Secluded beaches, untouched reefs and tiny surf towns are among the draws of this country, which is made up of more than 7,000 tropical islands. New resorts have sprung up in recent years in this country, catering to the international jet setter.
These include the new Dedon Island resort on Siargo, near one of the world's best surf breaks and the private island resort of Eli Nido Pangulasian, which is located in a Unesco biosphere. Snorkel to your heart's content.
Changbaishan, China: Biggest. Ski. Resort. Ever.
Surprise, surprise: China is embarking on yet another hyper ambitions modernization project. This time, the goal is to build a $3.2 billion ski resort in the pine-packed nature reserve in Jilin province, near the North Korean border.
With 43 planned trails totaling 20 miles, it'll be one of the largest resorts in Asia. Hoteliers are already setting up shop, including Westin and Sheraton resorts, which opened last month.
Bhutan: An Enigmatic Kingdom
Bhutan is one of the most enigmatic countries on earth. Here, the rice is red, chillies are the main ingredient in many dishes and the country charges $200 a day as a tariff for visitors. That last bit may seem absurd, until you realize the fee is all-inclusive -- encompassing accommodation, food, transport and an official guide.
In Bhutan, you'll find snowcapped peaks, primeval forests and gorgeous Buddhist monasteries. Maybe the local scenery is why this tiny kingdom is consistently ranked the happiest country on earth. Called "Nepal for the jet set," Bhutan is also mostly tourist-free. And as any seasoned traveler will tell you -- that's a damn good thing.
Constantia: South African Wine Country
If Cape Town left you feeling dizzy from its natural beauty, this nearby suburb will take the rest of your breath away and knock you out cold. Set against the staggeringly beautiful slopes of Table Mountain, Constantia features 10 winemaking farms dating back to 1685.
The crown jewel of the city is the Steenberg Luxury Hotel. With an award-winning winery, 18-hole championship golf course, plush spa and three gourmet restaurants, it's perhaps unsurprising it was rated the #1 hotel in all of Africa by Travel & Leisure magazine.
Puerto Rico: Better than the Bahamas
Our neighbs to the South are looking mighty fine these days. Puerto Rico might not get as many American visitors as the Bahamas or Hawaii, but this island paradise is just as worthy of a jaunt.
The beautifully-preserved old city with its blue-glazed cobblestones is a site to see. New hotels have opened in recent years, too: The Condado Vanderbilt, a stately hotel built in 1919 is re-opening this summer after having been closed since 1993. The Ritz just opened new digs 20 miles from the main city-- with 115 rooms facing the ocean, and 11 miles of walking and biking trails.
