5 Vacation Ideas, From Island Stays to Northern Lights

Would you rather spend a week beside the sea or come home with sore feet from walking around a city? That's a useful place to start with these five vacation ideas. The Maldives and Hawaii suit very different island trips; France, Ireland and Iceland give you three more directions to consider. You don't need to squeeze them into one itinerary. Pick the trip you'd actually enjoy taking.

Maldives

The Maldives is a collection of islands in the Indian Ocean. If your vacation daydream involves blue water and an overwater bungalow, this is probably the option you've already saved photos of. Before booking, look beyond the room rate. Check how you'll get from the airport to your island and what's included in your stay. The view matters, but so does knowing what the trip will cost.

Hawaii

You don't have to treat Hawaii as one destination. Its six main visitor islands offer different trips, and choosing an island is a better starting point than trying to see everything. Kauai and the island of Hawaii are two possibilities. Compare what you'd like to do with the time you have. Staying on one island leaves more of that time for the vacation itself.

France

If you've always wanted that Eiffel Tower photo, go ahead and put Paris on the list. You don't need a more unusual reason to choose a city. For a stay by the Mediterranean, there's Nice on the French Riviera. Monaco is nearby, though it's a separate country. Decide how much moving around you want to do before you book hotels in several places.

Ireland

Dublin has pubs with traditional music sessions, if that's something you'd like to hear on a trip. Look up a session before heading out rather than hoping to find one by chance. Going with children? Ask the venue about its age rules and the time the music starts. It's much easier to make another plan at home than at a pub door with disappointed kids.

Iceland

Iceland puts glaciers and dramatic scenery on the wish list, but the season changes the trip. Hoping for northern lights? Visit Iceland advises that you need dark, clear skies, and a sighting is never guaranteed. Choose dates with that in mind, then make sure there are other things you'd enjoy if clouds spoil the view. Summer's long daylight hours offer a different experience. Pick the season before planning the route.