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As the capital city of Malta, Valetta provides the perfect balance between the buzz of hectic city life and the tranquillity found in its peaceful palace and gardens. The majority of the magnificent buildings found in this city are Baroque in character and date back to the 16th century during the reign of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, but there are also hints or neo-classical and modern architectural design to be found. Valetta was named after Jean Parisot de la Valette who not only laid the first foundation stone of the city, but also protected it against Ottoman invasion in 1565. Tragically, he passed away before his city was completed at the age of 74, but his remains now rest at St. John’s Co-Cathedral. Valetta is a rare urban treasure that has preserved nearly all of its original features and was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

The ancient port to Tel Aviv, Ashdod is the gateway to the sacred city of Jerusalem, one of the oldest cities in the world. There’s much to see and do – optional tours will give you a broad view but be sure to see the gold-plated Dome of the Rock, the Western Wall and the City of David.

Your first glimpse of Mumbai, a densely populated and intoxicating city, will be the iconic Gateway of India that sits on the waterfront. A trip to Elephanta Island visits the temple carved out of rock. Visit too, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus whose exterior is a jungle of stone. Be sure to experience the furious energy of Mumbai’s markets.

The British made Kuala Lumpur the capital of Peninsular Malaysia in the late 19th century, erecting grand colonial buildings that continue to stand proudly today. Since then, a virtual ‘race to the sky’ has seen the graceful buildings and mosques surrounded by steel and glass towers. As well as museums and temples to visit, there’s an elephant sanctuary and rainforest canopy walk.

This bustling port in northern Taiwan borders the capital, Taipei. It is surrounded by a number of historic forts, some dating from the Qing dynasty, and Chinese history and culture are acutely felt. The imposing National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, dedicated to the former President of the Republic of China, are well worth a visit, as is the National Palace Museum — which boasts a permanent collection of nearly 700,000 pieces of ancient Chinese artifacts, spanning 10,000 years of history.

Located at the southerly tip of Japan, Kagoshima is often compared with its Italian sister city of Naples due to its similar climate and palm tree-lined streets. The Senganen Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers beautiful Japanese style landscaped gardens with views over the striking Sakurajima and Kagoshima Bay.

Beijing is the perfect mix of ancient Chinese culture, modern architecture and commercial innovation. The cultural heart of China, few places on earth can compare to Beijing for historical interest. A visit to any of its six UNESCO World Heritage Sites should be a must including the Forbidden City and the Chinese Imperial Palace, which was the heart of Chinese rule.

Still commonly referred to as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City has driven the country forward with its pulsating energy. Wander through timeless alleys to incense-infused temples before catching up with the present in designer malls. The real beauty is this city’s blend of two worlds into one thrilling, seething mass. A host of exhilarating tours get you way off-the-beaten track.

Full of contradictions, the City of Angels - Thailand’s capital city, has a rich, multifaceted personality. What Bangkok lacks in museums, it makes up for in impressive temples and shiny palaces. There is a series of beautiful Buddhist temples to visit, including the Wat Pho and Wat Arun. The Grand Palace is definitely worth visiting, and a longtail boat ride - thrilling.

Reached across the Eastern Desert from Safaga, Luxor, in the celebrated Valley of the Kings, is often called the world’s greatest open-air museum. Nothing in the world compares to the scale and grandeur of the ancient monuments. 

Santorini, or Thira, is a Greek Island in the Aegean Sea approximately 120 miles south east of the Greek mainland and is home to a rich variety of landscapes and villages.
Perched 900ft high on the dramatic cliffs overlooking the bay is the Island’s capital, Fira. A short cable car ride from the port brings you to this quaint old town with whitewashed buildings lining narrow cobblestoned streets bursting with shops, tavernas, hotels and cafes.
Beyond the town there is a beautiful countryside where tradition still survives. Cave houses, gardens, vineyards and tiny churches are all waiting to be discovered.

Piraeus is the gateway to Athens, the birthplace of democracy and a cradle of western civilisation. In this city of Plato and Socrates, visit the Acropolis with its mighty Parthenon, the temple of the Greek goddess Athena. Below the Acropolis lies the Theatre of Dionysos, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the honeycomb of streets that make up the Plaka district of shops and tavernas. In the heart of the city there’s the National Archaeological Museum, the Olympic Stadium used for the first modern Games in 1896, the Parliament building and Syntagma Square.

The oldest continuously populated city in Spain, Cadiz is a unique ocean port in south west Spain that has been inhabited for the last 3000 years.
Located on a peninsula jutting into the Gulf of Cadiz, the city is surrounded almost entirely by water and thanks to its historical trade links, it has many foreign influences that are still visible today.
Narrow cobbled streets, small squares and weather-beaten buildings dating back to the Moors make the old city a charming place to explore with look-out towers used by merchants to spot returning trade ships scattered along the skyline. Cadiz also has a fine collection of ancient and contemporary art in its many 

Situated just north of the mouth of the River Douro, Leixoes is one of Portugal’s major seaports and a gateway to Oporto. Optional excursions feature the country’s second city that is known throughout the world as the home of the famous port wine. A boat trip on the River Douro gives a different view of the city where dark buildings seem to be stacked one on another along the narrow, labyrinthine streets. In Oporto’s São Bento Station traditional tile panels depict the history of Portugal. Oporto is home to the Museum of the Tram giving insight into this traditional and often preferred mode of transport.

Lying at the mouth of the River Lee, Cobh has one of the best natural harbours in the world. Known as Queenstown until 1922, it was the departure point for thousands of Irish emigrants to America and the last port of call of the Titanic. The ‘Queenstown Story’ is a wonderful exhibition telling of this rich maritime history. From Cobh’s waterfront, streets lined with brightly coloured houses climb the steep slope of a hill, which is crowned with the imposing St Coleman’s Cathedral. A charming little town, Cobh is a gateway to the city of Cork and excursions to Ireland’s legendary Blarney Castle.