Cultural trips

Asia’s other mega-metropolis is as beautiful as it is bewildering

Don’t miss: Dongdaemun, in the city’s north-east, is one of the biggest shopping districts in the world, home to 20 malls, 30,000 shops and numerous markets, indoor and out. If you’re overdue a splurge, look no further.

Famous for... Being simultaneously historic and futuristic, with sci-fi skyscrapers sat cheek-by-jowl with ages-old Buddhist temples. The contrast between old and new is like nowhere else on Earth.

Flight time from London: 11 hours from Heathrow.

It’s wall-to-wall Americana in the motherland of country music

Don’t miss: Even those who can’t tell Jimmie Rodgers from Johnny Cash will get a kick out of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. It’s packed with memorabilia from giants of American music, and there are regular live performances, too.

Famous for… Fried chicken, whisky and country music. Get your fill of the former at Hattie B’s Hot Chicken in Midtown, which specialises in super-spicy birds.

Flight time from London: Nine hours from Heathrow (from May 2018).

Few cities in America have such a distinct identity as the Big Easy

Don’t miss: The buzzing French Quarter is the city in microcosm; stuffed with jazz bars, art galleries and more creole cuisine than you can shake a po’ boy at.

Famous for… Live music, Mardi Gras parades and generally not being the sort of place you go to for a bit of peace and quiet. New Orleans is proudly multilingual and multicultural, too, thanks to stints as a French and Spanish colony.

Flight time from London: Ten hours from Heathrow.

San Fran’s low-key neighbour is the gateway to northern California

Don’t miss: A visit to Napa Valley is a pilgrimage for wine buffs the world over. It’s just an hour away from Oakland, making a daytrip out to its 400-plus wineries easily doable. Just
remember to leave a few bottles’ worth of space in your suitcase.

Famous for… Being surrounded by some of California’s most beautiful scenery. It’s a great base for exploring Yosemite National Park, three hours to the east, where granite cliffs,
waterfalls and world-class hiking await.

Flight time from London: 11 hours from Gatwick.

The Chilean capital mixes urban culture with natural beauty

Don’t miss: Its sprawling size means Santiago isn’t the most walkable city, but you can get your exercise in with a trek up San Cristóbal Hill, where a gleaming white statue of the Virgin Mary and panoramic views over the city await.

Famous for… Having probably the most photogenic skyline on Earth. Not so much for its architecture, but rather the backdrop of the snow-capped Andes. Daytrips into the mountains are doable, with tour buses connecting the city to various national parks.

Flight time from London: 14 hours, 45 minutes from Heathrow.