Abu Dhabi

Prior to the discovery of oil in 1958, the emirate of Abu Dhabi was basically a poor, rural wasteland. Today, it has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. The emirate is characterized by three political or geographic divisions: the city of Abu Dhabi, Al-Ain and the offshore islands.

The city of Abu Dhabi, the seat of government of the U.A.E. and the nation's second largest city, is quite modern and clean. Date palms nestled between the glass and steel high-rises give the city a bit of soul, but it is still primarily an administrative and business center. However, it is emerging as a highly desirable destination. There's a vibrant downtown with interesting streets and abundant sidewalk cafes, and a growing number of prestigious museums.

Abu Dhabi's coastal area consists primarily of swamps and salt flats, but as you go inland, the view becomes classic desert: Nomads tend their sheep (often by truck or four-wheel-drive vehicle) among the oases, date palms, sand dunes and gravel pits.

Singapore

Singapore has always been a crossroads between East and West. Once upon a time, its port swelled with Chinese, Arab, Malay, Indian and European traders who went to exchange exotic wares. Today, the city-state has expanded to become one of the world's busiest ports, and over time, as goods have been exchanged, cultures have mingled as well. To the casual observer, Singapore appears to be a clean and orderly mass of shopping malls and McDonald's. But the curious who dig a bit deeper will find that the cultures of the original settlers are still very much alive and well in this truly multicultural melting pot.

Singapore's dedication to preserving cultural heritage has created a number of excellent museums and thriving, ethnically distinct neighborhoods. Chinatown and Little India still retain some of their original cultural relevance for Singaporeans while attracting foreign visitors who marvel at the endurance of cultural identity. A stroll through any of the city's neighborhoods will reveal Taoist temples, Muslim mosques and Christian churches cohabitating peaceably side by side. Cultural intermingling has also produced unique Eurasian and Peranakan (Straits Chinese) cultures, each with its own fashion, furnishings and food.

Speaking of food, with so much cultural diversity, dining in Singapore is varied and good—gastronomic experiences range from the finest Continental cuisine served with polished silver to delicious local dishes served in an open-air hawker center with plastic chopsticks. It's a small wonder Singaporeans love to eat.

Singapore is both an island and a country, but perhaps it is best described as a city-state. Like the great city-states of the past, it offers civilization and order in the highest degree. Its combination of Western-style development and Eastern-style order seems to present the best of both hemispheres: It's a modern metropolis where you feel safe walking the streets, and it's an Asian business center that's a model of efficiency. Singapore is also an ethnically mixed city, and close to one-quarter of its population is made up of expatriates or foreign workers from all over the world. Known for its desire to become the technology hub of Asia, Singapore is the most wired country in the region.

Another trait Singapore shares with historical city-states: Its authorities strongly believe that they can safeguard the status quo with regulations against almost anything and everything that—in their view—could possibly upset the sense of tranquility. It is important to note that in terms of cultural values, Singapore is a relatively conservative society compared with most Western countries and even other developed cities in Asia. Controversial topics such as same-sex marriage and religion should be approached with sensitivity. In reality, visitors will find the place is not as restrictive as suggested by the long lists of hefty fines for such things as littering and jaywalking. Some visitors to Singapore leave singing the praises of a society that "works," but others feel the government's near-compulsive fixation on cleanliness and order makes Singapore sterile in every sense of the word.

Marrakech

Marrakech is the most popular destination in Morocco. The setting is stunning, with ocher stucco buildings on a dry, rocky plain and the snow-peaked Atlas Mountains as a backdrop (though they're not always visible).

Much of the medina is surrounded by beautifully restored pinkish-red ramparts, and lovely palm gardens are interspersed among the impressive buildings, including an ever-growing number of nicely renovated courtyard townhouses (riads) that now serve as boutique-hotels. The modern town has gracious, wide avenues and large, resort-style hotels.

With the airport in expansion mode and more low-cost airlines flying there than ever before, Marrakech is expanding its visitor profile from curious, luxury-seeking travelers to a broader audience with options at more affordable price points. Along with this growth, the city has exploded with construction, seeing the likes of shopping malls and budget hotels joining the ranks of bigwig hotels and resorts. Most of the construction is taking place in the newer section of town, known as Gueliz. Still, there is plenty of room for everybody, and this has not stopped the luxury boom here, either.

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a wonderful combination of sleek skyscrapers and past grandeur, a collision of the ultrachic and tumbledown. Still, there has always been an undercurrent of melancholy in B.A. (as it is affectionately known by expats who call Buenos Aires home), which may help explain residents' devotion to that bittersweet expression of popular culture in Argentina, the tango. Still performed—albeit much less frequently now—in the streets and cafes, the tango has a romantic and nostalgic nature that is emblematic of Buenos Aires itself.

Travel to Buenos Aires is popular, especially with stops in the neighborhoods of San Telmo, Palermo—and each of its colorful smaller divisions—and the array of plazas that help make up Buenos Aires tours.

Inspect the art-nouveau and art-deco architecture along Avenida de Mayo; see the "glorious dead" in the Cementerio de la Recoleta and the gorgeously chic at bars and cafes in the same neighborhood; shop for antiques and see the tango dancers at Plaza Dorrego and the San Telmo Street Fair on Sunday; tour the old port district of La Boca and the colorful houses along its Caminito street; cheer at a soccer match between hometown rivals Boca Juniors and River Plate (for the very adventurous only).

Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA: Coleccion Costantini); Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes; Museo Municipal de Arte Hispano-Americano Isaac Fernandez Blanco; Museo Historico Nacional; Museo de la Pasion Boquense (Boca football); one of two tango museums: Museo Casa Carlos Gardel or Museo Mundial del Tango.

A drink, elegant tea or snack at Cafe Tortoni; the best beef at a parrilla (steak house) such as Cabana Las Lilas or La Cabrera; delicious wood-oven-baked pizza at Siamo Nel Forno in Palermo Soho; the trendy restaurants Olsen in Palermo Hollywood or Sucre in Belgrano; pasta at La Parolaccia; the unique dining experience of El Obrero in La Boca.

Dancing in the huge Crobar disco or the Funky Room at Club Bahrein; samba in Maluco Beleza; quaffing a beer at The Kilkenny or Down Town Matias; enjoying the decks and gardens at Terraza del Este; exploring Puerto Madero's Asia de Cuba disco-restaurant and other lively haunts.

An over-the-top tango-and-dinner show at stylish Piazzolla Tango; intimate concerts in San Telmo bars; old-style tango dancing at the remaining milongas across the city, such as the Club Gricel or Salon Canning.

Calle Defensa from the Plaza de Mayo to Parque Lezama in San Telmo; stroll through the Rosedal rose gardens, particularly September-February; follow the trails in the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve; Plaza Francia in Recoleta to browse the authentic handicrafts.

Feed the animals at the Jardin Zoologico; stroll along the yacht basin at Puerto Madero; check out the stars at the Galileo Galilei Planetarium; take a boat ride in the Parque de Palermo; the rides at El Parque de la Costa theme park.

Cartagena

Cartagena, Columbia

This Caribbean port city boasts some of the finest Spanish colonial buildings in the world and
has morphed into a cosmopolitan it destination, with the requisite top-notch restaurants, hip
hotels and sometimes sky-high prices to match.

Cartagena, more formally known as Cartagena de Indias, is really a tale of two cities: an
entirely walled-in, picturesque "old city" (a UNESCO World Heritage site) from the Spanish
colonial era, when the city was one of three ports of call for the treasure fleets; and a
neighboring modern beach resort—Bocagrande—that bears little resemblance to, and
almost none of the charm of, its predecessor. The "new" Cartagena can be explored in an
afternoon, or skipped altogether; it's the old colonial city that fascinates visitors, and with
good reason. Beyond these two zones lies a sprawling and relatively impoverished
metropolis of little touristic appeal.

The Cartagena city walls stand as a romantic reminder of its glorious past. Las murallas, as the walls are known, were the city's main defense against pirates in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. They attest to the stubbornness and resolution that Cartagena's inhabitants exhibited in defending themselves from the assaults of countless fleets and armies, and during the wars of independence from Spain at the beginning of the 19th century. The city has been spared from the social, political and drug-related violence that has afflicted the rest of the country. Hence, Cartagena has long been considered the safest, as well as the most attractive, of Colombian cities.

The Old City's narrow cobblestoned streets are enchanting. Emerald and leather shops fill restored and brightly painted colonial buildings, whose overhanging wooden balconies are festooned with flowering plants. Ornate churches with golden altars open onto grand public squares reminiscent of ancient Spanish cities. And if you climb las murallas, you'll be treated to wonderful views of the city's famous harbor, protected by numerous fortresses. You can also glimpse the high-rise hotels and condominiums of Bocagrande.

Cartagena is Colombia's No. 1 tourist destination and attracts a diverse group of international travelers, especially conference and convention types, and many others arrive by cruise ship. Cartagena is also a popular vacation destination for middle-class and wealthy Colombians, many of whom have invested in the city in recent years, adding to its panoply of boutique-hotels, fine restaurants and nightclubs.

Finland

Enjoying Nature: Urho Kekkonen National Park, Finland

For the rugged outdoors lover or the novice hiker, the Urho Kekkonen National Park is an idyllic park with amazing views and the perfect adventure. A family friendly destination, this park is located across the Eastern and Northern Lapland in Finland, it’s the perfect place for skiing and hiking. Idyllic views await you as you trek through the wilderness, hiking through gorges, boulder fields, and traipsing beautiful mini waterfalls.

One of the pulls of this wonderful piece of nature is its seclusion. You can be alone for days (if you desire) because the park is so vast and has so many different trails. Though you won’t be completely alone, as the park is filled with animals such as bears, lynx, and reindeer. These majestic creatures pepper the grounds, but you don’t have to worry too much about them. They give humans a wide berth, but bring your camera and binoculars.

The weather maintains on the cold side, but it does warm up significantly during the day. The skiing season is usually in March, but it often holds until summer. The summer nights are moderately cold, but the mosquitos don’t show up until mid June, and are kept at bay because of the freezing temperatures at night. The best place to stay are in the huts on the ground. The off season tends to be less crowded, but it’s definitely fun to go any time of year.  At night, you’re treated to perfect stargazing conditions with the regular appearance of Aurora Borealis, also known as The Northern Lights!

With any national park, there are a few provisos. The park borders Russia, whose boundaries tourists are expected to maintain. There are a few entry restrictions during bird season and the area called Sompio is a strict nature reserve, so hikers need to strictly keep to the trails. The greatest part about visiting here is that you don’t need a permit to go! Unlike the national parks in the US, there are no restrictions on camping or “roughing it” so to speak, however, there are some permits needed to fish.

This beautiful park is the perfect location to get back to nature and explore your more daring side. Get down on the ground and remember where the human race is rooted. You can feel the spin of the Earth here as you look up at the stars and witness the wonders of the world. Whether you’re visiting with your family, or finding your own inner peace, there is something to enjoy for every soul on the planet.

Charleston

Charleston: Part of America’s Intriguing Past

As far back as America’s history can take us, there have always been stories and echoes of the past hidden along the banks of the Eastern shoreline. From New England to the tip of Florida, the grandeur of the past floats in front of our eyes wherever we look. Charleston, South Carolina offers this reminiscent feel of the colonies. The town is filled with history in its walls and cobblestone streets telling tales of old.

Along with everything old, intriguing stories follow of life in the hereafter. Ghost tours abound in Charleston. Walk among the spirits in the cemeteries and ride past the scandalous landscapes that drip with echoes of people who have been. Nightly tours are given in several locations and are very reasonably priced.

The avid tourist knows that nothing is remembered if nothing is cherished. Such is the mentality of the town commissioners. There are walking tours, horse drawn carriage tours, amazing food tours, and tons of different activities to choose from that focus on life in Charleston far behind the modern day. Step into the past and absorb the intensity of colonial America.

The food in the south is notoriously incredible. Carolina barbeque is tangy and spicy in a way that brings a whole new flavor to your palette. They are light on the sauce, as the meat speaks for itself, however the unique vinegar and spicy smoke flavor is found in nearly every diner, around every corner. There are endless options. Dig in.

Additionally, there are lots of local fare options. The diner scene is vast and can really have a tremendous impact on your day. The famous southern comfort food is amazing at Early Bird Diner. Chicken and Waffles and Fried Green Tomatoes are just about the best things on a Menu south of Memphis. They deliver. Breizh Pan Crepes has been a staple in Charleston for years. The crepes they have are limitless. They even have gluten free options. The divine creation that is the crepe is idolized at this quaint little bistro. The wide breadth of food served in this historic city alone is worth the trip. It’s a definite bucket list option.