Asia - Middle East

Singapore is an island nation located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It lies 137 km N of the Equator, just south of the Malaysian state of Johor. One of the few remaining city-states in the world, Singapore is a thriving cosmopolitan city that is brimming with diversity and has a multiplicity of culture, language, arts and architecture and a world famous variety of cuisine. Read more about Singapore, Singapore

Kuala Lumpur - or KL as it is known - is situated midway along the west coast of the Malaysian Peninsula, and as the nation's capital city it is the focal point of the new Malaysia. The city truly brings together Malaysia's past and present and its varied cultures. Visitors can appreciate the evocative British buildings as well as the unbounded spirit of progress that symbolises Malaysia's unhesitating leap into the future. Read more about Port Klang, Malaysia

Phuket is the main town in the SE of an island of the same name, in the south of Thailand. This destination provides perfect silky-soft beaches, together with superb hospitality. With spectacular scenery and warm blue waters, it is not surprising that it is Asia's most popular beach destination. Read more about Phuket, Thailand

Colombo is the largest city, and the commercial, industrial and cultural capital of Sri Lanka. Despite its frenetic traffic and the general hustle and bustle of being where you can see some of the tallest buildings in Asia, it does offer some interesting attractions. In the northern part of the city you can find the British fort, dating from the 19th C, as well as the gracious old buildings of previous colonial eras. Read more about Colombo, Sri Lanka

Cochin, which now takes in much of the region adjoining the original town, is a vibrant city on the SW coast of India. It is flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west and it enjoys a moderate equatorial climate. It is a blend of modern India, while the old quarter maintains a colonial 'feel'. Read more about Cochin, India

New Mangalore is the chief port for Mangalore (formerly Bangalore), on the Arabian Sea of India's west coast. Here a very popular venue for visitors is Panambur Beach that offers jet ski rides, camel rides, boating, dolphin viewing, and food stalls serving ice-cream and natural fruit syrups. Importantly, there are trained beach life-guards and patrol vehicles for safety and security. Read more about New Mangalore, India

The small Indian state of Goa, with a 100 km coastline and extending 50 km inland, is situated at the centre of the western shores of India, facing the Arabian Sea. For 450 years Goa was a Portuguese province, until annexed by India in 1961. As India’s smallest and richest state, it offers the best quality of life in the country. Read more about Goa, India

Mumbai, with its natural deep harbour on India's west coast, is its most populous city as well as the richest. Comprising seven islands that once were home to communities of fishing colonies, over time, joined to form the city earlier known as Bombay. It is now the commercial and entertainment capital of India. Read more about Mumbai, India

Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, is an island city in the NE of the Persian Gulf. The climate is hot and arid, with sunny skies yearlong. Temperatures pass 40°C in April through September, but are cooler from November to March. Read more about Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Dubai, The Pride of the United Arab Emirates, is situated on the southern Arabian Gulf. The subtropical climate sees blue skies, temperatures reaching the mid-40s, and little annual rain. The city is all about contemporary shopping with more than 70 shopping malls in the city and indoor entertainment. Read more about Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Doha, in the State of Qatar, is a multicultural city and home to most of the country's population, as well as expatriate communities from a range of origins. It lies on a small peninsula (80 km by 190 km) in the Persian Gulf, off the Arabian Peninsula and border with Saudi Arabia. Doha is Qatar's largest city and capital, and is the economic centre of the country. Read more about Doha, Qatar