I Love Culture

What oil-rich, arid Kuwait lacks in glitz and glamour it makes up for in family-friendly entertainment and cultural haunts - the coastal Kuwait City and Salmiya are laden with museums, attractions and modern amusement parks guaranteed to keep visitors to the area occupied for days on end. Shopping opportunities abound (feel free to choose from modern mega-malls and traditional souks), as do sandy beaches and swimming venues sought after in the summertime.

Cochin, also known as Kochi, is one of the most beautiful places in India. This comes as no surprise, since Cochin is known for its rich history, culture, and attractive nature. Many centuries ago, the city was a hub for international merchants who traded various products for aromatic spices, the finest fabrics and shiny jewellery. Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese and Italian influences run through Cochin's architectural styles. The city is filled with museums, temples, shops, restaurants and so much more to fill an eventful stay.

Known as the City of Spring, Kunming, the provincial capital of Yunnan, is blessed with a mild climate especially favourable to plant cultivation, which becomes instantly evident at the city's vibrant flower markets. The pace of life here is slow: hardly anyone is seen in a hurry. The best thing to do is smell the roses, wind down gently while exploring this very pleasing city and the breathtaking nature getaways in the environs.

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.

One of the oldest cities in China, Ningbo is the birthplace of the Hemudu culture, which dates back over seven thousand years. Translated from Mandarin as ''the Serene Waves'', Ningbo is located at the shores of Hangzhou Bay and is a long-established international port and trading post. With the Hangzhou Bridge, the longest trans-oceanic link in the world, Ningbo is now directly connected to Shanghai and has emerged as an important international hub in its own right.

Tasmania is an island at the edge of the world. Small enough to get around easily, big enough to explore diverse landscapes and make countless discoveries. In one day, wake to the cleanest air in the world, hear stories of early convict life, cruise soaring sea cliffs, sip whisky at cellar doors, and devour paddock-to-plate food. In Tasmania, anything’s possible.

The majestic Faisal Mosque stands against the backdrop of the lush Margalla Hills as a symbol of a Pakistan placed firmly in the modern day, while holding on to its history and traditions. The capital city of Islamabad is a forward-thinking metropolis nestled among the green base of the Himalayas, and though it has traditionally been thought of mainly as a diplomatic city, it has recently grown to become an important business and financial centre for the region, as well as an emerging travel destination, one which, together with its neighbouring sister city of Rawalpindi, gives travelers in-the-know a taste of all sides of contemporary Pakistan.

Guilin has long been a favourite among travellers to China. This compact city is most famous for the green mountains, crystal clear waters, unique caves and the beautiful cliffs in its outskirts. The karst peaks and the surrounding areas are world renowned for its beautiful scenery. Yet it is not only this stunning landscape that draws visitors to Guilin, but its unique folk customs, that make for unforgettable experiences in themselves.