Legend has it the island of Manhattan was bought from the local Native Americans for a mere US$24 (Dh100) in 1626. Almost 400 years later, this 13 mile-long island is now one of the most expensive stretches of land in the world. New York has served as a gateway to the US for millions of immigrants searching for their own American dream. Today, it is one of the most diverse cities on the planet. The energy contained in these few precious miles acts like a magnet, attract millions of tourists each year, all looking to take a bite out of the Big Apple.

A rich history, a sporting dominance, an ear for music and a thriving nightlife: welcome to England’s ‘second city’

As the summer presses on, the urge to leave the schizophrenic climate of air-conditioned malls inside roasting outdoors for a more consistent clime grows ever greater. But leaving Dubai for three months is a luxury many people cannot afford.

Whether you’re a culture vulture, history buff, shopaholic or party animal, London remains a world capital for style and substance alike. Home to roughly eight million people, the cosmopolitan city is seeped in almost 2,000 years of history, while planting its gaze firmly towards the future.

If you are in Kazakhstan, please remember to eat and treat bread with respect. It is considered a sacred food and, indeed, it is delicious.

Zighy Stardust: We are big fans of the the Six Senses Zighy Bay, a luxury resort on Oman’s Mussandam coast. Set between the mountains and the sea, the resort manages to combine the luxurious and the holistic with aplomb.

The Oriental City of Angels sweeps you off your feet with its diversity, its ‘bargain sales’ and its cuisine — never mind its seedy reputation. The Thai school of philosophy encourages followers to live each day as if it were their last; a testament to the insurmountable hospitality and kindness that Bangkok is noted for.