30 days in Bahrain, United States & St. Maarten-St. Martin Itinerary

Popular with tourists for its blend of ancient heritage and modern Arabian culture, the compact island country of Bahrain sits near the Persian Gulf's western shores and boasts a lively economy largely based on petroleum refining and international banking. Claiming to be the actual location of the biblical Garden of Eden, the country enjoys a tropical climate and offers a string of luxury beachfront resorts, appealing to some of the world's wealthiest vacationers. Budget travelers on holiday in Bahrain concentrate on the thriving food and arts scenes of capital Manama, known for having one of the world's largest mosques. From there, you'll have easy access to plenty of other popular activities, such as scuba diving, horse racing, pearl diving, and bird-watching.

More than the country of car-packed streets seen in TV shows and movies, the United States of America is a complex and diverse home to over 300 million people living in a wide range of landscapes and climates. From its big-city skyscrapers to its sprawling natural parks, the country's ''melting pot'' combines many ethnic groups that share a strong sense of national identity despite their cultural differences. A country of road trips and big blue skies, the United States harbors orderly cities filled with restaurants, parks, museums, and innumerable sightseeing opportunities, as well as pristine natural areas perfect for a holiday in the great outdoors. To see as much as you can of this diverse land quickly, drive over some of the more than 6 million km (4 million mi) of highways leading through deserts, mountain peaks, fertile fields, and giant urban centers.

A trip to St. Maarten-St. Martin allows you to discover two separate colonies occupying one small island of just 95 sq km (37 sq mi). Divided between France and the Netherlands, this tiny spit of land in the Caribbean treats visitors to a surprisingly diverse blend of native and European cultures. A tour of St. Maarten-St. Martin reveals a landscape of both urban and untamed areas, with sandy beaches and pristine rainforests often appearing as extensions of one another. The French north of the island offers a string of outstanding restaurants and lively beaches popular with a young party-loving crowd. The Dutch southern section lures visitors with its dynamic bar scene and casinos.

An archipelago of hundreds of volcanic islands located in a geological hot spot in the middle of Pacific, Hawaii offers diverse natural scenery and a warm tropical climate. The six major islands open to tourism draw visitors with their sun-drenched public beaches and craggy natural trails. Thanks to their mid-Pacific location, the islands boast a vibrant native culture influenced by both North America and Asia. You can spend your vacation basking in the modern comforts of the big hotels, but to experience the true spirit of these islands, remember that real Hawaiians live outdoors. Encounter nature by surfing, swimming, fishing, and picnicking, or join a guided tour across the ancient lava flows to the top of Hawaii's rugged volcanic peaks.