| Thailand is well known for its shopping and beaches, but there are so many more layers just waiting to be peeled back. Bangkok is a thriving metropolis, with malls to rival the best, world-class hotels and buzzing nightlife. If you feel like a flick, the Paragon Cineplex is a movie buff's mania boasting an IMAX and 3D theatre, an aquarium and an all-encompassing food hall. There’s also no shortage of culture, with temples and palaces at every turn that are rich in heritage and coated in gold. For something more unique, watch a Cabaret show at the Playhouse Theatre or ride a Ferris wheel in Lumpini Park. Who needs New York when Bangkok is on the cards? |
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| With immaculate streets, minimal poverty and high class shopping, dining and accommodation, Singapore is referred to by many as the best city in Asia. Start the day at Singapore Zoo having breakfast with orangutans, then take the Singapore Cable Car for coffee on the island of Sentosa. Back on the mainland, venture to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, do some shopping at Parco Marina Bay and sample prawn dumplings in China Town. Finish the day with an elegant SingaPear cocktail of Moet, Vodka, pureed pears & grapefruit on the 71st floor of Swissotel, The Stamford at the world renowned New Asia Bar. Then get some rest ready for day two. |
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| Four leaf-clovers, leprechauns and a sturdy pint of Guinness - for such a small piece of the planet, the mythologies and culture of Ireland hold a high spot on the world stage. The country’s capital and most populous city, Dublin is the ideal place to submerge into the jovial world of the Irish, hearing tales of folk fare while spending hours exploring wooden bars adorned in green. For some time in the outdoors, visit Europe’s largest park, The Phoenix, and sit amongst coloured tulips watching wild fallow deer. Other city must-dos include the Dublin Castle, Guinness Storehouse and a plethora of historical cathedrals. |
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| Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, is one of the most unique and underrated cities in Europe, with its cobblestones, cathedrals and a charming local vibe. For a traditional experience, indulge in haggis or a Scotch Pie and explore pubs like the 650-year-old Sheep Heid Inn. For something more unexpected, enjoy the Scotch Whisky Experience with a barrel ride, tasting class and the world’s largest whisky collection. If it’s souvenirs you’re after, roam the streets of the medieval Old Town or visit the weaving mill of Geoffrey Tailor to design your very own tartan! Blend all this with museums and botanic gardens for an all-encompassing Scottish holiday. |
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| South Africa is a country of surprises. You may expect little more than game reserves and the aftermath of a rugged history, but what you will discover is so much more. When in the golden skyline of Johannesburg, shop up a storm around the Nelson Mandela Square or Bruma Market World; be awakened by a cycling tour of the South Western Townships; and try your luck at the Carnival City & Entertainment World Casino. When in Cape Town, explore the dining and shopping scene of Victoria & Alfred Waterfront; marvel at the views from Table Mountain by riding the Aerial Cableway; and visit the District Six Museum to unravel the city’s past. |
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| Bright lights, yellow cabs and celebrity fever – the USA is where the big city dream first began. From drinking martinis in New York to striding the Hollywood walk of fame in Los Angeles, if city holidays are your style, you’ve picked the right destination. Wish you had time to see all the big cities on the planet in one holiday? Las Vegas rolls all the greatest cities across the world into one, with replicas of the Eiffel Tower, pyramids of Egypt, canals of Venice and the Statue of Liberty. The all-encompassing, holiday of a lifetime awaits you in The States. |
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| Known as the culinary capital of Asia, notorious for fantastic shopping and offering world-class accommodation, Hong Kong is a city that stimulates all of the senses. Take in the panorama of the city from Victoria Peak Tower enjoying sauteed scallops and crispy chicken at the Tower’s Tien Yi Chinese Restaurant. Over in Macau, experience a city with a distinctly European feel stemming from the days of Portuguese colonisation. Now known as the Vegas of China, Macau gives travellers access to a gambling hot spot in the East, teamed with ritzy high-rise buildings and sparkling entertainment. |
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| London is an old world city, still delighting with its charming heritage and regal mythologies, unscathed by an abundance of skyscrapers or the demolition of historical buildings. Spend city days kicking back in old character filled pubs, exploring galleries, shopping Bond Street and Mayfair and roaming through city’s glamorous nightlife spots in the steps of Victoria Beckham. Or for something a little more low key, find a central café and watch the world go by; people watching is a wonderful pastime in one of the world’s most diverse and colourful cities. |
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| From the notorious canals and gondolas of Venice, to the fountains and churches of beautiful Rome, these character filled cities with historical architecture make skyscraper horizons seem dreary and bleak. Within these aesthetically glorious cities lies a magnitude of boutique shops, unique markets, incredible food and welcoming locals. In Rome, spend nights attending opera extravoganzas at Teatro dell-Opera di Roma-Teatro Costanzi and days roaming the gardens of the Villa Borghese. In Venice, take in the beauty and bustle of the piazza San Marco and head to Verona to feel the historical love of Romeo & Juliet. |
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| Before you slip off to the beach for hours of salt, sand and sun, take a little time to explore the magic of Greece’s cities. Often referred to as the cradle of Western civilization, Athens in particular is a melting pot of art, fashion, music, food and culture. Start the day with a trip to Mount Lycabettus to take in the enormity of the city below. From here, devour Michelin Star seafood at Varoulko before heading to the Pallas Theatre where you can enjoy anything from a modern play to an experimental dance recital. |
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| Lengthy siestas, seafood paella, endless shopping and palm-fringed beach - the cities of Spain are a myriad of everything the world loves about this passionate culture. Uninspired by other burnt out metropolises, the Spanish still dance to the beat of their own drum, creating a holiday experience so intoxicating it’s almost impossible to return home. Barcelona is for those who can’t fathom a trip without the ocean while Madrid offers a more picturesque cityscape and lifestyle affair. Take the leisurely 6 hour drive between the two to take in the beauty of the Spanish countryside sprinkled with sunflowers and character. |
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| When playing tourist in a country where religious devotees mingle with real estate moguls, and the Islamic call to prayer blends with international house music, you’re left with a game of 'choose your own adventure'. You may opt to submerge yourself into a new world of Arabic culture, riding camels in the Arabian Desert and exploring the gold dipped walls & floral floors of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Or perhaps you’d rather soak yourself into the more glitzy side of life, shopping up a storm in stilettoes & suits and taking in the enormity of the Burj Khalifa building in Dubai. It’s the contrasts that captivate in the United Arab Emirates. |
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| Alive with chaos & excitement yet calmed by Buddhist temples & tranquil gardens, China’s juxtaposing facades make for a holiday as diverse as the land itself. Shanghai, often described as 'the world’s boomtown', is enjoying the fruits of an emerging economy. Skyscrapers, chaotic streets and a huge population make visiting this city a truly exhilarating experience. For the full tourist style adventure, visit the Shanghai Acrobats after stir-fried Chinese vegetables & jasmine tea at the night markets. Over in Beijing, enjoy the dynamic culture of this progressive, modern city mixed with ancient relics of the Forbidden City & Great Wall of China. |
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