While it may sound like a French village, Coeur d'Alene (pronounced core-da-lane) is decidedly all-American. Located in northern Idaho, this lakefront resort offers five-star amenities in a beautifully rugged setting. Visitors enjoy everything from pristine golf courses and professional quality tennis courts to hiking on pine-forest trails and cycling through nature reserves. The sparkling Coeur d'Alene Lake is the centre of most of the action: sunbathe on the beach, water-ski, kayak or tour the area by seaplane. At night, dine in fine restaurants and see top-rated shows. With upmarket attractions in an unspoiled setting, Coeur d'Alene offers visitors the best of both worlds.

A mixture of urban chic and outdoor adventures, Spokane has something for everyone. Taste food by James-Beard-nominated chefs at Sante or The Wandering Table. Listen to live music at The Bartlett or the symphony at the iconic Martin Woldson Theatre at The Fox. Glide over the breathtaking Spokane Falls, situated right downtown, in the SkyRide, rated as one of the world’s best gondolas. Kids can feed the Garbage-Eating Goat or slide down the giant Radio Flyer Red Wagon in Riverfront Park.

Located on the northeastern coast of the Samana Peninsula, Las Terrenas offers miles of protected inshore waters and beautiful, undeveloped white-sand-beaches, lined with tall palm trees and pastel-colored fishing boats. Trade winds and the warm temperature of the sub-tropical Atlantic Ocean bring this part of the island year-round balmy weather. With a year-round average of 77 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperatures vary only 18 degrees between summer and winter.