Chania (pronounced “Hanya”) is considered the loveliest port town in Greece. Swallows soar in sheer blue skies above the semicircle of tall Venetian houses around its picture-perfect Old Harbour. The tables of scores of bars and restaurants line the quayside. Behind the harbour front, narrow, traffic-free shopping lanes thread through the atmospheric Old Town. On either side of the town, sandy beaches stretch along the coast.

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.

Situated amidst the 74 Whitsunday Islands of the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island offers an experience like no other: glorious weather, azure waters, brilliant beaches, wondrous coral reefs, unique flora and fauna, divine food and wines, and a buzzing calendar of special events. With its laid-back luxury and activities almost too numerous to mention, Hamilton Island is the next island in the Great Barrier Reef you should visit.

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is one of Asia's best-kept secrets. As the capital of the only predominantly Catholic country in the Orient, it presents a unique blend that feels slightly out of place, yet vibrantly infused with Latin American and Caribbean influences. Music and dancing are ubiquitous, and the city's warmth and enthusiasm can easily rival that of Bangkok. Manila's rich history, shaped by centuries under Spanish religious influence and decades of American consumerism, has led to the saying that the city spent "400 years in a convent and 50 in Hollywood".

Sun-drenched beaches sit next to the desert wilderness in Aruba, one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean. With warm and sunny weather all year round, the island seems frozen in a timeless holiday atmosphere, with turquoise ocean waters washing over the soft warm sand. Nightlife bursts with Latin music and exotic sounds, and exciting shopping and dining await at every corner. Stronger waves break against the eastern coast, deserted and swept over by wind — exploring it will lead the most adventurous visitors to spectacular vistas.