Overlooked by spectacular heights of Table Mountain and surrounded by stunning beaches, lush farmland and superb vineyards, Cape Town has established itself as South Africa’s cultural capital and one of the most vibrant cities on the continent. This is where African, European and Asian cultures meet in a multi-ethnic rainbow reflected in its music, architecture and visual arts, as well as in its amazing choice of cuisines. Cape Town is great for partying as well, with a year-round calendar of festivals, parades and world-class sporting events.

A cosmopolitan melting pot of Eastern and Western influences, ethnicities and cultures, Karachi will enrapture all those who visit. With the warm waters of the Arabian sea lapping at its shores, a breathtaking mix of architectural styles and the warm welcoming hospitality of its people, Karachi will uplift the spirits and animate you with a glow that gives credence to its nickname as the “City of Lights."

Festivity carries in the air as much as the sounds of saxophones and trumpets in New Orleans. It is a constant celebration of the human spirit, from the ever-lively Mardi Gras and Carnival to the breathtaking and historic tombs draped in oak canopies and Spanish moss. It is a city going through a kind of rebirth after the destruction of Katrina, reconstructing whole neighbourhoods, but it has lost none of its charm, its spark, its magic, its people's inextinguishable joie-de-vivre, none of what makes it a unique city in the United States and in the world. Steeped in cultural references, first-time visitors will feel somehow familiar with the city, and never want to leave.

Mallorca is certainly a very popular destination for groups of beautiful young vacationers who lie in the sun and sip on colourful cocktails before a night of intense clubbing, but this Balearic jewel has a long and rich history, breathtaking landscapes and an irresistible charm as well. What the island obviously offers in idyllic beaches and rowdy parties it more than matched with culture, personality and awe-inspiring vistas. Mallorca’s beaches, however, with their golden sands and crystalline waters, remain the island’s biggest draw.