Providenciales, Turks & Caicos

Photo: Turks and Caicos Tourist Board

It’s beach time! Whether you live up north, where it’s still going to take a while for the water to warm up, or you live far enough south that beach days are already a part of your regular weekend routine, everyone is thinking about their favorite sandy spot to relax. No beach is more relaxing–or gorgeous–than Grace Bay, in the Turks and Caicos.

The flight to Providenciales–or Provo, as everyone except first-time tourists call it–is just over an hour from Miami. You’ll feel worlds away, even though everyone speaks English and the local currency is the US dollar in this British Overseas Territory. No cruise ships. No enormous resorts. No real nightlife. People come here for the beach. Just the beach. Sugary sand. Azure water. Low humidity. Blue Hills Beach, Smith’s Reef Beach, and Long Bay Beach are all great options.

But nothing beats Grace Bay, a five-mile stretch of sand on the northern shore, facing the barrier reef and the Atlantic Ocean. Condos and small resorts are set back from the beach. Prickly pear cacti and low scrub border the soft sand. The warm water changes color as the sun moves from east to west. Watch for migrating whales and JoJo, the friendly bottlenose dolphin. Eat conch: ceviche, fritters, or chowder. Stroll along the edge of the water. Or just sit under your umbrella and take the same picture over and over again throughout the day. One of them will hopefully do Grace Bay justice.

Photo: Grace Bay Club

As the sun begins to set, you may finally be ready to give up your beach chair. By staying at the Grace Bay Club, you don’t have to go very far. Stop at the poolside bar–it serves forty types of rum–before heading upstairs to shower. Dine at Anacaona, which has a conical-shaped roof, tiki torches, and a lobster tasting menu. Cap off the evening at the Infiniti Bar–the long bar looks like it’s heading into the ocean–for a red berries mojito. And make plans for the next day. Kayak through the Princess Alexandra Nature Reserve. Have a picnic on a deserted island in the Caicos Cays. Snorkel in the remote West Caicos. Go reef fishing for snapper or deep-sea fishing for marlin. Or go back to what brought you here in the first place: the beach.

Austin, Texas

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Heading to Austin? You’re probably going for a festival. This year’s South by Southwest may be over, but Texas’ capital always seems to be celebrating something. Music, film, food and wine, books, boats, flowers, and even chocolate. This quirky–hey, they use the slogan “Keep Austin Weird”–enclave along the Colorado River is liberal, laid back, and welcoming. So the last thing you’ll want to do is stay in a generic chain hotel. Luckily, there are three hotels that perfectly capture Austin’s independent spirit.

Photo: Heywood Hotel

The city’s newest boutique hotel is the Heywood Hotel, located in up-and-coming East Austin. And it’s next door to a funeral home. But don’t let that stop you. The hotel’s seven rooms have pine floors, internet radio, and local beer in the mini bar. French press coffee, freshly baked cookies, and bikes are available. Zelda, the community hen, may wander through the property. Borrow beach towels and head to Barton Springs. Grab breakfast tacos at the food truck down the street. Sip a rattlesnake or a suffering bastard at Weather Up. Plus you’re within walking distance of 6th Street.

Photo: Hotel San Jose

In the hip SoCo neighborhood, Hotel San Jose is a funky hangout a few blocks from Lady Bird Lake. The dog-friendly bungalows have concrete floors, kimono bathrobes, and bottled rainwater. A DJ spins old records in the lounge, where you can enjoy a Shiner Bock or a glass of Rioja with a cheese and salami plate. Across the parking lot, Jo’s offers Cuvee Coffee and pulled pork sandwiches. And the shops, restaurants, and clubs on South Congress Ave are just steps away. Botticelli’s for rustic Italian food. Amy’s Ice Cream for hot fudge sundaes. The legendary Continental Club for live music.

Photo: Kimber Modern

Just a few blocks away, you’ll find the smaller, quieter Kimber Modern. The design hotel’s minimal rooms have platform beds and lots of natural light. Local artwork, Eames furniture, and egg chairs fill the common room. Bagels and freshly squeezed juice are offered here in the morning, and later, you’ll find wine, beer, and snacks. Look for hidden treasures at Uncommon Objects. Try on cowboy boots at Allens Boots. Eat a bison burger and truffle fries at Hopdoddy Burger Bar. And then grab a chilled glass of white wine at the hotel and head out to the courtyard, a treehouse-like deck surrounded by Texas live oaks.

You’ll feel right at home at whichever hotel you select. Just don’t forget to make an appearance at that festival that lured you here in the first place.

Copenhagen, Denmark

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You’ve been hearing a lot about Copenhagen’s food scene lately. Noma was named the best restaurant in the world for three years in a row. Geranium and Relae are right on its heels. These three restaurants, plus ten more, all have Michelin stars. But there’s more to Denmark’s capital than just upscale restaurants. Most of the city is focused on local, delicious food. Bonus points when it’s warm enough to eat outside.

Photo: Nyhavn, hemogenes, stock.xchng.com

You can’t miss Copenhagen’s iconic sites: the colorful Nyhavn waterfront, the Little Mermaid statue, and Tivoli Gardens, the second oldest amusement park in the world. But in between–or even during–your stops at these places, you’ll want to eat. The smell of freshly baked bread will awaken your stomach quite early. Start with a Danish pastry with red currant jam. Check out Amalienborg Palace, the home of Queen Margrethe II. Stop for a second breakfast of farm-fresh eggs. Brunch is the most popular meal of the day here, especially places with outdoor seating.

Now bike it off. There are bike paths everywhere. Sunbathe in Assistens Kirkegaard, the cemetery where Hans Christian Andersen is buried. Grab smoked trout smørrebrød–open-faced sandwiches–and picnic in the romantic Frederiksberg Gardens. Or play frisbee in the King’s Garden. Have a smushi and a microbrew beer or homemade aquavit along the water. Climb the Church of Our Savior’s spire. Shop, or better yet, people watch, along Strøget. And finally have that locally forged tasting menu that brought you here in the first place.

Photo: Copenhagen habour HDR, boff2, stock.xchng.com

When its time to go out later, you’ll have almost as many options as you did for restaurants. One notable difference: the music and the performances are curated from around the world. Relax on the lawn at Fælledparken’s outdoor stage. See the symphony at the Copenhagen Concert Hall–you can’t miss the glowing blue building. Grab a cocktail in Vesterbro. Hang out with jazz musicians at Jazzhus Montmartre. Find the clubs on Gothersgade–they’re open until 5 a.m. And end the night (okay, morning) at a pølsevogn, for one last snack, a hot dog, with a bottle of Cocio. You should be stuffed for a couple of days. Or at least until you catch the scent of freshly baked bread as you stumble back to your hotel.

Ubud, Indonesia

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Most Southeast Asia trips involve a little–okay, actually a lot–of beach time. Whether you’re diving in Sipadan, partying in Phuket, or relaxing in Phu Quoc, white sand and sunshine are always part of your plan. So when you set your sights on Bali, the Seminyak area is no doubt your focus. But a trip to Indonesia’s most popular island wouldn’t be complete without heading inland–to the rivers, the forests, the rice paddies, and the somewhat cooler temperatures. A trip to Bali wouldn’t be complete without Ubud.

Photo: Alila Ubud

In the green Ayung River valley outside of Ubud, you’ll find Alila Ubud, which is set up like a traditional hill village. Balinese architecture meets contemporary design to create a calm, peaceful oasis. Dense clouds slowly rise through the forest in the morning. Wander through the sculpture garden or the art gallery. Float in the emerald-green pool that seems suspended in the foothills. Take a nap on your terrace’s daybed. Have a really deep-tissue massage at the spa. Eat nasi goreng ayam for lunch in the lounge. And take the shuttle into town when you feel like socializing.

Ubud is the culture capital of Bali. The Gunung Lebah Temple has been a pilgrimage destination since the eighth–yes, the eighth–century. More recently, tourists have been flocking to the area for yoga, meditation, and natural healing remedies since the 1960s.

Walk down hectic Jalan Raya, the main street, to find artist workshops and photo galleries, jewelry and wooden carvings, and sarongs, flowers, and painted masks. Bring your offerings to Goa Gajah’s caves, quiet Pura Kehen, or the hot springs of Tirta Empul. Eat suckling pig or pork sausage–the island is home to Indonesia’s Hindu minority. Visit the Neka Art Museum or the Agung Rai Museum of Art. Watch dance performances, ride bikes, and visit the Macaque monkeys at Ubud Monkey Forest. Ubud is seeping into your skin. Pretty soon you’ll be looking at property instead of hotels.

Charleston, South Carolina

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With a handful of long weekends approaching, it’s time to make some travel plans. Craving a little Southern hospitality? You probably remember Charleston for its antebellum mansions, overly polite people, and hearty seafood. Well, the architecture is being restored and the restaurant scene is exploding. And the people do continue to have impeccable manners, but since when is that a bad thing? So it might be time to explore South Carolina’s oldest city again.

Photo: Zero George Street

First, move into Zero George Street, your Charleston home. Really, it will feel like home. Three historic buildings, plus two additional carriage houses, have been turned into studios and suites with heart pine floors. Wicker and wrought-iron furniture fill the piazzas, where breakfast is served. Ceiling fans and sea breezes will cool you down later in the afternoon, as you sip rose and nibble on cheese before your dinner reservation. The hotel is only a few oak-lined blocks away from Liberty Square, the Battery, and East Bay Street. You’re in the middle of everything.

After breakfast, start your morning at Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, before it starts getting humid. Take a carriage ride through Rainbow Row, the 18th century line of stately houses. The scent of jasmine seeps from the overflowing gardens. And elbow your way through the Charleston Farmers Market in Marion Square. Your mouth will start to water. It’s time to eat. Virginia’s on King serves classic Southern comfort food: fried chicken or shrimp and grits. Or Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar offers oysters from all over North America.

Walk off lunch along the Battery’s promenade, the art galleries of the French Quarter, or the shops on upper King Street. Visit the Charleston Museum, the Footlight Players, and the Dock Street Theatre. Watch guys playing a trumpet and a saxophone jam on the sidewalk. Sip a harbor breeze at the rooftop Pavilion Bar. Or better yet, on a sunset cruise around the harbor. Dinner will be your hardest decision of the day, but all of your choices focus on fresh, local, Southern cuisine. Soft shell crabs and Riesling on tap at FIG. All ingredients sourced below the Mason-Dixon line–including amazing cornbread–at Husk. Or go all out with the tasting menu and pre-Prohibition cocktails at McCrady’s. It’s so hard deciding where to go. Good thing you’re here for a long weekend.

Tallinn, Estonia

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Photo: © Anitabonita | Dreamstime Stock Photos & Stock Free Images

What’s the oldest capital city in Northern Europe? Oslo or Stockholm was probably your guess. But the answer is actually Tallinn, the often forgotten–if ever even known–capital of Estonia. It’s been ruled by, well, everyone. Russia (multiple times), Germany, Sweden, and Denmark each claimed the Medieval town along the Gulf of Finland as their own at one point. But Reval, as it was originally called, was never wrecked by its occupiers. And finally, people began to take notice of this little city–whose population is less than a half a million people–after the Old Town was named a World Heritage Site, and Tallinn became the European Capital of Culture in 2011.

Many people travel to Tallinn by boat. The city is only an hour and a half from Helsinki, Finland, making it an easy day trip. Start exploring the remnants of the city’s walls, the green parks around the walls, the cobblestone streets, and the hidden alleyways. Raekoja plats, a square in the heart of the Old Town, is surrounded by cafes with strong coffee and brightly colored historic buildings. The imposing stone structure in the square, Raekoda, used to be the town hall. It now houses the Tallinn City Museum. Wander a little further to find Riigikogu–the parliament building–and the Museum of Occupations, to see how bad life was under the Soviet and the Nazi regimes.

Grab soup and a panini at Quamquam. Or a glass of white wine at Musi. Classical musical streams from stone churches. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a Russian Orthodox church filled with mosaics. St. Mary’s Cathedral, the city’s oldest church, is now Lutheran, though it was originally Catholic. Buy amber and linens in Viru Square. Or find Nu Nordik for cutting-edge designs. For views of the city, head to Toompea, a limestone hill and the site of a Danish castle. Try to find Schlossle Hotel, your home for the next few days.

Photo: Schlossle Hotel

Schlossle Hotel effortlessly combines the new and the old. The technology is modern, but the Medieval building’s stone walls and wooden beams–plus the additional antique furniture–fit your Old Town surroundings. Have a cigar in the lounge or a bath drawn in your room. And get ready to go out. Tallinn has a growing food scene and an already exciting nightlife. Start with vodka and cavier at Fish & Wine. Have the six-course tasting menu at Restoran O or quail and an impressive bottle of wine at Stenhus. Followed by cocktails on Vertigo 4′s rooftop terrace. And then more vodka at Ice Bar. Tallinn may be old, but no one said it was sleepy.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

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It’s time for a big trip. Not a long trip, when you drive across the United States or explore Southeast Asia for a few weeks. But a big, bucket-list trip. An African safari, hiking in the Himalayas, or sailing to Antarctica. The type of trip you take for your honeymoon, when you’re about to turn 40, or after you retire. Or just because it’s time. You may not be quite ready for the Himalayas or Antarctica–yet–so let’s start with the safari. Destination: Botswana.

Photo: Wilderness Safaris, Chitabe Lediba

Part of what makes this is an epic trip is just getting there. You’ll need to fly into Johannesburg, South Africa, and then take smaller airplanes to Maun, Botswana and the Chitabe airstrip. After a 30-minute drive, you’ll finally reach Chitabe Lediba, a camp in the southeast part of the Okavango Delta. Botswana is one of the least populated countries in the world. The San people still live off of the flat land. After British rule ended in the 1960s, Botswana became one of Africa’s poorest countries. Tourism and an abundance of wildlife have helped to turn it all around though, making Botswana a great success story. But back to the animals.

At Chitabe Lediba, in a high area along the floodplains of the Santantadibe River, days revolve around wildlife sightings. Grab a muffin and a cup of coffee before heading out in open-air vehicles on the morning game drive. It’s chilly now, but it’ll get hot–very hot–within a few hours. Expect to see giraffes and zebras. Leopards stalking impalas. Elephants and lions. And a herd of buffalo. Return to camp for a hearty brunch. From the viewing platforms, search for wild dogs and birds. Vultures and eagles. Hornbills, Greater Honeyguides, and Red-billed Francolins. And later, be on the lookout for hyenas, wildebeests, reedbucks, and more elephants.

Photo: Wilderness Safaris, Chitabe Lediba

You’ll be exhausted and exhilarated at the end of the day. Keep soaking in the view and scanning the horizon for moment from your outdoor shower. Make yourself a drink at the bar and sit by the fire pit before dinner, which is served in the traditional boma. Returning to your tented chalet, sit at the writing desk and try to remember everything you saw today. Sleep will come quickly. And pretty soon, you’ll be dreaming about all the other animals you’ll see on day two of your amazing safari. You’re finally in Africa.

Travel Cravings

near. far. everywhere in between.

Providenciales, Turks & Caicos

Austin, Texas

Copenhagen, Denmark

Ubud, Indonesia

Charleston, South Carolina

Tallinn, Estonia

Okavango Delta, Botswana

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