Basking in its 300 days of sunshine, Lake Tahoe is a haven for outdoor fun in every season. Swimming, kayaking and windsurfing are popular in the summer months, while epic snowfall makes for spectacular skiing in winter. For those who prefer indoor fun, there's plenty of that in Tahoe, too. With 24-hour casinos and a flashy nightlife scene, the area has a tangible Vegas vibe. A sprinkle of bling, if you will. Not surprising, since Lake Tahoe straddles the border between California and Nevada.

With the bluest of blue water and the greenest of green surrounding forest, Lake Tahoe, quite simply, transfixes. From the early Indians to authors such as Mark Twain, people have tried to capture the beauty and mystique of the lake with nicknames like "Big Blue" and "Grasshopper Soup". Others maintain that it's impossible to describe the magnificence in words. At 6225 feet above sea level, Tahoe is the highest alpine lake in the United States and has long attracted holidaymakers from around the world. In the summer, hiking, windsurfing, golfing, fishing and swimming (usually in wet suits due to the lake's brisk year-round temperature) are all the rage. The winter season starts in late November, around Thanksgiving, and brings throngs of skiers to local resorts. Located between California and Nevada, different sides of the lake tend to attract different types of visitors. The California side draws families and outdoor enthusiasts while the Nevada side beckons those looking for big-name entertainment and casinos. No matter which side you choose, a getaway to stunning Lake Tahoe will not soon be forgotten.

You won't find big chain superstores or fast food restaurants in Virginia City. Instead you will find streets steeped in the history of the Gold Rush and the birth of the American West. The once silver and gold lined Comstock Lode drew thousands of miners, including American writer Mark Twain, to its promise of riches. Now the town preserves its illustrious past with tours, restored historical architecture, informative museums and commemorative events for all ages.

Nevada's "other" gambling and resort town, Reno is located in the western part of the state near the California border. What the city lacks in glitz or reputation it more than makes up for in attractions and amenities. There are first-rate hotels, golf courses and casinos to rival its southern counterpart and, also like Las Vegas, Reno has become a popular destination for families. Galena Creek Park offers nature trails that even young children can navigate, plus organised educational events for families.

Along the Truckee River in the tranquil Truckee Meadow is fast-growing Sparks, Nevada, Reno's less flamboyant neighbour to the east. Although home to only one high rise casino, Sparks offers visitors other pleasures with live festivals and events in open air venues, a lively farmers' market, a multiplex theatre and less pricey accommodation than its high-rolling neighbour. Its proximity to both Reno's casinos and Lake Tahoe makes Sparks a perfect destination for a Northern Nevada Holiday.

The Red River is the heart and soul of Shreveport, a cultural and gaming centre on the Louisiana/Texas border. Riverboat casinos evoke the glamour and mystery of the past while providing modern travellers with thrills and excitement. If the tables aren't your style, take a trip over the neon-lit Texas Street Bridge to the horse-racing at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, Shreveport's thriving sister city. Visitors can unwind in one of Shreveport's botanical oases and enjoy the area's fine waterfront dining, shopping and entertainment. Shreveport sizzles in the summertime but has a temperate climate for the rest of the year.

Puebla lives in the shadow of the active Popocatepetl volcano, which provides a spectacular backdrop to one of Mexico’s Pueblos Magicos (magic towns). Characterized by its colorful, Talavera-tiled buildings and hailed as the birthplace of mole poblano, Puebla is Mexico at its best.