Some of my most memorable trips have been those to places where I've been able to observe wild animals in their natural habitats. Last year I was fortunate to experience the Galapagos Islands, Tanzania, South Africa and Antarctica. 

After a long winter spent cooped up inside, it’s hard not to dream of open skies and lying out under the stars. The Western U.S. has a lot of great ranches where you can live out your cowboy fantasies and get your fill of the Great Outdoors. Descriptions courtesy of Virtuoso’s Best of the Best catalogue.

Spend any time in San Miguel de Allende, and you’ll quickly see why so many people expatriate there. Soon enough, you’ll want to move there too. By day or by night, the place is a work of art. Colonial charm emanates from the town center and spills onto green hillsides. At just over 6,000 feet of elevation and with an average temperature in the 60s Fahrenheit, walking into San Miguel feels like stepping into a dream. Fair warning, though, if you’re driving in -- especially at night -- navigating the narrow and sharply angled cobblestone streets can be more of a nightmare.

The way to the heart of Mexico City is through your stomach. Boasting several restaurants ranked among the best in the world, the sprawling megalopolis is best experienced through its many flavors. It doesn’t hurt that the exchange rate is about 18.50 pesos to the dollar, enabling budget-conscious travelers to eat like royalty.

Every detail is taken care of. The resort is gorgeous, full of activities for the whole family and you can’t wait to hit the beach for some fun in the sun. Or you have an itinerary packed with great tours such as scavenger hunt at the Louvre in Paris or following in the footsteps of Harry Potter in London. Yes, every hour is accounted for to keep the kids entertained on your family vacation.