The Berkshires in Massachusetts is the home of Gilded Age mansions, Tanglewood® - the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, theatre, Shakespeare & Company, and dance, Jacob's Pillow, however there is much more to delight the eye as well as the palate, as the region also offers culinary, cultural, and outdoor activities that are sure to please at any time of the year. Conveniently located 147 miles (247 km) from New York, 120 miles (193 km) from Boston, 36 miles (58 km) from Albany, and 258 miles (415 km) from Philadelphia, it is perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer stay vacation.

Dutchess County conveniently located 90 minutes north of New York City, and 90 minutes south of Albany, the state capitol of New York, offers visitors a wide range of culinary and historic attractions including The Culinary Institute of America, the former homes of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt, and examples of Gilded Age splendor in the Vanderbilt Mansion, Mills Mansion, and Locust Grove. Combined with year-round activities, Dutchess County is waiting for you to discover all it has to offer.

Puebla, Mexico is an enchanting UNESCO World Heritage city where the historical architecture is a delicious mélange of Baroque, Classical, and Renaissance styles that captivate the eyes; it is the home of talavera pottery, and Cocina Poblano, Mexico's famous gastronomy featuring mole poblano.

Although Montréal, located in the Province of Québec is Canada's second largest city, this charming city is easy to walk and offers visitors much to discover with its rich history, culture, gastronomy, and attractions that are sure to please.

Québec, Canada celebrated its 400^th anniversary in 2008, and is one of the oldest cities in North America. Cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriage rides, museums, culture, gastronomy, and the opportunity to speak French, make this city oh so charming.

Chicago, the third largest city in the United States, offers visitors much to experience. As lovers of architecture, the Chicago skyline beckoned to us like a candy shop calling to children with its diversity, and its rich culture of museums, theatre, and attractions, had us wishing that we had an extra day or two to spend in this fascinating city.

Driving from Sunny Isles Beach to South Beach, we discovered that there is much to explore in Greater Miami, Florida than the beautiful stretch of beaches; the area is a treasure trove of culture, gastronomy, and boating.

Luxurious Fort Lauderdale, Florida with 23 miles of sandy beaches to stroll, upscale restaurants, mega yachts, multi-million dollar homes, and interesting sights to explore was the perfect spring getaway when we desperately needed sun and sand.

Mont-Tremblant, Canada, located in the province of Quebec in the Laurentian region offers breathtaking views, and is the perfect playground for a winter weekend getaway without even needing a car.

What could be more romantic than visiting San Francisco, California with your special someone? Toney Bennett definitely struck the right chord when he sang, "I left my heart in San Francisco." 

Washington, DC, the capital of the United States, founded on July 16, 1790, is a city that will capture your heart with its exceptionally rich history, beauty, and charm; it did mine.

New York is perfect in any season; however there is something very special about winter in the Big Apple when the stores sparkle with spectacularly dressed holiday windows, ice-skating in Rockefeller Center, or taking a carriage ride through Central Park.

Founded in 1630, Boston, Massachusetts, is an exciting historical city where you can learn about Paul Revere's famous ride and the Boston Tea Party, shop on posh Newbury Street, and savor New England gastronomy; come experience what makes New England so special.

New Orleans, Louisiana, sometimes called "Nawlins" or "The Big Easy," is a city rich in its mélange of cultural history that blends delicious flavors, sights, and sounds, into an intriguing mix that offers something for every visitor.

The Riviera Maya in Mexico encompasses more than 200 km (124 miles) along the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo, palm trees sway in the warm breezes, exotic flowers perfume the air, and an ocean in a myriad of tourmaline colors gently laps the stunning sugary soft white sandy beaches. Ah, paradise, at last.

Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico is perfect for enjoying "Sun and Fun" with beautiful white sandy beaches, dolphin encounters, bicycling and ATV tours, snorkeling, kayaking, shopping, culture, and so much more.

Stunning pink sandy beaches, exceptional scuba diving, and the 25th PGA Grand Slam of Golf in Bermuda, what more could you possibly want?

Imagine a place with icebergs larger than 15-storey buildings, sled dogs outnumber people, and ruggedly magnificent natural beauty, and you have visualized Greenland.

Natchez, Mississippi is a city where visitors can experience the magic of antebellum homes and discover the warmth of southern charm and hospitality.

Martinique's motto is "so much in an island," which I discovered to be true as I explored the exotic beauty of this French West Indies Island.

Imagine tropical flowers gently perfuming the air, sandy beaches to stroll, and a choice of the Atlantic Ocean or the Caribbean Sea, ah, the endless possibilities of Martinique.

In our desire to bring the best of the best to our readers, as well as increase our own New York knowledge, we contacted New York City experts, Art and Susan Zuckerman of "Z" Travel & Leisure, to take one of their New York City tours.

Do you ever imagine escaping to an island paradise; dream of strolling along sugary-soft white sandy stretches of pristine beaches, scuba diving, fishing for marlin, golfing, sailing, being pampered with Spa treatments? I discovered that this fantasy is actually a reality at The Abaco Club on Winding Bay in the Bahamas.

Skies the color of lapis lazuli, the sea the color of tourmaline, the soft sandy beaches the color of ivory, and the golf courses the color of emeralds, Cancun is indeed a precious location.