White beaches, a sparkling sea, a strawberry daiquiri in hand—what more do you need in a holiday? Marco Island brings visitors the best that the Ten Thousand Islands have to offer. Scavenge for seashells or hit the links for a sunny session of golf. Explore the Everglades in a swamp buggy or enjoy a rejuvenating nature hike at the Rookery Bay Reserve.

Located on Florida's Gulf Coast, Fort Myers offers its own great beaches as well as being surrounded by some 100 barrier and coastal islands to explore. The shelling is stupendous, and the nearby Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum is inspirational. The Great Calusa Blueway offers 40 miles of canoe and kayak trails.

Most holiday spots are either relaxing (Tahiti) or family-friendly (Orlando). Sanibel Island, however, is that rare place which is both. Spend a quiet afternoon shell-collecting, or find a hotel with a kids' programme so you can enjoy a trip to the spa or a round of golf.

The City of Palms is located in Southwestern Florida on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. Most visitors go to Fort Myers for the deep-sea fishing, the golf courses and the famous white sand beaches and islands that line the Gulf Coast. A renovation of the city's downtown waterfront promises new restaurants, clubs, shops and galleries. Attractions include the winter estates of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, as well as nearby Naples and the islands of Sanibel and Captiva.

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.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly island holiday, consider the Bay Islands. Each one appeals to different travellers—Roatan’s the most developed (but still not as built-up as, say, St. Thomas), Guanaia’s rustic and Utila’s in between. All three have great dive spots and beaches.

Detroit is an amazing destination for your next weekend getaway. If exploring is your thing, hop on a bike and meet new friends on the Slow Roll bike tour (you’ll find a unique perspective on the city, and the slow pace is perfect for all skill levels). And while you may not think of Detroit as wine country, the newly opened Detroit Vineyards is one of the country’s largest urban wineries, crafting superior wines right in the heart of the city. Grab your glass and make a toast to the weekend!

The acclaimed Rancho La Puerta is Mexico’s top destination spa. Set within spectacular grounds, just an hour from San Diego, therapeutic treatments make full use of all kinds of medicine and produce from the Rancho’s organic garden. This idyllic sanctuary is a luxurious full service spa resort.

Kodiak Island, sitting off the Southern coast of Alaska in the Kodiak Archipelago, is home to the city of Kodiak, Alaska's largest fishing port, famous for catches of king crab and salmon. The island is also home to the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, which takes up almost two-thirds of the island and protects populations of Kodiak brown bears, all six species of Pacific salmon and 250 species of birds. With a lovely temperate marine climate, Kodiak promises outdoor fun, all year long.

Sizzling thermal waters flow from volcano-heated springs in remote, rugged Patagonia. It’s the ideal spa destination for those who want some eco-adventure when they emerge from the therapeutic waters. The most decadent spa address is Puyuhuapi, in the north of the region, accessible only by boat.