A dreamscape located in the heart of Blue Ridge Mountains in Western-North Carolina, Banner Elk is a favorite destination for countless individuals and families seeking fun in the outdoors. The “ski capital of the South” offers a plenty of open air activities such as fishing, rafting, horseback riding, hiking, golfing and—of course—skiing. Banner Elk also presents a climate that accommodates every itinerary, spanning the Blue Ridge and Grandfather Mountains, picturesque communities, fine restaurants, and speciality shopping.

Shanghai is the shiniest gem in modern China’s jewel box. It’s a hip, contemporary city that’s charging into the future with all the energy of its famous Maglev train. Yet if you veer away from the sleek highways and glitzy shopping streets you can still stumble upon a more traditional Shanghai, with all its character and flavour. In the tiny back streets, wet-market vendors peddle their wares - buckets of bright green vegetables, fish flapping in shallow plastic bowls and heaps of crayfish crawling over each other.

With glass skyscrapers that reflect the bustle of daily life, magnificent buildings such as the Emirates Palace, its lively souqs, excellent restaurants and long stretches of white beaches lapped by the crystal clear waters of the Gulf, Abu Dhabi is a city of outstanding contrasts. The throbbing heart of the city lies 250 metres off-shore on an island linked to the mainland by the Al Maqtaa Bridge and Mussafah Bridge. Home to the respected Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation and the Al Hosn Palace museum, along with numerous venues for the arts, the wealthy city is the cultural as well as commercial hub of the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

With golden sand, cool water, and a gentle sea breeze, the second largest of the Canary Islands attracts huge numbers of sun-worshippers and water sports enthusiasts. The island itself has much more to offer, from barren desert scenery and fascinating volcanoes to colourful and characterful towns and pleasant harbour promenades.