Myrtle Beach is a family-friendly beach destination—which means in addition to great beaches, there’s plenty to do when the kids are sick of making sand castles. Amusement parks, water sports and golf courses are nearby. And family-friendly dining and hotels abound.

<p>Situated beside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is ninety-five per cent forest with streams, waterfalls, flora and fauna, Pigeon Forge is a superb holiday destination.</p><p> If you love musical shows and rides, Dollywood is the place for you, whereas Wonderworks is an unusual interactive upside-down attraction. At the Titanic Museum, you can sit in a lifeboat, walk up the grand staircase, take the helm and follow commands. Smoky Mountain adventures are ideal for lovers of outdoor activities, as they include whitewater rafting, mountain biking and rock climbing. Why not take a day trip to Cades Cove, about thirty miles from Pigeon Forge in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? There you can enjoy the scenic Abrams Falls and follow a nature trail. Elvis fans must not miss the Elvis Museum, a small private collection that includes costumes, jewellery, photographs and three cars. Smoky Mountain Car Museum has a jump bike that belonged to Evil Knievel as well as vintage cars, but it is only open from April until October. </p>

During the Civil War, Knoxville's Mabry-Hazen House served as headquarters for both the Confederate and Union armies. Today you can visit the house and other historic homes in this eastern Tennessee city. Among Knoxville's other attractions are museums, a zoo and the park that housed the 1982 World's Fair. University of Tennessee sports draw lots of fans, as does the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. To see Knoxville from the water, take a leisurely riverboat ride down the Tennessee River.

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.

Among the best golf destinations in the world, Punta Cana is the very picture of leisure. Several of the courses have been designed by professional golfers, making for the perfect sort of kicked-back challenge that you want on a golfing holiday. The beaches here are simply perfect: calm, warm waters that gently lap at stretches of fine white sand. Thrill yourself with a zip-line adventure, clap along with traditional Dominican music at a cultural performance, or explore the magical lagoons of the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park.

If your kids are sick of the same old beach holiday you take every year, consider taking them to Lanzarote. There are great beaches, to be sure, but this UNESCO World Biosphere reserve has unique attractions and activities. We're talking camel rides on volcanoes (at Timanfaya National Park), or eating at a restaurant in a volcanic cave (at Jameos del Agua). Even the most jaded teens will be impressed.

The Jersey shore looks a little bit different in the Channel Islands. No Snookis here—instead, the partying of choice is the annual Battle of Flowers, a sweet-smelling carnival that culminates in the Moonlight Parade. Kayakers, surfers, divers and sailors will find plenty to love about Jersey’s active watersports scene, and adrenaline junkies will (cliff) jump for a coasteering tour of the caves, cliffs and crags. A day of shopping and café-hopping in St. Helier is an excellent dose of cultural retail therapy.

The Mediterranean's biggest island is separated from the mainland by the Strait of Messina. A mountainous spot, Sicily's coast and its small islands sit at the foot of volcanoes, including Etna, Stromboli and Vulcano. The Greeks, Romans, Normans and Catalans all left their mark on the island in the form of Byzantine palaces, Gothic castles and Baroque flourishes in capital Palermo. Most larger towns offer interesting museums, but Etna and the Hellenic temples in Agrigento offer particularly unique sights.