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If you're looking for cutting edge art in the city of London - and you've already visited the Tate Modern - set aside an hour or two for a tour of the Saatchi Gallery. A gift to the city of London from collector Charles Saatchi (the founder, with his brother, of the ad agency that bears his name), it has 70,000 square feet of floor space dedicated to the very best contemporary art. Located on King's Road in Chelsea, the gallery boasts high ceilings, plenty of natural light, and a collection that runs the gamut from traditional portraiture to works that cause a stir around the world, such as Damien Hirst's The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, in which a shark is suspended in a formaldehyde solution. It's currently showing an exhibition entitled The Empire Strikes Back: Indian Art Today, which features colorful neon, tumbleweed, and aluminum sculptures by Shezad Dawood; mind-bending comic panels from Chitra Ganesh, and selected works by Yamini Nayar that blend sculpture, photography, and architecture in ways that defy categorization. Drop by this dynamic art space and see what you can make of it all. Starwood has hotels throughout London, including The Lanesborough, a St. Regis Hotel.

[image via Saatchi Gallery]

When it comes to accumulating wealth and prestige in Renaissance Europe, it's hard to top the Medicis. From the 14th to the 18th centuries, the prominent Florentine family and political dynasty acquired some of the greatest works of art of all time, inspiring scores of artists and altering the landscape of European culture for generations to come. To get an idea of just how influential the Medicis and their associates were, pay a visit to the Palazzo Pitti in Florence. Located along the banks of the River Arno, the vast palace was purchased by the Medici family in 1549 and later was the home of the ruling families of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Napolean even used it as a headquarters in the late 18th century, but by the early 20th century, King Victor Emmanuel III decided to donate it to the people as a massive art museum. Today, anybody can gaze upon the endless masterpieces that were once reserved for the elite, from the works of Raphael and Rubens in the Palatine Gallery to the Medici portraits in the Royal Apartments, a 14-room suite used by the family that had every conceivable luxury. Of particular interest is the Porcelain Museum. Located in the Casino del Cavaliere (pictured), the Grand Duke's former retreat, it contains works from some of the most renowned porcelain factories in Europe, including daily items from the Doccia factory near Florence, and several large dining services from Vincennes, a Parisien factory. Be careful not to bump into anything, as it's all rather pricey. Starwood has three properties in Florence, including the luxurious Westin Excelsior, Florence.

[image via museumsinflorence.com]

Just minutes from the sizzling scene at South Beach is one of Florida's most pristine tropical sanctuaries, where you can find a peaceful respite from the nonstop action on the strip. Biscayne National Park is a 700 square kilometer nature preserve that's comprised almost entirely of water, and its best attractions are viewed with a mask, fins, and snorkel. Of course, not everybody has access to a boat, so land-based travelers should make their way to Convoy Point, where the Dante Fascell Visitor Center provides an excellent jumping-off point for all sorts of tropical adventures. Visit an extensive museum that offers a virtual journey through the park's four ecosystems, peruse a gallery that highlights the work of local artists who find inspiration in the park, or browse a bookstore filled with educational materials. But if you're itching to get close to nature, book a trip on a glass-bottom boat or rent a canoe or kayak for some individual exploration. The park is filled with rare and beautiful wildlife, from sea turtles and spiny lobsters to the Schaus' swallowtail butterfly (pictured), an endangered species that lives only in Biscayne National Park and northern Key Largo. Speaking of the Keys, the park is notable for being the home of Elliott Key, the first island in the Florida Keys chain that extends all the way to Key West. That's a bit too far for a kayak, so don't get any crazy ideas. Starwood has hotels throughout the Miami area, including the stylish new W South Beach.

[image via nps.gov]

Hong Kong is a high-energy city, pulsating with activity at all hours, but if you want to learn the secrets behind what powers this modern metropolis, make your way to the Tsim Sha Tsui East neighborhood. There, the Hong Kong Science Museum will help you unravel the mysteries of energy, aviation, robotics, computers, and dozens of other fields of exploration. The museum is filled with about 500 exhibits related to science and technology, and it's a great place to spend a relaxing and educational afternoon learning about the forces that control the world. An interactive Virtual Reality exhibit, for example, will amaze you with just how realistic a computer-generated world can be. An exhibit on biodiversity in China, meanwhile, illustrates the amazing depth and breadth of nature in the world's most populous country. But the biggest star of the museum is energy itself. The museum's 22-meter-high twin-tower energy machine can be triggered to come alive and produce a series of fantastical effects that illustrate the various forms of energy, how they are created, and how they can be transformed. It's a metaphor for Hong Kong itself. Starwood has three hotels in Hong Kong: the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers, Le Méridien Cyberport, and the stylish W Hong Kong.

[image via lcsd.gov.hk]

Sipping on history has never tasted so good: The Four Points by Sheraton Lexington is just a short drive from three of the six spots on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and a trip to Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, and Four Roses distilleries will give you a first-hand look (and taste) at what Kentucky distillers have been expertly crafting since the 1700s.

Start your journey farthest from where you'll lay your head, at the Four Roses Distillery--and start early. You'll want to allot yourself at least an hour and half at each stop along the way. Though Four Roses may sound sweetly Southern, with Spanish Mission style grounds boasting plenty of red roses, what's inside is just as fragrant. In addition to sampling the goods on this tour, you'll learn about the distillery's five proprietary yeast strains, which combine specific grain mixtures (called mashbills) to produce 10 distinct bourbons. It's just eight miles from Four Roses to Wild Turkey, which lays claim to one of the best-selling premium whiskeys in the world. Started by the Ripy family in 1869, in 1893 bourbon made by the Ripy brothers was chosen from more than 400 selections to represent Kentucky in the World's Fair. To sample it, you'll unfortunately (or fortunately!) have to buy some, as this is the only tour that doesn't include a tasting. Another 17.5 miles from Wild Turkey gets you to Woodford Reserve, the oldest and smallest distillery in the state, which crafts the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby. Take your pick from a variety of tours, including the Corn to Cork Tour, a more in-depth look at the mechanical, chemical, technical, and sensory aspects of producing bourbon.

Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula contains some of the oldest and most well-preserved Mayan ruins in all of Latin America, and visitors to the area are spoiled with choices if they want to see what life was like prior to the arrival of the Conquistadores. Oxkintok, for example, is an extensive former Mayan city that dates back nearly 2000 years. With masonry buildings, a Mesoamerican ball court (where a violent ballgame was played), and anthropomorphic columns that represent the most fearsome warriors of the time. But the highlight of Oxkintok is a structure called Tzat Tun Tzat, a three-level labyrinth with a maze of rooms, passageways, and gates that may have represented the three levels of the Mayan worldview. Wander the ruins by yourself, or hire a guide who can explain the history of the Mayan people and their fascinating way of life. If you get there early enough, you'll have time left over to explore the nearby Calcehtok Caves, a system of natural caverns that once served as shelter for the Mayans during the Caste Wars. A guide is essential here, but many are available for hire, and they'll keep you on the right path while explaining the natural features of the cave and how the early war refugees used them to their advantage. Oxkintok and the Calcehtok Caves are about an hour's drive from Hacienda Santa Rosa, a member of Starwood's Luxury Collection.

[image via Yucatan Today]

As the Beastie Boys famously said, "No sleep till Brooklyn." And while you should have little trouble sleeping in your room at the Sheraton Brooklyn New York, the hip neighborhoods of Brooklyn will give you plenty of reasons to stay up late.

For sheer variety, it's hard to beat Southpaw, a venue for everyone from old-school rapper KRS-One to folkie Dar Williams to Spanish rockers The Right Ons. Pete's Candy Store brings an eclectic selection to its intimate stage, too, including a regular spelling bee. Public Assembly is a great place to dance to a proper DJ set.

On the other end of the musical spectrum, the Brooklyn-Queens Conservatory of Music's series of jazz, orchestral and choral concerts are extremely popular for their quality and affordability. BAM showcases up-and-coming acts of all sorts in its BAMcafé in addition to its full schedule of indie and international film. And if your visiting Brooklyn this summer, keep your eye on BKLYN Yard and the Williamsburg Waterfront shows page for some great outdoor concerts.

They call Nashville "Music City USA," and while the majority of the music you'll hear is country music, there are plenty of other styles as well. For example, you might be surprised to know that Nashville is home to one of the country's most respected symphony orchestras, the Nashville Symphony, which has been a cultural cornerstone of the city since its founding in 1920. Occupying the stunning new Schermerhorn Symphony Center in the heart of the city, the symphony is led by music director Giancarlo Guerrero, who oversees performances of classic and contemporary works that draw classical music fans from throughout the southeast. Among the highlights of the 2010 season are performances of Bach's masterpiece Mass in B minor, BWV 232, conducted by Helmuth Rilling; That's Amore!, a Bank of America Pops series concert featuring vocalist Deana Martin; and the always memorable Scheherazade, featuring conductor Kelly Corcoran and the Enchantment Theatre Company performing the story of the legendary Persian queen and storyteller of One Thousand and One Nights. If you can't make it to a performance, you can enjoy a free tour of the concert hall, with expert guides pointing out the intricate details of this acoustically-flawless facility. Starwood has three Nashville properties: the Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel, the Sheraton Music City Hotel, and the Aloft Nashville-Cool Springs.

Salta is one of the most beautiful cities in Latin America, with historic houses, temples, and colonial convents making it seem frozen in a simpler time. But to really see some relics from Argentina's past, pay a visit to the Museo Arqueologia Alta Montana (Museum of High Mountain Archaeology), which is filled with items from the Incan era around 500 - 600 years ago. An exhibit on the Qhapaq Ñan Inca trading route - the Inca Trail between the regions of Pasco and Huanuco - illustrates the tremendous endurance and fortitude it took to simply transport goods between villages, while collections of cookware, clothing, jewelry, and weapons show the struggles the Incan people endured to survive in the high mountains. The stars of the museum, however, are the mummified remains of three people who were sacrificed at the summit of 22,058-foot Volcán Llullaillaco in an attempt to appease the gods. The high altitude preserved them so well that their discovery in 1999 prompted a wave of interest around the world, as the unlucky trio revealed new details about the lives of the Incas and their belief system. Buried along with the victims were more than 100 valuable objects, such as gold and silver statuettes, textiles, and spondyllus (carved shells). It's a fascinating look at a culture that had such a great influence on the region, yet remains a mystery in many ways. The museum is a short walk from the Sheraton Salta Hotel.

[image via cafayate.wordpress.com]

Most visitors to New Orleans gravitate to attractions related to the city's own unique culture, but it also boasts a world-class museum that encompasses the contributions of the entire country to the 20th century's greatest challenge. The National World War II Museum is dedicated to the Allied effort in the Second World War, with a particular focus on the Battle of Normandy, the largest amphibious operation in history. Located in the downtown business district, it tells the story of the struggle against the Axis powers through photographs, film footage, personal accounts, artifacts, and documents, and a stroll through its chronologically-ordered galleries is a lesson in modern history. Exhibits cover everything from the top secret advance planning of Operation Overlord, to the harrowing climb of Pointe-du-Hoc, through the battles in Hedgerow country that ultimately turned the tide of the war and led to victory. And in case you were wondering why this museum is located in the Big Easy as opposed to, say, Washington, D.C., it's because the landing craft used in the Normandy invasion - known as the Higgins Boat (pictured) - was designed, produced, and tested in New Orleans by Andrew Higgins of Louisiana, one of the many heroes of the Allied effort. Starwood has six New Orleans hotels, including the stylish W New Orleans.

[image via National World War II Museum]