The Place:

Siem Reap is the capital city of Siem Reap Province in northwestern Cambodia, and is the gateway to Angkor region. Siem Reap has colonial and Chinese-style architecture in the Old French Quarter, and around the Old Market. In the city, there are traditional Apsara dance performances, craft shops, silk farms, rice-paddy countryside, fishing villages and a bird sanctuary near the Tonle Sap Lake.

Get to:

There are a number of flight options to Siem Reap, both on low cost airlines as well as full fledged carriers either via Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.

The Place:

Situated in the country’s far southwestern corner, Cape Town is a fairly compact city lying on a narrow peninsula. It’s western and eastern shores are separated by a spinal ridge of mountains, of which Table mountain is the most dramatic. Fondly referred to as the Mother City, Cape Town is one the few cities in the world where Mother Nature rubs shoulders with modern high –rise buildings. It’s also a city of cultural contrasts where you can wine and dine in some of the country’s best restaurants or explore the colorful cultures found in the Bo-Kaap.
With the changing political climate, it is now regarded as one of the safest destination to visit.

Get to:

There are good flight connections either direct or indirect via Dubai or Johannesburg

What to Do

Summer temperatures in December to February range from around 15 to 27 degrees Celsius (60-80 Degrees Fahrenheit), whilst in the winter months of June to August average temperatures is between 7 to 20 Degree Celsius (45-70 Degrees Farhenheit)

If you want a real Cape Town beach holiday and don't mind competing with the masses, December to early January is when to go. It is school holidays and the festive season so South African families descend on Cape Town where they are joined by visitors from around the world.

The best time to visit Cape Town is probably late January to March. The wind dies down and so does the hysteria - less mayhem, more space, with Cape Town still offering blue skies and sunshine.

Its appeal lies mainly in the variety of sporting activities offered by its coastal location, especially water sports, but also mountain climbing and hang gliding, and in the presence of places of interest such as Two Oceans Aquarium, or notable sights such as Table Mountain or Cape of Good Hope.

There are things to do and see in Cape Town for all sorts of people. There are more than enough open spaces and natural places for the wild at heart to explore, from Cape Point to Kirstenbosch Gardens. Those interested in history will be fascinated by Robben Island and the District Six Museum, the adrenalin junkies can find plenty of action and adventure, the shoppers will love the V&A Waterfront and everyone will revel in the laidback mood on Cape Town's streets.

Not to miss is the Boulders Beach, home to African penguins!! Its is just down the road from Simons Town on the False Bay coast, so not only is the water is a little warmer and the scenery stunning, but you'll find an interesting wildlife relationship in action: here it's the penguins who rule and the people who make way for their diminutive neighbours. But for a truly memorable view of these endemic birds, take to the boardwalks that lead you over the dunes and vegetation and thread their way through the noisy, bustling colony of birds

The Western Cape knows how to put on a spread. If you're a connoisseur of excellent food and wines - or even if you're an enthusiastic fan - set out on one of the Cape's famous wine routes, where you'll find plenty of culinary delights too.

Travel out of Cape Town and you have a number of choices. The Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl wine regions can be covered in a day but really deserve a little more dedication. Then there are the farms that lie out Hermanus/Elgin way, and finally Route 62 - the longest wine route in the world.

You can even take a drive on the famous garden route, one of the most spectacular scenic roads from Cape Town to Knysna and visit the Ostrich farm or have the opportunity of walking with the leopards.

The Place:

The Cappadocian Region located in the center of the Anatolian Peninsula, with its valley, canyon, hills and unusual rock formation created as a result of the eroding rains and winds of thousands of years of the level, lava-covered plain located between the volcanic mountains Erciyes, Melendiz and Hasan as well as its troglodyte dwellings carved out of the rock and cities dug out into underground, presents an otherworldly appearance.
The eruptions of these mountains which were active volcanoes in geological times lasted until 2 million years ago. A soft tuff layer was formed, 150 m in thickness, by the issuing lavas in the valley surrounded by mountains. The rivers, flood water running down the hillsides of valleys and strong winds eroded the geological formations consisting of tuff on the plateau formed with tuff layers, thus creating bizarre shapes called fairy Chimneys. These take on the names of mushroom shaped, pinnacled, capped and conic shaped formations.

In the prehistoric periods the first human settlements have begun and the humans have constructed the underground cities in the volcanic rocks in form of tufa due to protect themselves from the wild animals and they lived for long times in these underground cities. Today most of these caves have been converted to modern hotels.

Get To:

By Air The fastest and most comfortable way of reaching Cappadocia is using the airway. There are two main airports that you can use to reach Cappadocia. One of them is Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR) located in Kayseri and nearly one hour driving to the center of Cappadocia region. Turkish Airlines operates several direct (nonstop) flights from Istanbul Atatürk Airport (IST) to Kayseri Erkilet Airport. There are also daily flights from Izmir into Kayseri via Istanbul. It's easy to arrange a transfer or shuttle bus from Kayseri Airport to Cappadocia.

By Road Most of the bus companies have bus services to Nevsehir and Göreme. By bus; Istanbul-12 hours, Ankara-5 hours, Bursa-11 hours, Izmir-12 hours, Konya -4 hours, Antalya - 9 hours.

What to Do

Moving around Cappadocia will set you back in times as you wander through the pigeon valley, a walk through the Zelve Open Air Museum or a visit to the pasabag’s fairy chimneys. If this is not enough, you can visit one of the two larger underground cities where in the prehistoric periods, the first human settlements had begun with the construction of the underground cities in the volcanic rocks in form of tufa due to protect themselves from the wild animals and raiders.

For a bit of excitement and adventure, do not omit the hot air balloon ride where you can see the deep canyons, valleys and fairy chimneys from the air

The Place:

There’s a reason the sun shines on New Zealand before anywhere else – every new day in Aotearoa is something to cherish! Small, remote and thinly populated, yes, but NZ punches well above its weight with its outlandish scenery, fabulous festivals, superb food, wine and magical outdoor experiences

Equally impressive is NZ’s potent, mainstream Maori culture.

This is a country that recognizes and celebrates its indigenous people – the world is a kinder, gentler, more respectful place down here! And while the fanfare surrounding the Lord of the Rings trilogy is waning, visiting the real-life Middle-earth still has a geeky allure - LOTR director Peter Jackson's filmmaking prowess still holds Wellington (aka ‘Wellywood’) in its thrall.

That’s contemporary NZ in a nutshell! You’re in for an awesome trip. Back home on the couch, your memories will drift from rampaging outdoor activities to world-class food, wine and beer (oh, especially the wine and beer), and chilled-out locals. But your most sparkling recollections will come courtesy of NZ’s natural splendour – there are few countries on this lonely planet as diverse, unspoiled and utterly, utterly photogenic.

Ideally, the best way to explore NZ is by self drive car. Let this not give you jitters since the roads are so deserted that you would feel they are made only for you. Having said that, if self drive is not your cup of tea, you can always travel by air or by motor coaches

We would like to recommend the following places which we feel you cannot miss out. We have also suggested the minimum period of stay at each of these places.

Auckland’s a city of volcanoes, with the ridges of lava flows forming its main thoroughfares and its many cones providing islands of green within the sea of suburbs. As well as being by far the largest, it’s the most multicultural of NZ’s cities. A sizable Asian community rubs shoulders with the biggest Polynesian population of any city in the world.

Activities:
• As the home of bungee jumping and jet boating, New Zealand has long been a mecca for thrill-seeking travellers. Adrenaline aficionados are usually drawn to Queenstown’s South Island adventure hub, but cosmopolitan Auckland on the country’s North Island also offers opportunities to experience an authentic Kiwi
• Are they mad? Where are the handrails?’ With a sheer 192-metre drop on either side, the SkyWalk around Auckland’s Sky Tower is a heart-stopping way to take in one of the world’s great harbour cities. Auckland’s narrow isthmus between the Manuaku and Waitemata harbours is laid out before SkyWalkers in a spectacle that effortlessly trumps Google Earth’s virtual make-believe.
• Experience Auckland’s love affair with yachting without getting your feet wet. The wide-open black sand expanse of Muriwai Beach on Auckland’s rugged west coast is the venue for a uniquely New Zealand form of land yachting.
• Concealed in the dense forests above Auckland’s west coast beaches, the Blue Canyon’s progression of cascades and natural swimming pools culminates with the challenge of abseiling down a 25-metre waterfall.
• Repainting Auckland’s harbour bridge apparently takes around 12 years, and for some adrenaline fans, the wait to bungee jump from its iconic arches may seem just as long.
• Rising smoothly from the Hauraki Gulf, the forested slopes of Rangitoto Island are an iconic feature of Auckland’s waterfront. The city’s youngest volcano – reckoned to be around 700 years old – is best reached on a twilight sea kayaking expedition with Ferg’s Kayaks.

Breathe in the sulphur-rich air of Rotorua and you’ve already got a taste of NZ’s most dynamic thermal area with spurting geysers, steaming hot springs and exploding mud pools. The Maori revered this place, naming one of the most spectacular springs Wai-O-Tapu (Sacred Waters). Today 35% of the population is Maori, with their cultural performances and traditional hangi as big an attraction as the landscape itself.

Activities: Despite the pervasive eggy odour, ‘Sulphur City’ is one of the most touristed spots on the North Island with nearly three million visitors annually, bringing with them an energy and excitement typical of a true resort town.
• Polynesian spa offers a choice of 26 hot mineral bathing pools and an enticing array of spa therapies.The Lake Spa is Polynesian Spa's deluxe bathing and relaxation haven.
• Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park has been a favourite destination since 1932. Spread over 22 acres of parkland, Rainbow Springs offers a truely unique experience, and is a must-see for anyone who wants to get to know New Zealand’s wonderful environment and animals, both during the day and at night. Your ticket allows unlimited entry for 24 hours so there is no additional charge to visit the nocturnal animals.
• Waimangu Volcanic Valley and its Lake Rotomahana is the 'must do' experience that you can't go past. In geological terms, Waimangu was created this morning! Experience Frying Pan Lake, the world's largest hot water spring; Inferno Crater with its mysterious geyser action; and Cathedral Rocks which vent billowing clouds of steam and more.
• Come rafting with Raftabout and enjoy the scenery, culture, history and the beautiful environment of our New Zealand Rivers, including nature and wildlife.

Queenstown, New Zealand, is the Southern Hemisphere’s premier four season lake and alpine resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains and nestled on the shores of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown’s stunning scenery is inspiring and revitalising.

Activities:
With such a huge range of activities in Queenstown, no two days will ever be the same.
• Heli Tours will take you for a short scenic helicopter flight over beautiful Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains where you'll experience...
• Whitewater bodyboarding on the mighty Kawarau River with the inventors and pioneers of 'riversurfing'. The ultimate pro-active adventure. Learn how to run rapids, surf standing waves, squirt underwater, ride whirlpools...
• Your visit to Queenstown just wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the World Home of Bungy. Located only 20 minutes drive from Queenstown this is where commercial Bungy started.
• Take an exhilarating Tandem Paragliding flight from the top of the Skyline Gondola. An adrenalised flying trip or a relaxed sightseeing tour - its your choice.
• Queenstown’s only dedicated Hot Pool complex located at the bottom of Coronet Peak Ski Field. Unwind. Indulge. Invigorate.
• From grandkids to grandparents - the Skyline Luge is a fun filled gravity ride for all ages and abilities! Choose from two tracks - scenic or advanced.
• Travel along N.Z's most scenic highway with the locals who are the specialists of the area. Feel the movies come alive as you visit Lord of the Rings and Wolverine...
• Cromwell is the Goldfields Mining Centre and is the original site of a 19th Century gold strike. The site, at which gold was discovered in the 1860s, was mined for over a hundred...
• World famous as the ultimate jet boat experience, Shotover Jet has thrilled over 3 million people since 1970, and now it’s your turn! Take a unique breathtaking ride through dramatic...
• Can’t wait to skate? Take to the ice at Queenstown’s only ice arena located just a short walk from the town centre in the iconic Queenstown Gardens. Recent renovations have...
• Adored by locals, The Peak’s easily accessable rollercoaster terrain embraces every level of skier and rider.
• Once again you can experience the magic aboard the Kingston Flyer Vintage Steam train. The old girl billows smoke and hisses steam along 14kms of rail
• Discover a unique new sensation that's fantastic fun! Riding an eco-friendly Segway Personal Transporter (PT) is quite a unique experience.
• A challenging Golf course set amongst the natural contours of the landscape providing an awesome golfing experience under a spectacular mountainous backdrop.
• It's Wine Time" Amisfield is a specialist producer of award winning wine and globally renowned for not only the wine but also the multi award winning country style bistro
• Take a scenic flight with Air Fiordland to iconic Milford Sound. Flying over the Southern Alps from Queenstown to Milford is awe-inspiring.
• Lady luck calls you to casino. Try your luck at one of the many casinos
• Settle in for the evening at a cosy wine bar or a friendly pub, or gear up and go bar-hopping in central Queenstown, discovering the best and busiest clubs on the way. Queenstown bars and clubs often have live music and DJs as well as great drink specials.
• You're spoilt for choice when dining out in Queenstown, with a wide selection of top restaurants to choose from.

The Place:

Zermatt is surrounded by a range of fabulous mountains, among which the highest of Switzerland: Monte Rosa, but it is famous for the Matterhorn. It was one of the last alpine mountains to be conquered (in 1865), and the first expedition that reached the top ended dramatically (only 3 of the 7 climbers survived).
If you've never experienced a car-free city of any size then Zermatt could be a bit of a surprise: during the high season nearly 20,000 people living in a town with only 5 or 6 streets and more significantly almost no internal combustion vehicles except very occasional outside delivery and specialist services. This means that you can leave a noisy bar or party, and a few minutes later on foot find yourself in utter tranquility. You can sit on the hotel balcony and listen to dozens of varieties of songbirds while watching the sun set on one of the most striking mountains in the western world. Wake up with the sun in a four or five-star room or a canvas tent to the sound of the aforementioned birds, crickets, church bells, and children's laughter.
Simply stunning is the word: The experience of visiting this place is likely to last with you for a very long time!

Get To:

Probably the best way to reach Zermatt is by train, since you won't be able to drive once you get there anyway. Around half of the trains are operated by a private company, but the tickets are available through the Swiss Federal Railway. Experience an unforgettable journey while traveling on the Glacier Express from Chur to Zermatt

What to Do (Jun-Aug Summer):

Zermatt is perhaps even more stunning in the summer than the winter. The spectacular Matterhorn, set against lush green fields and wild flowers, is one of the Alps' most breathtaking views. Warm sunny days play host to a huge variety of activities: tee off at the Randa-Täsch golf club, explore over 400km of walking trails, or why not have a go at hang-gliding, paragliding or mountaineering? If skiing remains your preferred activity, the glacier is open and the sunny days are ideal for small children to learn in. There are 7 lifts and 21 km of well-marked and safe runs – the largest summer skiing area in Europe.

For the less energetic, the Gornergrat, Klein Matterhorn and Rothorn lifts are the best way to appreciate the world-class vistas. From Gornergrat, 29 of Switzerland's 35 highest summits can be seen, and under the Klein Matterhorn a blue glacier grotto with ice sculptures is well worth a visit. We recommend a sunrise excursion up to Gornergrat, where you will see the first rays of the day gradually warm the mountains, or a trip up the Matterhorn Express to the lake at Schwarzsee. Afterwards, relax in one of the many superb mountain restaurants that offers world class cuisine and is set against an idyllic background. The Zum Zee in particular should not be missed.

What to do; (Sep-May Winter):

Dominated by Switzerland's most famous landmark - the Matterhorn - Zermatt is certainly the country's best all-round ski resort. Moreover, there are many who would have no hesitation in naming Zermatt as the Best Ski Resort in the World. Partly thanks to the sublime beauty of the Matterhorn, but also thanks to the lack of cars and the resort's great sense of tradition, Zermatt has a special, alluring atmosphere which draws visitors back time and time again. Even if you are not a skier, just walking on the snow covered roads or going around in a horse carriage or a spa looking onto to Mt Matterhorn would result in an incredible experience. Never for one moment think that Zermatt during winter is only for skiers. There are plenty of activities such as 38 mountain restaurants, dozens of village bars & nightclubs, 100 restaurants , 30 kms of winter walking path for non skiers, scenic helicopter flights, paragliding school and tandem 'taxi' flights

The Place:

Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region. A city that has inspired artists and travelers for centuries

It is the only city in the world built entirely on water. Venice is built on an archipelago of 117 islands formed by 177 canals in a shallow lagoon, connected by 409 bridges. In the old centre, the canals serve the function of roads, and almost every form of transport is on water or on foot.

Get to:

By Air:
Venice is served by the Marco Polo International Airport, or Aeroporto di Venezia Marco Polo, named in honor of its famous citizen. Airport is connected by land to Venice main island (Piazzale Roma, the bus terminal) by the ACTV lines (for example line 5 aerobus) and by sea to Venice, Murano and Lido by Alilaguna lines. Some airlines market Treviso Airport in Treviso, 30 km from Venice, as a Venice gateway.

By Rail:
Venice is serviced by regional and national trains, which can connect the city to Rome in 3.5 hours and to Milan in 2.5 hours. Treviso is thirty-five minutes away. Florence and Padua are two of the stops between Rome and Venice. The St. Lucia station is a few steps away from a vaporetti stop.

What to Do

Despite its watery character, you will find that you can get around most of the city on foot. If you leave behind the crowds of San Marco, you will soon find yourself immersed in a warren of narrow alleys, back canals. Wherever you go there will be cafes where you can linger alfresco, or tiny bars where you can enjoy a glass of wine and Venetian tapas.

For those who have found time from the romanticism of the place, there are islands to explore, easily reached by frequent ferries. Murano is famous for its glass making, Burano for its lace and Torcello for its cathedrals. Lido, a long strip of land between the city and the Adriatic, glories in its role as a superior film set.

And also don’t go expecting to have the city to yourself. Even in the foot-stomping chill of January, Venice has its admirers.

The Place:

The Republic of Seychelles comprises 115 islands occupying a land area of 455 km². The granitic islands of the Seychelles archipelago cluster around the main island of Mahé, home to the international airport and the capital, Victoria, and its satellites Praslin and La Digue. Together, these Inner Islands form the cultural and economic hub of the nation and contain the majority of Seychelles’ tourism facilities as well as its most stunning beaches.

Get to:

A number of international flights fly to Mahe, the gateway to Seychelles. The visit to this place can be combined with either a stop over in Dubai or South Africa

What to Do

As the Seychelles islands are blessed with a year-long warm, tropical climate, it’s always a good time to visit, although different times of year may be better suited to your particular interests. Conditions for swimming, snorkeling and especially diving are superb during April/May and October/November when the water temperature sometimes reaches 29ºC and visibility is often 30 metres plus.

There are great opportunities for island-hopping between the 16 islands that currently offer accommodation. These range from sumptuous 5-star resorts to rustic island lodges and cozy beachside bungalows. On your way, you will discover such gems as the legendary Vallée de Mai, home to the legendary Coco-de-Mer. You can fly or ferry to islands such as La digue and Praslin.

You will also find proud national monuments, beautiful Creole houses, artists' studios, national reserves and marine parks, as well as breathtaking natural wonders above and beneath the waves. Various excursions will introduce you to the pleasures of glass-bottom boating, or enjoying a choice of water sports.

There's also golf, horse-riding and guided nature tours where to enjoy some of the rarest species of flora and fauna on earth. Not forgetting the mellow Seychelles nightlife where you can take in a casino, some local bars and fine restaurants offering unforgettable Creole and international cuisine.

Wherever you’re staying, you’ll probably be lying in even though a beach near you is sure to be hosting a fabulous sunrise, just for you. Either way, you’ll be needing breakfast or there’s no better way to start the day than ordering a Seychelles fruit breakfast from your hotel reception.

Perhaps with a bottle of champagne and some fresh orange juice? This is why, perhaps, it is called the Honeymooner’s paradise!!

Oh, and don’t forget to try a shot of Coco D’amour, the delicious local liquor, before bed.

The Place:

The Greek islands offer many magical destinations and they don't come much dreamier than the fabulous Santorini locations. Whether you're looking for a romantic hideaway, a scenic picture postcard village, a vibrant tourist resort or a cliff side view - Santorini has it all!

Get to:

Santorini has its own international airport and is easily accessed via Athens Airport or Thessaloniki Airport on mainland Greece from Australia, USA and Canada. Olympic Airlines and Aegean Airlines have frequent flights to Santorini airport from Athens.

A romantic way to of getting to Santorini is by sea. There's not much that can beat the spectacular sight of imposing cliff top Fira overlooking the Caldera as you approach the port by ferry. You will be met by the famous Santorini donkeys if you choose travel to Santorini this way.

They are to take you up the steep cliff side if you cannot make it by your own speed. Or you can take the cable car and have a great view in relative comfort as you ascend to the top of the cliff.

Hydrofoils and ferries to Santorini are plentiful from Athens (Piraeus Port)and Thessaloniki on mainland Greece. They take between 7 - 9 hours depending on their ports of call, size and type of ferry.

There are also lots of ferries to and from other Greek Islands including Mykonos, Naxos, Paros and Crete. This makes Greek Island hopping easy and fun.

What to Do (May-Sep)

Even though Santorini is fairly hot during summer, it’s a season which attracts thousands of tourists and honeymooners

Newly wed honeymooning couples, romantic sultry sunsets, scintillating scorching heat and sexy beach perfect bodies all build to a crescendo of a red-hot sexual energy. This explosive eruption rivals that of the famous volcano that shaped the island of Santorini. It's little wonder then that the island gets the nickname of Sexy Santorini! Fira, the capital of the island has the coolest Santorini hotspots – if that's not a contradiction in terms! Typically things don't get going until way after midnight with dancing well into the wee small hours.

It is certain that Santorini has a bewitching and alluring power on all travelers who are lucky enough to visit this fascinating Greek Island. Santorini has a magical almost spiritual quality to it that is aided by its ancient historic and volcanic past, its connections to the mystical lost city of Atlantis and its spellbinding sunsets.

Santorini and beautiful white washed blue domed churches are synonymous with each other. With over 250 Santorini churches on the tiny Greek Island you cannot turn round without viewing yet another pretty little church just waiting to be photographed.

The Place:

Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava River, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million. The city has a temperate oceanic climate with warm summers and chilly winters.

Get to:

By Air:
Prague's Ruzyne International Airport is a major airport of the Czech Republic. It is situated 20km northwest of the city centre and can be reached within 30 minutes by car. This Airport has daily flights from several European and few North American cities on national and budget carriers. The national carrier, Czech Airlines offers its services to many European and some international destinations, including New York and Toronto. Some airline companies provide cheap direct flights such as Easy Jet, Ryan air and BMI baby from UK, Smart Wings from Continental Europe & Turkey, Aer Lingus from the Irish cities of Dublin & Cork, Sky Europe and Sterling from Scandinavian countries.

By Rail:
This is the most comfortable and easiest way of travel. Prague is connected with Berlin, Vienna and Budapest by Eurocity trains. The city has two international stations namely Hlavni Nadrazi - the central station, and Praha Holesovice. Both the stations are linked with metro line C. It takes 4 - 4.5 hours from Vienna, 6.5 hours from Budapest and 5 hours from Berlin to reach the city. The city also has some Super City Pendolino trains that offer faster options of travel.

What to Do: (May-Sep)

Prague is home to a number of famous cultural attractions, many of which survived the violence and destruction of twentieth century Europe. The charming capital city of the Czech Republic, with almost all its fairy tale old town surviving the centuries intact.

The most characteristic places in Prague Castle with motionless castle guards and St. Vitus Cathedral; the Old Town square with the Orloj Belltower and the unique Our Lady before Tyn Chruch; Charles Bridge, a foot bridge with dozens of musicians and salesman and Wencleslas Square, Prague’s main square with changing displays of contemporary artworks. Of course besides these many things lie in the old town and the castle district, waiting to be discovered by you

But if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed and thinking ‘Is that it?’ during your first hours in Prague, don’t be too hard on yourself. The city’s charms can occasionally be obscured by too many tourists, congested traffic and tacky commercialism. Packed in among thousands of other visitors, trying like crazy to see the city in three days and worrying about getting ripped off, it’s not surprising you may think the city is overrated.

Just relax, take a deep breath – or an even longer quaff of the city’s famous beer – and resolve to slow down, dig a little deeper and explore a little further. While the city centre is a mélange of stunning architecture, from Gothic, Renaissance and baroque to neoclassical, art nouveau and cubist, beyond the medieval lanes of the Old Town and the Castle District, there’s an entire other cosmopolitan city to explore. Search out the riverside parks, lively bars and beer gardens, music clubs, museums and art galleries. Harness Prague’s excellent public-transport system to explore emerging suburbs such as Žižkov, Vinohrady, Smíchov and Holešovice.

You’ll be guaranteed cheaper prices, a more local ambience, and an assured escape from any more feelings of doubt.

You’ll probably even wish you could stay longer.

Queenstown, New Zealand, is the Southern Hemisphere’s premier four season lake and alpine resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains and nestled on the shores of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown’s stunning scenery is inspiring and revitalizing.

Get to:

The centre of Queenstown is located on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, within 10 minutes' drive of Queenstown International Airport. You'll find a good public bus network and free transport provided by many local activity operators, making it easy to explore our region.

There are good flight connections to Queenstown from Christchurch and Auckland Queenstown Airport is located 10 km from town and has scheduled flights to Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Visitors can also drive to Queenstown themselves, ideally Christchurch, or as part of a tour or bus journey. The journey here involves a series of natural and cultural attractions laid out one after the other – making it an ideal holiday drive for those with time to explore.

What to Do (Nov-Mar)

With such a huge range of activities in Queenstown, no two days will ever be the same. The list of activities can run into pages.

World-renowned for its adventure, Queenstown is home to a huge choice of adrenaline based activities. There’s also plenty on offer if you enjoy the great outdoors, superb food and wine, and a more relaxed pace. Families have lots to choose from on land, lake or in the air, and if you love golf, biking, walking, sailing and fishing you will love Queenstown.

Queenstown and the surrounding area contain many locations used in the filming of the Lord of the Rings film trilogy as well as the 2009 film X-Men Origins: Wolverine. In early 2010 Queenstown featured for 17 minutes in I Hate Luv Storys a Bollywood Super-hit.

In recent years, Queenstown's hostels have become a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. Queenstown provides adventure tourism during the day and a vibrant nightlife scene during the evenings. Queenstown is also gaining popularity as a honeymoon destination.

Locally, Queenstown has a reputation as one of New Zealand's wine and cuisine centres. Neighbouring, historic Arrowtown also features excellent restaurants and bars, and Queenstown lies close to the centre of a small wine producing region, reputed to be the world's southernmost. Pinot noir produced in this area fetches premium prices.

Queenstown also now hosts an annual International Jazz Festival. Recent international performers include Anika Moa and Di Bird.

And lastly your trip to Milford Sound over the Alps would remain as a cherished memory for the rest of your life.

The Place:

Situated on the beautiful island of Borneo, Sabah is one of the thirteen states which Malaysia is made of. Sabah is the second largest state in Malaysia and shares the island of Borneo with Sarawak, Brunei, and Indonesian Kalimantan. Sabah is richly blessed with nature diversity, unique cultures, fun adventure, beautiful beaches, and fantastic cuisines for the adventurous taste buds. This place has it all, from the world’s largest flower - the Rafflesia, one of the highest mountains is South East Asia - Mount Kinabalu, to one of the world’s top dive sites - Sipandan Island.

Get to:

Because of Sabah's remote location, just about everybody will arrive by air through the Kota Kinabalu International Airport in the capital city about a 20-minute drive south of the central part of the city.

A surprising number of direct international flights connect Sabah to the region. Malaysia Airlines flies from Hong Kong, Manila, Osaka, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo, among others and Air Asia flies from Bangkok. Australian Airlines, operated by Qantas, flies from Sydney.

Malaysia Airlines also has direct domestic flights to Kota Kinabalu from KL, Johor Bahru, Kuching, Sibu, and Miri, with in-state service to Sandakan and other towns. AirAsia has direct domestic flights from KL and Johor Bahru.

What to Do:

Sabah is a naturalist's paradise that offers an abundant array of nature-related activities such as diving, jungle trekking and wildlife spotting. Be adventurous and opt for adrenaline-pumping activities such as paragliding and white water rafting. Otherwise, take things down a notch and go golfing while enjoying the beauty of Sabah's natural terrain. For a dose of cultural exposure, check out the weekly tamu markets.

You can even visit the Orangutan rehabilitation centre where you have a close encounter with them in their natural habitat or even make a trip down to a Turtle island park where you witness the turtles laying down eggs. Nature adventure aficionados will definitely be enticed by the allure of Sabah’s richly blessed lush virgin jungles. In this nature delight, one can expect nothing less than to have one’s breath taken away.