Pristine beaches, the sparkling Arabian Sea, fantastic shopping and world-class restaurants make the United Arab Emirates' capital, Abu Dhabi a dream holiday destination. Abu Dhabi was first planned in the 1970s with a population expected to reach around 600,000. Today more than two million people call the Emirate home, and the city has grown to become a Middle Eastern hub that plays host to grand-scale sporting events and celebrations of glamour and wonderment.

The Boqueria Market, as it is known today, has been through many phases of life and has a rich history dating back to around the early 17th century. Where this market comes from is uncertain but indications are that it roots that date back to the Middle Ages, what we are sure of is that it was born as a travelling market, placed in the Ramblas of Barcelona. At this time a King's representative gave a local farmer a place to crush bull's meat 'Boc' in Catalan and from here the name 'Boqueria' was born. La Rambla acquired growing importance as a pedestrian lane, and the market was set in the best place to attract the large numbers of passers-by and local inhabitants. Its location was threatened many times. In Catalonia, towns and cities have been founded around markets and the same rings true for La Boqueria. It originated as an open-air market, in front of one of the gates of the old city wall (Pla de la Boqueria) where fruit and vegetable traders from local towns and farms near by would sell their products. The spaces inside the city at that time were too small to establish a big market of the current Boqueria kind and it was necessary to set them outside the walls. In 1840 the first stone was laid in a ceremony that included the burying of gold coins to ensure the flow of riches and in 1871 gas lamps replaced the use of candles to provide night trading. Still open air until 1914 a roof was contstructed to cover the more than 13 thousand square metres of floor space. Today this vibrant market offers everything one can imagine when it comes to fresh produce and is an absolute must see when in Barcelona. As a local once said... 'if the unicorn existed, it would be sold here'. With that in mind, it's hard not to become seduced by this most visited building in Barcelona.

The largest Emirate by population and second largest by land size, Dubai is a jewel in the United Arab Emirates crown. Visitors flock to the Middle Eastern metropolis to shop and stay in affluent surrounds, and indulge in traditional food and culture. A global city and business hub – built on a once prosperous oil industry – Dubai has attracted the world’s attention time and time again with innovative large-scale construction projects, revered sporting events and grandiose celebrations.

New Delhi, the capital of India, is a modern and cosmopolitan city. It lies to the south of Old Delhi, in the north of India, and is the political and financial centre of the country. New Delhi was constructed during the early 20th century and took Calcutta’s place as the capital of India. Much of the city was designed by two British architects, Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker. It has luxurious hotels, shopping malls, galleries, museums and entertainment venues, but you can also visit neighbouring Old Delhi during your stay to get a taste of the history and traditional culture of India.

The Showground Central Mural is a truly unique international standard, public arts project. This large-scale painting depicts the history and activities of the Royal Adelaide Show and the local community, offering a larger than life visual for the area and includes a vibrant street art showcase featuring some of Adelaide's most well known street artists. Located along the perimeter of Adelaide’s Royal Showground at Wayville, this mural has a surface area of over 2 square hectares and intended to compete for a World Record holding with the Guiness Book of World Records.

Let Urban Globetrotter take you on an Art Journey along Yokohama's famous Sakuragicho Station graffiti art walk.

Take a journey through the amazing Hoi An outdoor food market where you can buy almost anything you like lovely and fresh delivered by boat every morning.

Melbourne is a great place to visit and has a very rich arts and sporting culture. Many of Australia's biggest sporting events take place in Melbourne but its the cultural side full of fashion, food and art that's full of color and vibrancy making up for the sometimes gloomy weather.

Take a walk down Melbourne's famous art filled lane ways where you'll discover all sorts of creative and inspiring paintings, stencil art, musings and characters. Melbourne's amazing street art lanes are world famous and are filled with a vast array of engaging aerosol art works. Freestyle, stencils and micro-installations all make up this must see colorful underbelly of Melbourne. Lanes of interest include: Hosier, ACDC, Flinders and Union with a visit further out to Fitzroy where larger scale street art pieces are abundant. See more quality images and art here & here. Enjoy!

Yum! See more about the Urban Globetrotters Food Adventures

Singapore by night is a great place with so much to see, especially around Marina Bay during the Formula One weekend where the city is bursting with activity.

original images of Singapore by Urban Globetrotter

amazing smorgasbord eatery!

Set in the stunning landscape of Hakone, the Hakone Open-Air Museum opened in 1969 as the first open-air art museum in Japan. Constantly changing with the seasons, the spectacular grounds are the permanent home for approximately 120 works by well-known modern and contemporary sculptors. There are also 5 exhibition halls including the Picasso Pavilion. A must see for any art enthusiast.

original images of Vietnam by Urban Globetrotter