OAHU
There’s a reason why honeymooners have made Hawaii’s islands their favourite conjugal pit stop on the way to marital bliss: sheer perfection. And as the most cosmopolitan island in the group—with great shopping, nightlife and history (hello, Pearl Harbor)—Oahu packs a sophisticated, cultural punch to match its natural endowments. The combination is sure to satisfy most tastes...but at a price. Still, if you’re up for spoiling yourselves silly this winter, book a ticket that you won’t regret—even if your bank account might.
. . If you like crowds, Waikiki Beach, along Kalakaua, is the place to play: It’s packed with shoppers, surfers and hangers-on who come for The International Market Place, live seaside jams and surf competitions. Pick up a vintage surf tee at Malibu Shirts, a chic sundress at Honolulu label Tori Richard, and traditional Hawaiian bangles and rings (beloved by Gwen Stefani) from custom jeweller Philip Rickard.
. . Keep on walking north and you’ll reach the sprawling Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa. (Tip: Ask for a room in the exclusive Ali’i Tower, which has a private pool terrace to match its luxe accommodations.) It’s the perfect place to stay if you plan on learning to surf the Pacific’s warm waters—fatherly legend Clyde Aikau gives lessons on the property and guarantees a pop-up on your first day. If time allows, head to the lush North Shore (where Jack Johnson lives and Lost is filmed), the best place to swim with dolphins and turtles.
. . For pre-dinner mango martinis, head to the Sheraton Waikiki’s swank Hanohano Room, which offers striking pano-ramic views to Diamond Head—a popular hike—and Waikiki Beach. But be sure to stray from the shore and visit downtown Honolulu, which boasts beautiful historical buildings—such as Iolani Palace—that prove this ain’t no ordinary beach town. Those in the know dine and dance at Indigo Eurasian Cuisine, where they nibble on the East-meets-West menu, sip sake martinis under Asian lanterns and steal kisses on candlelit terraces. For more info, visit gohawaii.com/oahu

BELIZE
Though not quite as popular as Mexico—its neighbour to the north—Belize attracts those who are looking for adventure off the beaten path. An impressive melting pot of Spanish, African, Mayan, English and East Indian cultures, the English-speaking nation offers plenty to explore, including jungles, caves, Mayan ruins, atolls and the world’s second-largest barrier reef.
. . For a rainforest adventure, Chaa Creek’s eco-resort is a must-visit. Located in Belize’s interior, it features luxe cottages and a spa over its 365-acre private nature reserve. Ride horseback, go spelunking, sign up for a creepy Creatures of the Night tour, take a sunset paddle along the Macal River or visit one of the many nearby Mayan sites.
. . If you have snorkelling and scuba diving in mind, stay in Placencia, a laid-back boho beach town that features a beach-bazaar strip of cute artisanal shops and access to some of the nation’s best stretches of sand. All the rooms at The Inn at Robert’s Grove look out to the Caribbean Sea, and each building has its own rooftop Jacuzzi. But for a true castaway experience, book a cabana on one of the inn’s private island getaways—Robert’s Caye or Ranguana Caye.
. . After a few days of solitude with your honey, you’ll probably be ready to mix with the locals. The best place for this is San Pedro, on Ambergris Caye, which has plenty of casual seaside pubs and restos to choose from. Though a little out of the way, Matachica Beach Resort and Azul Resort are worth the trek. With its charbroiled seafood and homemade pastas garnished with fresh-from-the-garden herbs, Matachica’s Mambo restaurant is considered one of the best in the country, while Azul’s palapa lounge is the sexiest place to sip frozen mojitos by the water’s edge. For more info, visit travelbelize.org

MIAMI
Easy to get to, relatively affordable and usually reliable weather-wise, Florida is Canadians’ number one winter getaway. But if your bedtime extends past sunset, you’ll tire of those seashell-hawking plazas pretty quickly. Fortunately, there’s Miami, which offers great shopping and sunbathing, along with its Latin flair, art deco architecture and vibrant nightlife.
. . Much of the action lies along Washington Avenue (for those looking to get Miami Ink-ed!), Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive in South Beach, where hotels like The Tides and Delano are star favourites. While these tabs run high, Miami has more than its share of affordable yet chic boutique hotels—including Vincci South Beach, The Standard and Townhouse Hotel—so you don’t have to sacrifice style for financial comfort in this appearance-conscious town.
. . During the day, hipsters flock to The Raleigh Hotel for its gorgeous terrace, lunching and enjoying happy hour under the cover of sea grape trees. Take a moment to splurge on a Tibetan hot-stone massage for two in one of The Setai’s double treatment rooms, or dine at The Restaurant at The Setai and bask in the glam Asian charm of this evening hot spot. Later, get your groove on at Skybar Miami Beach’s balmy rooftop party.
. . But don’t sleep in too late: Miami has great shops to browse as well. Stroll along pedestrian-friendly Lincoln Road for killer vintage threads at Fly Boutique and Nicole Richie-style tunics and jersey dresses (they’re the uniform here) at the myriad indie boutiques along the way. And watch out for the Art Basel Miami Beach event in December, which turns Miami into one giant art fair. Then, of course, there’s Miami’s main attraction: its infamous beach and the hot bods strewn across it. The sea-side bars will call with crowds as the afternoon progresses, but don’t miss a dip in the city’s gorgeous waters. For more info, visit miamiandbeaches.com


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• Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Beachcombers love its natural beauty: white beaches and peaceful inlets for kayaking at dawn. loscabosguide.com
• The Whitsundays, Queensland, Australia Among these 74 tropical islands spread over the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s most beautiful ribbon of sand: Whitehaven Beach. whitsundaytourism.com
  
• Tunisia Embrace the exotic and step into another world, where you can rock the casbah in the middle of the desert. tourismtunisia.com
  
• Bali Whether you’re in a cheap or wildly expensive resort, the Balinese pull out all the stops to make you feel welcome. bali.my-indonesia.info
  
• Bermuda Think pink: Drink pink champagne on pink sand beaches, watching pink sunsets. bermudatourism.com

ASPEN
When cowboy culture meets moneyed ski resort, the result is Aspen. (Second) home to stars like Antonio Banderas and Kevin Costner—not to mention its celeb-drawing annual Aspen Filmfest (not as big as Sundance, but it has street cred)—this ski town is the place to be seen, but you better be wearing something truly fabulous. (Jeans are fine as long as they have a designer pedigree.)
. . Make the gorgeous Sky Hotel your home base. Designed to be as cool as the surrounding Rocky Mountains, it’s one of the town’s must-stops before the clubs click into high gear, as hipsters sip lychee in its 39 Degrees lounge. High marks also go to the hotel’s outdoor heated pool and hot tub, where you can get bar service year-round.
. . Do as the locals do and take part in a bustling après-ski scene, which begins with dinner at an eatery helmed by a superstar chef like Todd English (Olives Aspen) or Nobu Matsuhisa (Matsuhisa Aspen) or at one of the more than 80 restaurants jammed into a 1.6-kilometre radius. Then swivel your hips at places like Belly Up Aspen (great for live music) and Club Chelsea (where DJs rock the house until the wee hours).
. . If you’re feeling a bit weary from your late-night escapades, get the knots in your muscles untied by taking a Pilates class and getting a massage at The Aspen Club & Spa. On your way to hitting the slopes, stop by Paradise Bakery and get your sugar buzz from its yummy fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies. Now you’re ready to ski—and that’s the star attraction of Aspen, bar none. Aspen Mountain and Highlands offer challenging rides, while snowboarders will love the terrain parks at Snowmass. For more info, visit aspenchamber.org

ICELAND
Though just 300,000 people live in the country, it seems that many dig a good party. Their love of nightlife puts Iceland on the map as an adventurous club hoppers’ paradise. In the winter, you’ll find the downtown clubs of Reykjavik packed with locals and tourists alike, eating and drinking with the enthusiasm of Vikings, the country’s original settlers.
. . Vegamót bistro and bar is a good place to warm up for the night, dining on fish (foodies swear by it) and relaxing over cocktails. It’s a laid-back spot that isn’t obnoxiously loud, so your partner can still hear your sweet nothings—at least until it turns into a nightclub later in the evening. Next, hit the dance floor at Rex Bar, a slick London-style club (read grand and loud) that’s a magnet for celebrities like Björk and Bono. Try the local drink, Brennivín, a type of schnapps made from fermented potato pulp and flavoured with caraway seeds. Go easy on it, though: The locals call it “black death.”
. . When the last remnants of their hangovers disappear, visitors can explore the dramatic scenery, from glaciers to geysers. Winter skiing—both downhill and cross-country—is available in many parts of the country. Popular spots include Blafjoll, near Reykjavik, and Hlidarfjall, near Akureyri. Or, take a glacier tour by bus or four-wheel drive vehicle. “Safaris” in modified jeeps are also available. (But don’t go on your own, as there are hidden cracks in the glaciers; go with an organized tour instead.)
. . Visitors also flock to the famous Blue Lagoon, where an outdoor pool of hot geothermal water awaits them. It’s a must-visit, but it’ll cost you about $30 for the day. If you’re going to make a habit of soaking, buy a Reykjavik Tourist Card, which will save you some kronur (the local currency). It will give you access to the capital’s seven thermal pools, as well as to major museums and attractions like the National Gallery of Iceland and The Culture House, for about $19 for 24 hours. At night, bed down in luxury at the 4th Floor Hotel, complete with zebra-striped bedspreads and flat-screen TVs. For more info, visit visiticeland.com

OTTAWA
Our nation’s capital might have a reputation for being a bureaucratic, buttoned-up city, but its surprisingly laid-back spirit makes it the perfect—and inexpensive—place to chill out over the holidays.
. . Outdoorsy couples who aren’t afraid of the cold can get romantic with a hand-in-hand skate along the Rideau Canal, a freshly designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and, at 7.8 kilometres long, the world’s largest skating rink! Afterwards, be sure to share a cinnamon-and-sugar-coated BeaverTails pastry, an Ottawa specialty served warm. If you’re craving tranquility and a place where the only footprints might be yours, head to the hills of nearby Gatineau Park. Rent snowshoes and crunch your way along 165 kilometres of trails, then warm up over afternoon tea at Zoé’s Lounge at the Fairmont Château Laurier.
. . If you’re looking to flee the great outdoors, keep warm inside one of the country’s best museums: The Canadian Museum of Civilization. It’s a funky architectural gem that combines everything from totem poles to ceiling paintings. Check out the museum’s The Post Goes Pop exhibition, an homage to snail mail with clips from TV shows like The Simpsons and Survivor. Or, for a little pampering, try a blissful shiatsu massage at Holtz Spa.
. . At night, swing by Restaurant 18, a stylish place to sip martinis (try the Sumo, a yummy sake-based concoction) and nibble on tuna “kabobs.” Later, head to Mambo, a new Latino resto-club with terrific tapas and music. It’s a hot antidote to the chill of Winterlude, the popular festival that runs from February 1 to 17, 2008. (Tip: If you’re coming to town during the festival, book a hotel room early.) After a long day’s festivities, check into the contemporary cachet of Hotel Indigo, the city’s newest boutique hotel. For more info, visit ottawatourism.ca


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• Banff, Alberta It’s a one-size-fits-all destination with hot springs, hopping bars, chic eateries and the pristine beauty of the Rockies. banfflakelouise.com
  
• Prague, Czech Republic History stands still in this wonderfully preserved city filled with cobblestone streets that are perfect for romantic winter walks. czechtourism.com
  
• Stowe, Vermont This pint-size state is big on value (especially with the strong Canuck buck), so book a chalet with a real fireplace and cozy up after skiing. gostowe.com
  
• Chamonix, France In the shadow of Mont Blanc (the highest summit in western Europe), this town attracts snow worshippers who like their exercise on the wild side. chamonix.com
  
• Zermatt, Switzerland Home of the iconic Matterhorn, this ski town is abuzz with outdoorsy types who love to swig beer, eat gooey raclette (melted cheese scooped up with chunks of bread or potatoes) and party hearty. zermatt.ch