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Visitors are drawn to Madrid for its art, culture, and energetic nightlife. Spain’s capital city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. With a population of three million, it’s much smaller than many world capitals, but the atmosphere in Madrid is irresistable. People here enjoy life to the fullest, whether savoring every bite of a traditional Spanish meal or dancing all night in one of the city’s many bars and clubs. They also appreciate art, culture and sport and invite visitors to join them in their pursuits.

With great weather all year, there really isn’t a bad time to visit Madrid. There are a variety of lodging options including some luxurious five star Madrid hotels. Some hotels feature traditional architecture and decor while others adopt a more modern style. Visitors will be able to find rooms that suit both their pocketbook and their personal preference.

Once settled in the city, take a stroll through the various boulevards and squares located throughout the city. They are great for people-watching and many have good restaurants and interesting shops. Just be careful of tourist traps in some of the more popular areas. Sometimes its enough to just soak up the energy and pace of a new city. Visitors will also find a multitude of architectural wonders throughout the city to enjoy: beautiful palaces, cathedrals, and mosques seem to be everywhere.

Art lovers will have plenty to do in Madrid. The city is home to the famous “Golden Triangle” of art. Three museums with world reknown collections ranging from ancient artifacts to contemporary art. Consisting of the Prado, the Reina Sofia, and the Tyssen Bornemisza Museum of Art, the combined exhibits feature works by Picasso, Dali, el Greco, Goya, Degas, and many, many others. There are many other museums and galleries in Madrid, some large such as the 25,000 piece collection of the Museo de America and others featuring the works of only one artist, like the Francisco de Goya museum.

The city also loves its sports. Madrid boasts one of the top football (soccer in the US) clubs in the world: Real Madrid. Matches are held in Bernabeu stadium. The Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas is one of the largest bullrings in the world and considered by many to be the world capital for the sport. Madrid is also proud of their basketball teams and the Madrid Tennis Masters tournament.

Phuket, Thailand is a beach paradise for the multitudes of tourists who descend on the island each year. Drawn to the sand, sun and ocean, the tourists spend their days sailing, snorkelling, sunbathing and shopping. At night they enjoy the many nightclubs, bars, and incredible Thai restaurants on the island. They stay at popular beach resorts and five star Phuket hotels. Few bother to explore some of the other natural wonders of the island, which makes a trip to Bang Pae waterfall a happy alternative for those who want to escape the crowded beaches and explore some of the natural beauty of Phuket.

Located in Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, Bang Pae is the largest waterfall on the island. Though relatively small, the waterfall is worth the ten minute walk from the parking area. Even in the dry season, the waterfall supports its lush surroundings. Visitors sometimes feel they are in a rain forest environment. There is a small pool at the base of Bang Pae that many visitors use to cool off.

Bang Pae is the home of the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project. The Project adopts gibbons that were held in captivity and helps rehabilitate them to eventually be released into the wild. By its nature, the Project doesn’t offer visitors the chance to touch the gibbons. However, there are plenty of opportunities to view the animals from a distance and learn about their plight and the work of the Rehabilitation Project.

Khao Phra Theao National Park is also home to Ton Sai waterfall, and there is an eight kilometer trail that visitors can take from one waterfall to the other.

Hong Kong is famous for its blending of Eastern tradition and Western influences. This Special Administrative Region puts an Eastern spin on Western inventions such as modern steel skyscrapers and shopping malls, fine dining restaurants, and 5 star Hong Kong hotels. Hong Kong also offers an array of cultural landmarks that celebrate the area’s unique heritage, art, and history. Some of the best venues for understanding Hong Kong are its many fabulous museums.

Most would argue that the Hong Kong Museum of History is the best of them all. Unlike other Chinese museums, this one offers innovative exhibits that recreate places and times in Hong Kong history, such as the replica of a colonial street. The Hong Kong Museum of Art features panoramic views of Hong Island as well as exhibits of Chinese paintings and ceramics. It also devotes space to contemporary Hong Kong artists. Another arts venue is the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre.

The Hong Kong Science Museum as well as the Space Museum and the Museum of Medical Sciences offer insights into the region’s scientific contributions. Maritime heritage is exhibited in the Hong Kong Maritime Museum and the Museum of Coastal Defence. Other unique museums include the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware located in Hong Kong Park and the Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery.

To further explore Hong’s rich cultural heritage, check out the Law UK Folk Museum, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum or the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Center in Kowloon Park. Hong Kong is also home to a Film Archive, a Police Museum, and a Railway Museum.

Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok, is also the largest city in this exotic country. The Thai royal family, the longest continuous monarchy in the world, has their official residence in Bangkok and every year large celebrations are held for the birthdays of the King and the Queen. As the Thai capital and primate city, Bangkok is home to not only the Grand Palace, but the House of Parliment. It has been the capital of Thailand since 1768.

Bangkok has grown from a small trading post to a large, urban metropolis and a recognized economic and political center of a region expanding beyond Thailand to include much of Indochina and Southeast Asia. The city’s influence extends to finance, education, fashion, the arts, and entertainment. It is truly a cosmopolitan and global city and was recognized as the “Best City in the World” in 2008.

The population of Bangkok is a mixture of Chinese, Indian, and even western peoples and the city reflects this mixed heritage in its languages, architecture, and traditions. Likewise, Bangkok is a blending of traditional and modern, home to both ancient temples and steel skyscrapers. Visitors will find the confluence of cultures intoxicating and unforgetable.

Some of the more popular tourist attractions in Bangkok include the Grand Palace, the Victory Monument, and the Ancient City. The city also has several intriguing museums such as the anantasamakhom Throne Hall, the National Museum, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Museum of Contemporary Art. The city also has numerous parks and animal sanctuaries including Lumphini Park (imagine a Thai version of Central Park),the Dusit Zoo, the Crocodile Farm & Zoo, and the Bangkok Butterfly Garden and Insectarium.

Shopping in Bangkok is amazing. Many items, especially clothing and other locally-produced goods, are priced considerably less than you’d pay in the west and everyone haggles over price, so you can sometimes get an even better deal. The city has several markets that are even cheaper, but be careful because a few markets are actually more expensive. Visitors can choose from the best hotels in the city of Bangkok and experience a variety of cuisines from around the world, just make sure to take advantage of getting fresh Thai food. The nightlife in the city ranges from bars and nightclubs to theater, dance, and concerts.

Any trip to India will be much improved by a visit to the colorful and vibrant city of Delhi. This ancient city is the capital of India and its second largest city by population, numbering over 17 million inhabitants. Visitors are drawn to the city’s contrasts, ancient and modern, East and West. The city is home to modern skyscrapers and ancient monuments. Street vendors sell local foods while world class restaurants offer cutting edge cuisine from around the globe. However, it is the ancient monuments that set this bustling city apart from every other urban metropolis.

One of Delhi’s defining monuments is Humayun’s Tomb. This is one of three World Heritage Sites designated by the UN in Delhi. Construction began in 1562 on this tomb for the second Mughal emperor. It is recognized as the prototype for the Taj Mahal in Agra. The tomb is surrounded by gardens which were designed in the four corners (Persian Char Bagh) style. The gardens underwent a major renovation in 2003 and are argued to be the best grounds in Delhi.

The Tomb itself is built of red sandstone and white marble and is the city’s first major Mughal structure. The entrance to Humayun’s crypt is on the second level. The central dome of the tomb rises 140 feet with two layers. The floorplan is an intricate “ninefold plan” containing 124 vaulted chambers.

The tomb of Iza Khan is also located within the grounds. It is a large, octagonal structure that was built about twenty years prior to Humayun’s. The South Gate was the original royal entrance to the grounds. It offers the best views of the gardens and structures. Also located on the site ist he Barber’s Tomb which is made of red and grey sandstone and believed to house the crypt of Humayun’s favorite barber.

Whether in the city for historical sight-seeing, modern business concerns, or simply to get a taste of India, visitors will find great shopping, incredible food, and a number of Delhi five star hotels. Once done exploring Delhi, travlers can easily move on to other destinations in central India, including Rajasthan, Himachal, Ladakh, and the Punjab.