Australia’s highest peaks are in the Snowy Mountains, where there’s thrilling downhill skiing and snowboarding during the snow season. Lively towns and resorts in this alpine region in the Southwest NSW are also popular destinations in warmer months for hiking, horse riding, kayaking, mountain biking and fishing. When spring melts the snow into cascading waters and wildflowers bloom, streams shelter trout and attract many fly fishermen. Vineyards in this beautiful region produce excellent cool-climate wines, and fresh produce is on sale at farm gates.

Prosperous and lively, Brescia is Lombardy’s second biggest city, a university town with a modern business area (Brescia Due). Located between two of Italy’s most famous lakes, Lake Garda and Lake Iseo, Brescia is often overlooked by visitors who bypass the city itself and head straight to the undeniably beautiful lakes. A great pity, as Brescia boasts one of the most beautiful historic centres in the region, and some of the best Roman and Lombard remains in northern Italy.

Discover Ningbo, one of China's oldest cities and a vibrant international hub with a rich history. The birthplace of the Neolithic Hemudu culture, Ningbo translates from Mandarin as "the Serene Waves". Located on the shores of Hangzhou Bay, it is a long-established international trading port. With the Hangzhou Bridge, the longest trans-oceanic link in the world, Ningbo is now directly connected to Shanghai. Perhaps Ningbo's greatest distinction is the Tianyi Pavilion — the oldest library in all of China.

Once a mysterious island of tribes, Maui, the second-largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, has transformed itself into an immensely popular tourist destination where everyone can find something to their taste. From hiking the mighty Haleakalā to driving through the breathtaking Hana Highway to simply sipping on a cocktail at one of the pristine beaches in Kaanapali or Wailea, Maui is sure to spoil you with unforgettable natural beauty. No matter your preference, Maui offers a remarkable experience that will leave you with lasting memories.

Cape Verde's unique geographic location, tumultuous history of slavery and invasion, and fascinating mix of transatlantic cultures have given rise to a place unlike any other on the globe. A place as joyful as it is full of longing, a fact perhaps best reflected in Cape Verdean music and the hauntingly beautiful 'morna'. The sometimes harsh, drought-prone conditions of this mid-Atlantic scattering of islands have seen the flourishing of a fascinating Creole culture and the most stable democracy in Africa.