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The Taj Mahal is considered the pinnacle of Mughal architecture, but some find it to be nothing less than the most beautiful building in the world. If you've never seen it with your own eyes, it might be worth planning a trip to Agra, India to experience the ultimate expression of love and loss. The Taj Mahal was built between 1632 and 1653 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth in 1631. Its white domed mausoleum, gardens, and integrated complex of mosques and other buildings are especially striking due to a combination of Islamic, Indian, and Persian architectural styles, and visitors can easily spend hours scrutinizing the detailed artwork and wandering the landscaped paths. Guided tours are available that point out the most notable features while relaying the story of its creation, which employed thousands of artisans and craftsmen who created one of the most inspiring building ever created. The Taj Mahal is just minutes from the ITC Mughal, Agra, a Luxury Collection property.

If you believe there aren't any tropical rainforests in the United States Forest System, you're almost right. The US lays claim to just one, the El Yunque Rainforest, a magical and majestic spot within view of the St. Regis Bahía Beach Resort, which is scheduled to open November. 4, 2010.

As you would expect of a tropical rainforest, El Yunque provides shelter to many exotic fish (snook and tarpon), birds (pelicans), animals (West Indian whistling ducks, iguanas), and lush flora whose growth is aided by the more than 100 billion gallons of rain that fall annually. The slow-moving Espiritu Santo River winds through the forest and along the eastern border of the St. Regis, putting kayaking and canoeing within easy reach. Tackle El Yunque's Mt. Britton, a 3,088-foot peak that takes about 45 minutes to climb and provides beautiful views of the rainforest, or hike in hopes of seeing the endangered Puerto Rican parrot, the only remaining native parrot in Puerto Rico. The US Fish & Wildlife Service estimates that there are only about 40 of them left in the wild, all of which live in El Yunque. If you're a nature lover who can't wait to try and spot the brilliant green birds with the red forehead, you'll likely be glad to know that Bahía Beach will have a naturalist on staff to lead walks and conduct workshops.

[image via Wikimedia Commons]

When it comes to art and design, few countries can boast a grander legacy than Italy. There's no denying the genius of those renaissance masters, but frankly, they're starting to feel a bit, well... ancient. On my next trip to Rome, I'd like to see something new. That's why I'll be heading to MAXXI, the recently established national museum of 21st century art.

Designed by British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, the angular, concrete structure is devoted to "contemporary creativity." Cultural events and a rich educational program compliment the museum's array of exhibitions devoted to art and architecture. Exciting works by the likes of Joseph Beuys, Andy Warhol, Anish Kapoor, Gerhard Richter, Sol LeWitt, and Fabio Mauri comprise the museum's collection, and are on view in the exhibition "Spazio," which runs through January 23, 2011. Other current exhibitions feature the video installations of Kutlug Ataman, the works of Italian artist Gino De Dominicis, and Luigi Moretti's architectural masterpieces. The art is spectacular and inspiring, but the building itself is reason alone to visit this marvelous new museum. A gargantuan space defined by geometric shapes, curving ramps, even planes, and long straight lines, Hadid's building is already one of Rome's most extraordinary landmarks. There's the Pantheon, the Colosseum, and now there's MAXXI.

Stay at the elegant Hotel Eden. Set among Rome's verdant parklands and historic villas it's a stroll away from the Spanish Steps. Because after spending the day at such a modern, innovative museum, you know you'll be craving a little bit of Ancient Rome now won't you?

There are walking tours and bicycle tours, but no tour feels quite as hip and European as one taken by Vespa. Left Bank Scooters allows you to explore Nice for hours by way of a spunky red two-wheeler.

Your guided tour begins in the heart of Nice - at the front door of the Four Points by Sheraton Elysee Palace - and continues for a glorious three or six hours, depending on your preference. But first comes a brief lesson in how to drive the scooters on French roads! Once you're comfortable, you'll zip over to the beachfront Promenade des Anglais along the lovely La Baie des Anges (The Bay of Angels) and take in some local landmarks, including the Theatre de l'Opera and Casino Mediterranée. From the coast, you'll head into the Vieux Nice (Old Town), where you'll get to explore galleries and sample traditional Niçois food. Your tour of the French Riviera then takes you beyond the town, up into the mountains on a stunning drive that deposits you atop Mont Vinaigrier, which offers impressive panoramic views of the city below. The longer tour option then continues along the coast, through Villefranche-sur-Mer and into Monaco, where you'll see the Casino de Monte-Carlo, palace, port, and old city. Should you be reluctant to hand over the keys, take heart: For a small additional fee, you can keep your Vespa for an additional 24 hours.

[image via Wikimedia Commons]

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a great place to survey a wide variety of animals in various habitats. The world's largest dedicated area for polar bears is now open here. The Polar Frontier is more than just a space for local and visitors to Ohio to enjoy; it is a new center for polar bear wellness research, conservation activism, and general species education, an institution needed now more than ever as the future of the polar bear must be protected now in the face of global warming. Most importantly, it is a place where you can say hi to and make googly-eyes at Aurora and Anana, two impossibly lovely polar bear twin sisters who have recently arrived to Columbus from the Arctic. For a change of pace, you can gaze at reptiles and amphibians, or explore the aquarium's sealife, including the irresistibly cute otters. It's all a fairly rare opportunity to enjoy so much variety in one spot.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is conveniently located to a stay at The Westin Hotel Columbus, your home away from home and central point of command for your adventures in the city. What's your favorite zoo or aquarium, one really worth visiting when you're an out-of-towner?

Want to make sure you have no regrets on your next trip to Paris? Make time to visit the Musée Edith Piaf when you next stay at Le Méridien Etoile.

One of France's most famed singers, Piaf is best known for songs like "La Vie en Rose" and "Non, je ne regretted rien" (and for being played by Marion Cotillard in 2007's La Vie en Rose, which won the actress an Oscar). You'll be able to glean some lesser-known facts about Piaf with a visit to the private museum in a Belleville apartment, a neighborhood Piaf spent time in as a child. It's owned by Bernard Marchois, who knew the singer for the last six years of her life and wrote two biographies about her. You'll need to call ahead to make an appointment and get the code to enter the building, then walk up four flights of stairs. What awaits is a two-room labor of love, a collection of memorabilia that includes her famed black dresses, a pair of open-toed heels, china, books and music, and gold and platinum records. Private letters from the likes of the word boxing champ Marcel Cerdan, Piaf's married lover who died in a plane crash en route to visit her, and photos provide an even fuller picture of Piaf.

There's no time for idling on your next weekend trip to Pittsburgh: Check in to the Westin Convention Center and head straight to the city's Strip District for a 4 p.m. tour of some of the town's tastiest destinations, complete with plenty of sampling, compliments of 'Burgh Bits & Bites.

"The Strip," as it's known by locals, is pretty much what it sounds like: a narrow, one-half-square-mile strip of land that has had a more than 100-year history as being a center for produce wholesalers. Today, it's still known for its retail produce and ethnic food shops, along with restaurants and cafes. What better place to do some serious tasting? As befitting of a late Friday afternoon jaunt, wine is on the menu on the TGIF With Wine Tasting tour, as are cheese, coffee, and other tasty treats in the stops made along the two-and-a-half-hour tour. If you're raring to go even earlier on Friday, check out the Strip District Market Tour, offered at 10 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. It's not quite as boozy, but it's heavy on the historic market district's best: You'll make six-or-so stops in two hours, and taste a worldly range of samples, including Italian pastries, Mediterranean items, French bread, and delicious European cheeses.

Snorkeling and scuba diving are just so...typical. On your next trip to the Westin Resort & Spa, Los Cabos, take the time to explore the depths of Cabo San Lucas in a whole new way - on a Cabo Submarine night tour.

Jacques Cousteau called the Baja waters the "Aquarium of the World," and you'll soon see why. The 55-minute tour departs from the Cabo Marina at 8 p.m. You'll ride in a climate-controlled semi-submersible sub - one of only a few tourist submarines in all of Mexico - that takes you about eight feet below the surface. The 60-foot sub holds 49 guests, with a lower viewing level that has seats with their own viewing port. But when you're cruising down below, how to see? Cabo Submarine's state-of-the-art lighting system's 24 high-powered bulbs shine a light on the nighttime activity. You'll get to watch an illuminated fish feeding along the Pelican's Rock and Neptune's Finger rock structures. Cabo's waters house a great number of brightly colored species of fish, from the Cortez Angelfish to the Bluespotted Jawfish, which your guide will point out to you. How better to see the life that comes out after dark, in a way that's great for families and kids of any ages? Sunset tours available upon request.

Visitors to Bengalaru looking to experience what life was like for the sultans in the 18th century need look no further than Tipu Sultan's Palace. Located near one of the city's most vibrant markets and set amid a 16th century mud brick fort, the palace served as a summer home for Tipu Sultan (1750 - 1799), the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore. Completed in 1791, the two story structure is made entirely of teak wood and boasts high arches, decorated pillars, and gold rosettes designed to bring a measure of peace to the sultan as he waged wars and negotiated peace treaties with adversaries both foreign and domestic. Today, the fort houses a museum filled with artifacts of the Hyder-Tipu regime, along with a series of beautifully manicured gardens that are perfect for long walks and quiet contemplation. One of the more interesting aspects of the palace's history was its many nods to religious tolerance. Tipu Sultan was an adherent of Islam, yet most of his subjects were Hindu, so he added a Ganesha Temple to show them that all religions had rights and privileges under his leadership. The palace is open every day except Sunday, and is just minutes from the brand new Aloft Bengaluru Whitefield.

It's only appropriate that a trip to a land in the Indian Ocean be filled with exotic tastes and smells. The best way to do this in the Seychelles is to visit Le Jardin du Roi, a spice plantation that's sure to take you back to the days of yore, when treasured spices were as dear as gold.

This tucked away gem features lovely gardens atop hills and across valleys (it's steep in some places, so you'd be wise to wear sturdy shoes), filled with rows of vanilla vines, nutmeg, pepper, cinnamon, and other spices. Stroll through the grounds at your leisure - if you're lucky, you'll see some of the giant tortoises that call the gardens home - or call at least one day ahead and book a guided mountain hike. The best of the gardens get put to use a short distance from where it grows - a rustic open-air restaurant, considered one of the area's best, overlooks the sea, and features drinks and local seafood flavored with Le Jardin du Roi's own spices. Don't miss the ice cream, which comes in stunning flavors like lemongrass and clove. And look no further for the perfect souvenir of your trip: A shop sells the garden's precious bounty. Make a stop there before heading back to Le Meridien Fisherman's Cove.

[image via Sam Mugraby, Photos8.com]