It seems like most folks have a grandmother, great-uncle or some other distant relative that used to live in Brooklyn, or perhaps a friend that lives there now. In the early 1900s, it was a mecca for immigrants arriving via Ellis Island. A hundred years later, young professionals and artists left pricey Manhattan digs for Brooklyn's cheaper and more expansive space. Neighbourhoods like Brooklyn Heights and Park Slope, which had fallen into disrepair over the years, were restored and reborn as funky enclaves. Walk or bike over the historic Brooklyn Bridge (or ride the subway) to Brooklyn Heights for a stroll along the Promenade and breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. Meander through Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens for a taste of nature in the urban wilds. Catch a performance at the world-famous Brooklyn Academy of Music. From the delicious Italian restaurants of Bensonhurst to the Irish bars that line the avenues of Bay Ridge, from the hotdogs and rollercoasters of Coney Island to the bagels and handball courts of Greenpoint, Brooklyn is a state of mind as well as a dynamic community. Discover why, no matter where people move on to, they remain Brooklynites at heart.

Known as New York's tough neighbour with a major international airport, Newark is a destination in its own right. The city is undergoing revitalisation efforts and its attractions include several large parks, art galleries and architecturally significant buildings. The Newark Museum is a complex of art and science exhibits, a mini-zoo, a planetarium and more. Theatre, music and dance performances take place at venues such as the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Newark Symphony Hall.

A short ride away from New York City on the Metro North commuter rail, Poughkeepsie sits on the banks of the Hudson River. The close proximity of Vassar College and the Culinary Institute of America guarantees the presence of fun boutiques and fine dining. Main Mall Row, a group of 1870s Renaissance Revival storefronts along Poughkeepsie's Main Street is on the National Register of Historic Places. The twenty-two surrounding parks provide the opportunity to take a relaxing break from city life.

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.

For a town that was no more than a fishing camp and a few farms fifty years ago, Port Saint Lucie has grown to be a lovely holiday spot. Port Saint Lucie is the location of the spring training camp for the New York Mets. Visit Tradition Field and see how the team is shaping up for the coming season. Then, if you love to golf, head over to the PGA Village, a 51-hole complex with a learning centre and historical centre. To the east of Port Saint Lucie is the Atlantic Ocean, so you'll want to schedule at least one day for the beach. Port Saint Lucie is also located just north of the Saint Lucie River, so you can explore the beauty of the river region on the St. Lucie River Princess. You'll cruise in comfort and be taken by the breathtaking scenery of natural Florida. The cruise is shaded from the sun and narrated for your education and entertainment. Cruises start in the afternoon, so you can spend a leisurely morning first. You can also explore nature on foot by hiking in the Savannas Preserve State Park. The park also offers canoe trips and guided explorations. No trip to Port Saint Lucie would be complete without a visit to Lily's Cafe. It serves great food at great prices. If you're lucky, Lily herself might be your waitress. If you're feeling more exotic, El Cubanito serves Cuban cuisine in a family atmosphere. Other restaurants include seafood, Indian cuisine, and American cuisine.

Puebla lives in the shadow of the active Popocatepetl volcano, which provides a spectacular backdrop to one of Mexico’s Pueblos Magicos (magic towns). Characterized by its colorful, Talavera-tiled buildings and hailed as the birthplace of mole poblano, Puebla is Mexico at its best.

Quepos, a small town in Puntarenas province, is located on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast and is undoubtedly one of the best places in the world for big game sport fishing. However, Quepos also offers vacationers a wealth of other activities to do as well. The nearby plaza has many fine restaurants, art galleries and souvenir shops, most within a short walking distance of your beachfront vacation rental. Book an exhilarating canopy tour, go horseback riding, kayaking and rafting. Learn to surf or watch the surfers ride the waves; you’ll wonder at their athleticism.

If you saw Chevy Chasy's masterpiece European Holiday, you'll recognise Stonehenge's massive formation. (As a citizen of the world, you should recognise Stonehenge anyway.) The prehistoric stone circle is eight miles from Salisbury, and its visitors provide a boost to the local economy. With a history dating back over 5,000 years, there is no shortage of significant places to visit in and around Salisbury. On the "must see" list are Salisbury Cathedral, Longleat and Stourhead gardens (and Stonehenge, of course).

From Shoreditch’s swaggering style to Camden’s punky vibe and chic Portobello Road, London is many worlds in one. The city’s energy means that no two days are the same. Explore royal or historic sites, tick off landmarks from your bucket list, eat and drink in exclusive Michelin-starred restaurants, enjoy a pint in a traditional pub, or get lost down winding cobbled streets and see what you stumble across – when it comes to London, the possibilities are endless.

One of the Tirol area’s most popular ski resorts, St. Anton offers some of the best expert skiing and one of the liveliest après-ski scenes in the Arlberg region. The Valluga, Kapall, and Schindler peaks offer almost a mile of vertical skiing. For the seasoned, Schindlerkar and Mattun are less groomed routes.