Macau’s heritage as a former Portuguese territory for three centuries lends this autonomous region of China a genuine diversity to its exciting and vibrant culture. Today it’s renowned for its glitz, glamour, gambling and luxury (earning it the moniker of the ‘Vegas of China’), but that certainly hasn’t dulled down its traditional character in the process.
South Korea, also known officially as the Republic of Korea, maintains a bit of an air of mystery about it – although more and more travellers are discovering the merits of its rich culture, progressive cities and diverse landscape. Often described as a country of extremes, that reputation is borne out by the skyscrapers and technology industry of Seoul that exists alongside well-preserved temples, palaces and historical sites of the city.
The Gulf Kingdom of Bahrain, to give its full name, is an archipelago made up of in excess of thirty islands strewn in the Persian Gulf. While it’s long been a place to ‘do business’ (it is extremely rich in terms of natural oil and gas reserves) it’s not really a place on many people’s holiday hit list. But in fact there are plenty of reasons it perhaps should be, and more and more people are discovering them.
Hong Kong evokes images of bright lights, fabulous shopping, amazing dining and all the glitz and glamour of one of the world’s most popular destinations for visitors from all over the world. And it’s a reputation that’s perfectly well deserved – because it’s all that and so much more!
Merging an effortless connection between modern and traditional, Japan’s serene and beautiful countenance reveals a country that’s exciting, exotic and progressive – all while delivering an authentic experience to its many international visitors. Alongside the dazzling modernity and technology of its large cities, an ancient culture is on display abundantly and often in unexpected places.
Made up of an incredible 17,000+ islands and taking the crown as the largest archipelago in the world, Indonesia has long been a holiday favourite – not only with dedicated beach lovers and sun worshippers, but also with die hard surfing and diving fans, off the beaten track adventurers and those looking to immerse in its rich and authentic culture.
For keen travellers and holidaymakers things are a little difficult at the moment. With us all staying safe at home daydreaming about our next holiday it can be easy to get downhearted. Thankfully though, there is one aspect of your favourite getaway that you can easily incorporate into your lockdown routine. If you’re like me and food is one of your favourite reasons to visit another country, then creating an authentic recipe from a world-class destination is a great way to bring a little foreign culture to your home. It’s a fantastic way to make use of spare time and whet your appetite for when you finally do get back on the move.
This is a hard time for anyone who is a keen traveller, and although it won’t be like this forever there is a good chance we might have to satisfy our holiday cravings through daydreaming for some time to come. It’s not all bad news though. If you’re anything like me you’ve found yourself with a little extra free time and I’ve found a great way to spend it.
By its very geography the Dominican Republic evokes images of a tropical paradise, with white sand, swaying palm trees and turquoise waters that go on forever – and that is exactly what it is. It’s a place that appears to be perpetually on holiday, from the stunning coastline and its postcard-perfect beaches, to the small villages, dramatic mountain ranges, fertile valleys and lush sugar plantations of the interior.
France is a country with several personalities rolled into one lovely package. One minute it’s all Parisian art and history, then it’s a magical winter wonderland in the Alps, then a bucolic, laidback countryside with rolling hills of vineyards and, finally, glitzy, glamorous and sun-kissed beaches of the French Riviera. It’s one of those places that really does have it all and it continues to delight its huge numbers of visitors every year.
China is a country that’s not only steeped in ancient culture, it also has a generous touch of the exotic about it, making it an appealing prospect for those looking for something a little different. Its vast proportions mean that it’s quite a commitment if you want to really get into the heart and soul of its rural areas as well as its high-profile cities, but it also lends itself to short itineraries that cover specific attractions.
Exotic, diverse and still just a little bit of a mystery to the rest of the world, Azerbaijan, located between the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, is known as the ‘Land of the Fire’, for its curious phenomena of naturally occurring fires that never burn out. Situated culturally and geographically between Europe and Asia, it has evolved its intriguing blend of heritage into a fascinating destination with true depth.
As one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, Brazil is exciting, relaxing, entertaining and intriguing all at once. From the mystery of the Amazon jungles and the beauty and wildlife of the wetlands of the Pantanal, to the unbridled fun in the sun of its beaches and the madness of Rio de Janeiro, it manages to be all things to all people with its unique and irrepressible ambience.
