Photo of the Day – Flamingo Beach, Aruba
When visiting the Caribbean island of Aruba, most people head straight for the mega-resorts along the expansive stretch of white sand known as Palm Beach. But there are some advantages to staying in the main town of Oranjestad. One of the best perks of staying downtown at the Renaissance Aruba is the access to the resort’s private island, Renaissance Island, just a short boat ride away. The island has two beaches, Iguana Beach for families and Flamingo Beach for adults. While both are equally fabulous in sand and surf, Flamingo wins the prize for wildlife. About a dozen pink flamingos prance around the shoreline drinking seawater and searching for food. In fact, if you buy a few pellets of food from one of the nearby machines, they will eat right out of your hands. Definitely one of my favorite beach-side animal encounters anywhere and the highlight of my stay on Aruba!
Photo of the Day – Flic en Flac, Mauritius
More than 1,200 miles off the African coast, the island nation of Mauritius is one of the Indian Ocean’s top destinations. This multi-cultural island is known for spectacular beaches and Flic en Flac is one of its best. With soft white sands and an emerald lagoon protected by a coral reef, Flic en Flac is home to several luxury resorts making it a great place to base for exploring the island or just to spend an afternoon. Nearby, take a walk on the wide side at Casela Nature Park. It’s one of only three places in the world where you can get up close and personal with lions, tigers and cheetahs. Be sure to book in advance for their popular “Walk with Lions” experience, it often fills up fast!
Photo of the Day – Molokini Canoe, W Maldives
It is perhaps the world’s most magnificent airport transfer. Within minutes of landing at the international airport on the island of Malé, you’re comfortably seated in the tranquil serenity of the W seaplane lounge. In a blink, you’re up in the air again and getting your first glimpse of the hundreds of idyllic rings of sand that make up this tiny island nation as a barefoot pilot navigates your seaplane over paradise. As you touch down with a spray of turquoise sea and taxi to the W-embossed dock of the W Retreat & Spa Maldives you quickly realize you’ve arrived…in more ways than one. It’s your own private island surrounded by vibrant reefs and sparkling lagoons, dotted with luxurious retreats perched over the sea. Dive, snorkel, try out the Molokini “transparent glass” canoe or simply do nothing at all as you gaze upon the endless blues of the Indian Ocean. It truly is…heaven on sand.
Photo of the Day – The Burj Al Arab, Dubai
It’s often referred to as the world’s only 7-star hotel and when I spent one extravagant night here on Round the World #1, it was easy to see why. Sitting just offshore on a private, man-made island, the billowing architecture of the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab has defined the Dubai skyline since 1999 and just might be the most luxurious hotel on the planet. All rooms are spacious 2-story suites ranging from 1,800 square feet to over 8,000 square feet. Looking down from the 18th floor in this picture, the concierge desks visible on each floor are just one aspect of the personalized service provided. Each suite also comes with a personal butler to cater to your every whim. From the Rolls-Royce pick-up at the airport to the panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf to the full-size Hermès bath products, this hotel was first-class all the way and truly made me feel like a princess for a day. It wasn’t just a hotel, it was an experience.
Photo of the Day – Positano, Italy
It was late January, 2009, and I was three stops in to my 4th annual trip around the world. For my Europe stop that year, I chose a region of Italy that I had always dreamed of visiting, the Amalfi Coast. Since it was the middle of winter and many of the hotels were closed, I stayed in nearby Sorrento and took advantage of the local bus to visit Amalfi and Positano. While Amalfi was lovely, it was the beauty of Positano that really captured my heart. I wandered the twisting, narrow, staircase-like streets that day discovering new wonders around every corner. It was completely absent of tourists and it was magic. Perhaps John Steinbeck said it best in his 1953 essay for Harper’s Bazaar when he wrote, “It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.”
Photo of the Day – Hill Inlet, Whitsunday Island, Australia
Situated just off the central coast of Queensland, Australia, the collection of continental islands known as the Whitsunday Islands are a popular home base for visitors to the Great Barrier Reef. At the center of the island group, the largest and arguably the most beautiful, is Whitsunday Island. Stretching more than 4 miles along the coast of the island, the sand of Whitehaven Beach is made up of 98% pure silica and was named the world’s top Eco Friendly Beach by CNN.com in 2010. The dramatic swirls of sand and sea known as Hill Inlet are a stunning sight from the air and made an already incredible helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef one of my most memorable travel experiences ever.
Photo of the Day – Stone Town, Zanzibar
As the historic center of Zanzibar’s capital city, Stone Town is a World Heritage site and said to be the only functioning ancient town remaining in East Africa. One of the most prominent examples of early Christian architecture in the region is Stone Town’s landmark Anglican cathedral, Christ Church. Built in 1873 on the site of the largest slave market in Zanzibar, its construction was intended to celebrate the end of slavery. In the nearby square stands a well-known monument to the slaves and a museum of slavery. It’s an historic part of the Spice Island’s past and a must-visit while exploring the capital city.
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I'm Jenny McIver, career girl, globetrotter. On New Year's Day, 2005, a newspaper article about a man who took a trip around the world sparked a wanderlust in me that has yet to abate. I spent the following year planning my own trip-of-a-lifetime and have since made it into an annual, month-long adventure visiting and writing about more than 130 countries on all 7 continents along the way - all while maintaining a full-time career. Today, my goal is to be that spark of inspiration for others by proving that you can fulfill your wildest travel dreams without quitting your day job. 
