Stretching 126 miles south towards Cuba, the stunning Keys are a perfect escape. Highlights along the way include Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key and the irrepressible Key West. Come face to face with an amazing array of fish while snorkelling, diving or fishing in the warm turquoise waters. Creeks, coral and costumed shows are other lures along the way. Highway 1 is a spectacular ribbon tying together the islands and atolls of this paradise between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic.

Key Largo's spectacular Sandspur and Caloosa Beaches are a part of protected area Bahia Honda. This divine duo of sandy beaches, with their coconut palms and year-round warm waters, offer marvellous swimming, snorkelling and kayaking in their calm waters. Sandspur is especially popular with families.

Whether you're into sport, sunshine or salsa, Miami sizzles all year round with exciting entertainment venues and attractions, world-class hotels and restaurants, great beaches and a nightlife that never sleeps. While South Beach, with its hip nightclubs and pastel-hued buildings, gets all the press, other sections of Miami are just as hot and offer culture, recreation and more. Spend the day soaking in the sights and sounds of Little Havana or soaking up the rays at Haulover Beach Park. Explore the Art Deco District or take the children to the zoo. At the end of the day, chill out at one of the area's bars and nightclubs. In Miami at night, the day is just beginning.

At the shore in Miami Beach, visitors can swim, surf and jet ski in the warm and crystal-clear Atlantic waters. You can also nap on the white sands, work on a tan or simply watch the beautiful people, especially at South Beach, a favourite of models and celebrities.

Relax beachside or stroll the boardwalk in the beautiful oceanside community of Hollywood. Ride a charming trolley from the beach to downtown, where you can soak in the areas rich culture, tour one of several museums, or browse through the local shops. There's always something going on on the boardwalk. Listen to live music, taste fresh seafood, or celebrate one of several seasonal festivals. After hours, Hollywood is known for its vibrant nightlife.

Key West has great nightlife—and a perfect cover story for someone who wants to enjoy it. A Hemingway fan simply must toss back a few at their hero’s favourite bar! You’re not reliving Spring Break, you’re immersing yourself in great American literature. Yeah. That’s the ticket.

This canal-laced city is a far cry from its rowdy, party image of the past. Today, following renovation and renewal, upmarket stores and restaurants have replaced fast-food stands and T-shirt shops. But the city's biggest draws are its stretch of gorgeous beaches, great swimming, nearly year-round sunshine and close-to-ideal climate. For great shopping, dining and nightlife, you can't go wrong at Las Olas Riverfront, a waterfront entertainment centre with top-notch clothing and jewellery shops, bars and free entertainment. The city has a host of family-friendly options, such as Everglades Holiday Park and the Museum of Discovery and Science. With the network of canals and waterways, boats are part of the Lauderdale lifestyle, and tourists can get in on the act by hiring a boat or hailing a water taxi. There's a lot to do here, but make sure and spend some quiet time just soaking up the sun or strolling along the beach at dusk.

Sharing its warm, lapping waters with its Gold Coast neighbors Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, Pompano Beach lives up to the promise in its name; miles of beach along the temperate Gulf Stream await the sun-thirsty traveler. Overhead Goodyear's Spirit of Innovation blimp patrols the blue skies. The surrounding area is home to enough links courses to keep an intrepid golfer very busy for weeks. Miami and Gold Coast attractions, sports and entertainment are all within easy access.

If you’re into eating locally and supporting sustainable agriculture, go to Ashville—and eat, eat, eat. This town of less than 100,000 people has 17 farmers’ markets, and the local restaurant scene is all about taking advantage of the seasonal produce sold there. And don’t miss the area’s microbreweries.

Many tourists know Windsor for its casino. But if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find fascinating history here. Once an important stop on the Underground Railroad, Windsor became an important center of whisky production and, thus, a major smuggling port during Prohibition. (Apparently Al Capone liked his Canadian Club.) In summer, catch the enormous fireworks display at the International Freedom Festival.

Bozeman is the gem of Big Sky Country, bustling with activities for all seasons. Winter brings powder to the peaks at Bridger Bowl Ski Area and nearby Big Sky Ski Resort, while the spring brings high waters and thrilling rafting on the Gallatin River. Summer is splendid for backpacking the Gallatin Divide, and fall colors bring nearby Yellowstone Park to life as the wildlife come out to mate. The city's cultural scene thrives with annual events like the American Indian Pow Wow and the rodeo.

The Pacific Northwest scarcely gets more peaceful than unspoiled Bellingham, a bustling city nestled in the Bellingham Bay. Nature abounds in all directions surrounding this coastal paradise. The waters of the Pacific offer opportunities for whale watching, cruising to Friday Harbor or visiting the Canadian city of Victoria. To the east, Mt. Baker beckons skiers and snowboarders to its slopes. The city itself is alive with vibrant theater, historical museums, gourmet restaurants and fine arts.

Strongly influenced by the tribal culture of the Guanches (the original inhabitants), Tenerife was conquered by the Spanish 500 years ago. It's home to Mount Teide, Spain's tallest peak, and to the popular beach resort of Los Gigantes. Today visitors flock to Loro Park to see tropical birds, to Tenerife Zoo Monkey Park and to Parque Nacional Las Canadas del Teide's volcanic rock formations. Explore by car or with a "bono bus" ticket, which offers reductions on regular prices.

A popular budget holiday destination on the Costa Brava, the former fishing village of Lloret de Mar offers an appealing climate, great scenery and wealth of competitive accommodations. Visit the narrow streets of the Old Town and sites such as Can Xardo and Can Comadran, or take to the waves in Water World or sailing, parasailing or kayaking on the Mediterranean. A handful of excellent beaches round out the offerings of this Catalonian family resort, easily reached by car from Barcelona.

Cumbria is a county in the North of England which is famed above all for its natural beauty. Although it is the Lake District which most people will immediately associate with Cumbria, there are a great many other spots of natural beauty to behold, as well as plenty of activities to suit all tastes around the county. Arriving in Cumbria by car, or perhaps hiring a car on your arrival, is virtually essential for seeing the best of what the county has to offer. The Lake District is comprised of around twenty major bodies of water, with a great many smaller ones dotted around. Visitors looking to explore the lakes may be best advised to begin at Windermere and the Brockhole Visitor Centre, where all the required information may be obtained. There are a number of facilities at the centre for all the family to enjoy, including watersports and a children’s adventure playground. Other locations in the area more than worth seeing include Derwent Water, Ullswater and Coniston Water. As well as its Lakeland beauty, Cumbria also has its rugged, mountainous scenery to appreciate. Cumbria is host to every mountain in England over the three thousand feet mark and climbers, adventurous walkers and even mountain bikers are therefore all but spoiled for choice in the locations which they can visit. Cumbria is an area which has witnessed considerable upheaval in a historical sense. Evidence of this dating back to Roman times can still be seen, particularly with the legendary Hadrian’s Wall forming the county’s approximate northern boundary. The path which follows the course of the wall is a great way for walkers with an interest in history to combine both passions. Castles are plentiful in Cumbria, with the impressive Carlisle Castle dating back to Norman times. A visit to Carlisle Castle can be combined with a tour of the historic town, where the ancient features of the county’s main population and economic centre are complemented by the common comforts and conveniences of everyday modern living.