Last Minute Holiday Escapes

Before you throw on another layer and stuff an umbrella into your purse, you should ask yourself: Do I really have to trudge through this winter, or is there a way for me to escape?

There are millions of people who might prefer to wake up to the warmth of a tropical sunrise come the morning of December 25.

If you're a bit of a chocoholic or can't seem to shake your childhood sweet tooth, then you can pick from numerous Caribbean villas in Barbados and go on a hunt to find the island's best pastry shops.

When you're walking through the streets of Paris, your view of the stunning skyline will always include the massive Montparnasse Tower, which climbs to heights of 689 feet.

During your stay at luxurious villas in Mexico, you can easily spend most of your day lounging in these stylish accommodations, sipping a margarita and making a few trips to the market around the corner for some homemade tortillas.

Ready to tie the knot with someone you want to spend the rest of your life with? Along with finding the perfect dress, picking out a wedding court and deciding on a color scheme for your bridesmaids, you also have to think about where you want to say your "I dos."

Ask anyone who's been island hopping in Hawaii what their favorite island is, and chances are, they'll tell you Kauai.

If you've never been to villa vacation rentals in Costa Rica, you have yet to experience the best of Central America.

Hawaii has Waikiki and Italy has its Amalfi Coast, but situated around nearly the entire island of Barbados in the Caribbean are beaches where few people trod.

If you're staying at villas in Italy this fall, you can splurge on numerous activities from sampling fine wines and olive oils to renting a yacht for a day spent basking in the warm sun.

If you're staying at one of the many luxury rentals around the world, you should pack more than just a camera phone or basic point-and-shoot you've had for years.

Few places in the world are quite like Barbados, where 20 years ago, all you would see for miles was sugar cane plantations and dirt roads while tourists stuck to the blindingly beautiful beaches and their hotel rooms.

Sicily's Etna National Park is home to one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, and if you're staying at one of the many villas in Italy this fall, you'll have the chance to get up close and personal with Mother Nature's heated fury.

Illustrious beaches, pristine lakes, luxurious spas, grand museums, indulgent restaurants - these are only a few of the perks of a honeymoon in Italy.

If you've stayed at Caribbean villas before, you're probably used to the white-sand beaches, countless water activities and laid-back lifestyle.

There's more to the Bahamas than sun, sand and waves.

Rather than staying in your hometown to tie the knot, why not take everyone on a trip across the Pacific to the Aloha State, where the tropical sun shines just about every day?

Smartphones and handheld tablets are changing the way we interact, from minute-by-minute updates on Facebook and Twitter to daily photo sharing with Instagram.

Just because the summer is coming to a close here in the states doesn't mean the same thing is going on in the Caribbean.

If you've tried lychee, then you should try its cousin the ackee fruit, which grows like a weed in much of Jamaica.