Frisco in Colorado is a small town close to several ski resorts. With fantastic scope for skiing and other outdoor pursuits as well as being a great base from which to explore Colorado and the Rocky Mountains, Frisco describes itself as the Main Street of the Rockies, and is a great place for a family holiday. The first stop for many tourists in Frisco will be the Frisco Nordic Centre at the Peninsula Recreation Area, with facilities for skating, cross country skiing and snowshoeing throughout the winter months. The Breckenridge and Copper Mountain ski resorts are also nearby and provide all sorts of skiing and snowboarding opportunities. Any outdoor enthusiast will certainly find a huge range of ski trails and activities for all levels of experience and ability. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, you can even take the whole family white water rafting! In the evenings, Frisco is a small town, but contains an impressive number of restaurants, shops and nightlife. And if you need a break from the slopes, the Frisco Historic Park and Museum is great for children, a collection of preserved and reconstructed historic buildings which chart Frisco's development from trapper camp to mining town to its present day tourist haven.

Step away from the hustle and bustle into the secluded luxury of three alpine villages in one at Beaver Creek. At the foot of Beaver Creek Mountain, the unique village-to-village ski system and ski-in/ski-out accommodation of Beaver Creek Village and neighbouring Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead Villages make it almost unnecessary to remove your skis! The mountain offers groomed slopes and world class competitions, including the Birds of Prey World Cup, as well as an array of summer activities.

Get major-city sophistication in a location that is one of the world’s natural wonders. Obviously a hub for those seeking the Rocky Mountain ski slopes, Denver is also home to four major sports teams, major museums and a wide variety of neighbourhoods that make the city a destination in its own right.

Everyone knows Aspen as a top-notch winter resort town. But outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy it in the summer, too, when the mountains become a perfect setting for hiking, biking and horseback tours. Some may be surprised to find it’s a top romance destination—but after all that outdoor exercise, who wouldn’t want to repair to a luxurious hotel room or a cozy, firelit bar?

Despite its name and reputation as a world-class ski resort, Snowmass is not just a one-season Colorado wonder. More than 3,000 acres of terrain parks and halfpipes woo skiers and snowboarders, but 40 miles of hiking and biking trails keep active travelers on the move when the snow melts. The mountain town's boutiques and casual eateries complement the festivals, free music events and rodeo held each summer. When the flakes fall again, a groomed cross-country ski trail links Snowmass to Aspen.

Prospectors discovered gold when they founded Breckenridge in 1859. Today, this historic mining town is fostering a whole new set of riches: world-class skiing, an expansive trail network, festivals and events, a vibrant Main Street and plenty of ways to unwind. In Breckenridge, all four seasons are packed with the best of the outdoors, the indoors, and everything in between.

The unique and ubiquitous island of Tahiti is world-renowned for its Polynesian charm, colourful culture and romantic ambiance. The grass-skirted hip shaking of Tahitian dance is sure to get your toes tapping and heart thumping—let the celebratory vibe of this magical locale rejuvenate and excite you to the core. Warm-water lagoons and crystalline ocean tides are host to a rainbow’s worth of colourful marine life, and the food, drink, spas and dramatic nightlife provide an experience to stimulate all the senses.

The relatively small island of Bora Bora is an activity giant, offering visitors the chance to experience a 4x4 safari, sunbathe and swim at white sandy beaches, dive in a natural underwater park among fish and corals, experience thrilling shark feedings, or circle the turquoise lagoon by boat. And Bora Bora is a superlative romantic spot. Fall captive to this lush gem of a Polynesian island by sharing an intimate midnight dinner on the beach; visiting the Lagoonarium, the Diving Centre, the Coral Gardens or the Leopard Rays Trench; or taking it all in from the lofty heights of 2,300-foot Mount Otemanu.

With live music to be heard all across town, 24/7, 365 days a year, Music City lives up to its name. From honky-tonk bands jamming at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge to songwriters in the round at the Bluebird Cafe and country music legends rocking the Grand Ole Opry, you never know who you might see. The creative spirit from Nashville's music landscape flows into the area's myriad art galleries, up-and-coming fashion scene, historic landmarks and chef-driven restaurants.

With its ideal location on the magnificently rugged Oregon Coast, the entire city of Newport is a natural observatory that offers a number of fun and educational activities for the whole family. Spend the morning exploring tide pools, combing the beach for fossils and spotting marine life in their natural habitats. Then head over to the Oregon Coast Aquarium where you can pet an octopus and walk through a glass tunnel surrounded by sharks. Newport is also home to two lighthouses, one of which is the tallest on the Oregon Coast. Historic Nye Beach, with its colorful cottages and laid-back atmosphere, is the perfect spot for a picnic and a quick rest from all the sightseeing.

It's a historic capital. It's a beach resort. It's a lively, romantic town. Whatever you look for in a Mexican holiday is on the menu in Mazatlan. Returning travellers rave about the welcoming Mazatlecos who treat you like old amigos—as well as the beaches, the food, the weather, the music and the feeling of never wanting to leave.

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.

Any city that can be the butt of a Simpson's joke ("That's it! We're all going back to Winnipeg!") and simultaneously one of the most vibrant cultural centres in Canada is tops in our book. The city's history of isolation and self-sufficiency means that Winnipeggers are unpretentious and sincere (and fun-loving enough to name Homer an honourary citizen). Though the winters are long and cold, there are plenty of indoor activities to both keep you warm and stimulate your imagination.

Laid-back colonial gem San Jose Del Cabo is picture-postcard perfect. This gorgeous getaway, with its palm-lined lagoons on the hem of the ocean, is full of the magic of Old Baja, where secret courtyards and unhurried days promise intrigue and romance. Fine hotels abound, including the elegant, world-renowned One&Only Palmilla.