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.

Petropolis is the closest mountain resort to Rio, and a favorite getaway destination with cariocas. The Imperial Museum houses some of the most important objects in Brazilian history. Petropolis offers plenty in the way of ecotourism and adventure opportunities as well as rich historic architecture and cooler weather.

Powerful coastal sunshine keeps beaches bustling year-round in Joao Pessoa, and brightly-painted art nouveau architecture hints at the city’s creative tradition. Art is front-and-centre in daily life here, with local studios crafting everything from pottery to crochet.

Vibrant Salta is a mashup of old world architecture and modern fun—a truly sophisticated bohemia! Marvel at the intricate façade of the old town hall—a Salta focal point—as you stroll from museums to markets. Savor the vintages at local wineries or take a train to a tiny village that's perched "at the top of the clouds." Thrill seekers will love the adventure sports and archaeological explorations that await at nearby Cabra Corral Dam.

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.

Calling itself "The Heart & Soul of the Chesapeake Bay," the town of Saint Michaels, Maryland retains the look and feel of a 19th century seaport. Walk on red brick sidewalks past the Victorian homes and boutique shops of the historic district, or head down to the pier in search of famously fresh seafood. The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum preserves the history of Saint Michaels, with restored examples of "bugeyes" and "skipjacks," unique boats developed by the fisherman of Chesapeake Bay.

travellers say Halifax is best seen on foot, so park the car and start walking. Immerse yourself in Halifax's rich history at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, and be sure to survey the city from the 18th-century Citadel National Historic Site. Then walk into any of Halifax's great bars and restaurants and catch some live music to round out your day.

From ornate mansions to ocean views, this charming city - the largest in Maine - will enchant you. Saunter down the brick sidewalks and cobblestone streets of the revitalized Old Port District, where you can browse through bookstores, explore craft shops and eat to your heart's content. Visit the Portland Head Light, which dates back to 1791, and is the oldest lighthouse still in continuous use in the U.S. The great poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is the city's native son, and you can visit his childhood home, the Wadsworth-Longfellow House. With kids in hand, enjoy the highly interactive Children's Museum of Maine. And then go next door to the calmer Portland Museum of Art, a small, but eclectic museum with Impressionist works, Maine landscapes by Homer and Wyeth and other collections. Land or sea is an option here, so if you're tired of the street life, take one of the popular scenic cruises or whale watches, or hop on a ferry to the islands in Casco Bay. At the end of the day, and without kids in hand, unwind and rest your tired feet at one of the city's brewpubs.

Concord's historic Main Street area is home to various sites of cultural significance, including Railroad Square, the Eagle hotel, which hosted such notable guests as Eleanor Roosevelt and Richard Nixon, The Pierce Manse, former home of President Franklin Pierce, and the State House, the oldest state capitol in which the legislature meets in its original chambers. Far more than the sum of its history, Concord boasts a popular planetarium, plentiful performing arts and an international speedway.