1. Lake Como, Italy. One of the most alluring spots in all of Italy — a setting of romantic gardens and villas, graceful promenades and mirror-like lakes. The scenic location has lured literary greats like Mark Twain, Gustave Flaubert, Percy Shelley and inspired the works of composer Franz Liszt. It still draws celebrities and a well–heeled crowd today.
2. Ubud, Bali. Surrounded by rice terraces and verdant hills, this upcountry retreat in the center of Bali has played host to European artists since the 1920s who each have given us colorful depictions of nature and Balinese life. Ubud is a haven for art lovers with a wide array of local arts and crafts, art galleries and museums, painter’s studios and a market that sells a bevy of gift items. From the grounds of the many resort properties here are unobstructed views of the lush landscape that has been the subject of traditional Balinese paintings. Truly a place where nature and art come together.
3. St. Paul de Vence, France. Apart from a marvelous setting on top of a medieval hill town, this locale basks in a gentle sunlight that makes everything glow. La Colombe d’Or, the legendary hotel that is associated with the village has attracted the likes of Picasso, Matisse, Braque, Leger and Chagall who at one time or another lived or worked here and whose artworks are found on its walls or grounds. Dine in the outdoor terrace under the fig and cypress trees and sample the light yet delicious local fare of spit-roasted chicken enhanced with thyme, crisp raw vegetables served with an anchovy dip, cavaillon melons, wild strawberries and an airy vanilla soufflé.
4. Salzburg, Austria. The birthplace of Mozart, home of the famed Salzburg Music festival and the setting of the film, The Sound of Music. A magical city with a storybook quality. At the Goldener Hirsch, the city’s oldest hotel, rustic furnishings and a collection of antiques give the place a distinctive air. Countess Harriet Walderdorff bought and renovated the property in the late 1930s and reopened the hotel in 1948, though its origins date back to 1407. Salzburg’s old town is now a UNESCO world heritage site. It is a locale of open arcades, planted inner courtyards, a fortress, gothic and baroque churches, vast parklands and a magnificent Renaissance Palace that was once home to the Prince- Archbishops of Salzburg. Today its staterooms can be rented for special occasions and state dinners.
5. Lake Sampaloc, San Pablo, Laguna. Lake Sampaloc is the largest of the city’s seven lakes. A citizen-led effort to clean up the lake and its environs has turned it to an attractive spot to spend the day. The vistas toward the lake from the boardwalk and the mini-parks situated along its perimeter are a refreshing balm to the eyes and the spirit. Best of all, it is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Manila on well-paved roads.
6. Baguio City, Philippines. Baguio still retains its quaint charm. This city of winding roads, pine trees, wild flowers, bountiful markets and produce and cool weather conditions make it an ideal year-round vacation spot. The Convent of the Good Shepherd still turns out some of the best home-baked sweets while the Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay are cozy retreats that offer both comfort food and tempting international fare.
7. Venice, Italy. Breathtaking architectural structures float above the water and gondolas glide along its canals as gondoliers delight passengers with impossibly romantic songs. Beyond the gilded palazzos and historic sights, walking along its narrow passageways yields many surprises for the visitor — from the aroma of freshly baked goods to the superb arts and crafts for which Venice is known: glassware, silks, fine paper products, jewelry.
8. Bergamo, Italy. The city of Bergamo is a short drive from Milan and its hilltop medieval city surrounded by 17th-century defensive walls are one of the most memorable spots in Northern Italy. Winding roads and small streets that lead to this old part of town take you back centuries. The Colleoni Chapel is said to be a masterwork of Renaissance art and the large Church of Santa Maria Maggiore boasts music teaching and singing traditions that have endured for more than 800 years.
9. The Maldives. This aquatic nation to the Southwest of Sri Lanka is a close to paradise as you can get — with pristine waters, teeming marine life and first-rate hotels all situated in their very own island. At the Four Seasons Resort in Kuda Huraa, the dwellings feel like your home on the beach and the caring staff make every effort to make you feel like part of island.
10. Amanpulo, Pamalican Island, Philippines. It’s hard to beat the fine, white-sand beach of Amanpulo as well as its dramatic sunsets. The casitas set on the beachfront or the hillside, are modernized versions of the traditional “Bahay Kubo.” Each is tastefully furnished with local arts and crafts. This is what the Amanresorts does best — setting up resorts in exotic locations while highlighting the local culture in a most refined manner. Amanpulo is one of its loveliest properties.
11. Reims, France. The largest city in the champagne region of France and the site of the majestic Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims where the kings of France were once crowned. Stop at the Chateau Le Crayeres for a gourmet lunch and walk through its parklands bordered by chestnut, fir and maple trees. Visit the caves and tunnels where fine champagne is aged — some of these passages date back to Roman times.
12. Kyoto, Japan. A city marked by gardens and temples of sublime beauty, many of them named as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Springtime sees cherry blossom trees come to their full bloom and the city out in full force to celebrate the short yet symbolic season. The district of Gion brings to life the world of the Geishas. In the sloping streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzeka, where fine crafts, savory and sweet snacks are sold, all the details of local life come together.
13. Tokyo, Japan. A city that has it all — superb food at every level, cutting-edge fashion, forward-looking districts and stunning contemporary architecture.
14. Paris, France. Much praise has been heaped upon this city and deservedly so. Each of us has a very personal Paris — in those places that we have come to know and that have taken on special meaning. Here are some of my favorite spots: the sculpture gardens of the Rodin Museum, the arcades of the Palais Royal, the Parc Monceau bounded by the most beautiful homes, strolling anywhere on the atmospheric left bank and tea at the garden courtyard of the Hotel de Crillon.
15. Vigan, Ilocos Sur. A walk down Crisologo Street with its cobble-stoned paths where only horse-drawn carriages pass by. The street teems with crafts made from wood, woven basketry and all kinds of souvenirs housed in Spanish-era homes. The city of Vigan is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is said to integrate Asian building and construction concepts with European colonial architecture and planning. As well, it preserves all of the aspects of a European trading post in Southeast Asia.
16. Bangkok, Thailand. In this city, elements of the old and the new, the local and the global are caught in a happy juxtaposition. Beware the sensory overload as Bangkok leaps from past to present, negotiating two worlds and two hemispheres at once.
17. Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saison, Oxforshire, England. This Victorian country house hotel is set in the village of Great Milton and is surrounded by lovely gardens and orchards. Take a tour of the two-acre vegetable and herb garden that produces 90 types of vegetables and 70 herbs to supply its kitchens. It is the only country house hotel in England that has been awarded two Michelin stars over the last 27 years. Raymond Blanc, its founder and a self-taught chef, serves modern French cuisine here and was a champion of the organic movement long before it became a trend.
18. Shanghai, China. In the 1930s it was Asia’s most sophisticated city. With the rise of communism, it receded from view for over half a century then reemerged in recent years to reclaim its former glory. The Bund has a European feel but Pudong belongs to today’s Shanghai with futuristic structures that rose in a little over a decade.
19. Mexico City, Mexico, D.F. A city of wide avenues and thoroughfares, upscale districts and lively neighborhoods. Mexico City boasts a wealth of arts — from Pre-Hispanic civilizations to thought-provoking modern art. All are housed in outstanding museums and tell stories of a proud and rich heritage.
20. London, England. The most cosmopolitan of cities blessed with old-world refinements while embracing all things contemporary. As the saying goes, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.”
21. The temples of Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia. Stretching over an area of 400 kilometers, the temples of Angkor are marvels in stone — spectacular visually and conceptually. It was, after all, intended as a microcosm of the Hindu universe. Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the complex, evokes the might of this once-great Southeast Asian kingdom and the central role religion played throughout its existence.
22. New York City. A patchwork of neighborhoods, each with a different flavor, keep this city vibrant — from the Museum Mile to Soho, from the resurgence of Harlem to the dizzying choices for dining and leisure activities. Still, nothing draws its residents together like Central Park, an immense expanse of green that has been at the center of city life for over 100 years.
23. The Hong Kong Harbour. Viewed from either Kowloon or Hong Kong side, this harbor glitters by night with towering structures and great lighting effects. A fireworks competition held once in November lit up the sky and turned the harbor into a veritable stage set.
24. Chateau Vaux le Vicomte. A masterpiece of 17th-century French architecture and the decorative arts, it is said to have inspired the Palace of Versailles. Every summer 2,000 candles are lit throughout the Chateau and its grounds, classical music performances are held in the gardens to recreate the atmosphere when Vaux first opened its doors in August of 1661.
25. San Francisco, California. A city that has endeared itself to a cross-section of people. There is something for everyone here. From the elegant residential areas of Nob Hill and Pacific Heights down to the bayside locale of Fisherman’s Wharf. From North Beach — otherwise known as “little Italy” — to the exclusive shops of Union Square. Across the Golden Gate Bridge, the waterfront community of Sausalito, long known as an artists’ colony, offers wonderful views towards the city’s skyline. It’s easy to feel at home in and around the environs of San Francisco though you may be thousands of miles away from home.