NEW ORLEANS

Where: Louisiana, USA

Why: New Orleans is buzzing, literally. The city is alive with music, dance, cabaret shows and more.

What to do: Bourbon Street is where all the parties are. Bar Tonique is the place to go to get happy hours. To enjoy a night with drinks, dancing and food, head to Maison. New Orleans has an amazing jazz scene, which you can check out at The Spotted Cat or Blue Nile.

Chill scene: Want to take a little dip in the old school? Prytania Theater, the oldest movie theatre in New Orleans, hosts latenight movie series and screens classics. For a quiet wine and cheese night, try Bayou Wine Garden’s wine on tap and cheese plates.

SÃO PAULO

Where: Brazil

Why: While Rio’s night scene is much talked about, São Paulo has a busier nightlife where parties only begin after 12. What to do: For a place with cold beer and appetisers, head to Quitandinha. For those who want to use their dancing shoes, NossaCasa will give you the floor and the beats. Catch up with your friends over drinks and some traditional Brazilian fare with Dona Teresa and for an extensive menu list of innovative cocktail menu to choose from — like Vôo pela Capadócia, a rumbased cocktail served in a glass with a hot air balloon above it — check out Caulí Lounge Bar.

Chill scene: Said to have the largest helicopter fleet in the world, tour companies offer helicopter rides to get an aerial view of the city. To enjoy a light day, rent a bike and enjoy the greens at Villa Lobos, which also has some open air musical scenes to enjoy at Musical Island.

ISTANBUL

Where: Turkey

Why: Istanbul, other than beautiful architecture and a cultural scene, has party spots, vibrant streets and concerts, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

What to do: For an elite ambience till the wee hours of the morning, head to Sortie, which has a six restaurants and three bars, complete with a view of the city. Go clubbing at 360, which offers DJs and live performances. Music lovers, groove at Babylon Bomonti with its jazz, reggae, world music, and electronic music. Glitzy, you said? Try Reina, a favourite of famous stars like Bon Jovi, Daniel Craig, and Naomi Watts for its lavish parties.

Chill scene: Enjoy authentic Turkish meatballs, eggplant and Turkish sweets at Çukurcuma Köftecisi or plan your own little picnic at Gulhane Park. One thing that if you can you shouldn’t miss is the cruise across the Bosphorus, to catch a glimpse of Asia on one side and Europe on the other.

TOKYO

Where: Japan

Why: Tokyo’s nightlife, sake tours to hole-inthe-wall places in neon-filled streets, can be the experience of a lifetime. What to do: The party districts of Tokyo are mainly Shibuya, Rappongi, Ginza and Shinjuku. For the best exclusive party vibe with techno and dance music, head to Contact in Shibuya, while A-Life in Rappongi is the spot to enjoy old-fashioned music. The best place, if you want to stick to one hang out spot and not bar hop, would be AgeHa, which is located a little out of the city in Shin-Kiba, with a provision of free shuttle buses to and from Shibuya.

Chill scene: Try the traditional izakaya at Asakusa, or the okonomiyaki (traditional Japanese pancake) at Nawi. In fact, if you want to enjoy the night scene without having to get into clubs, you can take a helicopter ride over the city or a boat cruise if you prefer enjoying the waterfront.

AYIA NAPA

Where: Cyprus

Why: Cyprus has Southern European, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian influences and can accommodate both the party and the gourmet food travellers.

What to do: The Castle Club is one of the most popular clubs to hit while in Ayia Napa. If you plan to be up well after sunrise, check out Club Aqua, that’s open till the morning. Most of the clubs in Ayia Napa open around 1am and close st about 5am, with the exception of Club Aqua, which is open until well after sunrise. If you’re looking for more classy drinking places, check out Liquid Cafe Bar or Pepper.

Chill scene: Adventure enthusiasts must explore the sea caves of Cape Greko through snorkelling. Ayia Napa also has Waterworld Waterpark if you just want to have some family fun or try some seafood such as sea bass, white bait or octopus at the many fish taverns that adorn the coast.

MALIA

Where: Greece

Why: Move over, Ibiza. Malia, with its white sand beaches and cool waters, is one of the best clubbing destinations in Europe and has everything from booze cruises, pool parties, escape rooms to an off-road safari tour.

What to do: Party at Candy Club, Apollo, Warehouse or Zigzag, according to your music taste. The Pukka Up Party Boat with its booze and good music can be an alternative to club hopping.

Chill scene: Want to take a scenic tour? Visit the Malia Minoan Palace or watch the boats from a tiny cafe at Malia Harbour, which has tiny and lively beaches and a number of food options to enjoy some grub.

MONTE CARLO

Where: Monaco

Why: For those who don’t want to get down and dirty, or rather want to get down and dirty but in a classy way, Monte Carlo has the best options. Even if you’re not a gambler, the Monte Carlo Casino is a fascinating casino, so drop in before you crash out.

What to do: Party at The Living Room till dawn, wine and dine at Twiga, a restaurant, lounge and shisha bar by day that turns into an exclusive club post 1am or drink craft beer at Brasserie de Monaco.

Chill scene: Cycling routes from Monaco are worth exploring, so pick Col d’Éze, a village 6.2 miles from Monaco, perched on a hilltop that overlooks the Mediterranean and have a meal at Elsa, which is said to be the first restaurant in the world to have gotten an ‘Organic’ Star.

TEL AVIV

Where: Israel

Why: Also known as one of the most LGBTQIA-friendly destinations in the world, the party scene in Tel Aviv is vibrant and very safe, even for solo travellers.

What to do: Check out their best-known LGBT café and bar, Shpagat. To have a fulfilling experience of the city, indulge at Kukoo Alma, a place that will give you delicious cocktails, food, an art gallery, a vintage clothing store and a lot more. Tip of the iceberg: it’s open till 5am. For budget travellers who want to splurge on drinks, Cofix Bar is your spot. Chill scene: Take the White City Walking Tour to explore the city. The best way to explore Old Jaffa would be a Segway tour. Also, if you’re looking to eat the best kebabs in Tel Aviv, there’s literally a place in Carmel Market called Best Kebabs In Tel Aviv that’s worth checking out.