The Mediterranean Sea is more than a body of water, it’s a living crossroads of civilizations, flavors, and landscapes. Stretching across three continents and touching over 20 countries, it has been a stage for ancient empires, maritime trade, and cultural exchange for thousands of years. From the sun-drenched shores of southern Spain to the whitewashed villages of the Greek islands, each coastline tells a different story.
Qingdao, also Tsingtao or Ch'ing-tao, Shandong Province, eastern China. It is a major naval base, an industrial center, and a port on the Yellow Sea at the entrance to sheltered Jiaozhou Bay. The port, which rarely freezes over, serves the industrialized northern China Plain and was expanded in 1976 to include an oil terminal for large tankers on Huang Island. The leading manufactures of the city include textiles, railroad equipment, rubber goods, fertilizer, and chemicals.
Nestled on the sun-drenched southern coast of Madeira, Funchal, the island's capital, offers an enchanting mix of old-world charm, vibrant culture, and natural beauty. This picturesque city, set against a backdrop of rugged mountains and the deep blue Atlantic Ocean, is known for its lush botanical gardens, stunning vistas, and year-round mild climate.
Nigeria, located in West Africa, is a country known for its diversity in culture, language, and landscapes. It is home to over 200 million people, making it the most populous country in Africa.
A city in perpetual forward motion, Abu Dhabi greets visitors with gleaming skyscrapers and opulent Islamic architecture. There is much to see here, from the recently opened Louvre Abu Dhabi to the gigantic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with its white marble splendor. Beach life and turquoise waters can be found on Saadiyat Island, Al Bateen and Corniche Beach.
Elegant playground of the rich and famous, Gstaad also features the most glamorous snowfields in all of Europe. Mostly between Christmas and New Year, you will find international celebrities, aristocracy, movie stars and famous heads-of-state wherever you turn. Saanenland is a true paradise for fans of all kinds of winter sports.
Skiing starts here long before the other resorts get going, with ideal conditions on the nearby Diablerets glacier which offers year round skiing. By Christmas there is powder snow right down to the valley. With 250 kms of marked ski pistes for skiers of all standards, cross-country ski tracks and the excellent Swiss ski schools; 69 mountain railways and ski lifts, Gstaad is an ideal venue for all lovers of winter sun, sport and superb scenery.
But Gstaad is not just a winter resort; as each season unfolds, the lush mountains are a sporting paradise all year round. Gstaad in summer offers the fascination of unspoilt mountain scenery, the special atmosphere of the original, cosy chalet village and an attractive programme of events and activities.
Guests can sense the sincerity of Saanen hospitality regardless of whether they are in a palatial five-star hotel or a simple village restaurant. All the features of summer sport are in abundance - hiking, climbing, swimming, tennis, fishing or golfing at the beautiful alpine golf course at Saanenmöser. Gstaad also has lots to offer culturally.
World renowned soloists and chamber music ensembles rendezvous every year at the Yehudi Menuhin Festival. The Alpengala presents major symphonic works, operas and ballet.