A gentrification project has tackled organised crime in the Red Light District and provided incentives for upscale cafes and boutiques to move in, but despite the decade-long scheme, the Netherlands’ capital has yet to get a grip on human trafficking and forced prostitution.

From a rolled up rug to mammoth flames, the capital of the former Soviet republic takes the bonkers building biscuit.

France’s Cote d’Azur might have the monopoly on riviera reveries, but there are plenty more coastlines on the ocean.

The 3,945km (2,451-mile) stretch from Chicago to Los Angeles has been immortalised in pop culture, but it doesn’t technically exist today. It is still possible to cruise the historic highway, however, but beware of roadside kitsch.

As overtourism puts pressure on destinations across the globe, do the world a favour and veer your vacation off the beaten path.

The birthplace of William Shakespeare is Bard to the bone, and English town’s most famous son brings in close to 10 million tourists a year.

Exhaustive studies have shaped the ‘airside’ environment into one that taps into our consumer subconscious and puts us in the holiday (spending) mood – even if those duty-free ‘bargains’ are cheaper at home.

Navigating between the sublime sandy beaches, quaint villages and vehicle-choked cities requires patience, strong sea legs and a little French.

Sure, the locals are lovely and beaches heavenly, but try to escape the high-season tourist hordes – not to mention the pollution – and you might find yourself in a windblown bind

Guests often overlook the day-to-day expenses involved in hospitality, from cleaners to maintenance, laundry to licences.

The world-leading homestay site offers host interaction and the chance to see lesser-known areas in cities, and while horror stories might have grabbed headlines, one of the most common complaints is to do with surprise pets

The wonders of our world are not always monumental or geological, as fans of Singapore’s hawker food or Hong Kong milk tea can attest. Visit these eight places to sample some of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.

Packed itineraries mean you don’t have to unpack, and you can wake up in a new destination every morning, but locals rarely benefit from the swarms of tourists, and where does all the waste go?

In an A-Z of destinations’ slogans, we explore hits and misses, from unforgettable tag lines to those that are best forgotten

For four days each year, the quiet port city awakes from its slumber to put on a spectacular street party, with 96 hours of music, dance and ‘burning water’.

From Russia’s Sakhalin island to Sumatra, the world still holds plenty of surprises for adventure seekers in search of sun, solitude and scenery

Tourism in the Nepalese capital has bounced back from the devastation of the 2015 earthquake but poor air quality often ruins the views of sweeping Himalayan vistas – and don’t get too close to the cheeky monkeys.

Sardinia might be a bucket-list favourites, but for the more adventurous, the ‘state’ of Transnistria could do with a little recognition

• The laid-back city has lured thriving communities of expats with top-notch health care, fast Wi-fi and a cooler winter climate, however, it might be safe to stay off the roads, some of Southeast Asia’s deadliest

Don’t know the only double-landlocked countries? Or the only nation to not have a rectangular flag? Don’t worry, just read on …

The sprawling city can be delightful or definitive of the daily grind, depending on your place in it

Orlando and Guilin, Philadelphia and Tianjin, St Louis and Nanjing – 201 places in US alone have sister-city, or twin-town, agreements with places in China. The sister-city relationships have their roots in mutual understanding, but offer economic spin-offs too.

Australia’s biggest city has more than 100 beaches, but keep your eyes peeled for unwelcome visitors, and good luck getting around on an outdated public transport system.

Thai people have a smile for every occasion and the Portuguese are happy to be underpaid, while Fiji has replaced cannibalism with Christmas cards and kava

Combining two tourism experts’ theories to explore the life-cycle of a sun, sea and sand holiday destination

An adrenaline junkie’s dream destination, the wildly impressive waterfall is not without its faults, gatecrashing crocodiles and badly behaved baboons among them.

So you’ve made it Uluru, Loch Ness, or Timbuktu – don’t miss out on some underrated sights nearby while you’re there; from the Isle of Skye to a Niger River cruise to the cave dwellings of Cappadocia, there’s much more to add to your itineraries.

The Unesco-listed heritage town has enough must-see attractions to fill any itinerary but with great beauty comes great tourist dollars – not to mention Chinese investment