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.

A charming fishing village, Sayulita is a hidden gem with picturesque beaches, charming restaurants and great food. Unlike some other Mexican towns, tourists mingle with locals in a relaxed atmosphere, without the hustle and bustle of major touristy resorts. For those seeking more nightlife, Puerto Vallarta is a mere 30 minutes away.

Though lacking the breezy ambiance of most Mexican resort towns, Veracruz offers a gritty glimpse into life on the Gulf. Afro-Caribbean rhythms collide with colonial architecture in the lively town plaza, while the Malecon boardwalk stretches along one of the busiest ports in Mexico.

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.

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.

New York’s Finger Lakes region takes its name from 11 freshwater lakes placed like a handprint between Lake Ontario and the Pennsylvania border. Skiing, hiking and biking trails traverse the landscape; visitors can also indulge in various wine, cheese and beer trails. The area offers a culinary bounty, with an emphasis on farm-to-table cuisine. Rich history and culture are found throughout the region, with one attraction more inviting than the next.

Established by German immigrants in 1853, this is now the key port, transit and business hub of the Lakes District – a good place to replenish supplies, pick up Chilean crafts and get an urban jolt before moving on to more pristine pastures. If you're in the mood to sample some of the famous local salmon, the Angelmo harbor market should be your first stop. From there, it's a short boat ride across to Tenglo Island for views of snow-capped volcanic peaks. Santiago is a two-hour flight away.