Gilly Pickup is dazzled by Macau's glittering skyline but finds the city's Old Quarter, with its traditional homes and temples, to be its most fascinating side.

ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN — The land where apples and garlic originated is abundant in wildlife — red bears, snow leopards and antelopes all call this home. It is a wealthy oil state, safe and tourist friendly, with the highest ice skating rink on the planet. Its shiny, ultra-modern capital brims with futuristic buildings.