Stunning Himalayan vistas, big-city bustle, centuries-old temples, an array of vibrant colours, intoxicating aromas and friendly smiles all come together in the eclectic metropolis that is Kathmandu. Nepal's capital is an emerging cosmopolitan city, yet it remains steeped in cultural, artistic and religious traditions. Kathmandu offers visitors an assortment of unique sights and experiences. Independent travellers and trekking groups alike will find no shortage of things to do.

"The city in its setting and entire surroundings may be said to have something ideal." (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1797). Scarcely any other European city has had its praises so often sung as Heidelberg. The mysterious Heidelberg Castle, the picturesque Old Town, and as Goethe himself stated, the perfection of its setting – in the nineteenth century, all of this attracted the German romanticists, who immortalized Heidelberg in poetry, music, and art. Today the charm of Old Heidelberg is combined with a future-oriented and international focus.

High on the southern tip of Corsica, only a few kilometres across the water from Sardinia lies the medieval town of Bonifacio. Shimmering sea, steep white limestone cliffs and fine sand add to the resplendent natural landscape here. The warmth of the climate is mirrored in that of the inhabitants and much like the thousands of visitors that pass through every year, they remain enamoured with this city steeped in history.

Rose fragrance fills the air in Taif, a scenic Saudi town whose fertile lands are dotted with abundant rose and fruit orchards. Nestled amidst the Shafa Mountain range not far from Mecca, Taif was once a major commercial hub for the Arabian Peninsula. Today, it has evolved into a popular summer retreat, boasting excellent infrastructure, breathtaking natural beauty, and a mild climate that offers a refreshing contrast to much of Saudi Arabia.