This dramatic fortress, perched high above Israel's Negev Desert, was built by King Herod on the site of a former Bronze Age camp.

This exclusive island on the Great Barrier Reef has six luxury tents with kingsize beds and reef outlooks. For further information see wilsonisland.com.

This city in the Peruvian Andes is an important economic hub for the local indigenous people, the Quechua and a popular gathering point for travellers heading to the famed lost city of the Incas - Machu Picchu.

Colchester proudly proclaims itself to be 'Britain's oldest recorded town', having been mentioned by Roman writer Pliny the Elder in 77. It has certainly been a key town for many centuries: William the Conqueror built one of the first castles of his realm here and the Romans constructed a vast temple to the Emperor Claudius - long since destroyed. It's also believed to be the place where three popular nursery rhymes - Old King Cole, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and Humpty Dumpty first came into being.

Although this beach, just a few kilometres from Farewell Spit, is almost north-facing, it is technically a West Coast beach and is often buffeted by tempestuous winds that stir up colossal seas. Reaching it requires a short walk through manuka forest, but once on the beach you'll be rewarded with rugged landscapes and wildlife aplenty.

The most north-westerly city in the contiguous US, Seattle is a port but is separated from the Pacific coast by the forested bulk of the Olympic Peninsula. Famed for its coffee culture and being the birthplace of grunge, Seattle is gleefully idiosyncratic and a great place to spend a few days.

This pretty town in the Southern Bohemia region of the Czech Republic is a Unesco World Heritage Site, with 300 protected buildings in the Centrum alone. When the Communists were in charge here, they disapproved of the 800-year-old town's bright colours and painted everything grey, but the buildings have been restored to their former colourful glory now the regime has ended.

According to Jewish, Christian and Muslim beliefs, Egypt's Mount Sinai is the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments. Today, tourists can spend the night at the summit wrapped in camel blankets and watch the sun rise.

This three-day Southland loop walk offers access to spectacular national park scenery and the remnants of what used to be New Zealand's busiest milling town. Once a year, keen hikers take on Stump the Hump - a midnight tramp across the track's 55-kilometre-stretch.

Get the most out of a visit to Bali by immersing yourself in the rich culture and seeing some of these local hot spots.

This coastal city has been turning out sea-going vessels for thousands of years.

This B&B near the town of Bozeman in Montana is the only place in North America where you can stay at a functioning wolf sanctuary.

For further information see howlersinn.com.

In February 2012, the US state of Arizona celebrated its 100th anniversary. Click through the gallery to see some of the state's notable landmarks and scenic gems.

The Okavango - a river that rises in Angola but never reaches the sea - is an awe-inspiring spectacle. It mostly drains into a vast expanse of the Kalahari Basin which straddles Botswana and neighbouring Namibia. The annual influx of crystal clear water provides a haven for rich concentrations of wildlife of all kinds.

The colourful people of Provence offer a glimpse into the idyllic nature of country living. Photographs by Babiche Martens.

Oregon's Rogue River runs through a unique coastal mountain ecosystem and offers rapids ranging from relatively gentle Grade IIs to white-knuckle Grade IVs.

Connected by a scene-stealing Swiss rail journey and close enough to be combined in a week's skiing, these resorts offer an embarrassment of activities and diversions.

This charming southern US city, which is home to park-like squares and stately houses, has also inspired some famous films and works of fiction.

This steel-cloaked design hotel is in the heart of Manhattan's fashionable Chelsea district.

A look around Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Century superliner.

Scientific teams are still identifying new species in this one-of-a-kind place where researchers have exposed, but not removed, a 15m x 61m wall of dinosaur bones.

Panorama, in British Columbia, is one of the few real ski-in, ski-out resorts in North America.

For further information see panoramaresort.com.

Money and food make this dynamic city state tick.

Sit snug in a carriage as the Rocky Mountaineer delivers you to idyllic destinations around Canada.

Head straight to the top of Los Angeles' most stylish hotels for a great night out at the best rooftop bars.

Travelling with the whole family need not be stressful. Try some of these child-friendly Fijian holiday resorts when you're in need of a break.

Discover hidden gems and family favourites while holidaying on Australia's Sunshine Coast.

New Zealand's Queenstown Airport has been named one of the most thrilling airports in the world for arrivals and departures by international travel website Airfarewatchdog.com. Click through our gallery to see which other airports have the thrill factor.

A taste of the Cuban capital's colourful Caribbean-style communism.