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.

Краткое описание: St Lucia lives up to the ideal of a Caribbean paradise, not least for its glorious array of honey-coloured and black volcanic sand beaches, translucent turquoise waters and sheltering reefs swarming with vibrant tropical fish. Despite development that has taken place over the past decade – which has resulted in some top-notch facilities – the island’s feel remains decidedly laid-back, with little of the jaded hustle that can mar more established Caribbean destinations. It all makes for a relaxed, friendly and incredibly beautiful place to visit.

Краткое описание: It was the immense changes that the twentieth century imposed upon the tiny city state of Singapore that transformed it from a sleepy colonial backwater into the bustling, futuristic shrine to consumerism that is so familiar today. This is a city in permanent flux: cranes peep from above the skyline like watchful meerkats and fresh skyscrapers and shopping complexes rise up at a scarcely believable rate. Yet visitors prepared to peer beneath its ultra - modern surface will still discover dusty temples, fragrant medicinal shops and colonial buildings, and enduring values and traditions.

Краткое описание: One of America’s most beautiful cities, San Francisco sits on a fog-capped, hilly peninsula bounded by the shimmering waters of San Francisco Bay to the east and the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean to the west. Whether you’re drawn in by the natural setting, or the free-spirited, nonconformist ways for which the city is also famous, you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied once there.

Краткое описание: Rome is arguably the most fascinating city in the world, an ancient place packed with the relics of over two thousand years of habitation. You could spend a month here and still only scratch the surface. Yet it is so much more than an open-air museum – its people, its culture, its food, make up a modern and vibrant city that would be worthy of a visit irrespective of its history.

Краткое описание: Most people come to Prague because they’ve heard it’s a beautiful place, and they’re rarely disappointed. With some six hundred years of architecture virtually untouched by natural disaster or war, few other European capitals look as good. The city retains much of its medieval layout and its rich mantle of Baroque, Rococo and Art Nouveau buildings have successfully escaped the vanities and excesses of postwar redevelopment.