Why do people come to Greece’s Aegean Islands? I’m sure that the sunshine has something to do with it. And the laid-back atmosphere that makes it seem there is an island-wide holiday every day of the year. Also, there are plenty of choices amongst the islands. Each island offers something a little different. It’s easy to reach each shore, either by ferry or, for the more adventurous, by high-speed catamaran. A trip to the Aegean wouldn’t feel complete without several stops.

Small islands like Anafi offer the opportunity for a peaceful and quiet holiday. Authentic markets and aged buildings make this a truly authentic place to visit. However, if you are in the mood for excitement, it’s probably best to venture elsewhere.

Elsewhere? If you’re looking for a party, try the isle of Ios, particularly, the village of Hora. The town’s main square is where things get started early in the evening. There are numerous bars and nightclubs. Ios is not exactly a resort island, like some of the other in the Aegean. The positive thing about this is that things are generally not as pricy.

As far as tourism is concerned the “main event” is the island of Santorini. It’s difficult to image how so much could be packed on this small island. An active volcano is the island’s main attraction, though watching the sun set over the Aegean can be quite a sublime experience as well. Santori sees many tourists. The positive thing about that is that everything is easy to do. Buses connect the villages, and it’s easy to come by a guided tour of the volcano. However, just sitting amidst the uniformly white walls of one of the island’s towns and watching the sea is attraction enough for many visitors.

There are many more islands to visit. Each one has its own character, but all have the same joyful atmosphere and natural, timeless beauty.

Houston is a surprising city. Its flamboyant Texan cousin, Dallas, probably gets more press, while rapidly growing Austin is the current king of cool. But Houston’s urban sprawl is home to many interesting places; though it doesn’t wear the fact on its sleeve. Houston actually boasts the 4th largest metropolitan area in the United States. It has all the attractions befitting a town of its size.

No, Houston is not merely a city of drawling cowboys and oil tycoons. Outside of New York and perhaps LA, Houston is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the U.S.

Arab-Americans have a long history in Houston. There are plenty of authentic restaurants serving Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fare, and the lively atmosphere that goes with it. Many places double as cafes serving excellent coffee throughout the day.

Southwest Houston is sometimes known as Asiatown. Now, aside from authentic restaurants and markets, including the unique Hong Kong City Mall, there are specialty tours designed to introduce visitors to some of the lesser known aspects of Chinese/Asian culture.

The Ensemble Theater is the largest professional African American theater troupe in the US. The huge performance space has multiple stages and hosts local, regional, and national talent.

Much of Houston is infused with a Latin flare. One place to find especially interesting performances is Teatro Bilingüe de Houston. This space is home to virtually every kind of media and performance, from dance to theater to painting, sculpture, photography, and multimedia art.

Houston may not be the first place that comes into mind when you think of Texas, but it certainly has its share of attractions to beckon would-be visitors.

On the final approach into Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport, passengers will get a strong dose of the past. The airfield is home to aged cement hangers left over from Vietnam’s wars. By 2011, however, the first sights travelers see as they land in Vietnam will be quite different. Long Thanh Airport is slated to become one of Southeast Asia’s biggest and busiest air hubs when it is completed three years from now. An eight-lane highway will connect the new terminal with Ho Chi Minh City.

If you said that Long Thanh ‘s construction signaled the beginning of a new stage of development in Vietnam, you’d be wrong. Over the past few years, numerous hotels and resorts have sprung up, while many older institutions have received make-overs. After some growing pains (which began when Vietnam loosened its travel restrictions in 1994), the tourist industry finally seems to be coming into its own.

Vietnam’s history and culture, the elements that have attracted tourist in the past, are still evident. There are the French colonial villas found in District Three (just outside of downtown) and the popular War Remnants Museum. The famous Continental Hotel, where many famous journalists laid their heads in 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, has been renovated, but retains its classic feel.

Downtown, Ben Thanh Market functions like a traditional market during the day, but becomes an outdoor festival of food and shopping in the evening. The market is within walking distance of both the budget guesthouses of Pham Ngu Lao and the upscale accommodations in the city’s center.

While the level of convenience appears to be growing exponentially, it seems that, at least for the time being, Ho Chi Minh City has been able to retain some of its charm.

Scotland is home to some of the most rugged and beautiful landscapes on the British Isles. Remote areas offer a chance to get away form it all, but nature can also be found an arm’s length from whatever Scottish region of choose to visit.

One of the tag lines frequently used by Scotland’s tourist industry is “Scotland. Created for walking.” While residents might argue that Scotland was created for Scots, the sheer number of trails in the country seems to support the “created for walking” idea. One could even argue that walking is the unofficial national sport. Though rugby fans might take issue with that.

Despite its small size, Scotland offers unique and varied landscapes.

Southern Scotland has a quaint, stereotypically “countryside” feel. The rolling hills and villages with buildings made from stone and brick make for pleasant strolls. This region of Scotland has more in common with southern England than with its own country’s rugged north. (Scotland is technically a “constituent country,” meaning it is considered its own country but is part of the larger United Kingdom with England, Wale, and Northern Ireland).

In Central Scotland, the Cairngorm National Park offers a wide variety of treks. Serious mountaineers come to conquer the peaks of the Cairngorm Mountains while the forests, foothills, and rivers at the mountains’ base teem with wildlife, scenery, and plenty of opportunities for daylong or multi-day treks.

Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, is found to the west, as is the birthplace of the uniquely Scottish sport of hill walking. Sport? Yes. There are even competitions; though viewing the postcard like scenery of western Scotland from a height is probably reward enough for a strenuous hike.

Scotland’s trails offer visitors a chance to get up close with the rugged and beautiful landscapes.

Perhaps you think of Minnesota as a place of oppressively cold winters and summer fishing expeditions. No one would try to disprove those stereotypes. But the culture of the Land of 10,000 Lakes is not limited to snowmobiles and walleye pike. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul are also home to a booming arts and theater scene.

Whether you like wandering through vast art museums or neighborhood galleries, chances are you’ll find the space that you are looking for in the Twin Cities. The same could be said for theater. Large commercial theaters share the stage with innumerable smaller operations. The nationally renowned Guthrie Theater has just moved into a new building on the banks of the Mississippi River. This playhouse offers original productions of plays ranging from modern to Shakespearian. Downtown Minneapolis is home to the Hennepin Theater District. Traveling musicals and concerts are staged at the Orpheum and State Theaters. Nearby restaurants and shops on Nicollet Mall make this the perfect place to combine an off-Broadway show with a night on the town.

There are plenty of smaller stages, as well. Theater in the Round, The Southern Theater, and many others provide an intimate experience. What makes these smaller playhouses unique is that, despite smaller budgets, they are professionally run and staffed by local and regional talent.

The Children’s Theater Company puts on family friendly fare and is conveniently located in a theater that is adjoined with the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The MIA is the stopping point for many traveling exhibits.

Minneapolis’ Northeast neighborhood (Nordeast to locals) is home to a blossoming arts scene. Studios and galleries line the streets just east of Downtown Minneapolis. Many older galleries can be found on the city’s south side and also in Downtown Saint Paul.

So, even if you do come to Minnesota bearing a fishing poll, know that there is plenty of other options out there.

Florida is attractive. As someone who has spent the better part of life living through cold, northern winters, I can attest to that. What could be better than eighty degrees in February? But, The Sunshine State’s packed beaches and over-the-top amusement parks cover only a fraction of the land.

What goes unnoticed, at least by the average sun-seeking traveler, is the natural side of Florida. This is one of the best, and only, places to experience tropical wilderness in the contiguous United States. Every region of the state has at least one National Park, State Park, or Nature Preserve. Here are some of the best:

The Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical nature preserve in the US. Gators, birds, and manatees thrive in the protected environment. The park offers guided hikes, boat trips to a few of the hundreds of islands, and even camping for those who want an extended Everglades experience.

Snorkeling or diving in Biscayne Bay, a national park that is over 90% water, offers a different view of Florida’s wildlife. There is as much to see under the clear, warm waters of the bay’s southern third as there is in any of the land-based parks.

National Forests like Ocala and Osceola offer inland excursions with plenty of wildlife you would expect (alligators, cranes) and some you wouldn’t (black bears). These inland parks are some of the least crowded, and therefore, the best for getting up-close with nature.

Those would-be snowbirds who picture beaches and boardwalks shouldn’t forget Florida’s wild side. The Everglades and their kin offer some of the most unique landscapes to be found in the United States.