Краткое описание: Crete is a great deal more than just another Greek island. Much of the time, especially in the cities or along the developed north coast, it doesn’t feel like an island at all, but a substantial land in its own right. Which of course it is – a mountainous, wealthy and at times surprisingly cosmopolitan one with a tremendous and unique history. There are two big cities, Iráklion and Haniá, a host of sizeable, historic towns, and an island culture which is uniquely Cretan: the Turks were in occupation little over a hundred years ago, and the Greek flag was raised for the first time only in 1913.

Краткое описание: Sitting squarely in the middle of America, surrounded by hundreds of miles of pancake-flat prairies, Chicago is, in many ways, the last great American city. Having come of age during the industrial age – the grain, lumber, meatpacking, steel and railroad trades all took turns dominating the economic landscape – Chicago’s blue-collar roots still shine through, with all the can-do attitude of a small town, the ambition and diversity of a dynamic metropolis, and a distinct lack of pretension throughout.

Краткое описание: Few regions of the world have been as idealized and mythologized as California – and yet it seldom fails to live up to the hype. The glamour, surf beaches and near-endless sun of LA and the Southern California coast are rightly celebrated, but from here you’re only a few hours’ drive from majestic snowy mountains, Wild West ghost towns, barren deserts pocked with Joshua trees and even ski resorts. Up the coast, boutique wine regions mix with primeval forests, wild seascapes and the sophistication of San Francisco and the Bay Area.

Краткое описание: Boston is as close to the Old World as the New World gets, an American city that proudly trades on its colonial past, having served a crucial role in the country’s development from a few wayward pilgrims right through to the Revolutionary War. It occasionally takes this a bit too far – what’s a faded relic anywhere else becomes a plaque-honoured tourist site here – but none of it detracts from the city’s overriding historic charm, nor from its present-day energy.

Краткое описание: This Central American eco-pioneer may be petite, but it offers a huge range of extraordinary experiences: snorkel the longest Barrier Reef in the Americas; dive the inky depths of the Blue Hole; and embark on thigh-aching treks up soaring Maya pyramids. And, while geographically Belize is Central American, at heart it’s Caribbean – offering a unique blend of both cultures.

Краткое описание: Beijing is China at its most dynamic: a vivid metropolis spiked with high-rises, changing and growing at a furious, unfettered pace. Yet this forward-looking capital of the world’s newest superpower is also where, for a thousand years, the drama of China’s imperial history was played out, with the emperor sitting enthroned at the centre of the Chinese universe. Though Beijing is a very different city today, it still remains spiritually and politically the heart of the nation. Shanghai and Hong Kong may be where the money is, but it’s Beijing that pulls the strings, and its lure is irresistible to many Chinese, who come here to fulfil dreams of success in business, politics or the arts.

Краткое описание: The headlong pace and flawed modernity of Bangkok match few people’s visions of the capital of exotic Siam. Spiked with scores of high-rise buildings of concrete and glass, it’s a vast flatness which holds a population of at least nine million, and feels even bigger. But under the shadow of the skyscrapers you’ll find a heady mix of chaos and refinement, of frenetic markets and hushed golden temples, of early-morning alms-giving ceremonies and ultra-hip designer boutiques.

Краткое описание: Argentina is a vast land: even without the titanic wedge of Antarctica that the authorities like to include in the national territory, it ranks as one of the world’s largest countries. The mainland points down from the Tropic of Capricorn like a massive stalactite, tapering towards the planet’s most southerly extremities. Consequently, the country encompasses a staggering diversity of landscapes, ranging from the hot and humid jungles of the Northeast and the bone-dry highland steppes of the Northwest, via the fertile Pampas and windswept Patagonia, to the end-of-the-world archipelago of Tierra del Fuego.

Краткое описание: Founded 1500 years ago on a cluster of mudflats in the centre of the lagoon, Venice rose to become Europe’s main trading post between the West and the East, and at its height controlled an empire that extended from the Dolomites to Cyprus. The melancholic air of the place is in part a product of the discrepancy between the grandeur of its history and what the city has become.

Краткое описание: Despite glorious weather and a variety of landscapes that attract four million tourists every year, Tenerife has an image problem. Thanks to package tourism, the entire island is assumed to be a playground for rowdy holiday-makers, content to spend lazy days on the beach and drink-fuelled nights in the bars and if this is what you’re after, you won’t be disappointed. But get off the beaten track and you’ll discover spectacular volcanic scenery, elegant resorts and peaceful Spanish towns. And with the island measuring just 86km long and 56km wide, everywhere is a possible day-trip.