Although it's also the location of the Latin America's largest seaport, Santos isn't just a boring port town. The city of 420,000, just 75 kilometers from São Paulo, features a seven-kilometer stretch of beach divided into just as many social cliques as you'd find on Ipanema. A verdant promenade separates the beach from the seafront condos and hotels, along which families and friends walk, amble, bike, skate, rollerblade, throw frisbees, you name it. Less sandy points of interest include the Museu do Café Brasileiro (Brazilian Coffee Museum), the Aquário Municipal (City Aquarium), the Orquidário Municipal (City Orchid Garden) and the Neo-Gothic Santos Cathedral.

Perched on an island a mere 95 kilometers from the city of São Paulo, this bustling beach town seems a world away from the gargantuan urbanity of the state capital. Among its charms, Guarujá counts 23 separate, stunning beaches, all ripe for swimming, sunning and surfing. Families head to the beach at Enseada; singles, it's all about you at Pernambuco.

Set in a historic coffee region, Campinas combines the youthful energy of its universities with longstanding cultural traditions. Students keep cafés packed, nightlife is wild, and restaurants serve creative cuisine, while historic plantations and parks are just a short drive away.

A high perch on Mantiqueira Ridge means cool breezes and big views for Monte Verde, whose European-style houses lend the village its alpine charm. Hiking trails peel off in every direction, drawing both locals and visitors to lush stands of pines, rocky peaks, and waterfalls.

Travelers come to this small island north of mainland Cuba to bask in the sun, swim in sparkling blue water, and be pampered at an all-inclusive resort. To explore Cuban culture, you’ll need to go farther afield (this is a planned resort development; employees are bused in), but if you’re simply looking for a stress-free tropical break, Cayo Santa Maria might be perfect for you.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly island holiday, consider the Bay Islands. Each one appeals to different travellers—Roatan’s the most developed (but still not as built-up as, say, St. Thomas), Guanaia’s rustic and Utila’s in between. All three have great dive spots and beaches.

This canal-laced city is a far cry from its rowdy, party image of the past. Today, following renovation and renewal, upmarket stores and restaurants have replaced fast-food stands and T-shirt shops. But the city's biggest draws are its stretch of gorgeous beaches, great swimming, nearly year-round sunshine and close-to-ideal climate. For great shopping, dining and nightlife, you can't go wrong at Las Olas Riverfront, a waterfront entertainment centre with top-notch clothing and jewellery shops, bars and free entertainment. The city has a host of family-friendly options, such as Everglades Holiday Park and the Museum of Discovery and Science. With the network of canals and waterways, boats are part of the Lauderdale lifestyle, and tourists can get in on the act by hiring a boat or hailing a water taxi. There's a lot to do here, but make sure and spend some quiet time just soaking up the sun or strolling along the beach at dusk.

Though famously home to Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, is more than just a college town. Nasher Museum of Art and the Museum of Life and Science show off Durham’s cultural side, while pretty parks and a dynamic dining scene add to its appeal.

Double your Mexican Riviera pleasure in the resort playground of Ixtapa and its quaint neighbour Zihuatanejo. The region offers a profusion of fishing charters, watersports and scuba-diving sites. Ixtapa boasts upmarket golf courses and floodlit tennis courts. Horses are available for beach rides in Playa La Ropa and Playa Linda. Sun worshippers will find beaches that are packed with activity as well as isolated tropical oases. To really get away from it all, visit the fishing settlement of Barra de Patosi.

New Orleans is full of life—but with a laid-back energy that sets it apart from other cities. You’ll wanna soak it all in: impromptu jazz performances up and down Frenchmen Street, the ding of the St. Charles Streetcar, moss-draped trees in the famous Garden District…even its gothic, above-ground cemeteries. (The city’s said to be one of the most haunted in America.) For some, NOLA will always be all about Bourbon Street, but for travellers looking to take it slow, the city’s distinct blend of cultures—including Creole and Cajun—means there’s tons to see, explore, and yes, eat.

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.

With live music to be heard all across town, 24/7, 365 days a year, Music City lives up to its name. From honky-tonk bands jamming at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge to songwriters in the round at the Bluebird Cafe and country music legends rocking the Grand Ole Opry, you never know who you might see. The creative spirit from Nashville's music landscape flows into the area's myriad art galleries, up-and-coming fashion scene, historic landmarks and chef-driven restaurants.