So close to Rio de Janeiro, yet so different, Ilha Grande is Brazil’s relaxing, undeveloped paradise. Stepping off the ferry to the island is to disconnect from the outside world. No cars, no banks (bring your money!), no ringing phones. It’s all about relaxing in the sun, sailing, swimming, disappearing into spas and reemerging for fresh seafood at one of the 30 small restaurants.

Named for a local swamp fish, Paraty sits on Brazil's southeastern coast, 125 miles south of Rio, with the Bocaino Mountains at its back. The small colonial town's center is a national historic monument with well-preserved buildings on its pedestrian-only streets. Take a boat trip out into the bay to the flotillas of islands and coves nearby. Explore sugarcane plantations and hike or take a train through Atlantica Forest. Keep an eye out for the monkeys that roam the cobblestone streets.

Situated on the breathtaking Litoral Norte (north shore) of São Paulo state and straddling the Tropic of Capricorn, the town of Ubatuba is a beachcombers' and surfers' paradise. In fact, the city of 78,000 (225 kilometers northeast of the state capital) is known as the Surf Capital of São Paulo, as well as being a major sailing center. Visitors and locals have more than 100 beaches to choose from, so you've got no reason to go home without tan lines. Well, unless...

Whether your curiosity is piqued by the International Olympic Committee’s selection for the 2016 Games, or you’re heeding the call of the famous twin beaches Copacabana and Ipanema, Rio offers more than you can imagine, and offers it at all hours. With breathtaking views from Corcovado Mountain and breathtaking deals in the city’s endless malls and markets, Rio de Janeiro is a holiday paradise, whatever it is you travel for.

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.

Beautiful Hermanus is a South African seaside town that’s a popular whale-watching site. An initial visit to the Old Harbour Museum will acquaint you with the area’s rich fishing history and impress you with a massive exhibit of a whale skeleton. With dozens of area vineyards, Hermanus is a great base for a guided wine tasting tour.

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.

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.

From the Magic Kingdom to magical spa treatments, Orlando sparkles with the promise of adventure. Spend a day exploring the world-famous Disney theme parks or screaming your head off on a Universal Studios roller coaster. For a less adrenaline-pumping afternoon, enjoy the quiet natural beauty of the Harry P. Leu Gardens or enjoy a seaweed scrub at a luxury day spa. Savor fresh and local ingredients at one of Orlando’s James Beard-nominated restaurants.

Lusaka, the capital and largest city in Zambia, can be a confusing and chaotic place for visitors not familiar with its unplanned neighborhoods and streets. Busy stores and shopping centers line Cairo Road and the surrounding area. Nearby covered markets sell anything from souvenir figurines to spare engine parts. Just south of Lusaka is the Munda Wanga Environmental Park, which features botanic gardens, a wildlife park and sanctuary, picnic areas, swimming pools, and a relaxing terrace bar.

The first time you go to New York, go ahead and be a sight-seer—everyone should visit the Statue of Liberty, the Met, Times Square, etc. But on a return trip, pick a neighbourhood and go deep. You’ll find hole-in-the-wall bars, great delis, quirky shops… exploring the non-touristy side of New York is an incredibly rewarding experience for a traveller.

Ogunquit's three-mile stretch of beach is one of the longest in Maine, and also one of the least rocky. The water may never warm up, but it's pristine, and this quaint New England town's attractions make it a perfect, picturesque seaside destination.