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city has more than 100 beaches, but keep your eyes peeled for unwelcome visitors, and good luck getting around on an outdated public transport system.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

The Lithuanian capital’s brave citizens were the first to break the Soviet Union’s shackles, and the city has emerged from its grisly history to value freedom and independence, with much to offer travellers

From the Taj Mahal to the Great Wall of China, international visitors often have to pay more to see tourist attractions – but is it fair?

With its canals, world-class museum and art-filled public spaces, Russia’s second city may deserve its ‘Venice of the North’ title – if you can overlook the surly locals and ubiquitous tourist tat.

A country’s favourite dish is often imported, debatable or unhealthy – but it is almost always delicious.

With Alcatraz ranked the No 1 place to visit in the US, the Californian city is well worth the trip, but navigating needle-strewn streets and taking in naked naturists might be an adventure too far for many.

Whether government enforced political instruments or the result of an individual’s own ethical dilemma, these six destinations have felt the impact of the masses staying away

A father and son fight the tourist hordes and make their way across Europe on a sobering journey through 20th-century history

The highlands of India’s tear drop boast breathtaking scenery and one of the world’s great train journeys, but spare a thought for the tea pickers, who toil for pittance and are at increasing risk from landslides

From ‘coal mines’ beneath the Korean DMZ to the Viet Cong’s extensive network near Ho Chi Minh City, these subterranean must-sees reveal more about a destination’s history, or provide a useful way of getting there

September is not only the best time to conquer the 5,895-metre summit, it is also the most popular, so choose your route carefully to avoid the crowds

From the old-school glamour of Long Island and the thatched cottages of southern England, to the watering holes of Havana and the Kenyan coast, explore seven landscapes straight from the pages of literature