Travel

By Hyon Jung Lee

London offers a dazzling range of hotels for every taste and temperament. There are shiny mega hotels, mini boutique hotels, and swanky business hotels, all catering to the fussiest of travelers. Hundreds of hotels promise something special — perhaps the best location, acclaimed restaurants, a superb spa, or maybe some whiz-bang technology in the rooms. But when you’re jetlagged, lost, and dragging luggage through the rain at 7:30 a.m. after a red-eye, there’s nothing more important than prompt and intuitive service in a peaceful place designed to be as much like a home as like a hotel.

By Elissa Gilbert

“If we were in any other vehicle, we’d be upside down right now.”

Our guide, Cody has steered us through Hell’s Revenge to park the Hummer at a crazy angle against a slick, rocky hill. Through the open roof, the dark sky looks as if someone emptied a salt shaker of stars on it. The Big Dipper is right over our heads.

From design-savvy clocks to dream vacations, here are eight great gift ideas for your jet-setting loved ones. —Alysha Brown

Taschen’s new book, “Great Escapes Around the World” makes finding your next luxe getaway as easy as turning a page. $50. taschen.com

If you’re looking for an island vacation that involves a bit more than beach bumming, Puerto Rico is just the place. Aside from its unspoiled coastline, the U.S. territory, approximately the size of Connecticut, is home to one of the most charming and lively cities in the Caribbean, lovely Old San Juan.—Alysha Brown

By Alysha Brown

Mark Twain once called it heaven on earth and Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas may call it home, but Bermuda isn’t resting on its laurels to attract vacationers. Many of the island’s high-end properties are wrapping up major renovations and additions.

By Alysha Brown

Miami might be Florida’s bustling cultural capital but the Keys, with their idyllic white sand beaches, turquoise waters and first-class resorts are a reminder of Florida’s Caribbean influence. So think twice about jetting off to St. Barts or the Turks and Caicos for a quick getaway, as you might be pleasantly surprised staying stateside.

By Elissa Gilbert

I landed in Amsterdam and it was like I hadn’t left New York at all. I couldn’t read the street signs and the skyline stopped at the fourth floor, but the city felt very much like home: pedestrians thronged the streets, cars, busses and trams jostled for space with bicyclists (even if the rider was more likely to be a suited businessman toting his briefcase in the basket than a messenger). The elegant canal houses seemed slightly off-beat versions of town houses and brownstones back home. We hit traffic jams because of a new subway line under construction.

Where to Find Manga for Your Kid, Fugu for Your Daredevil Spouse and Ramen for the Whole Family (Without Leaving New York)

It’s hard to come down to earth after the otherworldly thrill of a trip to Tokyo. Giant towers filled with secret stores press up against Shinto temples, with their lit-paper lanterns and prayer letters. Rock star wannabe schoolgirls, complete with uniforms and pink hair, clutter the otherwise orderly sidewalks.

In this section we take a look at where to get away in luxury this fall to some of the world’s top destinations. If you’re looking for culture, check out Mexico’s Guadalajara which offers museums and great nightlife. For a quiet, family holiday consider Lake George in upstate New York, which offers leaf peeping and boat rides as well as some great galleries. Further afield, Düsseldorf, Germany, offers a mixture of historic monuments and modern architecture.—Sascha Brodsky

If you are looking for a second city to call home, check out these 11 destinations the Resident profiles. They may never be New York but each city offers its own attractions. Phoenix residents enjoy low housing prices and fine weather. Atlanta has great football and fine dining. If you prefer to be close to nature, consider Santa Fe for its proximity to the mountains and deserts as well its sophisticated cultural events.—Sascha Brodsky