The southern Thailand town of Krabi serves as base camp for exploring the province of the same name, a lush region of jungles, limestone cliffs and idyllic isles floating just offshore in the Andaman Sea. Buddhist shrines still used by local monks are tucked into the chambers of the town's top attraction, Tiger Cave. The riverside pier links travellers with ferries and longboats to the best scuba diving, rock climbing and white sand beaches on the coast.

Drifting serenely in the Gulf of Thailand, the palm-fringed island of Ko Tao takes its name from the abundant sea turtles that reside on its shores. White sand beaches sheltered by steep hills – some only accessible with four-wheel drive vehicles – and 300 days of sun per year invite long afternoons of lounging.

Breathe deep in Genting Highlands where, unlike nearby Kuala Lumpur, the air is fresh and clean. Aside from its resort life, visitors flock to hill station to enjoy cooler temperatures, mountain scenery, strawberry farms, and a relatively undisturbed, natural rain forest.

Just a speedboat ride from Singapore, Batam’s beaches and bars tempt visitors with dishes of chili crab, grilled lobster, and freshly caught fish. While travellers golf, snorkel, and spa-hop, the island’s traditional culture thrives in fishing villages built on wooden stilts.

Nha Trang is best known for its beautiful sandy beaches. But visitors will also find amusement parks, mud baths, golf, and the historic Po Ngar temple complex, as well as a variety of hotels and restaurants. Adventurous foodies can sample bun cha ca, a soup made from sailfish and jellyfish.

On the south side of Jeju Island, Seogwipo offers swanky hotels, rugged cliffs, popular beaches and gorgeous waterfalls. The volcanic-rock cliffs located around Jungmun beach are a wonder. Make sure to visit the viewing platform to take in the spectacular vistas. A coastal city, Seogwipo's many activities revolve around the ocean, including diving and submarine tours. Many of the restaurants specialize in fresh, local seafood. There's also much to see and do inland, including temples, art museums, amusement parks and botanical gardens.

Serving as both the capital of Belarus and the headquarters of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Minsk is a hub of business and government. Although few older buildings survived WWII bombings and Stalinist construction projects, Belarusians are proud of their capital's long history and its continued cultural importance. The city boasts 16 museums, 11 theaters, and 139 libraries, including the National Library of Belarus, with collections housed in a towering glass geometric ball.

Fukuoka is a gourmet paradise... "providing you're not vegetarian," say travellers on our Fukuoka forum! It's right on Genkai Sea, and the seafood is fresh and abundant. So is Fukuoka-style ramen, which you can find at the city's famous yatai (outdoor stalls) as well as modern restaurants. Walk off your meal at Ohori Park and the nearby Fukuoka Castle ruins.

So-called because of the honey-coloured stone used to build its villages, the Cotswolds offers visitors the quintessential English experience. The area spans five counties and boasts some of England’s most impressive country houses, castles, and landscapes. Plus, plentiful pubs make it easy to experience authentic English hospitality.