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.

Yunnan

Yunnan has some of the most magical and diverse scenery in all of China. There are endless trekking opportunities in the south’s tropical rainforests, and in the north, snow-capped Tibetan peaks hide dozens of tiny villages and temples rarely visited by tourists. Even, Kunming, the provincial capital, has a flavour that seems more than half a world away from Beijing. Kunming, ‘Spring City, ’ has earned a reputation for being one of the more cosmopolitan and relaxed cities in the southwest. Yunnan is the sight of important archaeological discoveries, including sophisticated Bronze Age cultures around Dian Chi (Lake Dian) and the oldest human remains yet found in China. It’s hard to comprehend all that Yunnan has to offer until you get here.

Our Top Picks for Yunnan

1 Yuanyang and rice terraces
Watch the sun rise and set on the magnificent Yuányáng rice terraces
2 Lugu Hu
Escape the crowds and while away the days exploring low-key Lugu Hu
3 Xishuangbanna
Soak up the Southeast Asian atmosphere in tropical Xishuangbanna
4 Lijiang’s and old town
Get lost among the canals and cobbled lanes of Lijang’s old town
5 Tiger Leaping Gorge
Trek Tiger Leaping Gorge, a breathtaking hike amid dramatic cliffs and waterfalls

South America

South America... a mixture of African, Indian and European influences which have given it a very distinct flavor. It has a host of marvelous attractions, with most suitable for the whole family. You will find science, nature and history exhibits throughout the continent as well as a host of natural attractions, from volcanoes to cold glaciers and strange animals. It offers incredible pre-Columbian sights all along the Andes Mountains in Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia. The best known of these are probably the Nazca Lines (Ica), Chan Chan (Trujillo) and Machu Picchu (Cuzco) in Peru and Ciudad Perdida in Colombia. Furthermore, there are lots of stylish colonial churches and palaces, there are also great beaches and a very good atmosphere to give you a change from your daily routine.

Those who are into the fast paced life of big cities have a number of cities to choose from. Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Santiago or Lima all combine modern life with a South-American touch. In all of South America, native Indian languages are still spoken, but they become less frequently so. In countries like Paraguay and Bolivia the indiginous languages are (almost) dominant.
The Amazon River (Rio Amazonas) of South America is one of the longest two rivers on Earth. The Amazon has by far the greatest total flow of any river, carrying more than the Mississippi, Nile, and Yangtze rivers combined. The Amazon Rainforest in South America represents over half of the planet's remaining rainforests. This region is home to 2.5 million insect species, tens of thousands of plants, and some 2000 birds and mammals. The diversity of plant species is the highest on earth with some experts estimating that one square kilometer may contain over 75,000 types of trees and 150,000 species of higher plants. This constitutes the largest collection of living plants and animal species in the world.
South America is home to many interesting species of animals including parrots, tarantulas, snakes, and mammals. There are not many large predators in South America, but the Jaguar is one of the strongest predators in the world. There are three animals found mainly in South America that look very different from each other, but are closely related. These are the sloth, the anteater and the armadillo. One of the most famous animals that lives in the Amazon river is the piranha fish. They are known for their sharp teeth and an aggressive appetite for meat and flesh. The largest snake in the world, the Anaconda, lives in the rivers and dense forests of South America. Brightly colored poisonous frogs live inside the forests. The camel-like Llama is another important animal that lives in South America.
The world's highest free-falling waterfall Angel Falls is located in the wilderness of Venezuela. Another important waterfall is Iguacu Falls, which is taller than Niagara Falls. The water level rises and falls with the season, but the spectacular Devil's Throat with its high-flying plume of spray is always a thrill. The fact that the newly discovered Gocta Falls in Peru are the third largest in the world, says a lot about the exoticness of the continent.

Our Top Picks for South America:

1 Machu Picchu, Peru
Rugged treks to awe-inspiring ancient Inca ruins hidden in cloud forests

2 Galapagos Islands
Stunning volcanic islands teem with fearless animals, offering the wildlife experience of a lifetime

3 Amazon, Brazil
Steamy jungles packed with wildlife and lingering rivers set the stage for unforgettable adventure

4 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The breathtaking city of samba and beach culture, with one of the world's wildest parties

5 Cartagena, Colombia
Architectural gem of the continent, a city graced with winding alleys and bougainvillea-strewn balconies

6 Kaieteur Falls, Guyana
One of the world's highest, single-drop falls, hidden deep in the Amazon

7 Parque Nacional Madidi, Bolivia
Massive Amazonian park with some of the greatest biodiversity of any of the earth's protected regions

8 Buenos Aires, Argentina
One of the continent's coolest cities boasts elegant buildings, colorful neighborhoods, excellent cuisine and gorgeous residents

9 San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
An oasis town offering splendid desert odyssey tours of salt mountains, moonscapes and geysers

10 Pantanal, Brazil
A wild region with one of the greatest densities of animal life on the continent

Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s main lure is its long, sandy Black Sea Coast – which still boasts swaths of stunning beaches and picturesque bays despite the expansive construction work – but there is so much more to this country, and so much of it remains largely untouched and unvisited by overseas tourists. Networks of well-maintained hiking trails and horse-riding routes allow you to discover Bulgaria’s lush mountainous and forested landscapes, especially around the Rila and Pirin Mountains, inhabited by bears, lynx, rare birds and other kinds of wildlife now becoming scarce elsewhere in Europe.

Getting around the country is easy, with cheap and efficient public transport to ferry you between the cities and into the remoter, rural corners, where the traditional, slow pace of life continues much as it has done for centuries. Here you’ll come across multicoloured monasteries, filled with fabulous icons and watched over by bushy-bearded priests, and impossibly pretty timber-framed villages with smoke curling lazily over the stone-tiled roofs and donkeys complaining in the distance, where headscarfed old ladies and their curious grandchildren still stare in wonderment at the arrival of outsiders. The cities, too, are often overlooked highlights, from dynamic, cosmopolitan Sofia with its lovely parks, sociable alfresco bars and fascinating museums, to the National Revival architectural treasures and Roman remains of Plovdiv, and the youthful maritime cockiness of Varna.

Our Top Picks for Bulgaria:

1 Sofia
Experience captivating museums, gorgeous churches and the country's best restaurants in Bulgaria's cosmopolitan, youthful capital

2 Rila Monastery
Bulgaria's largest and most revered monastery is renowned for its colourful frescoes

3 Plovdiv
Feast your eyes on the National Revival architecture and awesome Roman Amphitheatre in the old town

4 Koprivshtitsa
This beautifully preserved National Revival–era village is a revered monument to Bulgarian nationhood

5 Bansko
Bulgaria's premier skiing destination, trendsetting Bansko is increasingly popular with international party people

6 Kazanlak
Discover Bulgaria's Thracian heritage in this bustling town with its ancient tombs and memorable market

7 Varna
Bulgaria's cultivated maritime capital hosts fascinating museums, a lively urban beach scene and buzzing nightlife

8 Nesebar
The Black Sea coast's most photogenic town is packed with medieval churches and redolent with ancient history

9 Tryavna
Lovingly restored Tryavna delights with its cobblestone streets, National Revival-era homes and churches

10 Veliko Tarnovo
The medieval capital of the Bulgarian tsars entrances with its majestic fortress and dramatic views

11 Strandzha Nature Park
Lush forests, varied and abundant wildlife and mysterious archaeological ruins characterise this remote park

12 Pirin National Park
With stark, sweeping peaks and long valleys, the Pirin Mountains are a paradise for hikers

13 Bachkovo Monastery
Pilgrims and tourists alike are drawn to Bachkovo for its ethereal art and miracle-working icon of the Virgin

14 Belogradchik
This tiny mountain village boasts world-class weirdness with primordial stone formations protecting a Roman fort

15 Rusenski Lom Nature Park
Rugged scenery and sublime medieval monasteries carved from cliffs are highlights at this expansive reserve

Austria..

Austria flaunts its heritage in exuberant fashion. Vienna’s bombastic Habsburg palaces and Salzburg’s baroque splendour are worthy, but dig deeper and you’ll unearth Stone Age settlements, Roman archaeological sites at Carnuntum and medieval festivals. In the country where Mozart composed and Strauss taught the world to twirl, you won’t need to search hard for culture – it waltzes right up to you.

Our Top Picks for Austria:

1 Innsbruck
The Austrian Alps capital with cobbled-stone lanes and the shimmering Goldenes Dachl
2 Bregenzerwald
Idyllic villages, clinking cow bells and delicious cheeses from alpine dairies
3 Salzburg
Birthplace of Mozart and baroque to the back teeth
4 Grossglockner Road
Winding road through epic countryside, climbing to Austria's highest peak
5 Tyrol's Valleys
Steep, narrow, awe-inspiring alpine valleys once carved by unstoppable glaciers
6 Krimml Falls
Europe's highest waterfall and misty paradise
7 Vienna
A capital with living architecture, lively clubs and alluring baroque beauty
8 Krems An Der Donau
A fascinating town in the Danube Valley with a university and rustic, Wurst-filled Heurigen (wine taverns)
9 Linz
An urban space that defies the 'braces and breeches' image with futuristic Ars Electronica
10 Graz
Austria's second city, laid-back with a buzzing cultural scene
11 Villach
A lively crossroad with easy access to ski fields, lakes and great hikes
12 Hallstatt
Crystal-clear waters, a salt mine and ice cave, and the inspiring backdrop of mountains

Experience Macau !!

Macau is the fast expanding Las Vegas of the Far East with massive glitzy casinos and luxury hotels, yet the destination offers more than gambling alone. A large portion of the country’s land mass has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site. The contrast between old baroque style Portuguese buildings and the mysticism of Chinese temples is awe inspiring. Add to this melee a modern cosmopolitan city with bustling shopping malls stocked with designer brands and sandy beaches with beautiful people. Macau not only offers the whole package it delivers it as well tourists are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing what to do on their holiday and conversely it appeals to wider section of travelers. Macau boasts of plenty of good restaurants that offer excellent food ranging from western to oriental. The local cuisine of Macau is also an eclectic mix of Portuguese, native Macanese cooking and traditional Chinese cuisine. A number of up market restaurants can be found throughout the island while wayside eateries are located near popular tourist attractions and market areas. Nightlife and shopping are two very vibrant aspects of the city, recent developments in the tourism sector has made Macau the place to be for entertainment in East Asia. Nightlife can range from traditional Portuguese dancing, live bands, high profile artists and discos depending on where you choose to go. The numerous bars, clubs and casinos provide ample entertainment to tourists. Shopping Macau is all about luxury, large malls and exclusive department stores have a number of luxury goods on offer. The famous Grand Canal Shoppes is a Venice inspired shopping mall that has actual canals, gondolas and reproductions of Venetian landmarks while also offering a wide array of shops.

Attractions:

Macau’s unique attractions, world heritage, and fascinating museums add an irreplaceable dimension to a vibrant coastal city renowned as one of the finest holiday getaways in the region.

Parks & Beaches:

Camoes Garden- In the 18th century this hilly, heavily wooded garden formed part of the grounds of the house which was occupied by the Chairman of the British East India Company, known as Casa Garden, which now houses an art gallery, and the Old Protestant Cemetery, filled with walkways, flowering trees, and old headstones marking the graves of merchants, missionaries, and others from foreign lands who made their home in Macau. In 1835 the British moved out and the Portuguese owner had a grotto built around a bust of Portugal's national poet, Luís de Camões.The present bronze bust was installed in 1886 when the grotto became state property. Behind the grotto, paths lead up to a wooded hill with a Chinese pavilion and stone tables and stools, where local men gather to play Chinese chess. In front of the grotto is a spacious garden, with benches shaded by banyan trees, where people bring their caged birds for an outing, do their morning tai chi exercises, or meet with friends. At the entrance of the garden is a fountain that contains a bronze sculpture entitled "Embrace", specially made to symbolize the centuries' old friendship between Portugal and China.

Lou Lim Tesc Garden-

The garden is modeled on those of Soochow, the most famous of all Chinese classical gardens. Enclosed by a high wall, it is a miniaturized landscape with narrow paths winding through groves of bamboo and flowering bushes, under moulded concrete 'mountains' to a large pond filled with golden carp and lotus flowers. There are frequent art and craft exhibitions in the pavilion, which also serves as an auditorium for recitals during the annual International Music Festival.

Hac-Sa Beach and Cheoc Van Beach-

Both Cheoc Van Beach and Hác-Sá Beach are popular with swimmers and sunbathers. The water is clean although it often appears brown because of silt from the Pearl River. Cheoc Van Beach occupies a sheltered cove on the west side of Coloane Island. At one end is a sandy swimming beach with changing facilities and a snack bar, and at the other is a free-form swimming pool. The Nautical Club, a marina where members keep various types of recreational watercraft, is near the beach. There is also a youth hostel, a pousada (inn), and two restaurants with terraces overlooking the water. Beyond Cheoc Van is Hác-Sá Beach, where the long beach, with its unique black-tinged sand ("hac sa" means "black sand") invites walking by the sea. Along the beach are a youth hostel, the Youth Centre for Water Sports, and a sports complex with an Olympic-size swimming pool, children's pool, tennis courts, and a sports field. There are also playgrounds, picnic and camping areas, and a variety of snack stands, cafes, and restaurants.

Churches:

St. Paul's-
In the heart of old city stands the great carved stone facade of St. Paul's. The surviving facade rised in 4 colonnaded tiers, and is covered with carvings and statues which eloquently illustrate carvings the early days of the church in Asia. There are statues of Virgin and saints, symbols of the Garden of Eden and the Crucifixion, angels and the devil, a Chinese dragon and a Japanese chrysanthemum, a Portuguese sailing ship and pious warnings inscribed in Chinese.The ruins are regarded as the symbol of Macau and now offer visitors a new site where they can view the remains of the former Church of the Mother of God, visit a Crypt where the relics of the Martyrs of Japan and Vietnam rest, and a museum of Sacred Art where there are exhibits of paintings, sculptures and liturgical objects from churches and monastries in the City.

Cathedral-
The present building stands on the site of several previous cathedrals. The original cathedral was the church of Our Lady of Hope of St. Lazarus, declared the mother church of the Macau diocese which included the religious provinces of China, Japan, Korea and other islands adjacent to China.The Cathedral has two solid towers and massive doors. Inside, its chief beauty lies in its fine stained-glass windows. Many of the major events of the church calendar focus on the Cathedral, especially at Easter when, in addition to the procession of Our Lord of the Passion, there is a solemn parade of Good Friday and special masses on Easter Sunday.

Chapel of Our Lady of Fatima-

This is Macau's newest church and serves the people of the industrial Bairro Tamagnini Barbosa in the north of the city. It stands in a quiet courtyard behind wrought-iron gates. The design is contemporary with a large square tower containing two bells. A broad staircase leads to the spacious church. Inside, the side walls are lined with stained-glass panels and the altar consists of a wooden crucifix on a red brick wall.

Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows-

This small church was built in 1966 to serve the needs of the settlement of Ka Ho, where the families of cured lepers and a few new cases live. It has a magnificent bronze crucifix over the north door. It was created and given to Ka Ho by Italian sculptor Francisco Messima. Also associated with the building of this church is the name of another Italian sculptor, Oseo Acconci.

Chapel of St. James-

This tiny chapel built in 1740 in the Barra Fort on the top of the peninsula is now an architectural part of the Portuguese inn, or pousada, which has been established on the foundations of the fort. It is a charming sanctuary with a statue of the saint and blue and white tiles depicting Our Lady of Fátima and the saintly Queen Isabel. St. James is the military protector of Macau, and legend tells that he frequently goes on patrol around the city, and, at times, his boots are found to be muddy. A soldier used to be given the duty of cleaning the boots of the statue. On one occasion the man forgot his duty it is said and received a crack on the head from the saint’s sword.

Guia Fortress-

It occupies the top of Guia Hill, the highest point in Macau. It was designed to defend Macau from attacks from the sea, but because of its position overlooking the entire city, its chief value has been as an observation post. It originally contained barracks, a water cistern, ammunition and equipment stores, the commander's house, and a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Guia. Today the Fort's most prominent feature is the lighthouse, built in 1865 and the oldest on the China coast. It is 91 metres high and has a light which can be seen for around 20 miles in clear weather. Near the lighthouse is the chapel which contains an image of the Virgin Mary, a few antique pictures, and vestiges of paintings that date back to the construction of the chapel in 1626. Also nearby is a post where signals are hoisted to warn of an approaching typhoon. In earlier times storm warnings were announced from the bell-tower of the chapel.

World Heritage Sites:

A-Ma Temple-
Macau's name is derived from A-Ma-Gau or Place of A-Ma and this temple dedicated to the seafarers' goddess dates from the early 16th century. It consists of prayer halls, pavilions and courtyards built into the boulder-strewn hill and connected by winding paths through moon gates and tiny gardens. At the entrance is a large rock on which is engraved a traditional sailing junk. On other boulders are carved red characters invoking the gods or repeating a prayer. Three of the four pavilions are dedicated to A-Ma and contain some fine statues of the goddess together with a model of a junk with cannons, brass vessels and chapels to Buddhist and Taoist gods. The top shrine honours Kun Iam. This temple is distinguished by beautiful tiled roofs and spectacular views from the upper gardens. The festival of A-Ma takes place on the 23rd day of the 3rd moon (April or May). Firecrackers, to scare away evil spirits, are exploded in the entrance courtyard to greet tour groups and lions dances are performed here on weekends.

Lou Kau Mansion-

The grey two-storey brick house is one of the very few xinguan-style mansions still standing in Macau, and a prime example of the mixed Chinese and Western architectural styles unique to Macau. The oyster shell windows, hanging scrolls, plaster molding and brick carvings are commonly found in the central Guangdong Province. But false ceilings, stained glass Manzhou windows and cast iron railings are Western characteristics.

Mount Fortress-

The building is regarded as the most outstanding example of Portuguese architecture in the territory. A public library is located on the first floor and its two inner chambers contain magnificent examples of the institution at Coimbra, in Portugal.

Na Tcha Temple-

This temple was built in 1888 and dedicated to Na Cha in an attempt to halt the Plague rampaging at the time. In contrast to buildings such as the Ruins of St. Paul's around it, the Na Tcha Temple is only a small structure, built with simple materials, but the use of a mixture of reality and illusion in its design manages successfully to create a sense of delicacy and exquisiteness.

Shopping:

Macau is a place where you can purchase almost anything, and have a wonderful time doing it. Luxury items are cheaper here than in other cities in the region. It is also a great treasure trove for Chinese antiques and collectibles. There are many excellent shops selling authentic antiques and fine reproductions all over Macau. You can find here ancient coins, stamps; boxes of tea and coffee from around the world and countless old Chinese Pharmacies packed with traditional medicines. These are just a few examples to illustrate how adventurous and fascinating shopping in Macau can be.

Cuisine & Dining:

Macau is famous for its cuisine and for the quality of the food served by the restaurants and hotels. It is hard to find a city with such a concentration of restaurants offering so many different cuisines to suit so many tastes at all kinds of budget. Over the centuries Macau has developed a unique cuisine that combines elements of Portuguese, Chinese, Indian and even Malay cooking known as Macanese cuisine, which can be found anywhere.