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.

Amelia Island loves a (family-friendly) party! The small Sea Island is particularly well known for two annual festivals: the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival. But there’s plenty to do year-round. Hit the beach for some water sports, explore the island on horseback, take in a show at a community theatre or just wander around the charming historic district. The Amelia Island Museum of History offers educational walking tours, including a spooky Ghost Tour that will give you delicious chills.

The City of Fernandina Beach is located on beautiful Amelia Island off the Atlantic coast of Florida. Play a round of golf on one of the champion golf courses, or take a tour of the historical sites on the island. Visit the Artrageous Artwalk. The galleries are opened from 5:30pm until 8:30pm the second Saturday of every month. Find pottery, stained glass, local crafts shown alongside fine art, watercolors, and intriguing photography.

Saint Augustine is a luxurious, romantic holiday spot—you’ll find classic hotels and intimate restaurants. Those can be a dime a dozen, though. What sets Saint Augustine apart is its history—it’s the oldest European settlement in the U.S. And nowhere else in the world can you taste the waters of the Fountain of Youth archaeological Park (where Ponce de Leon may have landed). Who knows, if you holiday here, maybe you won’t need that Botox!

Located at the northern end of the Daytona Beach area, Ormond Beach is an exceptional family vacation destination known for its beautiful natural beach, parks and gardens, scenic loop, elegant homes, historical landmarks, and cultural offerings. Travellers enjoy the small-town feel of its downtown shopping and arts area on Granada Boulevard – as well as its eclectic eateries – while a visit to Tomoka State Park (located along the river) is a great outing for kids and adults alike.

There are no two identical Bahamas holidays. With options as diverse as its 700 islands, the Bahamas may seem schizophrenic: is it a family destination, a place for lovers to sneak away, a gambling mecca, a cruise-afficianado’s chief port of call or a shopper’s world market? The answer is, yes. It’s that, too.

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.

It’s not just for spring-breakers. Cancun, with its golden beaches and perfect climate, is the premiere coastal destination in Mexico. And while there is certainly a 365-day party available for college students, resorts cater well to families and to those seeking solitude. This Yucatan paradise is also the gateway to the ruins of Tulum and Chichén Itzá.

The Dominican Republic lies in the same waters as Cuba and Puerto Rico, taking up the eastern two-thirds of the island it shares with Haiti. Offering a lush interior with a mix of caves, Victorian gingerbread houses and the lore of pirates, plus 900 miles of coastline along its brim, island highlights include riding a cable car up Mount Isabel de Torres and basking on stunning Saona Island. Oh, and did we mention the D.R. is family-friendly, has just about perfect weather and is affordable?

Among the best golf destinations in the world, Punta Cana is the very picture of leisure. Several of the courses have been designed by professional golfers, making for the perfect sort of kicked-back challenge that you want on a golfing vacation. The beaches here are simply perfect: calm, warm waters that gently lap at stretches of fine white sand. Thrill yourself with a zip-line adventure, clap along with traditional Dominican music at a cultural performance, or explore the magical lagoons of the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park.

Refer to Vancouver Island as Victoria Island and risk a chorus of eye-rolls from the otherwise-friendly locals. Yes, Victoria is the main city on the island, but there are many distinct flavours to its logging and fishing settlements. Food and wine enthusiasts flock to the Comox Valley farm region, while the more outdoorsy types get their fix along the remote, forested beaches of North Vancouver Island. Visit the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve at Clayoquot Sound and you’ll return full of cocktail-party factoids.