The Blue Mountains get their name from the natural blue haze created by vast eucalypt forests in this World Heritage area. Tiny droplets of oil released from the trees mix with water vapour and sunlight to produce the distinctive colour. Enjoy crisp mountain air, beautiful panoramas, charming villages, one of the world’s oldest cave systems, and exhilarating adventures in the Blue Mountains, near Sydney. You can even see dinosaur trees in the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah. This is a great Australian escape and a natural wonder of the world.

On the coastline of Peru, fringed by the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, lies one of South America’s best-kept treasures. The vibrant city of Lima reveals itself to the world through the colours of its colonial facades, the flavours of its exquisite gastronomy, and most of all, through the hospitality and warmth of its people.

The low-rise Gambian capital might not be as advanced of a visitor hub as one would, perhaps, expect from a city of such national significance, but it certainly boasts some raw appeal contained within its pulsating and often rather hectic streets. Beyond Banjul proper lies the sprawling Serekunda — Gambia's most populous area — and the vacationer-favoured coastal settlements of Kololi, Bakau, Koto and Fajara.

Impressive architecture and hip restaurants meet a sunny Spanish climate and beautiful beaches. This has transformed Barcelona, in just a few decades, from a rough port city into one of Europe's, if not the world's, premier destinations. Stroll along La Rambla and Passeig de Gràcia, admire Gaudí's masterpieces, lose yourself in the Gothic Quarter, bask in the sun at Barceloneta beach, and discover some of the city's vibrant late-night haunts while you're at it.