If the allure of exotic travel is your personal siren song, look no further than Southeast Asia. From rice fields and jungle-clad mountains to ancient temples and stupa-topped pagodas, this is a destination that exudes wonder and mystery from its very soul. If you've become somewhat jaded about travel, one journey to Southeast Asia could be all it takes to reignite your wanderlust.

To pique your interest even more, here are two reports on a couple of fascinating ways to experience the flavor and mystery of Southeast Asia, plus some first-hand insight from a transplanted New Englander who now serves as GM of The Oberoi, Bali^THC. We think their stories will inspire you to gather up your travel chutzpah and make the amazing (if somewhat lengthy) journey to this intriguing land.

We bet you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn't know a little something about the island of Bali. But we doubt we could say the same of its sister island, Lombok. So we thought it would be enlightening to ask John Halpin-currently General Manager ofThe Oberoi, Bali^THC and former GM of The Oberoi, Lombok ^THC-a few questions about his adopted country and specifically the stunning island of Lombok.

Hideaways Life: As an American, what do you feel would be the biggest draw to get someone to hop on an airplane and travel halfway around the world to visit Lombok?

My first, and last, visit to Vancouver was about 15 years ago--a surprise that it had been so long! Was I impressed then? Oh yes! In fact, at the time we were contemplating a new home for Hideaways, and if the move between countries had not involved different laws, taxes, and such, we'd have been there in a heartbeat.

As a travel writer and author of several New England guidebooks, New Hampshire resident Pamela Wright gets to experience a lot of resorts, inns, and hotels in our own "back yard," so to speak. Here are a few of her self-proclaimed "splurge-worthy favorites," each perfect for a summer getaway.

Without a doubt, travel is one of the most precious gifts we can give our children--and grandchildren--to teach them about the world and instill an appreciation for other people and cultures. As Mark Twain put it, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." Textbooks may teach geography, but the real classroom is in giving our kids first-hand experiences and face time with locals.

Travel also is a great chance for kids to learn a new skill or stretch their comfort zone with a wild adventure. Even learning a new language, which might be tedious in the classroom, can be a source of fun when wrapped in the trappings of an exciting vacation.