Since being crowned European City of Culture 2004, the tangled capillaries of old town Genoa have flowed to a nascent business centre at the heart of a city poised to lock horns with the likes of Milan and Rome. Lucia Cockcroft gives us a taste of the contrasting dynamics at work in this growing business location

Switzerland’s largest city sturdy, workman-like reputation is gradually being superceded as it lets its hair down and embraces the stylish nightlife of Zurich West. Sarah Johnstone discovers a way of life so enjoyable that even the graffiti is polite

David Neville Williams takes a look at a country which has witnessed some remarkable sweeping changes

At the end of a tough business day, there’s nothing quite like having your body steamed and pummelled amid the grandeur of a 16th-century Ottoman bath palace, or swimming in healing waters amid marble columns in Art Nouveau splendour. Sue Dobson samples the delights of Budapest

For such a skinny country, Chile packs a considerable punch. Variously described as ribbon-shaped or like a runner bean, the country is arresting enough in an atlas, let alone in the flesh

For decades Cuba has been an insular country, battling to hold back the tide of American capitalism. Now it’s dropping its barriers and welcoming tourists to its beaches and cities, and they’ve brought a free market economy along with their factor 15 and rubber dinghies, as Howard Byrom finds out

Phil Spencer looks forward to another trip to The Big Apple, everyone’s favourite business destination

Edinburgh is Britain’s most popular conference venue and it is easy to understand why given its magnificent setting, architecture, history, excellent hotels and restaurants. A newly promoted attraction for visitors is its extraordinary literary heritage. Andrew Lownie provides a guide to some of the city’s literary associations.

In an attempt to live the desert island dream, Ben Keene set up Tribewanted.com; an ambitious, eco-conscious tourism project, that’s driven through online democracy

David Neville Williams examines the growth in the Whale watching and looks at some of the bet sites around the globe to witness these acrobatic, singing leviathans of the deep

Roger St. Pierre gets blown over by Chicago

One of the more popular destinations in Europe, both Madrid and Barcelona are distinctive in what they have to offer for the roaming tourist. We survey two cities at the heart of Spain’s synergies and contradictions