| There are the typical "dream" vacations like | | | | Christian sites, spectacular diving, and serene |
| Hawaii, Orlando, Florida, London, and Paris. But | | | | resorts with every amenity. These are only the |
| what about all the unbelievable destinations you | | | | perfect islands for you. 5. Whitefish, Montana: |
| may not have even heard about? Here are a | | | | Whitefish is a small town in a huge state. But this |
| select few of them. 1. Cinque Terre, Italy is a | | | | small town stands near the entrance of one of |
| series of villages clinging to a remote stretch of | | | | the most remarkable state parks in the U.S., |
| the Riviera coastline. The quaintness of the towns | | | | Glacier National Park. We can heartily recommend |
| and the area's natural beauty is forever | | | | two lodging places, depending on your tastes: If |
| preserved because Cinque Terre has been | | | | you don't mind country rustic and a distant train |
| declared a national park. Hikers love to walk trails | | | | whistle, then the Grouse Mountain Lodge is your |
| that tower above the Mediterranean and pass | | | | pick. It has a gigantic fireplace, antler chandeliers, |
| close by the native villages. Riomaggiore takes | | | | and stuffed bears in the lobby. On the other hand, |
| you through a tunnel to a tangle of colorful homes | | | | if you like peace and complete privacy, you might |
| and an uncrowded beach. Corniglia sits smugly | | | | opt for the North Forty Resort with its |
| upon a hilltop from which you can swoon at the | | | | well-equipped cabins where you can sit on your |
| view. Vernazza is a rugged place full of vineyard | | | | porch and cook out every night if you want. |
| terraces for the best wine in the region, all | | | | Some other great places to eat are the |
| overseen by a mysterious ruined castle. | | | | award-winning Tupelo Grille, the Red Caboose |
| Monterosso al Mare has a sandy beach where | | | | (breakfast), Mackenzies (pizza), and the Craggy |
| you can swim if you really want to. Then it's back | | | | Range (buffalo burgers).There are a thousand |
| to Vernazza for a delicious dinner of the freshest | | | | things to do, including the national park which |
| seafood. This is beautiful, authentic Italy-the one | | | | encompasses over 1 million acres, 300 lakes, 50 |
| you dreamed of experiencing. 2. Four Seasons | | | | active glaciers, the longest designated wild river |
| Tented Camp, Thailand: The Golden Triangle is | | | | system in the U.S., and hundreds of animal species |
| comprised of bamboo forests where Thailand, | | | | including the wild mountain goat. Do I really have |
| Burma, and Laos meet. This is where you can find | | | | to list all that you can see or do? I think you can |
| Four Seasons, the ultimate jungle luxury-an | | | | figure it out. 6. Bernese Oberland, Switzerland: In |
| eclectic mix of asian rustic and modern taste. | | | | the famously beautiful nation of Switzerland, the |
| Fifteen elevated tented accommodations are | | | | Oberland could be called the crown jewel. On a |
| reminiscent of 19th century adventure | | | | comfortable summer day, you will wonder how |
| expeditions, even down to the hand-hammered | | | | you can walk through a field of flowers, step |
| copper bathtubs. An open-air thatched roof | | | | over jagged rocks, view snow-studded peaks |
| pavilion by the riverbank offers Thai, Laotian, | | | | above you, while lakes just below the peaks are |
| Burmese, and western cuisine. During the day, one | | | | not frozen solid. Gazing down from a mountain |
| can watch elephant training or go on one of the | | | | top you glimpse bluffs boasting over 70 |
| fascinating excursions. If you need pampering, go | | | | waterfalls, and then you're awestruck with |
| to the spa for rejuvenating treatments for your | | | | panoramic Lauterbrunnen Valley. Even skiers |
| body and spirit. At night, torches burn by the | | | | who've seen a hundred similar sites agree it's the |
| tents as travelers gaze out at a magnificent | | | | most breathtaking valley in Europe. The area |
| sunset and find perfect serenity. 3. Marrakech, | | | | offers both great hiking and fast skiing---along |
| Morocco: And now for something completely | | | | with mountain-biking, rock climbing, swimming, golf, |
| different! When you step into Marrakech you will | | | | horseback riding, tennis, sailing and windsurfing. |
| think you have just stepped into a Middle Eastern | | | | Bed down in a cozy chalet in Interlaken, |
| movie set. Picture scores of market stalls along | | | | Grindelwald, Gstaad, or Thun. 7. Finger Lakes, New |
| an endless labyrinth--- snake charmers, monkeys, | | | | York: We're talking about eleven slender lakes, 25 |
| musicians, dancers and storytellers performing to | | | | state parks, 1,063 waterfalls, strings of river |
| the sound of weird music and drum beat. Visit the | | | | gorges, a national wildlife refuge, and acres and |
| Majorelle Gardens, visit actual Berber villages, see | | | | acres of wine vineyards. In the midst of this |
| the Dar Si Said Museum, or tour the ornate El | | | | wondrous area, the John Treman State Park |
| Bahia palace. If you want more action, go biking, | | | | comes highly recommended. Two great |
| Hot Air Ballooning, or White Water Rafting. The | | | | restaurants are the Taughannock Farms Inn and |
| government ensures that all food stalls offer | | | | Port's Café. Three bed & breakfast inns |
| fresh, top quality food so not to worry. Buy grilled | | | | that folks rave about are: South Glenora Tree |
| sausages on Moroccan bread, beef stew, harira | | | | Farm, Wagener Estate, and Elmira's Painted Lady. |
| soup, riifa (Moroccan pancake) and the delicious | | | | Between the hiking, the water sports, festivals, |
| spicy tea. For posh surroundings, you can eat at | | | | cultural events, and the wine-tasting, one does not |
| the La Makarechi. Otherwise, enjoy repasts at | | | | run out of things to do. 8. Quebec City, Canada: |
| Café Agrana, Café Alhamra, or Chez El Bahia. | | | | Calling this city the "poor man's Paris" is very |
| Foods not to miss are pastille (sweet, savory | | | | unfair. It's cobblestone streets and chateau-style |
| meat pie), Kefta (superb ground beef and egg), | | | | clifftop architecture is charming, expenses are |
| tagine (chicken/olive, prune/almond, etc.), or a | | | | lower than in Paris, and it offers attractive options |
| spicy dessert. There's a wide span of lodgings, | | | | for either summer or winter. Between July 4-14 |
| from modern western hotels to native riads. | | | | the International Summer Festival offers |
| Equity Point Marrakech is a beautiful hostel to | | | | streetside improvisational theater and some of |
| check out in the best section of the city. The | | | | the best jazz, folk, and rock performances you |
| place has an amazing rooftop from which to view | | | | will ever hear. And beginning in the middle of |
| the town. There are doubles, singles, and dorms | | | | January and into February, the city offers Carnival |
| available. Rooms have full bathrooms, incredible | | | | de Quebec. Here you will find the Calgary |
| furniture, mezzanines, cushions, etc. There's also a | | | | Stampede flapjack breakfast, outdoor dance |
| restaurant attached serving excellent Moroccan | | | | parties, ice fishing, a single- and double-harness |
| food. If you have a taste for the exotic, | | | | sleigh race, dog agility competition obstacle course, |
| Marrakech is for you. 4. St. Vincent, the | | | | snow slides, downhill skiing, an ice tower, snow |
| Grenadines: I know. You've probably never heard | | | | rafting, and a snow sculpture contest. (While |
| of the Grenadines. That's for the best. They are | | | | you're in the city, you really can't afford to miss |
| still fresh and unspoiled. It's a small group of islands | | | | the Laurentides Wildlife Park). And I'll bet you |
| between Puerto Rico and the Venezuelan coast. | | | | thought the only thing to do in Canada was fish. |
| What do these islands offer? Only natural | | | | Wrong. I'll bet you can't decide which of these |
| waterfalls where you can swim, black sand | | | | destinations you most want to visit. Well, why not |
| beaches, majestic volcanoes, botanical gardens, | | | | rank them and try to go to everyone during your |
| fortification ruins, Romanesque and Gothic | | | | lifetime. |