A popular spot for getting wowed or soaked amid natural splendor, Niagara Falls attracts curious spectators and adventurous honeymooners from around the world. The splendid main attraction - more than six million feet of water cascading over a rocky crest - sits partially in the United States and partially in Canada. The U.S. side has recently been busy promoting other activities to lure visitors. Venues like the Aquarium of Niagara offer parents fun and engaging alternatives for kids, after or in between visits to the Falls. Outdoor recreation such as hiking, biking, fishing and camping can be found at the Niagara Falls State Park. The storied history of attempts to conquer the majestic Falls is captured at the Daredevil Museum; the Schoellkopf Museum concentrates on the history and geology. There's more to the Falls than, well, the Falls, including a wide array of dining and lodging options, from budget to upscale. This awe-inspiring region makes for an exhilarating and multi-faceted getaway

Dearborn, Michigan, is home to the Ford Motor Company, a legacy that has left its mark on the city. Here it is possible to take a tour of the famous Rouge Factory, a manufacturing plant so large that it once had its own fire and police departments. Dearborn is also home to The Henry Ford Museum, a massive complex that includes Greenfield Village, featuring 83 authentic historic buildings. The halls of the museum are packed with famous vehicles, including JFK's limo and the Oscar Weinermobile.

Traverse City, known as a four-season playground, is now celebrated for quality cuisine, wine and culture. Miles of sugar-sand shoreline include the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with romantic lighthouses and coastal villages. The glacier-sculpted landscape of orchards and vineyards includes 16 golf courses. Swimming, sailing, paddling, hiking and fishing are favourite warm weather activities, while winter turns the region into a playground for skiers, snowmobilers and snowshoers.

Greensboro, North Carolina loves nightlife, shopping, and horses (8,000 buyers per year go to the Sharpe Family Horse Farm.)  Greensboro lives up to its name in the host of gardens, science centres, and arboretums. The Bog Garden features a living wetland ecosystem. History is also at home here with museums dedicated to the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the Civil Rights movement. After a day of sightseeing, visitors flock to the Four Seasons Town Centre for dinner, shopping, and a film. 

Jagged glacial peaks tower over wide valleys. Hot springs gurgle. Fabulous inns beckon. Easily accessed by train or bus, and by car in summer, the Rockies contain a plethora of national and provincial parks. Yoho, Banff, Jasper and Kootenay are best known, and along with other Alberta and British Columbia parks comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover Banff's energetic arts scene. Peer into turquoise Lake Louise. Explore Icefields Parkway on foot, ski or dog sled. Cruise or kayak on glacier-fed Maligne Lake.

Tucked in a lovely valley between the Rhine River and the Taunus Mountains, Hesse's capital of Wiesbaden has long been an important spa city, dating back to Roman times when it was called Aquae Mattiacorum. In the 19th century, Wiesbaden also became a popular gambling center. For a soothing plunge, try the famous Kaiser Friedrich's Therme in the city center. And don't miss the Schlossplatz (Palace Square) and impressive Kurhaus Wiesbaden event and conference center, both within a few blocks.