Taking a light aircraft flight over the plains 200 miles south of Lima is the best way to appreciate the Nasca Lines, the World Heritage-designated geoglyphs etched into the stony desert surface. The creators and meaning behind these startlingly precise abstracts and animal figures remain a mystery, but their 1939 discovery launched a steady swarm of tourists upon this tiny town – accessible via bus from Lima, Cusco and Arequipa.

The name says it all: Belo Horizonte, or “beautiful horizon,” has stunning views of surrounding mountains. Built as a planned city about a century ago, its tree-lined streets are laid out in a tidy grid. Explore the modern Brazilian architecture of the Pampulha neighborhood, relax in Mangabeiras Park or indulge in some epic retail therapy. Refresh with a cachaça rum cocktail, or tuck into a sumptuous pile of meat at a traditional Brazilian barbecue restaurant.

Visit Aruba once and you'll instantly start planning your next visit. The island wins you over with gorgeous weather, serene beaches, exciting land and sea activities (ATVs in the outback, anyone?), and terrific nightlife, from restaurants to casinos and nightclubs. Don't miss the live music scene, featuring Aruba's own Tumba music.

Sunny Naples is a popular, sophisticated and charming beach destination on the Gulf of Mexico. It boasts many world-class hotels and resorts along miles of white sand beaches. The ocean surf is gentle and the people are friendly. Shoppers delight in searching for antiques, home furnishings, clothes and jewellery. With its beautiful neighbourhoods and grand architecture, the atmosphere is elegant, yet relaxing. Sports enthusiasts spend glorious days pursuing their favourite activity, from golf to tennis to fishing. There are restaurants to suit every taste and budget. Even though it is a busy and cosmopolitan city, Naples offers easy access to secluded islands and the wilderness of the Everglades.

True to its name, Hot Springs, Arkansas, is renowned for its thermal springs. Hot Springs National Park, and its hiking trails and bathing facilities, is the region’s starring attraction, while the city’s art deco architecture is another big draw for day-trippers from Little Rock.

Charming Mackinac Island is a throwback to old-timey seaside leisure, from the candy-colored facades of downtown shops to the impressive (record-breaking, in fact) front porch of the Victorian-era Grand Hotel. Mackinac is world-famous for its homemade fudge, available in every flavor you can imagine. Work off your sugar high with a round of golf, a bike ride along a seaside trail, or exploring the limestone bluffs of Mackinac Island State Park.

This big resort—the largest on Gran Canaria—was developed in the 1960s specifically as a tourist area. And all types of tourists have found it. LGBT travellers, families with kids, au naturel sunbathers, honeymooners, groups of young singles… there’s a spot for everybody on the beach here (and a hotel or apartment for every budget).