Greece is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, ranking in the world's top 20 countries. According to the Greek Ministry of Tourism, the nation received about 17 million visitors from January to mid August 2007, a large number for a small country of 11 million. Visitors are drawn to the country's beaches and reliable sunny summer weather, its nightlife, historical sites and natural beauty.

Turkey might be the world’s most contested country. Its landscape is dotted with battlegrounds, ruined castles and the palaces of great empires. This is the land where Alexander the Great slashed the Gordion Knot, where Achilles battled the Trojans in Homer’s Iliad, and where the Ottoman Empire fought battles that would shape the world. History buffs can immerse themselves in marvels and mementos stretching back to the dawn of civilization.

Despite the hype, Croatia’s pleasures are more timeless than trendy. Along its 1778km coastline, a glistening sea winds around rocky coves, lapping at pine-fringed beaches. Istrian ports bustle with fishermen while children dive into the sparkling water. In Dalmatia, cities throb with nightlife amid ancient Roman ruins.

Each resort on the Riviera, known as the Côte d’Azur (Azure Coast), offers its own unique flavor and charms. The corniches of the Riviera, depicted in countless films, stretch from Nice to Menton. The Alps drop into the Mediterranean here, and roads were carved along the way.

Crowned by Riviera queen and belle of the ball, Nice, there is far more to this pebbly shoreline than frolicking in the sun orflouncing in a sky-blue chair on Europe’s most legendary promenade. Nice itself is a real city that blends old-world opulence with rough‘n’tumble modern-day grit, climaxing in an old town by the sea where bustling markets, dimly lit churches and narrow lanes studdedwith artists’ workshops ensure a new experience with every visit. For cosmopolitans wholike to dine out (and well), there is no better base from which to explore the Côte d’Azur –unless you’re loaded, in which case millionaires’ Monaco, with its star-studded hotels and lavish gardens of Menton next door, could be the hedonistic choice.

The Caribbean has been blessed with lush green mountains and white sand pristine beaches. As one of the world’s best cruising grounds, travelers to the Caribbean can get a taste for adventure as well as seclusion. Each island has its own distinct personality with the only similarities being rolling green hills and magnificent views. Crystal clear waters invite diving and snorkeling along vibrant coral and the many wrecks that are home to an

abundance of multi colored fish.

The high season for the Caribbean in general is the winter months, during the holiday vacations of Christmas, Presidents week and Easter break. Booking well in advance is wise so that you will get the boat of your choice as opposed to having to settle for what is left. Although during the high season there are no special promotions, you will begin to find them as early as June running through November.

Malaysia is one of the most pleasant, hassle-free countries to visit in southeast Asia. It's buoyant and wealthy, and has moved towards a pluralist culture based on a vibrant and interesting fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous cultures and customs.

Singapore is a microcosm of Asia, populated by Chinese, Malays, Indians, and a large group of workers and expatriates from all across the globe. Singapore has a partly deserved reputation for sterile predictability that has earned it descriptions like William Gibson's "Disneyland with the death penalty" or the "world's only shopping mall with a seat in the United Nations".

The Kingdom of Thailand draws more visitors than any other country in southeast Asia with its irresistible combination of breathtaking natural beauty, inspiring temples, renowned hospitality, robust cuisine and ruins of fabulous ancient kingdoms. From the stupa-studded mountains of Mae Hong Son and the verdant limestone islands of the Andaman Sea, to the pulse-pounding dance clubs of Bangkok and the tranquil villages moored along the Mekong River, Thailand offers something for every type of traveler.