The Palm Beach Inn on the east coast of Zanzibar's main island is the stuff of picture postcards: azure waters lapping on a snow white beach framed by lush green coconut palm trees.

Even in a normal year, Lake Mead looks remarkable. Its azure blue waters leap out in contrast to the arid landscape of the surrounding Arizona and Nevada desert.

In regard to colour and design the Taj ranks first in the world for purely decorative workmanship; while the perfect symmetry of its exterior once seen can never be forgotten, nor the aerial grace of its domes, rising like marble bubbles into the azure sky.