The town that gave the country (and port wine) its very name, Porto is Portugal’s second-largest metropolis after Lisbon. Sometimes called Oporto, it's an age-old city that has one foot firmly in the industrial present. The old town, centered at Ribeira, was built on the hills overlooking the Douro River, and today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 14th-century São Francisco church is a main attraction, as are the local port wine cellars, mostly located across the river at Vila Nova de Gaia.

Portuguese, French and Berber architecture frame the maze-like streets of Essaouira, a charming and vibrant port and resort town on the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby, couples and families stroll the beaches of Cape Sim and Sidi Kaouki, which also attract surfers of all types. Relaxation is easy to find here, as is a bus to Marrakech, for those looking for a daytrip.

Taba, situated on the Red Sea's Gulf of Aqaba at the junction of Egypt and Israel, is a stone's throw from a truly impressive range of sites.  Excursions to nearby Castle Zaman provide a rare view of four countries simultaneously, and the Coloured Canyon is an obstacle course ripe for exploration.  The Marriott Taba Heights Red Sea Resort awaits tourists following their day trips with its very own therapeutic Salt Cave, ideal for unwinding in luxury.

Located on Salsette Island, Thane is a suburb of Mumbai. It is surrounded by the Yeoor and Parsik Hills. The suburb is divided by the Thane creek that drains into the Arabian Sea. Although the culture is predominantly Maharashtrian, one can see influences of the cosmopolitan culture of Mumbai as well. Thane (Thana) was the terminus of the first railway in India built from Mumbai in 1853 Thane is known for its numerous beautiful lakes, the most famous being the Masunda Talao, also known as Talao Pali.

Often compared to Venice due to its abundance of canals, Alappuzha is the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala. Rent a houseboat for an up-close view of the palm-lined waterways. In August, the snake-boat race is a remarkable festival—each traditional boat has a crew of over 100 local sailors.

The people of Tamil Nadu consider providing food to others a service to humanity. Thus the service in the state capital, Chennai, is first-rate. Treat your senses to some of the richest South Indian flavours in traditional dishes like sambar, rasam, fish curry or kootu. And don't forget to have a cup of full-bodied Tamil coffee, enhanced with chicory—no visit is complete without it.