On Long Island, we live where others vacation. The beaches, wineries and glitzy Hamptons summer galas make our backyards a destination. But, beautiful as our stretch of earth may be, sometimes an Islander just needs to make a great escape. The February issue of Pulse is packed with travel inspiration and full of wanderlust. After reading it cover-to-cover, I turned to the ultimate travel agents: You. On social media, I asked you to share your favorite places to escape. Your answers spanned the globe and, as you might expect from a Long Island native, tended to include the beach.

French West Indies

Submitted by @feather.and.field on Instagram

image: barbacha|nicolas bouthors (own work) [public domain], via wikimedia commons

Seven territories currently under French sovereignty make up this tropical locale. Guadeloupe (Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre), Martinique, Saint Martin, Saint Barth, Les Saintes, Marie-Galante and La Désirade. Though each offers something a little different, all seven territories seamlessly blend the sophistication of France with the friendly, chill vibes one craves when booking a trip to the Caribbean. Guests can explore a rainforest in the morning, a high-end French boutique in the afternoon and enjoy a dinner complete with French wine, a fruity cocktail and a breathtaking view at night.

Southeast Alaska

Submitted by Kathy Ryan on Facebook

image: fleurdelili

This Facebook follower hailed her small cruise to the southeastern portion of Alaska, which sits between British Columbia and the northern Pacific, one full of “magnificent scenery and close-up looks at nature” and a “life-changing experience.” Also known as “the panhandle,” Southeast Alaska is land-locked with rocky shores, making kayaking a must-do. Adventurers can catch glimpses of humpback whales, glaciers and icebergs during their voyages upstream.

French Polynesia Marquesas Islands

Submitted by @keithsgotclams on Instagram     

Those who prefer to vacation au natural, rather than book a five-star, all-inclusive resort, will want to put this group of volcanic islands in the Southern Pacific on their bucket lists. Go horseback riding or hike through the hills and valleys of Nuku Hiva. The lush-yet-rugged greenery and seemingly endless, deep bays of  Anahō and Hatihe’u make travelers feel as if they’ve stepped into Jurassic Park. History buffs can immerse themselves in museums, such as the Museum of Tahiti and the Island, which boast artifacts that go back as early as 150 BC.   

Italy

Submitted by @thegrubfather on Instagram

image: chriso – wwn work, cc by-sa 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=900964

This Pulse Instagram follower particularly loves the city of Trapani and Egadi Islands right off Sicily’s coast. Who can blame him? The gorgeous seafront, full of turquoise water and cliffs, looks like it was plucked out of a storybook (and possibly heaven). Ditto for the Egadi Islands, an enchanting space with pristine waters made for taking multiple panoramic shots with your iPhone.

Croatia

Submitted by Britta_Britt on Instagram

image: By silverije – own work, cc by-sa 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22176269

Croatia celebrated 25 years of independence in 2016, this Eastern European country is almost always walking on sunshine. One of the continents sunniest places to visit, Croatia gets about 12 hours of sunshine each day in May and June and 13 in July and August. It’s also a total life goal for many Game of Thrones enthusiasts—the HBO show’s production team made spots like Dubrovnik (King’s Landing) and The Fortress of Kills (Meereen) part of the set.

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