An hour or two south of Recife, Porto de Galinhas was made for the not-so-extreme tourist. Raves one traveller, "It's what it doesn't have that makes it great:" no heavy traffic, no nightlife to speak of. Explore the natural tidal pools that form in the reef, feeding fish that swim all around you; or ride a dune buggy to romantic Muro Alto beach. Or skip all that and doze in a hammock by the warm, green, clear Atlantic.

Mangroves meet sandy beaches in laid-back Maragogi, a growing town whose locals and visitors both head to the sea for sunset drinks and socializing. The most sought-after treasures are off the coast, where the Gales de Maragogi marine reserve shelters crystal-clear ponds, coral reefs, and colorful fish.

From the picturesque canals and brightly painted colonial buildings of its old town to its skyscraper- and palm-fringed beaches, Recife’s skyline reflects its personality—a bold blend of traditionalism and modernism whose free spirit shines during its legendary Carnival celebrations.

Just as lovely as its name, the former Ancient Greek colony of Roses is set on a scenic bay amidst striking natural surroundings. As well as white-sand beaches, this resort town is home to 16th-century fortifications, megalithic tombs, and plenty of modern amenities.

New Hampshire's White Mountains are jam-packed with attractions, and scenic roads make driving between them a delight. Trundle along Conway's Scenic Railroad and Mount Washington Cog Railway, head upwards on the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tram and Loon Mountain Skyride, plunge down in Polar Caves Park and Flume Gorge, and reach top speeds at Attitash ski resort and summer playground. Offering a wealth of outdoors wonders both in winter and summer, the White Mountains are a thrill for all seasons.

Traverse City, known as a four-season playground, is now celebrated for quality cuisine, wine and culture. Miles of sugar-sand shoreline include the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with romantic lighthouses and coastal villages. The glacier-sculpted landscape of orchards and vineyards includes 16 golf courses. Swimming, sailing, paddling, hiking and fishing are favourite warm weather activities, while winter turns the region into a playground for skiers, snowmobilers and snowshoers.