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In the heart of Texas Hill Country, on a serene section of the Colorado River, the famously luxurious Lake Austin Spa Resort might be just half an hour from Austin’s city center, but it feels miles away from anywhere, an oasis surrounded by ruggedly beautiful wilderness. And that’s intentional: the destination spa caters to every need and whim, offering a daily calendar of outdoor activities and educational talks and classes and serving healthy and locally-sourced cuisine. Spa treatments are not included in the rate—which, it’s worth noting, starts at a three-night minimum stay—but use of the spa’s three pools and other pampering facilities are, and it’d be a shame not to sample at least one of its more than 100 natural treatments.


But the best part about the resort is that, once you’re there, no one cares what you do. Take advantage of the packed schedule and spa offerings, or just claim a poolside lounger, take a walk along the lake, or read a book in the fragrant organic garden. Relaxation means something different to everyone, after all.

All along the Eastern Seashore of Australia you will encounter spheres of sand in patterns, lines, and random assortments on the beach. At first, it looks a bit like sand circles after an alien beach landing, but if you wait around long enough, you will observe the a sand bubbler crab hard at work on a natural masterpiece. On this particular evening, the tide was low and the entire beach was covered with little balls of sand. Cape Hillsborough National Park is a stunning bit of land with plenty of curiosities, including friendly beach-minded kangaroos and several walks including a long stretch of beach to amble along at the end of the day. If you are camping, this park is not to be missed!

Historical Tainan is the former capital of Taiwan, the island’s oldest city, and the heart of traditional Taiwanese culture. The city is home to several of the island’s oldest and most famous temples—most notably the Confucius Temple—and is the destination of frequent pilgrimages. Tainan is also known for its deep-rooted food culture. There visitors will find some of the most traditional Taiwanese dishes, which can’t be found anywhere else.

After a full day of skiing or hiking, nothing sounds more appealing than a spa treatment. Thankfully, Telluride offers plenty of places for pampering, from lavish resorts with hot springs to luxurious spas offering massages, facials, and more.

Three days in Tokyo offers just enough time to give you a taste of the city’s range. Explore the Nezu Museum, Mori Art Museum, Tokyo National Museum, and the Meiji Shrine to immerse yourself in Japanese history, art, and culture. Start one of your days early with a tuna auction at the Toyosu Market--formerly the Tsukiji Fish Market--before heading off do some shopping, head to the top of Roppongi Hills for a view of the city, or to taste your way around the world--without leaving Tokyo.

The concept of breakfast in Barcelona is different. Traditionally it’s subdivided into two meals. Desdejuni, a very small early-morning meal is sometimes nothing more than juice or a café amb llet. L’esmorzar is a larger late morning affair similar to what a lot of cultures would call lunch, wherein some workers wash down large sandwiches with small beers. That said, American and English breakfasts are widely available and brunch has become very popular, especially on weekends.

Brunch is a simple combination of the words breakfast and lunch, but in Qatar, there is nothing simple about brunches, in fact, brunch is a Friday institution, when the city’s kitchens work at full throttle to produce a lavish selection of delicacies from every corner of the globe. Most of the hotels do a champagne inclusive brunch and top it all off with chocolate fondue fountains that really must be seen to be believed. They have two different fixed prices: with soft drinks and with bubbly.

It’s not surprising that this little island at the end of the continent is known for seafood, but the creative and artistic vibe of Key West means that the ocean-focused cuisine veers towards innovative. Come for the sun, stay for the fish!

How can you go wrong when you’re surrounded by spectacular hills, crashing waterfalls, shaded paths, glinting mountain lakes, winding highways with dramatic overlooks, and all of it within reach of Dollywood? Come to the Smokies and have some natural fun.

Iceland’s culinary star has been on the rise thanks to cutting-edge chefs who focus on Nordic cuisine as well as innovative takes on other cuisines. The Michelin Guide has taken note, naming Dill Restaurant Iceland’s first Michelin-starred restaurant. From an Icelandic hot dog stand that’s a must-try to high-end spots that encourage diners to try new takes on classic ingredients through tasting menus, including fermented shark and salted cod, there’s a world of flavor waiting for you.

A grand hotel in the Old World tradition, the Peninsula Beverly Hills exudes luxury with its gilded chandeliers and wood-paneled walls. From the moment a white-gloved valet opens the oversize front doors, every guest is treated like royalty. The elegant marble bathrooms—larger than some apartments—feature both soaking tub and shower, plus the softest bathrobes imaginable. Guests can enjoy a leisurely alfresco breakfast on the rooftop alongside wheeling and dealing studio types before moving over to a poolside cabana for a few hours of basking and celebrity-spotting.


Don’t forget to squeeze in a spa treatment—the Peninsula Spa is the beauty and relaxation regimen of more than a few big names. Afternoon tea in the Living Room can’t be missed, thanks to the spread of scones and finger sandwiches, accompanied by live harp music. Even though the hotel is in the heart of Beverly Hills, with trendy shops and restaurants only blocks away, the hotel’s complimentary Rolls-Royce service can drop guests anywhere they need to go in the area.

Dubai is home to over 180 nationalities, and lucky you—this futuristic city’s got restaurants where you can taste every single one! From Korean to Afghani, from burgers to sushi to shakshuka, here are some of our favorite places.

Today’s cosmopolitan, cool Berlin is a global dining city with top places to eat that range from casual street stands selling affordable snacks to elegant restaurants offering Michelin-star fine dining and local ingredients. Sample everything from falafel to Jamaican specialties—and some surprisingly good Tex-Mex burritos. But even modern-day Berlin does classic German fare very well so get in on all the currywurst you can handle. If you just have time to eat around one neighborhood, head straight to Prenzlauer Berg for top-notch brunch spots and some of the city’s best people watching.

Switzerland’s largest city mixes urban pleasures with lots of natures, most notably Lake Zurich. The Swissôtel’s location near the train station is convenient for business travelers, while 25 Hours Hotel Zurich West offers a business lounge alongside playful local touches such as a kiosk selling Freitag bags. For 5-star service, book the Baur au Lac, set along the lakeshore and close to Zurich’s famous shopping street Bahnhofstrasse. Escape to the fairytale-like Dolder Grand for a true splurge.

The terraced organic garden that steps down the hillside in front of the Stanford Inn (above Mendocino Bay) provides some of the vegetables and herbs for the innovative cuisine in the hotel’s Ravens’ Restaurant. A stroll through the farm, with a visit to the donkeys and horses and llamas, helps work up an appetite for the vegetable-based whole-food meals that raise the bar on all-vegan fine dining. Innkeeper Jeff Stanford puts his ethics on the plate: Vegan for both health and philosophical reasons, Stanford collaborates with certified nutrition consultant Sid Hillman and the Ravens’ chefs to create dazzling meals, including one of the most innovative and tempting brunch menus I’ve ever encountered. The Inn, a large boutique hotel with panoramic ocean views, an organic farm, luxury amenities, and a bookstore and wine shop, gains additional points for being dog-friendly--even in a special dining area.