Olive groves, orange trees, stretches of golden sand and sapphire sea… a Greek island paradise? Close. Parga is on the northwest mainland of Greece and is beloved for its gorgeous beaches and laid-back atmosphere. Explore ancient fortress ruins, visit the hilltop Ali Pasha castle and chat up some friendly locals at one of Parga’s seaside taverns.

Famed for winter skiing and summer hiking and climbing opportunities, the Dolomites are a section of the Alps in northeastern Italy, running roughly from Pieve di Cadore in the east to the Adige River in the west. Marmolada, just east of Trento, is the highest peak, at nearly 11,000 feet. The dramatic and craggy mountains are famed for their unique colors, which are the result of their partial formations as undersea coral colonies before being pushed upward millions of years ago.

Dubai is a destination that mixes modern culture with history, adventure with world-class shopping and entertainment. Catch a show at the Dubai Opera, see downtown from atop the Burj Khalifa and spend an afternoon along Dubai Creek exploring the gold, textile and spice souks. If you’re looking for thrills, you can float above the desert dunes in a hot air balloon, climb aboard a high-speed ride at IMG Worlds of Adventure or skydive over the Palm Jumeirah.

Powdery sand meets turquoise water in Santa Maria, where morna music pours from beachside bars just a short drive from Ilha do Sal's airport and capital city. Add the sun-and-saltwater resort scene to energetic nightlife, and you get one of Cape Verde’s most popular escapes.

Also known as the ""Queen of Beaches"" , Calangute is is Goa's flagship beach. It is also the most commercialized of all beaches in Goa. Due to its extreme popularity, Calangute beach beckons tourists and backpackers from all over the world and the beach remains choc-a-block with tourists all year around. The beach is dotted with shacks and a lot of the clubs open up onto the beach. There are lots of shows held on the beach including rock, pop beat shows, open air dances, and fetes. Calangute offers all modern amenities like a post office, banks, foreign exchange offices and medical facilities. When in Calangute a must see is the Church of St. Alex, built in 1741.

You could spend your whole Chiang Mai holiday exploring the famous Night Bazaar. Once you’ve exhausted the art of the cheerful haggle, however, there’s plenty more to explore. The National Museum and Botanic Garden are great places to soak up some local culture and to breathe in the delicate fragrance of Thai orchids. In the city’s centre, the remains of ancient walls embrace over 30 temples. Limber travellers can climb 300 stairs to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, an ornate Buddhist temple in the hills.