FOR RELAXATION ARTISTS
January/February
Go to: Pamalican, Philippines
Stay at: Amanpulo
It doesn’t get more remote than this privately owned island in the Philippines archipelago an hour’s flight (by hotel charter) from Manila. Expect a private casita, white sands, and plenty of private-dining opportunities. Make sure to reserve the Island Cave for a one-on-one beach barbecue ($800; amanpulo.com).
Don’t Miss: Windsurfing and board-sailing in the island’s blue lagoon.
March/April
Go to: Benguerra Island, Mozambique
Stay at: Azura
Be among the first to stay in one of the fifteen just-opened villas on this chic Mozambique property offering unparalleled luxury (butler, double outdoor shower, and private sundecks). Hit the beach, rinse in a private infinity pool, repeat (from $475, opening October 2007; azura-retreats.com).
Don’t Miss: Learning to sail on their 40-foot dhow and swimming with dolphins.
May/June
Go to: San Pedro, Belize
Stay at: Cayo Espanto
While the Caribbean can be plagued by erratic weather, Cayo Espanto has a near-perfect climate year-round. It doesn’t get more luxurious than five posh casitas, each with alfresco showers, plunge pools, seaside hammocks, and all the accoutrements for a holiday à deux—massages, picnics, and a houseman at your disposal (from $1,695; aprivateisland.com).
Don’t Miss: Snorkeling in Hol Chan.
July/August
Go to: Pangkor Laut, Malaysia
Stay at: Pangkor Laut Resort
A year-round equatorial climate plus a villa over the ocean on a privately owned island equals a summer honeymoon of utter bliss. These people are pros when it comes to pampering couples. Think flower-scented baths and sunset cruises (from $275; pangkorlautresort.com).
Don’t Miss: The Belian Treatment Pavilion at the spa, with its own nap gazebo and steam room.
September/October
Go to: Big Sur, California
Stay at: Post Ranch Inn
Sitting snugly on the cliffs of Big Sur overlooking the Pacific, the inn feels miles away from civilization, even though it’s only 30 minutes from Carmel. Check into the Peak Suite for a hot tub carved from a granite boulder, wake to morning Ashantis, and join the house astronomer for some stargazing (from $550; postranchinn.com).
Don’t Miss: Some soul retrieval with a Shamanic session in the spa.
November/December
Go to: Skoura, Morocco
Stay at: Dar Ahlam
This converted casbah just outside the Skoura palm groves offers anything you could ever need from a honeymoon: fireside dinners, tea service in the desert, a private jeep on demand—everything except a cell-phone signal, thankfully (suites and villas from $1,000, all inclusive; darahlam.com).
Don’t Miss: Horseback riding through the gorgeous palm groves.
FOR OUTDOORSY TYPES
January/February
Go to: Queenstown, New Zealand
Stay at: Matakauri Lodge
Halfway around the world from New York it’s summer. Fill long, balmy days with adventure: Helicopter out to the Tasman Sea, have lunch on a glacier, cruise down the Dart River, and bungee-jump and white-water-raft in Queenstown. Then decompress in your villa on Lake Wakatipu (from $1,200; matakauri.co.nz).
Don’t Miss: Visiting Arrowtown for chef Peter Gawron’s inventive dishes at Saffron.
March/April
Go to: San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Stay at: Awasi
Escape rainy spring weather and head to the driest place on Earth. A private guide will lead you on ad hoc excursions and hikes, via jeep or on foot. And while the desert can be harsh, the eight stone-and-adobe private cottages are anything but (two-night all-inclusive programs from $900; awasi.cl).
Don’t Miss: Horseback riding through the desert and stargazing from your outdoor patio.
May/June
Go to: Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Stay at: The Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa
This high-end lodge just three blocks from Main Street has carved headboards and wood-burning fireplaces (there’s still a chill in May). It’s an ideal base for exploring the national parks—Yellowstone and Grand Teton—where the springtime thaw has all manner of wildlife coming out to play, including the grizzly bears who’ve just woken up from their winter naps (from $290; rustyparrot.com).
Don’t Miss: Bubba’s Barbecue for ribs
July/August
Go to: Lower Zambezi, Zambia
Stay at: Chiawa Camp
Given the minuscule rainfall during safari season, you can be guaranteed some good game viewing. Hippos and crocodiles are just two of the likely visitors at this luxury tented camp on the edges of the Zambezi. Just watch out that they don’t get too close when you’re floating down the river for a candlelit supper (from $695; chiawa.com).
Don’t Miss: A night at the Old Mondoro Bush camp—walking safaris are their specialty.
September/October
Go to: Madeira, Portugal
Stay at: Estalagem Ponta do Sol
The “Hawaii of Europe” has a mild summer that extends well into October, and Ponta do Sol and its namesake hotel enjoy the most hours of sunshine on the island. Climb mountains, trek levada trails, surf, and relax by the pool ($125 a night for a minimum of three to seven nights; pontadosol.com).
Don’t Miss: The impressive contemporary-art collection at the Casa das Mudas Art Center.
November/December
Go to: Serengeti, Tanzania
Stay at: Klein’s Camp
Wildebeest arrive in this area en masse for the great migration, and these ten cottages are directly in its path (we promise it’s safer than it sounds). Additional game viewing, as well as day and night drives, is also a highlight of this hidden reserve (from $540; ccafrica.com).
Don’t Miss: A wilderness walk led by Masai trackers to see zebras, giraffes, and rhinos galore.
FOR GROOVY ROMANTICS
January/February
Go to: Courchevel 1850, France
Stay at: Hotel Byblos
In 1984, the owners of Byblos St. Tropez re-created their Riviera resort in the French Alps. Their glitzy patrons quickly followed, turning this alpine village (named for its above-sea-level altitude in meters) into a go-to hot spot in cold weather. World-class slopes are at your feet, as is the premier nightclub Les Caves (from $950; byblos.com).
Don’t Miss: Dancing at La Grange, where D.J.’s spin Euro beats for the glitterati until 4 a.m.
March/April
Go to: Paro, Bhutan
Stay at: Amankora
Spring is the best time to visit the five luxe guest lodges that make up this new Himalayan hideaway. Plan very early, as the country restricts the number of visitors each year. Suites are decorated simply, but not all worldly possessions—king-size beds, golf courses, gourmet meals—need be abandoned (from $1,000; amankora.com).
Don’t Miss: Boosting your spiritual energy at Cheri Goemba, Bhutan’s first monastery.
May/June
Go to: Côte d’Azur, France
Stay at: Le Cap Estel
Le Cap Estel just emerged from a three-year renovation with twelve suites and eight rooms swathed in Mediterranean shades of white and blue. A premium is placed on royal treatment here, from the customized menus to the private dining areas to the secluded, exclusive beach (from $650; capestel.com).
Don’t Miss: The Monaco Grand Prix, from May 22 to 25, 2008.
July/August
Go to: Formentera, Spain
Stay at: Las Banderas
Only two miles away from its wilder sister island, Ibiza, Formentera feels like another world, and this Morrocan-chic B&B is at the center of it. The six-room casita is just steps away from the isle’s most beautiful beach, Playa Mitjorn. The adjoining boho bar is a local haunt for European fashion-y types (from $120; 00-34-609-577-417).
Don’t Miss: Dining on fresh seafood, on the beach at Juan y Andrea.
September/October
Go to: Shanghai, China
Stay at: The Mansion Hotel
Shanghai’s hotter than ever, but an autumn trip won’t leave you caught in crowds of tourists. The recent boutique-hotel boom has left one particularly special place in its wake, the just-opened Mansion Hotel, a French Concession villa that has been converted into a subtly high-tech spot (from $430; chinamansionhotel.com).
Don’t Miss: Dinner at Jesse, for Shanghai-style comfort food.
November/December
Go to: Jose Ignacio, Uruguay
Stay at: Arbol Casa Loft
Go in December, when Argentines cross the border to Uruguay’s answer to St. Tropez. Stay at this tiny house with ocean views just a block away from the most happening spot in town—the beachside restaurant La Huella, wherela vida loca begins at noon and ends well into the wee hours (from $350; arbolcasaloft.com).
Don’t Miss: Supper at chef Francis Mallmann’s Los Negros, arguably the best restaurant in town.
SEE ALSO:
• For Outdoorsy Types
• For Groovy Romantics
SEE ALSO:
• For Groovy Romantics
• For Relaxation Artists
SEE ALSO:
• For Relaxation Artists
• For Outdoorsy Types