If you’ve put off a trip to Europe for a few years, consider 2012. The U.S. dollar is stronger against the Euro, making prices more affordable for Americans, and we’ve got six tips to help you find the value across Europe this summer.
 
Tip 1: Head to an off-the-beaten path location
Ditch the crowds in major Italian cities and set out for the Puglia region, about a five-hour drive south from Rome and 3 ½ hours from Naples. Mary Rossi gives a warm welcome to guests at Suite 68, a chic B&B in a private palazzo in the town of Lecce. You can lounge on the terrace overlooking rooftops and church spires, or hop on a bike to explore the narrow winding streets. From $120 per night.
 
Related: See more money-saving tips for Europe

Courtesy Hotel d'Albion

Hotel d'Albion, an affordable boutique hotel, in Paris, France

Tip 2: Try a European chain hotel
The Hotel Du Vin chain includes 14 boutique hotels in U.K. cities. In Edinburgh, the hotel occupies an 18th-century stone building in the historic center and has 47 rooms with tartan throw pillows, freestanding tubs, and purple fleur-de-lis wall coverings. True to its name, the local Hotel Du Vin hosts wine tastings and serves up inventive Scottish dishes such as smoked haddock cassoulet. From $234 per night.
 
Tip 3: Stay in a small, boutique hotel
The Rue de Penthièvre in Paris is unexpectedly quiet for being just a few blocks from both the Champs-Élysées and President Sarkozy’s official pad. Among several hotels on this attractive street, Hotel D’Albion delivers by far the best value. The 26 rooms, though small, feel up-to-date and chic, aided by brightly patterned wallpaper. A charming breakfast garden is filled with potted plants, marigolds, and a chestnut tree. From $155 per night.
 
Tip 4: Go where airfares are lower
Iceland continues to be an affordable entry point thanks primarily to Icelandair, which flies from the U.S. to Continental Europe with stops in Reykjavik (recent round-trip fares were $600 including taxes). Make the Radisson Blu Saga Hotel your local base. Perks include free Wi-Fi and free room service for breakfast, and the spa offers a Lava Massage that incorporates hot volcanic rocks and herbal oils. From $160 per night with a 28-day advance purchase.
 
Tip 5: Visit a less expensive city
Americans were the second biggest growth market to Portugal in 2011, and rightly so: Eating out in Lisbon, for instance, costs a fraction of what it does in other European capitals. The 171-room Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade has a prime location for checking out the monuments in Belem or visiting the botanical gardens. At the end of the day, retire to the hotel’s Intra-Muros bar, complete with a library of art books and a drink list ranging from vintage port to absinthe. From $222 per night.
 
Tip 6: Rent a flat (or home or room)
Use a website like wimdu.com or 9flats.com that specializes in affordable peer-to-peer rentals in Europe. Both sites have lots of inventory throughout London, such as a chic, modern apartment that is just five minutes from Portobello Road in Notting Hill. While prices will be higher during the Olympics weeks, rentals are still a great option for that time period. From as low as $30 per night for a room or $44 per night for an entire flat.

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Slideshow: Great Northwest

Steve Terrill / Corbis

Rain forests, waterfalls, riverfronts and gardens are just a few elements that make Portland, Ore., a stunning place to visit.

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San Francisco has a nationwide reputation for sustainable dining, but that’s not enough for many of its restaurants, which go to extra lengths to demonstrate their green practices.

Slideshow: See where the greenest cities are

“I’ve been handed a two-page printout, detailing how a particular fish came to be on my table,” says Michael McColl, the Bay Area founder of Ecotourism-Newswire.com.

Such attention to detail helps explain how San Francisco secured its spot among the top 10 of America’s Greenest Cities, according to the Travel + Leisure community. As part of the annual America’s Favorite Cities survey, readers ranked 35 metropolitan areas on a variety of travel-friendly qualities, from hotels to local microbrews and good wireless coverage.

To determine the greenest cities, we tallied the results from three survey categories: cleanliness, pedestrian-friendliness and public transit, and great public parks, which offset that urban asphalt and improve air quality. The high-ranking cities support other green initiatives that benefit travelers as well as locals: in Denver, the Brown Palace Hotel uses water from its own artesian well. Minneapolis offers cheap, easy-access bike rentals.

Then there’s Portland, Ore., rated America’s No. 1 greenest city, where every day feels like Earth Day. One fourth of the city is shaded by tree canopy, and the ground itself features 288 parks. The Heathman Hotel, near light-rail and streetcar stops, completed a green overhaul and now even recycles “gently used” soap and shampoos, having them treated before sending them to area shelters.

Editor’s note: This story originally included a photo of No. 7 Portland, Maine, instead of Portland, Ore. Msnbc.com regrets the error.

Other American cities, of course, are eco-friendly in ways that aren’t always readily obvious. In a Siemens 2011 study that measured CO2 emissions, land use, air quality, and environmental governance, San Francisco came out on top — the city currently recycles 78 percent of its waste — and New York City ranked in the top 3 for its efficient land use and mass transit.

The Big Apple, however, didn’t crack the top 20 with Travel + Leisure voters, who were perhaps distracted by a rude welcome or subway stations in need of a good scrubbing. To be fair, the survey is based on readers’ perceptions, which can be skewed, and may not take into account recent improvements like New York’s expanding bike lanes and the High Line, a former rail track converted into an extraordinary park.

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Frank Jaquier

The Texas Hill Country bluebonnet tour is possible thanks to Lady Bird Johnson, who led a campaign to beautify American cities, and in her native Texas, vast gardens of bluebonnets were planted across Texas Hill Country.

Remember when Dorothy dozes off among scarlet poppies in "The Wizard of Oz"? Well, those vivid flowers weren’t just a figment of Hollywood magic. Similar poppies set California’s Antelope Valley ablaze in spring, luring road-trippers from L.A. and beyond.

Slideshow: See where the best spring drives are

The arrival of spring inspires us to break out from winter’s hibernation and embrace the fresh outdoors. A road trip naturally satisfies that spontaneous travel urge, and we’ve mapped America’s best spring drives — routes that bring you up-close to nature’s finest floral displays, from a California poppy tour to Texas Hill Country’s bluebonnets.

Of course, flowers in bloom aren’t the only draw for these American road trips, many of which meander by woodlands, lakes, small quaint towns, even historic mansions and museums. Consider Colorado’s 232-mile San Juan Skyway, which takes visitors up melting snowcapped mountains, past natural hot springs, and through restored ghost towns.

It’s an officially designated American Byway, one of nine we’ve featured, among them, Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway in South Carolina. “These byways offer travelers the ability to pack up the family, hit the road, get out in nature, and take a trip that’s affordable and easy,” says Michelle Johnson, director of National Byways Research Center. “It’s really the all-American thing to do.”

That American pastime may feel under threat lately, with average gas prices reaching all-time highs. Yet you don’t need to travel far to enjoy some of spring’s loveliest drives — these routes start at 25 miles — and free smartphone apps such as GasBuddy and AAA’s TripTik can point you to the cheapest nearby fuel options.

Some of Travel + Leisure’s other favorite gas-saving tips include: pack light (less weight in your vehicle means better gas mileage); charge it (many credit cards give cash back on gas purchases); and drive steady (conserve fuel by going easy on the pedals).

“Everyone wants to get there faster,” says AAA fuel expert Ginnie Pritchett, “but going the speed limit can actually pay off and get you more miles per gallon.”

No matter which route you travel and no matter how many detours you take, spring into action this season by road-tripping through America’s most awe-inspiring floral landscapes.

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James Merrell

The Hôtel Saint-Louis en l'Isle, with 20 rooms in a renovated 19th-century building, is centrally located in Paris.

The ideal Parisian hotel is like a macaron — small, colorful, and bursting with individual flavor. But in reality, too many boutique properties here miss the mark.

Travel+Leisure sent reporters across the city — testing mattresses, climbing staircases, sampling petits déjeuners — to come up with this list of intimate bolt-holes, in styles from traditional (a Neoclassical retreat near the Panthéon) to contemporary (an art-filled hangout by the Louvre). The sweetest part: all have rates starting under $250 a night.

Slideshow: See these and more affordable hotels in Paris

Right Bank, First Arr.: Le Crayon
Just four blocks north of the Louvre, the Crayon, as its name suggests, is all about a bright, “handmade” hotel experience, as though guests were staying in the residence of a local artist — namely that of its decorator, Julie Gauthron. A poetic, patchwork approach to prints and styles results in a good-humored mash-up: the 26 rooms feature offbeat geometric mirrors, Panton chairs and spruced-up flea-market finds (articulated lamps, marble-topped nightstands). The basement breakfast room was a work in progress when we were there, but you can opt for croissants and coffee in bed or in the lobby. 25 Rue du Bouloi; 33-1/42-36-54-19; hotelcrayon.com; doubles from $150. Métro: Louvre-Rivoli

Right Bank, Fourth Arr.: Hôtel Saint-Louis en l’Isle
The Île St.-Louis is picture-book Paris, its narrow, cobblestoned streets lined with cafés, boulangeries and the original Berthillon ice cream shop. The Hôtel Saint-Louis en l’Isle, 20 rooms in a handsomely renovated 19th-century building, sustains the sense of well-polished nostalgia. A twist of your fleur-de-lis-shaped room key reveals stone floors, tufted velvet headboards and custom bathroom fixtures. Other thoughtful details — such as the loaner iPads with weather, currency and translation apps — belie the reasonable price. So does the central location: the Latin Quarter, the Marais, and the tangle of flying buttresses at the rear of Notre Dame are all just a bridge span away. 75 Rue St.-Louis en l’Île; 33-1/46-34-04-80; saintlouisenlisle.com; doubles from $225. Métro: Pont-Marie; Cité

Right Bank, Eighth Arr.: Hôtel d’Albion
The Rue de Penthièvre is unexpectedly quiet for being just a few blocks from both the Champs-Élysées and President Sarkozy’s official pad on the Rue du Faubourg St.-Honoré. Another surprise: how smartly some brightly patterned wallpaper and plush-looking bedspreads can perk up humdrum furniture and basic baths. One of several properties on the street, it’s by far the best value: the 26 rooms, though small, feel up-to-date and chic, aided by exposed beams (on the fifth floor) and wall-to-wall carpet that’s actually nice. A breakfast garden is filled with potted plants, marigolds and a chestnut tree. The quirky proprietors may seem gruff to guests not accustomed to Parisian manners, but give them a smile and they become pussycats. 15 Rue de Penthièvre; 33-1/42-65-84-15; hotelalbion.net; doubles from $155. Métro: Miromésnil

Right Bank, Ninth Arr.: Grand Hôtel de Turin
Though the hotel has been open nearly half a century, its 51 rooms are IKEA-upbeat and regularly renovated, the latest handful about a year ago. Friendly and capable hotel staff can be counted on to steer you through the restaurant-rich neighborhood, a few blocks downhill from Montmartre. The modern sensibility carries through to the lobby and its poppy vinyl furniture. With seasonal and Web offers, a night here can cost as little as $85 — making it easier to forgive the lack of AC. 6 Rue Victor Massé; 33-1/48-78-45-26; hoteldeturin.com; doubles from $140. Métro: Pigalle

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Camping is a classic summer vacation for so many. If you love the idea of being outdoors, but don’t want to rough it, there is a growing number of hotels and resorts that provide a real back-to-nature experience (with prices that won’t break the bank). Here are some highlights, from luxury cabins to treehouses to cool tents.

Slideshow: See more adventurous nature escapes

Tree House Lodge, Limon, Costa Rica

Courtesy of Tree House Lodge

The Beach House lies 260 feet from from the Caribbean shoreline, allowing visitors to lie in bed and watch waves lap the beach. The Tree House Lodge in Costa Rica has three other bunglaows in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge.

Located in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge on Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean coast, this 10-acre beachfront property has four individual bungalows with wide-open canopy views made from fallen tropical hardwoods. The most dramatic of these — the eponymous Tree House — is a bi-level cottage built around the trunk of a rare sangrillo tree. Inside you’ll find a bamboo-walled shower and an elevated master bedroom reached by crossing a palm-thatched suspension bridge. Relax at Punta Uva beach or in the property’s gardens with more than 50 kinds of palm trees, exotic birds and howler monkeys. Doubles from $200

Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes, San Juan Islands, Washington

Hop the ferry from Seattle to reach this resort amid 83 woodsy acres in one of the prettiest parts of the Pacific Northwest. Choose a room in the lodge or stay in an Airstream or one of 15 comfortable tent cabins. Their standard canvas tent cabins, open from May 1 through the end of summer, have queen beds with pillow top bedding. Their fanciest tent cabin, the “Canvas Cottage,” offers a king bed, its own full bathroom, a chandelier and electricity in a lakeside setting. The islands are great for whale watching (best from May through October), biking and kayaking. Doubles from $149

Wandawega Treehouse, Wisconsin

The latest addition to the retro-styled Wandawega — a 1920s resort 90 minutes from Chicago — is a three-level treehouse built around the trunk of an old elm. The airy structure is stocked with sheepskin pillows and vintage Pendleton blankets and crowned with a chandelier of fallen antlers. The mood is appealingly quaint — instead of TVs, there are puzzles and an antique pool table. The sleeping loft has three glass walls that look out on the pike-filled lake. Be sure to reserve at least a month in advance as the treehouse is popular for weddings and other events. Doubles from $200

Endemico Resguardo Silvestre, Baja California, Mexico

Poised on a hillside overlooking Mexican wine country, Endemico Resguardo Silvestre just won a Travel + Leisure Design Award for best small hotel. Each of the 20 crisply modern cabins has its own terrace warmed by an adobe fireplace, with views of the rugged valley. The 99-acre site also has a swimming pool, a winery and a restaurant. Doubles from $200

El Cosmico, Marfa, Texas

Hotelier Liz Lambert has created the ultimate retreat for people looking to get away from it all. Located on an 18-acre plot, the property is a collection of safari tents, expertly restored vintage travel trailers (including two Spartans and a Vagabond), a teepee and a “hammock grove” for relaxing. The safari tents are 120 square feet and feature wood floors, weatherproof fabric walls, queen sized futons, simple lighting and an electrical outlet. Doubles from $65

Orca Island Cabins, Alaska

You’ll stay in yurts at this resort on a private island in Humpy Cove on Resurrection Bay, nine miles southeast of Seward, Alaska. Each solar-powered yurt has its own deck overlooking the bay and a barbecue grill as well as queen beds, private bathrooms, and kitchens with a propane range. It’s an ideal base for fishers, kayakers, and wildlife enthusiasts. From $199/person per night including round-trip 9-mile water taxi ride to Orca Island from Seward, as well as use of kayaks and fishing gear.

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Experience the grand cities, amazing architecture, cultural attractions and natural beauty of the Old Continent.

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American travelers may have felt betrayed by their national currency over the past five years, but the dollar is finally gaining some ground. Its value against the euro increased 9.2 percent between January 2010 and January 2012.

Slideshow: See all the ways to save money in Europe

Pair a stronger dollar with unsteady European economies, as well as growing tourist markets and emerging destinations, and the happy conclusion is this: Europe travel can be affordable again, and not always where you expect it.

In Berlin, a slew of new hotels — the city currently has 30,000 more hotel beds than New York City — is creating competition and driving down prices (the average room rate is about $111 per night). And here’s a money-saving tip: Berlin recently introduced the Berlin Welcome Card, which covers two days of public transportation and admission to more than 160 urban attractions for $22.75.

The Berlin Brandenburg International Airport opens in June and will have new routes to up-and-coming Eastern European destinations. Cities such as Bucharest, Romania, and Zagreb, Croatia, are great values (hotel rates in both cities decreased 20 percent in 2011). Americans will also be pleased by the cost of visiting Hungary; the dollar is up 25 percent against the Hungarian forint since July 2011.

Olivier Morin / AFP/Getty Images

Tourists enjoy Iceland's Blue Lagoon, which collects waters from natural hot springs.

To the west, Iceland continues to be a savings hub for Europe travel. Icelandair flies from the U.S. to Continental Europe with stops in Reykjavik; packages — some as low as $80 for hotels, meals, and spa treatments — encourage overnight stays.

Americans were the second biggest growth market to Portugal in 2011 (after Brazil), where eating out in Lisbon, for instance, costs a fraction of what it does in other European capitals. “Its appeal is similar to that of Spain and Italy but at much better value,” notes travel agent Judy Nussbaum.

Any true Italy addicts can take some comfort that a stronger dollar will help in Florence and Venice. But to really stretch your travel budget in Italy, veer off the beaten path to regions like Puglia, where you’ll be rewarded with more than freshly made pasta and century-old olive groves.

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• How to buy car-rental insurance in Europe
• See T+L slideshows
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Culture-Images Gmbh / Alamy /

Short-term leasing may be a better value than renting because it includes no-deductible collision and theft insurance.

It was one dinged-up rental car. Smashed driver’s-side mirror; sizable dent in the passenger-side aft bumper. And no, it wasn’t my fault — at least, not entirely. The Dublin rental agency never asked about damage when I returned the car, but I spent that night agonizing about how much insurance I had purchased and the potential hit on my wallet. Ten years later, I’m still half expecting a bill.

Slideshow: See all the tips

That incident taught me a lesson: always have comprehensive insurance when renting abroad — especially in Europe, where your personal car insurance is unlikely to be valid and deductibles are high. But rental insurance in Europe is tricky. “There are different rules for different countries,” says Paula Lyons, who runs the website best-car-rental-tips.com. “It can be confusing.”

To begin with, most rental rates in Europe include liability insurance, which covers damage to anything outside the car — but not to the vehicle itself. For that you need a collision damage waiver (CDW). Some companies include a CDW in the rental rate, while others sell it for $15–$30 a day; it may also be offered through your credit card provider. Whether included in the rental rate or acquired separately, a CDW in Europe carries a deductible of around $1,000–$2,000 — even if the damage wasn’t your fault. And a CDW doesn’t cover your tires, windows, roof, undercarriage or interior. Nor does it include theft (also called “loss”) insurance, which costs an extra $5–$12 a day. If your car is stolen and you don’t have coverage, you could be liable for the full value.

As if all that weren’t confusing enough, there’s something known as “super” CDW, also called “extended,” “top-up,” or “excess” CDW. These lower your deductible to nearly zero for an extra $20–$30 per day. Avis’s Super Cover policy, for example, both nixes the deductible and protects against loss. “It relieves any financial responsibility in case of accident or theft,” says John R. Barrows, a company spokesperson.

Finally, a car-rental agent may suggest that you buy personal accident insurance. This provides injury and death benefits for the driver and any passengers. You already may be covered for this by your credit card or travel insurance.

You can buy all of the above coverage from the rental-car company, but it might run as much as $80 a day with advance purchase, or even more if you buy it at the counter. Alternatively, you can rely on the coverage provided by some credit cards, but beware that these policies come with restrictions.

Another option: get a CDW from a third-party insurer; they often charge less than rental companies. Travel Guard, for one, offers a low-deductible CDW for $9 a day. But these still may not cover theft and personal accidents.

“Like any insurance, it can be expensive,” Lyons says. “That is, until you need to use it — then you’re very glad you have it.”

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Movies do more than entertain; they can inspire you to travel. Travel + Leisure shows fans how to experience locations from recent movies such as "Midnight in Paris" that really captured a sense of place — and reveals hotels where celebrities stayed while filming.

'The Descendants,' Kauai, Hawaii
George Clooney scored an Oscar nomination for his role in "The Descendants," filmed on the southeast coast of Kauai. Hanelei Bay beach features prominently in the movie, and is a fantastic place to go kayaking and take in the picture-perfect scenery. Afterwards, you can kick back with cocktails at Tahiti Nui, another movie location. The cast stayed at the ultra-luxe St. Regis Princeville Resort, blessed with a 5,000-square-foot infinity pool and a sheltered beach good for snorkeling. Those without movie-star budgets will appreciate Waimea Plantation Cottages, a great affordable option on the south side of the island. Waimea rates from $239 per night.

Slideshow: Worst celebrity air rage incidents

'Hunger Games,' Asheville, N.C.
This highly anticipated movie was shot in the Blue Ridge Mountains around Transylvania County, near Asheville. Such stars as Jennifer Lawrence stayed in condos at Hotel Indigo in downtown Asheville. A new package from Hotel Indigo includes activities that some cast members enjoyed between movie shoots, such as zip lining and whitewater rafting. You can also go hiking in Dupont State Forest, where arena scenes were filmed. Hotel rates from $126 per night.

'The Help,' Greenwood, Miss.
The 50-room Alluvian Hotel has created “The Help Package,” which covers a one-night stay, a DVD copy of the movie, a commemorative poster, a self-guided tour of local spots where the movie was filmed, and a special Southern snack at turndown. Guided tours are also available with 48-hours notice. The local Viking Cooking School has even launched a cooking class devoted to Southern specialties from the movie. Rates from $195 per night; package rates from $235 per night.

'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn (Part 1),' Paraty, Brazil
A half-day’s drive from Rio de Janeiro, Paraty set the dramatic scene for this Twilight installment. The town’s other selling points include remarkably well-preserved Portuguese colonial architecture, a vibrant cultural scene and quick access to rainforest and gorgeous beaches. While on location, stars crashed at Pousada do Ouro Paraty, the honeymoon house shown in the movie. Hotel rates from less than $200 per night.

'Midnight in Paris,' Paris
Woody Allen’s love letter to Paris may be the most travel-inspiring movie from 2011. Scenes captured iconic city sights, such as Notre Dame, the Pont Neuf bridge and the Place de L’Abbe Basset — within easy walking distance from Hotel Saint-Louise en L’Isle, one of the best affordable small hotels in Paris. It’s located in the fourth arrondissement on cobblestoned streets lined with cafés. Be sure to stroll over to Hotel le Bristol, which was featured in the movie. Hotel rates from $225 per night.

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Kent Phillips / Disney Cruise Lines

The Disney Dream cruise ship includes AquaDuck, the first-ever shipboard water coaster. The flume ride includes twists, turns, drops, acceleration and river rapids over 765 feet and spanning four decks.

A pack of Disney villains wants to take over the Magic Kingdom, and it’s up to you, as Merlin’s apprentice sorcerer, to stop them by unlocking clues to their whereabouts.

Slideshow: See the coolest new Disney vacations

Disney spent more than four years perfecting this brand-new role-playing interactive scavenger hunt, Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. And it’s just one of the company’s inventions this year: cool new experiences are rolling out on every front. Huge expansions at Disney World and Disneyland as well as new guided trips make Disney vacations more appealing than ever.

New Disney rides and adventures will naturally charm kids, but some will resonate more deeply with grown-ups, who can better appreciate the sheer genius that goes into melding the latest technology with nostalgia and Walt’s original vision.

A fan of cruising, Walt would surely approve of Disney Cruise Line’s Fantasy, which sets sail on its maiden voyage at the end of March 2012. “She was built in Germany at the finest shipyard in the world, Meyer Werft,” says Anita Dunham-Potter of ExpertCruiser.com. “No expense was spared, no corners cut; it’s first class all the way.” Luckily, Art Nouveau–inspired décor and an elegant French restaurant coexist with features like the super-cool AquaDuck waterslide, making Disney vacations on this ship fun for all generations.

Walt would also love the big changes happening in Anaheim, where Disney California Adventure is finally poised to lose its always-the-bridesmaid rap. Visitors have long compared DCA unfavorably to its sister park, Disneyland. But now Disney is about to complete a major overhaul that pays homage to the era when Walt’s career as an animator was taking off during the golden days of Hollywood. “The old Disney California Adventure will be all but unrecognizable when they’re done,” says Jill Safro, editor of Birnbaum’s Official Guides to Disney. “The changes are very, very special.”

More Walt, it turns out, is always a good thing. Could it be that our love of Disney is as much about his idealism and optimistic take on life as it is about character breakfasts? By pulling our heartstrings and reminding us of happy childhood memories, the company is managing to persuade folks of all ages that we’re never too old for Disney vacations. As Walt said, “Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.”

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The Bay Bridge in San Francisco, which carries about 270,000 vehicles daily, opened in 1936. (Photo credit: evgenyvasenev)

They’re a means to an end: bridges are fundamentally a way to get from point A to point B. But as designs get bigger and bolder, bridges have also become destinations in their own right — as highlighted by the strong ranking of bridges in Travel + Leisure’s survey of the top new landmarks.

Slideshow: See the spectacular bridges

France’s Millau Viaduct bridge, unveiled in 2004, was a survey favorite for its daring beauty — stretching more than 8,000 feet across a gorge 1,132 feet below. It also inspires travelers to stop for a photo-op, including Travel + Leisure community member avs8819, whose image of the bridge gleaming on a sunny afternoon made it into this slideshow of readers’ beautiful bridge photos.

While the Millau Viaduct bridge has become a near-instant icon, no tribute to these spanning structures would be complete without the Brooklyn Bridge, whose masterful combination of stone archways and steel cables — juxtaposed against the Manhattan skyline — makes for breathtaking photos. 

The Ponte Vecchio in Florence rivals the Brooklyn Bridge as one of the world’s most photographed; it draws travelers not only for its medieval good looks but for its jam-packed boutiques selling primarily gold and silver jewelry. No shopaholic will just cross this bridge over the Arno River nonchalantly — and it’s a rare tourist who leaves without a few shots of the bridge and the surrounding hills and cypress trees.

Of course, here, too, in America, we have historic covered bridges that can stir feelings of nostalgia for a time we never actually experienced. Our slideshow includes one such wooden bridge in New Hampshire, captured in autumn against a vibrant backdrop of red and gold leaves. Vietnam also puts its own spin on covered bridges, going for bright colors and ornate tiling and figurines.

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Lello Bookshop in Porto, Portugal, is one of the world's most beautiful bookstores, thanks largely to its glossy red staircase with carved wooden banisters that leads up to a glass atrium. (Photo credit: Davide Cazzola)

It looks like any old roller coaster with curves and heart-stopping loops. But instead of zooming by, those people are walking — on inclines fitted with steps. German architects pushed the staircase into new territory in 2011, creating Tiger & Turtle — Magic Mountain purely for enjoyment.

Slideshow: See the world's coolest staircases

While staircases are fundamentally a means to get from one point to another, they become cool — and worth seeking out — when the form is made at least as important as the function. Whether in shops, museums, religious sites, or the great outdoors, the staircases we’ve found are inspiring works of public art and provide interesting perspective on a destination. (From the steps of Tiger & Turtle — Magic Mountain, the views of Germany’s Rhine Valley are spectacular.)

Another kind of architectural feat came courtesy of Apple, a brand known for obsessing about design, even down to the details of its retail stores. Ultra-modern floating glass staircases are centerpieces at most of their shops; the staircase that spirals twice to the second and third floors at the West 14th Street Apple Store in New York City is the most impressive. And in the age of Apple’s iPad and other e-readers, Portugal’s Lello Bookshop attracts most travelers for the sight of its lavish red staircase with Art Nouveau flourishes rather than its volumes.

But our list isn’t limited to modern designs; one of the most ingenious staircases was built for entirely practical reasons outside the city of Jaipur, India, around the ninth century. The 13-story-deep step well served a common good, enabling locals to climb up and down to access water despite fluctuating levels.

Travel + Leisure only considered cool staircases that are accessible to the public, ruling out some enviable ones within private homes. One notable exception is Antonio Gaudí’s skeletal staircase at Barcelona’s Casa Batlló. What was originally the Batlló family’s private home is such a fine example of Modernist architecture that it was opened to the public in 2002.

So next time you travel, skip the elevator and take the stairs. We bet you’ll be so amazed by the world’s coolest staircases you won’t notice you’re getting a workout.

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If you’re looking for a fun spring getaway for all ages, look no further. Travel + Leisure highlights five standout family destinations, from a mega-resort with a waterpark in the Bahamas to a charming hotel with a private beach in Cape May, N.J.

Slideshow: See more great spring-break getaways

The Bahamas

Where to stay: Atlantis

Courtesy of Kerzner International

The Atlantis in the Bahamas offers no shortage of accommodations, dining and things to do, for both adults and kids.

A 141-acre waterpark called Aquaventure (which pumps more than 20 million gallons of water throughout its maze of slides), 40-plus restaurants and bars, a 63-slip marina filled with luxury yachts, and loads of sports and entertainment options are at your doorstep when you stay at this mega-resort. Travel + Leisure’s Atlantis Family Insider package includes a Beach Tower Terrace room with two double beds, a two-for-one pass to AKA Kid’s club (where guests ages 3 to 12 can enjoy culinary lessons), and access to Crush, the resort’s popular teen hangout. Atlantis also counts numerous outdoor lagoons and aquariums, where reptile-lovers can spot thousands of animals. From $209 per night.

Monterey Bay, Calif. 

Where to stay: Portola Hotel & Spa 

This waterfront retreat with 379 newly renovated rooms overlooks the beautiful central California coast. The kid-friendly hotel has a Pirates Program that takes young “crewmembers” on scavenger hunts and local explorations (youngsters can even expect daily surprises, like treasure chests filled with toys). The Monterey area, only three hours from San Francisco, is full of family fun – don’t miss the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium or the stunning redwood forests in nearby Big Sur. From $179 per night. 

Washington, D.C.

Where to stay: The Fairmont

Within a mile of the White House and adjacent to the Georgetown neighborhood, the Fairmont offers 415 tasteful rooms with original art, a 17,500-square-foot fitness center (one of the city's largest), and comfort food at the on-site restaurant Juniper. Take the kids to see the crowd-pleasing giant pandas at the National Zoo. This rare species is dangerously close to extinction; only about 1,600 of these gentle creatures still exist. The Fairmont’s Panda package includes overnight accommodations for two adults and two children, one Zoo Welcome Kit (including a stuffed panda, among other surprises), zoo scavenger hunt and a $10 donation to the Giant Panda Conservation Fund made by Fairmont. From $209 per night. 

Lake Oconee, Ga.

Where to stay: Ritz-Carlton, Reynolds Plantation

Famous for its world-class golf courses, this lush resort occupies 10,000 acres along the shore of Lake Oconee, just 75 miles from Atlanta. Within the exquisite shingled lodge are the resort’s 251 rooms, designed like the inside of an upscale country home with antique reproductions, richly colored fabrics, Frette bed linens and spacious granite-and-marble baths. Kids will love kayaking on the sparkling lake and can top an activity-filled day with s’mores around a campfire. From $199 per night.

Cape May, N.J.

Where to stay: Congress Hall

This 108-room Cape May property, with its guest-only beach, is a charming haven — far from the "Jersey Shore" seen on reality TV. The historic beachside hotel is perched on a sweeping lawn overlooking the Atlantic and recently underwent a massive $26 million renovation. Families can enjoy all that the seaside town has to offer, from charming salt water taffy shops (don’t miss Fralinger's) to activities like fishing and bird-watching. From $139 per night.

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