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?

A ski town that is also an authentic ranching centre, Steamboat Springs is more down home than glitzy. Cowboy hats and ski boots are equally welcome on the city's friendly streets. The place where downhill skiing first flourished in the United States, Steamboat Springs remains a premiere slopes destination. But the town also offers outdoor recreation of every stripe and season. And after a long day hiking, schussing or shopping, you can relax in one of the natural hot springs for which the town was named.

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.

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.

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.

In St. John's, the capital city of Antigua, farmers markets, candy- colored architecture and the ruins of sugar plantations vie for attention with a kaleidoscope of coral reefs and sailing adventures. Salute the white baroque towers of St. John's Cathedral that dominate the skyline before joining the flocks of cruise passengers on a Heritage Quay shopping excursion. To experience the island's early cultures, visit the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, housed in a 1750s colonial courthouse.

The name "Chattanooga" comes from the Creek Indian word for "rock coming to a point". This refers to Lookout Mountain, one of the city's major attractions. Here visitors can explore extraordinary rock formations, see a roaring enclosed waterfall and travel by train to the top of the mountain for truly breathtaking vistas. Back down on the ground, don't miss the world's largest freshwater aquarium: the Tennessee Aquarium. History enthusiasts will love the city's museums dedicated to Civil-War, Native-American and 20th-century history. More than anything, Chattanooga is a scenic city, full of natural wonders waiting to be explored on foot or by car, bike or train.

Delaware offers vacationers miles of discoveries, like cleanest-in-the-nation beaches, opulent du Pont family mansions and the opportunity to shop sales-tax-free. Size and location also work to Delaware’s advantage. Within a few hours’ drive, visitors can stroll through quaint Colonial-era towns, savor full-flavored culinary adventures without the big-city prices, or cheer their favorite band at the annual Firefly Music Festival.

Oceanside is a seaside oasis of recreation and beautiful beaches. Centrally located between San Diego and Los Angeles, Oceanside is frequently referred to as “the hub of Southern California.” From here, it’s easy to access a variety of amusement parks and family activities such as Disneyland, Legoland, Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. If you’re looking to educate as well as entertain, you won’t be disappointed. Take your kids to visit Mission San Luis Rey. Founded in 1798, Mission San Luis is often called “The King of Missions” and includes picnic grounds and a gift shop in addition to a museum. Also check out the California Surf Museum or the Oceanside Museum of Art. With more than six miles of frontal beach roads, Oceanside allows you to jog, bike or skate to your heart’s content. Bike the San Luis Rey River Biking trail or take part in private o group surf lessons from a local surf school. Get your sea legs on and check out one of the many boat rental companies for a trip out to sea you won’t soon forget – go deep sea fishing, diving or whale watching. For the golf lover, Oceanside is a veritable paradise! With six courses in or near Oceanside, you’re sure to find a public or private course to fit your game - try Oceanside Municipal Golf Course, Emerald Isle Golf Course or Pendleton Marine Golf Course.

Florida's Southwest Gulf Coast contains a constellation of enticing coastal gems. Stunning beaches, including Fort Myers Beach, Tigertail Beach and Pensacola Beach, fringe the Gulf, down the I-75 from Tampa to Naples. Sanibel Island's shells attracts thousands. Cape Coral's waters are paradise for fly-fishing. Golfers adore spectacular courses in Marco Island and Naples. Glorious sunny days and deliciously warm turquoise waters beckon in this often overlooked corner of the Sunshine State.

Lounge in style on the white beaches of the California coast. Pismo Beach offers premium ocean views, a 1200-foot pier perfect for fishing, and choice surfing. If you've had enough of bumming on the beach, check out the shops on the boardwalk or at the Pismo Beach Premium Outlets. Golfers will find plenty of desirable courses, and nature lovers will enjoy horseback riding or riding an ATV through the scenic sand dunes.

During the Civil War, Knoxville's Mabry-Hazen House served as headquarters for both the Confederate and Union armies. Today you can visit the house and other historic homes in this eastern Tennessee city. Among Knoxville's other attractions are museums, a zoo and the park that housed the 1982 World's Fair. University of Tennessee sports draw lots of fans, as does the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. To see Knoxville from the water, take a leisurely riverboat ride down the Tennessee River.