Best time to go: The Silolona sails to the Spice Islands—between Sulawesi and Papua, in eastern Indonesia—from September through November, when the wind and sailing conditions are at their finest. Diving is best in October and November.

How to go: Fly to Bali and catch a domestic flight to wherever the super-yacht is anchored.

Don't Miss: The chef's masterful interpretations of Asian-accented Western cuisine, such as sugar-cured Tasmanian salmon with mangosteen salad or seafood ravioli with ginger and mango salsa.
–Joan Koh

CHINA
Type of Experience: Sichuan Province (Driving)
Why to go: For the ultimate road trip, atop a 14,000-foot mountain range.
Number of Days: 21
Min. Cost/Day: $
Comfort Level: Low

In Northwestern Sichuan, the Sichuan–Tibet highway penetrates the heartland of the Khampa nomads (tent-dwelling yak farmers who live in the region's grasslands) and passes through Tagong, a colorful one-street town that's quietly gearing up for visitors. New inns mean that travelers have a choice of lodgings: Jya Drolma and Gayla's Guesthouse offers rooms in a Tibetan home (doubles, $6; book through your tour operator), and Sally's Guesthouse serves Tagong's best food (entrées, $2). Father north are Tibetan villages where the houses have fortlike perimeter walls, wooden facades, and ornately carved windows. Beyond Ganzi—a market town filled with monks and jewel-laden Khampas—the road extends to the town of Dege, where the Scripture Printing House turns out mantras on cloth and scriptures engraved on stone slabs; its library is estimated to hold 70 percent on Tibet's literature.

Best time to go: May though August, to see the terrain at its most verdant and stitched with cascading rivers. In July, Tagong hosts its annual horse-racing festival.

How to go: Traveling independently is arduous, especially if you don't speak the language. Customized private trips can be arranged through Chyoger Treks (719-387-8110; definitelynomadic.com, $3,400 per person, including transportation from Chengdu) and Tibetan Trekking (86-28-8675-1793 or 86-28-8653-9402; tibetantrekking.com; two-week tour, $1,600 per person, including transportation from Chengdu).

Don't Miss: The road to Dege is the highest in China, spanning more than 20,000-foot-high Chola Mountain Range, which is webbed with dozens of excellent trekking routes.
–Victor Paul Borg

ADVENTURE
NEPAL
Type of Experience: The Himalayas (Biking)
Why to go: For the rush of cycling a legendary mountain range.
Number of Days: 8
Min. Cost/Day: $$
Comfort Level: High