Florida's Southwest Gulf Coast contains a constellation of enticing coastal gems. Stunning beaches, including Fort Myers Beach, Tigertail Beach and Pensacola Beach, fringe the Gulf, down the I-75 from Tampa to Naples. Sanibel Island's shells attracts thousands. Cape Coral's waters are paradise for fly-fishing. Golfers adore spectacular courses in Marco Island and Naples. Glorious sunny days and deliciously warm turquoise waters beckon in this often overlooked corner of the Sunshine State.

Gorgeous Longboat Key combines serene seashore enjoyment with luxury shopping and dining choices. Families enjoy the many water sport activities from fishing, boating and kayaking to plucking perfect seashells along the shoreline. Couples and friends explore chic dining and shopping spots around St. Armands Circle. The aristocratic heritage of the St. Armand and Ringling families resonates through quiet gardens and plush Palm Beach-style shopping. Umbrella-draped cafes and handsome restaurants offer exceptional European fare and inventive coastal specialties. Work off that decadent dessert with a stroll around the circle for leather, jewellery, resort wear and art gallery browsing. Venture just across the bridge over Sarasota Bay for unrivaled cultural treats. The Ringling circus family bequeathed an elegant legacy of art and architecture. The estate includes the acclaimed John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the family’s winter Ca’ d’Zan mansion – a Venetian Gothic masterpiece - the Circus Museum and historic Asolo Repertory Theatre. With elegant gardens and terraces spread over 20 bayside acres, the complex provides hours of enjoyment.

Boasting two of the nation's best beaches, Saint Petersburg has stunning sands, perfect whether you choose to soak up sun at Fort De Soto; swim, shell, fish or snorkel on Caladesi Island; or enjoy Clearwater's Pier 60 and unbeatable sunsets. Busch Gardens, Adventure Island and eight aquariums and zoos are nearby.

The thriving little city of Punta Gorda enjoys a pleasant year-round climate, relaxed lifestyle, and many recreational opportunities. The friendly hospitality, year-round planned activities, shuffle board courts, great restaurants, golfing, fishing, and miles of sandy beaches make Punta Gorda an ideal holiday destination. Take a day to experience the most interesting waterfront complex-Fisherman’s Village. Here you will find a conglomerate of unique shops and restaurants. Look no further for all your holiday needs including boats, jet skis, and bicycles for rent. For the avid camper there is nothing quite like the Babcock Wilderness Adventures, which offers eco tours through acres of swamps, trails, and wildlife. Take a Swamp Buggy Tour through Telegraph Cypress Swamp. Be enthralled by the variety of flora and fauna. Keep a lookout for elusive panthers, bison, exotic tropical birds, and alligators. Once you emerge from the swamps, take a deep-sea fishing excursion in the Gulf of Mexico. Some companies offer sightseeing cruises to the outer islands, including full and half-day cruises. Enjoy a romantic sunset cruise, and be amazed at the most beautiful sunsets in Florida. If you want, try a round of Golf at the Punta Gorda Country Club semiprivate 18-hole, par 72 golf course. This tree-lined green boasts open fairways and great views. There is a driving range and pro shop, and rental clubs are available. At night, you should get out and sample some of the best fresh local cuisine. Offerings range from stew chicken and stew pork to whole fried snapper and snook filets. Restaurants range from open-air, thatch-roof structures to small romantic and upscale dining establishments.

Cape Coral's temperate climate, abundant forests, and access to the Gulf of Mexico make it an ideal destination for boating, fishing, hiking, and many other outdoor activities. Cape Coral is the perfect destination for any outdoor enthusiast, and from hiking one of the many trails at the Charlotte Harbour Preserve State Park to fishing at the Cape Coral Yacht Club there are activities for just about everyone. Coral Oaks Golf Course is a great place to work on your game, and if history is your thing or you just love beautiful flowers, don't forget to check out the Cape Coral Historical Society Museum to see some interesting relics and their prized rose garden.

At the mouth of the Rio Grande delta and the southernmost tip of Texas, Brownsville enjoys the perfect combination of casual southwestern charm and bicultural diversity. Its position just across the international pedestrian bridge from Matamoros makes it a good base for day trips to Mexico, or for just enjoying the Tex-Mex culture of south Texas. Warm Gulf breezes, blooming bougainvilleas, gently waving palms, soft white sands and friendly, diverse locals make this city a semi-tropical paradise.

Gurnee, midway between Chicago and Milwaukee, is probably best known as the home of Six Flags Amusement Park and the Gurnee Mills shopping outlet. Now Midwesterners looking for a little rest and relaxation can sample the town's top attraction, the KeyLime Cove hotel and water park, which also features a spa, shopping and six restaurants.

From quaint town shops and quiet beaches, to honky tonk arcades and carousels, the York area is guaranteed to entertain the whole family. Old York, run by the local historical society, contains nine different restored buildings, including "The Old Gaol," the oldest jail in America. The beautiful coastline provides cliff walks with views of an authentic Maine lighthouse. Head to nearby York Beach and visit York's Wild Kingdom, an amusement park and zoo that is home to Rewa, a White Bengal tiger.

The former haunt of pirates, the Dutch and the English and Tortola's main town, Road Town is within reach of secluded beaches and hidden coves. The island displays the same leisurely pace as other British Virgin Islands, with festivals and regattas across the calendar. Helicopter and sea charters and diving are popular activities. On land, the ruins of Fort Burt and the still functioning Callwood Rum Distillery provide fun daytrips. Catch a cab between sights or rent a car to get out of town.

Despite its name, Winter Park is really a destination for all seasons. The Winter Park resort draws skiers and snowboarders in the winter and mountain bikers in the summer. Trailblazers may take to the woods on snowmobiles or cross-country skis in the snowy months, but when the sun comes out those same trails are perfect for hiking and the water is high for rafting. Spring wildflowers, summer wildlife, fall colors and crystalline winters make Winter Park a true natural wonder all year long.

Desert meets sea in Puerto Penasco, a California Gulf getaway. With its seafood markets, snoozy streets, and sandy beaches, it's easy to see how the port town has retained its traditional charm. There's something for everyone, from nature parks and water sports to upscale resorts.

Bozeman is the gem of Big Sky Country, bustling with activities for all seasons. Winter brings powder to the peaks at Bridger Bowl Ski Area and nearby Big Sky Ski Resort, while the spring brings high waters and thrilling rafting on the Gallatin River. Summer is splendid for backpacking the Gallatin Divide, and fall colors bring nearby Yellowstone Park to life as the wildlife come out to mate. The city's cultural scene thrives with annual events like the American Indian Pow Wow and the rodeo.