Off the Beachy Path

Where to go when you want to try something new.

Casa Velas, Puerto Vallarta

Been to Hawaii? Try Mexico.

Where to go

• If you like the urban beachy vibes in Waikiki, head to Puerto Vallarta

• If you like catching waves in Waimea, head to Sayulita or Cabo

• If you like snorkeling in Maui, head to Cozumel / Riviera Maya

Similarities

• Beautiful beaches

• 5-star service level

• Endless natural beauty and indigenous history

• Great weather

• Delicious food

Differences

• Price: Mexico is generally less expensive than Hawaii

• Swim-ability: not all beaches in Mexico are swimmable

• Rainy/hurricane season: Mexico gets a lot more rain in the summer, and some hurricane threats on the eastern coast

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Corfu, Greece

Been to Italy? Try Greece.

Where to go

• If you like the dramatic cliffs of Amalfi, head to Santorini

• If you like the relaxed vibes and ancient history in Sicily, head to Crete

• If you like the white sand beaches in Puglia, hope across the Adriatic / Ionian Seas to Corfu

Similarities

• Rugged natural beauty

• Kind and welcoming locals

• Simple, healthy food

• Mediterranean sunshine

• Deep, intertwined history

Differences

• Price: Greece is generally less expensive than Italy

• Cuisine: Greek food is fantastic, but perhaps a bit less iconic than the pizza and pasta found all over Italy

• Cultural focus: Italy revolves around art, while Greece is steeped in ancient history

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Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Been to Thailand? Try Vietnam.

Where to go

• If you like the serene beaches in Samui, head to Da Nang

• If you like the culinary excellence with a sea view in Bangkok, head to Ho Chi Minh City

• If you like island-hopping around Phuket, head to Ha Long Bay

Similarities

• Bright, punchy, crave-able cuisine

• Tropical climate, including a very wet summer season

• Famous Buddhist sites

• Seamless hospitality

• Affordability

Differences

• Travel logistics: Thailand's travel infrastructure is a bit more robust than that of Vietnam

• History: Vietnam's history of colonization by France and complicated geopolitics in the 20th century has colored the culture, architecture, and cuisine in singular ways