Vibrant Cities

Dynamic Shenzhen is an apt symbol of China’s impressive if sometimes uneven rush to embrace wealth. From humble village to bold metropolis in under 30 years, the city’s journey has been brash, dramatic and magnificent. With its natural blend of Chinese frontier spirit and frenetic entrepreneurialism, it has also become home to some of the most diverse and succulent cuisine you’ll find anywhere in China. And for the cash-strapped, the short hop across the border from Hong Kong at the Luohu crossing provides a gateway to China that is easily accessible and offers saving of at least 30% on international air taxes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The low-rise Gambian capital might not be as advanced of a visitor hub as one would, perhaps, expect from a city of such national significance, but it certainly boasts some raw appeal contained within its pulsating and – at times – rather hectic streets. Beyond Banjul proper lies the sprawling Serekunda – Gambia's most populous area – and the vacationer-favoured coastal settlements of Kololi, Bakau, Koto and Fajara.