Photo courtesy of worldtennismagazine.com

It’s that time of the year again… time for lists. To-do’s, resolutions, and the New York Times 45 Places to Go in 2012, of course. So, if you’re resolved to travel more this year, use this to check a few things off your list. Here are some of our favorites!

#3 Myanmar – After the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from 15 years of house arrest and the lifting of the boycott against the authoritarian regime that kept the country isolated, Myanmar is ready to share cultural treasures and deserted beaches. Experience the remarkable beauty, romance, and mystery of Myanmar aboard the luxurious Orient-Express’ “Road to Mandalay” as it cruises down the Ayeyarwady River.

#4 London – Between the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Queen’s 60^th year on the throne, the summer Olympic Games, and the 200^th birthday of Charles Dickens, there is a bevy of reasons to visit London this year. For the ultimate posh location, we recommend the Metropolitan London with its incredible views of Hyde Park and award-winning Nobu restaurant. For a more sanctuary-like hotel, the 5-star Halkin in discreet Belgravia may be more up your alley.

#6 Tokyo – It’s no secret that Tokyo had a tough 2011, which is why there is no better time to travel there than 2012. Due to a decrease in tourism and business travel, rates are down without sacrificing luxury and attention to detail. Staying at the “Lost in Translation”  Park Hyatt Tokyo is now better than ever.

#11 Moscow – For those who love history and art, this is the city to visit. Between the reopening of the extravagantly renovated Bolshoi Theater in October and the opening of the Russian Icon Museum, you will find no shortage of things to do here. Located just yards away from the Bolshoi Theater, the five-star Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow is in the prime location to explore this unique city.

#14 San Diego – If you’re looking for good times, good people, and great beer, San Diego should definitely be on your list of places to go this year. If you want to throw in a game of golf before or after your tastings, definitely stay at the Park Hyatt Aviara.

#27 Maldives – It seems that everyone is traveling to the Maldives now-a-days, and it’s no secret why. It’s necklace of 26 tropical atolls in the Indian Ocean make it a place where you can find something that everyone in the family wants to do – scuba dive, fish, surf, or just relax in the pristine sand. There are so many different resorts to choose from – here are our favorites: Park Hyatt Maldives, Anatara Dhigu Resorts & Spas, Anantara Veli Resorts & Spas, Anantara Kihavah Villas, Naladhu, and Cocoa Island.

If you like to “kill two birds with one stone”, you’ll need to check out Crystal Cruises. Their ships plan to drop anchor in each of these destinations in 2012: #1 Panama City; #22 Paraty, Brazil; and #36 Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas has a diverse and educated staff at every property – many of whom also use the grounds to pursue their personal interests. In the Maldives, Lindsay Sullivan serves as resident marine scientist and loves being able to share her passion for the underwater world with guests.

Lindsay leads Anantara’s Dolphin Quest, guides snorkelling excursions, is the resident Dive Master, and has established a coral nursery to rehabilitate damaged pieces. She replants broken coral and stresses reef conservation to locals. In the future, she hopes to work as reef consultant and travel the world, though her first love is the beautiful dive spots in the Maldives.

Who wants to pay for a to-go coffee every morning on vacation? When you’re only alternative is the less-than-appealing packets of instant coffee and powder creamers, what’s a traveler to do? A recent article from USA Today observed that hotels are offering a more sophisticated approach to our society’s caffeine addiction with in-room amenities that really make the cut. Stay at an Anantara Hotels, Resorts, & Spas properties in Bali, Thailand, the Maldives, or the UAE, and get the cream of the crop; all 12 have Nespresso machines in each room. Let the buzz begin!

Ever wish for just one more day of vacation? Now take it – without paying for it – at any Anantara property worldwide. The Stay 4, Pay 3 deal is available for all bookings from now through December 19, 2010 for stays through April 30, 2011 (with one exception of Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa in the Maldives, where you’ll instead stay 8 and pay 7). The hardest part will be deciding if you would rather take an elephant ride to your massage following yoga at Anantara Golden Triangle or head to Anantara Dhigu for an accelerated ride on Mr. Cayago, the Lamborghini of water rockets, to cruise the lagoon (above, or under, water) at 13 mph.

All rates are subject to service charges and applicable government and local taxes and offer is subject to availability at each of the resorts. We wish you luck with this decision!

We are still following the wedding bell trail of Katy Perry and Russell Brand as they continue their nuptial celebration in another of our favorite locales, the Maldives. Unfortunately, it looks like the couple is off to a bumpy start with paparazzi stalking and spider bites as they island hop.

We suggest if the happy couple wants to lose the cameras, Anantara’s Naladhu  offers the best retreat. The nineteen houses are on a private island in the South Malé Atoll and the resort is the most intimate of Anantara’s Maldives properties. After a few days of total privacy, the couple can add some adventure to the mix with Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa’s PADI Dive Center or on the resort’s Whale Submarine for an excursion 130 feet below the surface.  (Guests can hop between all Anantara properties in the Maldives).

Given the lifestyle of the rich and famous leaves plenty of playtime, stick around until January for the opening of Anantara Kihavah Villas which will feature 82 spacious overwater and beachfront villas furnished with private pools, wooden sundecks, outdoor showers and over-sized bathtubs built for two. The resort’s signature restaurant, Sea.Salt.Fire.Ice, will feature a salt sommelier and, the best yet, the restaurant and wine cellar are underwater.  (reword, sounds funny)

There’s a reason the Maldives is the spot for matrimony merriment.

Hailing from Australia, Mr. Hogan will spend the month working on his signature aboriginal art.  While we think the beaches and spa treatments could pose a distraction, the serenity and peaceful vibe that is synonymous with Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas should be just the thing to get those creative juices flowing.  We can’t wait to post the results!

For the laidback couple: beach time

Riviera Maya, Mexico

Rosewood Mayakoba  knows that running around town to pick up save the dates, sample wedding cakes and find the perfect dress is hard work, even with the help of a great wedding planner or maid of honor so the five-night “Honeymoon Mayan Romance” package begins with top-shelf tequila upon arrival, and is all about chilling out. Take a Tantric Yoga class and enjoy a Moonlight Massage for two on your suite terrace. Glory in your private plunge pool and butler and end the day in an Aroma Bath with champagne and chocolate. You’ll also get a Couple’s Massage instruction session with 30 minutes of “alone time.” Let stress slip away at this gorgeous resort, nestled between the Yucatán jungle and Caribbean Sea that marries high design with serious luxury. Rates start at $1152 per night.

Visit www.rosewoodmayakoba.com or 888-ROSEWOOD for more details.

Maldives

At Naladhu, the Island Romance package begins before you even reach the property. A speedboat will meet you as you leave the airport to take you directly to this Maldivian island resort. A House Master will lead you to your private house, where Champagne cocktails and fruit are waiting. Spend the day by the pool or snorkeling in the reef then relax with a complimentary coconut milk bath for two. As if that wasn’t enough, chocolate cake to share is included!  Nightly rates for the Island Romance package begin at $1,475 per night with a four-night minimum (rate excludes service charge and Maldivian government bed tax).

 For the stress-crazed couple: inner peace

 Bali

Begin your journey together in Bali’s spiritual heartland, at the COMO Shambhala Estate, with a Wellness Program tailored to your needs. Give your marriage the brightest possible beginning by learning how to stress-battling techniques based on the philosophies of Yoga, Chi Kung and Tai Chi. Then let the experts in holistic healthcare go to work using massage, acupuncture, Ayurvedic therapy and hydrotherapy (using water from the Estate’s sacred, mineral-rich spring). Rates begin at $2,100 for a three night Stress Management program in a Garden Room. Visit http://www.cse.como.bz/rates-2010 for more details.

Turks & Caicos

Stay at Parrot Cay and simply ‘be’ as a couple in one of the few pristine places in the Caribbean: a 1,000-acre private island where the spacious, teak-filled bedrooms spill out onto a mile of powder soft beach. Recover from the pre-wedding jitters with complimentary extras like Pilates and yoga classes and use of windsurf boards and catamarans. A seven-night Parrot Cay Honeymoon also includes 60-minute couples massage, a candlelit dinner in the COMO Shambhala Cottage and a bottle of champagne on arrival. (BONUS: The COMO Shambhala Stress Management program is available here as well!) Rates start at $6,012 per couple.

For the classic couple: New England whimsy

 Nantucket, Massachusetts

The Wauwinet, a natural, stunning waterfront setting in Nantucket, is perfect for the couple that doesn’t want to go stray too far from home. Newlyweds can stay at one of the Wauwinet’s charming garden cottages, just slightly removed from the main buildings. Arrive at the hotel via the Wauwinet Lady, the hotel’s private charter, then indulge in couples treatments at The Spa by the Sea. With Nantucket Island Resort’s Hot Dates, Cool Rates promotion, rates at the Wauwinet start at $225 for 2010.

For the foodie couple: Southwest seasoning

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Stay at the Inn on the Alameda and explore our oldest capital city’s culinary and cultural delights for your honeymoon. With the Taste the City Different package, couples can take a three-hour walking tour around beautiful and historic Santa Fe with a chef guide to introduce you to the city’s most unique dining destinations. The next day, see who’s got better mincing skills with a cooking class and lunch to follow. When you’ve had your fill, the hotel’s Kiva fireplaces, triple-sheeted beds, and afternoon wine and cheese will be waiting. Don’t forget to bring home those authentic Southwestern recipes ‘por dos.’ Rates begin at $675 for a three-night package.

 For the adventurous couple: exotic escapades

Bhutan

Honeymoon in the largely unspoiled kingdom of Bhutan, and participate in adventurous activities that include rafting, archery, camping and fly-fishing at Uma Paro. Then hit the road with biking and trekking courses that visit local monasteries and villages for a slice of culture.  And don’t forget, the Bhutanese measure their wealth in Gross National Happiness, so the joy of recently married duos will certainly spike that statistic! Stay in a Como Suite and you’ll have a stunning 180 degree view of the Paro Valley. Rates start at $595 per night.

 Chiang Saen, Thailand

High in the rolling hills of Thailand’s north, Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa  is the perfect locale for the adventurous honeymooners to hang their hats before setting off for an unforgettable adventure.  Never a dull moment at the resort, couples can learn to ride, bathe, and feed Thai Asian elephants at the on-site elephant camp.  Choose the Mahout Discovery package for a three-day intensive mahout training course and learn all the sublties of elephant driving, or partake on a tri-country expedition on the Mekong through northern Thailand, Laos, and Burma, with the Three Country Discovery package.  Nightly rates for the Mahout Discovery package begin at $480 for a Deluxe Room, double occupancy, and at $682 for a Deluxe Room, double occupancy, for the Three Country Discovery package. Certain restrictions and conditions apply. Please refer to the package links for details.

For the couple who wants it all: beach, adventure, culture

Changlang Beach, Trang, Thailand

Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa in Thailand will satisfy the couple looking for an unforgettably full cultural experience. Try pretty much every water sport imaginable, from sailing, snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, waterskiing, to even swimming with sea cows! Need something to hang beside the marriage certificate? Get scuba-certified on site with the resorts 5-star PADI scuba diving center. And you both can learn how to prepare a full Thai meal with staff-led cooking classes.  More creative couples can partake in the art of Kae-Sa-Luk, Thai fruit and vegetable carving.  Book your stay online 40 days in advance between now and December 20, and receive 20% off and daily breakfast buffet for two with the Early Bird Bonus special package. Nightly rates begin at $270 for a Deluxe Garden Terrace room.

LOVE to get away? In 2010, Valentine’s Day and President’s Day coincide, so take your partner or your posse on a trip without using all of your vacation days!  It’s never to early to start planning a “True Love Tryst” or a “Singles Escape!”

True Love Trysts

Run away to: The Maldives

Stay at: Naladhu

What:  The romance begins when you step out of the airport and onto the speedboat that will take you directly to this Maldivian island resort. A House Master will lead you to your private house, where Champagne cocktails and fruit are waiting. Spend the day by the pool or snorkeling in the reef then relax with a complimentary coconut milk bath for two.

As if that wasn’t enough: Chocolate cake to share is included!

How much: The “Island Romance” package starts at start at $1474 for an Ocean House. Visit http://naladhu.anantara.com/Island-Romance/default.aspx for more information.

Run away to: The Mayan Riviera

Stay at: Rosewood Mayakobá

What:  The five-night “Mayan Romance” package is all about relaxation. Take a Tantric Yoga class and enjoy a Moonlight Massage for two on your suite terrace. Then soothe your muscles in an Aroma Bath with champagne and chocolate and you’ll be on your way to rekindling that fire all day, and night, long.

As if that wasn’t enough: You’ll also get a Couple’s Massage instruction session with 30 minutes of “alone time.”

How much: Package rates start at $810 per day, minimum 5-nights. Visit http://www.rosewoodmayakoba.com/en/specialoffers.cfm for details.

Run away to: Moscow

Stay at: Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow

What:  For the lovebirds who are itching to get out of the nest, this city was made for you to explore together.  Visit Lenin’s Mausoleum in Red Square and the Kremlin in the old city center. For a classically romantic evening go ice skating on Gorky Park ponds, transformed into rinks for the winter.

As if that wasn’t enough: The “Romance at the Park” package allows a 4PM checkout, so spend the afternoon in bed!

How much: Check http://moscow.park.hyatt.com for best available rates.

Run away to: Turks and Caicos

Stay at: Parrot Cay

What: Leave your boots behind and grab your swimsuits! After an afternoon of white sand beaches and turquoise waters, rent out the COMO Shambhala Cottage for your Valentine’s Day dinner. This screened-in cottage overlooks the nearby wetlands and is decorated with candles and tropical flowers.

As if that wasn’t enough: The resort lets you set the mood with your own music!

How much: Rental cost including service is $400 (excluding food and beverage) and rates start at $775 per night for a Garden View Room. See http://www.parrotcay.como.bz/rates for booking details.

Run away to: Geneva

Stay at: La Réserve Genève Hotel and Spa

What:  Fashioned along the lines of an African Lodge by renowned designer Jacques Garcia, La Réserve Genève is sophisticated yet playful. With ten acres of private gardens and beaches on the shores of Lake Geneva, you’ll find everything you need including two excellent restaurants, a stylish bar with live DJ, a full-service spa, and even its own vineyard.  For added romance, arrive to the hotel by Venetian motorboat – a complimentary service that whisks guests to and from Geneva.

As if that wasn’t enough: Reluctant to leave the little ones behind? Bring the kids to La Petite Réserve, where they can play in an open-air playground, a magical tree house, or the indoor childcare center.

How much: Rates start at $450.  Visit http://www.lareserve.ch/english/ for more details.

Singles Escapes

Run away to: London

Stay At: The Metropolitan

What: Call your best friend and go visit Union Jack. For the girls, the Met London’s “Tote-to-Toe” package includes overnight accommodation for two, £50 ($80!) worth of Selfridge’s vouchers, a bottle of champagne, and a priority reservation at the uber-trendy Japanese restaurant NOBU. For the guys, the Met recommends some ‘arty boozing’ in Camden Town at Proud, a gallery and bar in a former Victorian Horse Hospital.

As if that wasn’t enough: As a guest of the hotel, you have access to the chic members-only Met Bar.

How much: Tote-to-Toe starts at $472 per night in a King Park room and a City Room starts at $595. Visit http://www.metropolitan.london.como.bz/ for more information.

Run away to: Miami

Stay At: Acqualina Resort and Spa

What: Recover from a recent heartbreak with a little pampering. Guests at Acqualina receive complimentary access to the ESPA spa’s steam rooms and Finnish saunas. Then hit the town along with the scantily clad residents and reward your suffering with a fun weekend fling.

As if that wasn’t enough: Each day of your stay you’ll receive a $40 spa treatment credit. Massage the pain away!

How much: See http://www.acqualinaresort.com/rooms-suites/special-packages/ for more information.

Run away to: Buenos Aires

Stay At: Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires

What: Return to the pre-breakup pleasures of a bottle of great (Argentine) wine with friends at the Palacio Duhau’s Restaurant and Vinoteca. Book the “Culture at the Park” package and get two Tango lessons, then take your skills out on the town and dance the night away.

As if that wasn’t enough: The stunning property combines a restored Palace and new building, has its own art gallery, and an 8,000 square foot spa.

How much:  Visit the Special Offers page at http://www.buenosaires.park.hyatt.com for best available rates.

Run away to: Bali

Stay At: Uma Ubud

What: Go far, far away to get over that ex and regroup mind, body and soul. With the “Ubud Escape” you’ll visit local villages, temples and artisans’ workshops.  Get a 60-minute COMO Shambala or Indonesian massage, a daily Yoga class, and a daily group guided walk.

As if that wasn’t enough: Included is a three-course dinner at Kemiri, the open air restaurant next to a waterfall-fed pond.

How much: The Ubud Escape starts at $665 per room, double occupancy. Visit http://www.uma.ubud.como.bz for more information

Supermodel Kate Moss paid a visit to Maldivian luxury resort, Naladhu, this past week, and what did she think of her holiday? Loved it! In fact, she told a staffer that it was her best holiday ever.

The 19 individually decorated private villas are hotter than ever, attracting celebrities and star gazers alike to the pristine, white sand beaches of Velighandu Huraa island. What would a private house with an outdoor bath, infinity pool, Wi-Fi, Bose home theater system, and view of the Indian Ocean cost? $2,420 per night from now until December. The cost of seeing Kate Moss on the beach? Priceless.

What’s hot weather without the beach? Three months of packed public transportation, overcrowded highways, and dripping air conditioners, that’s what. So beat the heat by heading for the coast and finding some surprisingly good deals in a few of the world’s most popular vacation spots.

Nantucket

Nantucket is the quintessential East Coast island experience, combining Ralph Lauren glamour with Norman Rockwell tradition. From the whitewashed, shingled houses to the cobblestone roads in Town, the island evokes a quaint yet luxurious ambience.

Enjoy a weekend at The Wauwinet, a premier American country house and Nantucket’s only Relais & Châteaux property. The Wauwinet is nestled in a stunning natural setting on the northeast tip of the island, featuring both ocean and bay views. Nine miles from the heart of Nantucket town, The Wauwinet is the island’s most luxurious hotel, with highly personalized service and elegant, private guest rooms. Newly opened in May 2007, The Wauwinet’s Spa by the Sea uses local and sea-inspired ingredients in the treatments. Holistic health can be achieved here through exercise (yoga, organized beach walks, and hikes), proper diet (a spa lunch menu has been designed by TOPPER’S Chef David Daniels) and the spa’s refreshing selection of massages, facials, and body treatments. (www.thewauwinet.com)

For the guest who would like an “urban” island vacation, the historic landmark White Elephant is nestled at the water’s edge and within walking distance of cobblestoned Main Street, where a wide selection of beaches, golf courses, and historic tours are just steps away. Welcoming guests since the 1920s, White Elephant has offered almost 90 years of superior accommodations along with its spectacular views of Nantucket’s bustling harbor. The lawn offers a relaxing locale to sip pineapple refreshments following a treatment at the recently added White Elephant Spa. Brant Point Grill, Nantucket’s premier seafood and steakhouse, adds the new BPG Oyster Co. bringing a new twist to the already seemingly endless seafood options, with more lobster and oyster combinations than you can shake a fist at. 53 large guestrooms offer a mix of single bedrooms and two-room suites, many are equipped with fireplaces and harbor views. The 11 Garden Cottages feature renovated one-, two-, and three-bedrooms with views of the surrounding lush gardens and are ideal for guests enjoying extended vacations. (www.whiteelephanthotel.com)

Seminyak, Bali

What could be a better place than Bali’s beaches to experience the best of the island’s offerings? Anantara Seminyak Bali is quickly asserting itself as the place to stay in Bali’s hottest place to be. With each suite measuring 800 square feet, the whole crew could bunk in one of these rooms. The extensive glass paneling façades of the resort’s buildings brings the vast waterscape into the interiors – even the bathrooms offer sea views. Guests can continue to enjoy the coastal views from their suite’s large wooden balconies with open-air terrazzo tubs for two. For even more views, venture to the resort’s stunning rooftop bar, Sunset on Six. During the day it’s the perfect informal spot to relax while sipping on the bar’s signature cocktail, but things kick up a notch when the sun sets as world-renowned DJs spin the latest in hip-hop and dance. Rumor has it as the new Ku De Ta. (http://bali.anantara.com/)

Anantara Resort, The Maldives

Anantara is true to its name (meaning “borderless waters” in Sanskrit) at its resort in the Maldives. Here Anantara Maldives offers both overwater and beachfront suites. Highlighting the boundless nature of water, glass panels are worked into the floors of overwater suites and overwater spa treatment suites providing a glimpse into the sea below. Anantara Maldives features the first overwater Thai restaurant in the Maldives, Baan Huraa, accessible only by dhoni (the traditional Maldivian boat). Activities abound and include the resorts’ PADI 5 diving school, sea-plane flights, cooking classes and deserted island adventures. (http://maldives.anantara.com/)

Cocoa Island, The Maldives

Cocoa Island, of COMO Hotels & Resorts, is located on its own house reef in the South Male atoll in the Maldives. Its own reef and completely natural beaches assures it as the perfect spot for diving and snorkeling. The island is long and thin with sand snaking out into a perfect spit that disappears with the evening tide. At Cocoa, the style is deliberately restrained – a simple yet sophisticated mix of the contemporary and indigenous. Certain room types occupy converted ‘dhoni’ boats, as used by Maldivian fishermen and overhang the lagoon. Natural materials are carried through to the interiors, with high raftered ceilings and glossy teak flooring. The inside/outside space merges on the horizon-side, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows opening up to a substantial deck for slipping in and out of the water. These same decks ensure privacy for lounging in the sun, or a place for quiet, al fresco dining. (http://www.cocoaisland.como.bz/)

Naladhu, The Maldives

Ever dreamed of owning a private Island? For a private island experience in the already secluded Maldives, Naladhu is the perfect getaway. Consisting of just nineteen luxurious villas on its own private island surrounded by a coral lagoon, the resort is designed to be intimate like a favorite vacation home by the sea. It offers a timeless, comfortable elegance, with spacious wraparound terraces, semi-outdoor bathroom with terrazzo infinity bathtub, and an oversized plunge pool. All amenities, such as fine dining, spa and massage treatments, are available in-house (or on deck). Additionally, each house comes complete with a House Master who caters to the whims of guests and oversees that all amenities and activities are perfectly coordinated. Romantic options include dining on a deserted island surrounded by candles or a sunset excursion on a one-of -a -kind timber decked dhoni (traditional Maldivian boat) accompanied by a local duo serenade. (www.naladhu.com)

Riviera Maya, Mexico

Like Palm Beach in the ’60s or Acapulco in the ’70s, the Riviera Maya has become the place that everyone wants to go now. There’s nothing like being in the very spot where the Caribbean coast of Mexico and the jungles and ruins of the Yucatán meet. Just fully open on March 1, Rosewood Mayakobá is a stunning addition to the area, and one of the very first true luxury resorts to open on the Riviera Maya. Of the 128 superb suites, sixteen are beachfront-a little more than a sandcastle’s length from the ocean-and the others are privately set around the deep green lagoons wind through the property, each with a private dock. In keeping with the stunning refinement of Rosewood Hotels and Resorts’ other properties, Rosewood Mayakobá boasts lots of flavorful extras like private plunge pools in all the rooms, and 40 majordomos, or butlers, ready to cater to every whim. To go above and beyond the basic margarita, there’s Agave Azul, the region’s first “tequila library,” where bottles replace the books and guests can sample over 100 varieties of tequila. The first privately-branded Sense, a Rosewood Spa, is set on its own private island within the resort, centered on a sacred cenote, one of the ancient Mayan water wells found throughout the Yucatán. (www.rosewoodmayakoba.com)