Explore Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province in style from the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo. the nation's first real luxury property, the Four Seasons is within driving distance of a variety of eco-adventures.

Bermuda has glorious pink sand beaches, British panache and more golf courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world. Stroll the beaches, dive wrecks and float with schools of rainbow colored fish, swim with dolphins and explore historic forts.

Fast, rhythmic and compelling, Caribbean music has echoes of steel pan, calypso, spouge and ska beats. One of the best places to experience Caribbean music is on Barbados during Crop-Over, a festival from mid-May to the first Monday in August. That’s when Barbados rocks to its island roots.

Water—creeks,rivers and the bay—define Virginia’s Northern Neck. The region, a lesser known jewel offers more than 1,200 miles of tidal coastline as well as state parks and 18th century plantations.

Roatan, one of Honduras´ Bay Islands, offers extraordinary diving and snorkeling. Another bonus: swim with dolphins and learn about them at Anthony´s Key Resort, home to a marine institute.

The islands of the Bahamas bloom with some of world’s loveliest sands. But the real jewel of your Bahamian vacation may be something you didn’t expect: sampling the local culture. Listen to indigenous Rake ´n Scrape music,tour the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas and visit local artists.

Explore Krakow with your teens. The city, a less “obvious” European pick than Paris or London, is also less costly. Yet Krakow still offers history, a castle, cafes and trendy shops, all must-haves for European tours with hard-to-please teens.

Glide Tarzan-style through thickets of bamboo on St. Lucia's zip line Treetop Canopy Adeventure. At night, dance with locals at Gros Islet's jump up, the island's legendary, outdoor street party.

The great bargain vacation may be (almost) in your own backyard: a state or national park. These getaways come with budget priced accommodations, and activities, but first-class scenery. A stay at the parks allows you to enjoy wildlife, walking trails, nature programs and much more.

Biking down the slopes of a dormant volcano, savoring an authentic luau of songs and dances, snorkeling amidst schools of rainbow colored fish and hiking across an ancient lava field to watch a blow hole shoot spray high into the air are among my favorite magical Maui adventures.