Chacala, Mexico
Situated on a small, beachfront harbor, Chacala is a less hectic and unassuming alternative to Puerto Vallarta, one hour away. Besides the beach, there is a nearby yoga-wellness center. Its American founders are credited with awakening this sleepy, untouched fishing village. It’s a perfect destination to recharge one’s batteries.
Info: www.playachacala.com
-- Michael Ambrose,
Boracay Island, Philippines
The main beach on Boracay Island is pretty with crystal clear water, relaxing palm shades and white sand. The beauty comes alive underwater with breathtaking coral reefs and sea life. The snorkeling is superb.
Info: www.boracayisland.org or www.boracayonline.com
-- Blia Xiong, Eau Claire, Wis. (Alanah M. Torralba / EPA)
Redwood National Park, Calif.
The towering trees of Redwood National Park bring life into perspective. Walking among these ancient giants on the pleasant Lady Bird Johnson Grove trail can be romantic, inspirational and refreshing. The air is moist and clean. Moss, huge ferns and brown pine needles decorate the path. My husband and I visited the park a few years ago and stayed at Turtle Rocks Oceanfront Inn in Trinidad. At night, we heard sea lions barking. During the day, we explored the wild, beautiful redwoods. It was a trip I’ll never forget.
Info: www.nps.gov/redw (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
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South Korea
South Korea is often overlooked as a travel destination. I visited for the first time last year and fell in love with the country. Like other big cities in Asia, Seoul is exciting and beautiful, with things to do, see and eat around every corner. Trying all the different foods (like spicy kimchi and octopus) is an adventure in itself. There are plenty of great places to explore throughout the country, especially for college-age people like me. With the exchange rate almost double what it was a year ago, I can’t wait to go back.
Info:www.visitkorea.or.kr or www.korea.net
-- Jennifer Goger, Los Angeles (Kathy M.Y. Pyon / Los Angeles Times)
Lithuania
Lithuania has a great mix of modern and ancient history and is dirt-cheap with good food.
Info: www.visitlithuania.net
-- Liz deForest, Los Angeles (Beverly Beyette / Los Angeles Times)
Kotor, Montenegro
Although I’d heard of Montenegro, I really didn’t quite know where it was until I started planning a trip to the Baltic region of Eastern Europe. Kotor, a wonderfully preserved walled city at the end of the southernmost fiord in Europe, is just a two-hour ride from Dubrovnik, Croatia. The food and drink are very good, they use the euro, and there is a 1,350-step hike to the top of the fortress that gives one a commanding view of the fiord from above and is a must for any visitor. I teach travel photography and I’ve been to more than 35 countries on five continents, but Kotor is now my favorite place. I almost don’t want to let the secret out.
Info: www.visit-montenegro.com/cities-kotor.htm or www.kotormontenegro.net
-- Ralph Velasco, Corona del Mar
Perast, on the edge of the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. (Susan Spano / Los Angeles Times)
St. Louis
Although St. Louis is a medium-sized Midwestern city, it contains the cultural attractions of a large European city, most free of charge.
Info: www.explorestlouis.com
-- Casey Coryell, Atlanta (James A. Finley / Associated Press)
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Tasmania
Magnificent Freycinet National Park on Tasmania’s east coast is a highlight. Our day hike revealed many unobstructed panoramas of Tasman Bay and its emerald and azure waters. A visit to Port Arthur, a penal settlement, and the Isle of the Dead, a burial ground for convicts in the 1800s, is entertaining. Finally, a visit to Hobart, the capital and once a shipbuilding and whaling port, adds to Tasmania’s diversity.
Info: www.discovertasmania.com
-- Linda Mattick, Manhattan Beach (Clive Rose / Getty Images)
Eastern Sierra
This area has the greatest diversity of landscape, flora and fauna I have ever seen: huge mountains and open plains, gushing streams and stunning lakes, ancient bristlecone pines and young trees, verdant valleys and scrub desert; volcanic hot springs and icy snowfields. And the towns of Lone Pine, Lee Vining and Bishop are small, quaint and full of character.
Info: www.thesierraweb.com
-- Badri Ananth, Santa Barbara (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Mt. Whitney
If you liked the scenery in “The Lord of the Rings” movies, you’ll love the hikes to the top of
Info: www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150227/mount-whitney.html
-- M.J. Love, Rocklin, Calif. (Anacleto Rapping / Los Angeles Times)
