We've heard Toronto described as "New York City run by the Swiss," and it's true—you can find world-class theatre, shopping and restaurants here, but the sidewalks are clean and the people are friendly. The best place to start is literally at the top—the CN Tower, the tallest freestanding structure in the Western Hemisphere.

Ottawa is a compact, clean, cleverly planned centre of culture and politics. And it's an ideal choice for a weekend getaway. Start downtown at the architecturally stunning National Gallery of Canada, and don't miss the Canadian Nature Museum and the National Aviation Museum. Rideau Canal offers boating in the summer and ice-skating in the winter. Gatineau Park attracts cyclists and walkers, while Byward Market blends old and new Ottawa.

Vermont's largest and perhaps most cosmopolitan city, Burlington beckons with the perfect blend of old New England charm, arts, culture and nature. Located on the shores of Lake Champlain, between the Adirondack and Green Mountains, Burlington is one of those places you can't help but fall in love with. During the spring and summer, the streets come alive with festivals and outdoor concerts. The picnic benches, playground and bike paths of Leddy Park are filled with warm weather revelers, and opportunities to swim, fish or just kick back on the beach abound. In the fall, the Burlington Bike Path is bustling with leaf peepers who come to view the vibrant autumn colours. In winter, lace up your ice skates and head to the Paquette Arena or grab your skis and head to any of the nearby resorts. Church Street Marketplace, with its early 1900s architecture, great restaurants, live entertainment, one-of-a-kind shops and well-known stores, is the focal point of the downtown area. Anytime of the year is a good time for chocolate. Be sure to stop by Lake Champlain Chocolates for a tour and taste.

New Brunswick's transportation hub is vibrant Moncton, one of the country's fastest growing cities and a community steeped in history. Its storied past is brought to life in its many cultural institutions and museums, from the Acadian Museum to Le Centre Culturel Aberdeen. The city's largest green space, Centennial Park, includes many attractions and activities, from hiking and skiing trails to an artificial beach to an aerial treetop obstacle course and zip line.

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.

The Dominican Republic lies in the same waters as Cuba and Puerto Rico, taking up the eastern two-thirds of the island it shares with Haiti. Offering a lush interior with a mix of caves, Victorian gingerbread houses and the lore of pirates, plus 900 miles of coastline along its brim, island highlights include riding a cable car up Mount Isabel de Torres and basking on stunning Saona Island. Oh, and did we mention the D.R. is family-friendly, has just about perfect weather and is affordable?

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."

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.