Whether you're in inner-city London or the wilds of Africa, an Aussie twang won't be out of place. International travel has never been so popular for Australians, but traditional travel agents and package tours have lost relevance. Intrepid is a sustainable, independent alternative to the tour market.

Healthcare tourists flock from all over the world for Germany's high-end facilities – especially Arabs, for whom top-notch healthcare is a status symbol. Now, those who come for treatment are lingering for the luxury shopping. But can it compete with Paris or London for the hearts of tourists from the Gulf?

In place of a work-to-live mentality, work has become a lifestyle choice for Gen Y, extending into their travel plans. Others go abroad to spend, with visitors to NYC spending 25% of their travel money on shopping. The second in our two-part series looks at travelling to work and shop.

Espionage, sabotage, infiltration and assassination have long been part of a ninja’s job description, and now entertainment is, too. Japan is hiring full-time ninjas, embracing historical roots to fuel the country’s booming tourist trade, which is set to grow leading up to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.