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Described by writer Tahir Shah as the “greatest show on Earth,” no visit to Marrakech would be complete without a visit to the famous night market on the Djemaa el Fna. Arrive before sunset and park yourself at one of the various cafés with terraces overlooking the square to watch performers set up; then venture into the fray in search of adventure. Silk-clad acrobats, wide-eyed storytellers, sly snake charmers, jangling belly dancers, and capricious monkey handlers all emerge from the darkness, ringing the edge of the food stalls with their own special brand of entertainment. When you tire of the heckling, prowl the market in search of good things to eat: bite-size morsels of grilled lamb rubbed in cumin, sardines fried in chermoula, peppery snails, and sheep’s heads for the brave. Then nudge up alongside a family of locals at the table and settle in for the feast. If you’re nervous about going it alone, you can sign up for a food tour with Canadian tour guide and all-round good egg Mandy Sinclair of Tasting Marrakech; she’ll help you find the best stalls while introducing you to the secrets and delights of traditional Moroccan street food.

One of the best things to do while in Cuzco is to visit the Sunday farmer’s market in the nearby Andean town of Pisac, taking either a taxi or a more economical bus to get there. The villagers surrounding Pisac come from miles around to sell their products - vegetables, fruits, cheeses, handmade alpaca products, colorful dyes - or barter with other villagers for the things they need. I was struck by the beautiful colors of the clothing that the villagers wore, like these bright “mantas” worn around the shoulders and ornate “monteras” decorated with intricate embroidery patterns. Interestingly, the style and colors of an Andean woman’s montera indicate the specific village from which she comes. No trip to Cuzco is complete without taking time to visit the fascinating Sunday farmer’s market in picturesque Pisac!

The Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal is a majestic resort that sits at the spot where the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortéz meet. All 119 rooms have an ocean view, complete with binoculars for whale-watching, as well as a private plunge pool, a fireplace, a rain shower, and a welcome bottle of Clase Azul tequila. Decorative accents include tasteful local art, such as hand-embroidered pillows, ceramic sculptures, and hand-forged metal light fixtures. On the service side, every guest is assigned a round-the-clock personal concierge. The relatively small number of rooms keeps the vibe intimate and creates a sense of privacy throughout the property.

When hunger strikes, guests can enjoy “ocean-to-table” fare at El Farallon, ceviche and Mexican-inspired sushi at Crudo Bar, or coastal favorites at the Beach Club. The resort’s signature restaurant, Don Manuel’s, also serves breakfast and dinner, with dishes made from local, organic ingredients. For an indulgent afternoon, grab a glass of Champagne at the Va y Viene Beach Bar, then head to the 12,000-square-foot spa for a treatment inspired by the phases of the moon. Also available to guests are curated explorations like Panga reef cruises, culinary- and art-themed tours of nearby Todos Santos, and volunteer opportunities at the local Agustin Melgar Primary School.

Explore the varied wildlife of Kenya and Tanzania while immersing yourself in the region’s culture.

Now based at several branded boutiques (including outposts in Roma, downtown, and posh Lomas de Chapultepec), and with a growing presence in some of the city’s smartest specialty shops, Mexican designer Carla Fernández has come into her own as a fashion force whose geometric cuts and mastery of color lead to clothes for men and women that are as bold as anything on Manhattan and Tokyo runways—yet always come alive with irrepressible Latin verve. Often inspired by indigenous palettes and textiles, the overall feel is edgy and today; and while the fit can be loose, even enigmatic, there’s a sexy something going on that has nothing to do with exposure or flaunt.

Contemporary Scottish tartan is featured in this up-to-date gift boutique. Forget the shortbread tins and go instead for a 100% Scottish-sourced wool carpetbag in hues of indigo and magenta, or a Torridon silk scarf or earasaid shawl (part of traditional Highland garb for women), also made in Scotland.

Can’t get to India but love the beautiful textiles that are a hallmark of Indian culture? It will be difficult to resist FabIndia, tucked into a busy Dubai street away from the mall. You’ll find exquisite saris, simple cotton tunics, beautiful quilts and pillows, shawls and scarves galore. Prices range from over-the-top to serious bargains, but be warned: you won’t walk out empty-handed.

A hodgepodge of artisan goods and fine handicrafts, from brass trays and woven shawls to antique musical instruments, is sold in the old bazaar of the ancient town of Krujë, near Tirana. Along the cobblestone Rruga Albanopoli, with its soaring white minaret, some dozen shops can be found under the tile roofed buildings restored in the 1960s.

San Miguel is chock-full of unique shops offering everything including art, antiques, collectibles, and trinkets. There’s something for everyone, from furniture to jewelry, at Mixta, a shop housed in a beautiful 18th-century structure on Calle Pila Seca. The idea—as the name suggests—is to mix local design with international ideas. As you find yourself seduced by the shop’s mishmash of old photography, shawls woven by an indigenous women’s cooperative, designer dresses, reproduction Eames chairs, silkscreen-print handbags, and colorful Chiapaneco table linens, the common denominator shines through, bright and clear: a brilliant eye for beauty.

Colorful glazed pottery, vanilla beans and Mexican-made spirits are among the items on offer at this boutique, where all products for sale were made in Mexico. Silver jewelry from Taxco and handwoven rebozos (shawls) and embroidered huipils (traditional blouses) round out the selection of beautiful, unique goods.

Before the rise of the Ottoman Empire, most of Turkey was divided into small kingdoms, or beyliks. The İsa Bey Mosque was completed in 1375 and is considered one of the most important buildings of the era. The fortresslike exterior is arguably more impressive than its interior which, like many mosques, is understated and spare in decoration. Male visitors who want to enter the mosque should wear long pants, and women should come with a shawl to cover their head.

Los Cabos has more than offer than sand and sea. This tip of the Baja Peninsula has deep farming roots. Huerta los Tamarindos organic farm offers farm tours and cooking classes. Harvest ingredients from the fields and prepare a four-course meal that might include dishes such as vegetable chile relleño or roasted tomato soup. $85 for a 4-hour class. Get our complete list of Where to Go 2016 vacation ideas here.

This boutique in historic George Town sells a curated array of goods from across Asia. It’s located in a beautifully restored shophouse, a type of building common in Southeast Asia, with a shop on the ground floor and a residence above. Bon Ton is heavy on textiles—Malaysian batik quilts, embroidered linen tunics and silk kantha shawls—and also stocks vibrantly colored silk cushions and cheerful paper lanterns.

Not only is this petite Jordaan-area concept store exceptionally well curated, but everything sold here—from lighting to handbags to scarves—is made using fair-trade production practices. Artfully arranged atop vintage teak furniture and shelving is a chic mix of pottery, pillows, jewelry, candles, and accessories, and staff members will happily explain the provenance of every item. Many pieces are by local designers, including leather goods from Monsak, minimalist jewelry by Dutch Basics, Van Tjalle en Jasper wood lamps, and shawls by Pom Amsterdam. And it stocks the must-have souvenir from the city synonymous with cycling: a miniature laser-cut-wood bicycle.