In Nuevo Nayarit, you can lounge on the golden-sand beaches of Banderas Bay… or take an ATV tour through the nearby Sierra Madre jungle. A local water park has great twisting slides and sea lion shows… or you could treat the children to a memorable swim with dolphins. (It'll make for a great "What I did over summer holiday" report.)

Yearning for the laidback feel of a rural fishing village with white sand beaches, combined with the luxuries and mild year-round weather of the Mexican Riviera? Punta Mita has all this plus championship golf, diving, sport fishing, surfing, sailing, sea kayaking, whale watching, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, Jeep tours, and rainforest excursions. Walk into town for beachfront restaurant dining and Pacific Ocean sunsets. Kids can safely swim at Playa El Anclote, where the rock jetties calm the shallow waters near restaurant row. Surf El Anclote’s long slow waves. Or seek out those special surfing spots along the coast, like near Punta Sayulita. Enjoy kayaking. Take the family sailing. Tee off overlooking the breezy blue waters of the Pacific Ocean at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Pacifico Course, rated among the best in Latin America. Pacifico is renowned for its optional 19th hole, the “Tail of the Whale,” a 199-yard par-three where you tee off over the Pacific Ocean onto a large island green. The Bahia, another Nicklaus-designed championship course, has six ocean holes, and is lined by beach sands and gated resort properties controlling course access. The Bahia Banderas (Bay of Banderas) and north towards Sayulita is great for fishing and diving volcanic tunnels, or just watching whales, dolphins, turtles, and ocean birds. Snorkel colour-splashed shallow reefs. Spend a day on a ponga, a motorized open-bow fishing boat in search of mahi-mahi (dorado), pugnacious pargo (big cubera snapper), Pacific sailfish, fighting roosterfish, yellowfin tuna, and bonita. From Islas Marietas and El Morro to La Corbetena and El Banco, the diving opportunities are numerous.

The inland city of Guadalajara is bursting with history and culture. Many attractions are in the city's historic centre and in the neighbouring city of Zapopan. Museums, parks and churches flourish alongside bullfights, rodeos and ‘futbol’. Nearby are the towns of Tequila, where the drink of the same name is produced, and Tlaquepaque and Tonala, where Mexican artisans create an abundance of craft items. Mariachi, which originated in the area, is a common sight and sound in Guadalajara.

If you enjoy historical pursuits such as following in the footsteps of famous explorers Lewis and Clark, unravelling the engineering intricacies of a famous dam or meandering around a museum of Native American culture, Pierre is an ideal getaway. The laid-back capital city of South Dakota boasts a number of interesting attractions and outdoor pursuits. Visit the illustrious State Capitol or peruse relics at the Cultural Heritage Center. Pack a picnic and spend the day walking or cycling around Steamboat Park. Take the children to the aquarium, enjoy an ice cream at an old-fashioned parlour and finish the day with a leisurely cruise on the Missouri River.