At Expo 2025 in Osaka, wanderers are invited on a global journey of culture, creativity, and connection — no passport needed. Our first stop: Asia.

What if the soul of Palermo lies not just in its cathedrals or cannoli, but in the traces of an Arab past that still breathe into the city’s pulse?

Stepping into the Cappella Palatina, I was met by geometry, gold, and God — where Norman ambition, Byzantine splendour, and Islamic artistry mingle under one roof.

Tucked away on the outskirts of Palermo, Palazzina Cinese brings Chinoiserie to life, offering a glimpse into the Sicilian fascination with the Far East.

Mazara del Vallo may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of Sicily’s Arab-Norman past, but it’s a city where history still lingers in the air, waiting to be uncovered.

The Zisa Palace, home to the Museum of Islamic Art, is a gem for anyone exploring UNESCO’s Arab-Norman itinerary.

Do you usually throw away papers filled with writing or scribbles? In Hakka culture, even the most humble written words are so revered that special furnaces were built just for their respectful burning.

From mosques poised above water to those carved from pink granite or forged in steel, these sacred spaces stand as unifying expressions of faith, devotion, and spirituality of Malaysia’s Muslim communities.

Kampong Gelam, Singapore’s oldest urban quarter, is a rare gem that invites wanderlust-filled souls to immerse themselves in its vibrant multicultural charm.

To this day, Jaipur remains my favourite city in North India, perhaps because wandering its streets offers an authentic glimpse into a culture less diluted than that of the bustling metropolis of Delhi or the tourist-driven Agra.