The Maldives is a lovely break from cold Norway in February. One night on the plane from London to the capital Malé, and you can spot the beautiful islands in the mourning sun. Palm islands with white sand against turquoise ocean, surrounded by coral reef and deep blue sea. The airport is a concrete line in the Indian Ocean, that amazingly enough can receive large jumbo jets. It is only a small boat ride from the capital Malé, and an hour ride from the island Meeru, our destination for this trip.

In between Europe and USA you find the nine islands that make the Azores. Here there is a well functioning society, which has made use of the trading routes between the continents for hundreds of years.

There are many interesting hotels around the world. But few can measure up to Faena Hotel + Universe in Buenos Aires in Argentina. This is very special, thanks to the French designer Philippe Starck, who has made this designer hotel almost a universe of its own.

Buenos Aires is an enormous city, with about 12million people during the night and about 16million people during the day. The town stretches over a large area, and is like other cities divided in to smaller areas. More or less new established areas. One of these is Recoleta, which is not among the oldest, but has both charm and style.

Stående i skyggen av de to enorme tårnene som er bygget av det statlige oljeselskapet Petronas, er det lett å komme til den konklusjon at dette må være et av verdens vakreste, moderne byggverk. Blikket går oppover og oppover og oppover, som mot spissen av en rakett, nei, to raketter, som svever lydløst i en science fiction-film om intergalaktiske reiser i verdensrommet.

Flyreise fra Norge ca 6-7000,-
Bo - billig: Capitol Hotel midt i Kulala Lumpur fra kr 420,- i dobbeltrom / luksusrom

If you have missed the cherry blooming in Tokyo, you can and north and still catch it. The blooming stars far south and moves north when it gets warmer. And then the old temple city Nikko, 130km north of Tokyo, is the ideal option if you have a day or two to spare.

Aalesund (Ålesund) has a lively and interesting story to tell since it became a city in 1848. Fish has always been the most important industry and it still is. There is a lot of fish going to all parts of the world. But the city has more to offer than fish – a lot more!

Say Grenland, and many will answer industry, a bit right and a lot wrong. Because Grenland is a lot more than industry. And the Norwegian Hydro is almost gone. Grenland is about porcelain, Henrik Ibsen, free theatre, galleries, concerts, shopping, outdoor life and multiple industries. Say Grenland and the answer have to be welfare and joviality.

What makes you go on a trip to Spain alone and mid winter? A wish for a week time-out, away from hard work, a sudden need for impulses and a refill.