Hidden gems

Situated halfway between Brisbane and Cairns, Mackay is surrounded by lush rainforests, pristine white sandy beaches and the fertile Pioneer Valley. It is home to one of Australia’s richest sugar cane growing regions. Out to sea, The Great Barrier Reef’s colourful coral, fish and secluded islands provide a tropical playground for everyone. Excellent restaurants, beautiful parks and a vibrant art scene ensure there is something in Mackay for every taste and budget.

Perugia is the provincial capital of Umbria, one of Italy’s most beautiful regions. The ancient heart of the city, packed full of Etruscan and Roman monuments, perches on a hilltop with the modern city spread below. With a prestigious university, the city has a lively student population, good shopping, fun bars and great restaurants. If that weren't enough, Perugia is the setting for one of Europe’s best jazz festivals: Umbria Jazz.

Linz – a cultural metropolis, and an oasis of green. Linz an der Donau is an innovative, contemporary city. It is a place where nature, culture and business come together to form a harmonious whole. The 2009 European Capital of Culture sports the slogan “Linz, verändert” (“Linz, changes”), and lives up to the slogan in full. Linz, a successful location for business, has emerged as an outstanding destination for culture, offering dynamism and a high quality of life. The capital city of Upper Austria is a showcase for theatre and music, but equally for contemporary art, history and science.

If it was a picture, Qingdao would be painted with blue sea and azure sky, red-roofed residences and green trees. Qingdao means “Green Island” in Chinese, and the name is a perfect match. This is possibly the most beautiful coastal city of China, famous for the comfortable weather, the large number of beaches and the delicious seafood. Being a former German concession has also provided it with attractive European style buildings and one of the best brews in Asia, the famous Qingdao Beer. It has long been a favourite escape for Chinese holidaymakers and after having its profile raised when hosting of the 29th Sailing Regatta during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, it will undoubtedly come under the radar of foreign visitors as well.

La Rochelle is more than just a seaport on the Atlantic Ocean. The city is an inevitable place to visit on the coast as one of the largest French harbor cities in terms of business and tourism. With its 1,000 years of history, it is also one of the best-kept secrets in the region. You will be surprised by its architectural heritage, its unique atmosphere, the diversity of its museums and its eclectic nightlife. The area is quite warm thanks to the Gulf Stream, on a par with the French Riviera!

We welcome you to Saba, our Unspoiled Queen...The island of Saba rises majestically from her clear azure waters, stretching her summit to caress the clouds... She is like no other Caribbean destination. Untouched by the quickening pace of the modern world, an island caught within a moment.... and the moment within which she's captured you ask? The old Caribbean; safe, friendly and charming with exquisite natural beauty both above and below her waterline.

Naxos stands out from the Cycladic competition with its unusually crisp, white beaches and an exceptionally lush, fertile terrain. With none of Mykonos' pretense or Ios' ferocious partying, the island is a destination for those who enjoy a good hike and low-key evening entertainment. Naxos is also home to its fare share of ancient sites, off-lying mountain villages, and excellent family-run taverns.