THIS ARTICLE IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE. Over 1,000 years after it was first established, Hanoi remains one of Vietnam’s most important cities. Not only is it Vietnam’s political capital, it is also at the heart of the nation’s centuries-old history and cultural heritage. A fine blend of East and West, Hanoi exhibits traces of the centuries under Chinese influence and decades of French colonialism, both still evident in the architecture, cuisine, language and people.

Situated in the east of Europe, Ukraine remains a mystical and misunderstood land. A simple west-to-east cross of this country and you are bound to get the most intriguing history lesson. Along the way, you will discover that there are plenty of cultural myths and stories, the kinds about unique local archetypal characters that will capture your imagination and keep you coming back for more local travel experiences in Ukraine.

While the celebrated Christmas markets in Germany, Poland and Switzerland always crowd up for the holiday season, there are other well-established European markets slightly further off the beaten track that offer thinner crowds and beautiful locally made products. Eastern Europe in particular is a great place to check out the growing markets, while farther in the west of the continent, the funky holiday Christmas stirred up in Amsterdam is not to be missed.

While UNESCO approval of seven proposed World Heritage sites in Malta is still pending, their worth is certainly not negated by bureaucratic delays. In fact, their absence from the official list means that they have been kept just outside the UNESCO spotlight and perhaps a little farther off the tourist trail than the three recognised attractions. Here are the additional sites that Malta thinks deserve an equal shot at UNESCO protection and a place in the sun.

THIS ARTICLE IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND BOSNIAN. Tucked away in a quiet northwest corner of Bosnia-Herzegovina lies one of the last untouched natural ecosystems in Europe. You would be hard pressed to find more unspoiled countryside than that around Banja Luka, where lack of easy access and limited infrastructure once halted the usual tourist swell to this region.

The coastal city of Kotor, Montenegro is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, it has a unique character that has been determined by its history, it was always a place of mixture and it is visible at the first glance: western European and Byzantine style are reflected even in the building blocks themselves with the varying textures and marble hues.

Lijiang, China, is a charming city in the heart of Yunnan province, a region notable for its ethnic minorities. Lily Zhang, a local Naxi woman who grew up in a beautiful Naxi village about 15 kilometres from Lijiang City, is the whl.travel local connection in Lijiang. As a Lijiang local, Lily shares the top 5 things to do in Lijiang while on a Lijiang holiday.