When in LA, join the beautiful people and head to one of the many rooftop bars for a cheeky cocktail or two. Here are a selection that should be on your to-do list.

There is more to see in Dubai than the world’s tallest building, largest shopping malls and indoor ski fields. Situated conveniently between New Zealand and Europe, Dubai makes an excellent stopover, but it’s also a cool destination in its own right.

Treasures found above and below the surface of Vanuatu's waters.

A five-day tramp on the West Coast gave Herald photographer Greg Bowker a chance to capture some wild beauty.

The area and its locals present an otherworldly charm; Nelson Mandela's history also plays a part in the scenery.

The residents of Kruger National Park.

Crashing waves and wobbly surfers aren't the only sights to see in Durban's Golden Mile. Colourful rickshaw drivers and master sand castle builders also make an appearance.

This windswept peninsula on Ireland's west coast has one of the richest concentrations of archaeological sites in the country.

The largest of the Aran Islands, situated off the west coast of mainland County Galway, is home to one of the most spectacularly-situated and beautifully-preserved Stone Age forts in the world.

This fascinating museum houses thousands of examples of body art from around the globe and through history.

For further information see amsterdamtattoomuseum.com.

Paul Rush visits the creatures that inhabit the coral cay of Queensland's Heron Island.

Built high among the trees of a secluded valley, Chewton Glen’s treehouse suites offer luxury accommodation high in the forest canopy.

For further information see chewtonglen.com.

New Zealand photographer Amos Chapple visited the remote, near-vertical Iranian-Kurdish village of Palangan last winter. The images he captured paint a picture of life in this remote region, which is one of the main routes for smugglers seeking to bring alcohol across the mountain passes from Iraq into Iran.

The island of Savai'i is home to fewer than 44,000 people and has so far escaped commercial development, making it an ideal place to sample traditional Samoan culture and to see fascinating natural landmarks such as the Alofa'aga Taga blowholes.

This canton in the southwest of Switzerland is home to some of the country's most famous landmarks, including the Matterhorn and the Aletsch Glacier.

These two rocky outcrops off the coast of County Kerry support large gannet and puffin colonies. The larger of the two islands, Great Skellig, was also once home to a remote Christian monastery and is now a Unesco World Heritage Site.

The Indonesian island of Bali is a great place for a holiday, offering everything from popular surf resorts to rural inland towns where traditional Balinese culture can still be experienced.

This 'barn' getaway is design-fabulous and about as un-rustic as a cottage in mid-Wales can be. Light floods into the colossal living room upstairs through substantial glass panels cut into the sides and the gable end - but instead of delivering a Manhattan-style skyline, the panorama serves as an ever present reminder of rural bliss.

For further information see redkitebarn.co.uk.

This boutique New York City hotel is one of a growing number of accommodation providers to invert the 'gay-friendly' tag and market itself as a 'straight-friendly gay hotel'.

For further information see theoutnyc.com.

This annual tournament in Sigatoka is the pinnacle of entertainment in sevens-mad Fiji, more a South Pacific carnival than a sporting contest. New Zealand Herald photographer Steven NcNicholl went along to document the excitement.

This town of 11,000 people, about two hours' drive from Medellín, is home to a huge hydro-electric dam and was the former holiday playground of infamous Colombian drug baron Pablo Escobar, whose crumbling mansion in the area is now a drawcard for tourists.

October 26, 2012, marks the 70th Anniversary of the sinking of SS President Coolidge off the Vanuatu island of Espiritu Santo. Today, the World War II wreck is one of the world's most famous dive sites.

Whether it's adventure activities or relaxation you're after, this stunningly-situated resort on Auckland's west coast is the perfect place for a weekend break.

For further information see castaways.co.nz.

Located on tiny Dolphin (Yanuca) Island just north of Fiji's main island Viti Levu, this boutique hotel an idyllic place to get away from it all.

For further information see mrandmrssmith.com.

Amsterdam's Museum of Bags and Purses offers an eclectic collection of the beautiful, the historic, and the just plain crazy.

For further information see tassenmuseum.nl.

Set on the third floor of a 19th century building overlooking the Bosphorus, this spacious apartment can comfortably accommodate up to six people in its three bedrooms.

For further information see istanbulplace.com.

The best images from House of Travel's recent 'How Kiwis see the World' travel photo competition, with captions from the New Zealand Herald's deputy picture editor Alex Robertson explaining what makes each shot so good.

This working high country farm on the western shores of Lake Wanaka is also home to a luxury tented lodge, where guests can stay in five-star comfort summer or winter.

For further information see minaretstation.com.