Seen from the train, Durham presents a magnificent sight, with cathedral and castle perched atop a bluff enclosed by a loop of the River Wera, and linked to the suburbs by a series of sturdy bridges.

This city in the Rhine Gorge is known for its winemaking, dramatic landscapes and 15-minute cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument (celebrating the German victory over France in 1871).

Australia’s Port Douglas is a tropical escape tucked between two natural wonders: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.

Tunis' white-washed, blue-shuttered buildings hide a treasure trove of Arabic and Ottoman art. Inspect illuminated manuscripts from the Koran, follow the twists and turns of the fascinating old Medina (inner city), marvel at the ornate Palace of Dar Ben Abduallah and the magnificent Djamaa-Ez-Zitouna Mosque, whose 184 columns were "recycled" from the rocky ruins of Carthage.

Papua New Guinea is a land of surprises, where misty highlands give way to tropical coasts and vibrant festivals stir every sense. In the Highlands, the air carries the echoes of ceremonial drums and elaborate sing‑sings like the famed Goroka Show, where over 100 tribes gather in September to perform dances adorned with feathered headdresses, body paint, and the haunting clay masks of the Asaro Mudmen.