It was early morning, the milk light of late dawn. My husband and I were lying in bed in his childhood home, in the suburbs听of Sydney.

It was December 2019. The house was silent but nevertheless charged with a faint vibration of anticipation; everyone still sleeping, but lightly. Remi and I were planning to depart that morning for a trip to Queensland, where we would spend a few nights camping on one of the world鈥檚 most beautiful beaches, and then dive the Great Barrier Reef. Though Remi had spent a large part of his childhood in Queensland, he鈥檇 never had a chance to visit the reef. It was a dream trip.

It was also a promise of escape. Normally, we spent most of our time in a cabin we owned in British Columbia. I wrote books; he ran a film-production network. We both worked from home, so we could live just about anywhere. In the winters, to escape the Cascadian gloom, we sometimes hid out with Remi鈥檚 parents on the underside of the planet. But that year the plan had backfired. For weeks had been burning in the nearby mountains and elsewhere, the worst fires in anyone鈥檚 memory, fires already burning their way into the pages of history. We had inadvertently traded one gloom for a darker, more ominous one. After weeks spent mostly indoors, hiding from the smoke, we were itching to head north, into humid jungle and sea wind.

That morning, I had just woken up and spent ten or twenty or thirty minutes staring at my phone鈥攚ho knows really, phone time being slippery鈥攁nd was rising from the bed and glancing out the window when my husband abruptly sat up and looked out the window, too. He was staring at the waving branches of a eucalyptus tree, its bark peeling away in white shreds. We had a habit of doing this, waking up and looking out the window at the trees across the road, to judge how thick the smoke would be that day: faint trees meant bad air.

The air that day was bad.

He turned to me, then he looked out the window again. His face was oddly slack, his lips drooping at the corners.

I figured I had woken him abruptly, and that he was still groggy and half dreaming. 鈥淕o back to sleep,鈥� I said.

He looked at me, at the window, back at me, squinting, mouth open, with an expression almost of curiosity, as if everything looked slightly unreal.

The gum trees waving in a silent, numb wind.

The spotted doves going roo, roo.

Remi鈥檚 right hand was bent and held close to his body, like a little broken wing. He looked at it, then felt it with his left hand.

鈥淪omething鈥檚 not right,鈥� he said. His eyes were childlike. 鈥淪omething鈥檚 not ri-ight. I fee lilly meer.鈥� The words melted on his tongue. He tried to rise from the bed, but found that he couldn鈥檛 stand on his right leg and toppled backwards.

I felt a cool, distant wave of panic. I knew I needed to call an ambulance. But, as if in a nightmare, when I reached for my phone, I realized that I didn鈥檛 know the number for 911 here in Australia.

I later learned that it鈥檚 000, a number I will never forget: nothing nothing nothing, or void void void, or oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck.

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Myanmar鈥檚 government has been in the news for the persecution of its Muslim minority, the Rohingya people. This has left many questioning whether they should visit the reclusive Southeast Asian nation. While traveler safety isn鈥檛 a concern and the burgeoning tourism industry provides much needed employment, visiting the country remains a complex personal decision, says Mika Itavaara, a Finnish expat, Myanmar travel expert, and the owner of tour operator .

鈥淚n my opinion, you should visit for the people, not the government,鈥� he says. If you do go, , like the new , one of the first hotels to open in the 800-island Mergui Archipelago. Its founder, American Chris Kingsley, has laid the groundwork for responsible tourism in the region. Wa Ale鈥檚 9,000-acre namesake island is located in , almost guaranteeing it will never be overbuilt.

Since its opening in October, Kingsley鈥檚 conservation efforts have already helped save more than 7,500 sea turtles by guarding their nests from poachers, and have protected the surrounding coral reefs from damaging boat anchors by installing safer sea moorings. Built with reclaimed wood, each of the 11 tented villas and two luxe treehouses are assigned a private guide for exploring the maze of jungle-covered isles. Eight dive sites near the island promise sightings of whale sharks, dolphins, and eagle rays, while kayak excursions might include glimpses of white-bellied sea eagles unique to the archipelago.

Even more enticing than the wildlife is the chance to visit the floating villages of the Moken sea nomads who call the region home.听

Access

From Bangkok, it鈥檚 an hourlong flight to Rangong, Thailand, via Nok Air or Thai AirAsia, followed by a 15-minute boat ride across the border to Kawthaung. From there, a two-hour boat journey arranged by Wa Ale takes you to the resort. From $500 per person for a double room, all-inclusive.

Weather

The hotel is closed June through September for monsoon season. Annual average temperatures hover in the eighties, and light winds November through March provide calm, clear water for snorkeling and diving.

Local Flavor听

Chickpeas are a star ingredient in many Burmese meals, including Shan tofu. The polenta-like dish originated in the Shan State and is made of the peas in lieu of soy. At Wa Ale it comes topped with poached eggs at breakfast.

Go With

鈥檚 Itavaara has been organizing tours across Myanmar for over 15 years. In addition to Wa Ale, some of his favorite experiences include trips to the 3,000-plus pagodas and temple ruins in central Myanmar鈥檚 Bagan Archaeological Zone, the 326-foot-tall Shwedagon Pagoda, and the Old Quarter in Yangon, the country鈥檚 largest city.

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Australian Craig Alexander retired from Ironman triathlons last year as the sport’s dominant figure. The Australian said he was ready to dedicate more time to his family, and that his 41-year-old body could no longer sustain Ironman’s punishing training regimen. His plan was to race shorter, half-Ironman races, and to live full-time back in Australia.

Now, less than 12 months later, he’s preparing for his comeback. After quietly logging huge training miles in Boulder, Colorado, he is now set to race the on October 11.

We sat down with Alexander to discuss how he’s adjusted his training and why walking away from Ironman was harder than the race itself.

OUTSIDE: Take us through your decision to come back from retirement.
ALEXANDER: My wife and I had said that when our second child, Austin, started school, we’d stop traveling and stay in Australia full-time, and I’d just race shorter [triathlons]. That was supposed to be this year. At the beginning of January my wife and the kindergarten teacher decided to hold Austin back another 12 months. He’s 4-and-a-half-years-old, so the teacher thought he was still a bit too young. That was the initial catalyst, because I immediately knew I could go to Boulder and have at least three months to get ready.

I’ve also had a few issues the last few years with a back injury, and I didn’t want to put myself in the position of being on the starting line and not being physically up to it.听

Have you done anything differently from a training perspective?
I’ve always done lots of volume and intensity. But in my aging body that work manifested itself in physical problems, so I had to rethink my methods and overhaul my training. I’m now vigilant about getting two massages a week, going to the chiropractor once a week, getting dry needling, and spending more time stretching. I spend more effort on recovery and just listening to my body. Every now and then my back will hurt on a long run or a bike ride. I can’t tell if it’s real or a phantom pain, but I do feel it. So I learn to rest and go easy.

Are there mental and emotional reasons for coming back?
To be honest, it never really hit me that I was retired, because I probably needed six to eight months away from triathlon for it to sink in. Even last year when I said it would be my last Kona, it felt like any other season. I turned my brain off triathlon in October, and then spent time at home until January. So from an emotional standpoint, I didn’t really give myself a chance for it to sink in. Three months later Austin didn’t start school and I started thinking about [Ironman]. It’s a tough question, because I don’t feel like I had the chance to say that after 20 years of being a full-time athlete, I’m done with it. Instead, I just started planning the season and laying out things that I needed to do.

Are you worried that people will see you as the guy who couldn’t walk away?
Look, I’m not the type of guy who is looking for more publicity. I’m the guy who wants less publicity.听I’m just doing something I love to do and yes, I’ve changed my mind. I can say that I definitely thought last year was going to be the last year. It wasn’t an emotional response to a bad race, because I thought about it leading up to the race. There were family situations and age and all of those things. But my desire to race didn’t go away.听

People are saying ‘Are you crazy? You’re going to hurt your legacy!’ Legacy is a big bullshit word. My daughter said to me when I was thinking of coming back, ‘Daddy, I want to see you race Hawaii again,’ and I told her it was going to be very hard. She said, ‘But it’s supposed to be hard, isn’t it?” What type of legacy would I leave to her if I said ‘This is too hard?’

What are your expectations for the race?
I want to perform to the best of my abilities, and no less. I don’t want to say, “I wasn’t up to it because of my age or because of my level of prepration.” The goal is always to have my best performance, and in the past, my best performance has won. I’m expecting a high level. I’ve certainly prepared at that level. I’ve been training very hard for the better part of three months.

I know my level of fitness is very high. There are times I’m doing in the pool and on the bike and in running that are as good as I’ve ever done.

What lessons can amateur triathletes learn from your decision to come back?
Be open and flexible. As triathletes we’re all similar personality types, which is Type A-obsessive. So yes, it helps to be very organized and have schedules and goals. But coming through the twilight of my career I’ve learned that flexibility can be really helpful. Develop a plan, but also be flexible within that plan. The body can change. Family and commitments can change.

And will you continue to race Ironman in the future?
I’m fairly confident this is the last Kona. Only time will tell. I lost some credibility by saying this last year. I probably should have never said it was my last one last year, but at my age I get asked that 10 times a year. Will people doubt me? Sure, and they’re entitled to. When you change your mind on something, maybe you lose credibility, but it’s something I want to do.

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The only thing worse than a grisly three-week news cycle (ISIS, Ebola, Ferguson, repeat) is having that news cycle nightcapped with an earthquake that ruined some of the country’s best wine.

Not cool, Mother Nature, not cool.

While initial reports have put damage repair in the hundreds of millions and economic impacts , Doug Bell, global beverage buyer for Whole Foods Market, doesn’t think these numbers are accurate. “Some of the older structures took it rough for sure, but I don’t think there are going to be widespread shortages. Everything they’re bringing in for this season was still on the vine.” Bell has been in touch with many of the winemakers featured in the company’s stores, and he doesn’t anticipate gaping holes on his shelves this fall.

If there is a California wine shortage, fear not. Several emerging wine areas are worth trying while you wait for your favorite cabernet sauvignon to become available. Bell walked us through his favorite new wine regions鈥攐n one condition: “If there was ever a time Napa needed our support, they need it now.”

So keep buying California wine鈥攂ut don’t shy away from trying one of these.

Greece

“Greece has really turned their wine industry around 180 degrees,” says Bell. “Thirty years ago, they were only making wines for Greece, but recently they’ve really begun embracing the New World wine techniques and creating some really great wine.” Greek winemakers have planted red Agiorgitiko grapes and white Assyrtiko grapes for centuries, but they’ve recently starting planting new varietals as well.

Try this: , which has dark fruit flavors and pairs beautifully with lamb.

New Zealand

Bell likes buying New Zealand wine because he loves the entire country’s commitment to sustainability. “It’s not just a message. It’s the way they walk and talk,” he says, adding, “I think it’s also popular because everyone loves a Kiwi, you know?”

But personality only goes so far when it comes to producing wine鈥攕ee ACDC’s Hell’s Bells sauvignon blanc for a perfect, undrinkable example. Luckily, New Zealand is producing far better stuff than its rocking Australian neighbors鈥攆rom both the northern and southern islands. “It’s well established, and it’s readily available, so it’s a pretty good bet,” says Bell.

Try this: For a white, grab ‘s sauvignon blanc, with hints of tropical fruit and a nice complexity. For a red, try one of ‘s red blends, which Bell describes “like a New World-style Bordeaux.”

Texas and Virginia

California, Oregon, and Washington get all the wine love, but other states produce wine too鈥攊t’s estimated that Texas alone has 270 wineries. Unfortunately, like craft beers, it can be next to impossible to find regional wines from outside your home state. So if you find yourself passing through one of these regions, stock up. The wines are often affordable, interesting, and worth a try.

Try this: . Bell was recently at a tasting in Charlottesville, Virginia, and liked this wine so much he ordered an entire case to be shipped to his home. “It’s like drinking a Left Bank bordeaux,” he swears.

South Africa

When apartheid ended and embargos were lifted, South Africa positioned itself as the provider of decent, if unremarkable, budget wines. But Bell says the country has so much more to offer. “They’re making some really, really good wine. They’ve been making wine for a very long time. When I was there, I was like, ‘Wow, Columbus was discovering America when these vines were planted.'” The Dutch originally brought winemaking to South Africa via the spice trade. Recently, both the old vine wines and newer varietals have flourished. Particularly notable are the country’s chardonnays, pinot noirs, and sauvignon blancs.

Try this: , which is aromatic with just a touch of acidity. For a red, try ‘s pinot noir; it’s more savory than sweet, with notes of toasted spices.

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You’ve likely seen the infamous and ubiquitous , which turns gaping at the city’s hard times into a sort of uncomfortable quasi-art.听Now, in South America, a suffering tourist economy is turning to another sort of ruin tour: A once-popular glacier that has become a victim of climate change.

As recently as the 1990s, the Pastoruri glacier was a hot destination for tourists in Peru’s , located in the southern stretches of the Cordillera Blanca range. Now, it’s mostly just hot. The glacier is half the size it was two decades ago, , and it’s hurting tourism. In its heyday, Pastoruri saw 100,000 visitors annually; in 2012 that number shrank to just 34,000.

The rapid deterioration has also led to bans on climbing the actual (and increasingly tiny) glacier, but you’re more than welcome to come hike the “climate change route” to its base. The route is part of a larger circuit through the region that’s been in the works since 2010. It’s designed to inform visitors鈥攖hrough signage, tours and an interpretive center鈥攁bout how the shifting climate is erasing Pastoruri and many other glaciers in the region.

Offering trekkers a “last chance” look at the Pastoruri or other receding glaciers could boost traffic to the park and bring in much-needed tourism money, but that remains to be seen. As for the glacier itself? Over the years, the park has implemented interventions like spreading sawdust on the glacier to insulate it, and painting rock outcroppings white to decrease the snow’s reflectivity. These measures slow melting, but only by a hair.听

And Pastoruri鈥檚 not alone. In what was once the ice-choked Northwest Passage, Crystal Cruises sees 鈥渢he beginning of a new era of exploration鈥濃�攎eaning that for $20,000 you can spend a full month luxuriating in, uh, climate change? Of course, the company spins it much more favorably in its marketing materials: 鈥淐rystal Serenity becomes the very first luxury ship to ever traverse the Northwest Passage, a mystical Pacific-Atlantic sea route far beyond the Arctic Circle that for centuries captured the imaginations of kings, explorers and adventurers.鈥� It’s a fair bet that none of those adventurers figured that one day, the ice would be replaced by a cruise ship carrying 1,700 vacationers hoping to glimpse polar bears or narwhals.

The company notes that 鈥減rominent luminaries in exploration, science, and/or politics鈥� will join parts of the expedition, but mentions nothing about how climate change helped make the venue what it is today. No surprise, since the company is really not known for being green. In the , which tracks the progress, or lack thereof, various cruise lines are making toward environmental friendliness, Crystal Cruise Lines earned an F, and so did Crystal Serenity, the boat headed into the passage.

In a more hopeful turn of events, some companies are seeing climate change as an opportunity to introduce activist tourism. On Pele Island in Vanuatu, tourists can add听听to their snorkeling itinerary. As they snorkel, they look for broken coral pieces and fasten them to grids mounted underwater, where (fingers crossed) they’ll grow into healthy coral systems again. Tourists to can do the same thing. In both places, a portion of tour revenues goes toward wider conservation and climate change adaptation efforts.

Clearly, climate change tourism is a thing now. The degree to which it will exasperate or respond to climate change, however, appears to be up to the companies and local economies that foster the trend.

As for Peru, even if this climate change tourism scheme works, it is at best a Band-Aid. Eventually, Pastoruri will be gone and locals will need to find other, and hopefully more sustainable, means of making a living. Because merely pointing to scree and saying, “Here once sat a glacier,” does not have quite the draw (no matter how uncomfortable) of pointing to a dilapidated building and saying, “Here once sat a gear in the engine that ran Motor City.”

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Perth was thrust into the public consciousness recently for being the home base of the search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in the Indian Ocean. But this city of 1.7 million people with a Mediterranean climate on the remote southwestern corner of Australia has hardly been a secret to adventure travelers. A surprisingly electric beacon of culture and young, active professionals on the Swan River, it just might be the premier urban destination for outdoor sports Down Under. Here鈥檚 what to do during a short visit.

Road Cycling: You can get just about anywhere on a bike in Perth, thanks to its hundreds of miles of bike paths and lanes. Start in King鈥檚 Park, which covers a swath of green space about the size of New York鈥檚 Central Park. From there you can follow the long, flat routes that parallel the banks of the Swan River. Find excellent descriptions of .

Mountain biking: For fat tire rides, the favorite destination among locals are Kalamunda Mountain Bike Trails about a 40-minute drive outside the city. Twenty-two miles of narrow singletrack wind through a thick, hilly woods next to a camel farm. The provides a list of local trail networks on its website.

Sand: The Perth metro area鈥檚 19 beaches on Western Australia鈥檚 sprawling Indian Ocean shoreline are as spectcular as any you鈥檒l find on the continent, and the farther from the city you go, the less crowded they become. The northern suburb Scarborough Beach is a quintessential shore town, complete with bars, cafes, souvenir shops, and otherworldly sunsets.

Surfing: The prime surfing spots lie 90 minutes north, surrounding the the fishing town of Lancelin. The wide, breezy bay there also attracts kitesurfers and windsurfers from across the country. The in Perth听can point you in the direction of the best waves.

Diving: Lancelin鈥檚 rocky shores have been a graveyard for ships for centuries. The wrecks and clear, shallow waters make for an unparalleled dive site in the Perth area for experts. 听leads dives.

Sailing: The steady breezes and protected waters of the wide Swan River create ideal conditions for sailing within the city itself鈥攁s you鈥檒l notice by the scores of boats that take advantage of beautiful weekend afternoons. rents 14-foot catamarans ($37), sit-on-top kayaks ($18), and stand-up paddleboards ($18) at an hourly rate.听

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7 Perfect Island Getaways Around the Globe

From cheap hideaways to epic fishing and diving spots, we dug up seven crowd-free island escapes for every type of adventurer.

Maalifushi, Maldives
Great Abaco, Bahamas
Corn Islands, Nicaragua
Mumbo Island, Malawi
Niihau, Hawaii
Niue, South Pacificu
Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

Water World: Maalifushi, Maldives

7 incredible island getaways from around the globe

The English word atoll comes from 颅Dhivehi, the official language of the Maldives. And with good reason. This nation consists of 1,192 islands spread across 35,000 square miles of Indian Ocean. Turquoise 颅lagoons, pearlescent beaches, and coral gardens teem with over 1,900 species of fish, 400 species of mollusks, and 350 species of crustaceans, making it an aquaphile’s paradise. But it can be tough to put together a DIY trip in a place where the easiest way around is by boat or seaplane. Base yourself at , which can 颅arrange your 颅adventures for you (doubles from $650).

The hotel opens in December and is one of only two resorts in the rarely visited, pristine Thaa Atoll. You’ll stay in one of 66 thatched-roof bungalows and villas on the 20-acre 颅island, half of which are raised on stilts above the water. When you’re not in one of the eight spa rooms, there’s plenty to do: fish for 颅wahoo and grouper or go sailing in 25-knot winds, or snorkel or scuba with hawksbill turtles, schools of bluestripe snapper, or a few dozen manta rays at one of the island’s 40 dive sites. And while the December swells aren’t as good as the high season’s (April to October), (from $160 per person).

Access: Fly to the capital of Mal茅, then take a barefoot-piloted to the resort.

Trophy Heaven: Great Abaco, Bahamas鈥�

7 incredible island getaways from around the globe

The Bahamas are famous for their beaches and bonefishing. has both鈥攚ith a little luxury thrown in. Blackfly, located in Schooner Bay, opened in March 2013 and is co-owned by Vaughn Cochran, a retired fishing guide, a marine artist, and an original member of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. Each room has a broad veranda (with even broader views) and a custom-made colonial-style bed. Dinner is snapper, tuna, and mahi-mahi caught locally, complemented by organic fruit, vegetables, and eggs from nearby Lightbourn Farm. But all that is just an afterthought to the fishing. Blackfly has use of the only Atlantic-facing harbor in South Abaco鈥�20,500-acre 颅Abaco National Park practically abuts it鈥攚hich means that anglers can stalk 30-pound permit and occasional 80-pound tarpon from six separate fishing zones, along with 12-pound bonefish from schools of up to 200 thick. From $2,300 per person for three nights, all-inclusive.

Access: Several airlines fly to Great Abaco from South Florida (Palm Beach is 175 miles east) and Nassau (106 miles south).

Two for One: Corn Islands, Nicaragua

7 incredible island getaways from around the globe

There was a time when visiting the Caribbean meant empty beaches, limpid waters, plentiful fish to catch (and eat), and ample cheap rum and beer. That idyll still exists on Nicaragua’s Big and Little Corn Islands. You can still score a $10 room on the combined five square miles of land鈥�43 miles off the Caribbean coast颅鈥攁nd $70 gets you a 颅bungalow with private veranda (and 颅electrical outlets) at . Start by beach hopping on the Big Island: try Long Bay for bodysurfing, Sally Peaches for snorkeling, or South West for vegging out with a coco loco鈥攁 coconut and rum cocktail鈥攁t Martha’s bar. You can walk to any of them, but a cab is just 70 cents per person, no matter where you go. Then watch a Sunday baseball game in the 颅island’s 2,000-seat Karen Tucker stadium for $1. 颅

After you’ve had enough of the Big 颅Island, take the daily water taxi 30 minutes to roadless , and rent a bungalow with Wi-Fi, fans, mosquito nets, and hot showers ($30). Little Corn’s position in the Caribbean makes for consistent winds that are ($50 for an intro course). You can also from a panga outfitted with two fighting chairs ($50), or take all that money you saved and splurge on a lobster dinner鈥攊t’s only $14.

Access: Fly round-trip from Managua to Big Corn on ($165). Then take a water taxi between Big and Little Corn ($12 round-trip; head to the Municipal Wharf in Brig Bay).

Simple Solace: Mumbo Island, Malawi

7 incredible island getaways from around the globe

Lake Malawi, a 2,300-foot-deep, 11,400-square-mile gem in southern Africa, is home to 1,000 species of fish鈥攐ne of the highest concentrations on the planet. It’s also the site of half-mile-wide, 250-acre Mumbo 颅Island, one of our favorite out-there getaways. The lake was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1984, and once you get underwater it’s easy to see why. There are more than 400 types of brilliantly colored freshwater tropical fish, like damsels, angelfish, and wrasses. Guests can snorkel or scuba with them past sunken knolls of granite boulders or kayak to the lake’s dozen islands for what Cape Town, South Africa鈥揵ased Kayak Africa calls the top sea-paddling route in southern Africa.

Best of all, the outfitter limits occupancy to 14 guests at a time, putting them up in six furnished bungalows and tents with hammocks, thatched-reed roofs, and hot bucket showers. It’s bare-bones鈥攖here’s no electricity鈥攂ut that’s by design. claims that if all tents and decks were removed, there wouldn’t be a human trace within a year. There’s also plenty to do on dry land. You can watch the hundreds of white-throated cormorants that nest on Mumbo or hike its five one-to-two-mile 颅nature trails past rock fig and baobab trees. But after you’ve had a full day in and on the water, we won’t blame you if you just want to rest in that hammock. From $195 per person per night, all-inclusive.

Access: Fly to Malawi’s Lilongwe Inter颅颅national Airport ( connects through Johannesburg), drive four hours to Cape Mac颅lear, on Lake Malawi’s southern end, and take the 45-minute ferry ride to the island.

Out of Bounds: Niihau, Hawaii

7 incredible island getaways from around the globe

Ever since this 70-square-mile spit of land was purchased in 1864 by Elizabeth Sinclair, a wealthy Scottish farmer, Hawaii’s Forbidden Isle has been most famous for being off-limits. But the wild landscape of arid, red-tinged volcanic terrain is easier to reach than you think: you can still take day trips from Kauai. Join Niihau Helicopters, which will land you on secluded beaches with nothing but shells, translucent water, and a few endangered monk seals ($400 per person; niihau.us). Or with monk seals, spinner dolphins, Galapagos sharks, and humpback whales (three-tank dives from $315).

Access: Trips start and end in Kauai. The 17-mile crossing takes 2.5 hours by boat. Stay at (from $346).

Wild Thing: Niue, South Pacific

7 incredible island getaways from around the globe

Eighteen hundred miles northeast of New Zealand, Niue can feel isolated. News on the island is only broadcast twice a week, swimming is frowned upon on Sundays, and, with just over 1,600 people on 100 square miles of the largest uplifted coral atoll in the world, it’s the least populated self-governing 颅nation on the planet after the Vatican. But the quirks are part of the allure of this rocky cave-ridden island. Visitors can angle for ($55) or from July through September ($101).

But don’t ignore the land. Chasms and caverns perforate the island by the thousands. 颅Until the early 1800s, Niueans inhabited them instead of houses, and even today there are fewer than 100 颅accommodations on Niue. Go for the large studios at the recently opened oceanfront , each of which has a private balcony perched on the rocky shore (from $106). The Huvalu Conservation Area tropical forest covers 13,000 acres, nearly one-quarter of the island, and has plenty of cycling oppor颅tunities. or ride the 42-mile road around the island past beaches and along limestone cliffs (bike rentals, $12 per day).

Access: flies from Auckland weekly鈥攖he 3.5-hour flight crosses the 颅International Date Line, arriving 20.5 hours before it departed.

Easy Living: Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

7 incredible island getaways from around the globe

Many know Jost Van Dyke, one of the handful of inhabited islands in the BVIs, as the barefoot island. Fifteen years ago, it had no electricity and few paved roads. That’s changed, but the atmosphere hasn’t. There are still no brand-name hotels鈥攕tay at , which offers essential amenities like iPod docks and charcoal grills (from $135). Then start with the adventure: rent 12- or 13-foot SUPs from , then head into Great Harbor to paddle near surfacing dolphins ($20 per hour). But take the island’s nickname to heart and spend some time padding between the 50-odd seasonal bars.

, located on White Bay, claims invention of the Painkiller (rum, pineapple juice, OJ, cream of coconut) and serves four-course dinners to the yachting set; boasts one of the biggest Caribbean New Year’s Eve parties in Great Harbor; and does barbecue every Thursday鈥攁nd offers campsites for the inevitable postprandial collapse (equipped sites from $45).

Access: Fly to St. Thomas directly from the East Coast, and 鈥攐r take the 75-minute public ferry from Red Hook, which is 25 minutes by cab from the airport.

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