Lahore, a city rich in Mughal architecture and Punjabi culture, teems with cultural riches and historical wonders. Marvel at the grandeur of the Badshahi Mosque and explore the intricate beauty of Shalimar Gardens. Food enthusiasts will relish the flavours of Punjabi street food in Gawalmandi neighbourhood, while history buffs can wander through the ancient corridors of the Lahore Fort. Pakistan’s second biggest city offers something extraordinary for every traveller.

From World Heritage rainforest to sparkling beaches, the Byron Bay region on the NSW North Coast is full of natural wonders. The Aboriginal Arakwal people call it Cavvanbah — The Meeting Place. The area is also famous for its surf culture, alternative philosophies, organic food and outdoor adventures. Byron Bay's natural attractions are impeccable: humpback whales cruise past the headland, dolphins frolic in the bay and storms create rainbows on the mountains. People from all walks of life meet here, drawn by Byron Bay's vibrant energy.

Porto was once the last stop of adventurers on their way across the Atlantic to the New World. The cliché that Lisbon shows off and Porto just works is a well-worn metaphor that fails to do justice to the city's innumerate charms fully. History dwells around every corner, and more than ever, Porto is a place determined to hold on to its own distinct identity.

Just 250 kilometres north of the polar circle, the summer sun shines for almost two months without going down, while the polar nights offer the most intense Northern Lights that can be seen. In Kiruna, the northernmost city in Sweden, you can go slalom skiing until midsummer or spend the night in a magnificent hotel built from ice. The phrase "kingdom of contrasts" is overused, but Kiruna truly embodies it.