Cape Town is one of the world's most beautiful cities, where Table Mountain, coastline, vineyards, urban culture, and relaxed ocean charm meet. Ride the cable car or hike Lion's Head for sweeping views. Visit Boulders Beach for African penguins, the Cape of Good Hope, and Robben Island, where Mandela's prison story brings the city's history to life.

Port Elizabeth (PE), also known as Nelson Mandela Bay, is a "friendly city" that blends unspoiled beaches, sand dunes and the warm Indian Ocean with a rich post-industrial heritage. Loved as a holiday spot, it's seeing urban renewal, with creative projects, galleries, fusion restaurants, museums and restored Victorian terraces. Route 67 honors Mandela with 67 artworks. Nearby Addo and Lalibela parks offer Big Five safaris; Addo even has the Big Seven.

East London, on South Africa's Buffalo River, was founded by the British in 1847 to supply military forts in land disputes with the Xhosa. The city grew with European settlement. Nearby are 200,000-year-old footprints, and the region is home to millions of Xhosa people, whose culture is marked by vibrant dress, music, dance and beaded jewellery. East London also has beaches, the Buffalo River, game parks, and nearby the first living coelacanth, found in 1938.

Durban, South Africa's third most popular city, draws people with its waterfront, street performers, multicultural mix, laid-back "Durbs" vibe, landscape, and climate. A major boost came from 2010 World Cup investment, which upgraded the promenade and eateries serving bunny chow, bobotie, and other Asian-influenced food. It has the largest Indian population outside India and a rich Euro-African history.

Réunion, the largest of the Mascarene Islands, lies east of Madagascar and southwest of Mauritius. Settled by the French in 1642, it became Colbert Bourbon in 1649, later regained its original name, and has been a French Overseas Department since 1946. Capital: St. Denis. Known for its rugged interior, active volcano Piton de la Fournaise, cirques, and Piton des Neiges. Main income comes from sugarcane, vanilla, and geranium oil.

Mauritius, just off Madagascar's east coast, is a volcanic island about 10 million years old, with lakes, extinct craters, and a vast coral reef system. Uninhabited until the late 1500s, it was visited by the Portuguese, settled by the Dutch in 1598, then ruled by France from 1715 and Britain from 1810. Its history brought sugar plantations and the loss of ebony forests and the dodo. Today it's a multicultural island known for mountains, lagoons, and beaches.

Mauritius, just off Madagascar's east coast, is a volcanic island about 10 million years old, with lakes, extinct craters, and a vast coral reef system. Uninhabited until the late 1500s, it was visited by the Portuguese, settled by the Dutch in 1598, then ruled by France from 1715 and Britain from 1810. Its history brought sugar plantations and the loss of ebony forests and the dodo. Today it's a multicultural island known for mountains, lagoons, and beaches.

Mahe, in the remote Seychelles 1,500 km east of Mombasa, is the largest of 115 islands and a showcase of natural beauty: 68 beaches, lush jungle, and the towering Morne Seychellois National Park, which covers over 20% of the island and shelters rare endemic wildlife like the Seychelles scops-owl. Its clear waters are ideal for diving. Historically, Mahe was mapped by the French in 1742 and settled from 1770; today Seychelles has about 80,000 people.

Cochin (Kochi) is a richly layered port city on an estuary, shaped by Chinese, Dutch, Portuguese, Raj, Muslim and Jewish influences. Founded in the 15th century, it became a major global anchorage and a gateway to Kerala. Today, Fort Kochi offers spice markets, antique shops, Ayurvedic massage, Mattancherry Palace murals, St Francis Church, and backwater cruises through palms and rice paddies. End with dal roti and firni.

Cochin (Kochi) is a richly layered port city on an estuary, shaped by Chinese, Dutch, Portuguese, Raj, Muslim and Jewish influences. Founded in the 15th century, it became a major global anchorage and a gateway to Kerala. Today, Fort Kochi offers spice markets, antique shops, Ayurvedic massage, Mattancherry Palace murals, St Francis Church, and backwater cruises through palms and rice paddies. End with dal roti and firni.

New Mangalore is a red-roofed port city of many flavours, where pepper, ginger, coffee and cashew nuts pass through. Taste fresh fish and spicy local dishes, then visit beautiful temples and pine-lined beaches. Highlights include serene Kadri Manjunath Temple, Kateel Shri Durgaparameshwari Temple by the Nandini River, and St. Aloysius Chapel with vivid frescoes. Relax on quiet beaches, swim, boat, and watch sunsets and wading birds.

Mumbai, formerly Bombay, is India's "City of Dreams": a chaotic, glamorous economic and Bollywood hub of sharp contrasts. It holds extreme wealth and deep poverty, from luxury towers to vast slums. Key sights include the Gateway of India, the colonial architecture of Colaba, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and the UNESCO-listed Elephanta Caves. Dharavi, Asia's largest slum, offers insight into its resilient community. Also visit Gandhi's former home, now a museum.