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10 Exotic Locations You Can Explore in a Weekend

All that’s left to do is book your ticket.

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Ah, the long summer weekend: You cut out from work early on Thursday, order Caviar from the app on your commute, and get home just in time to bang out some laundry and watch the new season of Chef’s Table while you eat your high-end take-out and hunker down for three days of cleaning, paying bills and catching up on work.

Wait — that doesn’t sound right. While a quiet administrative weekend is necessary on occasion, the proper way to enjoy a three-day weekend is by screaming out the office door, carry-on in tow, and taking the most appropriate means of conveyance to the most exotic location possible for 72 hours of constant motion. You should be shaking the sand out of your shoes, over coffee, on Monday morning.

Auckland, New Zealand

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We wouldn’t suggest going to New Zealand for a long weekend, but 72 hours is plenty of time to eat your way through Auckland, jump off a bridge and chase a few sheep.

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Sydney, Australia

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Sydney is epic. Resting on one of the world’s largest natural harbors, it boasts majestic sunsets, iconic buildings, one-of-a-kind craft brews and is within driving distance of a number of grandiose national parks.

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The Faroe Islands

These Nordic islands are small — about the size of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket combined — but they’re rich in mystical views and some of the best seafood in the world.

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Mexico City, Mexico

One of the largest cities in the world still might be one of the best-kept secrets in the Western Hemisphere.

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Jackson, Wyoming

Looking to ski during the day and do-si-do with vacationing snow bunnies at night? Jackson, Wyoming might be your kind of town.

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Isle of Skye, Scotland

The Isle of Skye is not your average island getaway. But if it’s adventure you seek, board a ferry at once.

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Valparaíso, Chile

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A triumphant rejuvenation of arts and architecture is giving the Jewel of the Pacific a new luster.

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San Juan, Puerto Rico

Of all the sunscreen-smeared, piña colada-drowned Caribbean vacation destinations, Puerto Rico is easily the most underrated. Especially if you stay in the vibrant, history-rich capital, San Juan.

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Bogotá, Colombia

Bogotá has grown into a cosmopolitan city with everything an urbane traveler craves — all you need to know is where to look.

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Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town occupies a spectacular spot on South Africa’s western coast. It may be distant, but it’s a destination worth its journey.

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