Not without reason, Durham is regarded as a historical city with a fascinating history. With its numerous Heritage sites, Durham is considered, by many, the spiritual capital of northern England as well as one of its most beautiful and unspoilt medieval centres. The medieval city sits atop a craggy hill encircled on three sides by the River Wear. Its panoramic view of the Cathedral and Castle is a relic of the Norman conquest and described as ‘one of the finest architectural experiences of Europe’.

They all used to come here, from Coco Chanel and Ernst Hemingway to Frank Sinatra and the royals — Biarritz used to be the Monte Carlo of the Atlantic coast. But with time, the glamour faded. Thanks to windsurfing and other water sports, however, the charming city has rejuvenated. It is now the perfect destination for a relaxing weekend break, and there is no need to rush: the city is fairly small and you can easily see everything even on a short visit.

Once a peripheral backwater district, Langkawi has transformed into a major tourist destination, drawing visitors with its pristine tropical beaches and natural attractions. In 2008, the archipelago was aptly renamed 'Langkawi Permata Kedah', meaning 'Langkawi, the jewel of Kedah'. This name captures the essence of Langkawi — a true tropical paradise waiting to be explored.

Like so many of the towns and cities of Egypt, Hurghada, Luxor and Marsa Alam are living history museums. The three cities are positioned as corners of a triangle in the Eastern Desert. Hurghada, a former fishing harbour, stretches 24 kilometres along the waterfront and is the perfect area for water sports. Marsa Alam is found by the Red Sea coast and tourism is just starting to make an impact. The city of Luxor, with its jaw-droppingly beautiful monuments built by the hands of ancient craftsmen, lies 240 kilometres inland on the banks of the River Nile.