As U.S. Declines, Get Out of Dodge

Arrowtown, New Zealand
How to flee: Three-hour nonstop flight from Auckland; five-hour flight from Sydney.

It's as far as you can travel from the U.S. while still arriving to a native population that speaks English and gets most American TV shows. The area served as the backdrop of the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, a fact that is initially interesting but intellectually bothersome upon hearing it for the umpteenth time from Queenstown locals. A 30-minute drive from Queenstown, Arrowtown is a removed Gold Rush village brimming with gourmet eateries, cozy cafes and preppy bars. A booming hospitality community keeps the crowd young and energetic, with numerous sporting clubs and organizations to keep you busy.

Temperatures in Arrowtown are cool to really cold. Summer enjoys a breezy mountain climate with clear skies for nearby fly-fishing, bungee jumping and mountain biking along the highlands. Winter is nothing short of spectacular with the nearby Remarkables becoming more and more popular as a high-end ski destination for Australians and even Americans. Enjoy Central Otago, home to some of the world's best new vineyards of Sauvignon Blanc.

North Shore Oahu, Hawaii
How to flee: Nonstop air services from most large U.S. and Canadian gateways.

It's not the obvious escape destination and you aren't even leaving the U.S., but if you've ever been to the North Shore, you likely contemplated never leaving. Breakaways arrive to discover kindred spirits and a local surf community built by '60s legends looking to drop out of conventional society. An ideal year-round temperature means you'll save money on your wardrobe since few things on the island ever require anything dressier than a pair of shorts.

Life has a different pace in Hawaii as everything from your morning walk, wait at the coffee shop and Internet service to the cyberworld is notoriously slower than where you came from but with views that make you grateful to be alive on a daily basis.