How many people in North America ever stop to think a moment about traveling over to Durban, South Africa? As the third largest city, it has a reputation for its excellent reception of tourists from all walks of life, as well as breathtaking scenery. Durban has a fantastic surfing culture which has to be seen to be believed. The waves are so inviting and dare anyone with the will and skill to match, to ride them. Its no wonder most pro-surfing tours have included it in their world circuit. The Golden Mile has proven to be one of the best places in Durban for sightseers, due to the number and quality of attractions along that stretch. Durban provides a fun and adventurous environment for those that dare to live.

Even though frequently highlighted as a cliché, the timeless lure of Paris is unquestionable. Famous for its landmark, the Eiffel Tower, Paris promises more for those that visit the city. On the Left Bank of the Seine, one can catch a glimpse of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, which is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the world. Sidewalk cafes and cool jazz persist as revelers enjoy well into the night.  And what admirer of art wouldn’t give up much to be able to spend a week wandering through the Louvre? Paris promises to be a fun destination for all.

If you are looking to experience a taste of Old European culture, wrapped in a brightly colored box of modernity, then you need to visit Palermo, Sicily. It’s a town both steeped in tradition and the kind of life that’s redolent of sweet Sicilian blood oranges, whose pulpy, dark flesh leaves an amazing aftertaste; much like living in Palermo does. There are numerous monasteries spread across the city; many of which are famous for the catacombs they have beneath. Tourists are often free to explore these man-made caverns and take note of many of the artifacts entombed there. The catacombs have been in the care of the monks, dating back as far as the 1500s

Many people are fascinated by the world’s largest island continent. Australia may be classified, geographically, with the continental land masses, but it’s more adventuresome and romantic to think of the vast outback and the Great Barrier Reef. Cities like Sidney provide breathtaking sceneries and a peak at everyday Australian life.  While Australia is commonly known for its Kangaroos and Koala bears, there are plenty more sights and sounds to take in. The world-famous Sidney Opera House provides an opportunity to interact with Australia’s history, present and future. One can also stop by the cities of Perth and Fremantle, in Western Australia for a delightful taste of the country side. All in all, Australia’s a truly wonderful place to see.

Sitting on the island of Oahu in the Hawaiian State, Honolulu is one of the few U.S. cities that are on the one hand a bustling metropolis but on the other a laid back tropical getaway. The Hawaiian lifestyle instantly relaxes any tourist that gets off a plane at Honolulu’s airport. You might not believe this but there is a magical urge to learn and speak the Hawaiian language. Surely, there must be a reason why you would want to say “humuhumunukunukuapua’a!” Maybe it is the sweet smell of flowers carried by the gentle ocean breeze. If you want to learn the language, start slow and easy and just say “Aloha!” to passers-by as you walk along the sandy beaches of Waikiki and Kapiolani Park.

If you are traveling through Europe and have the option of choosing the cities to see while there, make sure Brussels in Belgium is one of them.  As the headquarters of the European Union, Brussels is cosmopolitan and a rich blend of European language and lifestyle.  There are over 80 museums to tempt the art and history lover and a stop at the Grand Palace must be on your itinerary.  Originally designed as a market square in the 13th century, it is the host of many concerts and cultural festivals.  The nightlife is surreal. To top it all off, lolling at either one of the hundreds of outdoor cafes is refreshing.

We are all familiar with the cities of Madrid and Barcelona in Spain but have you heard about the small town of Rota located in the Andalusia region of the country? Readers of Ernest Hemingway’s work will recall that he wrote passionately about Andalusia.  Located in Cadiz province, the beautiful town of Rota has a population of 27,000.  With a name whose origins go back to the early 8th century (it was called “Al-Andalus” by the region’s Muslim rulers of the day) there is no end to the interesting architecture that can be seen in and around the town. There are quality hotels including at least one four-star.

As far as an Italian city goes, it is tough to top Venice as a leisure travel destination. Of course, Rome has its charm but Venice is a true product of the Renaissance era. and its encouragement of all things beautiful and charming.  Once an independent city-state, Venice is considered by many as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  Spreading across about 118 small islands on the marshy Venetian Lagoon, it is most famous for its canals and the gondolas (the small watercraft that ply its waters).  However, there is more to Venice than just canals.  Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace await the eager visitor, along with sidewalk cafes and a Mediterranean way of life that many of us would envy.

Leisure travel has been in existence for years in Europe and other developed countries. This form of travel mainly caters to the high-end clientele that are not too concerned with the costs. An emerging feature of this market is Art Tourism. Simply put, the clients travel from one country to another to view, listen or even watch art features. The arts market is large so it caters for the different client needs. Clients may be spoilt for choice; with drama, opera, paintings, poetry and many more. Since art cuts across all levels of society, it also attracts middle level and lower income spenders. This gives all travelers an opportunity to enjoy the art and have fun traveling from city to city.

The tourism industry has seen the development of various travel alternatives to meet the ever changing tourist needs. One such rapidly growing tourist attraction is Eco-Tourism. This kind of tourism primarily focuses on environment conservation initiatives, driven in harmony with other industry operations. Many industry players and hoteliers are taking this initiative in step, switching their resources into greener resources. Most of the hotels in the game reserves in Africa are relying on solar and wind energy to meet their electricity requirements. These initiatives, coupled with a vibrant and diverse animal circuit provide a fun-filled travel opportunity for all.