Sometimes, when you have an idea in your head of what a vacation should be, you wish you could create the perfect setting by combining the best ingredients of all your past trips, making a sort of jigsaw puzzle of fun memories and pleasant diversions. Rarely does everything come together perfectly, but for a close approximation of an activity-filled and family-friendly getaway that doesn't leave you disappointed, consider Hilton Head Island off the coast of South Carolina.

Its very existence seems to aid in the answering of vacationers' entreaties for a place to go that will serve as an amnesiac, wiping away not just stress but memories of it as well. Perhaps there's something about leaving the mainland and settling on a 12 mile stretch land that is just too cool to actually attach itself to everyone else. You'll technically still be in South Carolina, but you'll be in a whole new state of mind.

Just to get it out of the way, Hilton Head is known for great golf. It's not fair to assume that everyone will be interested in this, but it's worth noting that fantastic golf courses only sprout up in the most beautiful settings, so where there are greens, there will be other things. For the tee timers, remember the names Long Cove Club and Harbour Town and you'll know where to sneak off to as soon as you get the chance.

You'll want to spend plenty of time enjoying the outdoors here on Hilton Head. For a resort area, it's pretty blessed with natural features that would impress explorers of all kinds. In the wildlife department, you'll have the chance to glimpse otter, mink, deer, and if you're quiet and lucky enough, bobcats and the endangered loggerhead sea turtle. Dolphins like to play along the shoreline, and tours regularly take curious visitors out to see for themselves these playful swimmers. For such a small place, Hilton Head has its fair share of animal activity, so keep your eyes peeled wherever you go.

Kayaking along the coast or renting a bike might give you a better chance to see such cool sights, and will encourage you to accomplish the ultimate feat of burning calories without even realizing it. Hilton Head has places to work out and work up a sweat, on tennis courts and in gyms, for example, but feel free to ditch the usual exercise routine and stay healthy while having a good time. To really do something new, try your hand at an aquatrike, which will allow you the grin-inducing experience of pedaling across the waves.

There are more than 250 restaurants within the perimeter of Hilton Head, so don't worry about going hungry. Satisfy your fresh seafood deficiency by partaking of lobster, shrimp, and crab every night if you wish, and finish it off with a delicious dessert or a well-deserved nightcap as you watch the sun go down. All in all, you'll never run out of choices in this department.

If you're bringing the kids along for this one, you'll probably become acquainted with the miniature golf courses, bowling alleys, children's museum, and less structured activities like sandcastle building and hunting for seashells. The b-word (bored) won't dare to be spoken during this trip, and you should be prepared to put every one to bed each night knowing that the day was well spent.

Speaking of going to bed, make sure to place the correct piece into this portion of the vacation jigsaw puzzle, as it's one of the most important ones. There are dozens of vacation rentals on the island, and as we've established that there's a lot to do within a fairly small area, it'll work out well to unpack your bags in a spacious condo or bungalow that will afford some privacy without isolating you from anything. No matter which portion of the island you choose to stay, you'll have golf courses, antique shops, beaches, or whatever it is you seek right at your fingertips.

It looks like everything has the potential to come together pretty well on Hilton Head Island. The earlier you start to plan, the better chance you'll have of things really working out in the best possible way, so check out the selection of Hilton Head Vacation Rentals and get ready to complete the puzzle that's been teasing your brain for so long.

Caitlin Moore is an avid photographer, and one the editors of dpdigest.com ?C an informative website dedicated to digital photography, with extensive information about digital SLR cameras, memory cards, special effects filters and more.