If waterfalls, hot springs, wildlife and volcanoes are your thing, then Arenal Volcano National Park will take your breath away. One of the world’s most active volcanoes burps tufts of smoke in the background as you make your way through forests and old lava fields. Take a rafting tour or hit the beach, then retire to a comfy hotel.

Alajuela is all about the pura vida lifestyle—in a way that feels less like a slogan and more like a real way of life. You can feel it everywhere, from the markets to the mountains. Just stop by the Alajuela Central Market to chat with the locals and you'll get a taste of the culture (plus some authentic casado, a Costa Rican classic). Or do a deep dive into Costa Rican history at Juan Santamaría Historical Cultural Museum. Then there's the real draw: nature. Rolling hills, coffee farms, and the looming presence of the Poás Volcano. Hike through a magical cloud forest to get to the crater at Poás Volcano National Park—it will feel like you stepped into another realm. For more magic, visit the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. It's like a fairytale come to life: Waterfalls cascading through the rainforest, butterflies dancing around, and a hummingbird garden that's like something straight out of a dream.

Surf’s always up in the Costa Rican beach town of Santa Teresa. Bright sun and gleaming sands make the perfect backdrop to hang ten in the crystal-clear waters, and fishing, snorkeling and kite-surfing are popular among holiday-makers. Yoga and spa services are a must for the ultimate relaxation, and, at night, catch a glorious sunset on the same beach where earlier you caught a wave.

An increasingly upscale village, Playa Hermosa overlooks the Gulf of Papagayo and enjoys a pleasant, tropical climate and family-friendly beaches. Abundant water activities include sport fishing, sailing, scuba diving or snorkelling and leisurely sunset catamaran tours. You and your family will also want to visit the area’s national parks. Try a combination of popular local tours – a full day of horseback riding, swimming and lunch at the Volcan Miravalles National Park or an adventurous Canopy Tour to experience Costa Rica’s ecosystems. Just 10 minutes from Playa Hermosa, the lively village of Coco offers a delightful mix of entertainment and shopping. Bars and discos surround Coco’s central plaza. You might even visit a casino to try your hand at Blackjack or roulette. In Playa Hermosa, stop in for lunch at Laberinto on the beach, and you’ll enjoy an unusual meal at Ginger, an open-air tapas bar on stilts. The wild ginger grows beneath the bar, and the chefs create some very tasty and exotic meals. Try the Upper Deck Sports Bar and Restaurant for a colorful combination of televised sports, cold beer, good food and a pet orphan monkey!

A water sports and recreation gateway surrounded by palm-lined beaches and rocky bays, Playas del Coco is under an hour from Liberia, Costa Rica’s Daniel Oduber Quiros International Aiport (LIR). Relax on white sand beaches or stroll the black sand beach beneath the cliffs at Playa Ocotal. Dive, snorkel, swim, surf, fish, bird-watch, kayak, sail, jet ski, hike, bike, golf, and horseback ride.

Horseback riding, fishing and yoga are just a few of the myriad things to do on the gorgeous Playa Samara. The white-sand beach is the perfect place to relax with a book or run wild with the kids, offering a fabulous setting for any beachside activity you could dream of. Offshore, a coral reef rewards snorkelers with active, beautiful marine life.

Sure, you can leave the sunny sands in favor of a crocodile watch or horseback ride, but when the main strand is called Seven Mile Beach, it's clear what draws most visitors to Negril. Depending on how much sun you want, you're welcome to go topless or even sunbathe in the buff in some places.

U.S. citizens still need to jump through a few hoops to visit Cuba, but as visitors from around the world know, this island offers some amazing opportunities for cultural exchange. Havana is a mix of old-world architecture and of-the-moment culture. Head out of the capital city to the small town of Trinidad to see more Spanish colonial architecture. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fantastic home base for a visit to the Valley of the Sugar Mills, a pocket of land that formerly served as the centre of Cuba’s sugar industry.

Huntington sits on the mid-section of the scenic Ohio River at the point where West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky meet. Founder Collis P. Huntington was the builder and owner of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. West Virginia’s second-largest city and the home of Marshall University, Huntington promises a variety of attractions: a downtown area with shopping, entertainment and a town square with a nostalgic nod to the city's railroad past. Year-round, festivals and special events take place downtown and in Pullman Square, the Civic Arena and the Keith-Albee Theater.

New Buffalo is a Lake Michigan beach getaway convenient to Indiana and Chicago. The large, broad public beach is the main attraction, but you can also explore downtown New Buffalo's shopping and dining options. Or, if you feel like taking a chance, the Four Winds Casino Resort has 130,000 square feet of gaming space. Owned by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, its design evokes their heritage.

The first time you go to New York, go ahead and be a sight-seer—everyone should visit the Statue of Liberty, the Met, Times Square, etc. But on a return trip, pick a neighbourhood and go deep. You’ll find hole-in-the-wall bars, great delis, quirky shops… exploring the non-touristy side of New York is an incredibly rewarding experience for a traveller.

Located just 10 minutes east of downtown Phoenix, Tempe exudes its own personality and the youthful spirit of a college town. Home to Arizona State University, the largest public university in the United States, Tempe has a vibrant downtown that’s active day and night. You’ll find locally-owned eateries and microbreweries, annual festivals, arts and cultural events. And plenty of opportunities to enjoy over 300 days of sunshine a year on a bike, hiking trail or stand-up paddleboard.