Greater Palm Springs is an oasis for art, culture, adventure and relaxation. Take in the views from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating tram car, before exploring exhibits at the Palm Springs Art Museum and its Architecture & Design Centre. Visit the Empire Polo Club, home of the Coachella Music & Arts Festival and Stagecoach Country Music Festival. Dozens of spas in Desert Hot Springs let you soak in the healing mineral waters that flow beneath the city.

Big Bear Lake has two resorts: Snow Summit, one of the biggest in Southern California (31 runs on 240 skiable acres) and Bear Mountain, which appeals to the snowboarding crowd with Southern California's only superpipe. Golf, ski, fish or hike amid majestic mountains at this nature lover's paradise blessed with perfect weather year-round. Lodging options range from resorts with outdoor activities and private beaches to cozy inns with country ambience.

Spa-goers have flocked to Carlsbad since its mineral spring was discovered in the late 19th century. Today, you can visit the site of the original well, but you can do much more than just "taking the waters"—Carlsbad’s spas offer world-class services.

Is there any possible way Las Vegas could not be on our "best nightlife" list? The only way we could possibly omit it is on a technicality—since you can do pretty much anything 24/7 in Vegas, it might be wrong to call it "nightlife."

Expert skiers will love Snowbird, which offers some of the steepest and most exhilarating runs in the United States. However, there are also less intimidating slopes for less experienced skiers, and even those who don't ski will enjoy the mountain's breathtaking views.

Dozens of nightclubs, hundreds of restaurants and some of Mexico's best beaches await you in Puerto Vallarta. The original colonial town still shines through an endless selection of shopping, art galleries, water and land activities, and hotels. Walk the malecon (boardwalk) and just try to take it all in.

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.

Gettysburg is steeped in the history of the Civil War. The epic Battle of Gettysburg, in 1863, resulted in more than 50,000 casualties for the North and South combined. It is also, of course, the place where Abraham Lincoln delivered the immortal Gettysburg Address. The town itself is made up of houses, hotels and taverns dating back several centuries, but Gettysburg offers more modern travel and leisure activities, as well, like wine tastings, orchard tours, shopping and golfing.

U.S. citizens still need to jump through a few hoops to visit Cuba, but as visitors from around the world know, this island offers some amazing opportunities for cultural exchange. Havana is a mix of old-world architecture and of-the-moment culture. Head out of the capital city to the small town of Trinidad to see more Spanish colonial architecture. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fantastic home base for a visit to the Valley of the Sugar Mills, a pocket of land that formerly served as the centre of Cuba’s sugar industry.

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.