Taichung, Taiwan

From pub-hopping to 18-story department store shopping, Taichung is a lively city at the heart of Taiwan. Tour the glass-walled botanical centre and the renowned art museum, then wander from shops to food stalls in any of the night markets. The mountains that protect Taichung from typhoons offer travellers an excellent change of pace from city life, with lakes, farms, bike paths and more to discover.

Krasnoyarsk, Russia

Known as a top spot for rock climbing, Krasnoyarsk will thrill travellers who like to take their holidays to new heights. The impressive granite formations at Stolby nature reserve are perfect for a free climb or two. Love the drama of a hand-over-hand sweat session but prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Take in a show at the Pushkin Drama Theater, or marvel at the works of one of the country's greatest artists, at the Vasily Surikov Museum. In the summer, the flower monuments are eye-catching landmarks - fun figures made completely out of colourful blooms.

Samara, Russia

Samara is a transportation and industrial hub, as well as home to one of Russia's top engineering institutions, Samara State Aerospace University, which has helped to pioneer Russia's innovative space program. Visitors can sample some of Samara's most important products: vodka, chocolate and beer. Tour a Russian brewery before taking in a show at one of Samara's many theaters and concert halls, or beef up your knowledge of Russian history with a trip to Stalin's Bunker or the Lenin House Museum. Don't miss the sunset on the beaches along the banks of the Volga.

Kaliningrad, Russia

A little extra chunk of Russia stuck between Lithuania and Poland on the Baltic Sea, Kaliningrad was known as Königsberg from its founding by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century until after World War II. It was renamed, repopulated with Russians and became part of the Soviet Union. Today, as it has been for centuries, it’s known for amber products, with most of the world’s harvestable amber still lying off its coast. The 14th century Königsberg Cathedral is a main city attraction.

St. Petersburg, Russia

It's hard to believe a city boasting so much great art and architecture is "only" 309 years old. (To put this in perspective, Newark, N.J., has been around a few decades longer than Saint Petersburg.) Towering cathedrals and ornate palaces fill Saint Petersburg, and the State Hermitage Museum, located in the Winter Palace, houses some of the world's greatest works of art.

Urgup, Turkey

The Cappadocia region's most upscale and contemporary tourist city, Urgup has a number of lovely hotels, many built in and around centuries-old cave dwellings. The city and its surrounding area are known for their mysterious fairy chimneys, early Christian rock churches and fine vineyards. A mix of ancient and modern, Urgup is a center for traditional handmade carpets, but also has a lively nightlife. Hot air ballooning is very popular, and a fantastic way to see the area's beauty from above.

Goreme, Turkey

A town literally carved into the volcanic rock, Goreme is the gateway to the Goreme National Park, a vast UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses spectacular 10th- and 11th-century cave churches. The park itself is known for its chimney rock formations and is very popular with backpackers. It’s also a great area to sample Turkish cuisine and wine.