Perched on the banks of the dreamy Lácar Lake, San Martin de los Andes is a Patagonian paradise. Birdwatchers flock and flutter to the annual South American Bird Fair, while thrill seekers love to kayak, ski, or mountain bike along the gorgeous landscape. Arts and crafts shops and artisan food producers will delight visitors that love a sensory sampling of local cultures.

A compact small town nearly 70 miles northwest of Buenos Aires, San Antonio de Areco is in the heart of the Argentine Pampas region. It’s a great 1½-hour day trip by car or bus from Buenos Aires—or the perfect jumping-off point for those who choose to visit at a nearby estancia, or a traditional large rural ranch and estate. Major attractions here include the colonial sights of San Antonio de Areco itself, the Museum of the Gaucho (which celebrates Argentine cowboys), and a variety of estancias themselves, which are located within two hours of San Antonio de Areco. If you don’t feel like planning your own itinerary, several tour and travel companies will coordinate your visit and arrange your estancia stay.

The Dominican Republic lies in the same waters as Cuba and Puerto Rico, taking up the eastern two-thirds of the island it shares with Haiti. Offering a lush interior with a mix of caves, Victorian gingerbread houses and the lore of pirates, plus 900 miles of coastline along its brim, island highlights include riding a cable car up Mount Isabel de Torres and basking on stunning Saona Island. Oh, and did we mention the D.R. is family-friendly, has just about perfect weather and is affordable?

One of the top diving destinations in the world for its bright storybook coral reefs, the island of Cozumel is also home to a variety of natural beaches. Choose a beach with soft white sand for relaxing, or snorkel off a rockier vista. A destination for both adventure and romance, Cozumel has a year-round Caribbean climate, untrammeled jungle and abundant nightlife.