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Fidel is gone, but Cuba tourism is very much alive. And with Delta, Frontier and Southwest airlines starting flights from the United States to Havana in December-following new service from JetBlue, American and United-now may be a good time to focus on another, particularly Cuban, mode of transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

As if in step with the faint sound of drums from a dance class in the yurt up the hill, a young woman turning a hand-cranked seeder strides briskly through a freshly tilled field at Esalen, Big Sur's iconic landmark of human potential workshops and clothing-optional hot springs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Founded as an artists colony in 1916, the village of Carmel has been celebrating its 100th anniversary with special events all year. But another centennial is around the corner, in this case for the former Highlands Inn, which began as a collection of hillside artists' cottages and, after Carmel founder J. Frank Devendorf purchased the site, opened as a hotel in 1917. The terraced, weathered wooden buildings of today's Hyatt Carmel Highlands include 48 hotel rooms, 94 residential-size timeshares and a newly remodeled restaurant that combined two previously popular dining rooms into one. Called California Market at Pacific's Edge, it boasts locally sourced dishes and the same spectacular views of the rocky Pacific that have mesmerized artists and travelers alike for the last century. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Fresh events and venues have sprouted up for the 2017 edition of the fungi-focused Big Sur Foragers Festival, Jan. 13-15. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

What 6-year-old wouldn't want a candy bar? Not the Madeline Hotel and Residences in Telluride, Colo., which received an outpost of New York's popular Dylan's Candy Bar on its sixth birthday last December, just one part of $15 million in upgrades and additions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Whether you go high or go low, the accommodations with a distinctively Napa Valley feel are plentiful. Demand for them stays high year-round, with visitors from New York, Texas and Southern California flocking to their favorite wine region. Bay Area travelers, however, have the advantage of more spontaneous or midweek trips, benefiting from last-minute cancellations (which proliferate when East Coast weather worsens) and low-season packages. Here's a slate of both luxurious and relatively affordable options. Note: Prices exclude 14 percent room tax; winter rates typically begin after Nov. 18 and exclude Thanksgiving weekend. Check online for additional specials and packages. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Waikiki tourism certainly started on an elegant note. When the 75-room Moana Hotel, now the Westin-run Moana Surfrider, opened in 1901, it boasted private telephones, private baths and Hawaii's first electric-powered elevator, among other luxuries. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, the pink Moroccan fantasy a few hundred yards up the beach, upheld those gracious standards at its opening in 1927. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Fear not, devotees of Oahu's plate lunches, shave ice and off-the-beach budget hotels: Your paradise yet remains - and of course, that's a good thing. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

When the Dallas Hilton Inn opened in 1967, it quickly became synonymous with the high life. Home to a swanky private club and a happening Trader Vic's, the high-rise hotel attracted a glittery clientele, but by the late '80s had fallen into disfavor and disrepair. The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi bought it in 1993, with hopes of turning it into a center for a different kind of high life - transcendental meditation - but that too stayed earthbound. After a few more twists of fate, the renamed Highland Dallas has returned to the Hilton fold as the inaugural member of its Curio Collection, with a new celebrity chef and a renewed, cheerfully eccentric sense of style. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

From the sound and sight of tumbling surf to the gentle caress of a fragrant lei, Hawaii has a way of captivating the senses. Here are a few of its sensory experiences - some to enjoy in the Bay Area as well - that may leave you craving more. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

These days, the rising stars of Hawaii's culinary scene showcase their island roots, rather than disguise them, even with mainland training and experience. Here's a taro patch of talented chefs whose ties to Pacific Islander culture run deep; perhaps a television show awaits them, too. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

You're forgiven if you don't remember a boutique beachfront hotel between Hwy. 1 and the beach in Monterey - until last year, it was a fairly run-down Best Western motel. Now that Joie de Vivre Hotels has assumed management, though, the renamed Monterey Tides is well on its way in becoming a destination in its own right, with a popular bar and restaurant locals would prefer to keep a secret, and a continuing series upgrades to rooms and grounds. The view of orcas, dolphins and migratory whales breaching close to shore needs no improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Normally "down-sized" doesn't correlate with "palatial," but in the case of the Peninsula Beijing, reducing its 525 rooms by nearly half has helped create the largest standard hotel lodgings in the Chinese capital. The recent $123 million renovation has also transformed public areas in the former Palace Hotel, which opened in 1989 and joined the Peninsula brand in 2006. The redesigned hotel showcases the Middle Kingdom's cultural riches, from Imperial-inspired architecture to bold works by contemporary artists. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Carmel's eclectic and sometimes quirky accommodations, whether they began life as simple motels or opulent mansions, are part of its allure. Note: Rates below are based on select available dates in fall, and do not include Carmel's 10 percent hotel tax; most inns require two-night stays on weekends. Continental breakfast is included and pets are allowed, unless otherwise stated. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Leave it to Carmel to ensure that even its retail centers off Highway 1 at Rio Road are more picturesque than most. But for the largest array of independent stores and artisanal wares, head to the village, and wear comfy shoes: Walking is the way to go, especially when seeking courtyard boutiques. All stores are open daily unless otherwise noted. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Whether you only have time for a quick cappuccino and croissant in a courtyard cafe, or can linger in a cozy dining room over a hearty omelet bursting with the local harvest, Carmel proves that breakfast may indeed be the most important meal of the day - at least in terms of orienting yourself to the cornucopia of delicious coffee, pastries and savories usually within a short walk of your hotel. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Food festivals, sand castle contests, poodle parades - Carmel loves to put on a show. Here are some of the city's best venues and marquee events. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

As captivating as Hugh Comstock's 1920s storybook cottages may be, they're not the only sprinkling of architectural fairy dust in downtown Carmel. Woven among shops, restaurants and residences is a lacy web of more than 40 courtyards and passageways of varying vintages, many abloom with lush plantings and decorative fixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Only two full-fledged hurricanes have made landfall in Hawaii since in the last 50 years, but travelers should still be prepared for potential disruption from strong winds, high surf, heavy rains and flash flooding during the June-November season for such storms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The two newest nationally managed preserves in Hawaii - one now the largest protected area in the world - are also the least accessible. But thanks to off-site exhibitions, visitors can still explore the endangered treasures of a vast ecosystem and a dark, little-discussed chapter of World War II. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

While flowing lava continues to reshape the southeastern shore of Hawaii Island, an equally powerful force - the visitor industry - is transforming destinations across the Aloha State with new or renewed lodgings, shops, dining and activities. Some highlights: [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Shaded by ironwood trees rustling in the trade wind, I tread briskly along the pebbly coastal path, keeping my eye out for green sea turtles bobbing near wave-lapped rocks. A bent heliotrope branch jutting over the water provides a tempting natural bench to get a closer look. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Airfares can only dip so low - ditto personal standards for lodgings. But there's a lot more wiggle room for things to do and places to eat, especially in the 60-plus international and U.S. cities covered by Lonely Planet's new guidebook, "The Best Things in Life Are Free" ($22.99). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The newest lodgings in Waikiki offer a decidedly luxurious spin on the "condotel" - individually owned condominiums with resort facilities, marketed and managed by a hotelier. Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach (the first Ritz of any kind on Oahu), debuted July 15 with the 38-story, 307-unit West Tower; the slightly smaller East Tower is expected to open in 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

National parks, monuments and historic sites around the country - 412 in all - will mark the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service with free admission Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 25-28. Among them is one of the newest in the system, the Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico, which traces its origins to a mere 1.25 million years ago. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Botswana's Okavango Delta, a mazelike series of freshwater lagoons in the middle of the Kalahari Desert, swells to some 6,200 square miles during the wet season of March to September, before shrinking to just over half that area in the dry season. It's a year-round haven for some of Africa's most famous wildlife - lions, elephants and hippos among them - not to mention hundreds of small villages, where local culture and fortunes are tied closely to the flourishing fauna. Desert and Delta Safaris' newly renovated Camp Okavango is an eco-friendly oasis within this oasis, offering a solar-powered, treetop sanctuary for relaxing when not out and about with an experienced guide. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Some hotels ask guests at checkout if they'd like to donate to a specific charity, or simply inform them that a portion of their bill will benefit that program. Many properties also routinely give stays to nonprofits to auction at gala events or online - often leading to bargains not otherwise available, with the added sense of doing good. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

While the Democratic National Convention will soon bring big bucks to Philadelphia, the city's Ritz-Carlton is banking on longer-term gains from its recent $25 million renovation. Built in 1908 as a reproduction of the Pantheon, the bank-turned-hotel on Penn Square now hosts celebrity chef Richard Sandoval's Aqimero in its spectacularly domed lobby, while the design of posh guestrooms in the adjacent modern tower was inspired by the neutral colors and texture of money - pops of bronze, nickel, copper and emerald green. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Airstream, America's oldest surviving travel trailer company, celebrates its 85th anniversary this year. "Airstream: America's World Traveler," (Motorbooks, $45) a handsome new coffee table book by Patrick R. Foster, celebrates the adventurous spirit of founder Wally Byam as much as his now retro-chic aluminum wagon. Though the Horatio Alger tale borders on hagiography, and the recounting of the decades after Byam's death in 1962 loses some luster, there's no denying the appeal of seeing archival photobombs: Here's an Airstream at the Acropolis, there's one at the Arc de Triomphe, while others pop up in Alaska, Africa and the American West. The encouragement to keep going that Byam gave himself and his customers, "each a friend and fellow adventurer on the road of life," also remains inspiring. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The late Bill Kimpton, creator of the "boutique hotel" concept, might be surprised and saddened that today only two Kimpton Hotels remain in San Francisco, the brand's birthplace. But surely he'd find it capital that the Washington, D.C., metro area now claims 13 Kimpton properties. Like the original U.S. colonies, each is distinctive yet shares common aspirations, such as sophisticated style with a playful atmosphere. One of the newest is Kimpton Mason & Rook Hotel, a transformation of Kimpton's Hotel Helix that offers a rare rooftop pool and a peek at the U.S. Capitol. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Looking for some new places to rove with Rover this summer? [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Perched on a bluff in Orange County's upscale Dana Point, the former St. Regis Monarch Beach was hardly a grubby caterpillar before its recent emergence from the chrysalis of a $40 million, yearlong renovation. Nevertheless, the hotel seems to have taken wing - and the new name of Monarch Beach Resort - in a style sure to attract social butterflies, if not its namesakes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Formerly the Dolphin Hotel, the 27-room Hotel Carmel emerged from a six-month renovation in April with a polished new look and upscale amenities that take a page from its sister hotel, La Playa Carmel. The structure may still be a motel, but the style is boutique luxury. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Although the yellow brick road is still in the planning stage, staff at the recently renamed Monterey Zoo are already calling its spacious new animal enclosures "Oz." [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Given that it takes more than 15 hours to fly to Singapore nonstop from San Francisco - and longer from anywhere else on the U.S. mainland, due to connecting flights - travelers may appreciate the city-state's particularly plush places to recover from jet lag. Among the newest is Hotel Vagabond, an art-filled oasis that's also the first in the Garcha Hotels luxury collection, created by former Silicon Valley dot-com entrepreneur Satinder Garcha. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Thick redwood forests, green and golden hills dappled by fog, long sandy beaches, bustling bayside marinas and picturesque, pedestrian-friendly towns - Marin County is a microcosm of everything beautiful in the Bay Area. No wonder so many other residents of the region flock here for special occasions and easy getaways, finding unique lodgings that range from rustic cabins in West Marin to chic suites in Sausalito. Here are seven of Marin's most intriguing inns - one for each night of the week. After all, why wait for the weekend, when a serene escape is so close to home? [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Built in 1928, the nine-story Art Deco building that houses Ace Hotel New Orleans in the city's Warehouse District served for decades as a furniture store. Now the dramatically remodeled hotel sports eclectic furnishings and cultural programs that reflect the quirky vibrancy of its neighborhood - home to art galleries, trend-setting restaurants and artisanal boutiques - and the moody atmosphere of New Orleans' more familiar tourist haunts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Peninsula Chicago turns 15 next month, but like most urban teenagers, it has shed its childhood appearance, embraced the latest in modern technology and become more aware of the world outside its doors. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Drought or no, the Russian River resort area always shifts into high gear in summer. Travelers looking for stylish accommodations in Guerneville check into Boon Hotel + Spa. The 14 modern, airy rooms and suites are clustered around a sunny pool area and a small spa offering facials and massages. Three "glamping" tents feature platform beds and shared shower/bath facilities, and all lodgings include breakfast. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

While San Francisco is experiencing a hotel building boom, as reported in The Chronicle on April 3, major renovations of existing properties have already added a playful pop, and some attractive rates, to one of the world's most expensive places to spend a night. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Opened in 1927, the Hotel Georgia quickly became a cultural icon in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, filled with Art Deco flourishes and pulsating to the beat of its own big band orchestra. But after eight decades and visits by numerous celebrities, from Errol Flynn to Elvis Presley, it was overdue for more than a celebrity-style face-lift, and closed for a four-year, $120 million restoration. It reopened as the Rosewood Hotel Georgia in 2011, paying sumptuous homage to its jazz era roots in newly expanded rooms (156 total) and public spaces. The hotel's latest dining venue, Reflections the Garden Terrace, opened earlier this month on a lushly landscaped fourth-floor patio with a seasonal menu based on the Pacific Northwest's bounty. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

When Jim Fetzer announced he was retiring from winemaking and closing his biodynamic Ceago Vinegarden to the public in 2014, many in Lake County and beyond expressed dismay. After all, the hacienda-style, 163-acre estate, founded in 2001, was unrivaled among the region's wineries for its spectacular views of Clear Lake - with three-quarters of a mile of shoreline, including a dock where float planes from Sausalito would land - and lavish Mediterranean landscaping around terraces of saltillo tiles that flow out from gracious, wooden-beamed halls. Plus, being a Fetzer, he made a pretty mean bottle of wine. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This summer marks 15 years since Marie Beery opened Kelseyville's popular Saw Shop Gallery Bistro - an upscale restaurant that exhibits and sells works by local artists - but her roots in Lake County go deeper than that. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The site: The Camby Hotel [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Luana Lounge, Wailea [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Although the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Big Island celebrated its golden anniversary in 2015, another precious metal was conspicuously absent: the iconic Copper Terrace, where the warm glow of its copper bar rivaled that of the sunsets visible over Kaunaoa Beach. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

After an unprecedented eight-month closure, millions of dollars in renovations and many whispered speculations, the reborn Four Seasons Lanai arrived in February, along with humpback whales breaching just offshore. A leviathan of Silicon Valley, Oracle founder Larry Ellison has given the flagship resort on his private island just the kind of competitively opulent flair you would expect -and a few culturally sensitive and compassionate aspects you might not. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Entries for the 2016 Big Sur International Marathon sold out in 59 minutes - well under half the time of the course record, 2:16:39. But there's still a chance to enjoy some of the spectacular Highway 1 scenery that motivates most participants, more than a speedy race, on April 24. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The setting: Opening March 31, The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club is burgeoning Aqua-Aston Hospitality's latest boutique transformation of lodgings in Waikiki, in this case the former Hokele Suites on Lewers Street near the Ala Wai Canal. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]