Just 18 miles east of Savannah sits a small barrier island that might be the most laid-back spot on the Southeastern coast. Accessible by car, Tybee Island attracts many visitors with its five miles of unspoiled beaches where sunbathers can bury their toes, along with any worries they left in the real world, in sand made up of tiny grains of granite washed downstream from the Appalachian Mountains. It’s hard to resist the call of the warm, gentle waves of the Atlantic Ocean, whether it’s for a swim, a kayak adventure, or to admire bottlenose dolphins just offshore.

Tybee Island’s 2.67 square miles are easy to explore — and no gasoline is needed. Riding along the designated bike route of paths and quiet streets, visitors get a glimpse of the island’s neighborhoods. A climb up the 178 steps of Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse, Tybee Island Light Station, provides panoramic views of the entire island. The lighthouse has been guiding vessels into the Savannah River for more than 270 years, and with a beam that can be seen some 18 miles out at sea, it continues to aid mariners today.

The island is also a birder’s delight. Part of the Colonial Coast Birding Trail, it provides unmatched bird-watching all year. Walking the beach, it is hard to miss scurrying seabirds, including black skimmers and red-billed oystercatchers. In winter, migrating northern seabirds, such as purple sandpipers and black-bellied plovers, join in the fun.

Nature lovers can head to Little Tybee Island, a nature preserve accessible only by boat. “Little” Tybee, which is actually more than twice the size of Tybee Island, is home to rich coastal salt marshes, natural dunes, and subtropical forests of live oak, pine, and palm. Visitors can take a close look at Little Tybee during a guided kayak tour or set up camp in this natural wonderland.

The islands aren’t all natural wonder, though. Tybee has been described as a drinking island with a fishing problem, so it’s no surprise that its casual nightlife matches its laid-back philosophy. Case in point: the popular “to-go” cup makes it simple to move from bar stool to moonlit beach stroll with cocktail in tow. For an island that makes it so easy to leave a nightspot, its laid-back culture and natural beauty make it hard to say goodbye.

Secret Gardens

While contemplating a clearing of neatly raked gravel in the Late Rock Garden, or walking a winding path set with pruned bonsai and a stream in the Shinden Garden, you may expect a Zen philosopher to walk past. But more likely, it will be a flamingo. That’s because the gardens at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens are located not in Japan but in Delray Beach, 28 miles north of Fort Lauderdale. The Morikami is dedicated to teaching and preserving Japanese culture through interactive exhibits and an extensive permanent collection of more than 5,000 artifacts. morikami.org

Great Scot

Celebrate all it means to be Scottish-American in New York City during 2008’s NY Tartan Week, which culminates in the 10th Annual NYC Tartan Day Parade on April 5. Bagpipes, drums, and fifes will fill the air, and more than 15,000 yards of tartan will be on display as hundreds of participants perform. The parade begins in the afternoon, kicking off at 45th Street and marching up 6th Avenue toward 58th Street. The post-parade soirée at the popular pub Stout on W. 33rd promises to be a good time whether you’re a Scot or not. Other events include a cocktail reception on April 3 and the Kirkin of the Tartan — a nondenominational service followed by brunch — on April 5. tartanweek.com

Blown Away

Guests at Hotel Murano in downtown Tacoma should leave their stones at home. Just south of Seattle, this newly revamped luxury accommodation showcases a private collection of top-notch glass art sculpture throughout its lobby and guest rooms. Whether blown, strewn, folded, or molded, glass artistry is everywhere. The hotel offers a vacation package that includes glassblowing classes. Room phones come equipped with a “Help Me” button that summons an accommodating staff member to fluff a pillow or deliver a glass or two of champagne or a menu of in-room spa services. hotelmuranotacoma.com

Unsunken Treasure

In 1522, Gustav Vasa bought a number of ships from Lübeck, Germany, and created the Swedish Navy. More than 100 years later, the ship named in his honor sank in Stockholm’s harbor on its maiden voyage. Raised in an archeological triumph after 333 years undersea, the warship Vasa is now the centerpiece of Stockholm’s Vasa Museum. Visitors can view the unbroken wooden ship and all the treasures that sank with it, including approximately 700 sculptures and the Vasa’s fore topgallant sail, the oldest sail in existence. A walkable replica of the upper gun deck is open to landlubbers, and personal items from the ship’s crew have been preserved, revealing a rare glimpse into how sailors and soldiers lived in the 17th century. It’s even possible to look some of the crewmembers in the glass eye — their faces are reconstructed from the skeletons found in and around the wreck, representing years of osteological and archeological research. vasamuseet.se

Lion Around

Off the coast of the Peruvian seaport of El Callao, west of Lima, lie the Palomino Islands. A virtually isolated ecosystem, the islands serve as a natural refuge for sea lions that lounge on the rocky shores and play in the predator-free cobalt waves. The Enjoy Peru Travel Agency offers half-day and full-day excursions to the islands. The tours take visitors past Humboldt penguin rookeries and the El Camotal shallows — where guides tell stories about ancient shipwrecks — to swim with a colony of sea lions. Neoprene wetsuits are provided, so you can meet the playful pinnipeds face-to-face. (Just leave the frozen herring in your other swimsuit.) enjoyperu.com

Life’s a Beach

The sugary sand beaches, shady palms, and sparkling turquoise waters at the Bucuti Beach Resort in Aruba just got a bit more soothing with the new addition of the Tara Beach Suites and Spa. Guests can enjoy a stay in the elegant modern suites and relax with rejuvenating spa treatments, each infused with a local island flavor. Options include the fat-fighting Nourishing Wrap and the exfoliating Fruity Body Scrub; the first uses native Aruba aloe vera, and the second features a concoction of apricot pits and strawberries. The oceanfront rooms boast impressive views, which guests are encouraged to improve through a monthly volunteer beach sweep. The award-winning initiative helps keep the shoreline and the surrounding landscape tidy and trash free. The resort’s Pirates’ Nest restaurant boasts a stylish Dutch galleon replica that captures the spirit of the high seas with the freshest seafood on the island. bucuti.com/en

Love is in the Air

When it comes to picking the most romantic settings in the world, few would argue against placing Hawaii on the list. And this May, Honolulu will hold the unofficial title of world’s loveliest city when it hosts the second annual Hawai’i Romance Festival. The 10-day affair runs May 2–11 and features a range of events sure to stir anyone’s passion. At the Food, Wine, and Music of Romance event, May 3, guests will dine on specially designed dishes while the Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawai’i (the festival’s organizer) provides musical accompaniment. On May 7 and 8, Nick and Nina Clooney (yes, George’s parents) host a Broadway-style revue called The Most Romantic Songs Ever Written, during which 20 tunes will be added to the list. Other events include a night of international music and a screening of one of the most romantic movies of all time, Gone with the Wind. mcooh.com