Megan Gates is an active blogger who provides written work to the blogosphere pertaining to New York City Real Estate, Hamptons Homes, home improvement and the latest architecture, design, fashion and travel.  Follow her on twitter @MEGatesDesign.

Surrounded by 4 seas, the islands of Greece are a paradise on earth.  Made of 1400 islands, of which 227 are inhabited, the hard part is choosing which to visit.  The islands of Santorini, Mykonos, Crete and Hydra are all top choices.

Santorini

If you have time for just one beach make it Perissa Beach.  Spend the day windsurfing or snorkeling at this striking black-sand beach.  Or consider an excursion to the Hot Springs of Nea and Palea Kameni.  These islets, once known for banished vampires, are now known for relaxation.  The water is 95° F at Nea and 101° F at Palea.  Make time to try the dolmades at Psaraki Restaurant; they have been bringing tourists back for years.  Accommodations are diverse and include the Villa Renos Hotel and Stelios Place which is a guest-house.

Mykonos

Mykonos is famous for beaches but a favorite is Psarou Beach.  This beach is popular for water sports and known for clear water.  Little Venice, on the southwest shore, is filled with historic homes, restaurants, shops and nightclubs.  Curry Chicken lovers should head over to Avra Restaurant while those who prefer Greek salad should try Fato a Mano, also known for Pudding Wine.  Yet another attraction is Paraportiani Church, dating to the Byzantine era.  Lodging ranges from boutique hotels like Greco Philia to budget-conscious ones like Panormos Village.

Crete

For clear, calm water spend a day at Balos Lagoon.  Camping is allowed and the shallow water is a favorite for children.  For deeper water and snorkeling you can follow the water to the sea.  The Sacred Monastery of Arkadi is a Baroque church, founded in the 5th century, and is appreciated by architecture buffs as well as history enthusiasts.  The Knossos Taverna serves homemade Greek food while Porto Rino is popular for   international cuisine.  Lodging includes Casa Leone, for middle budgets, and Casa Delfino Hotel for higher budgets.

Hydra

This island is for art lovers, photography connoisseurs, jewelry admirers and other art forms.  Slaughterhouse houses contemporary art and is a 10-minute walk from town.  Another hangout for artists is Pirate Bar.  It is open all day, serves everything from burgers to Greek food and is known for lychee martinis.  Another fun activity is to ride a donkey up to the Church of St. Constantine, both view and church are lovely.  From the pretty Phaedra Hotel to the charming, and budget-friendly, Botsis Guest House, Hydra has lodging for all budgets.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has commenced scheduled flights between its hub in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai, China.

The airline will initially operate 5 weekly  services to Shanghai's main international airport - Pudong (PVG) - with commitments to a daily schedule from 15th April 2012

The President and CEO of Etihad Airways, James Hogan, said the new route had special significance as the first non-stop commercial passenger flight between Abu Dhabi and Shanghai.

"The new Shanghai route adds much more than just another destination to the Etihad Airways global network.

It brings the capital of the UAE and the commercial and financial centre of mainland China closer together and creates new opportunities for government, trade, tourism and cultural exchange"

Shanghai is today the most populous city in China with an estimated 23 million inhabitants and is a powerhouse economy with a total GDP in excess of US$256.3 billion. It's also building an ambitious future in which it will be the world's epicentre of financial and international trade, he noted.

"Our entry into the Shanghai market is timed to take advantage of these opportunities. We have great confidence that the Shanghai route will contribute to a sustainable future for our passenger and cargo business in China", Hogan added.

The schedule provides full connectivity to key destinations and offers passengers from the Shanghai catchment greater choice and travel convenience.

The Abu Dhabi-Shanghai route was the only one in Etihad Airways' China network to offer the luxury and prestige of a three-class aircraft with first, business and economy cabins, Hogan noted.

A trip into town will give you plenty to explore in this oil rich country with its iconic modern structures and traditional Islamic architecture. Kuwait has a great number of informative museums and galleries, several theme parks and fine examples of Arabic culture.

Architectural sights

The Grand Mosque of Kuwait, which can cater for up to 10,000 male worshipers at once and covers 220,000 square feet, is the country’s largest religious building.  Completed in 1986 is has 21 doors, 144 windows and an 85 foot

dome.

Ever since they opened in 1979 the three Kuwait Towers have been one of the city’s famous sights. The water towers also contain a viewing sphere and a restaurant that offers visitors a great vista across the surrounding countryside.

Staying in one of Radisson Blu’s striking, 169 rooms in their Kuwait hotel gives you access to the private stretch of Arabian Gulf beach front, luxurious health spa and delicious Italian meals prepared by the chefs of the Cucina Restaurant. The hotel in Kuwait City is located between the chic Salmiyah shopping arcade and Messiah Beach, with Kuwait City centre only 18 Km down the road.

Art and Culture

The custodians of Kuwait’s long history are entrusted to a n

umber of museums and galleries spread around the city. The largest is the National Museum in Safat, where you can explore its historical roots stretching back to the ancient Greeks. The Maritime Museum is another destination that details the interesting history of sailing, shipbuilding and pearl diving along the Arabian Gulf. The Modern Art Museum features paintings and sculpture by local and Arab artists, they are also displayed in the former Sharqeya School, which was refurbished and opened in 2003.

Exploring Kuwait

Wandering the streets and districts of Kuwait City will also lead you to a host of quirky and interesting locations such as the magical Musical Fountain, with its 220, illuminated water jets, or Bayt Lothan, home to an array of creative and decorative crafts and the Dhow Harbour where the last boat from the pre-oil era is anchored.

Kuwait Liberation

In 1990 Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait for nine months before a coalition of 22 nations finally freed the state. Today there are two memorials that commemorate this historic event, The Liberation Tower which dominates the city skyline and has a viewing platform and the Kuwait Memorial Museum is a reminder of those events with displays, multimedia clips, equipment and weapons from the terrible war.

Theme Park Adventure

Kuwait’s booming economy and visiting tourists have led to the creating of a number of theme parks and resorts in the country. These include such attractions as the Aqua Park, Entertainment City with its Tornado ride and Green Island, a reclaimed landscape and environmental educational centre that has a view tower and trails where visitors can stroll.