Hawaii

Just try to describe Hawai'i without saying “paradise.” It's nearly impossible. In this place of ineffable beauty, the word is not a cliché, but a fact, even an understatement. Eden may greet you on a heroic scale, as in a panoramic coastal view, or in the palm of your hand, as when you hold a native Lakelani rose. Some pleasures come in forms that are material and sensual—consider the beguiling shopping and the inspired cuisine created in kitchens energized by world-class chefs. You can also get physical here: Go birding, hiking, swimming, or water skiing, or pursue almost any other outdoor sport. Or simply head for the nearest perfect crescent of palm-shaded beach and do nothing at all.