Renting a fire tower in Montana

Carol Harrison, Marietta: "For a unique travel opportunity, I would highly recommend a fire tower rental.

"Because of modern technology and aircraft surveillance, the working use of many of them has become obsolete, so the Forest Service in several states has made the fire towers and some guard stations available for rent.

"My experience was in Montana, and the view was amazing, with windows all around. It's more like glorified camping, no electricity or plumbing in ours, but some do offer those conveniences. (We did have an outhouse.)

"Some of them are in more remote locations and might require four-wheel-drive vehicles, but are so worth the trip. Oh, and another plus — ours only cost $25 a night!"

Riding horses in Zimbabwe

Jeanee Lutterman, Sandy Springs: "My husband, myself and my two teenage daughters took a two-week trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe. Our goal was to take a one-week horseback-riding safari to view the wildlife of Zimbabwe, which included giraffes, rhinos, zebras, water buffalo, antelope, cheetahs and hippos.

"We rode horses for one week, traveling across the savannah for up to seven hours a day looking for and tracking wildlife. We stayed in rustic elevated tents as well as fantastic game lodges. One evening we stayed at an elephant lodge and spent the next day on the backs of elephants exploring the area.

"On the last day of the safari, we river-rafted on the wild Zambezi River, which was exhilarating and fun. Our second week was spent in South Africa (in Cape Town) and the surrounding countryside. We rented a car and traveled independently."

Marrakech souk reminded them of Biblical times

Corinne Adams, Atlanta: "My husband, Jeff, and I just returned from nine days in Morocco — a trip rich with color, textures, exotic sound and flavor. We traveled from Casablanca to the capital, Rabat, Fes, Marrakech, the coastal resort town of Essaouira and myriad Berber villages in between.

"If you ever want to know what life was like in Jesus' day, go to the underground souks (markets) of Fes, where goat and sheep heads are sold on the counter of the meat market, donkeys rule the pathways, shopkeepers dye wool with indigo, and barefooted workers tan leather by stomping on hides in giant vats of lye.

"In Marrakech, we were charmed by snakes and entertained by monkeys and fortunetellers in the square, while storytellers cavorted and told tales in Berber dialects and henna artists adorned the hands of passers-by. We savored Berber jewelry, rugs and pottery in local villages and dined on kebabs, tagine (meat cooked in a special terra-cotta cooker), pastilla (a meat pie with cinnamon sugar) and even a little pizza.

"We were amazed to discover significant Roman ruins and mosaics at Volubilis near the mountain village of Moulay Idriss. The people were warm and inviting, as we toured mosques, palaces, ancient city walls and casbahs topped with gigantic nesting storks (no babies in sight!).

"Morocco is a feast for the eyes, heart and soul, and I recommend this trip to anyone looking for their next adventure."

Enjoying the Coral Sea in Australia

Diane Brower, Atlanta: "In search of a fantasy getaway as well as a respite from long workweeks, I arrive in Cairns, Australia. Destination: Kewarra Beach Resort in tropical Queensland.

"Driving north on Captain Cook Highway, I'm treated to a spectacular view of rain-forest-covered mountains meeting breathtaking Coral Sea beaches. Since it is 16 degrees from the equator, the resort staff greets me with a cool cloth and a refreshing fruit drink.

"Next, a friendly guide escorts me to my Pandanus moud (tropical house). Set in the forest on a lagoon, the moud is one of 60 bungalows.

"Outside, I encounter two couples as I roam the lush, tropical garden. Melaleuca, palm and bamboo trees as well as ferns, orchids, hibiscus and peace lilies surround the lagoon. On the beach path, I see a vibrant bougainvillea and several coconut palm trees. I slip into a hammock close by.

"Eyeing the beach, I notice a roped section in the water. Now I remember being warned that swimming in the Coral Sea is only permitted in netted areas due to highly poisonous box jellyfish. So I turn back, opting to enjoy the 'rock' swimming pool complete with its mini-waterfall before dinner.

"Rising early, I'm treated to an epicurean delight at the Island King's Restaurant. While the chef needs to work on his concept of fried eggs, everything else is beyond fabulous. As I try a cavalcade of unknown tropical fruit, my palate is treated to one delight after another.

"After a busy day snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, I return to the resort to dine on spicy sweet potato soup, barramundi (fish) and Australian wine. Kewarra's seclusion and casual elegance make it unlike other beach resorts. Relaxed yet invigorated, I wish I could stay a month, but it's time to return home."

Monhegan Island looks like 'another planet'

Jim Connah, Sandy Springs: "A mile long, half-mile wide and nine miles off the coast of Maine, Monhegan Island almost makes you feel like you've arrived on another planet. The rocky coastline is dramatic and pure Maine, and a wonderful place to hike. For over a century, it's been a well-known artists' colony (Jamie Wyeth presently being its most famous), which boasts of about 75 year-round residents — including many lobstermen — and 300 during the summer months. You're not going there to play golf and indulge yourself in luxuries. There are few places to stay, the most notable being the old wooden Island Inn, built in 1906, and homes to rent often don't even feature electricity. Ever heard of oil lanterns? Most visitors are day-trippers who come over on the morning ferry from one of three Maine towns, New Harbor, Boothbay Harbor and Port Clyde (where Forrest Gump ended his cross-country jog at the lighthouse)."

Argentina's a bargain

Pete Haizlip, Tucker: "For an out-of-the-ordinary travel experience, take a trip to Argentina. Last December (a good time to go since it's early summer there), we spent a week in Buenos Aires with a side trip to Iguaçu Falls National Park.

Since the peso is pegged at around 3 to the dollar, everything from great meals to good hotels are a bargain. Spend a day at an outdoor market to pick up locally made items, tour the cemetery where [former first lady] Eva Peron is interred, take a tour of the city (be sure to ride in a Radio Taxi — it's the safest and very reasonable rates), and ride a tour boat from Buenos Aires to Uruguay, where you can have a good lunch at a sidewalk cafe in a really cool small town port.

"Travel agencies in Buenos Aires can set you up with a flight via Aerolineas Argentinas to Iguaçu Falls with a one-night stay at the Sheraton (the only hotel in the park) for around $900 for two people."

Thai resort was 'paradise'

Debby Bunn, Marietta: "My husband and I took a wonderful trip two years ago to Thailand and Cambodia. Our favorite part of the trip was a side trip to Koh Lanta to a resort called Pimalai. We flew into Krabi from Bangkok, took a 45-minute bus ride and then a 45-minute boat ride to reach the island.

"When we arrived, another tourist said, 'Welcome to paradise.' Boy, were they right. It was the most beautiful place we have ever been. We had a cottage with a private patio and outdoor shower. We picked out our dinner from a selection of seafood and ate with our feet in the sand at a table on the beach every night. Every day we went to the spa — all outdoors but totally private. The massages were so relaxing. The service at the resort was impeccable. They had to take us kicking and screaming when it was time to leave.

"On the way back via boat to go to the airport, we traveled through islands that were featured in one of the James Bond movies. The whole experience was just amazing. If you want a trip that is totally relaxing and you want to forget that the rest of the world exists, this is the place."

Istanbul a hard trip to beat

Howard Holman, Vidalia: "The most recent family trip (parents, three daughters) was to Istanbul with a day-trip flight to Ephesus. Despite everybody's quizzical look when we mentioned where we were heading, between the history, food and the Turkish people, it will be a hard trip to beat. We have a trip planned for Damascus, Syria, in May. We don't expect to run into the Joneses."