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. 

Green Bay, Wisconsin, is home to the Cheeseheads, fans of the Green Bay Packers, a NFL team so successful that Green Bay has nicknamed itself "Titletown, USA." There is more to Green Bay than just exciting football and delicious dairy products, however. There are beautifully manicured rows of flowers at the Green Bay Botanical Garden, and hiking paths and a natural history museum at the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity. Visit the historic collection of train cars at the National Railroad Museum.

Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory offers visitors an incredible range of experiences that reflect the diversity of the landscape, from the Willamette Valley’s wineries, flower farms and farm-to-table dining to the iconic 11,250-foot peak of Mt. Hood itself. Adventurers can enjoy skiing and snowboarding all winter long, as well as hiking and mountain biking in warmer months. Cities near Portland also offer a wide selection of craft breweries, tax-free shopping, and a thriving arts scene.

The central Norwegian area of Trondelag has its ideological capital in Trondheim, founded by Viking king Olaf Tryggvason in the 10th century and the seat of Norway's power until the 13th. Today, it's still the country's third-largest city, a university town with a rich culture. Trondelag's western offshore islands of Hitra and Froya are popular for outdoor adventures like camping, hiking, biking, snorkeling and scuba diving. They are also one of the world's best spots for deep sea fishing.