Travel America: Sunny escapes: from New Mexico to the islands of Georgia, these winter getaways will

When the winter blues set in, there's no quicker cure than a visit to a sun-kissed beach town or a palmy paradise in America's South or Southwest. Whether your passion is history, sightseeing, sports, or simply lolling on a perfect crescent of sand, there's a warm-weather escape that's sure to melt your heart and defrost your toes. Here are a few of our favorites.

For many winter-weary vacationers, the siren song of the Sunshine State is too tempting to resist. The city of Bradenton, on Florida's Gulf Coast, offers a string of beautiful beaches with baby-powder-soft sand. Bradenton Beach offers a lively snack bar (show up for the all-you-can eat pancake breakfast and mingle with local folk), fishing pier, kiddie playground, and volleyball net, while Coquina Beach, a short stroll away, has picnic tables, grills, and a luscious swath of sand fringed with swaying sea oats. Bradenton boasts a wide range of lodging places, from high-rise, beachfront hotels to tiny cottages. Nearby Sarasota offers an international airport, making it easy to escape to this fun-filled locale.

If you haven't visited Daytona Beach in a while, get ready for a surprise. The wild spring break party scene has morphed into a mellower landscape that attracts sun-loving families and conventioneers. A convention center and several new hotels have sprouted on or near the famous 23-mile-long, 500-feet-wide beach. That, and the opening of Daytona's own international airport, has made this beach getaway easier to enjoy than ever. With average January temperatures from the mid-60s to low 70s, it's nearly always a good day for surf-fishing. Hard-fighting species like pompano, redfish, flounder, and Jack Crevalle thrive here. Rent a boat or join a charter trip and get ready for plenty of action. The golfing is great in Daytona Beach, too; there's a beautifully-manicured course nearly everywhere you look. Whatever you do, don't miss the area's best "hike," a climb to the top of Ponce de Leon Lighthouse, where fabulous views await.

If you prefer a taste of Old Florida, consider St. Augustine, the nation's oldest city. The "Oldest House," "Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse," and "Oldest Store Museum" are all open to the public. The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, a centuries-old Spanish fortress (and the nation's oldest fortress, naturally), is located in the heart of the city. Another gorgeous example of St. Augustine's architecture is Flagler College, built in 1885 in Spanish Renaissance style and originally operated as the Hotel Ponce de Leon. Speaking of hotels, don't miss the unique Lightner Museum, set in the former Hotel Alcazar, where you'll see a major collection of American Brilliant Period cut crystal and (on the odder side) murals made of cigar bands and buttons.

The Northwest (Panhandle) section of the Sunshine State is graced with some of the best beaches in the country. True, the temperatures aren't hot-hot in winter, but you won't mind if you'd rather wander the shimmering white sands than go swimming. Plus, this part of Florida offers a low-key, casual vibe. The fishing village of Destin makes a lively base for exploring the outdoors. Great golf, fishing, and shelling are among the enticements, plus Destin hosts more than 20 festivals and celebrations each year, so there's always something going on.

The region is also rich with state parks and recreation areas. A favorite place to get away from it all: the nature trails at St. Andrews State Park. Just over the East Pass causeway is the pristine Gulf Islands National Seashore, with more great places to wander, picnic, camp, and dolphin-watch.

Finally, for a true taste of Florida, head to Indian River County, on Florida's Atlantic Coast, where they grow America's tastiest oranges and grapefruits. With winter temps hitting a high of 70 degrees or so, this area is a great place to indulge one's passions for golf and tennis. Bringing the kids? You won't go wrong if you choose Disney's Vero Beach Resort as your base for adventures. As Disney's first oceanfront retreat, Vero Beach Resort offers environmental tours and learning programs that highlight the annual migration of nest-building sea turtles along its 26 miles of beautiful beaches.

Been there, done that? Consider a trip to the Golden Isles of Georgia, off the southern coast from the mainland city of Brunswick. Spend a little time in the gateway city first. Watching the shrimp boats heading out to sea from the Brunswick waterfront is a grand way to unwind and shake off winter's stresses. Afterwards, head to a nearby restaurant for the local specialty: Brunswick stew, a tasty concoction no matter what the temperature outdoors.

While all of the Golden Isles are inviting, we can't resist Jekyll Island, where you can live like the Rockefellers and tour the restored "millionaires' cottages" in the National Historic Landmark District. The Jekyll Island Club is the place to stay, built in 1886 as a private club for the veddy wealthy. Happily, the prices are not out of sight, and the hotel boasts lovely amenities from the past, such as croquet lawns and horse-drawn carriage rides around the property. Borrow a bike and go exploring.

The romance of the Old South is alive and well in Mississippi, where antebellum homes and old plantations vie for attention. The city of Natchez boasts more than 500 buildings on the National Historic Register, along with a giant dollop of Southern hospitality. Civil War buffs will want to include the National Military Park in Vicksburg on their list of must-sees. Jackson, with plenty of historical treasures of its own, has the Old Capitol Museum, the 1842 Governor's Mansion, and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Museum, plus the Chimneyville Crafts Gallery, a showroom for handiwork of the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi. Then explore the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where 26 miles of beach and nearly two dozen golf courses await. Whether you enjoy days of paddling the bayous, marshes, and bays, or lively nights trying to beat the house at a casino--or a little of both--you'll find them here. Mild winter temperatures and lively weekend festivals add to the appeal of this region.

For a dose of culture and delightfully comfortable weather, consider a visit to New Mexico. You're sure to have a memorable time in Albuquerque, nestled in the Rio Grande Valley in the shadows of the Sandia Mountains. This ancient city is one of the most ethnically diverse in the country, and there are plenty of places to play while exploring Spanish, Native American, Mexican, and Anglo cultures. Stroll through Old Town, packed with sun-dried mud and straw adobe buildings, some dating back 300 years. This is a pleasant spot to enjoy takeout burritos, find a banco (bench), and soak up the city's heritage. Don't miss the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, where you can see fossilized dinosaur skin and a real dinosaur egg.

Looking for a place to stretch your legs as well as shake off that winter chill? A visit to Silver City, New Mexico, might be the perfect answer. Set in the foothills of the Pinos Altos mountains at an elevation of 6,000 feet, Silver City has been ranked as one of the healthiest places to live and retire in the U.S. It does get cool here in the mountains in winter, but there's plenty of sunshine. Plus, you'll be moving around a lot--there's so much to explore! Silver City is the home of 3.3 million-acre Gila National Forest, one of the nation's largest wilderness areas. Camping, picnicking, and hiking are among the most popular ways to enjoy the park. Don't miss the Catwalk Trail, a steel walkway suspended 250 feet above colorful Whitewater Creek canyon. Outfitters are happy to take you deep into the wilderness, on foot or horseback, for wildlife watching and nature photography.

In southeastern New Mexico, don't miss Carlsbad Caverns. Take a peek at this colorful natural masterpiece, then enjoy all the outdoor pleasures of this spectacular area, where mountains, desert, rivers, and lakes create a perfect setting for hiking, climbing, golf, fishing, and more.

Enough of this sitting around and dreaming! It's time to get on the phone to the travel agency, or to start surfing the travel web sites, to make that winter escape a reality. See you at the pool!

For more information, contact the following state tourism offices:

Florida, (888) 7-FLA-USA; www. flausa.com.

Georgia, (800) VIST-GA; www.visit ga.com.

Mississippi, (800) WARMEST; www. visitmississippi.org.

New Mexico, (800) 545-2040; www. newmexico.org.