Six thousand years ago, human footprints were left in the volcanic mud along the shores of Lake Managua. Preserved over centuries, these footprints can be seen at The Museum of Acahualinca in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. In addition to the footprints and impressive collections of pre-Colombian artifacts in the city's museums, Managua has much more to offer. The Tiscapa Lagoon Natural Reserve is a watery retreat within the city, with bars, shops, ziplines, and a canopy ride with views of downtown.

Tamarindo is a prime spot for surfing and sportfishing, diving and sunning. Nesting leatherback turtles do their thing along the beaches from October to May and, for some nesting of your own, gorgeous beach houses, B&Bs and luxury hotels line the sunny sands. Shopping and dining options are superb and plentiful, perfect for sampling the true flavours of Costa Rica.

The island community of Marathon in the Florida Keys is a tropical getaway for your whole family. It maintains a retro, nautical atmosphere with family-friendly festivals and attractions. Activities include dolphin swims, snorkeling, and boating. Seafood festivals are scheduled throughout the year, and plenty of local restaurants feature fresh catches. Fishing is ideal off the pristine Sombrero Beach. Visit Crane Point to hike to the preserved home of a 20th century settler family.

From the Magic Kingdom to magical spa treatments, Orlando sparkles with the promise of adventure. Spend a day exploring the world-famous Disney theme parks or screaming your head off on a Universal Studios roller coaster. For a less adrenaline-pumping afternoon, enjoy the quiet natural beauty of the Harry P. Leu Gardens or enjoy a seaweed scrub at a luxury day spa. Savor fresh and local ingredients at one of Orlando’s James Beard-nominated restaurants.

“Life’s a Beach” all right on Pensacola Beach where building sandcastles, body surfing and beachcombing are popular pastimes. Away from the sands, there are several don’t miss sights for the entire family, including the National Aviation Museum, which features 150 vintage aircraft, flight simulators and an IMAX Theatre, Fort Pickens, an historic military fort built in 1829, and the Pensacola Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse on the Gulf Coast and also the tallest, standing 151 feet tall on a 40 foot bluff. To immerse yourself in the history of Pensacola, stroll the historic village, a pedestrian-friendly area with furnished historic homes, unique museums and the Colonial Archeological Trail. For the white dimpled ball set, try teeing up at Lost Key Golf Club, a target golf set up designed by Arnold Palmer and Marcus Pointe Golf club, an Earl Stone design. Don’t forget, there’s also great deep-sea fishing and other water activities like sailing, kayaking, diving and snorkelling to be actively pursued on Pensacola Beach.

Visit Provincetown and have a blast enjoying some of Cape Cod’s best beaches (Race Point Beach and Herring Cove Beach are favorites of TripAdvisor travelers). Plenty of cool boutiques, restaurants and art galleries give this town a fun and funky vibe. It’s an exceptionally LGBT-friendly destination as well. One tip: if it’s high season, take the ferry or a quick flight from Boston (unless you enjoy spending hours sitting in traffic).

Known as the home of “the happiest place on Earth,” there’s more to Anaheim than thrilling theme parks. Bring your appetite to the Anaheim Packing District and Centre Street Promenade for some eclectic eateries and award-winning craft breweries. Explore the latest exhibits at the Muzeo Museum and Cultural Centre. Enjoy live music at the all-new House of Blues, now at the Anaheim GardenWalk.

Modern myth has it that these days everyone in Los Angeles has written a screenplay, is writing a screenplay or is just visiting. For those in the latter category we offer a road map of ideas to help make a trip to this ultra-hip, ultra-happening haven easy, fun and exciting. While LA will always be associated with movies and movie stars, it is also a culturally vibrant city that boasts a range of interesting attractions from prestigious art museums and galleries to fabulous theatre, both well-known productions and smaller fringe shows. Art enthusiasts will be stunned by the extensive collections at the J. Paul Getty Center and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Visit the La Brea Tar Pits on Museum Row, then investigate the trendy shops on Melrose Avenue. Families will not want to miss the zoo or the action at Universal Studios Hollywood. Of course, no trip to LA would be complete without a stop at the Venice Beach Boardwalk or a visit to Mann's Chinese Theater and the Walk of Fame.

This urban waterworld is a fast-growing city tucked into a bend of the Parana River about 186 miles northwest of Buenos Aires. Slip into a kayak or take a cruise for the best river views, or hit the city centre, bustling with discos, theatres, pedestrian malls, restaurants and parks popular with cyclists. A national monument on the riverbank honours the city's historic role as the site where the Argentine flag was first flown.

Ouro Preto is a former colonial mining town with beautifully preserved Baroque architecture and quaint cobblestone streets. It has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It earned recognition during Brazil's Golden Age as a centre for gold mining and prosperity in the 18th century. Today it is a popular tourist destination.