Why settle for a beachfront hotel when you can stay right over the ocean in a cottage on stilts? And why settle for any old dive site when you can snorkel in an orchid-walled lagoon? El Nido is known as the Philippines' last frontier, and if you're looking for magnificent beaches in an unspoiled setting, it's a perfect place for you to holiday.

The beaches of tropical Broome aren’t just beautiful—they’re historic. The white-sand Cable Beach is named for an undersea telegraph cable that was laid in the late 1800s, connecting Broome to Singapore. A short hop over the dunes is Minyirr Park, and, on the eastern shore, Town Beach is home to a famous natural phenomenon, the Staircase to the Moon. Time-travel to the prehistoric era by heading to Gantheaume Point to check out 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints.

Yangshuo offers breathtakingly beautiful scenery, particularly along the hill-lined Li River, which you can tour by cruise boat or, if you’re feeling primitive, by bamboo raft. Streets in Yangshuo are kept in their original style, preserving the layout of the ancient city. savoury local specialties like beer fish and shatian shaddocks are served on West Street, one of the town's liveliest thoroughfares. Kids will adore the local butterfly cave.

Colombo is the gateway to Sri Lanka for most travelers—but don’t be tempted to simply pass through this diverse and interesting city. Take a train ride along the coast to Mount Lavinia, a popular beach, or explore the Talangama Wetland, which several TripAdvisor travelers say is the perfect place to take a break from the bustling streets of the city.

Lovely, laid-back Melbourne has something for everyone: family fare, local and international art, haute boutiques, multicultural dining, Australian and Aboriginal history, spectator sports, and pulsing, swanky nightlife. Cruise on the free City Circle Tram loop to check out unique attractions like the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Healesville Sanctuary, which buzzes with local animal species.

Known for its extensive beaches, waterways, and excellent swimming and surfing spots, Port Macquarie provides an appealing stopover for those making their way between Sydney and Brisbane. Add in a great food and wine scene, and it’s worth staying a little longer.

Want to make your co-workers insanely jealous? Just casually drop "I’m holiday making in the Maldives this year" into conversation, preferably in the dead of winter. Or better yet, go there without mentioning it to anyone—then send them a "Wish you were here!" postcard.