The cool climate and relatively small size of Darjeeling, India, make it a perfect getaway from the sultry temperatures and urban sprawl of India’s other major urban centres. Mountaineers and outdoor enthusiasts will love the numerous trails to and through the Himalayas, as well as the different adventure activities. But, of course, there is so much more to Darjeeling than its list-topping tourist attractions, like new opportunities to interact directly with the local community.

That my 18th birthday, graduation and the start of the new millennium were happening in the same year seemed more than random coincidence! My girlfriends and I had therefore decided we would spend our holiday on Corfu, the Greek island I had always hated when I was younger, when visits every summer meant time away from my friends. However, the summer break of the year 2000 changed my life.

Laura Payne, co-founder of Outdoor Albania and a local travel activist, believes that travelling is all about meeting and connecting with locals and experiencing their cultures – bringing real economic benefits to those who need it most. Laura paid her first visit to Albania six years ago and immediately fell in love with the country’s spectacular scenery and people. She saw the enormous potential for tourism and decided to do something about it that would help the locals too.

The former imperial city of St. Petersburg, Russia, is brimming with grand palaces, historic architecture and great food – not to mention world-class art museums and pristine parks. Experiencing all the city has to offer can be overwhelming, so it’s a good thing St. Petersburg Urban Adventures can help you locate the secret pleasures and hidden charms of this famous Russian port.

Istanbul, Turkey, is one of those cities you hear about and immediately add to your travel bucket list. As the largest city proper in Turkey and the fourth largest in the world, Istanbul history makes for very lively discovery. Now you can savour the flavours that make your taste buds tingle or mosey about the hidden treasures of ancient streets on a guided tour with Istanbul Urban Adventures.

It was only a matter of time before the National Capital Region joined the whl.travel ranks. Unfortunately, while Manila acts as a hub for most international carriers flying to the Philippines and is the leading gateway to the thousands of other islands in the archipelago, most visitors make the mistake of overlooking the city as a rewarding destination in its own right.

With so many destinations in the WHL Group’s ever-expanding network, we have an incredible wealth of local travel information at our fingertips. Through the Inside Word, our local partners – all travel experts – share their top tips. Here we lift the lid on the Georgian city of Tbilisi, one of Eurasia’s most important social, cultural and industrial centres, located in the Southern Caucasus Mountains.