World Tourism Spots

Limestone cliffs dropping straight into turquoise water, with island-hopping longtail boats leaving from Ao Nang every morning.

Insider tip: Book the Maya Bay trip for the first boat out — by mid-morning the bay fills up with day-trippers.

Rice terraces, temple ceremonies and jungle cafés in Ubud, then clifftop sunsets and surf breaks down south in Uluwatu.

Insider tip: Traffic between the two is slow — split your stay rather than day-tripping from one base.

Nearly two thousand jungle-topped karst islands rising out of emerald water — best seen on an overnight junk cruise.

Insider tip: Lan Ha Bay, next door, sees fewer boats and feels far wilder for the same price.

Over a thousand temples, wooden machiya lanes in Gion and the vermilion torii tunnel of Fushimi Inari.

Insider tip: Walk Fushimi Inari's upper trail at sunrise — most visitors turn back after the first gates.

Japan's iconic volcano reflected in the Fuji Five Lakes, with hot-spring towns in Hakone an hour away.

Insider tip: Fuji hides behind cloud most afternoons — plan viewpoints for early morning.

The world's largest religious monument, surrounded by jungle temples like Ta Prohm and the face towers of Bayon.

Insider tip: A 3-day pass is worth it — the smaller temples are where the atmosphere is.

Futuristic Supertrees, the Cloud Forest dome and a skyline that lights up every evening for the free Spectra show.

Insider tip: Hawker centres like Lau Pa Sat serve Michelin-listed food for a few dollars.

A duty-free island of rainforest, mangrove kayaking and the SkyBridge hanging about 660 m above sea level.

Insider tip: Rent a car or scooter — taxis add up quickly and the island is easy to drive.

Tea-country trains over the Nine Arch Bridge, hikes to Little Adam's Peak, and the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya.

Insider tip: The Kandy–Ella train sells out; reserve seats a few weeks ahead or ride unreserved for the views.

Overwater villas, house reefs you can snorkel from the beach, and manta and whale-shark encounters.

Insider tip: Local islands like Maafushi offer guesthouses at a fraction of resort prices.

Lakeside town with the Annapurna range on its doorstep — the gateway to Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp treks.

Insider tip: Sarangkot at dawn gives the classic Himalayan panorama without a multi-day trek.

Royal palaces next to neon shopping streets, late-night street food at Gwangjang Market and hanbok walks through Bukchon.

Insider tip: Wearing hanbok gets you free entry to the royal palaces.

The Burj Khalifa, old-Dubai souks across the creek by abra, and dune drives into the desert at sunset.

Insider tip: An abra ride across the creek costs one dirham and is the best view of old Dubai.

The rose-red city carved into canyon walls, then a night under the stars in Wadi Rum's Mars-like desert.

Insider tip: Hike to the Monastery late afternoon when the tour groups have gone.

Hot-air balloons drifting over fairy chimneys, cave hotels and underground cities carved thousands of years ago.

Insider tip: Balloon flights are weather-dependent — schedule them early in your stay so you can reschedule.

Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar, with ferries crossing between Europe and Asia on the Bosphorus.

Insider tip: Public ferries cost the same as a metro ride and beat any sightseeing cruise.

The Gergeti Trinity Church framed by snowcapped Mount Kazbek, three hours from Tbilisi's sulphur baths and wine bars.

Insider tip: Take the Georgian Military Road by day — the views of the Caucasus are the point of the trip.

A walled medieval old city beside the glowing Flame Towers, with mud volcanoes and petroglyphs at Gobustan nearby.

Insider tip: Visit Yanar Dag, the burning hillside, after dark for the full effect.

A leafy city under the Tian Shan mountains, with a turquoise glacial lake and the Charyn Canyon a day trip away.

Insider tip: Take the Medeu–Shymbulak cable car for alpine views within 30 minutes of the city.

Between two lakes with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau above — trains climb to Europe's highest railway station.

Insider tip: A regional pass pays off fast if you plan more than two mountain excursions.

Whitewashed villages spilling down a volcanic caldera, black-sand beaches and famous Oia sunsets.

Insider tip: Watch sunset from Imerovigli or Firostefani to skip the Oia crowds with the same view.

The Louvre, Montmartre's lanes, riverside picnics on the Seine and a café on every corner.

Insider tip: Several museums, including the Musée d'Orsay, are free on the first Sunday of the month — expect queues.

Pastel towns like Positano and Ravello clinging to cliffs above the sea, linked by ferries and a legendary coastal road.

Insider tip: Use the ferries between towns — the road is beautiful but jams badly in summer.

Waterfalls, glacier lagoons, black-sand beaches and geysers — all reachable on one road around the island.

Insider tip: Weather changes by the hour; check road conditions every morning before driving.

Glens, lochs and castles along the North Coast 500, plus the Isle of Skye's dramatic ridges.

Insider tip: Carry midge repellent in summer — locals will tell you it's not optional.

The Great Migration's river crossings, big cats on the open plains and some of Africa's best game drives.

Insider tip: Early-morning drives see the most predator activity — it's worth the 5:30 wake-up.

Table Mountain above the city, penguins at Boulders Beach and the Cape Winelands an hour inland.

Insider tip: The cable car closes in high wind — go up on the first clear morning you get.

Lagoons ringed by coral reef, the seven-coloured earth of Chamarel and a strong Indian heritage in food and festivals.

Insider tip: The east coast stays breezier and cooler — ideal for the warmer months.

Glacier-fed Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, the Icefields Parkway and wildlife sightings from the roadside.

Insider tip: Moraine Lake is closed to private cars — book the Parks Canada shuttle early.

Central Park, Broadway, world-class museums and a different neighbourhood feel on every subway stop.

Insider tip: The Staten Island Ferry is free and passes the Statue of Liberty.

The Inca citadel on a ridge above the Urubamba valley, reached by the classic Inca Trail or scenic train.

Insider tip: Entry tickets are timed and limited — buy them before you book trains.

The world's largest coral reef system, with day trips from Cairns and the Whitsunday Islands' Whitehaven Beach.

Insider tip: Stinger suits are standard in the warmer months — reputable operators provide them.

The adventure capital — bungy, jet boats and ski fields — with day trips to the fjords of Milford Sound.

Insider tip: Milford Sound is spectacular in the rain; waterfalls appear everywhere.