Panama City is an engaging and mysterious metropolis, a multifaceted place born out of constant cultural exchanges and, at times, conflicts. A city hanging in the balance: between South and North America, tradition and innovation, luxury and poverty, overlooked by the steel of skyscrapers and surrounded by sandy beaches and green forests. Enjoy cosmopolitan Panama, wander through handicraft markets, large malls, local restaurants, and have fun during the vibrant Panamanian nights.

In 1831, Charles Darwin sailed to South America aboard the H.M.S. Beagle. On the return voyage across the Pacific, the vessel stopped on a small group of islands far off the Ecuadorian coast, changing the course of human scientific endeavour and self-understanding forever. Fascinated by the unique wildlife on the islands, Darwin collected biological specimens and studied them over the next 30 years. His findings led to the formulation of the scientific theory of evolution by natural selection. This small group of islands and their one-of-a-kind wildlife are to thank for one of humanity's most remarkable discoveries. And today, almost 200 years later, they remain a source of endless fascination and a favourite travel destination for scientists, nature and wildlife enthusiasts, scuba divers, and anyone interested in the wonders of the natural world.

Amman was first mentioned as Rabbath Ammon in the Hebrew Bible around the 10th century BCE. Although the Jordanian capital has its fair share of ancient remnants, it is the way Amman experiences modernity that fascinates the most. Often listed among the most progressive cities in the Middle East, Amman is a flourishing capital growing by the hour, inhabited by a culturally diverse and rather liberal populace.

What oil-rich, arid Kuwait might lack in glitz and glamour it makes up for in family-friendly entertainment and cultural haunts. The coastal Kuwait City and Salmiya are laden with museums, attractions and modern amusement parks guaranteed to keep visitors occupied for days on end. Shopping opportunities, from modern mega-malls and traditional souks, abound, as do sandy beaches and swimming venues.