Shopper's Paradise

Founded nearly eight centuries ago, Indonesia’s second largest city has seen empires come and go. The founders of the Hindu Majapahit Empire arrived in late 13th century and remained till the 17th, being shortly followed by Muslim rulers of Mataram. Later came the colonialists of the Dutch East India Company. In recent decades, Surabaya has grown into a cosmopolitan seaport and conurbation where 21st century hotels, apartment towers and shopping malls stand next to historic mosques and palaces.

Milan is all about design and high fashion, so the range of shops and trendy bars can be almost overwhelming. But Milan also boasts the impressive Duomo cathedral, da Vinci’s "Last Supper" and the simple neighbourhood restaurants where no long lunch is complete without ossobuco and risotto alla Milanese. Take a lesson in elegance from the city's fashion-conscious citizens, and let the glitz and glamour of Milan overwhelm your senses.

“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.

A city of architectural beauties and dazzling contrasts, Mumbai showcases the untold side of the charming state of Maharashtra. With an increasing population, it has become one of the world's most populous metropolitan areas, making Mumbai a heady hub of diverse cultures. Here, in the commercial capital of India, the financial district lumps together with Asia's largest slum, Dharavi, while one of the most expensive residential properties has risen up shoulder to shoulder with Dhobi Ghat, an open-air laundromat where workers still wash laundry in stone-made basins. A megalopolis where extremes meet and the pace is fast, Mumbai, love it or hate it, will certainly leave its mark.

A medieval city of drama, myth and mystery, Marrakech will captivate all who venture behind its ochre-coloured walls. Step inside and you will be transported back to a place and time that has been consigned to the annals of history. The winding alleys of the medina and the sights, sounds and smells of the souks, the human drama that is Djemaa el-Fna square and the Atlas Mountains rearing up in the background, make Marakech Morocco’s crown jewel.

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.

Better known as ‘Motor City’, Detroit is popular worldwide for its cars, Motown history and as an important center of African-American culture in the US. Birthplace of the Ford Motor Company, Detroit received its nickname of ‘Motor City’ thanks to its mass production of motor vehicles on an assembly line. The city has thrived despite its somewhat negative reputation in recent times, developing into a dynamic metropolis with heaps to offer visitors. Artists and singers have celebrated Motortown for its charm: the city is a landmark in the history of the music and it has to be thanked for discovering some of the most talented artists of all time.

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.