The Quiet Desert RetreatFar and Away: Oman
Oman’s Musandam peninsula may be only two hours from Dubai, but it has little in common with its flashier neighbor. The northernmost province is a visual feast framed by the craggy Hajar Mountain range and the tranquil waters of the Arabian Sea. Swim, dive, and snorkel in the temperate waters; take a relaxing cruise around the gulf aboard a dhow, a traditional Arab sailboat; or simply decompress in the infinity pool at your villa at Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay (from $830; sixsenses.com). Paraglide off the top of Zighy Mountain and look for the elusive golden eagle on your way down. If you have time, head south to explore the capital, Muscat (don’t miss the Bait Al Zubair Museum), and Salalah, where frankincense is famously harvested from the trees in Wadi Dawkah park. 20 hours from NYC
Closer to Home: New Mexico
Sled down the pearly rolling hills of White Sands; explore the jaw-dropping natural wonders of the Kasha-Katuwe tent rocks and Carlsbad Caverns; and hike the Tsankawi trail in Bandelier National Monument. To relax, you can soak in therapeutic hot baths at spa Ten Thousand Waves. Book a room at El Paradero (from $95; elparadero.com), a tranquil spot on the edge of downtown Santa Fe. 6 hours from NYC
The Animal-Lovers’ Escape Far and Away: Sri Lanka
Much of the civil unrest that long plagued Sri Lanka has settled down, so the exotic island off India’s southern coast is now far more inviting. Start your trip in the provincial capital of Kandy, where you will be surrounded by tea plantations, lavish temples (Temple of the Tooth is a must-see), and tropical forests filled with birds. Book the Black Rajah suite (it includes a secret garden with a hammock and a soaking tub) at Kandy House (rooms from $195; thekandyhouse.com), a restored 206-year-old villa. Nearby is the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, where you can get close to the massive creatures. To dip your toes in the Indian Ocean, head south and stay at the newly redesigned Villa Bentota (from $200; villabentota.com), just a couple of hours from Uda Walawe National Park, where you can spot monkeys, leopards, fish owls, peacocks, and, yes, more elephants. 20 hours from NYC
Closer to Home: Belize
Surrounded by clear turquoise waters, Belize’s Ambergris Caye reef is home to dolphins, nurse sharks, and manatees. Cayo Espanto (from $1,095; ambergriscaye.com/cayoespanto), a boutique property on its own island, is the ultimate home base for underwater exploration. Once you’ve had your fill, book a cabana at the Cotton Tree Lodge (from $109; cottontreelodge.com) and go monkey spotting in the forest reserves nearby. 7 hours from NYC
The Sultry Tropical IslandFar and Away: Ratua
Among the isolated group of islands known as Vanuatu, off New Guinea, exists the 146-acre private isle of Ratua. Fly into Brisbane, then take another two-and-a-half-hour flight and a 30-minute boat ride to get there. The retreat is pure Blue Lagoon fantasy—you’ll find waterfalls, an active volcano, and untamed natural beauty. There are only fifteen villas (from $437; ratua.com.au) on the island, each with a private terrace and beach access. Snorkel the warm waters alongside sea tortoises, ride horseback, or canoe among the twisted lagoons. 24 hours from NYC
Closer to Home: Mustique
This Caribbean island has long been a hideaway for the rich, famous, and royal (Mick Jagger, David Bowie) and, unsurprisingly, it comes with a hefty price tag. After jetting to Barbados, you’ll take a charter plane (from $495) to Mustique’s only hotel, the seventeen-room Cotton House (from $700; cottonhouseresort.com); book one of the airy seafront suites for your own plunge pool and killer views of the ocean. 6 hours from NYC
The Road-Trip AdventureFar and Away: New Zealand
To experience the country’s famously spectacular scenery, head directly to South Island (the ferry takes three hours from Wellington). Expect serene lakes, a craggy coastline, rain forests, and towering mountain peaks. Stay among nature, literally, in one of the treehouse rooms at the Hapuku Lodge in Kaikoura (from $283; hapukulodge.com), where you will have the snow-capped peaks of the Seaward Kaikoura Range behind you and the rocky coast of the South Pacific at your door. From your private deck, look skyward for albatross and the endangered Hutton’s shearwater. Drive south through the verdant mountains—stop along the way at the Franz Josef glacier hot pools—and check in at Blanket Bay (from $691; blanketbay.com) beside the cobalt-hued Lake Wakatipu. Hike along the Milford Track, which meanders past the imposing Sutherland falls (one of the world’s highest) and ends at the popular fjord, Milford Sound. 24 hours from NYC
Closer to Home: Washington
Fly into Seattle, rent a car, and head northwest for a trip around the stunning Olympic Peninsula—3,600 square miles of lush rain forests, colossal mountains, and rugged coastline. Stay at the homey Lake Quinault Lodge in Olympic National Park (from $81; olympicnationalparks.com) and seek out waterfalls in the park’s vast (1,441 square miles) wilderness. Hike the two-mile trail to the serene Shi Shi Beach, or relax in the hot springs at Sol Duc. Leave plenty of time to wander wide-eyed around the Hoh rain forest, where twisting hemlocks create a Tolkien-esque fantasy world. 6 hours from NYC
The Big-and-Bustling CapitalFar and Away: New Delhi, India
Visual overload is inevitable in India’s madcap capital. Beat the surge of tourists with a morning visit to Rajghat, the park along the (relatively) quiet Yamuna river, where Gandhi’s remains were scattered; have your picture taken at India Gate, Delhi’s ode to Paris; and admire the Qutab Minar, the city’s best example of early Islamic architecture. Follow the narrow streets (or hail a rickshaw, but settle on a price before taking off) to one of the many bustling open-air markets—Dilli Haat has local arts and crafts; Khan features books, fabric, and music; and the market alongside Hanuman Temple sells a rainbow array of bangles. At Sagar a few dollars will buy you a tray of South Indian dishes (dosas, sambar, rava idli), while the elegant Bukhara has some of the best tandoori in town. Stay at the serene Aman New Delhi (from $550; amanresorts.com). The hotel can book a three-hour drive to see the famed Taj Mahal. 15 hours from NYC
Closer to Home: Bogotá
After years of drug-related violence, Bogotá has emerged as the new capital of South American cool. Stay in the heart of the colorful Candelaria at Abadia Colonial (from $70; abadiacolonial.com), where the twelve simple, colonial-style rooms overlook three central courtyards. Ride the funicular up to the peak of Monserrate for the best city views, or rent a bike—the city is incredibly bike-friendly, with extensive bike lanes, and car-free roads on Sundays—and explore at ground level. On Sunday, go to the flea market at the Mercado de San Alejo, or embark on a neighborhood food crawl: The quaint Casa Vieja is a local favorite, as is the frenetic, always-packed meat palace Andrés Carne del Res. 6 hours from NYC
The Romantic CityFar and Away: Marrakech
This Moroccan city is as sexy as it was back in the sixties, when a caftan-wearing Talitha Getty held court for the Beatles at her home. The famous La Mamounia (from $691; mamounia.com) has had its luster restored after a recent renovation by French decorator Jacques Garcia. For something more intimate, stay in a riad (a home set around a courtyard garden)—the suites at AnaYela (from $379; anayela.com) have brick baths for two, while the Riad El Fenn (from $350; riadelfenn.com), owned by Richard Branson’s sister, features three pools. The bustling Jemaa el Fna square is the city’s cornerstone: During the day, barter for goods like spices and argan oil at the souks; at night, pull a chair up to one of the food stalls to dine à deux. 12 hours from NYC
Closer to Home: Montreal
Stay in historic Old Montreal, with its meandering cobblestone streets; the St. Paul (from $221; hotelstpaul.com) has massive soaking tubs and plush duvets. Stroll through the lovely Parc du Mont-Royal, peruse the boutiques lining rue Saint-Denis and hipster enclave Mile-End, dine at chef Jérôme Ferrer’s hot spot Andiamo, and grab a fancy nightcap at Baldwin Barmacie. 1.5 hours from NYC
The Jet-Setters’ ParadiseFar and Away: Bali
Among Indonesia’s archipelago of islands jutting out into the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Bali is the most popular destination, both for its fashionable beaches and its spiritual heartbeat. Forgo the luxury hotels lining the beaches in Seminyak in favor of a private beachfront villa. Luna2 (from $3,000; luna2bali.com) is a supremely modern five-bedroom house that comes with its own staff, plus Bisazza mosaics throughout, a Bose sound system, and a giant tiled image of Marilyn on the pool’s floor. When you’re not lounging in the sun, visit the eleventh-century Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple, explore the Botanic Garden Ubud, and take a rain forest walk through local bird and reptile parks to spot a Komodo dragon. At night, drink and people watch at the scene-y Ku De Ta. 23 hours from NYC
Closer to Home: Miami
Reopened last year after a big renovation, the colonial-style Betsy hotel (from $230; thebetsyhotel.com) has cozy, pastel rooms and a “wellness garden” on the roof instead of a bar. When you’re not tanning, visit art spots like the Rubell Family Collection and the Lowe Art Museum or take a shopping tour with stops at the Webster and the just-opened Maison Martin Margiela store. Nibble on oyster risotto at the romantic Casa Tua, or go modern at Fratelli Lyon, then enjoy cocktails at the posh Club 50 on the rooftop at the Viceroy. 3 hours from NYC
The Foodie MeccaFar and Away: Vietnam
Start your exploration in Hanoi, the misty northern city. Check into the Sofitel Legend Metropole (from $190; sofitel.com), which just underwent a $20 million renovation. Vietnam’s food culture is varied—you’ll find dishes both recognizable (pho, bánh mì) and less so (chao huyet, a pork and coagulated pig’s blood porridge)—and fantastically inexpensive. In Hanoi, stop by the 139-year-old restaurant Cha Ca La Vong for the eponymous fried-fish dish; sip Vietnamese coffee (sweetened with condensed milk) at Au Lac Café; and dine in high style at Wild Rice. Next, head south to the onetime capital of Hue, which is renowned for its cuisine. At the tranquil La Residence Hotel & Spa (from $146; la-residence-hue.com), enjoy a bowl of bun thit nuong (noodles with pork, papaya, and fish sauce) at Huyen Anh; have a multicourse feast fit for royalty at Hoang Vien; and take a cooking class at Hoi An’s Red Bridge. End your food odyssey in Ho Chi Minh City. Check in at the Hotel Majestic (from $138; majesticsaigon.com), and hire a pedicab to help you taste your way through the Ben Thanh food market and the stalls in the Quan an Ngon. 22 hours from NYC
Closer to Home: Maine
Book yourselves a cottage at the lovely Hidden Pond (from $425; hiddenpondmaine.com) in Kennebunkport; each one comes with an outdoor shower and a kitchen for cooking produce from the on-site organic farm. Sample the famous lobster roll at the Clam Shack before heading to Portland, a 40-minute drive away. Stay at the Pomegranate Inn (from $120; pomegranateinn.com), and while in town sample the cheese-curd poutine at Duckfat, have a bucket of steamers at J’s Oyster, then splurge on James Beard–winner Rob Evans’s blind-tasting menu at Hugo’s. 1.5 hours from NYC