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Some of the highlights of our 15-plus visits to Hong Kong. First up, you absolutely cannot miss the Symphony of Lights. Picture this: you're standing by the Victoria Harbour, the night has settled in, and then, bam! The skyline erupts in a symphony of lasers, lights, and music. It's like the city is throwing a party, and you're the guest of honour. Honestly, photos do it zero justice. A sense-overloading experience makes you realize, "Yep, I'm definitely in Hong Kong. Next on the list is The Peak. I've seen my fair share of city views, but nothing quite prepares you for the sight from up here. It's like watching a live Google Earth feed, but it's way more relaxed. The tram ride up there is half the fun, bustling with anticipation. And once you're at the top? The city sprawls beneath you like a giant, twinkling Lego set. If you're anything like Sal and me, no trip is complete without a bit of shopping – but not your run-of-the-mill mall trawl. Enter Stanley Market. This place is a maze of treasures. From silk fabrics to traditional Chinese artwork, it's a grab bag of souvenirs waiting to be discovered. Sal had me hunting for a vintage qipao. Did I find it? Let's say my bargaining skills got a solid workout. Ah, the street food. Where do I even begin? From sizzling egg waffles to tender dim sum that melts in your mouth – every bite is a story. I heeded Sal's advice and dove headfirst into the culinary chaos. My top pick? The curry fishballs. Spicy, flavorful, and oh-so addictive. It's the kind of stuff that makes you consider moving here. Finally, for a change of pace, Lantau Island was my escape. Away from the city's heartbeat, it's tranquil and green and houses the majestic Tian Tan Buddha. Climbing those steps to the Buddha is a pilgrimage in itself. You're huffing and puffing, and then, the view from the top makes you forget the burn in your legs. Sal told me to slow down, breathe, and see it. She was correct; the serenity up there is unmatched. So, there you have it, friends – a snippet of my Hong Kong saga. It's a city of contrasts, where tradition rubs shoulders with modernity, and every street corner has a story.

The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah - Three Nights From when you check in to when you leave, the experience is like no other in this Six-star secluded luxury desert resort. We wanted to experience a desert resort, and The Ritz Carlton exceeded all our expectations. The villa was stunning, with a view of the desert for sunsets from the pool. You could not be disappointed with the size, and sometimes I thought my husband had gone missing! Or maybe it was ‘selective hearing’! We dined in The Farmhouse the first night, and the food and service were fabulous. The next day, we headed off to breakfast on our bicycles and then cycled around the resort to visit the stables and say hi to the beautiful horses, camels, falcons and owls! Hence, we booked a morning desert horse ride, which I couldn’t recommend highly enough. However, you are riding Arabian racehorses, so it is best to ensure you are an experienced rider. The view from the top was sensational! We also experienced The Rainforest in the spa, a beautiful one-hour period of relaxation at our own pace, including a series of showers and saunas and time in the Vitality Pool! We received a pleasant surprise for my 40th Birthday. The lovely host, Aquino, organised to pick us up in a buggy and take us for photos around the resort, including the top of the tower and presented me with a birthday cake and wine to celebrate. It was so beautiful!! We were then dropped off at our room to enjoy the sunset. At the same time, Aquino edited our photos and created an incredible video of all the moments he captured My hubby and I for my Birthday. It was an exceptional treat. We are so grateful to have this memento of our trip! This is the place for anyone wanting to experience the desert in luxurious style! I can not recommend it highly enough.

Monti Suite al Colosseo - Six Nights Great location and everything is excellent, except for a tiny bathroom.

Christmas in Frankfurt is simply heaven. Frankfurt, a central German city on the Main River, is a significant financial hub and home to the European Central Bank. It's the birthplace of famed writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, whose former home is now the Goethe House Museum. Like much of the city, it was damaged during World War II and later rebuilt. The reconstructed Altstadt (Old Town) is the site of Römerberg, a square that hosts an annual Christmas market.

Phoenix Fine Wines - One visit We were drawn into Phoenix Fine Wines, a wine bar, not only by the name but the live Celtic trio band 'Joan, the bass player with Fiddlechick, Picky and Plucky' playing music invited us in. We are warmly welcomed by the energetic and friendly owner, Laura, and the Celtic trio; we are in the right place. We quickly settle in the cosy chairs near the band and floor-to-ceiling windows with a glass of red and enjoy the backdrop of the ever-changing tides of Passamaquoddy Bay; you can quickly while away in the afternoon. We also ordered the cheese platter; all food products sourced from local producers, including the cheese from the local goats, cows and sheep. They have a selection of wines by the bottle, glass and small bites. We love supporting local businesses and are thrilled when they do. Opened this July, the wine bar is like stepping back in time. Irish folk music transports you back 100 years while you relax in the beautiful wooded surroundings and antique furniture. Think of an old mansion library surrounded by books to peruse. The building was built in 1887 after the great fire 1886 decimated downtown Eastport. Over the last century, it was home to various businesses, but it was conditioned in the second century and century disrepair. It has since been reborn as a brewery and wine bar for all to enjoy. Huge glass-pane windows offer an everlasting view across the waters, music, atmosphere, comfort, and smiles from the lovely owner, accompanied by great food and wine. She has the formula just right. The locals were all very welcoming and loved hearing about our cruise and travels. We were grateful to have spent the afternoon in a beautiful wine bar to escape the rain and build memories of our visit to Eastport.

Big private condo - great views in Sausalito - Eight Nights Zander & Claudia were fabulous hosts and made sure I was happy. The property was very cosy and homely, a great place to treat yourself as your own, and very comfortable. It was in a perfect location for my requirements and was a quiet neighbourhood with friendly neighbours.

Connect Beach - One visit. Connect Beach is located a short half-hour drive from Bitola at Slivnica Beach. Lake Prespa is located on the tripoint of North Macedonia, Albania, and Greece; the Great Prespa Lake is divided between the three countries. We enjoyed a bottle of wine at Connect Beach Restaurant with friends, which was lovely. Connect Beach is a summer beach club bar where locals and travellers relax by the lake. Lounge chairs and beds could be significantly populated during the summer. We were disappointed with the wine selection at Connect Beach. Only one winery was available, and the pricing was high for Macedonian standards. Connect Beach has the potential, but the pier was in a state of disrepair, therefore you needed to be cautious walking across it to ensure you didn't end up in the lake. After spending five weeks on Lake Ohrid, it is undoubtedly the most magical lake between the two lakes. We felt Lake Prespa was missing the beauty, heartbeat, and soul that Lake Ohrid has.

Strasbourg is the capital of the Grand Est region, formerly Alsace, in northeastern France. It's also the formal seat of the European Parliament and is near the German border. Culture and architecture blend German and French influences. Its Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame features daily shows from its astronomical clock and sweeping views of the Rhine River from partway up its 142m spire.

ms Noordam - Ten Nights Cabin Verandah

Floating Village, on Tonle Sap Lake. Picture this: water as far as the eye can see, houses on stilts, boats for cars, and a community thriving in the heart of a lake. This isn’t something out of a fantasy novel, my friends. This is the reality of the Floating Village at Tonle Sap Lake in Siem Reap, and let me tell you, it’s a world you’ve got to see and believe. I’ll be honest: I was expecting a tourist trap, but we found a vibrant, living community that floats (literally) in the face of convention. Weaving through narrow waterways, surrounded by lush mangroves, you get that Indiana Jones vibe – minus the rolling boulders. And then, out of nowhere, it opens up, and you’re there, in the midst of it all. The Floating Village isn’t just one place; it’s a collection of different communities living on the lake, each with its vibe. The houses, schools, and even churches are all buoyed up by barrels, making them bob gently on the water’s surface. And the people, oh, the people! They’re the heart and soul of this place, going about their daily lives with smiles that are as welcoming as a warm hug.