Beirut is the perfect destination for seasoned travellers: here, East and West intertwine in intricate ways, creating a city so magnetic that few are able to resist its powerful draw. Much has changed over the latter half of the twentieth century – Beirut rising to become glitterati central in the 60s but falling from grace during the bloody Civil War — but the city is alive and kicking, enticing travellers with superb gastronomy, the Middle East's most vibrant nightlife and close proximity to the ancient towns of Byblos and Baalbek.

The Blue Mountains get their name from the natural blue haze created by vast eucalypt forests in this World Heritage area. Tiny droplets of oil released from the trees mix with water vapour and sunlight to produce the distinctive colour. Enjoy crisp mountain air, beautiful panoramas, charming villages, one of the world’s oldest cave systems, and exhilarating adventures in the Blue Mountains, near Sydney. You can even see dinosaur trees in the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah. This is a great Australian escape and a natural wonder of the world.

Macau has a colourful palette and a plethora of sites despite occupying just 30.8sq km of the Chinese mainland. From neon-lit casinos to charming markets, cobbled streets to modern cafés, and Baroque churches to Art Deco architecture–there's a wonderful mix of East and West in the city. Thirty buildings and squares are UNESCO listed, and many reflect Macau's colonial Portuguese legacy–as does the food, laid-back lifestyle, and the blue azulejo-tiled street names. Yet Macau has a modern Asian look, rivalling Singapore and Hong Kong.

Situated amidst the 74 Whitsunday Islands of the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island offers an experience like no other: glorious weather, azure waters, brilliant beaches, wondrous coral reefs, unique flora and fauna, divine food and wines, and a buzzing calendar of special events. With its laid-back luxury and activities almost too numerous to mention, Hamilton is the next island in the Great Barrier Reef you should visit.