Краткое описание: The use of the term “Middle East” is almost as complex as the history of the region itself. The expression first appeared in English at the start of the 20th century and had replaced the term “Near East” by the middle of the century. In some languages, such as German or Russian, the region is still referred to as the “Near East:. In a cultural sense, the name “Middle East” can be used only in relation to the Arab world, but it’s generally also applied to the non-Arabic lands of Israel, Turkey and Iran. In terms of geography, ‘Middle East’ means primarily the Levant (the eastern shore of the Mediterranean) and the Persian Gulf States (the Arabian Peninsula, Iran and Iraq).

Краткое описание: Apart from a few logistical matters, your pretrip planning will consist of the pleasurable pastimes of tracking down a great read, surfing the Net to learn other travellers’ tales and the odd trip to your video store to find classic Middle Eastern movies. Most types of journey are possible regardless of your budget and can range from the highly active to lazing by the sea.

Краткое описание: On a crisp October evening, families crowd the Zocalo to look at tombstones. Rows of these mock monuments stand on a carpet of colored sawdust strewn with marigolds and painted skulls.

The world’s third largest urban area (by some estimates) fills a highland basin 2240 m above sea level, so you might already feel a bit light-headed upon arrival. Often described as a malevolent maelstrom of unbreathable air and rampant crime, the city nevertheless impresses visitors as a wonderfully weird and welcoming world, and captivates them with its year-round springlike climate, bubbling street life and abundant cultural offerings.

Краткое описание: Climbing a 1300-year-old Maya pyramid as parrots screech and howler monkeys growl in the sweaty emerald jungle around you. This is Mexico. Sliding from a palm-fringed sandy beach into the warm, turquoise waves of the Pacific. This, too, is Mexico. Dining on salmon enchiladas and chrysanthemum salad at a Mexico City fusion restaurant, dancing through the night at a high-energy Guadalajara nightclub, kayaking dawn past a colony of Baja California sea lions - all these are unique Mexican experiences.

Краткое описание: Mexican Spanish has evolved from that first significant encounter. Variations in grammar and pronunciation distinguish Mexican Spanish from the Castilian Spanish spoken in Spain.

Perhaps the most obvious distinguishing feature of Mexican Spanish its colloquial vocabulary that sets it apart from Castilian Spanish, as well as the forms of Spanish spoken in neighbouring Latin American countries.

Краткое описание: Melbourne, like its famed city laneways, is many layered. Brainy and industrious, imaginative and creative; cool and cliquey, welcoming and generous; resolutely urbane and irrevocably suburban. Melbourne’s contradictions are worth uncovering.

It’s a city that’s prolific in architecture, performance, live music and the visual arts. Life buzzes in its beautifully designed interior spaces: “culture and recreation” (substitute the word fun if you like) is the city’s largest industry.

Краткое описание: One of the most rewarding things about travelling around Mediterranean Europe is the rich variety of cuisine, customs, architecture and history. The flipside of course is that you’ll encounter a number of very different languages. Most languages spoken in Mediterranean Europe belong to what’s known as the Indo-European language family, believed to have originally developed from one language spoken thousands of years ago. Luckily for English speakers, most of these languages also use Roman script.

Краткое описание: As diverse as it is beautiful, Mediterranean Europe is a region for all tastes. It boasts golden beaches and snow-capped mountains, volcanoes, lakes and forests; it’s home to some of the most famous buildings in the Western world and to a large chunk of its combined art collection; the food is great and the wine unbeatable. Whether you want to swim, ski, surf or bungee jump you’ll find somewhere to do it.

Краткое описание: Malta is a traveller-friendly country that provides holidays options for people on all budgets, and allows for more than just warm-weather, beach-going vacations - there’s a good deal of history, culture and tradition to explore too, so a long weekend here in the low season could constitute a cheap and fun city break. The country is so small you could cover most of the highlights in just a few days.

Краткое описание: As if you needed another reason to go, travel to Mauritius, Reunion and Seychelles is exceptionally safe and easy. There are superb tourism infrastructures in each country, excellent planning resources online, a good level of English is spoken everywhere and the choice of activities, hotels and eating is hard to rival anywhere. Of course islands this beautiful are rarely free of crowds and development, so it’s important to read up on specific destinations to see if they’ll provide the kind of holiday you’re looking for - divers looking for social life and entertainment should avoid honeymooner magnets (and vice versa), while those looking to get away from crowds should steer clear of big resorts and head off the beaten path.