Shopper's Paradise

Kerala’s first city, with its knotty official name of Thiruvananthapuram (often substituted by the shorter, more manageable Trivandrum), is an exhaustive introduction to southern India's urban and cultural life. Trivandrum tends to be unjustly overlooked en route to the state's beach-side settlements, but easily warrants a few days of its own.

Concerts, motorcycle rallies, world-class shopping, and extensive beaches all lend to Myrtle Beach’s reign as a top vacation destination in not just South Carolina, but all of the United States. Over 14 million annual visitors flock to Myrtle Beach’s subtropical climate and subtropical recreation. Countless golf courses glitter the area, along with water and amusement parks, museums, historical sites, and more. Sail the coast or relax on the soft sand of the beaches and get to know this most exciting of vacation spots.

South Africa’s Durban has to be one of the continent’s most appealing cities, especially after the 2010 World Cup breathed new life into the area by revamping the waterfront; the splendid Moses Mabhida Stadium remains one of Durban’s primary attractions to-date. Durban moves to the beat of gqom, its own home-grown music genre, which is slowly making its way onto global charts from South Africa's sunny, tropical melting pot of eclectic cultural influences.

With beautiful white sand beaches, excellent dining and a plethora of outdoor pursuits, Floridian Naples truly has it all, and more awaits outside the city limits at the Everglades National Park downstate or - closer yet - the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Naples is also known for its first-rate golf courses and deluxe boutiques, both of which give the city a well-off, prosperous air.

Newcastle is the hub of the Hunter Valley wine region, located right at the mouth of the Hunter River. It is home to stunning beaches for all kinds of activities, a rich heritage of Victorian architecture and plenty of live music events for all tastes. There are also lots of places for recreation, hiking and outdoor adventure nearby. Whether you are looking for vibrant city life or a spectacular natural retreat, in Newcastle you will get it all.

"Every man should be allowed to love two cities – his own and San Francisco," once said author Gene Fowler. San Francisco, also known as the City by the Bay, is a diverse, colorful, and intriguing destination luring visitors from all corners of the world with its beauty, culture, history and dynamic ambiance. It is best known for its steep hills, beautiful panoramic vistas, and excellent cuisine. The eclectic mix of architecture, sandy beaches, ethnic and cultural diversity, and entertainment for all ages makes San Francisco a great choice for a vacation.

The small town of Haugesund offers a broad spectrum of natural beauty ranging from a vast and wild coastline to snow-capped mountains with cascading waterfalls flowing into the fjords. It is known as the Homeland of the Vikings, as the area used to hold the royal seat of ancient Viking Kings. Today it is a prime travel destination that encapsulates everything Norway has to offer: fjords, waterfalls, mountains, rugged coasts and an eclectic city culture full of both fascinating history and a forward-thinking spirit.

“Rio is a beauty. But São Paulo – São Paulo is a city” said Marlene Dietrich about Brazil’s most cosmopolitan city. Today São Paulo still does not disappoint. The city is Brazil’s cultural as well as financial powerhouse complete with a vibrant music scene, top designer shopping and delicious fusion cuisine, not to mention museums and galleries on a par with any other world city. Paulistanos (São Paulo inhabitants) work hard and play hard, making "Sampa" one of the world's most exciting places to visit whether you are taking it all in from the rooftop pool of the iconic Hotel Unique in Jardins or discovering São Paulo’s 400 year old history in Praça de Sé.