Shanghai is the shiniest gem in modern China’s jewel box. It’s a hip, contemporary city that charges into the future with all the energy of its famous Maglev train. At the same time, if you veer away from the sleek highways and glitzy shopping streets, you can still stumble upon a more traditional Shanghai, with all its character and flavour. In the tiny back streets, wet-market vendors peddle their wares — buckets of bright green vegetables, fish flapping in shallow plastic bowls, and heaps of crayfish crawling over each other.

Glasgow is the 21st-century magnet of Great Britain, with an energetic yet sophisticated vibe. Formerly Britain's major centre of industrial prowess, it has transformed into a booming hub for art and culture in the past decades. The city prides itself on a never-ending stream of up-and-coming musicians and a thriving nightlife. Glasgow is also home to many excellent modern Scottish restaurants dedicated to preserving their Scottish heritage. Some of the best shopping in the country can be found here, too.

Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona, invites visitors to "celebrate the season" — any season! This charming town basks in ample sunshine during the summer and welcomes a blanket of snow in the winter, offering year-round opportunities to enjoy its nature. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore hiking and mountain biking trails, cast a line for fly fishing, or venture off the beaten path during warmer months. When winter arrives, the landscape transforms into a haven for skiing and snowboarding.

Hectic, bustling, chaotic — Dhaka is an enormous city of endless possibilities with energy to spare. Though it can seem a bit overwhelming at first, visitors who take the time to explore will find the experience most rewarding. Delicious food, bustling markets, serene parks and gardens, lazy river cruises and death-defying rickshaw rides, fascinating museums, temples and mosques to ease the soul, and tantalising musical and dance performances; all this and more awaits the adventurous traveller who dares to venture into this unique city.

Lanzarote has it all: sunny skies, pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. But its natural wonders go beyond the obvious. With over 300 volcanic peaks, the island boasts a lunar landscape with shades of pink, purple and ochre. Hidden beneath the surface lie caves, tunnels and lakes, begging to be explored. Surf enthusiasts will find a paradise here, with perfect waves throughout the year. Rumour has it that Lanzarote was once part of the lost city of Atlantis. Come discover this unique gem of Spain's Canary Islands.