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The island and city of Macau (澳門) also known as Macoa is a Special Administrative Region of China. In total there’s two SAR regions in China, with the second being Hong Kong. Macau is situated on the west side of the Pearl River Delta bordering the Guangdong province in the north, facing the South China Sea in east and south. The city of Macau is driven mainly on tourist industry, but also includes exporting textiles, electronics and toys.

As the city of Macau is located in China but has their own responsibility towards their territory, it can make their own laws and legal system, police force and immigration policy. Allowing the city to turn in any possible direction they are willing go for, giving gambling, prostitution, nightlife and foreign investors a chance to play open card. Some already say it’s the Las Vegas of the Orient.

The reasoning that people call it Las Vegas of Asia is because all the main hotels located on the strip of Vegas are situated in the center of Macau including the Wynn, Venetian, MGM Grand and the Sands mixed in between buzzing night and sex clubs and other gigantic Casino’s which are 24 hours in business. You might wonder yourself, why not just go to Vegas? The answer lies in the history and culture of the Chinese city.

Macau today is still as mysterious as it once was, streets are filled up fortune tellers, Buddhist monks, tea houses and traditional massage parlors. It’s sightseeing includes breathtaking ruins, churches, museums and acient markets. A famous and oldest temple in town is the Á Ma Temple founded in 1488. World class museums like the Museum of Macau, Maritime Museum Grand Prix Museum and Macau Museum of Art are often visited by curious tourists and can break the day nicely. For a visit to the Ruins of St. Paul’s and St. Dominic Church make sure to bring along your camera.

Travelers to Macau need a valid passport and visa. While the city is relatively safe, the common travel concerns include presence of pickpockets and thieves. The best period to visit Macau is between May and September when there’s the best temperature. On average it does rain more in these months than in periods throughout the year.

Santiago de Cuba is the capital city of the Santiago de Cuba Province in the south east of the island nation Cuba. The city of Santiago de Cuba has a long history, plus its the second largest and important city after the capital city Havana. It’s situated on a bay facing the Caribbean Sea, it’s port is an important income source for the city. As of latest measurement it has a population of 500 thousand people.

Surrounded by impressive mountains linked to the Sierra Maestra at sea side, Santiago de Cuba is a city of hills and inclined streets, with plenty of tourist attractions and historical sightseeing. It also shows the city that brings the people of African and Spanish origin together, along with descendants of immigrants from the French West Indies. This makes Santiago de Cuba a melting pot colorful carnivals and festivals together with French tumbas, Chinese trumpets and all sort of national dancing and revels. Another fact this city is famous for is the sensual and hospitable locals, simply they enjoy and love their lives, therefore it’s referred by some tourists as the Capital of the Caribbean.

Throughout the city there’s several small restaurants and pubs several Cuban cuisine as well as international foods. Drinks are widely available, and don’t forget to pick your Cuban cigar from the restaurants menu prior to dinner. A by travelers recommended place to, some even say “The best place to eat in Santiago de Cuba” is “Salon Tropical” in the downtown area.

American citizens must be licensed by the Department of Treasury in order to travel to Cuba. Any national need either a visa or tourist card, which allows a maximum stay of 30 days in Cuba, the visa can be extended for another 30 days. The costs of visa is about $30 us and can be easily obtained at an Cuban Embassy or directly at a travel agent. All travelers are required a return ticket and proof of booked hotel room for a minimum of three nights.

Yokohama (横浜市) is the capital city of the Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan and is situated on the Tokyo Bay just 20 miles south of Tokyo. In the Kantō region region nearby the main island of Honshū. It’s a important commercial hub of the Greater Tokyo Area. As of latest measurements Yokohama has a population of 3.6 million people.

Yokohama was once a mere village that grew into a large Asian port. Today can be described modern international city. The port city Yokohama has a interesting history and sightseeing, many of the sights are located near the waterfront. Minato Mirai is its futuristic heart of the city, the every changing and evaluating area is rich of shops, museums, restaurants and modern art. On walking distance you can find the Akarenga, a pair of red-brick 20th century warehouses which have been converted into dining places and boutiques. When visiting the city Yokohama the much hyped and crowded Chinatown, Chukagai in the old city center. Although nowadays it’s more of a modern district, it still offers it’s historical Chinese temples mixed in between a triangle of popular restaurants.

When visiting Yokohama, a visit to the Sankei-en must be added to your list, it’s a heaven of silence and peace in the massive city. Basically, it’s best described as a spacious park which consists of a collection of historic buildings moved from all over Japan to the city. Surrounding landscapes, as well as the buildings and the park can be best seen in springtime.

Visitors to Yokohama need a valid passport and visa. European and American citizens will receive a 90 days visa upon arrival. Generally seen the city is safe for tourists, regular travel rules apply so have a close look after your belongings. The best period to visit Yokohama is in the summer months from June till August.

Akureyri is a city in the northern part of the Republic of Iceland, also nicknamed the “Capital of North Iceland”. It’s the second largest urban area after Great Reykjavík area and the fourth largest municipality after Reykjavik, Hafnarfjörður, and Kópavogur. The Akureyri is a important port and fisheries center, with a tiny population of just 18 thousand people as of latest measurement.

The city is located near Eyjafjordur Fjord and is the home to the Akureyri University, the city is surprisingly active and has a big cultural history for such a small town. Sights in the city include, for example the Folklore museum and several botanical gardens. A large number of art galleries operate year round, a professional theater is also present for those interested. Arureyri isn’t a big metropolis, everything should be a on walking distances for any reasonable fit traveler, it can get a bit hilly though. The public bus system is free of use for anyone.

As there’s several universities and students living around downtown area the nightlife is vibrantly presence throughout the city, there’s a few recommended pubs and bars including Sjallinn, where live bands play near a bar area. Another bar for the mature crowd around downtown is the Kaffi Akureyri. When you are looking for a quiet coffee time, visit one of the coffee bars Kaffi Karólína and Bláa Kannan.

United States citizens do not need a visa when entering Akureyri for personal or business travel. At least if their stay does not exceed 90 days. The following things are required, valid passport, proof of return or onward tickets of travel and proof of sufficient funds for stay.

Montego Bay is the capital of St. James Parish and the second largest city in Jamaica after Kingston, and third by population size. The city of Montego Bay is also referred to as Mo Bay, due to its location on the north shore of the island it has earned its title of “tourist capital of Jamaica” a long time ago. As of latest measurement the city has a population of 100 thousand people.

Montego Bay is a popular travelers destination in Jamaica, it receives the bulk of international flights at the home airport of Sir Donald Sangster International Airport, the largest of the two international airports in Jamaica. One of main reasons it’s a popular travel destination is because of the sheltered Doctor’s Cave beach with shiny clean and blue waters being the most famous beach on the island, of course it’s duty free shopping is also favored by its tourists.

The city is suitable and comfortable of walking around, especially the Gloucester Avenue is a popular destination by foot, it’s lined with tourist hotels, stores and restaurants and has sidewalks on each side. The restaurant scene is spread all over town and serve foods from all nationals, of course drinks are also served. It’s recommend to try a tropical cocktail or taste a cold Red Strip in its signature brown bottle, let the food come and enjoy the Jamaican scenery. At Montego Bay is a cruise line terminal situated, many tourists make their start here for a trip to the Caribbean after a short holiday break in Jamaica.

Tourists traveling to Jamaica are required a valid passport and visa. American and European citizens are required a valid passport and a proof of hotel booking only. Jamaica has all year round high temperatures therefore there’s no seasonal variation. When rain appears, its short and heavy followed by sunshine.

Shanghai (上海) is the largest city in China, directly followed by Beijing. The city of Shanghai is situated on China’s central eastern coast, at the mouth of the Yangtze River. The city is administered as a municipality of the People’s Republic of China with a province level status. As of latest measurement the city has a total population of 19 million people.

Originally a textile and fishing village, Shanghai grew its way into importance in the 19th century with one of the main reason it’s favorable located port, nowadays after subsequent and long term foreign investments Shanghai has become the largest cargo port, and one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. The city’s most interesting sightseeing includes its historical landmarks such as the Bund and City God Temple, and its ever breathtaking and expanding Pudong skyline with a not to miss Oriental Pearl Tower which adds to the reputation of a modern city.

Today, Shanghai is a gigantic city where people from different culture life together, which truly shows the dualistic face of poor and rich, modern and old fashion on every side of the street. The old city center in the Yu Yuan area you can find the oldest streets of China, which you can find old city buildings and markets like the Yu Yuan Market where you can buy hand crafted sculptures and local souvenirs. When you are looking for modern Shanghai, head to the sights. It’s a good starting point for a boat trip on the Huangpu river.

Shanghai’s cuisine can be compared to its citizens and culture, characterized as sweet and oily, which is the most common method of preparation used in Shanghai, it brings freshness and balance to the food, with great attention to the taste of sweet and sour. Seafood, retains a great popularity in Shanghai’s cuisine, often served meals include braised fish, steam fish and shellfish, or stir friend shellfish. When purchasing at a street vendor, be aware that some dishes are far from fresh and often the remains of last week left overs.

Travelers to Shanghai need a valid passport and visa. While small theft, pickpockets, thieves and thick city smog is presence, the city is relatively safe for travelers. The best period to visit Shanghai is between May and September as those are the best temperature months. Though it also rains more in these months based on yearly average.

Santa Ana is the second largest city in El Salvador, it’s located 40 miles of San Salvador the capital and largest city of the country. The administration division of the municipality is divided into 35 neighborhoods and 318 villages. As of latest measurement the city of Santa Ana has an population of 280 thousand people. The city is important in terms of agriculture, coffee productions and other export products, one of the major El Salvador’s coffee processing center is located near Santa Ana.

The city of Santa Ana is used to tourists, therefore generally seen the locals have a good relationship with the tourists. The city has popular old historical and architecture sightseeing, as well a lot of attractions. One of the best historical happenings is the Cathedral of Santa Ana, a marvel of neo Gothic architecture “the Teatro de Santa Ana” beautifully decorated theater from the early 19th centuries.

If you’re in Santa Ana, and have day is young try to enjoy one of these sightseeing including the pre-Columbian sites of Tazumal, excavated ruins cover an area of 6.2 square miles, and includes the largest Mayan temple in El Salvador. For eco-tourists, or those who interested it’s a possibility to climb up to the top of the Volcan de Izalco vulcano, which today is still active. If you are looking for a day of relation, just enjoy the “Lago de Coatepeque” lake side which used to be an active volcano.

Within the city of Santa Ana there’s quite a few places to shop, I wouldn’t describe it exactly as a shoppers paradise yet the Metrocentro Mall seems to be your best location. It’s a two floor department store which has a mix of restaurants and stores. One the second floor is a cinema located. Within the mall they sell anything from hand crafted goods till electronics and furniture. There’s even car dealerships present in the mall, which is not an uncommon thing in South America and Asia.

When hungy, Santa Ana has the whole American chain of fast food restaurants including Burger King, McDonald’s, Subway, Pizza Hut and Mr. Donut all around city center. If you didn’t travel all that way to have a burger, in the town down area are local restaurants which serve original El Salavador meals and cuisine, it’s recommended to try typical local meals such as tacos and pupusas. A restaurant that’s being recommended by many travelers for it’s price vs. food comparision is “Los Horcones” located on the main square in Santa Ana, it has charming decorations, and a fantastic view from the restaurant to the square below.

It’s not required to request a visa when traveling to El Salvador. How ever upon arrival a tourist card must be purchased at immigration. The tourist cards provides you 30 days access to the country. When getting through customs be sure to have a valid passport for at least another 6 months, and a return ticket.