Gangtey Lodge

At Gangtey Lodge travel-weary guests are greeted with a welcome song so powerful it reduced our party to tears, a hot towel, sweet tea by the fire, and a five-minute massage. “We wanted to create something for the backpackers that now want a little more luxury,” says Khin Omar Win, who co-owns the lodge with husband Brett Melzer. Luxury here comes in the form of personalized meals but also silence, space, and a sense of being cocooned by the sweet-natured staff who anticipate your every need. From $700. —Anna Prendergast

Taj Falaknuma Palace — India

With its dreamy frescoes, Corinthian columns, and Ostler chandeliers, Hyderabad’s storied Taj Falaknuma Palace had been a beloved residence of the ruling nizam—one of whom was famously depicted on a 1937 Time magazine cover as the “Richest Man in the World”—before falling into disrepair for decades. The hilltop aerie has been a fixture of my annual vacations in Hyderabad, from a childhood visit when it was still shuttered and shrouded in cobwebs to countless intimate dinner parties, afternoon teas, qawwali concerts on the gardens at sunset, and a memorable 75th-birthday celebration for my father last winter—complete with a flute serenade of “Happy Birthday” at breakfast under the stained-glass dome of the Gol Bungalow terrace. For the special way it brings Hyderabad’s rich history and traditions to life at every corner, Falaknuma will always have my heart. From $450. —Sarah Khan

The Dwarika’s Hotel — Nepal

Ian Schrager may have made lobby socializing a thing when he sparked the boutique-hotel revolution back in the mid-80s, but at Dwarika’s it’s all about the courtyard. Soundtracked by birdsong, it feels like being inside a secret walled garden—a bubble of tranquility from the cacophony of Kathmandu. The hotel is both a marvel of conservation and a monument to historic Newari architecture because it was gradually assembled from eaves, windows, and pillars rescued by Dwarika Das Shrestha. Now grandson René is continuing the project, as CEO of Dwarika’s Group of Hotels and Resorts. But the property more than a museum piece with yoga lessons on the rooftop, a swimming pool surrounded by sculpted serpents, and some of the best momo dumplings in Nepal; this is an immersive, deeply atmospheric microcosm of the Kathmandu Valley. From $410. —Rick Jordan

Aman Kyoto — Japan

Serene. Timeless. Escapist. And deliciously crowd-free. Nature and its subtlest micro-shifts are the main protagonists at Aman Kyoto. At its heart lies an otherworldly “secret garden” that wavers between wild and cultured, the hotel is set against tumbling mountainside forests in a quiet northeastern corner of the ancient capital. Mindfulness is nonnegotiable while navigating the moss-covered stone pathways or relaxing within the peaceful minimalism of the 24 suites. Housed in clean-lined black timber pavilions designed by Kerry Hill, the accommodations feature tatami floors, hinoki bathtubs, ceramic abstractions, and haiku-inspiring views through walls of windows. Luxury lies in the property’s simplicity: Instead of a swimming pool, picture a small boulder-strewn onsen alongside spa treatments imbued with a sense of the sacred and the intuitive omotenashi warmth of the staff. Food is treated with no less reverence, from meticulous kaiseki craftsmanship at Taka-an to contemporary land-to-table cuisine in the Living Pavilion. All in all? The perfect place to recover from Kyoto temple fatigue—and reconnect with the present moment. From $2,675. —Danielle Demetriou

Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok — Thailand

Some hotels lose their luster after a while. Others, like the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, only get better with age. This Southeast Asian hidey-hole has been around since 1876 but doesn’t feel mired in the past. Frequent spruce-ups have kept it looking tip-top, while an ever-evolving lineup of a dozen or so restaurants (including the new Kinu by chef Takagi Kazuo and classic Thai restaurant Baan Phraya) keep a finger on the pulse of Bangkok’s dining scene. And then there’s the spa, with CBD-oil-infused massages, ice baths, and rubdowns using herbs from northeast Thailand’s Isan region, that still sits in a league of its own. They just don’t make them like this anymore. From $650. —Chris Schalkx

Narendra Bhawan Bikaner

This hotel is much like a cabinet of curiosities and so the vibe is eclectic, hedonistic, and easy-going. Lazy breakfasts lead into lazier lunches and dinners that end when you retire. In between, you could go carpet shopping and visit local attractions, trusting that your G&Ts will be waiting upon your return. You could also view the city as you lounge by the hotel’s rooftop pool and get yourself a massage during which Bach Flower remedies are used. However you play it, you’ll probably leave humming that Edith Piaf number “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien.” You’ll find the lyrics painted across the red piano in the foyer. From $150. —Prasad Ramamurthy

Aqua Mare

In the morning we plunge into the 60-degree sea to snorkel with penguins. In the afternoon we scramble up cliffs and watch albatross chicks stretch their wings into the wind. In the evening we take a culinary tour through Ecuador and Peru during our family-style dinner on the aft deck. Such is a day on Aqua Mare in the Galapágos. With seven suites for just 16 guests, Aqua Mare isn’t your typical Galápagos cruise ship but a true superyacht—one that you can book by the cabin rather than charter. Built in 1998 by CRN Yachts and designed by Francois Zuretti, and refurbished in 2021, Aqua Mare has all the Italian-inspired glitz and glam you’d expect from that partnership, including glossy walnut-veneer walls and Carrara-marble tables and bath. As much as I enjoyed the sun deck with its whirlpool and the beach club with its swim platform, the experience is all about the Galápagos. With two local guides for 16 guests, it feels as if you’re seeing the archipelago on a private tour. And that’s what Aqua Mare is all about. Seven-day sailings from $10,920 per person.

Celebrity Edge

Standing on the literal edge, I take in the ever-changing colors of the Caribbean from the Magic Carpet, a cantilevered platform dangling like a necklace pendant off the ship’s side. It moves like an elevator, maximizing the views as you clink glasses of sun-soaked Veuve Clicquot. Although, these days, the Celebrity Edge has swapped Mediterranean and Caribbean island-hopping scenery for summertime glacier spotting in Alaska and Aussie coastal landmarks in (northern) winter. The vessel’s first-of-its-kind Infinite Verandas, found in the Edge Staterooms, are tailor-made for Alaskan voyages, during which brisk temperatures might send you scurrying inside. One touch of a button, and my electronic glass panel slides closed, transforming balcony back into stateroom while satisfying comfort and Instagram simultaneously. Come sunset, Eden restaurant calls like a siren with its curvaceous sculptures guiding you into a sexy Patricia Urquiola–designed greenhouse lounge. Live music and hypnotic cocktail menus send fellow sailors to the dance floor by round two. Not the party type, I turn the corner for the water-facing swing chairs, suspended from the ceiling by a chain, to get lost in the magic of being at sea. The beauty of Celebrity Edge is its design-forward edginess. Instead of deciding which amusement park ride or superlative-inducing waterslide to wait in line for, my decisions are simpler: fresh oysters, Greek kebabs, or sushi? The right answer is all three. Eleven-night sailings from $1,589 per person. —Ramsey Qubein

Crystal Symphony

Fresh off a down-to-the-steel refurbishment, Crystal Symphony returns with luxe touches everywhere: plush carpets, polished stonework, and fascinating art. And no two spaces on the ship give off the same vibe. In the tony Connoisseur Club, while sunk into a tufted leather banquette, you might savor a limited-run Irish whiskey. Or in the sunlight-flooded Palm Court, you can luxuriate on an oversized lounger, with afternoon-tea views over the bow. Indulgent comforts don’t stop at public spaces. Sapphire Veranda Suites have walk-in closets and marble showers so spacious you could almost host a cocktail party in them. Butlers are on hand to memorize preferences (order that iced Americano just once, and it’s at the door on a silver tray at the same time each morning). But the best part is the space—more of it than virtually any ship afloat, making a fully booked sailing feel like it’s all to yourself. Seven-day sailings from $4,300 per person. —Scott Laird

Disney Wish

While you may think of families when you think of Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Wish is ideal for Disney-loving adults who may or may not be cruising with youngsters. The glittering 4,000-passenger ship highlights Disney royalty around every corner, and once you step on board, you feel like the king or queen of the ship too. Luxe adult-only spaces are found all around the vessel, from wake-facing infinity pools in the Quiet Cove to the signature extra-charge restaurant, Enchante, with a menu by chef Arnaud Lallement of the three-Michelin-starred L’Assiette Champenoise. Alternatively, head to the included rotational dining restaurant, 1923, for a steakhouse-caliber meal without the extra charge. Sip on a nightcap at the Cinderella-themed Nightingale’s piano bar, where whimsical cocktails inspired by bubbles are served—we love the Chocolate Frozen Bubbles, a decadent mix of Baileys Salted Caramel, Absolut Vanilia, and chocolate, served in a hollow ice sphere that you get to break open with a tiny metal hammer. Between the adult escapes, go to the Walt Disney Theater for a Broadway-style retelling of the Disney animated classic The Little Mermaid, play the interactive Disney Uncharted Adventure game, or even head to the kids club during open house hours to virtually build and ride your own roller coaster in the Walt Disney Imagineering Lab, and view once-a-cruise fireworks at sea. And besides all of this, at any moment during the voyage, you may find yourself face-to-face with Mickey Mouse himself. Four-night sailings from $2,018 per person. —Megan duBois

Below, we’ve rounded up some of the most incredible outdoor adventures for intrepid travelers, ranging from climbing Machu Picchu to skydiving in Dubai. Even if you don’t consider yourself a daredevil, you’ll still find activities that feel exciting (hello, camping under the northern lights) without too much physical—or emotional—exertion required. So fasten your seatbelts, grab your best pair of hiking boots, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

Boat under the Iguazú Falls

South America’s Iguazú Falls, located on the border of Brazil and Argentina, make all other waterfalls look like mere trickles in comparison. The system of more than 200 cascades (reaching heights of around 270 feet) can be viewed from surrounding walkways and catwalks, but we’re fans of the more adventurous vantage-point—hopping on an Iguazú Jungle inflatable raft and sailing directly under the exhilarating, high-pressure falls.

Climb to Machu Picchu

No adventurer’s must-visit list is complete without Machu Picchu, the famous Incan citadel located in the Andes. While the site can be accessed via train and bus, more active travelers can take the five-day trek along the entire 26-mile-long Inca Trail. Or, thanks to local tour operator Sam Travel Peru, you can get dropped at kilometer marker 104 and do the whole experience in 24 hours.

Sand surf in the Sahara

The dunes of the Sahara are colossal, untouched, and tailor-made for extreme sports. The desert’s rows of barchans (meaning “crescent-shaped dunes” in Turkic) have ideal shapes for sand surfing (descending the slopes on a surfboard) and sandboarding (descending the slopes on a snowboard)—and those views don’t hurt, either. Stay at Erg Chigaga Luxury Camp in Morocco, which offers sandboarding in addition to other desert activities like camel rides and quad biking.

Heli-hike in British Columbia

With CMH Heli + Skiing, you can helicopter to the steepest and deepest powder in Canada for backcountry skiing. However, come summer, the company’s guides take guests on multi-day hiking trips to terrain otherwise inaccessible, along ridgelines, through alpine meadows, and to stunning viewpoints. While these high-altitude adventures are not for the faint at heart, the accommodations are quite comfortable, with log-hewn lodges complete with full-service restaurants, spa treatments, and a rooftop hot tub to relax in before another day on the trail.

Hot air balloon over Cappadocia

A hot air balloon ride over central Turkey’s Cappadocia region provides 360-degree views of the famous limestone spires and “fairy chimneys”—something you can’t get at the ground level. We recommend booking with Kapadokya Balloons, the first company that introduced hot air balloon tourism in Cappadocia. Services include transfers to and from your hotel, snacks, full insurance, and a champagne party after the flight.

Bhutan:

Bhutan has been developing its tourism in a way to protect and preserve its natural resources and culture. Wisely one of the best eco-friendly travel destinations, isn’t it?

New Zealand:

New Zealand’s terrain is home to diverse plants and wildlife. Visit this beautiful destination through New Zealand Tourism since it is one of the most popular destinations for luxury ecotourism.. Harming the environment is almost against their religion!

Costa Rica:

Costa Rica is on its way to becoming the first carbon neutral country by 2021. Here, you will notice the implausible diversity of flora and fauna. And this is the place, where you can look at the clear skies and sing ‘City of Stars, are you shining just for me?’

Alaska:

If you want to have an experience like ‘Gone with the wild’, Alaska is among the last truly wild places on earth. See glaciers, amazing wildlife, enjoy fishing, kayaking and explore Denali National Park. An eco-tour you can’t refuse!

Santa Cruz Island, California:

Santa Cruz Island is truly like taking refuge in the arms of nature. Be pampered by nature and remember, it’s not man vs wild! The island has two rugged mountain ranges, a large central valley, deep canyons with all year springs and streams, giant sea caves and expansive beaches.

Amazon Rainforest, Brazil:

Cruise your way to the Rainforest with over 80,000 plant species and 30 million animal species. Here you can spot pink and grey river dolphins. Live your free-willy moment!

Before leaving the house
Scan or “screen grab” important documents and information. Even if you’re holding a physical boarding pass, it never hurts to take a photo or screen grab of the QR code, itinerary or other details in case you lose the hard copy. That way, you can easily access all the important information. It’s also a good idea to save scans of your passport, driver’s license and other essential documents, just in case you misplace them or get pickpocketed.

Best time to buy airline tickets? Usually Tuesdays, from 2–4 p.m. That’s when most airlines start discounting, especially for short-term purchases.

Travel-size refills. Rather than buy the usually-overpriced travel sized items over and over, just buy them once and refill. Or hit The Container Store and get free vials and tubes and put all your speciality products in them rather than buying what’s available at the drug store.

Saving space. Rolling your clothes saves luggage space. You can also fill your shoes with items like rolled-up socks, a spare pair of glasses or even chargers to maximize storage.