Think picnics on gorgeous, uncrowded beaches, fabulous seafood restaurants, and great hotels overlooking beautiful Monterey Bay… Monterey is a great place for a romantic getaway. Nature buffs can explore the bay by kayak for a close-up look at sea lions, seals and otters.

A city steeped in history, Lewiston traces its beginnings to the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In 1805, the famed explorer team came to the confluence of the Clearwater and Snake rivers, now the site of twin cities Lewiston, Idaho, and Clarkston, Washington. Pick any weekend of the year for your stay: Lewiston has a uniquely dry, temperate climate, ideal for year-round recreational activities. Whitewater rafting, kayaking, swimming, fishing, tubing, canoeing and jet boating opportunities are plentiful - and that's only the water sports. Landlubbers can golf, camp, hike, jog and bicycle. For the truly adventurous, a trip to Hells Canyon, the deepest canyon in North America, is a must. Those who venture into the gorge, via raft or jet boat, will discover 2,500-year-old Native American carvings on the canyon walls. Try your hand at indoor risk with a visit to the Clearwater River Casino. Whether braving the rapids or browsing through pioneer artifacts in the city's museums, you're sure to get a taste of the indomitable spirit of the early American settlers.

Calling itself "the southern part of Heaven," the town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina is home to the grassy malls and brick walkways of the University of North Carolina's historic campus. The presence of the country's first public university has allowed a vibrant arts and culture scene to grow in Chapel Hill. Check out a concert by a local band, watch the star's fly at the Morehead Planetarium or catch a varsity game pitting the wildly popular Tarheels against their historic Southern rivals.

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.