Chiang Mai

The gateway to the northern Thai hills, Chiang Mai has grown far beyond its medieval city walls, but its temple-lined backstreets still conjure up the glory of the great Thai dynasties. Today, ancient temples and traditional wooden houses jostle for space with boutique hotels, stylish restaurants and sleek lounge bars.
Trekking to the villages of Thailand's hill tribes has become one of the quintessential travel experiences from Chiang Mai. Other thrills include elephant rides, mountain-biking, white-water rafting, rock-climbing expeditions and zipline adventures through the rainforest canopy.
Nevertheless, despite the allure of the hills, many people choose to linger in Chiang Mai, immersing themselves in Buddhist culture, studying massage and meditation and learning to cook blistering Thai cuisine at one of the city's many cookery schools.

Bangkok

Buzzing, humid, exotic Bangkok is a larger-than-life city. For some, the frenetic pace, heat, traffic and lack of personal space can be overpowering but, for many others, the sheer dynamism is intoxicating.
A blend of the traditional and the modern, Bangkok's every street has a surprise in store. Ramshackle buildings crouch next to exotic temples, in turn overlooked by modern hotels and offices.
The chaos on Bangkok's roads is mirrored by the busy traffic on the Chao Phraya River, which dissects the city and is regularly crisscrossed by long-tailed boats, river taxis and small rowing boats, all miraculously missing each other.
But traditional Thai life is never very far away. Weaving among the morning rush hour, saffron-robed monks collect alms, while moments from Bangkok city centre, communities live in stilt houses by the river, eking out a living using centuries-old skills.

Thailand

Each year Thailand is discovered by millions of visitors, drawn to its pristine beaches and aquamarine seas, as well as its rich culture, glitzy shopping malls, chic boutiques and colourful markets crammed with bargains.
With its enticing mixture of established destinations such as Phuket and Hua Hin, and out-of-the-way palm-fringed islands, Thailand appeals to the most varied of travellers, whether they are craving barefoot luxury or hippy chic. From staying on a converted rice barge, clambering into a jungle tree house or bedding down in a hill tribe village, Thailand offers a wealth of choice for every taste and budget.
Pampering is an art form in Thailand, and throughout the country spas offer authentic treatments whether it's in a 5-star luxury resort or a beach-side hut. If it's pulse-raising excitement you are after, head to the hectic sprawl of Bangkok's futuristic high-rise buildings.
Early morning is when the saffron-robed monks leave the sanctuary of their wats (temples) to receive alms from the people, be it in a dusty village or on crowded city streets. Buddhism is a way of life here and the Thai's are also strong supporters of their monarchy. In fact, His Majesty King Bhumibol is the longest reigning monarch in the world, since coming to power in 1946. Following the end of absolute monarchy, Thailand moved towards democracy, but this was thwarted by the military, which has often staged coups in protest at government policies.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is an awe-inspiring city where impossibly steep granite peaks rise from the ocean between glorious stretches of golden sand. Brash skyscrapers vie for space with impeccable colonial buildings, and lush forests tumble down hillsides into densely populated residential areas.
Rio’s diverse cultures and peoples live in varying degrees of wealth or poverty. But no matter what their background or economic standing, Cariocas (Rio's residents) are characterised by a passion and enthusiasm for life.
Ranked top of Forbes' 2009 list of the world’s happiest cities, the cidade maravilhosa (marvellous city) revels in life, with the beach, football, samba and Carnival the principal diversions. High above all this fun and frivolity are Rio's ever-present landmarks - the statue of Christ the Redeemer on the summit of Corcovado (hunchback) mountain and Sugar Loaf with its historic cable car.
As well as these twin icons, Rio boasts a wealth of attractions and activities, plus great food, music and entertainment - enough to keep a visitor busy for any length of stay. A vibrant agenda, including hosting the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, is quickly transforming the once precarious city into a safe and exciting destination.

Riga

Latvia's cosmopolitan capital, Riga, once revered across Europe as the 'Paris of the North', is now firmly on the tourist map. Older than both Stockholm and St Petersburg, Riga is the only Baltic capital to have a real big-city buzz.
Any lingering images of Communist deprivations are quickly blasted away by a stroll around Riga, with its gleaming renovated buildings, its fashion conscious mobile-phone carrying youth and the new wave of bars and cafes. The focus is still firmly on Riga's Old Town, which tumbles towards the banks of the Daugava River in a maze of cobbles, voluminous spires and impressive squares.
It is ironic that the city that was once besieged and captured by Germany now has Europe's most impressive array of Germanic art nouveau architecture, a fact recognised by UNESCO on its World Heritage List. Much of the art nouveau lies across Bastekalns Park in the New Town, the commercial and business heart of the city.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik's location, set on the fringe of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by a lunar volcanic netherworld, with the shadowy hulk of Mount Esja in the background, is both romantic and beguiling.
Reykjavik's nefarious nightlife attracts legions of tourists keen to seek out the legendary bars and clubs. Considering that beer prohibition only ended in 1989, this is particularly impressive but the locals seem to have made up for lost time and the scene in the city at weekends is one of hedonistic mayhem.
During the day, Reykjavik is a far more sedate place with trim houses, rubbish-free streets and an easygoing pace of life. There are bountiful cultural attractions, countless cafes, geothermal swimming baths and a myriad of day trip opportunities into the stunning hinterland. Cultural festivals are also currently multiplying and maturing as Iceland begins to establish its cultural identity.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia features some of the highest and most stunning places on the African continent, such as the jaggedly carved Simien Mountains, and some of the lowest, such as the sulphur fumaroles and lunar-like landscape of the Danakil Depression. It is also one of Africa's greatest cultural destinations, with no fewer than eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the mystical rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.
Ethiopia is the only country in Africa never to have been fully colonised (with the exception of a five-year occupation by Mussolini's Italy) and so retains a unique culture, has its own script and language (Amharic) and maintains a strong sense of national identity. Years of totalitarian abuse at the hands of the Derg socialist military regime (1974-1991), drought, famine and continuing border disputes with Eritrea have taken their toll, but Ethiopia survives as an ancient and fascinating destination.

Botswana

Outstandingly dramatic, Botswana encompasses striking salt pans, diamond-rich deserts and fertile flood plains which teem with game. The north, in particular, offers superb wildlife-watching opportunities, making this one of southern Africa's top safari destinations.
A sizable proportion of the country - over 40% - is given over to national parks, reserves and private concessions, where tourists crane their necks out of jeeps to check out the roving animals. But Botswana's policy of favouring low-impact luxury tourism ensures that even the most famous game-viewing areas rarely feel crowded.
The jewel in Botswana's crown is, without a doubt, the Okavango Delta - the largest inland delta in the world. Its seasonal lagoons and waterways are crammed with hovering birds, while zebras and giraffes amble across vast grass flats. Northeast of here is Chobe National Park, home to gigantic elephant herds, some of them 400-strong.
Botswana is one of Africa's success stories. Since gaining independence in 1966, it has achieved steady economic growth through successful exploitation of its agricultural potential and its enviable diamond reserves. It has not escaped controversy - the HIV/AIDS pandemic and alleged maltreatment of the Kalahari Bushmen have caused international concern - but it remains a peaceful and stable nation of remarkable natural beauty.

Benin

Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, was one of the first countries in the 1990s to successfully effect the transition from dictatorship to a pluralistic political system. Today, it is one of the most stable countries in Africa.
Although Benin has seen economic growth over the past few years, and has a high standing with the international community, it remains among the world's poorest countries. Within West Africa, Benin enjoys stable relations with Nigeria, the main regional power. The only significant problem has been a long-running border dispute with Benin's northern neighbour, Niger, over ownership of islands in the Niger River. This was finally resolved by the International Court of Justice in July 2005, which awarded 16 islands to Niger and nine to Benin. Both countries accepted the ruling.

Algeria

Algeria is a beguiling blend of cultures spanning a vast chunk of land - taking in everything from whitewashed fishing ports, verdant hillsides and olive groves to the unmatched dramatic landscapes of the Sahara Desert and the Hoggar Mountains.
With more than four-fifths of its territory covered by the Sahara, the desert is Algeria's most striking feature and its biggest draw to travellers. But the north of the country, colonised by the Phoenicians and the Romans and covered with fascinating ruined cities is green and fertile, and the imposing capital Algiers (‘the White City’) has a fascinating Medina to explore and offers and interesting perspective on modern Algerian life.

Albania

Friendly, tolerant people, fascinating Ottoman cities teeming with history, magnificent mountain scenery and charming villages: Albania is a varied destination offering many pleasures. Hikers will love the Albanian Alps or the Tomorri massif, whilst cyclists will find a network of ancient tracks criss-crossing the country. Archaeology buffs can spend hours in the complex sites of Butrint and Byllis, history-lovers have plenty of ancient castles, Ottoman fortresses and the museum cities of Berati and Gjirokastra to explore, and art connoisseurs should visit the little-known medieval churches, with their beautiful frescoes, and the icon collections in Tirana, Korça and Berati.
At the end of a full day's exploration, enjoy menus boasting delicious seafood, mountain lamb, organic fruit and vegetables and, of course, excellent Albanian wine.

Aberdeen

It may only rank third in Scotland when it comes to size, but when it comes to location and architecture, Aberdeen gives Edinburgh and Glasgow a run for their money.
Built on the banks of the rivers Dee and Don around a working harbour, Aberdeen is a city, which, hewn from granite, literally sparkles.
Much of the iconic architecture that spawned the 'Granite City' moniker dates back to the Victorian era. The heart of Old Aberdeen lies across the Brig O'Balgownie (one of the oldest bridges in Britain), where you will find King's College and its famous dome-crowned tower.
Aberdeen is widely known as the 'Oil Capital of Europe', thanks to the discovery of North Sea oil back in the 1970s. This find transformed the city from one of the poorest in the UK to one of the richest. A cosmopolitan vibe, flourishing arts scene and lively café culture accompanied this meteoric transformation.
With North Sea oil production in decline, Aberdeen has turned its attention to tourism, with Donald Trump's £1 billion golf complex (the 'world's greatest golf course'), set to be built on the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire.

India Travel Guide

India is a both beautiful and bamboozling place, where holy cows bask on heavenly beaches next to modern hotels, and ancient temples sit perfectly at home besides shiny offices. Glittering trains pass through rural villages where life hasn’t changed for hundreds of years, and through it all teems one sixth of the world’s population. India is vast, varied and, above all, unforgettably beautiful.

India’s intoxicatingly rich history has spawned a number of exquisite palaces, temples and monuments. The most frequently visited part of India is the Golden Triangle, comprised of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. The people-packed cities of Mumbai (Bombay) and Kolkata (Calcutta) have a bustling, colourful charm, while the holy city of Varanasi and the awe-inspiring temples of Tamil Nadu are rewarding places of pilgrimage.

Goa and Kerala’s palm-fringed beaches await those in search of tropical bliss. And for fresh air and serenity, India ripples with pristine mountains and hills, from the towering beauty of the mighty Himalayas to a bevy of beautiful pine forests, orchards and babbling streams.

Destination :

Kolkata (Calcutta)

Kolkata is a city of ornate Raj-era balconies, elegant gardens, cavernous bookshops, graceful churches, packed temples and mammoth monumen

ts.

Although its problems of overpopulation and poverty are well documented, its faded decadence and historical, cultural and religious buildings are among the lesser-known highlights that astonish first-time visitors.

Kolkata originally emerged as a prominent city in Indian history when it became a British trading port and a significant commercial centre during the British Raj.

Today, it continues to remain significant; a city with a soul, a fabled past and a rich artistic tradition. The city's reputation as the cultural and intellectual capital of India is thanks to its most famous sons, Nobel Prize-winning poet Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) and renowned film director Satyajit Ray (1921-1992).

Meanwhile, the rise of modern sky rise offices and glossy shopping malls has enhanced Kolkata's appeal as a city that has just as much to offer visitors as any other metropolis in India.

Chennai (Madras)

Chennai, the industrial capital of Tamil Nadu in southern Ind

ia, is where the history of British settlement in India has ancient roots. This has resulted in some splendidly monumental municipal buildings and a number of broad avenues and gardens.

But Chennai's history stretches way beyond the British presence, with its resourceful citizens actively engaging in trade with the Chinese,

Romans, Greeks and others more than 2,000 years ago.

Still retaining much of its traditional charm, this bustling city, for

merly called Madras, provides a captivating insight into southern heritage. Chennai is proud of its Tamil culture and in many ways is still traditionally conservative, lacking the cosmopolitan flavour (and nightlife) of Mumbai, Bengaluru (Bangalore) and Delhi.

Music, dance and many other art forms from south India are widespread in Chennai and the Tamil film industry is huge. Religious heritage has left its mark with old churches, ancient temples and of course the wonderful shore tem

ple of Mamallapuram, under two hours' drive away.

Chennai has grown dramatically over the past few decades and has enjoyed marked economic growth in recent years, thanks mainly to a booming IT industry. Today, Chennai sprawls out in all directions over the flat land along the coast and up the river valley and feels somewhat uncentred and chaotic as new shopping malls and modern skyrises spring up, residential districts spread, and squatter settlements are scattered throughout.

Although the devastating tsunami of 2004 hit Tamil Nadu and affected some of the settlements on the beach in the city, most areas have now been repaired.

Delhi

Delhi is a city of jarring juxtapositions: extreme wealth and brutal poverty, outstanding natural beauty and polluted urban sprawls, modern metropolises and medieval bazaars.

For the first-time visitor, a trip to India's capital can be daunting; the sense of chaos sharpened as Delhi was preparing to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games

. This year, it falls under the microscope once again when it hosts the Grand Prix for the first time in October. However, look beyond the surface of Delhi, and you'll find a place rich with history, culture and overwhelming colour.

There are monuments, mosques and tombs in abundance, impressive colonial architecture, brilliant museums, excellent restaurants and more than enough bazaars, markets and shops. In fact, your only problem will be fitting it all in.

Bengaluru (Bangalore)

Bengaluru has reinvented itself; ditching its previous name of Bangalore and transforming into a cosmopolitan city, with hotels, restaurants, bars and shops to rival other major Indian cities.

The explosive growth of Bengaluru over the last decade has been propelled by the city's IT sector, which has attracted leading Indian and multinational companies and led to the creation of thousands of jobs. The consequent rise in the city's young workforce, with their increased disposable income, means entertainment options have mushroomed, creating a more vibrant veneer.

Away from the commercialism, Bengaluru retains its old-fashioned charm from ornate temples and old buildings to quiet gardens and bustling street markets. Bengaluru has something for everyone: it is a case of just knowing where to look.

Florida Travel Guide

Florida, known as 'The Sunshine State', is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. Orlando is the face of Florida that most people recognise, with its enormous number of theme parks, movie studios, water parks and entertainment facilities.

But there is more to Florida than Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom Park or Busch Gardens. Winding waterways, freshwater lakes, hills, forests, exciting cities, 13,560km (8,426 miles) of coastline, countless bays, inlets and islands, and a legendary climate make this one of the most popular states in the USA.

Parts of Florida's coastline, unfortunately, are under threat from pollution following the disastrous Gulf of Mexico oil spill this year, the worst in USA history. The state's beaches remain open, whilst strenuous efforts are being made to keep beaches, estuaries and bays oil-free.

Florida is divided into eight geographical regions. Miami and Miami Beach have long been a haunt of the rich and famous. Palm Beach scores equally highly in the glamour stakes. Fort Lauderdale is a popular spot for families, offering sports and recreational activities. To the south, the Florida Keys offers a tropical climate, beautiful beaches and clear blue waters.

The capital of Florida, Tallahassee, is strictly Southern in tone.Tampa and St Petersburg are the main cities in the Central West region. Sarasota is the cultural capital of the region, while Naples in the southwest is a popular seaside retreat.

In the northeastern corner of Florida stands Jacksonville, named after General Andrew Jackson. Nearby St Augustine is known as 'America's Oldest City' while Amelia Island is the only place in the country to have been governed by eight different countries during its history.

Destination :

Miami

Miami is almost more Latin American than simply American - famed for its sunny weather, savoir faire, legendary party scene and super-cool South Beach style.

Miami and its neighbouring city

Miami Beach are cities of emotion, colour and texture. Much of Miami's appeal is due to its diverse neighbourhoods, which range from towering skyscrapers in downtown Miami (the commercial heart of the city) to Little Havana, home to the Cuban community. Meanwhile, the Port of Miami is the world's largest cruise port.

Miami Beach is world-renowned for its 'gold coast' hotel strip, palatial properties and exceptional outdoor recreational facilities. Its glamorous, see-and-be-seen South Beach neighbourhood is instantly recognisable, with its candy-coloured art deco buildings set against a pure South Florida backdrop of cloudless skies, dazzling blue ocean, pale sandy beaches and swaying palm trees.

Thanks to its warm weather year-round, both cities share one ethos: life here is not about work but plenty of play.

Orlando

There is no disguising the fact Orlando is a city built on theme parks - lots of them. Until 1966, there was precious little here in central Florida, but growth has spiralled thanks to a huge influx of tourists following the arrival of Walt Disney World Resort.

From the original Magic Kingdom, which opened in 1971, Disney has added three more theme parks, two water parks and a host of associated development, including hotels, shops and golf courses to make it a true 'World' resort. With Disney setting the example, SeaWorld (three theme parks) and Universal (two) have added to Orlando's reputation as the family entertainment capital of the world. Between them, they draw nearly than 50 million visitors every year, and that has meant a huge growth in associated hotels, restaurants and shops, plus a host of smaller-scale attractions.

However, this young city has also developed its own identity, with a number of high-tech industries relocating here. The downtown area is fast developing yuppie overtones and there are ambitious plans to become a major cultural centre. The city is also America's number two convention location.

Having said that, the main attraction for 99% of visitors remains the theme parks, and the likes of the nearby Kennedy Space Center. And, in order to attract the all-important repeat visitors, Orlando has become adept at re-inventing itself and providing new attractions at regular intervals.