How four tourist attractions weigh up
Gorilla trekking, Uganda Access: A mission. Fly to Entebbe (Emirates, 7hr 25 min) then fly to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (1hr).
The damage: Fork-out time. Uganda isn't cheap. Permits alone are $500.
Sleep here: Gorilla Forest Camp for three nights including permit and internal flight, $4700 per person, www.abercrombiekent.co.uk
How long: From one to three days.
Don't miss: After a gorilla trek, go for a guided walk. Feel free to make primal screams. After all, this is Tarzan territory.
Boast value: Major league. You only spend an hour with the troop each visit (after 1-5 hours of trekking), but you'll get unlimited cocktail party mileage.
Angkor, Campbodia Access: No drama. Fly to Bangkok (Thai, 6hr 15 min) then Siem Reap (Bangkok Airways, 1hr).
The damage: Souvenirs and restaurants are very
reasonable. Guides $25 per day. Three-day pass to the temple complex is $40.
Sleep here: Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor, doubles $450, http://siemreap.raffles.com
How long: Three days.
Don't miss: Preah Khan. In the clutches of the jungle, this temple will satisfy all Indiana Jones or Lara Croft fans.
Boast value: Unbeatable. If you've ever yearned to visit evocative ruins amidst tropical jungle, this Hindu/Buddhist temple complex is the place.
Byblos, Lebanon Access: Too easy. Fly to Lebanon (Emirates, 2hr 45 min) then taxi/land transfer to Byblos (40min).
The damage: Everything's reasonable value.
Sleep here: The harbourside Byblos Sur Mer is adequate
with doubles $90, www.byblossurmer.com
How long: One or two days. Once you've seen the ruins and harbour, just chill.
Don't miss: A dining institution, the Byblos Fishing Club has hosted Brigitte Bardot, Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra among other celebs.
Boast value: Way up there. This Med seaside town has been ransacked then rebuilt by everyone imaginable: from the Persians to the Greeks, Romans and Crusaders.
Bath, England Access: No sweat. Fly to London (Emirates, 7hr 25 min) then go to Bath by road (2hr, 30 min).
The damage: Ouch. Prices are similar to London.
Sleep here: Macdonald Bath Spa, double $270, www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/bathspa
How long: Two or three days. The Roman baths take about two hours to check out, but the true beauty of this town lies in the streetscapes. Take your time, walk around then unwind at a spa!
Boast value: Reasonable, add this to your tally of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Just make sure you head here in summer.
