Considered the northern gateway to the great Ozark Mountains, Lake of the Ozarks boasts dramatic bluffs, and a meandering shoreline of more than 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers). Venture into the hills for an afternoon of spelunking, or laze the day away hooking catfish, golfing on the green, or feasting on legendary Ozark barbecue and homemade fudge. Lake of the Ozarks is an ideal vacation spot.

Grand Lake O’The Cherokees, in northeast Oklahoma, boasts over 1,300 miles (2,092 kilometers) of shoreline, and some of the best bass fishing in the state. The resort is located on a peninsula named Monkey Island. Only 7 miles (11 kilometers) long, the island features golf, restaurants, marinas, watercraft rentals, parasailing, and horseback riding.

The Oregon coast – where otherworldly sea-stacks rise from the misty ocean and brightly colored kites dance in the wind – is the perfect place. Nestled between Newport and Lincoln City, Gleneden Beach gives you easy access to many delights. Visit the working harbor in Newport, or see the ocean denizens up-close at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. In the evenings, relax at the resort and fall asleep to the soothing sound of waves.

This resort is set in Galena, a former mining boomtown seemingly untouched by age since its heyday in the mid-19th century. Homes and buildings have been meticulously preserved, and much of Galena is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Specialty shops, boutiques, galleries, and restaurants line the streets. Nearby are ample outdoor activities at Apple River Canyon State Park, as well as four challenging world-class golf courses, equestrian trails, and downhill ski runs.

Among the tules, willows, cottonwoods, and oaks, you’re likely to find a paradise you thought had long since vanished. With the Bartlett Mountains as a backdrop and a beautiful, mission-style lodge as its centerpiece, Clear Lake resort is a gateway to the wine country and is known as the bass-fishing capital of the West. But there’s more: Try hiking, birding, bicycling, and golfing.

Just 70 miles (112 kilometers) from Calgary, WorldMark Canmore-Banff is nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, surrounded by mountains and wildlife. The resort offers full concierge services, year-round outdoor heated pool and indoor/outdoor whirlpool spas, and on-site complimentary laundry facilities. The units are well-appointed with many of the comforts of home, including full bathrooms, kitchens (no ovens), and seasonal air conditioning. Experience the Canadian Rockies up close with walking, hiking, and biking trails at your doorstep and Banff National Park only a five-minute drive from the resort.

Branson, Missouri – the esteemed live music capital – offers a cavalcade of boot-stomping musical venues from pop and gospel to blues and show tunes. This resort puts you within a holler’s distance of it all. With Missouri’s Ozark Mountains as the backdrop, you’re also set for fishing, spelunking, or relaxing. The resort contains the latest amenities. With its heartland music, flavorful cooking, and friendly faces, Branson gives you a taste of «down home» hospitality.

Arizona’s Rim Country is high-plateau (6,600 feet/2,012 meters) pine forest. The majestic canyons, forest, and Indian ruins in the area make this a central point to get away and relax. The area has limited snow in the winter, with temperatures around 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and summer temperatures are in the 80-degree range. Most of the activities are seasonal, starting in May and continuing through September, although lack of crowds, along with the resort’s boutique shops, and Western theme, make Bison Ranch special year-round.