Budapest is known for its thermal waters and there are a number of baths in the city that you can choose from. One of the more accessible baths are the public Szechenyi Baths and Pool. This was the first public thermal baths to open on the “pest” side of Budapest – opening in 1881. There are a number of covered baths that range in temperature from painfully cold to reasonably hot. Several saunas set at various temperatures are also available. The big highlight is the outdoor pool – which can be crazily crowded in the summer time. Changing facilities / lockers are available for rent (cabines). Massage rooms are located on one side of the outdoor pools. It is very easy to whittle away several hours here relaxing and in the summer alternating between the outdoor pool and the indoor ones. For more information visit: www.szechenyibath.com

A visit to Egypt is not complete without visiting the historical city of Luxor and the nearby temples and ruins. This is an overnight sleeper train ride or about a 1 hour flight from Cairo. The history here is mind boggling – choose from two main temples, the one within Luxor and Karnak (right next to the city and is the largest religious building of its kind in the world). In addition the Valley of the Kings is only about 25 minutes away from town and contains hundreds of tombs of which 10-12 are open at any given time. Restoration work here as been intensive in some of the tombs and the colorful and detailed hieroglyphics are stunning. King Tut’s tomb is also here.

The Nile River gives this part of Egypt its life (without it the encroaching sands of the great Sahara Desert would quickly engulf this area. Sailboats called Feluccas line the banks in Luxor and one can take a short sail on the river – or for those looking for longer river experiences there are a number of river cruise ships here. To see it all from above consider taking a hot air balloon ride high above the desert sands. Allow at least 3 days here minimum. For more information visit the official city guide: www.luxoregypt.org

Zitahli Resort & Spa is a beautiful resort located on a small private island about a 50 minute seaplane ride from the capital city of Male. This luxurious and secluded getaway is the perfect respite for “escaping” the world for a while in the middle of aqua marine waters. A stay on this private island in the middle of the Maldives can make the rest of the world seem mundane, pedestrian in comparison. The staff is part of what makes a stay at Zitahli Kuda-Funafaru memorable. From the moment we stepped out of the plane we were met by a very welcoming reception; after a refreshing drink we were quickly whisked away to our Super Deluxe Aqua Villa in one of their golf carts. There are 50 villas of which 30 are spread out over water. The Super Deluxe Aqua Villa boasts a private pool built into the deck and from the edge one walks a few steps down and is quickly immersed in the clear inviting waters.

There are plenty of reasons to visit the Maldives and a private resort such as Zitahli, but most of all you come here for the unique experience; the remoteness of the island, the exceptional staff, the 5-star experience and what the Maldives are known for – their unparalleled natural beauty. Visit: www.zitahlikudafunafaru.com

The first ship passed through the Panama Canal in 1914, the USA transferred ownership to the Panamanians in 1999. Today the canal is being widened to accomodate larger ships on both the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the canal. The wider locks are set to be completed by 2014, appropriately the century mark after the canal opened. Miraflores locks on the Pacific side is located about 25 minutes outside of Panama City. This viewing platform and museum opens at 9am. A play by play is called in both Spanish and English as the large ships pass through the canal. The largest of these ships pay upwards of $250,000 toll to pass through the canal. The smallest entry has been for a man who swam through the canal!

You have excellent views of the locks from the platform – allow at least 45 minutes to an hour on the platform to see multiple ships raise through the locks and to get a better understanding how the system works. The museum is spread among 3 floors with the highlight being a 3d video which makes it feel like you are the captain as you steer “your ship” through the canal. For more information visit the official canal website: www.pancanal.com/eng/index.html

Balbaa Village is located in Alexandria Egypt and is an authentic Egyptian meat and Barbeque Restaurant. They are located in the Sidi Bishr neighborhood at Malik Hefni St – Phone: +2.03.5400888. This is the original Balbaa Village and they can easily seat 300+ people when its busy. Upstairs and downstairs dining. The highlight of a visit here is their huge selection. As soon as you sit down a plethora of plates are immediately brought to your table (appetizers including Egyptian salad and pickled vegetables as well as freshly backed flat bread) – the menu’s are all in Arabic so its helpful if you someone who reads Arabic with you. Pick out your fresh seafood from displays on the ground floor.

Balbaa serves very nice grilled fish, pigeon (stuffed or grilled plain) and liver. This is not a tourist restaurant – you will be surrounded by locals when you dine here. Because this original restaurant is so popular they also operate several other restaurants in the city – but be sure you go to the original one. During a recent lunch here, we spent over 3 hours slowly eating our way through the meal!

The Schueberfouer Fun Fair is an annual event (or “Fouer” for short as the Luxembourgish say), held in Luxembourg City starting every August 23rd through early September. At first glance this might be just another carnival or fair, but delving into its history one quickly discovers that this fair has been held annually since the year 1340 – that’s 670+ years in a row! For those who are used to going to carnivals and seeing people dressed in their not so finest, you will be surprised to see a number of people actually dress up fairly nicely here. Along with the normal fair food including Luxembourg specialties you will find a variety of rides. One year the largest transportable indoor roller coaster in the world was on site. The fair is open all day but really gets packed on weekends in the evenings. They are open until 2am every night. The fair is located within walking distance from the main part of Luxembourg City. For more information visit: http://www.funfair.lu/