Johannesburg is one of Africa’s largest and most vibrant cities. It is an economic powerhouse in Africa and the gateway to Southern Africa. This bustling city offers a wide range of activities, attractions and plenty to do in and around the city including nearby Pretoria. Downtown is a multi-cultural mixture of traditional medicine shops, Chinese restaurants, taxi ranks and ultra-modern skyscrapers. There are excellent museums, art galleries and organised tours of historical and political interest. The shopping is Southern Africa’s best and the many restaurants cater for all tastes. Soweto, a township steeped in history and a significant part of the Greater Johannesburg metropolitan area, is a popular tourist destination.
Resting on the banks of the River Nile, Cairo is the mythical Egyptian capital that has been inhabited for over 6000 years. The dynamic metropolis is an exciting commingling of historical and contemporary offerings, vibrant streets and diverse neighbourhoods. The numerous heritage sites offer a glimpse into its Islamic and Coptic histories, including the renowned Al-Muiz street, Amr Ibn Al-As Mosque, the Hanging Church, and the Saint Samaan Monastery. The bustling tourist hub of Tahrir Square features the world-renowned Egyptian Museum displaying an array of antiquities, including mummies and King Tutankhamun artefacts. After that immersive foray into the past, pull yourself to the present and experience modern Cairo. Visit the baladi bars of downtown Cairo, shop at the Khan al-Khalili Bazaar, watch the sunset from the impressive Cairo Tower, or be entertained at the stately Cairo Opera House. The city's diverse nightlife options range from the traditional bars and coffee houses of downtown Cairo to the upscale Western clubs and bars of the affluent neighbourhood of Zamalek.
The capital of the Emirate of Dubai, the city of Dubai is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf, and is synonymous with size and pushing the limits – first, largest, tallest. Aside from this, the attraction of the metropolis is a dreamy world of sites and unheard-of luxuries; shopping centres, nightlife, and cutting-edge hotels. Famous constructions include Burj Khalifa, The Palm, Burj Al Arab, The World Island. Although Dubai strictly safeguards its traditional practices, it allows space for other religions to breathe, a rare quality amongst the conservative Arab world. The combination of all this means Dubai has emerged as a cosmopolitan mega power, a global city, and travel, business, and cultural hub of the Middle East.
India’s capital, New Delhi, lies on the Indo-Gangetic Plain, within the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Made up of the ancient walled city of Old Delhi and the more modern sector, New Delhi, the city encompasses a staggering array of beautiful buildings, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the grand, sandstone Red Fort, striking Qutab Minar, and fascinating Humayun's Tomb. Architecture enthusiasts will delight in the iconic Lotus Temple. Hear ‘qawwalis’ (devotional music) at the dargah (tomb) of the Sufi saint Nizam-ud-din Auliya; or wander through the 17th century Chandni Chowk marketplace – still one of the city’s most popular retail centres today, famous for its traditional jewellery and saris. The gorgeous Sunder Nursery and Lodi Garden provide calm, flower-filled oases for picnicking.
Steamy, frenetic, and exhilarating, Thailand’s capital city, located in the Chao Phraya River Delta, is a legendary travel destination. This metropolis is equally famous for its rich cultural offerings, effervescent nightlife, superb shopping, and diverse dining options. Bucket list items include a visit to the mind-boggling Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, a morning boat trip down the canals to immerse oneself in the floating markets, and a walk around the opulent Grand Palace. The tourist hub of Khaosan Road, the MBK Centre, Siam Square, or on weekends, the vast Chatuchak market, offer further excellent shopping opportunities, while restaurants span every style, from incredible street food to five-star haute cuisine. The SkyWalk at King Power Mahanakhon is a great spot for couples and photographers, while the Siam Society and Kamthieng House provide an in-depth introduction into Thai culture and folklore.
Circular Quay lies on beautiful Sydney Harbour. With ferries, trains and buses arriving and departing the quay, this is the perfect place to begin adventures to world-famous attractions near the city. Visitors can enjoy water taxis, jet boats and harbour cruises, creating memorable photographic opportunities. One of the most popular things to do here is to spend a leisurely day strolling along the harbour foreshore to the iconic Sydney Opera House and the gorgeous Royal Botanic Garden. Among the many things to do, art lovers should head to the enthralling Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, on the western side of the quay. Some of Sydney's best restaurants are located here, too.
The jewel of Mexico’s beach resort destinations, world-famous Cancun is set on a small sliver of island real estate in the northeast corner of the Yucatan Peninsula. The development of the famed beach resort town started in the 70s, when the Mexican government built a causeway connecting the island to the mainland. Each year thousands of travellers visit Cancun to enjoy its clubbing, beach parties and bikini contests. Culture seekers should head to the various Mayan ruins in the region, such as the ancient settlements of El Meco and El Rey, and Yamil Lu’um, a Mayan temple dating back to the 14th century. The other-worldly Underwater Museum is another must-see, and other exquisite dive sites beckon too. Nature lovers will delight in the chance to spot whale sharks, manta rays and turtles offshore, and explore gorgeous botanical gardens on dry land.
Situated on Argentina’s stunning Rio de la Plata coast, Buenos Aires is a thriving portside capital defined by a rich history, vibrant culture, and strong European influence - thus nicknamed the Paris of South America. Countless museums covering a cornucopia of subjects; an active theatre culture; carnivorous buffets second to none; sensuous tango performances; a mosaic of architecture; and shops to fit all fancies – all these facets and more make up the seductive blend that is Buenos Aires. Some of the city’s highlights include the buzz of the La Bombonera Stadium; tango and milonga venues like the Bohemian La Catedral; and heritage architecture such as that at the Cementerio de la Recoleta, where visitors can wander through a ‘city’ of massive statues and marble mausoleums. Don’t miss the International Festival of Independent Cinema and the vibrant annual Pride Parade.
Set at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic oceans and backed by the iconic Table Mountain, the bustling city of Cape Town presents an alluring combination of drawcards. Incredible powdery white beaches, highly acclaimed wine routes, and astonishingly beautiful mountain trails surround a cosmopolitan hub. This diverse metropolis is filled with superb shops and restaurants, extraordinary heritage monuments, a multitude of entertainment venues, and a spectacular, chic waterfront harbour. Highlights include the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art; Table Mountain's jaw-dropping views; Boulders Beach, where penguins might swim right up to you in the warm Indian ocean waters; the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where you can walk along a treetop canopy among incredible native flora or watch an open-air concert at the base of the mountain; Robben Island, where visitors can see the cell where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years; and many more.
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