Looking for an unusual and beautiful landscape? Sandstone canyons, flamingo-dotted salt flats, steaming geysers, hot springs, volcanic peaks and alien-looking rock formations are on offer all around San Pedro de Atacama. Hiking, biking and horseback riding are the preferred means of exploration. Death Valley here is surprisingly great for picnics.

Although not a crowded Caribbean tourist spot, Georgetown is a unique city that serves as a perfect jumping point for ecotours into the South American interior. Its Victorian and Dutch Colonial architecture is detailed with louvered window shutters and brick and stone work. Built below the high tide level, the city is protected by a large seawall and drained by a grid of canals. Sundry goods can be found at the distinctive Stabroek Market, while the landmark Light House offers panoramic views.

Ouro Preto is a former colonial mining town with beautifully preserved Baroque architecture and quaint cobblestone streets. It has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It earned recognition during Brazil's Golden Age as a centre for gold mining and prosperity in the 18th century. Today it is a popular tourist destination.

The acclaimed Rancho La Puerta is Mexico’s top destination spa. Set within spectacular grounds, just an hour from San Diego, therapeutic treatments make full use of all kinds of medicine and produce from the Rancho’s organic garden. This idyllic sanctuary is a luxurious full service spa resort.

North America's biggest and most popular ski resort, Vail is an alpine village in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Long a favourite of serious skiers and jet setting celebrities, Vail now also draws a younger, hipper snowboarding crowd. Skiing is king at Vail Mountain and the Blue Sky Basin, but the area's vast splendor is perfect for hiking, biking, snowmobiling or scenery-gazing at any time of the year.

Looking to relax in the sun? Palm Springs, with 354 days of sunshine per year, might be the place for you. Relax poolside or visit one of the many area spas… or tour some fantastic examples of mid-century modern architecture.

South Lake Tahoe is the only destination in the country that combines two strikingly different worlds: The spectacular beauty of a national park, and all the desirable amenities of a world-class resort. Here you can enjoy a full range of exhilarating outdoor activities – from skiing and snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sleigh rides and sledding to hiking, biking, kayaking, boating, fishing, swimming, and golf - alongside the excitement of 24-hour nightclubs, fine dining, gaming and entertainment.

Historic Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains, first established as a fur trading post before it expanded to become the bustling port city it is today. Its storied past is documented in numerous museums, from the Columbia River Maritime Museum with its collection of nautical relics to the Uppertown Firefighters Museum, whose collections of firefighting memorabilia is complimented by the interactive Children's Museum on the second floor.