At the quieter end of the sunny barrier islands that stretch 28 miles along the Pinellas Peninsula's Gulf shore, the beach town of Clearwater attracts romantics and families to its powdery sands. Clearwater Beach is rated the number one beach in the Gulf region. Pier 60 would achieve a similar ranking, were sunset-watching spots similarly rated. Those who are hoping to stay out of the sand, whether that's on the beach or in the bunker, have a scintillating selection of golf courses to choose from.

There's more than one way to enjoy the spa experience in St. Lucia. One is to book a treatment at any of the luxury spas or resorts on the island. The other is to visit Sulphur Springs, inside the bowl of an extinct volcano, where you're welcome to try a volcanic mud bath or the 31°C/88°F Roman bath.

Slices of natural beauty, art, culture and history greet visitors around every corner of Monterey. There's an emphasis on public art, and you'll see many paintings, sculptures and murals around the city. Monterey provides a nurturing atmosphere for artists, musicians and writers. Historic landmarks, buildings and walkways are reminders of bygone days. Cannery Row, made famous by novelist John Steinbeck, is now a popular area where tourists shop for souvenirs and dine in seafood restaurants. Local wineries produce exceptional vintages, and there are many wine-tasting places and events. Activities include golf, cycling, hiking, sailing and whale-watching. Families will enjoy the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, which has over 500 species of marine life and is devoted to conservation of the world's oceans.

Uruguay's capital and largest city offers a variety of indoor shopping possibilities (like downtown's appropriately named Montevideo Shopping Centre), but is perhaps more cherished for its informal markets like Mercado del Puerto, Villa Biarritz Fair (Saturdays only) and Tristan Narvaja (Sundays only).

Drawn by its fiestas, late night discos and clubs, water parks and golf courses, visitors can't resist sunny Fuerteventura. Discover local culture in Betancuria, home to a cathedral and several museums, at Tefia's eco-museum or at one of February's quirky Carnaval celebrations. Cool down after a hot day on the beach or a hard night at the clubs at Baku Water Park.

In Nuevo Nayarit, you can lounge on the golden-sand beaches of Banderas Bay… or take an ATV tour through the nearby Sierra Madre jungle. A local water park has great twisting slides and sea lion shows… or you could treat the children to a memorable swim with dolphins. (It'll make for a great "What I did over summer holiday" report.)