Like so many of the towns and cities of Egypt, Hurghada, Luxor and Marsa Alam are living history museums. The three cities are positioned as corners of a triangle in the Eastern Desert. Hurghada, a former fishing harbour, stretches 24 kilometres along the waterfront and is the perfect area for water sports. Marsa Alam is found by the Red Sea coast and tourism is just starting to make an impact. The city of Luxor, with its jaw-droppingly beautiful monuments built by the hands of ancient craftsmen, lies 240 kilometres inland on the banks of the River Nile.

It’s easy to lose yourself in Istanbul's grandiose history, but modern Istanbul is a simmering metropolis, well worth a visit in its own right. The shopping is world-class and the nightlife pulsates around not one but several districts. Even though Istanbul is no longer the capital, it’s still the country’s business and cultural centre, still the city where new trends are created.

Karlstad is a wonderfully compact Swedish city, built on a grid pattern with wide, tree-lined streets, avenues, promenades, and squares. Karlstad has a "big city" feel, with many quality hotels and other accommodation options, with the advantage that the city’s many attractions are just a short walk away: shopping streets, malls and arcades, culture, historical sites, urban nature activities, parks, transport, and amenities. Don’t forget that this is child-friendly Sweden and children are welcome everywhere in Karlstad.

Palm trees swaying in the wind, crystal turquoise seas, and seemingly endless stretches of talcum powder-white sand beaches, along with a distinctively laid-back way of life, characterise this beautiful island. Boracay offers everything from golf, trekking, sailing, and water sports such as windsurfing and scuba diving, to great hotels, gourmet restaurants, and festivals. Additionally, you can enjoy its fabulous beaches, including White Beach, which has been voted among the finest in the world.

Beijing's famous Tiananmen Square is vast enough to hold one million people, while the historic Forbidden City boasts thousands of imperial rooms. The city continues to grow with the emergence of ever-higher rising towers, new restaurants, and trendy nightclubs. Despite this rapid development, China's capital has managed to retain its unique charm. The small teahouses in the backyards, traditional fabric shops, old temples, and bustling street restaurants make this city one of a kind.