Beautiful Asia

About the destination: Istanbul owes its historical significance and its incredible cultural and architectural heritage to its perfect strategic location, straddling the Bosphorus straits which separate Europe and Asia Minor. Throughout most of its 2,500-year-long history, the city (first known as Byzantium, then as Constantinople and since 1930 as Istanbul) was a cultural melting pot. Today, its population of over 13 million is almost exclusively Turkish, and many of its people are recent migrants from provincial Turkey, drawn by the promise of jobs and careers in this vibrant, rapidly growing city. Istanbul is no longer the nation's capital, but is Turkey's economic and cultural powerhouse - a status emphasised by its role as a European City of Culture in 2010 and the award of UNESCO World Heritage listing to many of its most important landmarks, which range from stunning Ottoman mosques and Byzantine churches and catacombs to the columns of Hellenistic temples and the remains of massive medieval city walls. But there's more to Istanbul than Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. A rapidly growing economy has contributed to a thriving arts and music scene, with a wealth of new bars, clubs, private art galleries, restaurants and designer fashion outlets.

About the destination: Colombo, situated on the banks of the Kelani River and stretching along the coast with views out to the Indian Ocean, is the biggest city and the financial and commercial hub of Sri Lanka. Colombo is seen as the country’s capital, but the administrative capital is Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, a suburb to the east of Colombo. The streets of Galle Fort have plenty to reveal about the city’s colonial past, with the Portuguese, British and Dutch all leaving their imprint here. To learn more about the Dutch-era in Colombo, pay a visit to The Dutch Period Museum. The city offers a captivating mix of cultures and religions, around the city you’ll find mosques, churches and temples. The Gangaramaya Temple is the most well-known Buddhist place of worship in Colombo. It includes a museum that houses a massive collection of Buddhist relics from around the globe. The Sri Kailawasanathar Swami Devasthanam Kovil Hindu temple is a vibrant and adorned temple worth a visit. The Wolvendaal Church, a church constructed by the Dutch settlers, is an impressive building and a must-see in Colombo. Colombo is often bypassed by tourists who come to the country to hit the beach, but the city is the most buzzing place in the country and offers high-end shopping, a vibrant nightlife, delicious restaurants and intriguing historical sights.

About the destination: Bali is one of the most renowned islands of Indonesia. Located between Java and Nusa Tenggara Island, Bali is home to 2.7 million people. The island is celebrated for its unique blend of stunning scenery, beautiful ancient temples, richness in culture and art, and also the magnificent beaches. Bali has long been globally recognised as a top tourist destination, known for its exotic and vibrant art and culture and the hospitality of its people. The main tourist spots are the town of Kuta, and its outer suburbs of Legian and Seminyak, Sanur, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Ubud, and Nusa Dua. Ubud, the cultural heartland of Bali, defines the character of the island, where visitors are treated to a plethora of cultural offerings, colourful dance and music shows, a good number of reputable art museums, and artists' villages and communities. The must-see temples are the Royal Family Temple at Taman Ayun, Mengwi which is surrounded by water, the Holy Spring Water Temple at Sebatu and the famous Tanah Lot temple at sunset. With a rich cultural heritage that is unique to this island, Bali offers the world-weary visitor the chance to contemplate a different way of life. Mesmerising and captivating, Bali is brimming with colour and life.

About the destination: Hanoi, príomhchathair Vietnam, agus an dara cathair is mó sa tír freisin, is ea ceann de na cathracha is draíochtúla in Áise le carachtar uathúil. Tá rian fágtha ag blianta de ghabháil eachtrach ar an gcathair seo mar a léirítear sna músaemanna suimiúla, na foirgnimh stairiúla, na pagodas, an mausoleum, agus a cheantar Francach féin a thugann atmaisféar an-dhifriúil don chathair. Is é an bealach is fearr chun Hanoi a aithint ná ag siúl timpeall. Níl an lár stairiúil rófhairsing, tá go leor áiteanna le cuairt a thabhairt orthu ann nó sna timpeallachtaí láithreach, agus is é an siúlóid an bealach is fearr chun teagmháil a dhéanamh le muintir chairdiúil Hanoi. Tá Hanoi ar aithint mar chathair na lochanna mar tá go leor lochanna agus crainn timpeall ar an gcathair, an ceann is mó ná an Loch Thiar, Ho Tay, agus an ceann is cáiliúla sa lár cathrach ná Loch an Chlaidhimh Athchóirithe, Ho Hoan Kiem. An rud álainn faoi Hanoi ná na codarsnachtaí suimiúla ailtireachta, ó na seanfhoirgnimh traidisiúnta sa Cheantar Sean go dtí na foirgnimh ollmhóra stíle Eorpach sa Cheantar Francach go dtí na séadchomharthaí Coiméadaí ag Mausoleum Ho Chi Minh agus na ceantair máguaird, gan trácht ar an ailtireacht traidisiúnta álainn a bhaineann lena teampall, mar shampla an Pagoda Quan Su. Is cathair síochánta agus gniomhach í Hanoi, ag borbairt le beatha sráide agus margadh exótaigh ach síochánta timpeall na pagodas agus na dteampall ciúin. Is í Cathair an Dragan Ardaithe an áit le bheith i Vietnam.

About the destination: Tokyo is the capital of Japan and one of the largest urban areas in the world. Tokyo is the financial hub of Japan and a fusion of high-technology and tradition. Tokyo is vast and a well-organised modern city. The cityscape of Tokyo comprises temples and shrines, tranquil nature reserves, historical buildings, futuristic architecture and neon lights. The heart of the city includes Chiyoda and Chuo. This area showcases the impressive Imperial Palace, the national government buildings, the renowned shopping area of Ginza, Tsukiji fish market, Akihabara electronics market and the historic Tokyo Station. The peaceful neighbourhood of Asakusa has some must-see attractions such as the Sensoji Temple, the Nakamise-dōri shopping arcade, and the Golden Poo. Nearby is the Ueno area, including the Ameyoko market. A perfect spot to shop for traditional gifts and see a great Buddhist temple. Another major attraction of the city is the Meiji Shrine, located in Shibuya. Tokyo is a unique city that has something for everyone, bustling shopping areas, famous nightlife, historical sights, quiet parks, and stunning scenery.