A charming fishing village, Sayulita is a hidden gem with picturesque beaches, charming restaurants and great food. Unlike some other Mexican towns, tourists mingle with locals in a relaxed atmosphere, without the hustle and bustle of major touristy resorts. For those seeking more nightlife, Puerto Vallarta is a mere 30 minutes away.

Meaning “place of divers,” Bucerias on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is a charming antidote to the hustle and bustle of nearby Puerto Vallarta. You’ll meet the friendly locals and enjoy beautiful beaches, fantastic dining, outdoor activities and art galleries. Locals congregate in the small plaza in the centre of town or head for the beach for some sun and unfettered mountain and bay views. Beyond the beaches of Bucerias, you’ll find superb dining, flea markets laden with special treasures, art galleries, and pubs. Once you’ve tired of the sun, meander through the flea market off the main plaza and tour the residential side of Bucerias, complete with boutique shopping and quality restaurants like La Quinta di Francesco and Adriatico. Some of the best art galleries in town include Splurge Art Gallery, showcasing emerging local artists and designer pewter. On Thursday evenings, participate in the local art walk, and on Sundays, visit the authentic Mexican market. From Bucerias, explore other Riviera Nayarit locations such as Savulita, Punta Mita and San Francisco – they’re all accessible by cheap, frequent bus service.

Ajijic, a small idyllic town in Mexico, is the perfect setting to enjoy a quiet and relaxing holiday. Enjoy a night of lively music in the plaza of this picturesque town or enjoy a stroll along the lakeside path. Visit the colorful Chapala handicrafts market, or relax and enjoy lunch and a beautiful view at the Beergarden restaurant by the pier. If you’re travelling with children, take them to Christiania Park, right next to the market. At the park, they can play on the expansive lawn or on the playground. Take a day trip to the Casacadas de Agua, a favourite spot with the locals and a great place to spend with family. Climb the waterfalls or swim in sparkling pools at the base of the falls. Find a shady spot to enjoy the lunch you packed at your holiday rental or try a local delicacy at one of the many small restaurants in the area.

A tradition dating back to the city's origins as a colonial mining capital, silver is the focal point of Taxco shopping, and indeed the most popular tourist pursuit. All around the picturesque town you'll find sellers of silver finery, from open air markets to metal workshops to high end boutiques.

Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, majestic mountains, rushing rivers, rolling foothills and dramatic landscapes, Ashland is a gorgeous little city with an arts scene as vibrant as its setting. Ashland hosts festivals for all seasons, with Christmas celebrations and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in winter, a film festival in the spring, classical music festival in summer and wine tasting celebrations in the autumn.

Looking for a tropical Mexican fishing village with relaxing beaches, oceanfront seafood bars and restaurants, unspoiled reefs for diving and snorkelling, and waves suitable for championship surfing? Puerto Escondido has all that plus the Laguna de Manialtepec mangrove lagoon for tours combining kayaking, boating, bird-watching, and swimming in phosphorescent waters. Regularly scheduled airline service links Mexico City and Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Airport (PXM). Rent an umbrella at the town beach, Playa Principal, which parallels the Avenida Perez Gasga hotel and restaurant row. Stop in one of the hotels near the beach for a drink or take the family horseback riding. A small freshwater lagoon at the mouth of the river, Rio Rigadillo, marks the border with Playa Marinero, which has waves suitable for beginning surfers. The whole family will enjoy the mile-long shoreline walkway known as Andador Escénico, which leads across the rocks to El Faro lighthouse and the Sueño Posible scenic overlook. Beyond the lighthouse, Playa Principal transitions into Playa Manzanillo, a swimmable beach with clear waters extending towards Puerto Angelito. Rent a boogie board or equipment to snorkel the coral and rocks. If Playa Manzanillo gets too crowded on a holiday weekend, catch one of the water taxis linking Puerto Escondido’s seven beaches. Hire a skiff to take the family sightseeing or dolphin and sea turtle viewing. Fish for trophy sailfish or catch a dinner of yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi (dorado), grouper, roosterfish, mackerel, or snapper. Watch the experts surf the 6-15 foot swells and hollow tubes of Playa Zicatela. International competitions in August and November draw the pros to demonstrate their prowess on the Mexican Pipeline. Snorkel or surf the clear shallow waters beneath the high cliffs surrounding Playa Carrizalillo. High red cliffs, housing, and hotels surround riptide-plagued Playa Bacocho, which is good for long romantic beach walks and sunsets. For more adventure, dive Pressure Point’s tectonic plate fault lines or Punta Colarada’s volcanic overhangs, ledges, and lava rock swimthroughs. If you are lucky you will see lobsters, stingrays, moray and snowflake eels, barracudas, yellow tangs, parrotfish, and puffers.

Its location just 60 miles from the southern rim of the Grand Canyon makes Williams a popular stop for visitors to the natural beauty of Arizona. The historic Grand Canyon Railway makes it southern stop here, ferrying hundreds of thousands of tourists every year to and from the Canyon on its hundred-year-old steam-powered line. In the more immediate surrounds, the Kaibab National Forest and the Bill Williams Mountain area provide ample opportunities for camping, hiking and adventure.