The first time you go to New York, go ahead and be a sight-seer—everyone should visit the Statue of Liberty, the Met, Times Square, etc. But on a return trip, pick a neighbourhood and go deep. You’ll find hole-in-the-wall bars, great delis, quirky shops… exploring the non-touristy side of New York is an incredibly rewarding experience for a traveller.

You're on island time the moment you set foot in Jamaica. Ocho Rios, a port of call for many cruise lines, also boasts some of the most luxe resorts and spas in the Caribbean. And once you've had your stresses melted away in the island sun, you can head out for a night of dancing and reggae music.

Is there any possible way Las Vegas could not be on our "best nightlife" list? The only way we could possibly omit it is on a technicality—since you can do pretty much anything 24/7 in Vegas, it might be wrong to call it "nightlife."

A trip to the Isle of Mull isn’t complete without a visit to the Tobermory Distillery, one of the oldest distillers in the country, and a snort of their single malt Scotch. Mull was first settled around 3000 B.C., but thankfully much of the island’s rustic natural beauty has been preserved. Explore the deep-sea cavern of MacKinnon’s Cave, try to solve the mystery of the Lochbuie stone circle and play royal at the 13th-century Duart Castle.