Home to some of the best beaches in America, Clearwater is a great family beach destination. Sure, it’s in Florida, but it’s not Giant Rodent Florida (a.k.a. Orlando) or Crazy Spring Break Florida (a.k.a. Fort Lauderdale). Rather, it’s Calm, Old-Fashioned Florida… which is something worth seeing. Oh, and the weather’s outstanding.

Let the Gulf Shore breeze carry you to a weekend of sun-kissed fun. The Tampa-St Pete area is Florida's second-biggest metropolitan area. Not as flashy as Miami or as crowded as Orlando, the region has grown as a tourist destination, and it's easy to see why: miles of waterfront, sandy beaches, cultural attractions and exciting amusements. Busch Gardens has been drawing visitors for years, but the city also has another zoo, an aquarium and several major museums for those who need some time in the shade.

Visitors find the perfect blend of culture and fun in Bradenton. Discover Florida’s Spanish heritage at the De Soto National Memorial, go for a bike tour of the beautiful Robinson Preserve, and explore an authentic fishing village at Cortez. Be sure to visit the South Florida Museum and catch a Pittsburgh Pirates spring training game — and don’t miss vibrant downtown Bradenton, the picturesque Riverwalk, and the working artists’ community at the Village of the Arts.

Florida's Southwest Gulf Coast contains a constellation of enticing coastal gems. Stunning beaches, including Fort Myers Beach, Tigertail Beach and Pensacola Beach, fringe the Gulf, down the I-75 from Tampa to Naples. Sanibel Island's shells attracts thousands. Cape Coral's waters are paradise for fly-fishing. Golfers adore spectacular courses in Marco Island and Naples. Glorious sunny days and deliciously warm turquoise waters beckon in this often overlooked corner of the Sunshine State.

Looking for world class powdery white quartz sand beaches, 100 golf courses within driving distance, and an endless selection of cultural and family activities? Siesta Key is the laid-back beach town that goes above and beyond. Right nearby in Sarasota, you'll find museums, art, wildlife, circuses, opera, ballet, symphonies, theater, film festivals, botanical gardens, baseball spring training... the list goes on.

Clermont is a small city in Florida, west of Orlando. Clermont, which is known as the “gem of the hills,” is surrounded by gently sloping hills in an otherwise flat state. The historic downtown has not changes much in 50 years. Clermont is also home to one of the first constructed landmarks in Florida: the Citrus Tower. When you are settled into Clermont, plan a visit the Citrus Tower. It was built in 1956 on one of the highest hills in the area and serves as a monument to Florida’s citrus industry. It stands 226 feet high and has a glass-enclosed observation deck at the top. You can also visit the Showcase of Citrus to pick your own oranges or take an eco-tour in a giant swamp buggy and enjoy a glimpse into Florida’s past. The entire family will enjoy a perfect day in the citrus groves. When visiting Clermont, be sure to visit Revolution: The Off-Road Experience. It is a unique off-road motor and sports venue perfect for families staying in holiday rentals in the area. You can ride ATVs and dune buggies, water ski, or go bass fishing. In Clermont, you can hike, bike, go boating, or drop your line in a lake and wait for the fish to bite. Play a round of golf on one of the many world-class golf courses in the area. Lakeridge Winery is Florida’s largest premium winery and offers winery tours and wine tastings seven days a week. A visit to the President’s Hall of Fame, with wax figures and White House memorabilia, is a perfect afternoon trip. A short drive away from Clermont, is Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, and the bustling city of Orlando.

Davenport is a holiday destination in north eastern Polk County that is popular because of its close proximity to the Walt Disney World theme park. While small in size, the town is experiencing rapid growth. Most Davenport tourists stay in this town and spend their time at the major theme parks outside Orlando. However, Davenport has its own attractions that should not be missed. Visit Lake Kissimmee State Park and partake in nature trails, horse trails, and boating activities. Play a round on one of Davenport’s two large golf courses: the Highlands Reserve Golf Club and the Ridgewood Lakes Golf & Country Club. Davenport offers a variety of fast food options and chains, as well as several great local establishments. The Davenport Cafe is perfect for lunch, as is Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe. Try the Bob Evans Restaurant for the best American cuisine, or visit Zen Asian Grill for Asian and Chinese foods. For dinner on a budget, visit The Shamrock Pub and Grille. Don’t head back too early—there are many great bars and pubs in Davenport. Try the Tuscana Tavern or The Pub for a relaxing drink. The 11th Street Bar & Grill is a pub and a restaurant combined, so be sure to check it out on nights when you want food and entertainment in one place. Other popular bars include the Happy Hollow Tavern and Boozies Bar & Grill. There are several large shopping centres right outside Davenport in Orlando, Tampa, and Kissimmee. Visit Posner Commons for stores such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, JCPenney, and more. Most of the shopping centres have food courts as well, so they’re a convenient way to spend the day away.

Covering nearly 47 square-miles, the Walt Disney World Resort features four theme parks: Epcot, Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park and Disney's Hollywood Studios, two water parks: Disney's Blizzard Beach and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and over 20 resort hotels. With interactive rides, animal adventures, magical attractions, dining, shopping and nearly 60,000 cast members performing in more than 3,000 different roles, guests will be sure to feel the magic of Disney during each and every visit.

There's a variety of water sports in Redding, from whitewater rafting on the Sacramento River to waterskiing, swimming, fishing and sailing on Shasta Lake, one of four magnificent artificial lakes in this northeastern California town. When you're ready to dry off, there are also plenty of land-based activities, such as camping or hiking in the national forests and parks, following walking trails through the 220-acre arboretum or spending time exploring two fascinating parks: Shasta State Historic Park and Turtle Bay Exploration Park. At Shasta State, you'll find the ghost town of Shasta City from the Gold Rush days, complete with restored stagecoach, barn and courthouse, with eerie reminders of where prisoners were kept and sometimes hanged. The ever-expanding 300-acre Turtle Bay Park houses the recently opened Turtle Bay Museum, with extraordinary hands-on exhibits focusing on the environment and an outstanding collection of American Indian baskets. Children will love the park's Paul Bunyan's Forest Camp, which includes a playground, logging and ecology exhibits and the popular summer butterfly house, where the fragile winged creatures flit about and alight on welcoming visitors.

Sitting in a valley in the Andes Mountains, La Paz is the city that touches the clouds. The de facto capital of Bolivia, and sitting between 3300 and 4100 metres above sea level, La Paz is the highest capital city in the world. Rich with 19th century churches, museums of artifacts from the pre-Conquest era, precarious overlooks, and colourful markets, La Paz is truly unique. The Witches’ Market, in the centre of the city, sells charms and potions for Aymara rituals, as well as souvenirs.

Palma, the economic and cultural hub of Majorca, is a delightful base for exploring the island's many gold and white beaches. A former Moorish casbah, or walled city, Palma's Old Town is an appealing maze of narrow streets that are a delight to explore on foot. Hop on the Soller Railway for a 17-mile scenic trip, visit 14th-century Bellver Castle and the museum of contemporary art, and check out the nightlife.