Considering a French Polynesia vacation? As you start your research, you’re likely to hear a few rumors about this paradisiacal destination – too far, too expensive and so forth.

“Aruba, Jamaica, ooo, I wanna take ya …” Heed the call of the Caribbean with a sun-splashed getaway to Aruba, a postcard-perfect isle of white-sand beaches, all-inclusive resorts and the cute capital city of Oranjestad. It’s the wreck-diving capital of the region and it’s below the Hurricane Belt, so it faces very few tropical storms.

The islands of Hawaii are like no other places on Earth — especially when it comes to providing the perfect backdrop for a getaway packed with loads of adventure.

When it comes to escaping life at home, there’s no better way to do it than by dreaming up and jetting off to an exotic destination. Here are some tried and true getaways across the globe that are certain to inspire your inner explorer.