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Tourists eager for a photo with Cape Town‘s signature baboons will soon face fines or even jail time if they are caught offering food to the wild animals.

Earlier this week officials of the city issued a statement that deliberate baiting of baboons would result in fines of up to 1,500 rand or $150 US dollars. Alternate sentences would involve a six-month jail term. While the warning it mostly directed toward tour operators, tourists who take it upon themselves to feed the baboons would also be liable.

The problems stem from tour operators (and the occasional tourist) who use food to lure the baboons to provide photo-opportunities. The result is that the monkeys have become more and more aggressive in seeking out food. Some have been known to snatch bags from tourists and in a recent case, several baboons jumped into a car to get more food after several American tourists got out to take pictures.

Cape Town is one of the more popular tourist destinations in South Africa. The city has a number of Cape Town five star hotels as well as budget hostels, theme hotels, and guest houses that fill up during the city’s busy season. The baboons are a protected species that make perfect souvenier photos. However, when the animals get too aggressive, park rangers are forced to kill the animals.

The city is planning a “baboon summit” to investigate other ways to deal with the problem. Cape Town is home to an estimated 350 Chacma baboons.

Like many popular tourist destinations, Phuket has to fight its reputation for parties and sun. The five star Phuket hotels are usually filled with upscale tourists and even celebrity visitors looking to relax on the beach and party in the many clubs and discos. However, there are others who come to Phuket to attend one of the many festivals, explore the island’s natural wonders, or simply soak up the unique culture of Thailand.

Beaches on Phuket offer a wide range of activities beyond lying in the sun. Windsurfing, snorkelling and sailing are all popular. Many of the beaches provide more than just sand and water. There are markets, clubs, and restaurants on many beaches. Some beaches, however, are secluded and quiet, so visitors should do their research to find the beach that suits their tastes and needs.

Nature lovers will want to check out the Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife park. It a protected area of virgin forest and endangered species, both plant and animal. There are several beautiful waterfalls as well as the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project.

The island hosts a number of cultural festivals and celebrations throughout the year. Scheduling a trip to coincide with one of them can only enrich the vacation experience. Some of the more colorful and popular of these are the Chao Le (Sea Gypsy) Boat Floating Festival, the Patong Carnival, and the Vegetarian Festival.

First-time visitors to exotic Delhi in India may find themselves overwhelmed by the rush of people, traffic, and the melting pot of languages that marks the city as one of the largest metropolitan centers in the world. This ancient city actually has a lot to captivate and astound even the most cynical of travelers.

While undoubtedly a modern urban center with business centers, shopping malls, and trendy clubs and restaurants, Delhi is also home to historic sites such as the Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb. Visitors will also find incredible examples of colonial and older architecture sprinkled throughout the city. Turn a corner and you’ll find beautiful old palaces, mosques, and temples or maybe stumble across one of the modern Delhi five star hotels that manage to blend traditional architecture with modern conveniences.

Delhi is a city that can be found on its streets. In addition to the omnipresent vendors offering incredible street foods, you’ll find street stalls as well as traditional bazaars selling everything from modern electronics to traditional textiles, clothing, and crafts. The Chatta Chowk (“Covered Bazaar”) is a favorite place for tourists, located between the Lahore Gate and the Red Fort.

Other things to explore in Delhi include the Rajghat Memorial (where Mahatma Gandhi is buried), the Lodhi Garden, the Qutub Complex, and the National Museum. There’s also the gorgeous architecture of the Lotus Temple, the Tibet House, the India Gate, and the National Science Centre. Most of these historic sites can be found in “Old Delhi” while “New Delhi” offers modern shopping, restaurants, and clubs to round out the “ancient meets modern” Delhi experience.

India’s “City of Pearls” is Hyderabad. It is the capital of Andhra Pradesh and is becoming known as “Cyberabad” due to the expansion of its software and other technological industries. The city is popular with tourists due to its multicultural heritage, gorgeous lakes, and modern conveniences.

Visitors to the city will want to check out some of its more famous landmarks to get a sense of the history and culture of the region. Perhaps the most famous landmark is Charminar. Built in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, this monument became known as Charminar due to its four minarets said to honor the first four khalifas of Islam. The mosque is located on the top floor and the four-story structure includes forty-five prayer spaces. Charminar is illuminated nightly, providing an even more beautiful prospect to the monument.

The Golconda Fort is recognized as one of the strongest forts in the world. It contains a mosque, a palace, an armory, and a parade ground. The fort is also world famous for its acoustics: a hand clap at the entrance can be heard a kilometer away at the highest point of the Bala Hisar pavilion. Another landmark is Mecca Masjid. This stone mosque is famous for its remarkable architecture. The bricks in the gateway are said to be from Mecca. The royal splendor and the symmetry of the design make it one of the most beautiful mosques in the region.

Hyderabad is home to a number of notable palaces. Falaknuma Palace is built of Italian marble and features ornate fountains, marble staircases, and Louis XIV-style decor all while preserving a Mughal regal luxury. Chowmahalla Palace was established in 1750 and is comprised of a group of individual palaces. The former seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, the palace has been renovated and serves as a conference venue. Other palaces include the Purani Haveli which was the Nizam’s official residence and King Kothi Palace.

In addition to these historic and other landmarks, Hyderabad is a modern city, complete with skyscrapers and a growing technology sector. Visitors will find a number of five star hotels in Hyderabad with all the modern amenities. They can spend time rambling through the city’s modern shopping malls or spend an evening in one of the cutting edge restaurants and nightclubs.

A month after the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the city is beginning to rebound. This largest city in India has had a turbulent history of bombings, riots, and previous terrorist attacks and it has always bounced back. There is no reason to doubt it will do so this time.

Visitors will continue to be attracted to this flourishing center of commerce, finance, film, and culture. Markets and bazaars offer terrific treasures to shoppers. Incredible food continues to be created in restaurants, cafes, and street stalls. Mumbai’s five star hotels will always provide luxurious retreats from the bustle and noise of the city. Bollywood will keep churning out films and tv shows to entertain and amuse audiences around the world.

Tourists will find many interesting attractions to visit in Mumbai. Museums and galleries attract art and history lovers. There are numerous palaces, mosques, and other architecturally stunning buildings to see. Those wanting a reprieve from the concrete jungle of modern Mumbai can relax in one of the city’s many gardens, parks and zoos, including a national park that exists within the city’s borders. They can also take advantage of Mumbai’s beaches to catch some sun and ocean views.

Don’t forget to visit the Gateway of India. Another popular destination is the Elephanta Caves. Mumbai is home to a variety of sporting venues and events that draw sports fans to the city throughout the year. This is also where you’ll find the largest water park in all of Asia to cool off from hot, humid summers.

Each year thousands of visitors travel to Goa, the smallest state in India. Due to its location on India’s west coast, Goa is known for its beaches, sunsets, and ocean. While there are plenty of small, traditional villages, Goa is also home to modern cities and visitors will find a range of restaurants, shopping, and nightlife to balance out the hours spent on the sunny beaches. There is a wide range of lodgings available throughout the region, including a number of five star hotels in Goa.

The variety of Goa beaches is astounding. The more commercial beaches offer nightclubs, designer stores, spas, and even gyms. The most secluded ones seem to have never seen a human footprint. Not all beaches in Goa are safe for swimming, so make sure to do your research ahead of time. Most are named after the nearest village.

Water sports are popular at most beaches. windsurfing, jet skiing, speed boating, and parasailing are all popular. Some beaches offer opportunities to cycle along the coastline. Diving is especially popular in Goa, where the season runs from mid-October through mid-May. Diving isn’t possible between June and mid-October due to monsoon season. Dive sites can be found around Grande Island, near Vasco Da Gama and are usually twelve to sixteen meters deep. There is a teeming undersea world to attract divers, including soft and hard coral, shipwrecks, and a multitude of reef fish and other marine species. For a different look at life on the sea, check out the Naval Air Museum which features seven outdoor exhibits and a two-story building housing other models and memorabilia.

One of the more popular beaches in Goa is Palolem which is famous for its scenic views and gorgeous sunsets. Colva Beach is also a popular scenic destination. Anjuna Beach features the beautiful Albuquerque Mansion as is home to a weekly flea market. Calangute is known as the “Queen” of all Goan beaches and as a result tends to be extremely crowded during tourist season. Quieter beaches include Patnem Beach, Asvem Beach, and Morjim Beach. At Chapora Beach you’ll find the Chapora fort and a large fishing jetty. Other beaches include Mandrem, Vagator, and Baga beaches.