gtrekker

Closing your eyes during a massage might only seem natural, but at these spas youll want to take in a deep breath and the stunning view. From Utah to Uruguay, weve highlighted 12 spasall featured on the 2011 Hot Listeach with a view to kill.

You finally did it! You saved up and planned your visit to the Vatican, Taj Mahal, or some other amazing spot. However, your trip is brutally interrupted by a never-ending line of pushy tourists. That's why we've come up with shortcuts and roundabout ways to visit the globe's greatest glories without having to throw elbows--for example, reserve an after-hours tour at the Vatican, and you'll share the Sistine Chapel with fewer than 15 people.

As summer winds down, you deserve one last vacation to be fully revitalized for the upcoming fall. So pack your bags, and leave your passport behind, because we've found seven remote escapes right here in the United States.

The Four Corners is not just a geographical marvel but a place where ancient Pueblo people once lived and thrived until catastrophe hit in the 13th century. Read Leslie T. Changs poignant yet haunting story about this stunning and underappreciated region.

For the true coffee connoisseur, here are three of our favorite Costa Rican coffee plantations. Each has different features, like tours of the fields and roasting facilities, a comedic show of the history of java, and, best of all, a tasting room. Wherever you go, try the delightfully rich, smooth coffee and get a taste of la pura vida!

The recently refurbished Sumahan on the Water is one of Istanbul's most talked-about boutique hotels. Its old Ottoman touches, polished wood floors, and glass-sheathed fireplaces make it a true Turkish treasure. Hugging the Asian shore of the brilliant Bosphorus, the hotel offers an unforgettable stay in 18 rooms overlooking sparkling waters and the Istanbul skyline.

Post up at the luxe-rustic Post Ranch Inn in an Ocean House with glass walls overlooking the crashing waves, or nest in one of the Tree House rooms, built on stilts in the canopy of gnarled oaks. With three pools, including a cliff-top infinity pool, and amenities such as yoga, guided walks, and spa services, you won't be hard-pressed to figure out why this environmentally aware oasis made the 2011 Gold List.

Ideally located right by the Duomo, La Scala, and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and not to mention a short distance from some of Milan's best shopping, the Park Hyatt feels like a modern Roman imperial palace. With marble inlays, high ceilings, and silk touches, this 2011 Gold List spectacular is the epitome of Italian indulgence.

Headed to the Windy City? Wherever the wind blows you, make sure to avoid these Chi-Town tourist traps, such as the Magnificent Mile, laden with predictable chains and the underwhelming Sears Tower. Instead, catch a fly ball at Wrigley Field or sample the smorgasbord of new-wave ethnic dining at one of the city's newest eateries.

A quick walk from Chatham's quaint downtown, this Cape Cod classic comes with a private beach, poolside minibar-equipped cabanas, a 52-foot Viking yacht for deep-sea fishing, and on-site spa treatments. And with as many dining options as there are amenities, your stay here is Cape-able of being your best vacation yet!

Set among tropical gardens with a powdery beach just steps away, this low-profile, high-class resort is the absolute African escape. Each of the three private villas is fully staffed with your very own butler and driverand even a nanny for the kids. And if you happen to get sick of lounging by the infinity pool facing the crystal-clear sea, golfing and snorkeling can easily be arranged.

Just over the bridge from Singapore on the island of Sentosa, this resort offers relief from the city's frenetic pace. Thoroughly modern decor with clean-lined dark wood furniture, muted textiles, and sunken marble tubs invites guests to sit back and relax. Treat yourself to an in-house spa session, or venture off-property for something more exotic, like fish reflexology at nearby Underwater World.

Centrally located yet tucked away on a quiet cobblestone cul-de-sac, Dukes Hotel emits classic British charm and splendor. Make a stop in Dukes Bar for a signature martini after a long day of sightseeing, then unwind in one of the comfortably lavish guest rooms.

The spectacular Nobis will sweep you away the moment you check in: the atrium ceiling resembles a forest canopy, complete with a stunning 22-foot crystal chandelier. With its dream locationclose to the city's best stores, the opera house, and the Old Townand the impeccable style and service, this gem might make you fall victim to a special kind of Stockholm Syndrome.

Located on a sprawling cattle ranch outside Missoula, the Resort at Paws Up brings a new meaning to "camping trip." Guests can stay in luxe safari-style tents pitched along the Blackfoot River and enjoy outdoor excursions with plenty of pamperingthink elegant picnic lunches on a rafting trip, and massages after a bicycle tour.

Opened in 2007, winemaker Michel Picard's one-of-a-kind B&B houses five suites all on a sprawling 325 acres. Wine and dine with a complementary winery tour and tasting, but don't expect to be treated like royalty at this castlelike retreat; with no concierge, night porter, or room service, once the staff leaves for the night, you'll have the place to yourself.

As Prince William and Princess Kate head to California, plan your own royal retreat in the Golden State at the luxurious L'Ermitage. Tucked discreetly away at the edge of downtown Beverly Hills, the rooftop pool has breathtaking 360-degree views of the city and mountains, as well as cabanas and lounge chairs for a perfectly majestic getaway.

From Maui to Mexico, from dive eats to delicacies, we've found seven of the best post-surf dining spots. Whether you want to ride the waves in Santa Cruz and hang ten with some fish tacos, or catch the tide in Tahiti with fresh ceviche, we guarantee these spots will have you saying "gnarrlly, dudeee" after just one bite.

This grand New Englandstyle resort is only a five-minute scenic walk into Edgartownbut still far enough to keep the hotel's vibe relaxed. During the day, keep the kids busy with sailing lessons while teeing off at the nearby Farm Neck Golf Club. Enjoy dinner at the hotel's restaurant, Water Street.

Take full advantage of the Fullerton Hotel conveniently set at the mouth of the Singapore River between the Financial District and the Esplanade performing arts center, its prime location lets you easily explore the city. Enjoy dinner at one of the six on-site restaurants, then head back to relax in a posh guest-room overlooking the riverfront promenade.

You couldn't be any closer to the water without getting wetthis nautical Nantucket hotel is located right on the sand. Spend the day by the pool or on the private beach, then fall asleep to the relaxing sound of waves lapping at the shoreline in any of the 26 rooms, all with an at-home feel.

Dating back to the twelfth century, this breathtaking estate consists of 12 antique plush chambers, complete with modern day luxuries, such as giant Jacuzzi tubs and heavenly feather beds. After a day of exploring the country-side, wine and dine on the terrace overlooking meticulously manicured gardens.

This gem has the key to our heartsnewly renovated and decorated with classic Cape Cod style, you'll feel worlds away from the hoard of tourists in packed Provincetown. Relax by the pool in the private courtyard or sip a cocktail on the high deck at sunset at this New England oasis.

Featuring the iconic modernist architecture of Arne Jacobsen, the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel overlooks the spectacular Tivoli Gardens nearby. Dine at the top-floor restaurant, savoring such delicious fare as gnocchi with anchovy-sage tapenade, all while taking in one of the best views in the city.

The property's 44 rooms face dense jungle and rice paddies, but you'll have anything but jungle fever at this breathtaking Balinese hotel. Spend lazy afternoons basking by the long infinity pool perched at the edge of the Camphuan River, or take a complimentary tour of the nearby Neka Museum.