The golden sands and red-walled citadels of Morocco's desert have played host to so may international film crews that the town of Ouarzazate on the kasbah route is affectionately known as 'Ouallywood', in tribute to the number of films shot in the surrounding area.
It is impossible not to be fascinated by the Hollywood image of this city of concrete and neon, set in the middle of the desert. The multi-coloured flashing lights, the fortunes won and lost on the spin of a wheel: it's an oasis of indulgence in the middle of nowhere, and it's a place everyone should visit at least once.
A number of countries around the world have taken to celebrating an annual night of culture where art galleries and museums are open all night long. This year, Malta celebrates the event on the night of October 1st, and there's a complete programme of exciting activities planned that will transform Valletta into a city-wide festival.
History and legend meet and mingle on Crete, the largest of the Greek isles. This is the land where the baby Zeus was kept safe from Kronos, and where later, disguised as a white bull, he brought his beloved Europa. It is a land at the very roots of European civilisation. Today, the island, with its beautiful natural scenery, warm hospitality and delicious cuisine pays witness to this ancient heritage.
For a little over 20 kilometres, the steep white limestone cliffs of the French coastline between Cassis and Marseilles wiggle and twist to create the beautiful scenery of the Mediterranean 'fjords'. At their feet, the turquoise waters that have nibbled into the rock for centuries are a veritable paradise for scuba divers.
Brac, Corfu, Formentera, Djerba... The Mediterranean is dotted with beautiful islands boasting secluded, beaches, picturesque harbours, unspoiled coastline and cities steeped in history. We've selected just a few of the most spectacular spots in this paradise of blue.
For many it is the most enchanting of the Greek Islands; for some, a favourite across the entire planet. On the island of Santorini, man and nature live in harmony. Born from the fires of a volcano, today it is a land of sea and wind with picture-postcard villages dotted on its rocky cliffs.
From Bali to Barcelona; from Switzerland to Singapore; these are the most impressive pools on the planet. Perched on the edge of cliffs or on the terraces of the tallest hotels, with stunning views and perfect pool service
There's little chance of getting lost, so you can leave your map behind as you follow the state highway sandwiched between the mountains and the sea, and explore the charming, timeless towns and villages along one of Europe's most spectacular stretches of Mediterranean coastline.
Secluded coves with crystalline waters, unspoiled islands, medieval villages with winding cobbled streets, and of course, charming fishing villages. The Costa Brava treasure chest is overflowing with natural, cultural and historical gems.
It's summer in the mountains of Andorra, and that means it's time to dive, play golf, ride a mountain bike or any of a score of other sports and nature adventures. Summer weather doesn't stop the excitement at Grandvalira, Vallnord and Naturlandia ski stations.
If you fancy a luxury holiday at sea, there are plenty of options available, whether it's adventuring in the waters of Alaska, meandering round the Med, sailing the South Seas of Polynesia...
If you enjoy your seaside holidays, why not take the idea one step further and try a floating hotel? From glass-floored bungalows set over the crystal waters of the South Seas, to chic ships at anchor on the banks of canals, rivers, and lakes, there's bound to be one that floats your boat!
Set on 1,800 hectares of private land in South Africa's second largest game reserve, Makanyane Safari Lodge is a perfect place to relax or to discover the area's wealth of wildlife, as Michelle Obama and her family found when they visited last week.
Throughout July and August, when dusk creeps into the streets and squares of the fortified Plantagenet town of Le Mans, it brings with it a truly magical spectacle of light, colour and sound.
With over 1,000 islands dotting the beautiful clear waters of the Adriatic off the coast of Croatia, the area offers a stunning setting for a sailing holiday. Spend the day island hopping and exploring rocky coves, then return to harbour and enjoy an evening meal in one of the many picturesque villages that even in summer offer an escape from the crowds.
With all eyes on Monaco for 2011's second 'wedding of the year', we bring you a chance to get to know the tiny Principality with its air of glamour and exclusivity, and to discover some of the delights this haven of the rich and famous has to offer.
Preparations are well under way for the upcoming nuptials of Albert of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock, and for those who fancy discovering the romantic principality for themselves, we offer a selection of Monaco's finest hotels. Take your pick among a list that includes classical, Belle Epoque, romantic and contemporary, some with their own claims to a place in legend.
Nestled deep in central Borneo lies a haven quite unlike any other place on earth; here, in Tanjung Puting National Park, in the south of the island of Borneo, visitors can see orang-utans in their natural habitat and get up close and personal with these great apes – our cousins who share around 96% of their genes with humans.
Jerusalem is preparing to celebrate one of its major cultural events, the 'Festival of Light', which, from 15th to 22nd of June, will illuminate the ancient streets of the Old City with the work of leading international artists whose creative material is light itself.
The quiet golden beaches and ancient landscapes of the small island of Djerba are a haven of calm and beauty. According to legend, this land, where the air is full of the rich fragrance of the Mediterranean, inspired Homer when he wrote the Odyssey, and over 400 archaeological sites pay witness to the land's long history.
Over the course of the upcoming months, Portugal's culinary experts are organising a real treat for foodies with the chance to savour the best dishes from the country's rich recipe book prepared by the best international chefs from the Michelin guide.
This is the start of the busiest time of year for the beautiful castles of the Loire, and the time when they are at their best as they host festivals, exhibitions, theatrical performances and all sorts of other cultural activities in their colourful grounds and well-tended gardens.
One of the great pleasures of travelling is discovering the local cuisine and culture, but it isn't always easy for a foreigner to get to know the people of the places they visit. In Holland, 'Dine with the Dutch' offers you the chance to meet a local family and learn about Dutch culture in a unique and personal way.
The white sands of a tropical beach, a mountain peak, or the wide plains of Africa: these are some of the places the hotel reservation site hotels.com has named as their choice from which to view the most spectacular sunsets the planet has to offer.
If you fancy getting away from it all and taking the family for a few days hiking in a beautiful natural setting, why not try the verdant Madriu Valley in Andorra?
Set on a 6,000 acre private reserve, just five minutes from the Amboseli National Park, everything about this environmentally-conscious luxury lodge reminds you that you are in Africa.
Medieval walled towns and villages, arches and churches, picturesque castles with slate-roofed towers and turrets, dazzling halls decorated in gold and adorned with frescoes... the Romantic Road through Bavaria offers a wonderland setting for your own personal fairy-tale romance.
This Saturday, the annual summer season of pyrotechnical displays over the River Rhine kicks off, offering the chance to see the River Rhine as you have almost certainly never seen it before.
Instead of taking the kids on holiday to the beach yet again, why not pull out all the stops and take them on safari? Let them see the great beasts of Africa in their natural habitat, stay in Masai-style accommodation and discover the world of the 'dark continent.'
San Francisco, considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, is a don't-miss destination on the itinerary of anyone who loves travel, architecture, gastronomy and the good life in general. Its welcoming people, the stunning landscape and temperate climate make a visit irresistible.
This new 'top level' five-star hotel, rising high above the vibrant city of Hong Kong, boasts 312 deluxe rooms and the very latest in modern facilities.
While in Europe the cities of Turku and Tallinn are sharing the honour of being Capital of Culture this year, on the other side of the planet, Quito has taken the title of American Capital of Culture, 2011.