Details: Much of the 500-mile long Bahamian archipelago is pristine and untouched, with mainstream development isolated to the two towns for which the Bahamas are best known. But the Exumas are next on the growth list, thanks to the opening of the Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma at Emerald Bay in January and a greater number of flights from the United States (the best connections are via Miami). Once you have one high-end hotel, others tend to follow, and already a number of boutique hotels and other properties have started jockeying for the best spots on the sand.

Where to stay: Rooms at the new Four Seasons (242-336-6800) are $495 a night. If that's too many clams to shell out, consider floating accommodations with a weeklong rental through Bahamas House Boats (242-336-2628, www.bahamahouseboats.com; from $1,750 weekly or $275 daily). Better yet, reserve one of seven pastel-hued cottages on a mile-wide island in the middle of the Exumas at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club (242-355-2024, www.stanielcay.com; from $110).

Info: Bahamas Tourist Office, 800-422-4262, www.bahamas.com.

Botswana

Though east Africa is spectacular, some safari enthusiasts wave it off as over-visited, and acts of terrorism in Kenya last year frightened some travelers off. Peaceful Botswana, just north of South Africa, is attracting new attention.

Details: "Botswana is a shining light in Africa, and that hasn't gotten around yet. That's the beauty of it," said Julian Harrison, president of Premier Tours in Philadelphia and a frequent visitor. Elephants, lions and giraffes are among the wildlife spotted on the savannas, wetlands and salt pans of the relatively well-off country. You also might spy critters strolling by your lodge veranda or from the relative safety of a wooden platform in a tree. Most travelers visit the Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta on Earth, teeming with birds, or Chobe National Park, with thousands of elephants gathering along the river.

Where to stay: Private mobile tents set up and transported by guides offer flush toilets, hot meals and protection against rambunctious critters. Custom Safaris (866-530-1982, www.customsafaris.com) can make the arrangements; plan to pay upward of $1,000 a night. Accommodations on package deals arranged through Premier Tours (800-545-1910, www.premiertours.com; from $4,195 per person for a 10-night trip, including flights, meals and activities) are in tented camps built on raised platforms.

Info: Embassy of Botswana, 202-244-4990; Tourism of Botswana, www.gov.bw/tourism.

Bulgaria