Although Tucson's fantastic weather, national parks and forests and desert provide the perfect environment for lots of outdoor recreational activities, this city of half a million people also has its share of history and culture. With a history that goes back much further than many of its southwestern neighbours, Tucson boasts turn-of-the-century architecture, historic neighbourhoods, museums and the Mission San Xavier del Bac, a still-functioning 18th-century mission considered one of the most beautiful in the USA. Mexican and Native American influences are pervasive, and the city has a distinctly Western flavour. There's also a college-town atmosphere, thanks to the University of Arizona, which has its own share of museums and a science centre. Whether golfing at a world-class golf resort, horse riding, hiking in the wilderness, discovering desert flora and fauna at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, or exploring pre-Columbian and other art at the Tucson Art Museum, you'll have a mind-boggling array of things to do.

Lounge in style on the white beaches of the California coast. Pismo Beach offers premium ocean views, a 1200-foot pier perfect for fishing, and choice surfing. If you've had enough of bumming on the beach, check out the shops on the boardwalk or at the Pismo Beach Premium Outlets. Golfers will find plenty of desirable courses, and nature lovers will enjoy horseback riding or riding an ATV through the scenic sand dunes.

Once a sleepy fishing village, Placencia has emerged as an increasingly popular eco-destination on the Caribbean. For those who enjoy outdoor adventure, the Stann Creek region offers a host of activities: hiking through mountainous rain forests, kayaking, deep sea fishing, diving and exploring Mayan ruins. The peninsula boasts 16 miles of tranquil beaches, with a lagoon to the west and the Caribbean to the east and lots of peace and quiet in the middle. Tour guides and dive centers offer a variety of excursions, with boat rides to the outer cayes an ongoing favorite. Also popular are guided land tours to Mayan Ruins or trekking the jungle trails of Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, where the first Jaguar Reserve in the world was established.

It’s not just for spring-breakers. Cancun, with its golden beaches and perfect climate, is the premiere coastal destination in Mexico. And while there is certainly a 365-day party available for college students, resorts cater well to families and to those seeking solitude. This Yucatan paradise is also the gateway to the ruins of Tulum and Chichén Itzá.

La Fortuna de San Carlos is at the centre of an array of geological wonder. The nearby Arenal is Costa Rica's most active volcano, routinely bursting with lava and ash, and the Catarata de La Fortuna is a waterfall pouring from a seventy-metre cliff. The Tabacon Hot Springs are a relaxing intermission in the midst of the various spectacles, and the Leaves and Lizards Arenal Volcano Cabin Retreat is a blissful end to any day's excursion.