10 "Hidden Gems" You'll Love This Summer!

Whether you're headed to the Emerald Isle any time soon or simply window-shopping, we've rounded up 10 of the best attractions Ireland has to offer, from natural wonders on the Atlantic coast to Dublin's literary highlights, a world-famous castle, and traditional music and merriment. SEE OUR READERS' BEST IRELAND PHOTOS Davy Byrnes Pub This establishment on Dublin's Duke Street is mentioned in Irish novelist James Joyce's masterpiece, Ulysses, and attracts visitors from around the world for precisely that reason. Stop in for a pint of stout and a taste of the famed Dublin wit at the heart of Joyce's work. Abbey Theatre Having presented the work of playwrights such as William Butler Yeats, John Millington Synge, and Samuel Beckett, Dublin's Abbey Theatre can rightly claim to be the treasure house of Irish literary culture. Catch a play, then follow the actors to a favorite nearby haunt, the Flowing Tide, for refreshment. Trinity College Founded in the 16th century by Queen Elizabeth I, this college, on the south bank of the River Liffey in central Dublin, boasts alumni that include Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, and Samuel Beckett. Today, it is home to the iconic Book of Kells, a spectacular illuminated manuscript from the Middle Ages. Newgrange In County Meath, about 30 miles northwest of Dublin, this prehistoric passage tomb (a narrow passage made of large stones with a covered burial chamber) takes you back to 4000 B.C., a thousand years before England's Stonehenge. During the winter solstice, the rising sun shines through a small opening above the tomb's doorway, illuminating the chamber. Blarney Castle Yup, it's as touristy as it gets, but countless visitors have made the five-mile pilgrimage from Cork City to this impressive tower to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone (by some thoroughly unreliable accounts, a fragment of Jerusalem's Wailing Wall) in hopes of acquiring the gift of gab. Before you schlep all the way, be warned: In order for your lips to reach the storied stone, you have to lean backward over a parapet with an attendant holding your legs to keep you from falling. Aran Islands A short boat ride from Rossaveal or Doolin will take you to these islands off the Atlantic coast where the Irish language is still spoken. The smallest of the islands, Inisheer, is like a time capsule of ancient Ireland, with its patchwork of fields and stone walls; the Hotel Inisheer is famed for traditional Irish music and merrymaking. Cliffs of Moher Towering 700 feet above the roaring Atlantic Ocean, these shale and sandstone cliffs, near the village of Liscannor about halfway between Kerry and Connemara, make you feel as if you are standing on the edge of the world. A visitors' center offers guided tours and on clear days you can see past the Aran Islands all the way to Connemara. Skellig Michael A 700-foot-high rock that rises from the sea off the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, Skellig Michael can be reached by an hour-long boat ride from Valentia Island. But when you disembark your journey isn't complete; you can climb 650 small steps cut out of the rock to see the remains of a 7th-century Christian monastery. Maamturk Mountains Galway has been a mecca for cyclists for years, and the Maamturk Mountains offer gentle climbs that take you past pristine lakes and bogs, plus the opportunity to coast down into tiny Leenane, where the Atlantic Ocean flows into Killary Harbour. Glenveagh National Park North of Galway, this isolated park is home to red deer and falcons and offers some of the most beautiful hiking, such as the Derrylahan Trail and the Glen Walk through the Derryveagh Mountains.

How would you feel if your town was named Coolest in America? I recently spoke with Kelly Withum of Lititz, PA, winner of Budget Travel's 2013 Coolest Small Town in America, and couldn't help asking that very question. "Fantastic," says Withum, the executive director of the Lititz Farmers Market and Venture Lititz. "It's wonderful to be recognized. So many of the organizations within the Lititz community work very hard to make this a special place to live." So, what's so cool about Lititz? After all, we had thousands of nominations to consider, then after we chose 15 finalists the real action began—with thousands more readers casting the votes that led to this inviting Pennsylvania hamlet of more than 9,000, founded as a Moravian community in the 18th century, being named the coolest of the cool. What makes Lititz a standout among standouts? First off, its location, in rural Lancaster County, is the kind of setting a film scout might choose—and one actually did. Rolling farmland and the traditional Amish communities made famous by the Harrison Ford thriller Witness have turned this corner of Pennsylvania into one of America's favorite long-weekend destinations. Lititz wears its colonial-era heritage on its sleeve, but that doesn't mean it forgoes contemporary pleasures. Next time you're in the area (Lititz is a 90-minute drive west of Philadelphia), these are some of the delights you'll find in America's Coolest Small Town: Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery was the first commercial pretzel bakery in the U.S., founded in 1861. Take a bakery tour, including learning hands-on pretzel-making, and visit the bakery shop to take home treats with a twist. Wilbur Chocolate Company runs an old-fashioned candy store on the ground floor of its factory. Watch them make their own fudge, and pick up a package of distinctive Wilbur Buds, little chocolates sold by the pound. Historical sites abound in this town that was founded in 1756 by Moravians from Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic); must-sees include the Lititz Historical Foundation, the Johannes Mueller House (a re-creation of a Moravian home), the Moravian Church, and a historical cemetery known by locals as God's Acre. Restaurants dominate Lititz's downtown, and while some burghs may seek "revitalization," Lititz has instead campaigned for downtown "vibrancy," and it shows. Eating establishments and watering holes are too numerous to list here, but favorites include Tomato Pie Café, Café Chocolate, Bulls Head Public House, Appalachian Brewing Company, Savory Gourmet, Olio, and Zest. General Sutter Inn is a comfy B&B with a decidedly un-quaint angle: Six of its rooms have been decorated with rock-n-roll stage equipment courtesy of a Lititz entertainment cluster that is responsible for the staging, lighting, and sound for major rock acts. Lititz Springs Park, in the middle of downtown, is ideal for the little ones, who will have a chance to feed the ducks and maybe even see a family of quackers cross busy Route 501, as in the classic picture book Make Way for Ducklings. We're psyched to have Lititz join the ranks of Budget Travel's Coolest Small Towns, and Withum suggests that just participating in the competition—let alone winning it—has been good for the town. "This contest has been a remarkable community builder," she says. "Our online campaign went viral, and we had people who had visited Lititz from all over the world voting. Our sign company put up a banner on Route 501! We thank Budget Travel for this great honor."

Most beaches need umbrellas and blankets to brighten up the landscape. Not these nine stretches of sand. From iconic pink sand beaches in the Bahamas to a green beach in Hawaii, we've rounded up nine beaches around the world that you have to see to believe—and we show you exactly how to get there. SEE THE WORLD'S MOST COLORFUL BEACHES! BLACK SANDMuriwai Black Sand Beach, New ZealandBlack sand beaches are typically a result of an island's explosive volcanic past—the rich color is a result of a mixture of iron, titanium, and several other volcanic materials. New Zealand's stunning Muriwai Black Sand Beach is a 37-mile stretch of sparkling black sand and home to New Zealand's largest colony of Gannet birds. Hike up the scenic trail at the southern end of the beach to two viewing platforms for great ocean views and a peek at the birds in their natural habitat, where nearly 1,200 pairs nest between August and March each year. See it for yourself: Just a 40-minute ride west of downtown Auckland, Muriwai Black Sand Beach can be a day trip, or book a room at the Lodge Escape at Muriwai for from $120 a night. Feeling gutsy? Try a two-hour lesson from the Muriwai Surf School (from $60 per person including equipment). GREEN SANDPapakōlea Beach, Big Island of HawaiiLocated on the southern tip of Hawaii's Big Island, Papakōlea Beach is more commonly referred to as Green Sand Beach. And for good reason. The sand here is made of tiny olivine crystals from the surrounding lava rocks that are trapped in the 49,000-year-old Pu'u Mahana cinder cone by the waters of Mahana Bay. The density of the olivine crystals keeps them from being washed away by the tide, resulting in a striking olive-green accumulation along the coastline. Swimming is allowed but waves on the windy southern coast can be particularly strong. And while it's tempting, it's bad form to take the sand home with you. See it for yourself: Papakōlea Beach is equidistant from both Kona and Hilo, and well worth the scenic two-hour-and-15-minute drive on Highway 11 (look for signs for Ka Lae, or South Point between mile markers 69 and 70). You can also take the two-mile hike along the southernmost point in the U.S.A. for a glimpse of the uniquely olive-green sand. RED SANDRed Beach, Santorini, GreeceSantorini's Red Beach (also called Kokkini Beach) is set at the base of giant red cliffs that rise high over crystal-blue Mediterranean waters. The colorful red sand is a result of the surrounding iron-rich black and red lava rocks left over from the ancient volcanic activity of Thira, the impressive volcano that erupted and essentially shaped Santorini in 1450 B.C. Nowadays, the beach is popular with sunbathers, though you'll want to rent beach chairs to avoid sitting directly on the coarse sand. And it's best to visit in the early morning hours—the sand heats up under the warm Mediterranean sun. See it for yourself: The easiest way to reach Red Beach is by boat from Akrotíri or Períssa on Santorini. Pair your trip to the beach with a visit to the ancient Minoan Ruins of Akrotiri, a 10-minute walk away. PINK SANDPink Sand Beach, Harbour Island, Eleuthera, BahamasA lot goes into making this Pink Sand Beach so… pink. The three-and-a half-mile-long stretch gets its hue from thousands of broken coral pieces, shells, and calcium carbonate materials left behind by foraminifera (tiny marine creatures with red and pink shells) that live in the coral reefs that surround the beach. The pink sands can also be found on Harbour Island's Atlantic side and along the Exuma Sound—Lighthouse Beach, Surfer's Beach, Winding Bay Beach, and French Leave Beach are also famous for their rosy sand. See it for yourself: Several flights to Eleuthera are available through Bahamasair from South Florida, or opt for one of several ferries or water taxis from the other Bahamian islands. The five-hour Eleuthera Express from Nassau costs $35 per person one-way. To get to Harbor Island from North Eleuthera Airport, take a 10-minute taxi ride (about $5 per person) to the boat dock and a 10-minute water taxi (also about $5 per person) across to Harbor Island—bicycles, scooters, and golf carts are available for rental once on the island, while walking tends to be the preferred form of transportation. PURPLE SANDPfeiffer Beach, Big Sur, CaliforniaHave you ever heard of purple sand? Head to the northern coastline of Pfeiffer Beach, where patches of violet and deep-purple sand can be found. The source is large deposits of quartz and manganese garnet originating in the nearby hills being washed down from the creek to its final resting place along the Pacific. The purple sand is more likely to be seen after storms during the winter. Swimming is not recommended because of strong currents and a number of sharp purple rocks offshore, which also contribute to the beach's rare coloration. See it for yourself: Pfeiffer Beach is located just outside Big Sur State Park about an hour south of Monterey, or roughly two hours and 45 minutes south of San Francisco along Pacific Coast Highway 1. Keep an eye out for Sycamore Canyon Road just past mile marker 45.64 and continue through Los Padres National Forest—if you are driving from Northern California, turn right approximately 0.66 miles after you see the park ranger station. Parking is available for $5 per vehicle. ORANGE SANDPorto Ferro, Sardinia, ItalyThe northern corner of Italy's island of Sardinia is home to Porto Ferro, a one-and-a-quarter-mile stretch of oddly orange-colored sand thanks to a unique mixture of the area's native orange limestone, crushed shells, and other volcanic deposits. You can also find 65-foot-tall ochre-colored sand dunes behind the beach on the way to Lake Baratz, Sardinia's only natural salt lake. The area is known for its scenic bike and hiking paths, and three Spanish lookout towers—Torre Negra, Torre Bianca, and Torre de Bantine Sale—that date back to the 1600s. Boating is the best way to explore this pristine area of Sardinia, which is also a popular spot for diving, surfing, and windsurfing. See it for yourself: Ryanair offers affordable round-trip flights from many Italian cities to the town of Alghero on Sardinia, with prices from Rome's Ciampino Airport starting at around $69 per person. Once on the island of Sardinia, Porto Ferro is just 19 miles outside Alghero—drive northwest toward the town of Capo Caccia, turn right, and continue up the coast to reach Porto Ferro. WHITE SANDCrescent Beach, Siesta Key, FloridaA lot of places boast that they have white-sand beaches, but it doesn't get much whiter than Crescent Beach, located on Siesta Key, a barrier island just off the coast of Sarasota, FL. The sand here is 99 percent pure quartz, which has traveled down Florida's rivers from the Appalachian Mountains. The best part about this sand's fine texture: Not only does it feel like you're walking through powdered sugar, but because of its unique quartz makeup, it will never heat up no matter how hot the Florida sun beats down. You'll also find coral and other diverse rock formations at the southern end of the beach at Point of Rocks that make this a great area for diving and snorkeling. Alas, it turns out there may be one beach with whiter sand: Hyams Beach in Australia is now listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as having the whitest sand in the world. See it for yourself: Siesta Key is about a 20-minute drive from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport—travel south on U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) to Siesta Drive, turn right and go over the bridge to Siesta Key, bear left at the first traffic light, follow State Highway 758, and make a right at the second traffic light at Beach Road. Park in the lot on the left and walk five minutes south to reach Crescent Beach. GRAY SANDShelter Cove, Humboldt County, CaliforniaOne word best describes Shelter Cove: remote. It's worth the trip to see the gray-colored sand, the result of years of erosion of the nearby gray-shale cliffs along the shore. The area is also known for its scenic coastal drives, hikes, and an abundant source of wildlife at the nearby 68,000-acre King Range National Conservation Area, home to sea lions, bald eagles, and Roosevelt elk—even Bigfoot himself has been spotted roaming the woods here. See it for yourself: Make the four-and-a-half-hour drive north from San Francisco on Highway 101 to Northern California's Humboldt County. Shelter Cove is along "The Lost Coast" just above Mendocino County and about an hour south of Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Look for the Redway-Shelter Cove exit on U.S. Highway 101 and drive onto Briceland Road to get to the northern part of the beach. MULTICOLORED SANDRainbow Beach, AustraliaRainbow Beach makes up for its small size (just 0.62 miles) with its many colors. There are 74 different hues, a clandestine combination of erosion and iron oxide buildup that has been occurring since the last ice age, and the makeup changes. There is a sad romantic story behind the colors as well. According to an ancient Aboriginal legend, the sands became colorful as a result of the rainbow spirit falling onto the large 656-foot tall beachside cliffs after losing a battle over a beautiful woman, leaving his beautiful colors to rest on the beach for all of eternity. See it for yourself: Rainbow Beach is a three-hour drive north of Brisbane on the Sunshine Coast of northeast Queensland. Greyhound Australia offers shuttle bus service to Rainbow Beach from Brisbane International Airport—prices for a round-trip adult ticket start from $114 per person including taxes. Another bus company, Premier Motor Services, offers similar routes for from $60 per person for a round-trip ticket.

If you've never skied before, the idea of strapping yourself into a slippery device atop a mountain can seem like a recipe for a prolonged hospital visit. I know I wasn't too keen on the concept. It took a friend of mine who is an experienced skier to convince me to try it. "C'mon, if a 2-year-old can learn how to ski so can you," he told me. "Two-year-olds have a lot less far to fall than I do," I retorted. But nonetheless, I took him up on the challenge and we headed up to the Stowe Mountain Lodge in Vermont-a resort that's known for its expert runs with vertical drops of over 2,300-feet and a stellar beginner program that gets newcomers off the lifts and down the slopes within an hour. What really convinced me to try my luck on skis wasn't the idea that I would enjoy the sport. I was pretty convinced I would hate it. It was the après-ski scene that lured me-hot chocolate by a crackling fire, romantic mountain-top dinners against a backdrop of swirling snowflakes, hot tubs overlooking the valley. As it turns out, two days on the slopes, a ski lesson, and only one bruise later, I am a convert. I love the sport. And, as every experienced skier knows, all of that exercise and adrenaline makes the fireside hot chocolate that much more enjoyable. Whether you're a beginner like me, or a family with small children (and if you are, check out our favorite ski resorts for families), the key to having a good time is to find the right resort. You need experienced instructors, beginners-only slopes, and a place that separates the hard runs from the easy ones so that newbies don't make the mistake of winding up on a black-diamond run by accidentally taking a wrong turn. At the same time, you need the kind of action-packed runs that will challenge the more serious skiers in your party. With that in mind, here are five resorts that cater equally to newbies and experts. Some of them are a bit more expensive than others, but each is a worthy splurge. Stowe Mountain Lodge, Vermont The Stowe Mountain Resort is one of the few east coast destinations that can rival the ski options out west. Indeed, serious skiers will find themselves challenged on the black-diamond runs of Mt. Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont at 4,395 feet. Beginners benefit from top-notch instruction (Ski Magazine recently named Stowe's ski school one of the best in the Northeast) and a separate mountain on which to practice their snow-plows and turns. An annual snowfall of 333 inches per year means that newbies and experts alike have plenty of fresh powder to plow through and a recent 4.7-million-dollar investment in snow-making machines means that even the odd warm day won't ruin your ski trip. Where to Stay: The 5-year-old Stowe Mountain Lodge gets it all right, from the ski valet who will get your gear ready for you in the morning, to the in-room fireplaces you can turn on at the push of a button. Best of all, most of the 312 rooms come with a fully equipped kitchen—a benefit for families who want to save on meals (though their Solstice Restaurant, which serves the best in local produce, is worth the splurge). 7412 Mountain Rd., Stowe, VT, stowemountainlodge.com, from $399 per night Jiminy Peak, MassachusettsNestled in the heart of the Berkshires, Jiminy Peak rises 2,380 feet above the town of Hancock, Massachusetts. Experienced skiers and snowboarders come for the terrain parks, such as Coyote Ridge with its wall ride and a 30-foot flat box. Jiminy's GETSkiing series ensures that newcomers and little ones will have a good time too. Not only does the program incorporate special skis designed specifically for beginners, but they guarantee that you'll leave your lesson knowing how to stop, turn, and put on your gear—or the next lesson is on them. The mountain region also offers night skiing-a boon for folks who want to keep their adrenaline pumping long after the sun sets. Where to Stay: Each of the 102 rooms at the Country Inn comes equipped with a king-sized bed, a living room with a queen-size sleep sofa and a fully equipped kitchenette, not to mention free WiFi. 37 Corey Rd., Hancock, MA, jiminypeak.com, from $199 per night. Northstar-at-Tahoe, Nevada, CaliforniaThe Tahoe region is synonymous with skiing. With over 3,100 acres of skiable terrain and an elevation of 8,610 feet, it's no wonder ski gurus come far and wide to try out its 92 trails and terrain parks, including a 22-foot superpipe. That said, 13 percent of the region is dedicated specifically to beginner trails and they have a lesson program that caters to adults and kids who are new to the sport. Intermediate skiers can take advantage of a complimentary tour of the mountain that will introduce them to trails and features that are best for their level. Where to Stay: Located at the base of the mountain, the Village Lofts provide ski-in, ski-out access to Northstar's trails. Full kitchens and gas fireplaces make for a homey stay. 5001 Northstar Dr., Truckee, CA northstarattahoe.com, from $274 Breckenridge Ski Resort, ColoradoEven non-skiers have heard of Breckenridge—the historic gold-mining town in Colorado with a long, ski history. The resort has the highest chairlift in North America, which isn't surprising when you consider that the summit is 12,998 feet high. There are 155 trails spread out across the 2,358 acres of terrain, including the kinds of features that make that adrenaline junkies and skilled skiers salivate (the kinds of bowls and jumps that make less experienced skiers like myself weak in the knees). They also have one of the strongest programs in the nation for new skiers, including over 500 professional instructors and a wide range of lesson programs. Where to Stay: Choose from a studio or a four-bedroom condominium at The Village at Breckenridge Resort. With the exception of studios, all units come with wood-burning fireplaces and full kitchens.  It's also conveniently located at the base of the mountain and right next door to the Quicksilver Ski Rental. 535 S Park Ave., Breckenridge, CO, breckresorts.com, from $250 Deer Valley, UtahDeer Valley has serious cred among powder junkies. It hosted multiple events at the 2002 winter Olympics, including the freestyle moguls and the alpine slalom. In addition to sublime snow, there are six mountains with dozens of trails for skiers of all aptitudes. Plus, The Deer Valley Ski School has a well-established reputation of getting novices up on skis and hitting the trails with confidence. Their policy of allowing no more than four people per group lesson means that new skiers are guaranteed the kind of attention and direction that they need to master the sport. Where to stay: Rustic elegance is the word at The Lodges at Deer Valley, where guests can choose between traditional hotel rooms and one to three bedroom condominiums with full kitchens. The property is practically a village in itself with everything from a general store to a fitness center to a liquor store. 2250 Deer Valley Dr. S, Park City, UT, deervalley.com, from $132 Do you ski? What are your favorite resorts?