Approach Chicago by water and the reflected cityscape of towering skyscrapers might leave you speechless; particularly at night when the glittering luminescence makes it appear as the Milky Way fallen to earth. Once famed for the legend of Al Capone and murky underworld of organised crime, Chicago today is the ‘most American of American cities’, […]

Think of Egypt and most people immediately picture the Great Pyramids. Yet while these are reason enough to visit the country themselves, there is so much more to this vast and enchanting land. The Egyptians have inhabited it since the rest of the world’s civilisations were still in metaphorical diapers and over five thousand years […]

Hong Kong became a colony of the British Empire after the first Opium War of the 19th century, before being return to the Chinese in 1997. Today it is a special autonomous region of the Republic of China and one of the leading financial centres in the world. Famous for its impressive collection of skyscrapers […]

Antigua’s impossibly blue seas and sandy white beaches are so postcard-perfect that you’re torn between the urge to dive into the still, inviting ocean or simply stand and stare, absorbing sunshine that seems to soak you to your core. Neighbouring Barbuda is little more than a sandy reef, but its indigenous population of sea-birds is […]

An Islamic nation with centuries of history, Morocco is a unique blend of Africa and Europe. Historical influences dating back to the Romans are still visible in the architecture. The cities of Fez and Marrakech are colourfully chaotic, dizzying and dazzling in equal measures, while the glittering coastline and the inviting Atlas Mountains are perfect […]

Dubai puts the glamour into petroleum; with wealth founded on the discovery of rich oil fields in the mid 60s, it’s been busy glitzing its way into the international consciousness as a city unlike any other. It’s ostentation at its most fabulous; from the moment you arrive you’ll be treated like a VIP, dazzled by […]

Thailand is a gorgeous country with a diverse natural and archaeological legacy. A tropical climate, white sandy beaches and a vibrant nightlife are all on offer; try diving amid coral reefs and whale sharks at Ko Tao, go jungle trekking in Mae Hong Son or simply party the night away in the bright lights of […]

Few cities are as immortalised in international folklore as the Italian capital; even fewer are able to live up to hype. Yet standing beside the Coliseum in Rome, or gazing up at the roof of the Sistine Chapel, or simply taking in the stunning panorama from one of the seven hills, you might start to […]

Saudi Arabia has long seemed a mysterious, forbidden kingdom to the west. With riches built on the largest oil reserves in the Middle East, it has become better known for its super-wealthy oil barons than its cultural contributions. Yet the cities of Mecca and Medina are the two holiest sites in Islam; since the seventh […]

In the early 19th century, the land around Port Elizabeth was settled by 4,000 British settlers looking for new opportunities in the South African hinterland. Encouraged by the South African government, the settlement grew into a diverse mix of ethnicities from Europe, Cape Malay and many other parts of the world. It thrived as a […]

Liberal, fun-loving Tel Aviv is too often defined by what it’s not; this is not Jerusalem, this is no city of antiquity. What it is, is a vibrant, high-octane capital blessed with gorgeous Mediterranean beaches and an epic social scene that seems capable of serving up a party at any hour of the day. It’s […]

Historically one of America’s most revolutionary cities, the unofficial capital of New England remains a forward-thinking and liberal leader in contentious political issues. There are hordes of higher education facilities lurking amid twisting streets, creating a highly educated and discerning populace, and a strong, intellectual cultural base is complimented by a twenty-first century explosion in […]