It is easy to overlook this small island nation, having, as it does, such powerful and flashy neighbours as Qatar and the Emirates, but to ignore Bahrain would be a huge mistake. It is an emerging power in the region, with all the luxury and worldliness of a cosmopolitan destination and all the charm and personality of a small island. Add to this the growing arts scene and burgeoning international cuisine in the country, and you have the newest prime travel destination in the region, and the most socially liberal one, to boot.

Located in the heart of the Netherlands, Utrecht captivates with medieval charm, scenic canals and historic districts like Oudegracht. Utrecht seamlessly blends tradition and modernity, seen in its diverse cultural attractions, trendy boutiques, and vibrant markets. With a dynamic atmosphere shaped by both ancient structures and contemporary architecture, the city takes pride in having a prominent university, creating a lively mix of residents and students.

Located on the border between the states of Kansas and Missouri, KC is a lively metropolis in the middle of the green hills of the Midwest Plains. Following continuous development that took place over the last decades, Kansas City offers endless fun and sports activities. Officially nicknamed the City of Fountains, it boasts impressive shopping malls, delicious traditional barbecue, an interesting arts scene, and a vibrant nightlife in a downtown that never sleeps: Kansas City is truly a diverse source of entertainment.

Shanghai is the shiniest gem in modern China’s jewel box. It’s a hip, contemporary city charging into the future with all the energy of its famous Maglev train. Yet, 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.

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.