At the mouth of the Gambia River, Banjul is an oft overlooked seaport hub of economic and cultural activity. Welcoming visitors into town is Arch 22, a historical monument that also houses a modest textile museum. The city itself is home also to the African Heritage Museum as well as numerous bustling markets. The surrounding area boasts sunny beach resorts as well as nature reserves and national parks where monkeys, birds, hippos and hyenas go about their daily routines in the wild.

Dubai is a destination that mixes modern culture with history, adventure with world-class shopping and entertainment. Catch a show at the Dubai Opera, see downtown from atop the Burj Khalifa and spend an afternoon along Dubai Creek exploring the gold, textile and spice souks. If you’re looking for thrills, you can float above the desert dunes in a hot air balloon, climb aboard a high-speed ride at IMG Worlds of Adventure or skydive over the Palm Jumeirah.