Located in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of the country, modern Dortmund is vibrant and cultural, known for its good shopping, beer and football. But there is another, altogether gentler, side to this former industrial powerhouse. Dortmund has great theatres and cultural centres, a range of fascinating museums and, with half the city given over to parks and gardens, enough green areas to sooth the senses.

Located in the deep south of France, Perpignan is the capital of the Pyrénées Orientales. Its geographical and cultural identity is directed naturally toward Spanish Catalonia since it's a border city, looking out onto the Mediterranean coast and the highest mountains of the French Pyrenees at once. Perpignan is a busy place greatly influenced by Mediterranean cultures and benefiting from 2,500 hours of sun per year. No wonder Salvador Dali saw it as the “Centre of the World”.

Sitting in the heart of the Kansai region is Osaka, the third-largest city in Japan. It could be the proximity to Korea, China, and the coast that has made it become known as the "Kitchen of Japan". Osaka's people have a true zest for life. They promote a casual ambience and are slightly, unconventionally boisterous. Osaka is regenerating, now recognising its past beauty and working hard to re-establish it. This stimulating city is now more than ever a must-see.

Cagayan de Oro is a modern, multi-cultural city located on the northern shores of Mindanao Island in the Philippines. It boasts gourmet restaurants, fine hotels, and is known as the shopping capital of the island. Dubbed 'the city of golden friendship' because of the hospitable nature of the Kagayanons, Cagayan de Oro always offers a special welcome to visitors from all over the world.

The Cap-Vert Peninsula sticks out westward into the Atlantic Ocean, reaching from the Old World to the New, harbouring the westernmost city on the African mainland: Dakar. A city that represents Africa's development better than almost any other, Dakar boasts the comforts and luxuries of modern living, while firmly keeping a grasp on its history and traditions. The bustling markets of downtown are juxtaposed with the laid-back pace of Île de Gorée and the surrounding beaches, making a visit to Dakar a fascinating experience of contrasts.