would rather not be in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the main section of Grace Bay Beach will dig the condos at The Tuscany Resort. Ranging in size from one bedroom to three, each is condo includes a full kitchen, laundry room, spacious living area and a screened in balcony. There is no restaurant on site, but there is a pool with loungers and access to the quiet side of Grace Bay Beach from a tree-lined catwalk. Unlike the middle portion of the beach, development here is still pretty void, so you can expect to have much of the white sand expanse to yourself (meaning your kids can run and play without issues). On the downside, if you want to get to most of the eating and activities, you’ll need a car as it isn’t really walking distance. And while there isn’t a restaurant here, you can arrange to have your kitchen pre-stocked before arrival meaning you can eat in and save a lot of cash in the process. Each condo is slightly different from a decor perspective as they are all privately owned and decoration is at the owners discretion.

The newly refurbished Sheraton Kona Keauhou Bay Resort is stylish, with a large pool and water slide. But it was the history and the view from the hotel (located off the famous Ali’i Drive) that won me over. The hotel gives you an excellent vantage point to the bay around which King Kamehameha III was born (stillborn, as legend has it). He grew up to become Hawai’i’s powerful and benevolent ruler, and sought to unite the people. He called The Big Island his home and is beloved by many. The hotel offers several notable cultural markers, including two heiau (Hawaiian temple) replicas.

A stroll of St. Kitt’s capital, whether started at Port Zante Marina or the centrally located Independence Square, is an entertaining way to learn more about the island’s past. While the French named Basseterre (it means “low land”), the British are responsible for the town’s most recognizable landmark—the green, cast-iron Berkeley Memorial Clock in the center of the Circus, where several streets intersect. Make sure to visit the area, as well as Independence Square, St. George’s Anglican Church, and the Old Treasury Building, which now serves as the National Museum of St. Kitts. Along your walk, you’ll also find duty-free shops and local boutiques, plus a lively produce market by the waterfront if you come on the weekend.

Mylopotas Beach is one of the most popular destinations on Íos island, but since it stretches over one kilometre long, you’ll rarely find it overcrowded. Cafes and restaurants stretch the length of the beach, but the Far Out Beach Club reigns supreme. It’s part hotel, hostel, and campsite, and you’ll be surprised by how fabulous the food is.

The scents that go into Ortigia’s gorgeous bath and beauty products are inspired by Sicilian plants (orange blossom, Sicilian lime, pomegranate, almond) and evoke the essence of this exotic, southern Mediterranean island. Beautifully presented in exquisite packaging, the bath essences, soaps, body lotions, scents and scented candles are all made from natural products in Sicily. They make wonderful gifts (if you can bear to give them away, that is…).

Sonny’s has been open since 1944, making it the second oldest continuously operating eatery on Galveston Island. Hit it on a Friday gumbo night if you can, which comes in your choice of shrimp, crawfish, or both. Sonny’s may seem like a hole-in-the-wall, but don’t let that scare you off. It’s just old school and really friendly seafood place. Photo via galveston.com

Make your way to the Kuah jetty point to catch a catamaran or speed boat to the Pulau Payar Marine Park. Situated about 1 hour away, this sanctuary is a series of islands and beaches perfect for viewing endangered marine life. While there are many viewing options, for divers the vivid “Coral Garden” is best for viewing colorful coral and the surrounding fish.

Why we love it: An intimate retreat with an attentive staff that guarantees fuss-free tranquility

The Highlights:
- Personalized attention from a small, dedicated staff
- Guestrooms filled with Mexican antiques
- The all-day, oceanfront restaurant that serves local cuisine

The Review:
With just 12 guest rooms and a staff that’s smaller than a football team, NEST is more private home than resort. Owned by former music industry executive James Chippendale, the intimate property features simple, subdued rooms, individually appointed with antique and artisan furnishings sourced from San Miguel de Allende and throughout the Yucatán, as well as king-size beds, locally made bath products, and handcrafted French doors that fling open to welcome warm ocean breezes. Start your day with a probiotic smoothie and huevos rancheros at the beachside restaurant, then secure your spot on a palm-fringed daybed overlooking the powdery shoreline and azure waves. Your biggest decision may well be whether to watch the sun dip below the horizon from your plush perch or head back for complimentary happy hour at the bar.

Bavaria meets Florida at this Marriott Autograph Collection property, midway between downtown Orlando and the theme parks, and close to the Orange County Convention Center. The hotel’s unique decor pairs antlers and fake fur with pastels and palm trees, and adds elaborate chandeliers and original artwork throughout. Accommodations have fairy tale–inspired carved headboards and marble bathrooms; book a corner room for a separate seating area—in a turret overlooking the lush grounds. The Poseidon spa pampers you like royalty with body, skin, and beauty treatments that employ ocean-derived ingredients, and massages can be arranged in room or in the garden. Breakfast and lunch are served at the bright and airy Garden Bistro, with dinner and drinks available in the Antlers Lounge, but you can walk to restaurants and attractions along International Drive, including the Orlando Eye Ferris wheel. Just be back before dark: From the Sky Terraces, guests have views of nightly fireworks and may spot another nearby castle—Hogwarts at Universal Studios.

Steps away from Mérida’s prestigious mansion- and monument-lined Paseo de Montejo, this residence turned boutique hotel is a stylish retreat full of Instagrammable moments. Colonial-era details like wooden antiques, wrought-iron chandeliers, and exposed ceiling beams are sprinkled throughout the seven guest rooms, but modern comforts keep things current—think bathrooms with organic toiletries and rain showers illuminated by skylights. There’s plenty of tile flooring and colorful art on the walls, but the most scenic spots are the breezy colonnaded patios that overlook the hotel’s lush outdoor spaces. Head to the tranquil pool area to while away the time with a good read or an expertly crafted cocktail in one of the hammocks that swing beside the water. The next best seat in the house? You’ll find it on the breakfast patio, overlooking the palm-dotted garden. A seat at the granite-topped bar isn’t too shabby either, with personable bartenders serving up a wide variety of top-quality tequilas.