FREDERICKSBURG, TX — In a room filled with Texas twang, Richard Beaupre’s lyrical French accent stands out like a ballerina at a rodeo. “Mon dieu, it’s so good to speak French with someone,” says Beaupre, the former Montréaler.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GEORGIA - When I visited St. Simons Island, I had no idea how charmed I’d be by the Golden Isles. Its idyllic setting with live oak trees strung with Spanish moss, long stretches of beaches, marshlands and historic sites that date back to the 1700s, was most appealing. And, of course, I had plenty of its famous Wild Georgia Shrimp.

SPRING GREEEN, WI — Rolling hills of green, the kind that span as far as the eye can see, is what you see in this part of southwestern Wisconsin, dubbed “the Driftless Area” because of its peculiar terrain.

RICHMOND, VA — The “wow” factor takes hold as soon as I walk into the palatial entrance of Richmond’s historic Jefferson Hotel —the Sistine Chapel of hotel lobbies.

BRECKENRIDE, CO — Skiing and beer (après, that is) go together like peanut butter and jelly. That’s why when it comes to planning a winter vacation, you can’t go wrong by heading to Colorado, home of 25 ski resorts and more than 350 breweries.

WACO, TX - I’ve heard that sometimes Texans think that they live in their own country. And you might expect that from someone who has to drive for 11 ½ hours just to get to the other side of the state.

RICHMOND, VA - The much younger cyclists ahead of me on the lovely Virginia Capital Bike Trail strain to reach the top of a small incline while I ring my bell and pass them with ease. They appear to be impressed with the elderly rider’s stamina, until …

RICHMOND, VA - I join the long lineup waiting to enter the Sub Rosa Bakery as the morning sun spotlights the colourful homes gathered in Richmond’s trendy Church Hill district.

SAN ANTONIO, TX - A bubbly guide named Misty gathers our small tourist group in the handsome square opposite the fabled Alamo. In a whispered voice, as if not wanting to disturb the hero ghosts connected to this sacred place, she begins our tour by proudly telling us “I’m a fifth generation Texan.”

GRAND CANYON - Arriving at the end of a globe-spanning trip — travelling from New York to Milan, Amsterdam to Beijing, Kuala Lumpur to Los Angeles — my pal Mike and I landed mid-January in the city of sin, Las Vegas.