Maui is probably Hawaii’s most famous island. The fine-grained sand of the beaches and large swaths of greenery are exactly what comes to mind when one thinks of Hawaii. Resort towns like Kaanapali and Kihei are primed to give visitors the stereotypical island resort experience. But there is more than sun, sand, and colorful hotel décor to Maui.

Humpback whales breed off the coast during the winter. Whale watching tours are frequent, though many people claim that they can see the giant mammals floating on the ocean’s surface from the shore. You might also be able to hear the noises that the whales use to communicate by putting your ear to the water.

The peak of the Haleakala volcano is the perfect perch for watching the sun rise. The 10,000-foot peak also gives visitors a line of sight to see most of the other islands of Hawaii. It is possible to get to the top of the mountain via bike, auto, or on foot. Haleakala is proof that Hawaii is not all sun and rainbows. The temperatures on the peak dip to near freezing. Keep that in mind if you are planning to take in the sunrise.

Kihei is the best place to experience Maui’s nightlife. Nightlife is a relative term, however. Things start winding down not long after midnight, so don’t expect to find yourself dancing the night away.

Lush forest and fields of sugar cane and pineapple dominate the interior of Maui. Trips via bicycle or jeep will offer visitors a chance to glimpse the tropical landscape up close. Despite the prevalence of resorts on Maui, agriculture is still an important part of the local economy.

Maui is the place to go if you want the stereotypical Hawaii experience. However, the nature on and around the island offers some unexpected delights.

Suriname, a small nation on South America’s Northeastern coast, has a unique history. It was founded by Dutch settlers and did not gain independence until 1975. Two decades of unrest followed, and it wasn’t until 1991 that stability came to the nation.

Despite a small population, Suriname is a very diverse land. It was a port of call for Javanese, Indian, and Chinese merchants and explorers. Some of these people stayed in Suriname. There is also a large population of African descent. Because of its history with the Netherlands, many people speak Dutch, although English is widely spoken as well.

Suriname is a great place to eat. The ethnic diversity makes for plenty of culinary choices. There is a glut of Chinese restaurants in Paramaribo (often shortened to Par-bo by locals), the capital city of Suriname. Indian cuisine is best represented by chicken roti and a variety of curries. Spicy Creole dishes are also easy to find, as are (*sigh*) imports like KFC, Pizza Hut, and Popeye’s Chicken.

The tropical fruits in Suriname are excellent. Though the country can sometimes be expensive, especially if you rely on a tourist company for your itinerary, the fruit is reasonably priced and the freshest the jungles have to offer. Tropical favorites abound and are often used to make shakes and deserts.

Most of the people of Suriname live along the coastline. There are some sites of interest along the coast. The Galibi Nature Reserve is famous for the sea turtles that come ashore to lay their eggs in the spring and summer.

The interior of the nation boasts some of the most pristine and untouched jungles on earth. Central Suriname Nature Reserve covers a vast stretch of land. There are rivers, primary rainforests, and grasslands. In the future, Suriname’s government hopes to explore the land for uses other than logging and farming. For now, it is an eco-tourists delight.

Suriname is not on the tourist track yet, but if you are looking for someplace unique, you can’t go wrong.

Goa has had a long history as the backdrop for the meeting of cultures. Portuguese colonists controlled this area of West India for a long time. Though independence has brought an Indian flavor to Goa, there are still many elements of Portuguese culture, including the colonial buildings and a noticeable minority of Roman Catholic Indians. Though the colonial days are long past, Goa is still a meeting point for many of the world’s cultures.

Goa has long been a tourist hot spot. It was a hippie hangout in the 70s and has retained elements of the counter-culture attitude. Visitors are still likely to run into an aged flower child here or there. Of course, there is plenty more to do in Goa than relive the past.

Why do half-a-million foreigners and over a million Indian nationals visit Goa each year?

For the beaches, of course.

Goa’s beaches are world famous and the area is so familiar with the tourist industry that it’s possible to find something to like on Goa no matter what your motives for visiting are.

Raves and beach parties still occur. Laid-back hangouts and upscale resorts vie with beachside bars and food carts for sand space. Luckily there is enough of Goa to go around. Some of the best resorts are founding Southern Goa, while budget places sit further north; as a destination, Goa has a choice to suit everyone. It is expensive by Indian standards, but still quite cheap when compared to western prices.

Goa’s old city, which is filled to the brim with aged buildings and monuments, is a located near the state capital of Panjim. Visitors are transported back to a time when spice was king and Goa was the gateway to an endless frontier. Many fortunes were made, and many more lost, in and around Panjim. Goa is about the beach, but there is so much more to see.

Saint Louis is a city in limbo. It is neither north nor south. It sits in Missouri but spills over into Illinois. It is a large metropolitan area, but is often overshadowed by the Twin Cities and Chicago; sadly left out of conversations about travel destinations in the Midwest.

Here’s one thing you probably know about Saint Louis: it is the home of the world famous Anheuser-Busch Brewery. Though most brew aficionados find the beer produced here to be thoroughly mediocre, it is one of the largest breweries in the world. And, there’s a tour. And, it’s free, including samples (no, not unlimited samples). You can even pet the Clydesdales.

And now, here’s one thing you probably didn’t know about Saint Louis: It has the most free attractions in the US, save Washington DC (and we all pay taxes, so I’m not sure you could call a lot of those attractions free in the true sense).

Some examples:

The famous Gateway Arch which is included in every picture of Saint Louis that you’ve ever seen. Why not get your own Arch picture.

The massive Forest Park is one of the nations largest. It has plenty activities and green expanses. Entrance into the art museum on the park grounds is free. You can make a day of it.

The Saint Louis Zoo is has plenty of exhibits. It is recognized as one of the best in the country. And entrance is free (except for the overpriced concession stands).

No, the “free” spirit of Saint Louis does not cross over into restaurants. You might get some complimentary breadsticks. However, diners won’t find themselves short on choices. Saint Louis boasts a disproportionate amount of fine eateries.

Saint Louis might surprise visitors. Give it a try. If you plan your trip right, it won’t cost you much.

Bali’s famed Kuta Beach might be home to some of the world’s best sun, sand, and surf, but it is not the only place in Bali worthy of tourists’ attention. Recent development along the island’s east coast has uncovered several gems. One such place is Amed. IN the recent past, it was a sleepy fishing village with little infrastructure. Today, the town, famous for its black sand beaches and sublime dive sites, has become the new darling of Bali’s tourist industry.

It was seven years ago that a paved road connected Amed with the rest of the island. Before that, a dirt track, prone to washout during the wet season, was the only way to reach the town. Phone lines were laid soon thereafter and Amed, the tourist destination, was born.

Needless to say, the town is yet to be overrun with nightclubs and tourist cafes like Kuta has. Amed is still an out-of-the-way getaway with an attractively sleepy atmosphere.

Sailing and scuba diving are the two activities of choice. Both take advantage of the clear and calm coastal waters. It is sometimes possible to catch a glimpse of dolphins while at sea.

There are no tourist markets or handcraft shops like other areas of Bali. However, this fits with Amed’s atmosphere. It’s easy to head out of your hotel and not feel like a tourist.

Lempuyang Temple, one of the more important Hindu temples on Bali. Like other temples it features a long staircase and intricate carvings. The atmosphere is peaceful and the views of the island and the sea are wonderful.

Amed is a place to get away from it all. The sleepy quality that makes this coastal village attractive might not last forever, especially given Bali’s recent success in hosting high profile events. It might be best to get to Amed before that which makes it great disappears.

Austin is the capital of Texas, but, until recently, it was in the background when standing amongst its giant neighbors, Dallas and Houston. Interest in Austin as a travel destination began to peak with the popularity of the South by Southwest Music Festival (SXSW), which is held in March. The event has grown into one of the largest gathering of musical enthusiasts in the US. It highlights the obscenely large number of live music venues in the Austin area. Visitors to SXSW might have to fight the crowds during the March event, but because Austin has a big enough music scene to accommodate anyone’s sonic tastes, visiting during non-festival times can be a treat.

The music portion of SXSW overlaps with a film festival that has gained a bit of buzz amongst industry types. Think Sundance without the skiing (and Robert Redford).

Austin has a book length list of other festivals. Many are offbeat. Austin gathers in April to celebrate the birthday of Eeyore (of Winnie the Pooh fame). It has little to do with the downbeat donkey. The gathering is more about beating drums and ringing in spring. At least you can be assured that the people watching will be quite interesting.

Theater has long been a part of Austin’s culture. There are touring shows at the State Theater. However, the bulk of Austin’s stage scene is decidedly more on the fringe (nowhere near “off-Broadway;” it’s more “anti-Broadway.”) Original musicals, plays, experimental theater, comedy improv, more experimental theater, and–did I mention?–experimental theater.

Aside from being a place on the cutting edge of music and counter culture, Austin is a pleasant place. It’s a big enough city to have all the museums and restaurant choices one could want. But there is little pretension in Austin’s size or cultural status. People are laid back and friendly, no one is overly arrogant or unwelcoming. Austin is downright nice.

Though it only has 60,000 inhabitants, Portland is the largest city in Maine. However, this port city is not as remote as it feels. It lays on the Atlantic Coast a mere two-hour drive from Boston. Because of its relatively convenient location, it is a popular tourist destination, especially during the summer. In June and July, Portland’s seaside comes alive with a glut of restaurants, shops, and tour companies offering seagoing adventures.

Many sights in Portland are related to the sea. The most picturesque lighthouse on the East Coast is The Portland Head Light. There is a museum attached to the lighthouse. It is free to wander the grounds and take pictures though it is well worth visiting the museum as well. The lighthouses of Maine are the kind you see in paintings and postcards.

Portland’s Old Port has the atmosphere of a bygone era. There are plenty of shops and eateries. Though most of the Old Port area is quite touristy, the feel is pretty authentic and the locals exceptionally friendly.

Portland is, and always has been, a fishing town. Tourists can even buy a spot on a lobster boat and head out to bait traps and drop them into the water. This is good family fun and also a good way to get out on the water. The views of the rocky coastline from the sea are quite picturesque.

Not only can visitors fish for lobsters in Portland, they can eat them too. Portland’s seafood is, as would be expected, fresh and good. Oysters and cod are also on the menu.

Portland’s winters can be quite harsh, so visiting during the warm summer months is recommended. Though it can get quite crowded in town, the rugged areas of the coast always feel remote no matter how many people are around.

Shanghai has become the hub for visitors on their way to central and eastern China. Though it is still known more as a center of business than of tourism, Shanghai has plenty of attractions that make it a worthwhile city to visit. In fact, there is enough in China’s largest city to keep visitors busy for a week, or even a month.

Xintiandi is the city’s old town. This area features old style buildings with stone gates. This area was rebuilt and now has a large concentration of art galleries, cafes, and studios. The bars and restaurants in this area are quite hip.

The Giant Pandas that are so famous in China are houses at Shanghai’s City Zoo. The Zoo is one of the most modern in all the world and home not only to the famous bears but also to elephants and rare species form around Asia.

The Bund is Shanghai’s seaside district. The aged buildings hearken back to the past, when Shanghai was a major port of call for ships in Asia. The 1920s and 30s brought wealth and culture to the city. Some of the older buildings from that time are still present. Shanghai is again gaining prominence in the region and it experiencing a kind of second renaissance.

Nanjing Road is Shanghai’s main shopping street. It is closed to vehicle traffic and has some of the best shops and restaurants in town. The Shanghai Museum, which houses some of the most valuable artifacts in China, is located on Nanjing Road as well.

Yuyuan Gardens has a host of pavilions and gardens that are built in classical Chinese style. The atmosphere is interesting, though it is mainly a tourist draw and not 100% authentic.

Shanghai has many more delights. One could spend months exploring China’s economic and cultural capital and still not see everything.