Whether you're into sport, sunshine or salsa, Miami sizzles all year round with exciting entertainment venues and attractions, world-class hotels and restaurants, great beaches and a nightlife that never sleeps. While South Beach, with its hip nightclubs and pastel-hued buildings, gets all the press, other sections of Miami are just as hot and offer culture, recreation and more. Spend the day soaking in the sights and sounds of Little Havana or soaking up the rays at Haulover Beach Park. Explore the Art Deco District or take the children to the zoo. At the end of the day, chill out at one of the area's bars and nightclubs. In Miami at night, the day is just beginning.

Located on the southeast tip of Florida, Sunny Isles Beach is set on a barrier island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. Halfway between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Sunny Isles Beach is the perfect relaxing escape and includes two miles of fine sand. Visit the landmark fishing pier or enjoy the area's abundant outdoor activities, such as snorkeling.

Relax beachside or stroll the boardwalk in the beautiful oceanside community of Hollywood. Ride a charming trolley from the beach to downtown, where you can soak in the areas rich culture, tour one of several museums, or browse through the local shops. There's always something going on on the boardwalk. Listen to live music, taste fresh seafood, or celebrate one of several seasonal festivals. After hours, Hollywood is known for its vibrant nightlife.

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.

With 2.5 miles of beautiful beaches, an iconic pier and lovely ocean vistas, Lauderdale by the Sea is a small community that attracts visitors from around the world. Here low-rise downtown buildings and mid-century modern architecture exude old Florida charm, even as they celebrate the town’s present-day connection to the ocean — most hotels, restaurants and shops are just a few minutes’ walk from Anglin’s Square, a charming oceanfront gathering place.

Sharing its warm, lapping waters with its Gold Coast neighbors Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, Pompano Beach lives up to the promise in its name; miles of beach along the temperate Gulf Stream await the sun-thirsty traveler. Overhead Goodyear's Spirit of Innovation blimp patrols the blue skies. The surrounding area is home to enough links courses to keep an intrepid golfer very busy for weeks. Miami and Gold Coast attractions, sports and entertainment are all within easy access.

Key Largo's spectacular Sandspur and Caloosa Beaches are a part of protected area Bahia Honda. This divine duo of sandy beaches, with their coconut palms and year-round warm waters, offer marvellous swimming, snorkelling and kayaking in their calm waters. Sandspur is especially popular with families.

Palm Beach has long lured America's big name social elite, from the Kennedys to the Pulitzers to the Trumps. If you don't have the Jaguar, catch a Palm Tram around the city. Opulent extravagance is the order of the day. But if you can take your eyes off the glittering procession of socialites and the prices at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Spa and in Worth Avenue stores, there are plenty of other sights to be seen. Don't miss Henry Morrison Flagler Museum or the hopping nightlife on Clematis Street.

Six islands in the Florida Keys comprise the village of Islamorada, known for its prime sport fishing. Rent a boat or participate in a guided tour to fish, snorkel, or swim with marine life. Fresh seafood is the hallmark of the Islamorada dining scene. Visit a tropical-themed bar to soak in the full Florida Keys experience with a frozen umbrella drink. For a dose of culture, take in fine art and music while strolling through the Morada Way Art and Cultural District.

Just north of Cancun, this seaside resort community is a far cry from the spring-break crowd. Bordered on one side by the Mexican Caribbean and the other by a wetlands wildlife preserve, the vibe in Playa Mujeres is one of laid-back luxury in a natural, untouched landscape. Unlike many other such tranquil places, Playa Mujeres is not a pain to get to. It's an easy ride from Cancun airport.

You don't have to choose between visiting a cultural capital or a sunny Caribbean beach destination—San Juan is both. This city's architecture ranges from Spanish colonial to 20th-century Art Deco, while the new Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico presents Latin American and Caribbean artwork in state-of-the-art galleries.

On the eastern coast of Texas, Rockport is a relaxing town with plenty of visitor attractions. The Fulton Mansion, overlooking Aransas Bay, showcases Second Empire architecture and is included on the National Register of Historic Places. Also visit the Texas Maritime Museum, the Rockport Center for the Arts and Rockport Beach Park, a great place for swimming or fishing.

Inhabited since the year 1000, Aruba is an island rich in history and culture. Eagle Beach is an idyllic Caribbean beach, with white sands and turquoise waters, and is frequented by water sports enthusiasts. Palm Beach, on the island's west side, offers perfect swimming conditions and powdery sand. Those more concerned with conditions under the waves won't want to miss the wreck of the torpedoed tanker Pedernales, a popular diving site. Aruba is only 20 miles long, thus easily explored by bike or moped.

Discover Pure Grenada, the Spice of the Caribbean! Famed as the home of spices like nutmeg, the islands of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique invite culinary exploration—from tasting tours of three award-winning rum distilleries to sampling exquisite organic chocolate at five chocolate factories. Visitors can also dive into the turquoise waters to discover the world’s first underwater sculpture park, zipline through tropical rain forests, or take in the lush scenery in a dune buggy tour.

The largest city in South America, Sao Paulo’s cuisine and art is as multinational as its diverse population of 10 million. With the restaurants of the Jardins district serving every food imaginable to diners from around the world, you wouldn’t be out of place going to Sao Paulo just for the dining. But you’d be missing out on world-class museums, diverse and vibrant neighbourhood tours, and crazy-good shopping.

With a population of almost 300,000 in the city proper, Belfast has grown into a cosmopolitan destination and become a popular weekend break spot. With feelings of optimism and life pulsing through the city, Belfast makes for an energising getaway. It's never been easier to tour the city, thanks to a number of intriguing bus, taxi, boat and pedestrian options. Don't miss the Ulster Folk Museum or the Belfast Cathedral, and make sure to experience some of the award-winning restaurants, bars, clubs, galleries and theatres.

Southwest of Seville, Jerez is a well-heeled place. It’s the home of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art and its famous dancing horses; if you’re on a budget or can’t be there for a formal performance, it’s worth dropping in to catch a morning training session. The other major reason to visit Jerez is to sample its most famous product—sherry. You can do this at a number of bodegas associated with the world’s best-known brands, including Bodegas Tio Pepe, The House of Sandeman, Jerez, and Pedro Domecq. They’ll soon have you knowing your amontillado from your oloroso. There’s also an Alcázar, dating back to the time of the Almohads, which features a small mosque, now the chapel of Santa María Real.