Split by the Yarra River, this European-leaning Australian city blends obvious and hidden charms. The CBD is easy to explore by tram and on foot, especially historic Collins Street with Gothic buildings and skyscrapers. Visit Fitzroy Gardens, learn its gold-rush past at Melbourne Museum, browse Queen Victoria Market, and duck into laneways for cafes and shops. Its diversity shines in places like St Kilda, Carlton's Lygon Street, and Richmond's Vietnamese eateries.

Portland is on Victoria's far southwest coast, midway between Port Fairy and Nelson near the South Australia border. It has rich maritime history and natural attractions. Ride the Portland Cable Tram along the foreshore for coast views and stops near the Botanic Gardens, Powerhouse Car Museum, Maritime Discovery Centre, Whalers Bluff Lighthouse, and Anderson Point lookout. South of town is Cape Nelson State Park and its lighthouse.

Penneshaw, located in Southern Australia is renowned for its wildlife. Take the famous nocturnal tours or walk amidst sea lions, see penguins, seals and more. Penneshaw also has its famous cellar door wineries, national parks and hill caves. Its bays, lagoons, coves and white sand beaches make it a peaceful retreat. Other attractions include a honey farm, eucalyptus distillery and more.

This graceful and enchanting city lies nestled on the coastal plain between Gulf St. Vincent and the Adelaide Hills. A metropolis of over one million people, Adelaide boasts tree-lined boulevards, superb Victorian and Edwardian architecture, tranquil parks, world-class shopping, gastronomy and outdoor activity. Indulge your adventurous palate at a nearby wine region like the famed Barossa Valley to pick up a drinkable souvenir.

This nature lover's dream boasts spectacular scenery including the bushland and beaches uninhabited islets, granite headlands, and the bubble gum-hued Pink Lake. Esperance is located in the center of some of Australia's most beautiful sights and with some of the country's most stunning coastline and best surf and great fishing options.

Albany is the largest regional city in Western Australia, and was once the home of the Menang Noongar people. They called the area "Kinjarling," meaning "the place of rain." Albany is also the oldest continuous European settlement in Western Australia, and was founded in 1826, three years before the state capital of Perth. The King George Sound settlement was a hastily-dispatched British military outpost, intended to forestall any plans by France for settlements in Western Australia.

Busselton is a bustling coastal town on Geographe Bay in Western Australia, known for its beaches and the Busselton Jetty, the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Stroll the inland footpaths from the Foreshore to the Busselton Cultural Precinct, or ride the jetty train to the Underwater Observatory, home to 300+ marine species and Australia's largest artificial reef.

Fremantle, the state's capital, is located in Western Australia at the mouth of the Swan River. The city was named after Charles Fremantle, an English naval officer who established the camp at the site and pronounced possession of Western Australia. During World War II, Fremantle was the 2nd largest base for Allied submarines operating in the Pacific Theater. Up to 125 U. S., 31 British and 11 Free Dutch Submarines operated out of Fremantle, until the Americans moved forward to the Philippines.

Indonesia's isolated Komodo Island is a natural wonder of tropical savanna and scrubland, home to the famed pre-historic Komodo dragon. Komodo National Park is the only place on earth that they can be found in the wild. The island of Komodo itself is about 60 squares miles in area with dramatic landscapes of 2,000 foot craggy mountains, canyons, Savannas and monsoon rain forests in the valleys. Human habitation is therefore limited to only one settlement in Slawi Bay.

Benoa's charms are most evident in Nusa Dua, one of the most beautiful beaches in already-legendary Bali. In this land of rice terraces, spectacular volcanoes and over 20,000 temples, the main destination is the stunning 17th-century royal temple complex of Pura Taman Ayun in nearby Mengwi, surrounded by a lotus-filled moat, giving it the feel of a garden sanctuary. Another favorite is the Sunset Temple, Tanah Lot, and don't miss the batik factories for that perfect gift or souvenir.

Discover a hidden-gem island where tranquility meets natural wonders. Dive into the azure waters of Lembar Strait, explore coral reefs, relax on Selong Belanak Beach, and trek Mount Rinjani for breathtaking sunrise views. Experience Sasak culture in Sade and Ende, where artisans craft textiles and pottery by hand, and savor authentic cuisine from spicy sambal to grilled seafood.

Surabaya, East Java's capital, is a gateway city with diverse neighborhoods, from Buddhist temples to an historic Arab Quarter. Highlights include the 19th-century Dutch colonial House of Sampoerna museum, café and gallery, and the turquoise-domed Al Akbar Mosque, opened in 2000, with city views from its minaret. Try East Javanese seafood dishes.

Semarang is a city on the north coast of the island of Java, Indonesia. A major port during the Dutch colonial era, the city is known in Indonesia for its large ethnically Chinese population. Today, Semarang is a commercial port and administrative capital of Central Java. More a business center than a city for tourists, it is, however, an excellent gateway to the mountainous interior of Central Java and only some 60 miles away from world-famous Borobudur.

Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia, located on the northwest coast of Java. It is sprawling with shopping malls and traditional markets, and is known for its inexpensive, but fair quality textile and fashion products. Don't miss the Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, and the National Monument in Merdeka Square. Visit the National Museum to learn more about the cultural heritage of Indonesia.

This island nation at the end of the Malaysian peninsula offers rich culture, history, and cuisine. Explore Chinatown, the Arab Quarter, and Little India; take in harbor views at Boat Quay; shop along Orchard Road; enjoy a night safari at Singapore Zoo; relax in Bukit Timah Nature Preserve; wander futuristic Gardens by the Bay; and unwind with a Singapore Sling at the iconic Raffles Hotel.

This island nation at the end of the Malaysian peninsula offers rich culture, history, and cuisine. Explore Chinatown, the Arab Quarter, and Little India; take in harbor views at Boat Quay; shop along Orchard Road; enjoy a night safari at Singapore Zoo; relax in Bukit Timah Nature Preserve; wander futuristic Gardens by the Bay; and unwind with a Singapore Sling at the iconic Raffles Hotel.