Africa at a glance
Some of the most striking and beautiful wilderness on earth is within the borders of this vast continent. The national parks are among the best in the world- try the Kruger National Park in South Africa or Samburu National Reserve in Kenya. Rwanda and Uganda are becoming more and more famous for gorillas, lions and giraffes. Head to the West Coast for some beautiful beaches.
The cities of Africa are fascinating too- reminders of Africa’s diverse colonisation confront you at every turn. Many African countries have excellent fusion food- the French-African cuisine of Reunion, for example, is only rivalled by that of France itself. Africa is also home to the awe-inspiring Egypt, whose ancient culture has kept the archaeological world enthralled for centuries.
Asia at a glance
Bit vague, the term “Asia”. As the world’s biggest (and probably most diverse) continent, Asia covers all the way from shiny, high-tech Tokyo; through dusty, poverty-stricken Cambodia; across majestic, ancient India; moving over the war-torn, oil-rich Iran and Iraq, and stretching as far as (most of) Turkey. As such, it’s traveller heaven, because there’s so much to see and do.
It’s a also a favourite because travelling here is a fraction of the price of travelling in Europe, North America or Australia. Whether your interests lie in climbing mountains, exploring cities, admiring architecture, lying on beaches or sampling different cuisines, you can definitely find what you’re looking for in this incredible continent.
Europe at a glance
Get ready for the most beautiful and intricate architecture, the most mouth-watering gourmet cuisine, the most dramatic and complex history and, sadly, the rudest waiters. Europe ain’t too cheap, and the natives aren’t always as friendly as elsewhere in the world, but the countries themselves more than make up for it, and everywhere you turn you will see views to take your breath.
Head to the West for the best food- France, Italy and Portugal will have you drooling. Head to the East to avoid the flocks of tourists and experience the real countries- Poland, Lithuania and Estonia are packed with stunning churches and quaint cobbled streets, set against centuries-old castles.
Fancy a beach holiday? Try Greek Island hopping for both peace and quiet or party-time, depending on your preference. At the top you have the Scandinavian countries with their dramatic jagged cliffs and towering mountains. Winter here is all about the snow-sports- Norwegians ski to their destinations the way other nationalities drive. You can go dog-sledding in Iceland, cross-country skiing in Norway and snow-mobiling in Finland. And remember, no matter where you go, whether they speak English or not, everyone likes it when you give their language a go!
Oceania at a glance
Backpacker heaven! Australia is a hugely popular place with travellers, and quite rightly, too. Beautiful beaches, delicious seafood barbeques (no, it’s not just a stereotype!) and an incredible laid-back life-style all amount to a wonderful place to be. In fact, many travellers don’t want to leave. Sydney is cosmopolitan and cool, whereas Melbourne is currently one of the top places in the world for quality of life. And let’s not forget the incredible natural beauty of this country.
Some of the world’s best diving is here, in the dazzling coral reefs. Australia has both rainforests and deserts, and let’s let forget that if you’re a surfer, you can’t do much better than right here. Watch out for the sharks, though. If you’re travelling further south to New Zealand, you won’t be disappointed. A real wild outdoors country, New Zealand has hiking, mountain biking, skiing and snow-boarding opportunities galore. If you’re feeling a bit more chilled out, try thermal pools in the North Island or wine tasting in the vineyards in the Marlborough region of the South Island.
Kiwis are typically relaxed, friendly, confident people and you will feel very welcome in this part of the world. On the other side of Oceania, you have the exotic Pacific islands such as Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, where you will find spectacularly stunning beaches in warm oceans. The region is so friendly and incredibly laid-back. Fiji has some wonderful nightlife with beach parties at night, and the cuisine here is a delicious mix of Polynesian, Chinese and Indian. Get ready for lots of fresh seafood and mouth-watering spices!
North America at a glance
It’s not just the United States, you know. Yup, North America as a continent also includes Central America and Canada. Oh, and Greenland. So here’s a quick rundown: The States really have everything you need, whether you are the outdoors type and want to go climb the highest mountains, or the glamorous type and sipping cocktails in the world’s most stylish bars and restaurants is more your style; whether you are a surfer and want to catch some amazing waves followed by chilling on the beach or if you want to visit the best museums and art galleries around.
What can we say, they pride themselves on having everything, and they certainly are very friendly and helpful. Up north, we have the mighty Canada, land of intense natural beauty with every possible extreme sport, along with buzzing, vibrant, not to mention diverse, cities. Try Montreal and Quebec for the oldest French colonial areas that Canada has on offer, or Vancouver on the West Coast for the most cosmopolitan mix of people you could ever come across. Or, alternatively, try the other end of the continent- Central America. This selection of countries is as far as you can get from the modern, technological world just above them.
The tropical jungles of Costa Rica and ancient ruins of the Maya civilisation in Mexico are testimony to a world where the locals live in harmony with their incredible natural surroundings. And we can’t get through the basics about North America without mentioning the food! Loads of it, extremely good value and you can put money on the fact that it will taste good, no matter where you go!
South America at a glance
It’s getting more popular with travellers by the year! There are many tributes to European culture here, but the overall feel of this continent is undeniably Latin American. The famous tango of Argentina and the wild Rio Carnival of Brazil speak volumes about the characteristic passion of the region. South Americans are also passionate about their food and drink- Chilean wine is famous all over the world, as is Argentine steak.
The overwhelming feeling of South America is a love of life, and the best part of coming to this region is abandoning yourself to the joie de vivre. Lovers of ancient cultures will be overwhelmed by the incredible remains of the Incan civilisation. The staggering heights of Machu Picch