1. Riviera Maya – It’s not too late to celebrate the end of the Mayan calendar at the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya. It’s Virtuoso’s pick for World’s Best Spa, inspired by ancient cultures. That, with its Caribbean vistas, would be enough. But Grand Velas also embraces an authentically eco-friendly philosophy. rivieramaya.grandvelas.com/
2. Upstate New York – What could be a better escape from the brutal Houston summer than a seven-story Victorian castle on a cliff overlooking the Hudson Valley? Idle away the hours in the spa or roam the 5,300-acre Mohonk Preserve; enjoy horseback riding, golfing, biking, carriage rides and old-fashioned lawn games. mohonk.com
3. Park City – In the winter, it’s the matchless powder; try the five-star, five-diamond Stein Eriksen Lodge, with ski access to Deer Valley Resort. In the summer, it’s a blessed escape for sweltering Houstonians. Hike, bike and check out the area’s gastro-distilleries, then take in an outdoor symphony. steinlodge.com, deervalley.com
4. Huahine – Forget Bora Bora; this Polynesian island is bypassed by most but beloved for its authenticity and ancient altars. Island highlights include the marae walk at Maeva and a motu island picnic with snorkeling. Maitai Lapita Village, a small resort founded by artist Peter Owen on the site where Captain Cook passed in 1769, is unforgettable. huahine.hotelmaitai.com
5. Eureka Springs – This Ozark village at the northern border of Arkansas is an excellent road trip. Take in the town’s galleries, meditate in the glass-walled Thorncrown Chapel, and explore Ozark wilderness. At night, choose between the New Great Passion Play or dancing at clubs. eurekasprings.org
6. Marfa – The Wild West aura of the Big Bend is legendary, as is the quirky pocket of high culture in tiny Marfa. For adventurers, try an overnight kayaking adventure on the Rio Grande; at the opposite extreme is the finest Old West-style luxury resort anywhere, the Cibolo Creek Ranch. cibolocreekranch.com
7. Havana Vieja – Long considered off-limits, Cuba is increasingly accessible to U.S. travelers through cultural, religious and professional groups. Step through the looking glass to a country that has developed in isolation for the past half-century and marvel at the architecture, the history, but most of all, the passion. Try the historic Hotel Nacional de Cuba, once a base for Cuban revolutionaries, then for famous mafiosos. hotelnacionaldecuba.com/en
8. Cornwall, England – Home of Tintagel, believed to be the ruins of Camelot, Cornwall is beloved for spectacular vistas, temperate climate and culture, not to mention scones with clotted cream. It’s also a world-class surfing destination. Take it in from the iconic Headland Hotel in Newquay. headlandhotel.co.uk/
9. Cali, Colombia – Once known as a haven for drug cartels, Colombia is emerging as a hot travel destinations. My personal favorite is Cali. Take a hike in the cloud forests, host to the highest bird diversity on the continent; take a salsa class and become the dancer you always wanted to be. colombia.travel/en
10. New Orleans – Nothing beats a getaway in Houston’s elegant Francophile sister city. From artists at Jackson Square to beignets at Café du Monde, from the Super Bowl (Feb. 3) to Jazz Fest (April 26-May 5), there’s something for everyone. Walk the French Quarter from classic digs at the grand Hotel Monteleone. hotelmonteleone.com
11. Big Sur – A stretch of heaven awaits along Highway 1 on the California coast where mountains meet the sea. Meander through redwoods on the literary trail of Henry Miller and Jack Kerouac; watch waves crash at Julia Pfeiffer State Park; transcend at the Esalen Institute, and cap it off at the Esalen hot springs. esalen.org
12. Iguazú Falls – “Poor Niagara,” Eleanor Roosevelt once said upon seeing this geological marvel where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay meet. Stay in the heart of Iguazú National Park with a view of the Devil’s Throat at the Sheraton Iguazú Resort & Spa. starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1152
13. Istanbul – East meets west in this ancient yet modern city, bridge between Asia and Europe. Tour remnants of Roman, Hellenic, Byzantine and Ottoman civilizations, cruise the Bosphorus and submerge in Turkish elegance at the A’jia Hotel, a traditional Ottoman mansion on the Asian shore. ajiahotel.com
Published in The Buzz Magazines, www.thebuzzmagazines.com
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