Shopper's Paradise

The title of European Capital of Culture awarded to Lille over a decade ago was not the height of its ability, but rather a humble beginning, for in the years to follow Lille has grown to become a cultural hub second to none in northern France – and, some would argue, even beyond. There is a strong Flemish flavour in Lille, which manifests itself literally, through Lillois cuisine, and figuratively, through the ornate buildings of the charming old town (Vieux Lille).

The island of Mauritius lies about 2,000 kilometres off the southeast coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. As part of the Republic of Mauritius, which also includes the nearby island of Rodrigues as well as the outer islands Agaléga and St. Brandon, Mauritius has a long history of colonial conquests, disputed by the Netherlands, France and Great Britain. Having gained independence in 1968, the Republic of Mauritius retains its colourful diversity to-date, remaining multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multicultural and multilingual, giving shape to a very own, unique environment.

Macau has a colorful palette and a plethora of sites despite occupying just 30.8sq km of the Chinese mainland. From neon-lit casinos to dusky markets, cobbled streets to modern cafés and Baroque churches to Art Deco buildings - there’s a wonderful mix of East and West. Thirty buildings and squares are UNESCO listed and many reflect Macau’s colonial Portuguese legacy, as does the food, laid-back lifestyle and the blue azulejo-tiled street names. Yet Macau has a modern Asian look, rivalling Singapore and Hong Kong.

Known for its "Kiss-Me-Quick" hats, sticks of rock and the ubiquitous fish and chips, Blackpool has all this and more. With miles of golden sands, stunning Victorian architecture, a host of entertainment for young and old alike and the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District right at the doorstep, Blackpool enjoys a scenic setting and easily maintains its status as the unofficial entertainment capital of the North.

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 beachside settlements, but easily warrants a few days of its own.

It is easy to overlook this small island-nation, having, as it does, such powerful and flashy neighbours as Qatar and the Emirates, but to ignore Bahrain would be a huge mistake. It is an emerging power in the region, with all the luxury and worldliness of a cosmopolitan destination and all the charm and personality of a small island. Add to this the growing arts scene and burgeoning international cuisine in the country, and you have the newest prime travel destination in the region, and the most socially liberal one, to boot.

Although the Jordanian capital has its fair share of ancient remnants (the city was first mentioned as Rabbath Ammon in the Hebrew Bible around the 10th century BC), it is the way Amman experiences modernity that fascinates the most. Often listed among the most progressive cities in the Middle East, Amman is a flourishing capital growing by the hour, inhabited by a culturally diverse and rather liberal populace.

Singapore is a fascinating melting pot of East and West. Here the hypermodern buildings of the financial district blend with Chinatown’s classic small houses. As an old trading town, Singapore is the natural place for anyone who wants to shop – the range is enormous. In addition, Singapore offers a cuisine with influences from all corners of Asia that exceeds the highest expectations.