Vibrant Cities

Named East Asia Culture City in 2018, Busan has recently risen to prominence internationally, with visitors now flocking to South Korea's second city even outside of the busy International Film Festival week each October. There is more to do and see than can fit in a space of a few days: traditional spas, local eats and endless shopping all leave but a little time to take in the rugged Busan coastline on seaside nature hikes.

Founded by the Greeks, taken over by the Romans and rebuilt by Alexander the Great before becoming part of the Ottoman Empire, İzmir is a city steeped in history, showcased in its archaeological sites and bazaars, However, the city has gracefully embraced modernity with its lively waterfront promenades and contemporary districts. Discover the perfect harmony of tradition and innovation in this Turkish city, where ancient tales unfold amidst modern vibes on the Aegean shores.

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is one of Asia's best-kept secrets. As the capital of the only predominantly Catholic country in the Orient, it presents a unique blend that feels slightly out of place, yet vibrantly infused with Latin American and Caribbean influences. Music and dancing are ubiquitous, and the city's warmth and enthusiasm can easily rival that of Bangkok. Manila's rich history, shaped by centuries under Spanish religious influence and decades of American consumerism, has led to the saying that the city spent "400 years in a convent and 50 in Hollywood".

On the banks of the Mekong River, Ho Chi Minh City emerges as a dazzling metropolis, where past and present collide in vibrant harmony. With over 9 million people bustling about, it’s a sprawling urban jungle where modern skyscrapers kiss the sky while well-preserved colonial buildings whisper tales of yesteryears. Amidst the chaos of motorbike symphonies, intrepid explorers uncover remnants of its turbulent history, savour its mouth-watering cuisine, sip on a cup of robust Vietnamese coffee, and discover its lively nightlife.

Hoi An is an enchanting and unique destination. With its ideal blend of history, culture, shopping, dining, and leisure, the town continues to be a highly sought-after tourist spot year after year. Its UNESCO-listed Ancient Town is photogenic to a fault, with its collection of distinctive mustard-coloured colonial homes, intriguing food and quaint streets that remain traffic-free for much of the day drawing in cruise excursionists and backpackers alike.

Cartagena is the undisputed queen of Colombia's Caribbean coast and easily the most attractive city in the region — this given its apparent shortage of attractions in the classical sense of the word. Instead, what draws travellers in is the city itself: a microcosm of the Caribbean, walled in by defensive ramparts built to ward off unwelcome visitors, the likes of Sir Francis Drake, who held Cartagena de Indias captive for months during his 16th-century raids on the Spanish New World.

Sydney is Australia's most famous city, with the majestic Sydney Opera House, the impressive steel arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the sparkling waterways and the white sands of Bondi Beach. Beneath this glittering surface, Sydney has many more enchanting layers to discover. This beautiful cosmopolitan city celebrates its cultural diversity and heritage, and passion for tarts and sports. A temperate climate makes Sydney spectacular at any time of the year, and the city's friendly, casual attitude keeps visitors coming back Down Under for more!

Cape Verde's unique geographic location, tumultuous history of slavery and invasion, and fascinating mix of transatlantic cultures have given rise to a place unlike any other on the globe. A place as joyful as it is full of longing, a fact perhaps best reflected in Cape Verdean music and the hauntingly beautiful 'morna'. The sometimes harsh, drought-prone conditions of this mid-Atlantic scattering of islands have seen the flourishing of a fascinating Creole culture and the most stable democracy in Africa.