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Welcome to Middle Earth in the South Pacific, and an ideal stop for traveling fans of the author J.R.R. Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie trilogies. Near the rural town of Matamata—itself a destination for its LOTR-inspired visitor center and a selfie-ready statue of Gollum along the main street—the re-created sets of Hobbiton offer a detailed and fascinating glimpse of the hobbit holes, meadows, and gardens of Bilbo and Frodo. An essential conclusion to the tour is quaffing an only-available-in-Hobbiton Oatbarton Ale at the leafy lakeside Green Dragon Inn.

The Villa Grimaldi Memorial and Park for Peace occupies the site of a former interrogation and extermination center operated under Chile’s 1970s and ’80s-era military dictatorship. A wall lists the names of the prisoners who died here, and there’s a garden with a rosebush for each woman executed or “disappeared” that was inspired by survivors’ stories of being able to smell the roses outside their cells. Willows convey sadness engendered by the unspeakable crimes committed on the property. (Only the foundations of the original estate remain, but a model can be viewed.) A focal point of the garden is a gigantic tree that was burned down but somehow survived and grew back to its present-day height of more than 50 feet, a symbol of the indomitable human spirit.

This isn’t downhill ski country, but the nordic trails in and around Rocky Mountain National Park are remarkable. You can see the Stanley Hotel—which is actually a compound of white-painted buildings at the base of some enormous stone formations—from miles away as you roll into Estes Park. Built in 1909 as the private guest house of F.O. Stanley, it is now one of the most historic (and, say some, haunted) hotels in the country. It is famous for its role in Stephen King’s The Shining, but also for its proximity to the National Park, its partnership with local outfitter Kent Mountaineering, and for its pop-up weekend dinner club and extensive whiskey bar (over 1200 expressions and counting).

As soon as you try BBQ Express, you’ll understand why residents are obsessed with truki pan, the humble sandwich trucks parked all over Curaçao. This Caracasbaai staple is legendary for its enormous portions of barbecue ribs, pork, and burgers, but the real star is its one-of-a-kind pindasaus, a spicy Dutch-Indonesian peanut dip. From 9 p.m. to early morning, night owls and partygoers crowd around this mobile kitchen for an affordable taste of nirvana. Locals usually order their grub to go, but don’t be shy about digging in at one of the nearby picnic tables (remember that it’s BYOB if you’re thirsty).

There is no better reward after a hike in the Santa Monica Mountains or a bike ride up the coast than to stuff your face with fresh fish at the fishermen-owned Malibu Seafood. Your order will most certainly change as you pass the fish market case while moving up in line through the little beachside shack. The grilled fish (with two sides) and the clam chowder are personal favorites, but fried fish dishes with tartar sauce are a guilty pleasure. Whatever your order, the tiered deck and covered patio seating with ocean views won’t disappoint.

A black-and-white tile courtyard pool deck lined with sun-bleached coral loungers, a chic indoor tiki bar off the intimate jewel-toned lobby and guestrooms where French claw foot tubs appear in unexpected places, The Plymouth Hotel earns serious style points. Designed by Fernando Santangelo (the man behind L.A.’s Chateau Marmont) and situated inside a historic Art Deco landmark on the corner of Collins Park, it feels like a hip hideaway reserved for those in the know—yet it’s only one block from the beach. The Plymouth is also home to an outpost of Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill where diners clamor for omakase and the famous fried chicken.

In the early 20th century there was a Swedish health movement in which nutritious food, skinny-dipping, and abstinence from alcohol played an important role. Parts of that movement are still alive—reflected in the bathing houses around the coast where nudity is a must and the water never seems to be too cold for a swim. Saltholmen Kallbadhus is a beautiful building where men and women can enjoy the sun and the sea in separate sections. You pay the fee, find a spot for your blanket or sun bed on the pier, and get ready for a naked day outside. If you are too hot, you can always climb the ladder down into the sea and cool off. Of course you can do the same things—but with swimsuits—on the cliffs outside.

Aspen is known for its glitz and glamour, but that doesn’t mean you have to be a millionaire to vacation here. If your first priority is to be outside, then Hotel Aspen is an ideal and affordable base, located downtown at Main Street and Garmisch. The hotel boasts that it offers four-star amenities at three-star pricing. You won’t find a sceney restaurant and plush spa, but the hotel compensates with thoughtful staff and tons of complimentary services. While many hotels charge hidden extras, Hotel Aspen prides itself on free guest parking, free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, and even a free après-ski reception with wine and cheese. Even the most basic rooms—Deluxe Rooms—feel roomy and come with a refrigerator and coffeemaker. Families will like the spaciousness of Junior Suites, while anyone looking for a home away from home will want to book the one-bedroom apartment, which has a living room and fully stocked kitchen. Pets are also welcome, for a $20 daily fee.

Why we love it: A historic hotel where Old Florida elegance meets contemporary style

The Highlights:
- Unique amenities like a tennis complex, golf course, and private marina
- A wide range of dining options to suit everyone’s tastes
- A prime location near Tropicana Field and The Dalí Museum

The Review:
A member of Historic Hotels of America, the Vinoy Park Hotel opened in 1923—a Mediterranean Revival property overlooking Tampa Bay, designed for America’s elite. It served as a training facility for the Army Air Corps for a brief time in the early 1940s, but reopened as a hotel in 1945 and continued operations until 1974, when it closed in disrepair. Following a $93 million restoration and expansion in 1992, the hotel reopened once again as the Vinoy Renaissance, complete with a new guest tower and an 18-hole golf course designed by Ron Garl.

Today, the Vinoy also features 360 guest rooms and suites, complete with well-lit workspaces, pillowtop mattresses, and Aveda bath products, as well as two swimming pools (one heated), a spacious tennis complex, a 5,000-square-foot fitness center with complimentary workout classes, and an elegant spa offering massages in poolside cabanas. Thanks to the hotel’s waterfront location and private marina, guests can even charter a boat for the day and explore the bay. Dining options range from sushi on the Veranda Patio to farm-to-table fare at Marchand’s Bar & Grill. The culinary standout, however, is Paul’s Landing, named for a Navy carpenter who once fished, farmed orchards, and cured meats and seafood along the St. Pete waterfront. Don’t miss the citrus-glazed shrimp and grits, or the crispy Brussels sprouts with key lime.

Just as Rome has the Colosseum and Paris the Eiffel Tower, so Switzerland has the Matterhorn. Located above Zermatt, this 48,195-foot wonder attracts hordes of visitors, eager to see the morning sunlight beam off its four faces, ski its neighboring mountains, or even attempt to climb the beast itself. The Matterhorn, however, is not for the faint-hearted and has claimed the lives of more than 500 people since it was first scaled in 1865—an average of 12 per year. It’s also been replicated at Disneyland in California as a rollercoaster.

While many walked through the streets of the small town, I decided to head along the river and came across this beautiful view of Lake Brienz.

Le Rivage, specializing in Creole cuisine, is a charming place to stop for lunch on the way back from hiking Guadeloupe National Park. This casual, family-friendly establishment has a wood-floored dining room with shutters opening onto views of Bananier Beach, welcoming in a constant breeze. The local drinks are made to order. Pick your rhum of choice from the display table and sip on a ti’ punch before savoring typical plates like cod fritters, fresh lobster stuffed with spices, and goat stew.

Whatever your tastes, we bet you won’t head home empty-handed from Nanjing Road, one of the world’s busiest shopping promenades. Stores along the tree-lined, pedestrian-only section stock everything from state-of-the-art electronics to silk scarves at a fraction of Western prices. But it’s also worth detouring into the side streets, where you may stumble upon market stalls of fresh fish and produce, teahouses doling out dumplings and hot cups of oolong, and cats lazing in slices of sunlight. Photo by Vikkies//Flicker.

New York is definitely one of the food meccas of the world, every restaurant, a living proof of the fusion of cultures that make up this amazing city. One thing you will find here is that some of the best restaurants are not obvious to the eye. Many have hidden entrances or disguised doors. While La Esquina is also an evident fast food restaurant, the real treasure lays hidden in the basement underneath. Behind a door labeled “employees only” a set of stairs takes you down to much larger room with rustic decoration and attractive murals that evoke the Aztec theme and welcome you to your next best meal! The food is a testament of the fusion of flavors of Mexico... the tostadas (bite size crisp tortillas) de pollo and cangrejo with the spicy mango relish or the taquitos are a great way to start! Then go for the juicy marinated Carne Asada with a hint of garlic and the classic mojo or the Camarones a la Plancha and pair them with the green beans and the rice for a meal to remember!!! and please... leave room for dessert, the Crema Cocida, a velvety panna cotta with a mexican twist, or the Torrejas Brulee, a moist bread pudding with bits of pinnaple, give you the perfect level of sweetness to end a superb meal! If you go with large group (>9) they will require you to do a family style menu for a fair value, which I highly recommend!! Trust me, there will be plenty of food and I promise, it will be a feast you will never forget!

Not everyone gets to live across the street from the White House. Before the current Italian-Renaissance hotel was constructed in 1927, the prime real estate was occupied by the homes of two little-known American icons: John Hay—personal secretary to Abraham Lincoln, ambassador to the United Kingdom, and Secretary of State under both William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt—and Henry Adams, Harvard professor and great-grandson of John Adams. Their houses were hubs of D.C. culture for decades at the turn of the last century, and so, when the Hay-Adams opened, it was only logical that the hotel would continue that tradition. Washingtonians play at the sultry bar scene, everyone from Amelia Earhart to the Obamas has stayed in its elegantly Old World rooms overlooking historic Lafayette Square and the White House beyond, and the hotel is known for its discreet and comprehensive, no-questions-asked service. Should guests need a ride to one of the District’s many important meetings, the house Mercedes drops off anywhere downtown, guaranteeing a first impression worthy of a luminary. Though if you insisted on the meeting coming to you, no Beltway insider would mind.

This hotel is on our list of the best hotels in Washington D.C.