Kissimmee provides the perfect base camp for a date with Mickey. Only a few minutes' drive from the Walt Disney World theme parks, the Florida town is packed with family-friendly activities like mini golf, dinner theatre and ice skating. Get close to nature on an air boat ride through the swamps or pick oranges at a local grove. For a more educational diversion, stroll through the historic downtown or visit the Osceola County Historical Society and Pioneer Museum for a peek into turn-of-the century life.

With water, water everywhere, visitors to Kill Devil HIlls indulge in fishing and crabbing, quiet kayaking, robust surfing or parasailing, peaceful seaside cycling and that favourite, toes-in-the-sand enjoyment of the beach. This barrier island township is the centre of the Northern beach and home to about 7,000 year-round residents. Summer welcomes visitors anxious to share the natural landscapes and village-like appeal. Savor long stretches of Atlantic views and silky sands. If you’re a history buff, visit area lighthouses and the National Memorial honoring Wilbur and Orville Wright, who accomplished the first controlled powered flight in 1903. In nearby Kitty Hawk, Seascape Golf Links challenge players with changing elevations and coastal landscapes. A popular day trip just 17 miles to the southwest, the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Elizabeth Gardens and live performances of “The Lost Colony” combine to preserve and present the background of Native American culture and Sir Walter Raleigh’s colonization efforts in the late 1500’s.

Cheltenham was just your average, sleepy town until the discovery of a spring in 1716, after which it became Britain's most popular spa town. (Like Palm Springs without the casinos.) Local Cheltonians have a reputation for being wealthy and respectable, and a walk along the Promenade will give you a first-class view of their wonderful houses, shops and gardens. After taking in the waters at the Pittville Pump Room (great name for a spa), check out the Art Gallery and Museum to learn about the social history of Cheltenham.