Asia

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a country located in the Arabian Peninsula facing out into the Persian Gulf. Cities in the UAE have certainly come a long way from the humble fishing villages they once were. After the discovery of petrol under the hot sandy soil during the mid-20th century, the city of Dubai decided to team up with six other neighbouring emirates to secure the region’s prosperity. Today, the UAE boasts luxurious metropolises such as Sharjah and Dubai, as well as its dazzling capital, Abu Dhabi. Make your way along the capital’s seafront Corniche as you saunter towards the Emirates Palace, a truly mesmerising gem of a building that dominates the Abu Dhabi coastline. Further up the coast is Dubai, a blend of beach, city and desert. Down by the water there are a number of adrenaline-packed activities to partake in, such as jet-skiing or flyboarding at JBR beach. Out in the desert you can go sandboarding, quad biking and even rent out a hot air balloon for a special occasion. The nearby city of Sharjah is so close to Dubai that the two are adjacent. Although Sharjah is Dubai’s often overlooked neighbour, it truly has very much to offer. Admire the Al Noor Mosque in all its splendour by the shimmering waters of the Persian Gulf or head to the Al-Qasba area and go for a ride on the Eye of the Emirates Wheel.

Georgia, called Sakartvelo by its citizens, quickly began appearing on travel bucket lists. Tbilisi, the capital, started topping the charts with nightlife comparable to Berlin's. Although the secret is out, Georgia’s allure remains strong: Tsminda Sameba Church in Stepantsminda (Kazbegi), set dramatically against Mount Kazbek glaciers, is the stuff of travel daydreams. The entire country beckons with outdoor pursuits among lush, pristine nature. The revamped Black Sea resort city of Batumi comes alive with vacationers during the summer, enticing with wine (in the drink’s alleged country of birth) and peerless cuisine.