Pennsylvania Dutch country is a fascinating destination to explore. Visitors will get a glimpse of farm life as it was in the early 1800s. Visit markets and farm stores for homemade shoofly pie and fresh produce, or shop for a handmade quilt. President James Buchanan's elegant home, Wheatland, is no less historic but contrasts sharply to the simpler Pennsylvania Dutch heritage sites in Lancaster. Consider a side trip to nearby Hershey, home of Hershey Park and the Hershey chocolate factory.

Calling itself "the southern part of Heaven," the town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina is home to the grassy malls and brick walkways of the University of North Carolina's historic campus. The presence of the country's first public university has allowed a vibrant arts and culture scene to grow in Chapel Hill. Check out a concert by a local band, watch the star's fly at the Morehead Planetarium or catch a varsity game pitting the wildly popular Tarheels against their historic Southern rivals.

With over 50 legendary attractions including the National Cowboy and Western Museum and the Myriad Botanical Gardens, plus world-class shopping, restaurants and hotels OKC, as it is affectionately known, is the ideal spot for a weekend of fun and reflection. Discover the sights and sounds of the Old West in Stockyards City, watch horse races at Remington Park, then have dinner and see a show in historic Bricktown. Designed to duplicate an 1800s frontier town, families will love the Frontier City Theme Park where visitors see an reenactment of the gun fight at the OK corral and ride thrilling roller coasters. The remarkable Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum occupies the now-sacred soil where 168 Americans were killed. Learn how tragedy united a nation and come away with a new sense of strength, peace and resolve.

Paradise Island is known for powder soft beaches and crystal clear, turquoise water, great for diving and snorkeling. Visitors can try their luck at the Atlantis Casino and dine “around the world” at celebrity chef restaurants. Spend the day at Aquaventure Water Park or swim with dolphins at Dolphin Cay. Take a scenic stroll through Marina Village or shop for souvenirs at Bahamas Craft Centre and Craft Cottage. Or just soak up the Caribbean sun on a beautiful beach.

Known for its restorative wonders, Bath was once the home of Jane Austen. Sure, you could attempt to conjure up this elegant city by reading Pride and Prejudice in your tub, but as Bath has a lot more history than your bathroom (we assume, anyway) you'd be missing out. A stroll through Bath is like visiting an open-air museum, with roughly 5,000 buildings in the city drawing notice for their architectural merit. After your stroll, soak in the natural hot waters of the Thermae Bath Spa, once a favourite of the Celts and Romans.

This port city of about 275,000 on Spain’s north coast began 3,000 years ago as a fishing village. Today it’s a departure point for regional cruises, making it busy in summer (and making us wonder what those ancient fisherman would have thought of cruise ships). The original village, Cimadevilla, with its narrow, cobblestone streets, draws many tourists, and Cerro de Santa Catalina park at the tip of Cimadevilla’s peninsula provides great coastal views.

Portimao is a sailor’s delight, thanks to its calm waters and beautiful conditions. Plenty of elite international competitions happen here, but you don’t have to be a professional to set sail. Cruising the coast on the double-masted Santa Bernarda pirate ship is a family favorite. On dry land, you can wander the lovely Alvor boardwalk, enjoy a succulent seafood meal or zip around the go-kart track at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve.