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.

Is there any possible way Las Vegas could not be on our "best nightlife" list? The only way we could possibly omit it is on a technicality—since you can do pretty much anything 24/7 in Vegas, it might be wrong to call it "nightlife."

On the California-Nevada border, Truckee-Lake Tahoe's scenic mountain beauty is perfect for romantic getaways and outdoor excitement. Lake Tahoe is America's largest alpine lake, with beautiful blue water surrounded by 70 miles of gorgeous shoreline. Donner Lake offers a public beach, and Donner Memorial State Park has campsites and trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and rock climbing. Boca Dam and Reservoir features magnificent fishing, with rainbow, brook, and brown trout, plus Kokanee salmon.

Who cares about a little fog (okay, a lot of fog) when there’s so much to do in San Francisco? By day, explore Fisherman’s Wharf and the Aquarium of the Bay, ride a cable car, and stroll around the Presidio; by night, have a fabulous dinner (at a Michelin-starred restaurant or a tiny place in Chinatown), then hit some of the best clubs on the West Coast.