Turkey

Turkey might be the world’s most contested country. Its landscape is dotted with battlegrounds, ruined castles and the palaces of great empires. This is the land where Alexander the Great slashed the Gordion Knot, where Achilles battled the Trojans in Homer’s Iliad, and where the Ottoman Empire fought battles that would shape the world. History buffs can immerse themselves in marvels and mementos stretching back to the dawn of civilisation.
Then again, if you want to simply unwind, spend an afternoon being pampered at a hamam, or let the warm waters off the Mediterranean coast lap at your toes. Adventure lovers can head east to Nemrut Dagi National Park. Bon vivants need look no further than Istanbul, where the markets and bars are among the most stylish and atmospheric, and the mod Ottoman cuisine rates as the tastiest, in the world.

1 Istanbul
Visit Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofya. Haggle like mad in the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar. Float along the Bosphorus. And that's just for starters
2 Safranbolu
Pause to admire an unspoilt Ottoman townscape, then stay in Ottoman style in a restored wooden house
3 Pergamum
Visit the Acropolis and Asclepion and wonder at the staggering temains of a once-great Anatolian Kingdom
4 Gallipoli
Wander the Anzac battlefields and ponder the follies of war
5 Ephesus
Marvel at the most extensive remains of a Roman city complete with a 25,000-seat theatre
6 Hîerapolis
Admire the ruins of a great Roman city located above the famous white travertines of 'Cotton Castle' (Pamukkale)
7 Lycian Way
Walk through beautiful, remote countryside high above the sea
8 Cappadocia
Float over Cappadocia and admire the extraordinary fairy chimneys, then delve deep to explore the unique underground cities
9 Amasya
Photograph glorious Ottoman houses hanging over a river and overlooked by rock-cut Pontic tombs
10 Ani
Stroll around the beautiful abandoned ruins of this former Armenian capital
11 Doyubayazit
Explore the ruins of dramatically sited Ishak Pasa Palace, then watch the sun set over snowcapped Mt Ararat
12 Sumela
Visit a monastery clinging to a rockface, then trek into the Kackar Mountains beyond
13 The Far Southeast
Adventure in the wild far southeast - it's open for travellers at last!
14 Nemrut Dagi
Rug up and witness the sun rise over the mighty fallen heads resting on the mountain top
15 Sanliurfa
Explore the historic Golbasi area, then shop in Urfa's exotic bazaar

Macau...

Macau is a city with two faces. On the one hand, the fortresses, churches and food of its former colonial master Portugal speak to a uniquely Mediterranean style on the China coast. On the other, Macau is the self-styled Las Vegas of the East. Rather than skyscrapers and office towers, the construction here is all about Vegas-style mega-casinos and hotels.
There is much more to Macau than gambling. The peninsula and the islands of Coloane and Taipa constitute a colourful palette of pastels and ordered greenery. The Portuguese influence is everywhere: cobbled back streets, baroque churches, stone fortresses, Art Deco buildings and restful parks and gardens. It's a unique fusion of East and West.

Macau is nearly as profitable as Las Vegas. And as with Vegas, a trip to its casinos is a memorable experience. The Sands currently has the biggest gaming floor in the world, making it an obvious choice for casual thrill-seekers. Away from the tables, the Macau Tower looms over the region.
Food in Macau is quality fare, drawing on the best Chinese gastronomy and authentic Portuguese dishes. Eateries like Espaco Lisboa and Oporto Interior are like being transported to the Iberian Peninsula. Homegrown dishes range from street stalls to five-star feasts.
Golfers can enjoy two 18-hole courses, while other active options include karting, horse-riding, skating, windsurfing and even a trip to the dog track.
Elsewhere, the new open-air waterside strip at Fishermans' Wharf is modern and tasteful (mock volcano notwithstanding), offering a pleasant area to while away evening hours and pick up souvenirs.