Featuring white-sand beaches, volcanic peaks, and protected parks, along with some of the most impressive dive spots in the world, Guadeloupe is an island hopper’s paradise. This French archipelago is one of the Caribbean's best-kept secrets, offering a more relaxed alternative to its better-known neighbours.

Lush and luxuriant, the exotic tropical island nation of St Kitts and Nevis is a romantic paradise. St Kitts' wonderful beaches remain relatively crowd-free, and nature lovers delight in seeing lava formations, tropical forest and lagoons and underwater marvels while snorkelling or diving. Among more than 200 historical sites, former plantation homes now offer elegant accommodation. Eco-rambles, bio-tours and climbing are Nevis attractions. Hire cars or mopeds on-island and catch ferries between the two.

Christopher Columbus added St Barthelemy, or St Barts, to his collection in 1493, but the French soon stepped in. Today, the chic Caribbean island - officially a department of France - is a popular winter getaway for people from mainland France, the rest of Europe and North America. Keep in shape and walk between attractions, or hire a car to see more of the island. Beachgoers can choose between beaches such as Grand Saline, if nude sunbathing appeals, or shady, isolated Colombier Beach.

Houston hums with an energy and independent spirit all its own. A leading cultural and culinary destination in the South, the city is home to over 11,000 restaurants featuring cuisine from more than 70 countries. The thriving arts scene includes resident opera, ballet, symphony and theatre companies. The Museum District houses 19 museums, all within walking distance. Be sure to visit Space Centre Houston, where you can visit NASA’s Historic Mission Control at the Johnson Space Centre.

It's a historic capital. It's a beach resort. It's a lively, romantic town. Whatever you look for in a Mexican holiday is on the menu in Mazatlan. Returning travellers rave about the welcoming Mazatlecos who treat you like old amigos—as well as the beaches, the food, the weather, the music and the feeling of never wanting to leave.

The Okanagan Valley, in the interior of British Columbia, is a popular Canadian vacation destination known for skiing in the winter and watersports in the summer. The area's quaint towns and lush vineyards are connected by a network of clear blue lakes and rivers and surrounded by rolling, sun-dappled hills. Head to Kelowna for one of several wine festivals or to Penticton for the sugary summer Peach Festival. To the south is Osoyoos, home to an arid desert filled with rare plants and animals.

Refer to Vancouver Island as Victoria Island and risk a chorus of eye-rolls from the otherwise-friendly locals. Yes, Victoria is the main city on the island, but there are many distinct flavours to its logging and fishing settlements. Food and wine enthusiasts flock to the Comox Valley farm region, while the more outdoorsy types get their fix along the remote, forested beaches of North Vancouver Island. Visit the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve at Clayoquot Sound and you’ll return full of cocktail-party factoids.

Step back in time and imagine Italy as it was during 550 B.C. At least, that’s what you can do when you visit The Cilento—home to the remains of two ancient Greek cities: Paestum and Velia. To experience life a little later on, head to the Certosa di Padula, a Carthusian monastery (and World Heritage site) that dates back to 1306 and is known for its Baroque-style architecture. The park’s landscape also hints at these forgotten times with its vast seaside views and deep cave systems such as the Grotte di Castelcivita.