Looking for a tropical getaway with amazing snorkeling and overwater bungalow accommodations, but can't decide between Maldives or Bora Bora? This is a question I am asked frequently, and honestly, you cannot go wrong with either place! There are few idyllic locations in the world that will emote such a sense of awe and indulgence.

A question I get asked quite frequently is "How do you afford to travel?." Traveling can accrue expenses very quickly, especially if luxurious accommodations and Michelin-rated restaurants are high on your priority list. However, smart travelers know there are insider tips on how to save while living it up, and although the rule of "working hard to save money and afford your travels" exists (or being born filthy rich), here are some rule benders to get the most value from smart spending, to make the financially impossible...possible!

If you are looking for a coastal getaway, a trip with seaside relaxation, spectacular views, and culinary wonders in the setting of an ancient Italian town, the Amalfi coast is the perfect place. The Amalfi coast is a beautiful stretch of dramatic cliffs, consisting of several other towns, such as Amalfi, Ravello, and Positano in southwestern Italy. I would recommend to spend at least two days in Amalfi town and additional days depending on how many of the neighboring towns you would like to explore...

My favorite thing about Ubud is its natural beauty-- misty mornings surrounded by a lush jungle landscape. The Viceroy Bali is an intimate boutique hotel that captures the essence and serenity of Ubud. Located in the Valley of the Kings, it is no surprise that previous Balinese royalty made this mystical area their home. I stayed in a stunning deluxe terrace pool villa. My villa was very spacious and had a beautiful bale outdoors, which is a Balinese gazebo, perched atop a heated private pool with a view of a million palm trees. Breakfast was fresh-to-order all you can eat with the option to eat at the restaurant or in your terrace...

Hotel Poseidon is a charming hotel located half way up the hillside in the heart of Positano with stunning picturesque seascape views from the rooftop terrace. It is conveniently located walking distance to shops, restaurants, and the beach.

Some places I go to I have a hard time sleeping because I can't wait to wake up in the morning, like a kid on Christmas Eve! Hotel Eden Roc is one of these places. The view from the balcony of my suite was so breathtaking--every picture like a postcard...

Across Marina bay is the Ritz Carlton, Millenia, a luxurious hotel boasting a large collection of contemporary art and spectacular panoramic views of the city skyline and Marina Bay Sands. I stayed in a Deluxe Room with Marina Bay view. The bathroom was stunning made of all marble with city views from the bath tub. The Chihuly lounge (named after American glass artist, Dale Chihuly) is beautiful and is where we had high tea. The hotel is conveniently situated near the Singapore Flyer, a giant ferris wheel, and is walking distance to Marina Bay Sands...

Recognized as one of the favorite and most famous islands of Greece, (and rightly so!) Santorini sits atop the rim of an extinct volcano rim with most of the iconic views facing the inner caldera. The picturesque views are courtesy of most of the city's higher location above the steep cliffs, accessed by either a gondola ride or, for the more adventurous, a mule ride traveling up cross back trails along the hillside...

Hot, sunny, beautiful, affordable, and fun! It's no surprise Cancun is such a popular travel destination. There's so much to see and do and it's a great travel spot whether you are traveling as a couple, a group of friends, or as a family. One easy way to describe Cancun is "Vegas on the beach." The main popular hotels are located on a strip located about 30-miles north of the airport. Once there, gorgeous turquoise waters will be at your feet...

Dubai has embedded itself firmly on the world map as an emerging business metropolis, shopping mecca, and beach vacation hot spot for those looking to see life through the eyes of someone living in the lap of extraordinary luxury. All records are broken in Dubai. If it can be built, it will be built higher here. If it can be imagined, then it can be made reality. The world's tallest building (Burj Khalifa), the world's only 7-star hotel (Burj al Arab), a ski resort in the desert, and man-made islands in the shape of a palm tree (Palm Islands) are among a few examples...

If you are looking for a tropical getaway in the Caribbean, Bahamas is a great one to consider. The water is beautiful and bath water warm. This was one of my first tropical vacations and was my "gateway" to paradise. I stayed at The Cove Atlantis, which is the adults only hotel at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas. The "aerial" shots below are photos I took from the balcony of my room, so the ocean view rooms on the upper levels definitely offer some stunning sights!

The French Riviera (Côte d'Azur), the South of France, is a stretch of Meditteranean coastline spanning from Cassis on the SW border to Menton on the NE border with hot spots Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Antibes, Nice, Villlefranche-sur-Mer, Eze, and Monaco in between. It is the posh playground for royalty, celebrities, and billionaires alike, who make this region their second home for the summer. It is the perfect place for a luxurious beach vacation with numerous options for extravagant and glamorous hotels and beach clubs, or for sightseeing and people watching if time or money is limited...

If you are searching for a boutique resort in Maldives with amazing snorkeling, exceptional service, and a beautiful overwater bungalow with a private pool, then Baros is it! From the moment you arrive until the moment you leave, you are treated like a King and Queen of the island.

Nice is a bustling beach town in the French Riviera with colorful architecture, buzzing with restaurants, bars, and cafes alongside an azure pebbled coastline around the Bay of Angels. The Mediterranean climate, eclectic cuisine, and rich culture make Nice an appealing travel destination for all types of travelers...

If you have plans to go to Amalfi Coast or Positano, then I would make sure to take a boat ride to Capri. There are 30-minute boat rides from Positano to Capri that you can arrange near the ferry dock for day trips. I took a trip in the early morning to avoid the crowds that tend to be heavy at noon. Since I only had the day, I arranged an abbreviated tour with a local tour guide, who took me to all the hot spots and helped us get to the front of the lines at each of the sites through her connections with the locals.

Positano is a charming and colorful cliffside village on the Amalfi Coast in Italy, the perfect getaway for a Mediterranean summer.  You can walk through the steep narrow streets and browse boutiques en route to the beach. The beachfront is lined with colorful umbrellas, numerous cafes, and water color artists painting their rendition of the magical coast.

Lux* South Ari Atoll resort is the perfect choice if you are looking for a large resort with a long stretch of white sandy beach and several amenities. They have two large infinity pools and a marine center that can take you on whale shark snorkeling excursions. Whale shark sightings are more common in the south atoll region. During our excursion, we were able to see two large whale sharks and swim right next to them. Although they have large mouths, they are only filter feeders and are safe to be around and I was relieved I did not get swallowed!

Glacier blue waters, colorful coral, and lush mountainous landscapes make Bora Bora heaven on Earth. This is the perfect place for a romantic luxurious getaway. My stay at St. Regis was amazing and I have recommended this resort to family and friends and they have all said to me that their stay was "worth every penny." The hotel has great amenities, such as water sports equipment free of charge (paddle boarding, sailing, and kayaking) and bikes to ride around the hotel property.

In my quest to see amazing infinity pools around the world, the one at Marina Bay Sands was at the top of my list. It is the world's largest rooftop infinity pool and 57 levels above ground. The views of the city skyline from the rooftop infinity pool were impressive. The pool does have a separate "no kids" section, which was great. The pool was very crowded with guests at certain times of the day, but there were times around lunch time when it was less crowded. The sunsets from the pool were incredible, especially on a cloudy day with all shades of pink, orange, and purple--the prettiest skies! 

My first over-the-water bungalow experience was in Bora Bora and it did not disappoint. The abundant shades of blue and turquoise waters and the beautiful Mount Otemanu landscape were jaw droopingly beautiful that I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming!

During my ten day trip to Bali, I was really ambitious and wanted to check out all the hot spots during my stay. We hired a private taxi driver who drove us around to a list of places we wanted to see. The cost of a chauffeur was inexpensive, about $45 a day, to drive us from 8am-5pm, which was a great deal and super convenient! Tanah lot, a temple by the sea, was particularly stunning at sunset, which is a popular time to see it...

My impression of Nusa Dua is that it is an area with a ton of resorts and you mainly go here to hang out at your resort or villa. If you are looking to just relax, then you will find paradise and solitude here in the comforts of your hotel. The nice thing about this side of Bali is that there are some pretty sunrises. The not-so-nice thing is there were a ton of mosquitoes here, so insect repellent is a must...

Ubud is the spiritual and cultural heart of Bali with beautiful temples, lots of restaurants (organic vegan to gastronomic/gourmet), and yoga amidst a background of jungle greenery. Definitely stop by the Tegalalang rice terrace...

Bali is the perfect place for any kind of traveler. Whether you are looking for a relaxing luxurious vacation; a spiritual yoga retreat; a trip to explore the culture or sightsee famous temples; or if you are a beach-goer/surfer, this is the place for you! Each town is different, so I would recommend staying at hotels that are near the activities that interest you the most...

The great thing about staying in a resort in South Atoll is the opportunity to snorkel with whale sharks. The snorkeling in South Atoll is usually better, but that may depend on the quality of your particular hotel's reef. During my first trip to Maldives, I split my time between two hotels. I personally enjoyed experiencing two hotels for more variety in meal options and water activities. If you are spending more than one week there, then it might be worthwhile. If you are spending only one week, then the cost of flying from one hotel to another might not be worth it. You would have to fly from your hotel back to the capitol of Male and then from there fly to your second hotel.

After vacationing in Bora Bora, I was hooked and on a mission to find paradise again--somewhere in the world that could be either equivalent or even more beautiful. The stunning shades of blue, calm crystalline waters, over-the-water bungalows, and abundance of sea life made me yearn for more. And luckily, Maldives did not disappoint. In fact, Maldives is somewhere I can see myself going back to and know that I will have a unique experience there every time.