Think “Australia” and you probably envision opera house, kangaroos, scorched desert, and Men at Work.

But how about Fremantle prison, quokkas, balmy Mediterranean climate, and AC/DC?

Yes, the legendary AC/DC hails from Perth, and all those other things are true as well.

Think Salt Lake City is destination reserved for Mormons and skiers?

Well, that’s certainly a part of it, but Ann Cochran uncovers some unexpected gems in the “Crossroads of the West.”

Join her as she explores everything from funky neighborhoods to … craft brew pubs?

While visitors often head immediately to Edinburgh, Scotland’s second city, Glasgow is where travelers can immerse themselves in the authentic Scottish experience.

The largest city in Scotland and the third largest in the UK (greater Glasgow makes up 41 percent of Scotland’s population), this bustling port city has evolved into a metropolitan center that maintains its Old World charm.

The city boasts plenty of distinctive personality: local citizens bear the nickname “Weegies” with pride and even speak their own dialect, “Glaswegian,” characterized by fast speech and local slang.

Sydney, Australia is a city that’s attractive to visitors on many levels.

Some come to relax on the beaches and gawk at the beautiful people. Others come for authentic Aussie adventures such as koala-spotting, hiking in the Outback, or camping. Still others come to drink in the culture, nightlife and dining of this urban mecca.

With all that it has to offer, it’s no wonder that Sydney can get a little crowded.

Several years ago, when I told my mom that I would spend a year studying abroad in Lyon, France, she had had just one question. “Why on earth would you choose Lyon?”

With the romantic cityscape of Paris and the sun always shining on the south coast of France, why choose to live in a city that as long been viewed as the dirty, industrial capital of France?

One reason: I wanted to live in a place that had me asking, “Where are the tourists?” not “Where are the locals?”

Still reeling from the Vivid Sydney festival, Amanda Pressner ventured off the beaten path to explore the goings-on beyond the city center.

There are certain cities that can be reasonably explored in a day or two, maybe a long weekend, but Sydney isn’t among them.

Sure, visitors could probably tick its iconic highlights (the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, Circular Quay) off their checklist in a matter of hours, but they’d almost certainly overlook the destinations that make Australia’s most populous city so funky and diverse.

David Latt traveled from Seattle to Qatar on the delivery flight of a new 777-200LR that would join Qatar Airways’ fleet.  

In his final installment of the Qatar Chronicles, he reports on his findings both on and off the brochure in the capital city of Doha.

THE STORY OF QATAR

Qatar occupies an elongated peninsula on the eastern edge of Saudi Arabia. Jutting into the Persian Gulf, the landscape is dominated by flat, sandy expanses.

One of the greatest joys of being a foreign expat is ditching the guide book and experiencing life as the locals do.

No longer a tourist, you are a part of the community, and privy to information and places that tourists who are only passing through rarely get to enjoy.

Turin, Italy, is the cosmopolitan capital of Piedmont where foodies, fashionistas, filmophiles and fun-seekers enjoy a city in the midst of a cultural Renaissance.