Calling itself "the southern part of Heaven," the town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina is home to the grassy malls and brick walkways of the University of North Carolina's historic campus. The presence of the country's first public university has allowed a vibrant arts and culture scene to grow in Chapel Hill. Check out a concert by a local band, watch the star's fly at the Morehead Planetarium or catch a varsity game pitting the wildly popular Tarheels against their historic Southern rivals.

If you're looking for a getaway that's fun for the whole family and easy on your pocket, look no further than Raleigh. With more than 20 free attractions, this stately and energetic capital city offers an affordable way to enjoy history, culture and the outdoors. Spend the day hopping between the three state museums of art, history and natural sciences: all offer free admission. Visitors are free to wander around the grounds of the State Capitol, where they can also observe the legislative process. Stroll past the graves of Civil War generals at a historic cemetery or meander along cobblestone streets of City Market. Shop for the greenest broccoli, reddest apples and tastiest homemade treats around at the State Farmers' Market. With over 150 parks, lakes and green ways in Raleigh alone, there is ample opportunity to enjoy golf, cycling, swimming, boating and other outdoor adventures.

North Carolina's coast and 300 miles of barrier island beaches are filled with lovely state parks, top restaurants and world-class golf courses. Cape Fear's beaches attract surfers. Central Wilmington contains fine antebellum homes and exciting shopping and dining. The windswept Outer Banks offer historic lighthouses, mysterious Roanoke Island and the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Cape Hatteras National Seashore offers hiking, biking and fishing. Ferry trips link islands with the mainland.

Greensboro, North Carolina loves nightlife, shopping, and horses (8,000 buyers per year go to the Sharpe Family Horse Farm.)  Greensboro lives up to its name in the host of gardens, science centres, and arboretums. The Bog Garden features a living wetland ecosystem. History is also at home here with museums dedicated to the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the Civil Rights movement. After a day of sightseeing, visitors flock to the Four Seasons Town Centre for dinner, shopping, and a film. 

It seems like every time of year is "in season" in Lenox, a small Berkshire town that has been a popular retreat since the 19th century. In summer, picnic on the lawn at Tanglewood, the Boston Symphony Orchestra's summer home. In fall, when foliage peaks, take to the hiking and biking paths of the Pleasant Valley Sanctuary to immerse yourself in the vibrant colours of the mountains. Winter visitors enjoy skiing at a number of resorts and cross-country trails, and in spring, hikers and golfers practice their pastimes in splendid settings. Rejuvenating treatments and pampering, at the well-known Cranwell Spa, are favored all year long.

At the northern reaches of the Mississippi, Tunica is one of the South’s leading entertainment destinations. Just 20 minutes from Memphis, it’s home to nine casino resorts and three championship-level golf courses, as well as Tunica RiverPark, the Tunica Queen Riverboat and the soon-to-open Gateway to the Blues Museum. Tunica is a popular starting point for the Mississippi Blues Trail, a scenic highway that winds through Mississippi and takes you to historic blues markers and landmarks.

Having launched its first ship over 400 years ago, and still home to the Bath Iron Works shipbuilders, the city of Bath is proud of its maritime history. The Maine Maritime Museum celebrates this long heritage, with 25 acres of historic waterfront featuring original 19th century shipyards and exhibits. Named one of the "Best Small Cities in America," Bath offers visitors the opportunity to wander down treelined streets, along the Kennebec River and past beautifully restored 19th century homes.

North America's biggest and most popular ski resort, Vail is an alpine village in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Long a favourite of serious skiers and jet setting celebrities, Vail now also draws a younger, hipper snowboarding crowd. Skiing is king at Vail Mountain and the Blue Sky Basin, but the area's vast splendor is perfect for hiking, biking, snowmobiling or scenery-gazing at any time of the year.

The counter-culture, flower power centre of the 60s, bohemian Berkeley has evolved into a culinary and cultural travel scene. Shift into low gear and people-watch along quirky Telegraph Avenue while checking out the bookstores and cafes. After strolling through the UC Berkeley campus, the Berkeley Rose Garden and the Downtown Arts District, head into the hills for an outdoor adventure in Tilden Park or cruise down to the waterfront park, where the San Francisco skyline sparkles across the bay.