In the centre of the French Alps, Courchevel has well more than 100 ski runs for visitors to choose from. Some courses are dotted with moguls, so snowboarding and snowmobiling are popular here, and skiers of all levels of experience will find a slope that's just right.

Romance is the lifeblood of Annecy, a town in the Rhone-Alpes region of southeast France that’s replete with castles and cathedrals and softly curving architecture. Stroll hand in hand with your paramour across Pont des Amours (the lover’s bridge) before taking in the Imperial Palace and the baroque Cathedral of Saint-Pierre. A walk down the Rue Royale will be rewarded with prime shopping, dining and people-watching, especially at the fountain of Saint Jean.

Crans-Montana actually comprises two ski resorts, Crans-sur-Sierre and Montana- Vermala, although for all intents and purposes, they function as one. Popular with affluent Italians, the skiing is good (best for beginners and intermediates), but the shopping, eating and drinking are even better. The resort claims to be on the sunniest plateau in the Alps, and indeed the snow is often lacking, but the views over the Rhône are superb. Every September, the resort hosts the European Masters golf tournament.

Encircled by medieval walls, Canterbury is doused in history. In the Middle Ages, Canterbury’s pilgrimage-site status made it the setting of Chaucer’s seminal "Canterbury Tales," while today, cobbled streets and the 6th-century Canterbury Cathedral secure this city as one of England’s must-visit destinations.

Drawing more pilgrims than tourists as a stop on northern Spain’s sacred Camino de Santiago, Leon is best known for its ancient history and magnificent Gothic cathedral. Convents and museums add to the architectural appeal, while tapas bars and clubs create a modern mix of nightlife.

Wilkes-Barre serves as the county seat for Luzerne County, an area containing not one, but four of Pennsylvania's State Parks. Whether its fishing in Frances Slocum State Park, whitewater rafting through Lehigh Gorge State Park, cross-country skiing across Nescopeck State Park, or exploring twenty-two waterfalls at Ricketts Glen State Park, there is something for every outdoors enthusiast. If the indoors is more your thing, the city is also home to the Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs casino.

Miles of white sand and romantic island resorts beckon from the hem of the Palmetto State. Families gravitate to Myrtle Beach and the 60- mile span of Grand Strand, where over 100 championship golf courses, tennis courts and nightclubs await. Charleston's hundreds of heritage buildings and irresistible charm are part of its allure. Beach resorts at Kiawah Island, Seabrook and Edisto Island make for romantic getaways. Marshes, moss-bearded palms and oak groves create a haunting atmosphere in the Lowcountry.

Although much of Jacksonville is urban, this sprawling northeastern Florida city also has nature and wildlife reserves, historic residential neighbourhoods and lots of golf courses. Attractions in Jax, as the locals call it, range from art, science and history museums to a brewery tour, from the Jacksonville Landing entertainment complex, along the St John's River, to Bronson Motor Speedway. The city's beaches offer soft sand and warm water - perfect for swimming, surfing and kayaking.