Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka and should definitely be on your must-see list when visiting the island. The city used to be known as 'the garden city of the East' and though unlikely to reclaim this moniker, it is still a compelling place. The colonial architecture of the Fort, the lively markets of Pettah and growing number of stylish galleries and shops make Colombo an excellent start or finish to your Sri Lankan expedition. The ever-growing number of eateries serving anything from Sri Lankan to street food, is another reason travellers are starting to flood to the city.

La Digue is the smallest of the three main inhabited Seychelles islands, its population consists of only 2000 people. There is no airport and only a handful of vehicles but thanks to its modest size, you can easily cycle around the whole island - the journey from one settlement to another won't take you longer than 10 minutes. La Digue is laid back, full of beautiful beaches, green hills and bewitching bays - a real tropical paradise. Although, not totally undiscovered by tourists, there are still deserted bays and beaches to be enjoyed.

Antsiranana, also known as Diego Suarez, from the name of the Portuguese navigator who visited the bay in 1543, is situated to the extreme north of Madagascar. Its name was changed to Antsiranana in 1975, but many still call it Diego. It has one of the world's most beautiful natural deep-water harbours and is loved by tourists despite its remote location.

Cape Town is the third largest city of South Africa with a population of almost 3.5 million and has been the city of the South African Parliament since 2004. Between October and march, Cape Town is a popular attraction for many tourism which is shown by their growing numbers in recent years. This in turn has made Cape town an important economic sector for the country. One of the favourite sites of tourists is the Table Mountain but the city has plenty more to offer. Museums, historic buildings, Castles and the oldest surviving building in South Africa are all options worth considering.