Southeast Texas.

From one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country to a blink-and-you-miss-it community of fewer than 100 people, the southeastern corner of Texas offers both urban sophistication and country charm.

Houston packs a lot of pleasures for aficionados of cosmopolitan amenities. With 1.9 million residents, it's the state's largest city and the nation's fourth largest. Fine dining, world-acclaimed museums, a lively theater district, eclectic shopping and various sports venues provide a smorgasbord worth repeated tastings.

Within the greater metropolitan area are several good escapes for those who live in the city and for those seeking to sample a less-urban side of Houston. The Clear Lake-Kemah area, where the NASA Space Center is located, attracts outdoor, boating and nature enthusiasts. Close to the city on the north side, the Woodlands-Spring area feels far from city life with its hiking/biking trails through the Piney Woods and its country-style antiques and crafts stores.

On the Gulf of Mexico only 50 miles from Houston, Galveston ranks among the most romantic destinations in the state, a slow-paced semi-tropical island with a dash of Caribbean spice. A drive of less than two hours by car west of Houston takes you into the cradle of Texas, where Anglos first settled.

Among favorite getaways, Columbus dates back to the 1820s and takes pride in its renovated buildings. ...