Sure, it’s a bit rainy here. But a lush tropical paradise needs water—otherwise you wouldn’t see such brilliant flowers everywhere. The black-sand beaches provide contrast to the riot of colour everywhere else. Nature-lovers can see many of Fiji’s indigenous species, especially in Bouma National Heritage Park (where you should also stop at Bouma Falls).

Kauai’s South Shore is home to some of the country’s best beaches—for swimming, diving and all sorts of water sports. If sunbathing on a gorgeous beach isn’t relaxing enough, try a spa (where many treatments incorporate local ingredients). And if you’re in Poipu for a romantic escape, splurge on an oceanview room—the sunsets are spectacular.

The acclaimed Rancho La Puerta is Mexico’s top destination spa. Set within spectacular grounds, just an hour from San Diego, therapeutic treatments make full use of all kinds of medicine and produce from the Rancho’s organic garden. This idyllic sanctuary is a luxurious full service spa resort.

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.

The quintessential California beach town of Santa Cruz! It was here that surfing was first brought to the mainland by Hawaiian royalty. Home to the legendary Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a pedestrian-friendly, tree-lined downtown area, and the historic Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, which stretches out a half-mile into the waters of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Other highlights include UC Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, and nearby redwood forests.

A charming fishing village, Sayulita is a hidden gem with picturesque beaches, charming restaurants and great food. Unlike some other Mexican towns, tourists mingle with locals in a relaxed atmosphere, without the hustle and bustle of major touristy resorts. For those seeking more nightlife, Puerto Vallarta is a mere 30 minutes away.

Double your Mexican Riviera pleasure in the resort playground of Ixtapa and its quaint neighbour Zihuatanejo. The region offers a profusion of fishing charters, watersports and scuba-diving sites. Ixtapa boasts upmarket golf courses and floodlit tennis courts. Horses are available for beach rides in Playa La Ropa and Playa Linda. Sun worshippers will find beaches that are packed with activity as well as isolated tropical oases. To really get away from it all, visit the fishing settlement of Barra de Patosi.

While resorts continue to spring up, "Zihua" remains determined to maintain its small-town flavour. The brick-paved "fisherman's walk," a nod to the region's seafaring roots, stretches along the town centre. Because the nightlife is mostly informal, Zihua is particularly appealing to couples and those seeking an escape from coastal party towns.

Don't skip your siesta in Acapulco, because you'll need the sleep: you'll be busy dancing from midnight until the sun comes up. Countless nightclubs keep the evenings hopping, while Acapulco Bay and its beaches give the beautiful people a place to perfect their tans by day. Gourmet restaurants and exceptional water sports make your stay unforgettable.