From the 27th-floor observation deck of the new Capitol building, you can take in the beauty of this lovely city on the Mississippi, at one time the heart of plantation country. Stately antebellum mansions line the river, some now bed and breakfasts, others offering tours. A visit to the Louisiana State University (LSU) Rural Life Museum will transport you to a 19th-century plantation. The 34-storey Capitol, built in the 1930s by controversial Governor Huey P. Long, and the building in which he was assassinated, contrasts sharply with the Old State Capitol, a Gothic Revival-style castle perched high on a bluff. A college-town atmosphere permeates this friendly city, home to LSU and Southern, the largest African-American university in the USA. You'll find many historic sites, museums and galleries to explore, some on the LSU campus. For the more outward bound, there are great running and hiking trails. The city's unofficial motto is "Let the good times roll", and roll they will as you dine on spicy Cajun food, sample a riverboat casino or gaze out at the mighty Mississippi.

Queens is the most ethnically diverse area of its size on Earth, which means there's a little something for everyone. Chow down on Indian food, sit in on a traditional Irish pub music session, and dance the night away at a Puerto Rican nightclub, all of it located within a few subway stops. Queens is also the home of the Mets and the US Tennis Open, and the former home of the New York World's Fair, now Flushing Meadow-Corona Park, and Paramount Pictures, now the Museum of the Moving Image.

Amarillo is the perfect place to get a big taste of Texas even if you only have a small amount of time. From canyons to old Cadillacs and gigantic steaks to grand scenery, the city is an Old West enthusiast's dream. One of the country's best collections of Western art and artifacts can be found at the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum. Mosey on over to the Amarillo Livestock Auction to mingle with real cowboys as they go about the business of buying and selling cattle. For those with interests that are more modern, the city boasts a great art museum and beautiful botanical gardens. If you're travelling with kids, don't miss the thrilling rides at Wonderland Park. The whole family will be in awe of the fantastic rock formations at Palo Duro Canyon State Park.

Sitting at the point where the Sierra Laguna mountains meet the desert and the Pacific, Todos Santos is a piece of Baja you don’t want to miss. But get here soon—Todos Santos is transitioning from a quiet, dusty Mexican seaside secret into the bustling hermanito of Cabo San Lucas, so you'll want to visit before the crowds are permanent.

Palm trees cast their shadows on Arraial d'Ajuda's beaches, where laid-back afternoons give way to beach parties when the sun sets over the jungle. Hammocks are the perfect vantage point for taking in the sounds of sea breezes, gentle waves, and Caribbean tunes.

You've probably heard that Guinness tastes better in Dublin (fresh from the factory), but what you may not know is that Dublin is a perfect destination for the whole family. No, we're not suggesting you let the kiddies drink a pint. Instead, take them to the Dublin Zoo, to feed the ducks in Stephen's Green or on a picnic in Phoenix Park. Scholars enjoy walking in the literary footsteps of such writers as Yeats and Joyce, while discerning shoppers have their pick of designer boutiques.