Longhaul Destinations

Cancun - Back in the Seventies, Cancun was just a small fishing town on the northeast coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Today, it’s a huge resort that comes in two parts. There’s the downtown area with its markets and local cantinas, and then you’ve got the Hotel Zone that comes with restaurants, shopping malls and nightclubs – and an extra-long strip of beach.

Dominican Republic - On the eastern tip of the country is Punta Cana. The big name here is Bavaro – it’s a lively resort with a beach that looks like it’s been plucked from the pages of a glossy travel magazine. Meanwhile, just down the road there’s Cap Cana which comes with a star-studded line-up of five-star resorts along its all-white coastline. Just so you know, the beaches on this stretch of coastline sometimes experience increased levels of seaweed – called sargassum. It’s influenced by the weather and ocean currents. If your hotel’s affected, the staff will do everything they can to clear it.

La Romana is in a tucked-away part on Dominican Republic’s southeast corner. Locals claim that the beaches here are the prettiest in the country. The main spot on this coastline is Bayahibe – a quiet fishing village with a sprinkling of hotels.

Jamaica - All the Caribbean stereotypes are present and correct in Jamaica. Along the coast, you’ve got white sands fringed by palms, and ramshackle beach bars serving up jerk chicken to Bob Marley beats. Inland, meanwhile, hidden waterfalls, banana plantations and soaring mountains vie for your attention. Best of all, the scenery is served up alongside Jamaica’s famous take-it-easy vibe. And, with the mercury hovering around the 30s for most of the year, it’s always a good time to visit Jamaica.

Florida - On one side of the coin you've got the state's world-famous theme parks, on the other you've got some of the best beaches north of the Caribbean.

Theme Parks :

When Walt Disney’s grand plans for Magic Kingdom were brought to life in Orlando back in the Seventies, it set the precedent for things to come. Today, the Sunshine State's the world leader when it comes to theme parks. There are no less than 15, including six Parks at Walt Disney World Resort, and other household names like Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.

Malls, greens and restaurants

White-knuckle rides and worlds of make-believe are only part of the picture, though. With city-sized malls and more restaurants per head than any other US state, Florida pulls out all the stops to impress the tens of millions of visitors it receives every year. World-class golf courses steal a lot of the limelight, too. The Orlando region alone racks up more than a thousand greens, including a handful that are fit for the pros.

The Everglades

Pierce the tourist bubble, meanwhile, and you’ll discover national parks, dense forests and swamplands teeming with the region’s resident alligators. The Everglades are your best bet for outdoor adventure – hiking, kayaking and hot-air ballooning are just a few of the ways you can explore. There’s loads for animal lovers to get excited about, too – the area’s home to beasts like Florida panthers, American crocodiles and West Indian manatees.

The beach scene

Then there are the beaches to consider. Shelving gently into the warm waters of the Gulf Coast, the swathes at St Pete’s, Fort Lauderdale and Clearwater are among the best in the country. The latter draws in a big chunk of the crowd, thanks to its buzzing beachfront nightlife and something-for-everyone water-sports scene. Miami’s famous for its sandy shoreline, too, and it’s paired with an iconic Art Deco backdrop.

Maldives - Floating in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives are the cream of the crop when it comes to secluded beach holidays. The waters are their own brand of blue, the sands are blindingly white, and rows of palm trees stand to attention along the shoreline. What’s more, if you count each island individually, you’ve got almost 2,000 reasons to visit. Some are such small specks that they're inhabited by a single hotel – meaning the ultimate peace and quiet – and lots are ringed by colourful house reefs.

Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles, thanks to the welcoming nature of the Thai people. But there’s so much more to the country than friendly faces. In fact, it’s impossible to sum up Thailand in a nutshell, because every part is different. Thailand's temples are a proper cultural gem, and they come in all shapes and sizes. You can crane your neck up at the Big Buddha, wander the halls of the Chalong Temple, or clamber the steps at the Dragon Cave Temple – and that's just for starters.

Mauritius - At first glance, Mauritius looks like a close relative of the Caribbean Islands. Around 1,200 miles from the east coast of Africa, the island’s hemmed by 330 kilometres of immaculate white beaches. Take to the waters, meanwhile, and you'll spot pods of dolphins playing. The south, west and east coasts are defined by top-drawer beaches – one of the longest stretches of sand is Belle Mare, which borders a coral-protected lagoon. In the north, the shallow bays at Balaclava and Calodyne give themselves over to water sports like snorkelling and kite-surfing.

St Lucia - This tropical treasure is much more than a beach retreat. Soaring volcanic peaks, lush rainforests and multi-coloured waterfalls are just some of the highlights. Resort-wise, luxury is St Lucia’s middle name. Pick from boutique hideaways set in secluded hills, or sprawling hotels with panoramic private beaches.

North and south of the island are two distinct cultural hubs. Rodney Bay in the north boasts a pristine, modern marina full of seafront bars and upmarket restaurants. Soufriere in the south is infused with retro Caribbean vibes – you’ll find candy-coloured villages, barbeque stalls by the roadside and fish fry-ups on the beach.