For a family-friendly island getaway close to the United States, the Grand Lucayan's post-Thanksgiving sale offers great value.

CNN: 5 hot post-Thanksgiving hotel sales

Ferrari World, an enormous, family-friendly theme park on Yas Island, offers thrill rides that imitate the g-forces of Ferrari racing, and Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi just opened in January with epic waterslides and wave pools.

FORBES: Why To Visit Abu Dhabi In 2013

As other cities continued building freeways that promoted driving and sprawl, Vancouver remained committed to urban living, as evidenced by the development of Granville Island, a pedestrian-friendly peninsula where residents frequent large public market and art studios.

BBC: Living in: The world��s most eco-friendly cities

This year's double winners were the Singapore Tourism Board for its latest video and its website at www.newasia-singapore.com and Fiji's Turtle Island (for its eco-friendly practices and for preserving local culture).

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia | Travel Watch

Stilted guesthouses suspended over turquoise water, manta rays with seven-metre wingspans and friendly locals are all part of its charm: this is an island that time forgot.

BBC: Derawan Island and the Sangalaki Archipelago

Last week the island of Anglesey unveiled a campaign to promote itself as a "euro-friendly" zone.

BBC: Eisteddfod town embraces euros