Chania (pronounced “Hanya”) is considered the loveliest port town in Greece. Swallows soar in sheer blue skies above the semicircle of tall Venetian houses around its picture-perfect Old Harbour. The tables of scores of bars and restaurants line the quayside. Behind the harbour front, narrow, traffic-free shopping lanes thread through the atmospheric Old Town. On either side of the town, sandy beaches stretch along the coast.

Often overshadowed by Montego Bay, Falmouth is a promising destination on the verdant north shore of Jamaica. The city is rich in architectural heritage reflecting centuries of intriguing history, and is surrounded by natural wonders that show just how much life in Jamaica is intertwined with water — from gushing springs and waterfalls to the calm Caribbean embracing the coast.

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".

The majestic Faisal Mosque stands against the backdrop of the lush Margalla Hills as a symbol of a Pakistan placed firmly in the modern day, while holding on to its history and traditions. The capital city of Islamabad is a forward-thinking metropolis nestled in the green Himalayas. Usually regarded as a diplomatic city, it has become an important business and financial centre for the region, as well as an emerging travel destination. Together with its neighbouring sister city of Rawalpindi, Islamabad gives travellers in-the-know a taste of contemporary Pakistan.