Kerala’s first city, with its knotty official name of Thiruvananthapuram (often substituted by the shorter, more manageable Trivandrum), is a rich introduction to southern India's urban and cultural life. Trivandrum tends to be unjustly overlooked en route to the state's beachside settlements but easily warrants a few days of its own.

Raleigh is more than a blossoming Southern metropolis — it's a city that welcomes you with open arms and a vibrant spirit. Experience the warmth of its smart, savvy locals and discover a place where innovation thrives. Explore the cutting-edge technology scene, immerse yourself in the rich arts and culture, and savor the culinary delights that Raleigh has to offer. From its historic roots to its modern energy, Raleigh is a city that will leave you feeling enriched and energized.

Ringed by mountains and crowned by a spectacular fortress, Spain’s sunniest city mixes shopping centres and tapas bars with a mediaeval old town of narrow streets and tranquil squares. Along the coast you can find fishing villages, popular resorts, secluded beaches and the wild landscape of the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park.

Olbia is the gateway to the pearly white beaches of Sardinia's northeast coast and the sparkling Costa Smeralda. This is where jet-setters, film stars and the ‘glitterati’ arrive to indulge in 'la dolce vita' Sardinian-style. With a Greek name meaning ‘happy’, Olbia used to be a little fishing village but has now grown to become Sardinia’s busiest ferry port, complete with an international airport and tourist amenities. The countryside is cloaked in aromatic wild herbs, the macchia, and the surrounding sea glows in every hue of electric blue, in a little known and exclusive place waiting to be discovered.

Vibrant, ever-changing, multi-faceted Johannesburg flings contrast at you from every angle. Trees line streets where houses hide their manicured gardens and pristine blue swimming pools behind high white walls, miles of shacks tell of the effects of the apartheid years — still to be overcome. The air of Africa’s most dynamic city vibrates with music and buzzes with business while its stylish restaurants, elegant shops, art galleries, and theatres delight the international visitor.