Vibrant Cities

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.

Rising out of the crystalline waters of the Aegean Sea, Santorini is the result of the erupting mouth of a volcano that has left a dramatic legacy of black and red-sand beaches and an enormous caldera draped by white-washed houses and blue-domed churches. A harmonious Mediterranean backdrop, shaped by the sharp contrast of the ivory village clashing with the bold black of the volcanic soil, opens up to the traveler, in an awe-inspiring paradise that is Santorini.

The Argentine capital is a city like no other. It has a hint of a European feel, but with a distinct Latin American flavour. It is cosmopolitan, yet autochthonous. Every street corner and narrow alleyway is teeming with art and culture, history and personality, tango, rock n' roll and football. It is a city of museums, of galleries, of classical-style cafes and world-class steakhouses, of antique markets and bookstores, a city for screams of joy at the Bombonera Stadium and midnight strolls along the majestic River Plate. Buenos Aires is a true world city in every sense of the world, and none who visit can resist its charms.

Hectic, bustling, chaotic, Dhaka is an enormous city of endless possibilities with energy to spare. Though it can seem a bit overwhelming at first, visitors who take take the time to explore all it has to offer will find the experience most rewarding. Delicious food, bustling markets, serene parks and gardens, lazy river cruises and death-defying rickshaw rides, fascinating museums and captivating history, temples and mosques to ease the soul, and tantalising musical and dance performances; all this and more awaits the adventurous traveler who dares to venture into this unique city.

Discover The Palm Beaches - where genuine hospitality is a way of life and breathtaking beauty occurs naturally. Beautiful beaches stretching 47 miles along the Atlantic Ocean, lakes and Everglades coupled with year-round warm weather attract visitors from around the world, and recreational pursuits are unmatched. The Palm Beaches are an exciting collection of 15 distinct districts with luxury resorts, boutique and trusted-brand hotels, innovative culinary landscapes, trendy shops and designer boutiques of world-wide fame, and where nightlife thrives year-round. Experience captivating culture, awesome outdoor adventure, great golf and exciting entertainment. Come alive in The Palm Beaches with our magical collection of small cities and towns that deliver . . . deliver the best way to experience Florida.

Casablanca is a heady mix of architecture treasures that glisten with gold in the sunshine and dusty, old buildings. A sprawling city that brims with a cosmopolitan flair, Casablanca is Morocco's largest city and most hectic port. Sitting on the country's Atlantic coast, it blends a frenetic lifestyle with stylish restaurants and vibrant shopping opportunities, opening up in a destination that slowly starts living up to its Western counterparts.

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.

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.