Myrtle BeachUnited States of America

South Carolina’s coastline is a beautiful sun-drenched, oasis of golden sands stretching some 97 kilometres along the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. The Grand Strand as it’s known is also where you will find the resort town of Myrtle Beach.

Myrtle Beach is all about relaxation. Stroll along the beautiful beaches, take time out on the golf course, explore nature trails and if all that gets too much, do as the locals do and relax on the porch in a hammock! If you’re looking for a little more action, you won’t be disappointed either. There are family entertainment centres such as Broadway at The Beach with its popular and exciting attractions like MagiQuest, the interactive fantasy game where you can embark on quests battling goblins and dragons.

Start your exploration of the area from its most prominent landmark. The SkyWheel is an impressive 61 metres high and offers unrivalled views over the area and out across the ocean.

For a bite to eat, a must-visit is Peaches Corner, an old style diner first established in 1937 and still going strong, serving what are considered to be the finest milkshakes around.

This pretty seaside town also boasts museums like Art Museum of Myrtle Beach, which showcases the work of local artists. If you love open space, visit the vast Brookgreen Gardens with both sculpture gardens and walking trails. The family-run Waccatee Zoo is a small friendly zoo, which kids will love.

This area was once the centre of rice production in the US and there are reminders of its past role in the nearby town of Georgetown. The town is also home to the Rice Museum, where you can learn all about rice production, the widespread use of African slaves and how the production transformed the region in to one of wealthiest in America. A perfect example of this being the Hopsewee Plantation, one of the oldest and most opulent plantation homes in the region.

Myrtle Beach offers a real variety of attractions and activities, all served up by friendly, helpful locals who are only too happy to share what their town and its surrounding area has to offer.