Shanghai is the shiniest gem in modern China’s jewel box. It’s a hip, contemporary city that charges into the future with all the energy of its famous Maglev train. At the same time, if you veer away from the sleek highways and glitzy shopping streets, you can still stumble upon a more traditional Shanghai, with all its character and flavour. In the tiny back streets, wet-market vendors peddle their wares — buckets of bright green vegetables, fish flapping in shallow plastic bowls, and heaps of crayfish crawling over each other.

Hungary has no marine coastline, but it does have the largest freshwater body in Central Europe, Lake Balaton. The lake has been popular since the Magyar tribes first galloped into the Carpathian Basin in 896, and it shows no signs of losing its appeal. A collection of resort towns and an interesting bicycle route ring the 77 km long lake. Hévíz-Balaton Airport is 20 km from Keszthely at the southern end of the lake. From there, you can hire a car or take a bus and explore some of the resorts.

With golden sand, cool water, and a gentle sea breeze, the second largest of the Canary Islands attracts huge numbers of sun-worshippers and water sports enthusiasts. The island itself has much more to offer, from barren desert scenery and fascinating volcanoes to colourful and characterful towns and pleasant harbour promenades.

Nestled among rolling hills and overlooking a river, Limoges has a rich history associated with top-quality porcelain and an even longer tradition of enamelware. The town's proud heritage is reflected in its many sights and attractions, which were made possible by the wealth generated by these industries. The impressive medieval buildings constructed of local rose-tinted granite are a testament to the prosperity that once flourished here. With its vibrant atmosphere, quality shops and restaurants, and countless things to do, Limoges is a place of endless discovery and style.

Still relatively rural, Sedona emerges as one of America's natural masterpieces. Magnificent red rocks extend upwards as natural skyscrapers, while clear waters flow around them. Native Americans thrived in the area before the arrival of Europeans, and now both national and international visitors come to see the astonishing landscapes of the city. Sedona is commonly known for being a spiritual retreat destination.