Cultural

The Middle East is known the world over for many things, and at the top of the listt is its abundance of oil and Qatar is no different.  No one expected it to be the host of the 2022 World Cup competition until it was announced back in 2010.  Being host to the competition shed a different light on this side of the Arabian Gulf allowing us to see it as a tourist friendly destination and not just for those flying in and out just for business, but learn about Qatar’s history culture and what it has to offer an adventurer.

Scotland is known for many things, Irn Bru, rain; it is also a fantastic place for a wide variety of outdoor pursuits.  With a countryside rich in everything from towering mountains to crystal-clear lochs, Scotland’s Highlands boast some of the most impressive scenery in Europe.  With a varied national geography running from the lowlands on the English border to the stunning Highlands.  Up north you’ll find everything from mountain ranges for snow sports, sweeping lochs for watersports, and no shortage of stunning scenery for trekking through, mountain biking across and generally marvelling

Beyond the stereotypes, Ireland and Northern Ireland are as characterful and fascinating as is any of their most colourful depictions. Take the time to explore; away from the city centres lie dramatic scenery perfectly suited to outdoor action and water sports, plus isolated secret spots to rival anywhere in the world.  Whether it's escaping to Kerry's coast or marvelling at the Giant's Causeway, there's a host of unforgettable experiences in store Here's our pick of the highlights.

There is only one Sri Lanka. This teardrop island  off the south of the mighty subcontinent really packs a punch. But which of its many marvels should make it on to your must-see list? 

TRAINlOURNEY THROUGH TEA COUNTRY

The train journey between Kandy and Ella is arguably one of the world's most scenic offering spectacular views from grand 19th Century bridges that stitch together verdan hill country and rolling, mist-shrouded tea plantations. Aside from the views it also  offers a great window into Sri Lankan life.

Laying claim to the world's biggest rainforest, driest desert, largest salt pan, along with a string of exceptional archaeological sites and stunning natural wonders, Latin America is not short on enthralling and unusual destinations. Here's a clutch of our favourites.

An industrial port on the edge of the Baltic may not sound like an ideal spot for a mini break, but with his cobbled streets and pastoral coloured Flemish buildings, Gdansk is full of surprises. And right now, is the time to go, before it starts attracting anywhere near the hefty number of visitors Polish hotspot Krakow does. From a tourist’s perspective, it still feels almost undiscovered.

It's not a pretty sight. The stark landscape of Egypt's desert burns my retinas, forcing me to squint as I scan the quivering, molten, 40°C scene before me. Besides my two friends, our jeep driver, there's not a soul around, nor is there a signal that life could survive here - even if it wanted to. Instead, ochre sands meet dark smatterings of iron ore from the region's volcanic rock formations. It's a surreal corner of the earth almost entirely untouched by mankind.

Pisa is a perfectly lovely Tuscan student town that's become a landmark around the world because of its extraordinary gravity-defying tourist pull: There's no denying the Tower, or Torre in Italian, is unique, but the town has loads more on offer.

On the north-east coast of Japan, where mountains roll into rice fields and waves crash on sandy shores, two historical cities stand out for their gastronomic delights. Harbour side Niigata and mountainous Tsuruoka - located in the Tohoku region of Japan, a few hours from Tokyo by train - have a very different culinary style, but both approach cuisine in a way that celebrates the farmlands, oceans and mountains that surround them. The cities may  be 140km apart, but their commitment to the country's natural abundance unites them in reputation: as true culinary capitals of Japan.

Offering everything from meat-topped flatbreads to flavoursome cheese, Armenia's divers and exciting cuisine deserves a place on the on the global gastronomic map. This country draws on culinary influences from all over Europe, the Middle East and the Levant to serve up a menu of mouth-watering dishes - think harissa, a savoury chicken porridge; manti, a delicious baked dumpling; or ghapama, a pumpkin stuffed with boiled rice, dried fruits and nuts. A nation of food-lovers, Armenians attach great value to ancestral recipes and home cooking, so travellers should make sure to come with open minds and empty stomachs.