Stretching 126 miles south towards Cuba, the stunning Keys are a perfect escape. Highlights along the way include Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key and the irrepressible Key West. Come face to face with an amazing array of fish while snorkelling, diving or fishing in the warm turquoise waters. Creeks, coral and costumed shows are other lures along the way. Highway 1 is a spectacular ribbon tying together the islands and atolls of this paradise between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic.

Rising from the ruins of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, Mexico City offers a unique collision of contemporary city life and historic preservation. World-class museums, restaurants and parks rub shoulders with the remains of several cultures. The nightlife, the shopping and the history make it a must-see regardless of your travel style.

When people find a great holiday getaway, they keep coming back. This 32-mile-long "Queen of American Lakes" is chock-full of lodging, attractions, eateries and just about any form of recreation you can name. A significant player in American history, Lake George is the site of two great forts, Fort William Henry and Fort Ticonderoga, both open to the public. Before plunging into the myriad activities in this family-friendly town, start off with a relaxing lake cruise to learn about the area. Then, take your pick of recreation: parasailing, fishing, diving, jet skiing, hiking, golfing, minigolf, horseback riding and more. If you've got kids in tow, you can't get away without visiting the Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom, New York's largest amusement park. Hikers gravitate to the international trail system or Prospect Mountain, which offers panoramic views from the top; for an easier way up, hop on the tram. Among the cleanest and clearest of major U.S. lakes, Lake George is as splendid today as when Thomas Jefferson described it as "...without comparison, the most beautiful water I ever saw."

Anne of Green Gables! There, we got that out of the way. Besides chasing the famous fictional heroine, you'll find Charlottetown's own history, culture and nightlife keep you more than busy. Enjoy outdoor activities from golfing to boardwalk strolls and biking by day, and theatre and performance arts by night.

Leading golf destination La Quinta basks in the Coachella Valley, southeast of Palm Springs. Nearly 24,000 people live in the "Gem of the Desert." The city offers a quaint shopping village, an excellent base for exploring the Salton Sea or biking Bear Creek Trail, and, of course, superb golfing. Legendary La Quinta Resort, where Frank Capra wrote Lost Horizon, has lured celebrities since opening in 1926, while municipal SilverRock offers outstanding golfing at the hem of the Santa Rosa Mountains.