LOS CABOS — I wake up to a lovely but cool morning and gaze into the clouds knowing that in a few hours I will be in a much warmer place. Excitement builds as I stuff my bag with all the essentials for a spring getaway — bathing suit, check; suntan lotion, check. Who needs anything else?

MERIDA — Strolling through the cobblestoned streets of lovely town feels like a jaunt back in time. Everywhere I turn, iconic scenes of Old Mexico — including haciendas lining the street, vendors decked out in colourful embroidered huipils and the pounding of handmade tortillas — pop up all over this historic town.

PITILLAL, MEXICO - As we traipsed along the narrow streets of this little community just east of Puerto Vallarta, our small group kept chanting the mantra, “Delicious! Delicious!”

RIVIERA NAYARIT, MEXICO - This magical Pacific Coast retreat continues to draw famous faces in search of sun and surf, beguiled by some of Mexico’s most visually stirring settings.

RIVERA NAYARIT, MEXICO - I’m having trouble catching my breath as I drag my body onto the white sand of Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach) — a.k.a. Hidden Beach — one of the lovely Marieta Islands that lie just off this romantic Mexican resort town.

VALLE DE BRAVO, MEXICO - Thundering rollers break from turquoise water onto an endless pristine beach of shimmering sand and massive dunes that seems to go on forever.

LA PLAYITA, MEXICO - The jagged mountains that sweep down to the Sea of Cortez here turn flamingo pink as the sun rises behind them and casts a glorious light over this small fishing village, which sits just outside the resort area of Los Cabos.

ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO - This magical Pacific Ocean fishing village was pretty much unknown until it was mentioned in a memorable scene in the film The Shawshank Redemption when Andy (Tim Robbins) tells fellow inmate Red (Morgan Freeman) where he’d go if he got out of prison.

ACAPULCO, MEXICO - People of a certain age might recall a 1962 Timex watch commercial which featured one of this city’s legendary divers jumping off the 40-metre-high La Quebrada cliffs into the choppy surf with the company’s timepiece attached to his wrist.

YUCATAN PENINSULA, MEXICO – In the shadows of a full moon night, a giant sea turtle laboriously drags his domed body across the sugary sand towards the water’s edge.