Chosen as a winter refuge by Thomas Edison at the turn of the last century, Fort Myers sits away from busier and more opulent Florida centers, maintaining the carefree, low-key atmosphere of a sea town. Assuming beach life is Fort Myers's only attraction would be a mistake: the town center boasts a vibrant street life, with a plethora of indie art galleries and interesting spots for history and science lovers. The area's natural beauty continues inland, where protected animal species take shelter among mangroves and narrow bayou bends.

Liberia, both the capital and largest city of Guanacaste province, is — despite its lower profile — the country's major centre for tourism, as well as a regional hub of Costa Rica's northwest. The town attracts visitors from all over the world thanks to its beautiful natural surroundings, interesting architectural heritage, and a rich culture.

Qingdao is possibly the most beautiful coastal city of China, famous for comfortable weather, a large number of beaches and delicious seafood. Being a former German concession has also provided it with attractive European-style buildings and one of the best brews in Asia, the famous Qingdao Beer. It has long been a favourite escape for Chinese holidaymakers and after having its profile raised when hosting the 29th Sailing Regatta during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, it has been steadily coming under the radar of foreign visitors as well.

Concerts, motorcycle rallies, world-class shopping, and extensive beaches all lend to Myrtle Beach’s reign as a top vacation destination in not just South Carolina, but all of the United States. Over 14 million annual visitors flock to Myrtle Beach’s subtropical climate and subtropical recreation. Countless golf courses glitter the area, along with water and amusement parks, museums, historical sites, and more. Sail the coast or relax on the soft sand of the beaches and get to know this most exciting of vacation spots.

Shanghai is the shiniest gem in modern China’s jewel box. It’s a hip, contemporary city that’s charging into the future with all the energy of its famous Maglev train. Yet if you veer away from the sleek highways and glitzy shopping streets you can still stumble upon a more traditional Shanghai, with all its character and flavour. In the tiny back streets, wet-market vendors peddle their wares - buckets of bright green vegetables, fish flapping in shallow plastic bowls and heaps of crayfish crawling over each other.