HALF MOON ISLAND, ANTARTICA

After setting foot on the crescent shaped Half Moon Island, I began asking fellow travelers what made them want to go to Antarctica – the coldest, windiest and driest continent in the world; a landscape which is 98 percent continental ice sheet and two percent barren rock; a continent so cruel and unforgiving that virtually no life can survive on it. The overwhelming answer was simple: “Because I can.”

It was a good answer, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized, it was mine too. It was not confirmed until the early 1800s that there was even the existence of a “southern land,” until international expeditions began exploring the area, confirming Antarctica as the world’s fifth largest continent. The first cruise ship sailed to Antarctica in 1950. Today numerous cruise companies offer excursions on the continent. Half Moon Island offers stunning photo opportunities and close-up encounters with thousands of Chinstrap penguins. During austral summer, the black sand seems almost warm on your feet. The scope and vastness of the surroundings are unimaginable. There were some days when I felt like I was on another planet. For many it is a journey into history, for others, an unparalleled ecological experience; but for most, it is the trip of a lifetime. www.state.gov/g/oes/ocns/opa/antartictourism

BELIZE

Stretching 200 miles from the Yucatan Peninsula to the Bay of Honduras on the Caribbean coast of Central America, Belize is one of the few remaining unspoiled places on earth. Though technically not an island, this tiny English-speaking country of only 333,200 people, possess the lowest population density in Central America. With miles of unexplored beaches, world-class diving, snorkeling, lush tropical rainforest, Mayan sites, wildlife reserves, fishing, hiking, bird watching, and fishing, it proves to be the ultimate location for the adventure traveler. Renowned throughout the world for its hundreds of tiny cayes (islands) - pronounced “keys” in Belizean – it also features the Belize Barrier Reef, the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. My greatest snorkeling and kayak experience was a day spent just off Belize City on a little caye that didn’t even have a name. The beauty of the caye was astonishing and the marine life indescribable. www.TravelBelize.org.

THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

On December 7, 1941, the whole world heard of the U.S. Territory of Hawai’i. The attack on Pearl Harbor constituted a massive boom of U.S. military personnel, who poured into Hawai’i for the largest strategic bases in the Pacific. Men and women who had never traveled more than forty miles from their place of birth were introduced to this new tropical world of untouched beauty. After the war, Hawai’i became the destination of choice for weddings, honeymoons and vacation of a lifetime.

OAHU

Back in the 1950s, for most Americans, Waikiki Beach was Hawaii. The long shallow beach, dotted with high-rises and resort hotels, with stunning views of Diamond Head, was paradise found for the traveler. Today, Oahu offers all the urban pleasures of Honolulu, the Pearl Harbor Museum, plus the natural beauty of the rustic North Shore, home to world-famous surfing beaches and the Polynesian Culture Center.

MAUI

A former whaling center, Maui is the adventurer traveler’s delight with world-class windsurfing, snorkeling, kayaking, whale watching and hiking through Haleakala Crater. A trip to Maui would not be complete without a car ride on the Road to Hana, known for its natural beauty and towering waterfalls.

KAUA’I

An island of intense tropical beauty, Kaua’i features color-drenched gardens, lush valleys, gorgeous coastlines and soaring sea cliffs. You can experience the grandeur of this island paradise by air, land, or sea. Take a stroll, a hike, horseback ride or simply bask in the island’s tranquil pastoral beauty.

THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAI’I

Home of Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano, the Big Island of Hawai’i is still growing. Located in the 330,000 acres Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, it is also the home of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess, who symbolizes the volcano’s power. The largest, yet youngest of the Hawaiian archipelago, the Big Island features a diverse landscape, ranging from lush fern forests to sunny lava plains.

MOLOKA’I

The lights of Maui are still visible at night from the south shore of Moloka’i, but you still feel as if you are among an untamed wilderness. Only 38 by 10 miles in size, it is almost completely devoid of commercialism. A former leper colony, a short air flight or ferry takes you to this land of gorgeous coastlines, towering sea cliffs, wild rangelands and miles of untouched barrier reefs. Moloka’i is a haven for those in search of the Hawai’i of time gone by. www.GoHawaii.com