Return trips

Iceland
Gadling.com says Reykjavik has a thriving art community and a surprisingly active nightlife, and with the economy still struggling a bit, there has never been a more inexpensive time to go.
Our advice A dip in the Blue Lagoon is imperative for its enchanting beauty, but the natural hot spring also is said to cure hangovers. Glowing an incandescent aquamarine, its gauzy, steam-swirling surface tantalizes. Navigate hot spots to find a temperature to your liking, don some complimentary mud from the self-service station or relax in the wooden sauna. It’s the ideal respite after late nights partying and days spent stimulating the economy in Reykjavík.

Peru
Gadling.com says Whether you’re trekking in the Andes, exploring the Amazon or visiting Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines, Peru will impress at every turn.
Our advice Tourism may have started growing only recently in Lima, but food has been serious business for centuries. Indigenous Peruvians were the first to domesticate the potato (so don’t even front, Ireland), and Peru’s typical food (referred to as comida criolla) leans heavily on this tuber and other local veggies like maize and peppers such as ají amarillo and rocoto. Brujas de Cachiche (Calle Bolognesi 472; 511-446-6536 or 511-447-1883) prepares traditional dishes including piqueo criollo (a platter of Peruvian classics, like stuffed potato and corn tamales) and seco de res a la limeña (cilantro-based beef stew) with flair and expertise, and though it’s a bit on the pricey side, you’re also paying for service and cleanliness.

Fort Lauderdale
USA Today says Both JetBlue and Virgin America have added more flights to Fort Lauderdale. Nearby Miami will host the Pro Bowl, making Fort Lauderdale a hot spot for sports fans. It’s also the new home of the world’s largest (for now) cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas.
Our advice It’s never been easier to make an escape to Hollywood, which shares the same airport as Fort Lauderdale. Last winter, airlines offered last-minute deals from Chicago (sign up for weekly newsletters from sites such as travelocity.com or smarterliving.com, and you’ll be alerted to the round-trip tickets that usually go for around $130). Saving so much money getting there can help justify splurging on your hotel. And if you’re going to splurge, there’s no better place than the beachside Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood (3555 S Ocean Dr, 954-602-6000; rates start around $220). You’ll want to spend at least half a day lounging at the hotel’s pools and beachfront area.

Ski destinations
Orbitz says Ski country in North America has had an incredible early season, bountiful with a slew of storms, creating a fantastic base for skiers. We’re seeing bigger hotel discounts for longer lengths of stay, which helps travelers enjoy the snow for a longer period.
Our advice Take a break from skiing and enjoy a drink. Denver brews more beer than any other city in the country, so it’s no surprise the bar scene is jumping—almost to the point that you’ll contemplate staging an intervention for the entire city. Watering holes abound in the LoDo District. Grab a frosty Obamanator Maibock Lager (or three) at the Wynkoop Brewery (1634 18th St, 303-297-2700), then head to the living room–size El Chapultepec (1962 Market St, 303-295-9126) for cold beer, sketchy Mexican food and arguably the best jazz in Colorado. Wind down your evening at the refined yet relaxed Cruise Room (in the Oxford Hotel, 1600 17th St, 303-825-1107). The bartenders pour stiff cocktails and regale you with stories about the bar’s history, such as the fact it opened the day after Prohibition was repealed in 1933.

Charleston
Lonely Planet says This South Carolina city is the United States’ home of aristocracy. Etiquette is something this historic town is proud of, together with its numerous churches and palm-tree lined thoroughfares. The well-groomed locale has a thriving tourism business with notable luxury accommodations, historical sites and recently, a food festival and a Fashion Week.
Our advice No exploration of historic Charleston would be complete without a ferry excursion to the island of Fort Sumter (fortsumtertours.com, $15), where, in 1861, the Civil War’s first shots were fired at the Yankee soldiers huddled inside. The guide gives such a spirited, vivid history lesson, you’d swear he was there himself.

—Compiled by Kevin Aeh

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