DESIRED DESTINATIONS
1. Culture Vultures
MALAYSIA
Islam is one of the main religions practiced by Malays and a small percentage of other races in Malaysia. They do their daily prayers at the mosques, which have stunning Islamic design elements. Here are the most wondrous mosques to visit in Malaysia.
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Masjid Jamek, Kuala Lumpur
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Putra Mosque, Putrajaya
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Federal Territory Mosque, Kuala Lumpur
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Malacca Straits Mosque, Malacca
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Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque, Shah Alam
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Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque, Kuala Terengganu
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Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, Kota Kinabalu
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Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque, Johor Bahru
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Kapitan Keling Mosque, Penang
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Al Bukhari Mosque, Alor Setar
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Crystal Mosque, Kuala Terengganu
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Ubudiah Mosque, Kuala Kangsar
2. Shopoholics
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
New York
New York sets the standard for a destination shopping city—so dense with options, all budgets will find a way to spend a little too much money. There's the fast fashion (Zara, UNIQLO, H&M) of SoHo; the Prada and Chanel of Fifth Avenue. You could spend a full day exploring Barneys or Bergdorf Goodman, sipping cocktails and wishing they would close up shop and forget you were there—just so you can have a Night With the Céline Bags.
3. Romantics
ITALY
Venice
Book a Venice hotel and be swept away by romantic Venice. With its gondola rides, opera and lavish baroque buildings, Venice oozes romance from every piazza, bridge and canal.
A gondola ride for two
There’s nothing more romantic than punting slowly past beautiful baroque and Renaissance buildings. Pick up a gondola at any of the main bridges – the Rialto or Accademia. Just look out for the driver’s boater hat and striped shirt.
A boat ride to the islands
Take a motorboat a few miles across the Venetian lagoon to the unspoilt islands nearby. Wander Burano’s streets of pastel houses and bargain with lace sellers or shop for signature coloured glass ornaments on Murano.
Sunset on St Mark’s Square
Wonder at the sheer scale of the domes of the Basilica San Marco and the ornate Doge’s Palace on Venice’s romantic central square. Wander between the arcades past street orchestras to Caffè Florian for tea on the terrace.
St Mark’s Square, Venice
Grand Canal views from Venice’s bridges etc...
