This striking city was largely undestroyed by the Second World War and boasts many traditional Japanese sites such as Samurai residences and tea houses. The city also has the only geisha community outside Kyoto. This magnificent city is easy to get to since this March the Japanese bullet train, Hokuriku Shinkansen, cuts the journey from Tokyo down from four hours to two and a half.
10. Breathtaking Africa: Namibia
Home to the Namib Desert, this country will celebrate its 25th anniversary of independence from South Africa in March. This unique part of the world offers something for all tastes and ages. History buffs might enjoy visiting ghost town Kolmanskop, once a diamond mining hub or Skeleton Coast, lined with colonial shipwrecks. You could go on a safari, in a land which pioneers conservation of wildlife or enjoy the unique local sport of sand skiing in the striking dunes.