Africa & Indian Ocean

Mumbai, with its natural deep harbour on India's west coast, is its most populous city as well as the richest. Comprising seven islands that once were home to communities of fishing colonies, over time, joined to form the city earlier known as Bombay. It is now the commercial and entertainment capital of India. Read more about Mumbai, India

Khasab was built by the Portuguese at the beginning of the 17th century, at the height of their naval presence in the region. It dominates the narrow (50km) strait separating the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. Its natural harbour gave shelter from tough seas. Read more about Khasab, Oman

Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, is an island city in the NE of the Persian Gulf. The climate is hot and arid, with sunny skies yearlong. Temperatures pass 40°C in April through September, but are cooler from November to March. Read more about Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Dubai, The Pride of the United Arab Emirates, is situated on the southern Arabian Gulf. The subtropical climate sees blue skies, temperatures reaching the mid-40s, and little annual rain. The city is all about contemporary shopping with more than 70 shopping malls in the city and indoor entertainment. Read more about Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Fujairah, considered one of the safest cities of the United Arab Emirates, is situated on the Gulf of Oman in the country’s east. While the weather is warm for most of the year, the months of October to March enjoy temperatures averaging around 25°C. The clean beaches and the numerous water sports such as water surfing, yachting, swimming and deep sea fishing, draw tourists all round the year. Read more about Fujairah, United Arab Emirates

Muscat, lying on the Arabian Sea along the Gulf of Oman, is the capital and largest city in the Sultanate of Oman. The climate is very hot, with annual average temperatures ranging from 24C. to 33C., but it can get as high as 49C in the summer. Read more about Muscat, Oman

Salalah, which lies in the southern Dhofar region, is the second largest city in Oman, and is known for its glorious history, heritage, rich culture, traditions and wonders of nature. The beautiful beaches are also very popular, with scuba diving and bird watching favourite tourist activities. Not surprisingly, it is known as the ‘Stunning Jewel’ of Oman. Read more about Salalah, Oman

Jeddah is a Saudi Arabian city located on the coast of the Red Sea and is the major urban center of western Saudi Arabia. The city is the principal gateway to Mecca, Islam's holiest city. With a thousand years of trading behind it and home to some of the world most successful merchants, it is natural that Jeddah is the commercial capital of Saudi Arabia. Read more about Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Aqaba, in the far south of Jordan, is the country’s only port city and, due to the rich coral reefs in the Gulf, is one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world. Cooled by a steady northerly breeze, and ringed by mountains that change in colour with the change of hours, many visitors simply just relax on the sandy beaches. Aqaba is the port for the 3800 year-old ‘hidden city’ of Petra, 100 km to the north. Read more about Aqaba, Jordan

Port Safaga is a town in Egypt on the coast of the Red Sea, in what is now known as the Red Sea Riviera. With its unpolluted atmosphere, black sand-dunes and mineral springs, Safaga City is considered - by important medical researchers - an important therapeutic tourist centre, and has resulted in attracting international tourism. It also serves as an embarkation point for flights to Luxor and the Upper Nile, enabling visitors to explore the wonderful highlights of Egypt that include the Karnak Temple complex and Valley of the Kings at Luxor. Read more about Safaga, Egypt

Located in Egypt to the west of the Sinai Peninsula, the Suez Canal, measuring 163 km in length and 300 metres width at its narrowest point, serves as a two-way water transportation route between Europe and Asia. Almost 8 per cent of the total world's shipping is controlled by the Suez Canal. It essentially comprises two parts, north and south of the Great Bitter Lake that acts as a buffer to the canal, protecting it from the effects of tidal currents. Read more about Suez Canal - Transit, Egypt

Athens, the capital and largest city of Greece, is also one of the world's oldest cities with an unparalleled history that spans around 3,400 years. Experiencing long periods of sunshine throughout the year, and known as "the cradle of Western civilisation", it is a 'must-see' destination for world travellers. The city contains a fascinating variety of different architectural styles, ranging from Greco-Roman through Neo-Classical, to Modern. Read more about Athens, Greece