The Atlantic coast of New Jersey, with its beaches and boardwalks, stretches from Sandy Hook in the north to Cape May in the south. Fresh ocean breezes fan 127 miles of sandy beaches. Drive between cities or catch a NJ Transit bus or Atlantic City jitney bus. Atlantic City packs people in to nightlife venues and casinos. Wildwood's boardwalk is well-trod. Asbury Park is once again popular, particularly with gays and lesbians. Cape May's restaurants and Victorian inns lure tourists to the historic town.

Want a vacation full of thrills, adventure, fun and romance? Greater Williamsburg has just the thing — from the wild rides at Busch Gardens to the incredible living history museum at Colonial Williamsburg. Travelers can also set sail on the York River, and hike or bike their way through the area’s many trails. For quieter times, Riverwalk Landing offers no shortage of opportunities to indulge in culinary delights and premium shopping.

Dubbed the Queen City, Charlotte reigns over a 300-square-mile (482-square-kilometer) hodgepodge of neighborhoods that spin out from the banks of the Catawba River. From brewery-heavy art districts to historical corridors dripping in charm, consider Charlotte a crowd pleaser.

The Cayman Islands are made up of three islands: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. The largest, Grand Cayman has a cosmopolitan vibe, gourmet restaurants, world-class diving and the famous Seven Mile Beach. Cayman Brac is a nature lover's heaven of stunning diving and breathtaking walks along the rocky bluff. The smallest island, Little Cayman is home to just 150 people. Visitors enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and diving, especially Bloody Bay Wall, considered one of the world's best wall dives.

Stretching from the fishing village of Puerto Morelos to the biosphere reserve of Sian Ka'an, the Mayan Riviera offers an unforgettable Caribbean coastline experience. Divers and snorkelers will be dazzled by the wrecks of Xcaret and the Puerto Morelos reef. Use a zip line to descend into the sacred subterranean caverns of LabnaHa Eco Park, where you can snorkel an underground river under a canopy of stalactites. The nearby Tulum Monkey Sanctuary will put you in a playful mood.

Like all of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas has plenty of opportunities to lounge on the beach, splash in the sea, or amp it up with watersports. It also boasts a bountiful duty-free shopping scene – just be prepared to brave the cruise ship crowds. Charlotte Amalie swells with Danish colonial architecture and pirate legend. Shiver ye timbers at Blackbeard’s Castle, then work up an appetite by climbing the historic 99 Steps, constructed from the ballast bricks of 18th century Danish ships.