Victoria Peak, known simply to locals as The Peak, rises 552m above sea level and is the highest point of Hong Kong Island. It’s also one of the city’s most popular spots: the views of the vibrant metropolis are unrivalled. The best way to reach the Peak is by riding the legendary Peak tram at a 27° angle – let Cosa organise a private experience for you.

The Peninsula, which opened its doors in 1928, is Hong Kong’s oldest hotel. And taking high tea in the gilded lobby, to the background of a live string quartet, is a quintessential experience. Expect perfectly-executed sandwiches, freshly baked scones served with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and exquisite pastries accompanied by rivers of refreshing teas.

Britain played a big role in the history of Hong Kong – whose name means ‘fragrant harbour’ in Cantonese – after winning the two Opium Wars against China. Consequently, Hong Kong became a British colony from 1841 until 1997. When the lease ran out, Hong Kong was returned to China as a Special Administrative Region and has largely run its own affairs under the ‘one country, two systems’ approach. Part of Hong Kong’s continuing appeal remains this juxtaposition of British and Chinese cultures.

The iconic ruins of Chichen Itza are the most famous archaeological site in Mexico and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Revel in a wonderfully restored collection of columned arcades, temples and stepped pyramids. Cosa tip: visit Chichen Itza with us at night, when the stone structures are subtly illuminated.

When you’ve had your fill of Mayan majesty, make for the Riviera Maya – a glorious stretch of Mexico’s Caribbean coastline around Playa del Carmen. It’s less busy than Cancun with many laid-back spots, where the sand is sugar-soft, the bathwater-warm sea totally transparent and you can simply relax.

Bounded by the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula covers three Mexican states plus parts of Belize and Guatemala. The main draws are the beaches and the Mayan ruins, notably the ancient city of Chichen Itza, founded in the fifth century. The city served as the centre of the Mayan empire, but the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century coincided with the fall of the Mayan civilisation. 

It’s hard to miss the Sydney Harbour Bridge, or the Coathanger as locals affectionately refer to it. The metal bridge dominates the skyline, so why not walk across it? Or, provided you don’t suffer from vertigo, try the famous ‘BridgeClimb’. We can arrange a private experience so that you can enjoy the impressive views of Sydney Harbour without the crowds.

Australia’s most renowned beach, Bondi, is one of the best places on earth to catch a wave. But if you aren’t confident ‘hanging ten’, consider signing up for a private surf lesson. Whether you’re a beginner or simply looking to improve your technique and hone your skills, special one-on-one attention should see you riding the waves like a pro.

The capital of the Australian state of New South Wales was founded when the first fleet of convict ships arrived in 1788, and the metropolis is named after Lord Sydney, a leading British politician at the time. Fast forward to today and Sydney is home to over five million, the largest city in Australia. It exudes cosmopolitan cool and knows how to have a good time, so pack your sunnies and let Cosa take you there.

Discover Antigua’s fascinating history at historic Nelson’s Dockyard, the world’s last working Georgian Dockyard that was once home to Admiral Nelson.

The views from Shirley Heights are worth the trip, especially at sunset – and even better on Sundays with a rum punch and live steel-pan music.

For 28 years, Berlin was divided by a concrete barrier that separated the Soviet-occupied east from the free west. While much of the Wall was torn down in 1989 – a symbol of the beginning of the end of the Cold War – some original segments remain. And Cosa can show you the best surviving sections, while recounting fascinating stories about Berlin’s dark past.

Five of Berlin’s many museums – the Altes Museum, Neues Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie, Pergamon Museum and Bode Museum – are in stately grand Prussian buildings on Museum Island. The crowds and the island’s sheer size can seem overwhelming unless you’re with Cosa. Take advantage of our VIP after-hours access to discover the stunning bust of Nefertiti, and other ancient treasures.

German art critic, Karl Scheffler, famously described Berlin as a city ‘condemned forever to becoming […].’ And it’s true that change is the only constant. A grandiose imperial capital in the late 19th century, Berlin lay in ruins by the end of the Second World War. The city was then divided, both literally and figuratively, during the Cold War before knitting itself back together after the fall of the Wall. Today Berlin is buzzing once again and has rightly earned a reputation for being Europe’s coolest city.

This sensational World Heritage-listed shrine in southern Kyoto is famous for its thousands of red torii gates scattered across a wooded mountain. Even if you’ve seen the iconic Fushimi Inari in photos, nothing can quite prepare you for the sheer scale. An expert Cosa guide will give you the backstory on the shrine that’s dedicated to the god of the grain.

The upscale district of Gion is considered to be the birthplace of geisha culture. That’s not to say that glimpsing a geisha is easy, as their numbers have dropped dramatically in recent years. But we know the best places and optimal times to spot these enigmatic entertainers, and can also arrange an audience with an apprentice geisha.

Kyoto means ‘capital’ in Japanese and it was indeed the national capital until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. The capital then moved northeast to Edo, a city we now know as Tokyo, which is simply an anagram of Kyoto. Today Kyoto is celebrated for being Japan’s cultural hub and is home to around 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines (and 1.5 million people). The city is a year-round destination, although the blooming cherry blossoms in spring and vivid autumn foliage attract the biggest crowds.

Named as one of the new seven wonders of the world, the lost city of Machu Picchu (which means ‘old mountain’ in Quechua) is arguably South America’s greatest attraction. As such, it draws over a million visitors each year and can get busy. But our expert guides know the secret spots, alternative routes and, crucially, when to go.

Legend has it that Cusco was founded in the 12th century by the first Inca, Manco Capac, following a challenge by the sun god Inti to locate ‘the navel of the world’. Your private guide can tell you all that and more as you stroll the charming cobbled streets – often lined with alpaca-herding locals – where Andean culture and Spanish colonial splendour collide.

Two of the best-known areas in Peru, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley were both part of the Incan Empire until the Spanish conquest in 1532. Yet while the Spaniards made it to the Sacred Valley, they never reached Machu Picchu. The ancient city was lost to the world at large until the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham discovered the extraordinary ruins in 1911. It wasn’t just the altitude that took Bingham’s breath away – visit these remarkable regions with Cosa and we’ll show you why.

Palawan’s Coron Bay is home to no fewer than 12 shipwrecks from the Second World War. And diving these wrecks, with their vibrant underwater ecosystems, is a genuine adventure.

Manila can overwhelm but not with Cosa. We’ll show you both sides of the metropolis – the super-sized shopping malls of Makati as well as the ancient walled city of Intramuros.

‘Build it and they will come,’ best describes Dubai’s mentality and the Burj Khalifa is the ultimate example. At 830m high, it’s the world’s tallest tower, offering dizzying views of Dubai’s ever-changing skyline. Expect a choice of two observation levels (very high and extremely high) as well as a restaurant, At.mosphere, which – yes, you’ve guessed it – is the highest restaurant in the world.

Dubai is often seen as a modern city but it has a traditional side too. For local flavour, take a tour of Jumeirah Mosque, one of the few mosques in the UAE open to the general public. This striking house of worship was built entirely from white stone, with twin minarets framing a large central dome.

A humble fishing village until oil was discovered in 1966, Dubai is the capital of the most populous of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with over three million inhabitants. It’s also synonymous with luxury and excess, where almost anything can be built if you have the money. But while Dubai might seem outwardly modern, it’s worth remembering that it is still an Islamic state where swearing or being inebriated in public is illegal.

Craving isolation and total privacy? Come over all Robinson Crusoe on exclusive island resorts where you can be barefoot all day or hang out with giant tortoises.

The lush Vallée de Mai is where the legendary coco de mer palm grows. The gargantuan nuts are the world’s largest seed, and aren’t found anywhere else on earth.