PUNTA DEL ESTE, URUGUAY

This city has been nicknamed the Saint-Tropez of South America. Think world-class dining (Parador La Huella is a must-try), nightlife and shopping or just lazing about with a glass of champers in the sun.

 SANTA TERESA BEACH, COSTA RICA

This surfer’s paradise, on the Pacific coast, is still charmingly rural, but you don’t have to skimp on luxury. Stay in a bungalow at wellness-focused boutique hotel Latitude 10 (there are Ayurvedic massages and openair yoga), or rent out the famous Floating House, a 230-square-metre tree house overlooking the rainforest.

 ISCHIA, ITALY

Bypass tourist-jammed Capri for this island off the coast of Naples. Find everything from natural hot springs to gorgeous public beaches to luxury spas, like Mezzatorre Resort, situated in a 16th-century watchtower.

 VIRGINIA BEACH, U.S.A.

Okay, so maybe Virginia Beach isn’t exactly a secret, but with a five-kilometre boardwalk along the Atlantic shore and a Pharrell-backed plan to turn an old parking lot into a 40,000-square-metre surf park surrounded by shops, restaurants and live music, it’s about to move up on your dream-travel list.