Modern Vietnam is the latest Asian dragon to awake from its slumber.  For culinary adventurers Vietnam is a treasure trove of hundreds of different dishes from spring rolls to secret spices.  For the history buffs, the Viet story is told respectfully at poignant sites across the country.  As well, the Vietnamese are graciously welcoming of foreigners who come as guests not conquerors.  If you visit Vietnam expecting the unexpected, yet ready for an adventure as much as a holiday, Vietnam will deliver.

Currency is the Vietnamese dong

Language is Vietnamese

When to visit Vietnam:

• High Season: July to August
• Shoulder: December to March
• Low Season: April to June, September to November

Halong Bay

Hoi An

Hoi An

Hoi An

Hoi An

Hoi An

Hue

Hue

Hoi An

Halong Bay

Halong Bay

Hoi An

Hoi An

Hoi An

Hue

Hue

Hue

Hoi An

Hoi An

Halong Bay

Vatican City is the world’s smallest sovereign state, yet it occupies a tremendously important role as the capital of the Catholic world and guardian of one of the greatest artistic collections on the planet.  At the centre of Vatican City is St Peter’s Square, a grand central space designed by Bernini to represent the motherly arms of the church.  In spectacular fashion, St Peter’s Square itself can hold over 300,000 visitors at one time.

Currency is the Euro

Language is Italian

When to visit Vatican City:

• High Season: July to August
• Shoulder: April to June, September to October
• Low Season: November to March

St. Peter’s Square

Vatican Museum

St. Peter’s Cathedral

Vatican Museum

St. Peter’s Square

Vatican City

St. Peter’s Cathedral

St. Peter’s Cathedral

St. Peter’s Cathedral

Vatican Museum

St. Peter’s Cathedral

Vatican Museum

Vatican Museum

St. Peter’s Cathedral

St. Peter’s Square

St. Peter’s Square

St. Peter’s Cathedral

St. Peter’s Cathedral

St. Peter’s Square

St. Peter’s Cathedral

Vatican Museum

Vatican Museum

Anytime is the perfect time to visit the USA.  All you’ve got to do is decide to go and the hardest part is over.  The main thing to keep in mind when travelling around the USA is the continent’s immense scale; Texas alone is twice the size of Germany.  That being said, America is a grand country full of once in a lifetime road trips with great open skies, red rock deserts, towering mountain peaks and the brightest lights in the biggest cities you’ll ever see.

Currency is the American Dollar

Language is English

When to visit USA:

• High Season: June to August
• Shoulder: April to May, September to October
• Low Season: November to March

Alaska

New York City

Grand Canyon NP

Seattle

Washington, DC

New York City

Alaska

Chicago

Manhattan

Juneau, Alaska

Chicago

Alaska

New York City

Seattle

Washington, DC

Seattle

New York City

Alaska

Juneau, Alaska

New York City

Alaska

New York City

New York City

Chicago

Chicago

Chicago

Washington, DC

New York City

Chicago

Grand Canyon NP

Chicago

Grand Canyon NP

New York City

Grand Canyon NP

Chicago

Manhattan

Washington, DC

Washington, DC

New York City

Washington, DC

London is the beating heart of the United Kingdom (UK) where there really is something for everyone whether you’re 7 or 70, travelling in a group with friends or backpacking it solo.  While the towns and cities in the UK may look small on a map, they boast an astounding collection of impressive castles and stately homes as well as towers, palaces, museums and monuments from any century you might imagine.  Highlights of the UK beyond London include Edinburgh Castle, Stonehenge, York as well as not to be missed overseas island territories Bermuda, Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and South Georgia Islands.

Currency is the Pound Sterling

Language is English

When to visit UK:

• High Season: June to August
• Shoulder: September to October, March to May
• Low Season: November to February

London, England

London, England

London Tower, England

London Tower, England

The Shard, London

London, England

The Shard, London

Stonehenge, England

London, England

Tower Bridge, London

Westminster, London

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

Westminster, London

Westminster, London

St. Paul’s Cathedral, London

St. Paul’s Cathedral, London

St. Paul’s Cathedral, London

St. Paul’s Cathedral, London

Tower Bridge, London

St. Paul’s Cathedral, London

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

London Tower, England

Wembley Stadium, London

The Shard, London

The Shard, London

The Shard, London

Westminster Abbey, London

London, England

Tower Bridge, London

London, England

Tower Bridge, London

St. Paul’s Cathedral, London

Stonehenge, England

London Eye, England

London, England

The Shard, London

St. Paul’s Cathedral, London

London, England

Stonehenge, England

London, England

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a forward thinking society that has the ambition to build the world’s most impressive buildings; including the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.  With plenty of grand projects almost always being erected around the UAE, visiting here often feels like a trip to the future.  Specifically, the Burj Al Arab is the Emirati’s landmark luxe hotel in Dubai due to its dramatic design that gives even spectacular opulence new meaning.

Currency is the UAE Dirham

Language is Arabic and English

When to visit UAE:

• High Season: November to March
• Shoulder: April to May, October
• Low Season: June to September

Dubai

Dubai

Abu Dhabi

Dubai

Dubai

Dubai

Burj Al Arab

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi

Burj Al Arab

Dubai

Dubai

Burj Al Arab

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi

Burj Al Arab

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi

Burj Al Arab

Abu Dhabi

Dubai

Abu Dhabi

Dubai

Abu Dhabi

Dubai

Dubai

Dubai

Dubai

Burj Al Arab

Dubai

Dubai

Dubai

Burj Al Arab

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi

Dubai

Abu Dhabi

Dubai

Dubai

Dubai

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi

Dubai

Dubai

Dubai

Dubai

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi

Dubai

Burj Al Arab

Dubai

Turkiye can be as fun and exciting as you want it to be.  Istanbul is as romantically exotic as you could hope for with a skyline that showcases graceful domes and minarets as well as bazaars awash with the sights, sounds and smells of the East.  Turkiye also straddles two continents, Europe and Asia, so it can seem comfortably familiar in the West, yet adventurous and mysterious in the East.  If you start in Istanbul, be sure to end your Turkish explorations in Cappadocia where its lunar landscapes and fairy chimneys are both as unique and magical as you imagined.

Currency is the Turkish Lira

Language is Turkish

When to visit Turkiye:

• High Season: June to August
• Shoulder: May, September
• Low Season: October to April

Cappadocia

Istanbul

Cappadocia

Istanbul

Cappadocia

Istanbul

Cappadocia

Cappadocia

Cappadocia

Cappadocia

Cappadocia

Cappadocia

Cappadocia

Cappadocia

Ephesus

Cappadocia

Istanbul

Ephesus

Istanbul

Cappadocia

Istanbul

Cappadocia

Cappadocia

Cappadocia

Cappadocia

Istanbul

Cappadocia

Istanbul

Cappadocia

Istanbul

Istanbul

Istanbul

Cappadocia

Cappadocia

Cappadocia

Istanbul

Cappadocia

Cappadocia

Cappadocia

Cappadocia

Tibet is aptly named ‘the roof of the world’ because it fulfills its promise of breathtaking high altitude scenery accented by awe inspiring monasteries and temples.  The scenery and architecture are only half of the Tibetan story, however, the true highlight is the people whose colour, good humour and religious devotion make travelling across the plateau a profound joy.

Currency is the Chinese Yuan

Languages are Mandarin and Tibetan

When to visit Tibet:

• High Season: May to September
• Shoulder: March to April, October to November
• Low Season: December to February

There is a code of conduct for visiting temples.  It is important to act and dress with respect when visiting religious sites.  Women may accept a gift from a monk but must be careful never to touch him.  Shorts and tank tops are not appropriate.  Hats must be taken off when entering the grounds.   Shoes must be taken off before going into the temples.  When sitting in front of Buddha, sit with feet to the side.  Bow in the presence of elderly monks.  Giving a small monetary donation will be greatly appreciated.  Never point your finger or soles of your feet towards a monk or a Buddha figure.

Travel Health: it is especially important that you visit your travel physician prior to this trip as parts of Tibet are at altitude.  You may need medication to prevent altitude sickness.

Lhasa

Jokhang Temple, Lhasa

Tibetan Himalaya

Mount Everest

Lhasa

Lhasa

Potala Palace, Lhasa

Potala Palace, Lhasa

Lhasa

Lhasa

Tibetan Himalaya

Tibetan Himalaya

Jokhang Temple, Lhasa

Potala Palace, Lhasa

Potala Palace, Lhasa

Potala Palace, Lhasa

Lhasa

Mount Everest

Lhasa

Mount Everest

Mount Everest

Lhasa

Tibetan Himalaya

Potala Palace, Lhasa

Mount Everest

Jokhang Temple, Lhasa

The Kingdom is an exotic land that is surprisingly convenient and accessible.  Without a doubt, the highlight of your visit to this golden land will be the Thai people.  They are always eager to please in an effort to showcase their natural beauty, historic temples and robust cuisine.  Not to miss highlights in Thailand include Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Railay, Ayuthaya and of course the magnificent marine life in Ko Tao.

Currency is Thai Baht

Language is Thai

When to visit Thailand:

• High Season: November to March
• Shoulder: April to June, September to October
• Low Season: July to October

There is a code of conduct for visiting temples.  It is important to act and dress with respect when visiting religious sites.  Women may accept a gift from a monk but must be careful never to touch him.  Shorts and tank tops are not appropriate.  Hats must be taken off when entering the grounds.   Shoes must be taken off before going into the temples.  When sitting in front of Buddha, sit with feet to the side.  Bow in the presence of elderly monks.  Giving a small monetary donation will be greatly appreciated.  Never point your finger or soles of your feet towards a monk or a Buddha figure.

Phi Phi Islands

Grand Palace, Bangkok

Chiang Mai

Ayuthaya

Grand Palace, Bangkok

Grand Palace, Bangkok

Phuket Big Buddha

Phi Phi Islands

Grand Palace, Bangkok

Bangkok

Phuket Big Buddha

Chiang Mai

Phi Phi Islands

Phuket Big Buddha

Wat Arun, Bangkok

Phuket Big Buddha

Phi Phi Islands

Bangkok

Chiang Mai

Grand Palace, Bangkok

Phi Phi Islands

Chiang Mai

Wat Arun, Bangkok

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai

Phi Phi Islands

Phi Phi Islands

Grand Palace, Bangkok

Chiang Mai

Phi Phi Islands

Grand Palace, Bangkok

Wat Arun, Bangkok

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai

Ayuthaya

Chiang Mai

Grand Palace, Bangkok

Grand Palace, Bangkok

Grand Palace, Bangkok

Chiang Mai