The mining boom may have been more than a century ago, but it's never too late to strike gold in America's West. Filled with dazzling nuggets of wonder, this National Parks vacation takes you deep into the golden wilderness of untamed South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. Back-to-back visits to some of the country's most renowned national parks bring you face-to-face with the monumental sculptures of Mount Rushmore, the explosive geysers of Yellowstone National Park, and the towering spires of Grand Teton National Park. Plus, visits to the Crazy Horse Memorial, the Little Bighorn Battlefield, and the gold rush towns of Cody, Jackson, and Deadwood shed light on some of the 19th century's most famous battles and barroom brawls. After meeting herds of elk, bison, and other area locals, city slickers can get their fix with a visit to lively Salt Lake City.

So long, predictable. Aloha, paradise! It's time to trade the humdrum for hammocks, the mundane for Mai Tais, and your day-to-day rut for rocking evening luaus. This 10-day Hawaiian getaway is just the break you need to stop and smell the roses. And the plumeria. And the pikake. The aromatic air of the 50th state will easily transport you to an elevated state of mind – as will the turquoise waters, black sand beaches, and the colorful rainforests, canyons, memorials, and museums of three magnificent islands. Across the "Valley Island" of Maui, the "Big Island" of Hawaii, and "The Gathering Place" of Oahu, this island-hopping tour of Hawaii leads you to the valleys and peaks of this spectacular state, balancing uplifting visits to coffee and sugar plantations with the right amount of downtime to savor the sweet life of the islands. On this Hawaiian getaway, life's a beach!

Everything in life has its ups and downs, including this fascinating tour of Arizona that directs your eyes to ancient cliff dwellings, towering spires, the deepest of canyons, and the deepest of mysteries. Exactly how did the Sinagua Indians reach their cliffside, five-story, high-rise at Montezuma Castle? Explore these enigmas and more as you visit the lost canyons and cultures of the American Southwest. Guided jeep tours through Canyon de Chelly National Monument and the red rock scenery of Sedona get you closer to the secrets within the region's sandstone formations, as do adventuresome train rides on the Verde Canyon Scenic Railroad and the Grand Canyon Railway. From Phoenix to Vegas, you'll enjoy sightseeing in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Jerome – plus a visit to Boulder City's Hoover Dam Museum. A visit to Frank Lloyd Wright's modern winter home, Taliesin West, as well as time in Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, are additional sights sure to leave an impact.

From the Salem Witch Trials to the Headless Horseman, New England is home to some of the nation's oldest settings and stories. Fact, fiction, and fantastic scenery abound on this vacation to New England and the Hudson Valley. Boston and Lexington's most significant sights of the American Revolution are balanced with the peaceful vistas of coastal Maine, rural New Hampshire, and mountainous Vermont. Charming seaport villages, bucolic covered bridges, and rolling maple syrup farms sweeten the storylines across America's historic East Coast. The plot thickens as you ferry across Lake Champlain to immerse yourself in the scene-stealers of New York and Massachusetts, including the lakeside resort of Lake Placid, the picturesque Berkshire Mountains, and the orchard- and vineyard-dotted riverbanks of the Hudson Valley. Stand up straight as you visit the waterfront U.S. Military Academy at West Point. You wouldn't want to miss the spectacular views.

Southern California may be known for its stars, but northern California is the home of true legends. Despite the absence of paparazzi, you'll hear countless shutters click as you cruise across shimmering Lake Tahoe, enjoy a scenic tram ride through stunning Yosemite, and coast along Monterey's jaw-dropping 17-Mile Drive. From the hilly streets of San Francisco to the towering-tree-lined slopes of Sequoia and King Canyon National Parks, there are endless highpoints included in this nine-day tour through northern California. And low ones, too – including a visit to the Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards in the serene Sonoma Valley to see how their award-winning sparkling wines are made. Other stellar experiences to toast on this northern California vacation? Stargazing under the sequoias and bidding the moon goodnight in two signature stone and cedar national park lodges. Sweet dreams.