Краткое описание: A country jealously guarding its cultural heritage and fragile ecology from the onslaughts of Western consumerism, the Maldives is almost exclusively a place for the package tourist. Despite most independent travellers’ worst fears, coming on a package offers the best value for money, the easiest organisation and generally promotes preferential treatment - this is the way the Maldives is set up and everyone from the government to the resorts prefers you to travel this way.

Краткое описание: Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei have travel possibilities to suit all budgets. Getting around much of the region is a breeze thanks to its excellent transport infrastructure. You will only need to make more-detailed preparations for Malaysian Borneo because of the remoteness of certain locations and the cost and time involved in getting to these more remote locations.

Краткое описание: No city on earth is more alive than Madrid, a beguiling place whose sheer energy carries a simple message: this is one city which really knows how to live.

Madrid is a city that becomes truly great once you get to know its unique barrios. There you’ll discover that Madrid is an idea, a diverse city whose contradictory impulses are legion. Spain’s capital is a wonderful city year-round, but you’ll especially appreciate being here when the weather’s warm and the kaleidoscopic variety of life Madrid-style courses through the streets or takes up residence in the city’s plazas.

Краткое описание: They don’t make places like Madagascar any more - and they never did, for la Grande lie is like nowhere else on earth. Cast adrift from Africa about 165 million years ago, its cargo of strange animals and plants has been evolving in isolation ever since. Most famous are the acrobatic lemurs and bizarre chameleons, but the island’s extraordinary plants include forests of spiny “octopus” trees and bottle-shaped baobabs.

Краткое описание: Sprawled endlessly along the magical banks of the Thames, London has been a beacon for people around the world for centuries, seamlessly absorbing their colourful influences while remaining quintessentially British.

It’s a trick not every city can pull off and yet London has been excelling at the same game for almost a thousand years. Immigrants, the city’s life blood, continue to pour in, providing London with a constantly self-renewing source of energy and dynamism, while the increasingly confident Mayor of London continues to give a much needed local focus to solving the city’s problems, something he’s been doing with not inconsiderable success.

Краткое описание: Obtaining a Libyan visa - an invitation from a Libyan tour company is required and travel inside Libya is only possible in the company of a Libyan guide - is what most occupies the minds of travellers before they get on the plane. The visa process is not, however, as complicated as it first appears and the requirements of escorted travel in Libya do have some advantages. For a start, Libya is a vast country and having a local fixer to arrange hotels, transport and other logistics enables you to see far more of the country than would otherwise be possible. Many tour operators are quite flexible

Краткое описание: After years of war and isolation, Southeast Asia’s most pristine environment, intact cultures and quite possibly the most chilled-out people on earth mean destination Laos is fast earning cult status among travellers.

Laos is developing quickly but still has much of the tradition that has disappeared in a frenzy of bulldozers, concrete and reality TV elsewhere in the region. Village life is refreshingly simple and even in Vientiane it’s hard to believe this sort of languid riverfront life exists in a national capital. Then, of course, there is the historic royal city of Luang Prabang, where watching as hundreds of saffron-robed monks move silently among centuries-old monasteries is as romantic a scene as you’ll experience anywhere in Asia.

Краткое описание: “The next Provence” is the buzz on the street, much to the glee of the region’s battalion of English-speaking estate agents, armed with a drop-dead- gorgeous portfolio of old stone mas (farmhouse) cradled between vines, terraced maisons de village - shutters bleached by the fierce Mediterranean sun - and bijou beach apartments, all on the market for a snip of the St-Tropez, Chianti or Brighton price tag.

Though precisely where this low-key neighbour to fat-cat Provence is, snug against the flamingo- and cowboy-specked delta of the River Rhone to the east and Pyrenean peaks soaring west into Andorra and Spain, not so many know.

Краткое описание: Kyoto is a city of secrets. Thousands of secrets. Hidden behind ancient walls, down tiny alleyways, under layers of gesture and artifice. Myriad pockets of incredible beauty that reveal themselves to those willing to see and discover.

The joy of travelling in Kyoto is the quest, the pleasure of uncovering that perfect Zen garden, or happening upon a quiet temple at dawn and catching the monks chanting. Of mustering the courage to slide open the door to an unfamiliar restaurant and being rewarded with the perfect bowl of noodles.

Краткое описание: Malaysia is one of the easiest countries in Southeast Asia for international travellers - English is widely spoken, good accommodation is easy to find, restaurants serve up some of the finest food in Asia and locals are used to dealing with people from all over the world. Kuala Lumpur, Melaka and Penang have hotels, restaurants, attractions and transport options to suit all budgets. Kuala Lumpur is the main international hub for Malaysia, though a few international flights go directly to Penang. Getting from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka or Penang is a breeze with plentiful and inexpensive buses, trains and flights.