The French-inspired Botanical Garden of Curitiba is one of the Brazilian city’s most popular attractions, its colorful flowers, ponds, paths, and art nouveau greenhouse creating a sweet-smelling fairyland. After a floral stroll, continue to explore Curituba’s lovely landscapes at Parque Estadual de Vila Velha and Parque Tanguá. Visit the Museu Oscar Niemeyer, a celebration of the architect’s bold, abstract works, then enjoy a performance at the marvelous Ópera de Arame, built to look like it’s fashioned out of wire.

Villavicencio is a hub for cattle farming, and the area abounds with cowboys. You could stay on a ranch for a night or two before moseying off to the more oft-visited grassland plains of Los Llanos. If you care to stay awhile, Villavicencio has plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and eco-tourism. Don’t miss the Caño Cristales, a beautifully multi-colored river filled with vibrant plants and minerals that’s appropriately nicknamed “The Liquid Rainbow.”

This tiny twin island republic offers an enticing mix of cultural activities and eco-adventure. Located just off the tip of Venezuela, lively Trinidad, the larger of the two, boasts energetic nightlife in its modern capital, Port-of- Spain. Driving on the North Coast Road reveals lush forest and breathtaking views. Tobago, two hours away by fast ferry, is comparatively serene. Azure seas contrast with pale pink sands and golden sunsets. Protected rainforest and stunning coral reefs complete this paradise.

Vibrant and packed with Victorian mansions, Costa Rica's rowdy, bustling capital was built on the profits of the coffee trade and working "golden bean" plantations still surround the city. Try freshly roasted local beans at Mercado Central. For shinier gold, visit the Museo del Oro. Many renovated landmarks now house stylish hotels. Usually viewed as a hub, rather than a destination, nightlife is concentrated in Spanish village-inspired El Pueblo. Don't miss the elegant 1897 National Theater.

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.

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.

Let the Gulf Shore breeze carry you to a weekend of sun-kissed fun. The Tampa-St Pete area is Florida's second-biggest metropolitan area. Not as flashy as Miami or as crowded as Orlando, the region has grown as a tourist destination, and it's easy to see why: miles of waterfront, sandy beaches, cultural attractions and exciting amusements. Busch Gardens has been drawing visitors for years, but the city also has another zoo, an aquarium and several major museums for those who need some time in the shade.