Vibrant Cities

Busan

Named East Asia Culture City in 2018, Busan has recently risen to prominence internationally, with visitors now flocking to South Korea's second city even outside of the busy International Film Festival week each October. There is more to do and see than can fit in a space of a few days: traditional spas, local eats and endless shopping all leave but a little time to take in the rugged Busan coastline on seaside nature hikes.

Dhaka

Hectic, bustling, chaotic — Dhaka is an enormous city of endless possibilities with energy to spare. Though it can seem a bit overwhelming at first, visitors who take the time to explore will find the experience most rewarding. Delicious food, bustling markets, serene parks and gardens, lazy river cruises and death-defying rickshaw rides, fascinating museums, temples and mosques to ease the soul, and tantalising musical and dance performances; all this and more awaits the adventurous traveller who dares to venture into this unique city.

Doha

Already well-known as a business travel destination, Doha, the capital of the State of Qatar, has emerged in recent years as a rapidly developing tourist destination as well. A modern country built on the deep cultural roots of its Bedouin heritage, Qatar presents visitors with a kaleidoscope of fascinating contrasts and experiences; from the tranquillity of the desert to the lively alleys of the souq, from the impressive coastal fortresses to the dramatic high-rise towers, and from the deserted sandy beaches and mangrove lagoons to the elegant residential districts and green parks.

Tasty in Antwerp: Zurenborg

Zurenborg is quite possibly the most beautiful neighbourhood in Antwerp. It flaunts its belle époque grandeur like a coquettish lady. It proudly shows surprised visitors its art nouveau façades, elegant streets and squares. But the highlight is the 19th century Cogels-Osylei: sublime architecture from around the turn of the previous century.

Tasty in Antwerp: Theatre Area

The Theatre District owes its name to the many theatres here. This is the working habitat of many directors, actors, dancers and musicians: in the pubs you can almost hear the creativity bubbling away. It’s worth a visit during the day, too, because you’ll find many fashion, antique and interior design shops here, as well as two small but beautiful museums: the Maiden’s House Museum and the Museum Mayer van den Bergh.

Banjul

The low-rise Gambian capital might not be as advanced of a visitor hub as one would, perhaps, expect from a city of such national significance, but it certainly boasts some raw appeal contained within its pulsating and often rather hectic streets. Beyond Banjul proper lies the sprawling Serekunda — Gambia's most populous area — and the vacationer-favoured coastal settlements of Kololi, Bakau, Koto and Fajara.

Ankara

The heart of the Turkish Republic, Ankara, is the second largest city of Turkey after Istanbul. The city lies on the border where east between west. The European and Middle Eastern cultures merged and coloured the city's architecture, food, wine, nightlife, fashion and arts. Drop the anchor in Ankara, as its name suggests, cross the border between tradition and modernity.

Hangzhou

Like Yin and Yang, Hangzhou, the capital city of the Zhejiang Province, has two sides that complete each other. This historic city is a showcase for traditional medicine, religion and art as well as a shining example of China’s rapid economic development. Combining idyllic natural beauty, a grand heritage through the ages and an air of affluence, Hangzhou is one of the country’s most livable and pleasant cities to linger in.

Beer in Antwerp

Who hasn't heard of Belgian beer? This clips shows you the Antwerp Seefbier is made and suggests an excellent foodtip: Antwerp meatballs.

Pristina

Few places in Europe have remained off the beaten path as much as the Kosovar first city; fewer yet have been at the heart of a political dispute as agonising in recent history. Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, one of the world's youngest states, boasts a youthful populace to match, and exudes a lust for life that's virtually tangible. Still rough around the edges and with no tourist information offices in sight, Pristina remains uncharted territory, a state of affairs foreseen to change as the city attracts a growing number of visitors.

Tasty in Antwerp: St. Andrew's

St. Andrew's was once known as ‘the Parish of Hardship’, but those days are long since passed. The Fashion Museum is the public face of the neighbourhood, and in the Nationalestraat and Kammenstraat area vintage clothing and haute couture go hand in hand. There’s always something going on in this district. And don’t miss Kloosterstraat, with its shops full of antique treasures and bric-a-brac.