Image one Guatemala "chicken buses" in Antigua, the country's former colonial capital. They are brightly painted, festooned in religious knick-knacks and usually overloaded with all sorts of bulging packages. The name refers to the fact that people are often crammed in like a chicken truck, but don't be surprised to see a real live chook or two, too – passengers often transport livestock on these buses.

Fancy a trip? Kevin Rushby has Guatemala's Mayan ruins to himself on a tour of the country's ancient cities; and watch Kevin's film of Mayan culture in Guatemala.

Find other ideas for holidays in central America here, and readers' tips on places to stay in the region here.

Image two The Table Mountain cable car, Cape Town.

Fancy a trip? Read about South Africa's new generation of black wine makers here, and watch our video on the world's biggest bike race, the Cape Argus here.

Image three These gorgeous, bright yellow trams trundle up and down the cobbled streets of Lisbon's most picturesque neighbourhoods. They're full of tourists but it's worth squeezing on to one for a great tour of the city – just watch your valuables

Fancy a trip? Explore Lisbon through its food on a new gourmet tour.

Readers' tips: day trips from Lisbon.

Image four Horse-drawn carriages are an incongruous sight in densely packed Manhattan. They can hardly be called public transport – locals wouldn't be seen dead on one – and they cost way more than a seven-day unlimited subway ticket – yet they remain a popular attraction.

For dozens of insider tips on making the most of New York, see our city guide.

Image five Moscow's underground must be one of the most beautiful in the world. Grand stucco ceilings, chandeliers and art works make riding the metro an attraction in itself. This image shows the ceiling of Komsomolskaya metro station.

Fancy a trip? Paul Torpey rides the Moscow metro and takes in the sights above and below ground.

Read Phoebe Taplin's guide to seeing the capital on foot with this guide to walking in all seaosns.

Find out how Russia's creative revolution is changing the cultural landscape.

It's not all dumplings on the menu – read about the new food culinary scene.

Image six If you thought your commute was bad, spare a thought for the Japanese workers who have to battle through rushhour on Tokyo's subways.

Fancy a trip? Marcel Theroux avoided the subway altogether and instead walked across it. For three days. Read his account here.

For a sense of just how vast and sprawling the city is take a look at this giant photo – the second largest ever taken.

And for dozens of insider tips on where to stay, eat, drink and what to see, take a look at our Tokyo City Guide.

Image seven The Star Ferry carries over 26 million passengers a year across Victoria Harbour between Hong Kong and Kowloon.

Fancy a trip?

Find tips and advice in our Hong Kong City guide.

Just minutes from the overcrowded city are peaks to explore and gorgeous beaches, as Carole Cadwalladr discovers on a walk on Hong Kong's wild side.

Image eight No, it's not a London bus outside St Pancras station. This is one of Mumbai's fleet of red double-deckers (which completed 75 years of service this year) outside the gothic Victoria Terminus, which bears some resemblance to it's London cousin.

Fancy a trip? First-time to India? Ursula Kenny joins a group trip to the south of the country, promising to be the perfect "India starter tour."

Richard Eilers visits Meghalaya, a matriachal state in north east India.

Life of Pi was filmed on location in Pondicherry. View a gallery of the key sights here.

After a beach trip? Read about Goa's quieter beaches, andthe best places to stay on the beach in Kerala.

Image nine San Francisco's iconic cable cars are the last manually operated type in the world.

Fancy a trip Find the top 10 places to stay in San Francisco; the best bars and the top 10 restaurants.

If you want to explore beyond the city, do as the locals do and book a houseboat on San Francisco Bay.

Image 10 A sea of moped drivers wait at a junction in Hanoi, Vietnam

Fancy a trip? If you can't beat 'em, join 'em... Susan Smillie braved the hordes and hired a moped in Vietnam as part of her backpacking trip around south-east Asia.

Kevin Rushby explored the country on two wheels on a cycling tour of Vietnam.

Mike Carter spends a heady 48 hours in Hanoi. There's snake heart involved.