Westchester County, a collection of towns that serve as a popular suburb for the bordering New York City, is also the gateway to the Hudson River Valley, an area that promises a plethora of outdoor activities, from sailing to bird-watching to cross country skiing. The County also contains Rye Playland, a popular children's amusement park, historic sites from the American Revolution, the African American Heritage Trail and several famous houses, including Lyndhurst, a Gothic Revival mansion.

It took George H.W. Bush to make Kennebunkport known to most of the country, but New Englanders have enjoyed this quiet coastal Maine town for years. In hot weather, beaches are a major draw, but Kennebunkport's many small boutiques, art galleries and restaurants make a visit fun at any time of year. Inveterate shoppers may want to combine a visit to Kennebunkport with a trip to nearby Kittery, where dozens of outlets and factory stores offer plenty of bargains.

Almost entirely destroyed during the Civil War, Meridian was rebuilt between 1890 and 1930 in a boom known as "The Golden Age." This legacy still stands, leaving the city with not just one, but nine registered historic districts. Attractions include the carefully restored Highland Park Dentzel Carousel, dating back to 1909 and still offering rides for just fifty cents each, and the Hamasa Shrine Temple Theater, featuring a massive 778 pipe organ that is one of only two still in existence.

Hemmed in by mountains and lush swathes of pine and cypress forest, Cavtat is pretty from all angles. Add a seafront promenade lined with fishing boats, artisan shops, and pebble beaches, and it’s clear why travellers stop off at Croatia’s southernmost resort.