The South Kohala coast of the island of Hawaii is home to Waikoloa Beach. Ancient Hawaiian history and culture, including petroglyphs believed to represent the heavens, stands side-by-side with ultra modern full-service resorts. Waikoloa is also home to fine examples of traditional Hawaiian aquaculture. In 1985, the University of Hawaii renovated the Anchialine ponds which today nuture a wide variety of sea life. Nearby Anaeho'omalu Bay has the Ku'uali'i and Kahapapa Fishponds. 

Ecologically diverse and sparsely populated, the Big Island of Hawaii is larger than all the other better-known Hawaiian islands combined. Rental cars allow visitors to discover wonders from snow-capped mountains to rainforests to deserts. Best known for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to the longest volcanic eruption in recorded history, the Big Island caters both to those who crave adventure and to those looking for luxury, with the flotilla of decadent mega-resorts dotted along Kohala Coast.

The stunning white, black, green and red sand beaches and fiery lava flows near Volcano are best seen from a hired car, moped or tour bus. This town adjacent to Kilauea, the youngest volcano on the Big Island, offers attractions such as the enticing Volcano Winery, Thomas A. Jaggar geological and historical museum and the Cooper Center. At the end of a day experiencing Volcano's myriad marvels, take a seat by the imposing stone fireplace in romantic Kilauea Lodge and sample Polynesian-inspired cuisine.

The landscape of Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii, is diverse. Beaches of black, grey, brown and white sand contrast with mountains and dramatic waterfalls. Hilo's Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo is the only US zoo in a tropical rainforest. A day trip away are the snow-capped mountains Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, both with observatories near 11,000 feet, and Kilauea Caldera, an active volcano. Back in town are a farmer's market, restaurants, shopping and banyan trees planted by celebrities and politicians.

Is there any possible way Las Vegas could not be on our "best nightlife" list? The only way we could possibly omit it is on a technicality—since you can do pretty much anything 24/7 in Vegas, it might be wrong to call it "nightlife."

A tradition dating back to the city's origins as a colonial mining capital, silver is the focal point of Taxco shopping, and indeed the most popular tourist pursuit. All around the picturesque town you'll find sellers of silver finery, from open air markets to metal workshops to high end boutiques.

Located near the Mexico-Belize border, a true paradise awaits travellers in Bacalar. The town sits on the Lagoon of Seven Colours, a lake nicknamed for its beautifully coloured water, which makes it the perfect place for stunning sunsets, fresh seafood, and cenote swimming.