Have you ever dismissed a holiday destination based on preconceptions? Fear Singapore is too bland, Ibiza is all about the clubs and Norway far too extortionate? Well, it's time to reconsider these places and more as we set about busting some myths on top tourist destinations and reveal why you're missing out.

Between the technicolour buzz of Shinjuku, the glossy designer boutiques of Ginza and the electronics superstores of Akihabara, most people assume that Tokyo is nothing but a modern, skyscraper-chokka city.

Tokyo is actually packed with historic pockets. In Asakusa, explore rambling, bright-red Sensō-ji where a temple has sat on this spot since AD 645. In leafy Yoyogi Park, pass under towering golden gingkos and traditional sake barrels outside the grand, wooden Meiji Jingu shrine. In a network of small alleys named Omoide Yokocho (literally 'Memory Lane') you'll find traditional yakitori restaurants serving up sizzling barbecued meat. You'll find more Tokyo inspiration in our guide here.

All-night raves, raucous DJ-led pool parties, anti-freeze-blue cocktails… Ibiza is typically considered little more than a wild clubbing destination.

There’s a whole other side to this Balearic island. While the major clubs and hotels clutter around the south, the island’s northern reaches are sleepy, rustic and relaxed – try Portniax, Puerto San Miguel or Santa Eulalia. Ibiza's cobblestoned Dalt Villa is full of historic charm and there are gorgeous agro-tourism hotels dotted around the fertile isle. Read our tips on Ibiza beyond the bars.

Unfortunately, most people never get to experience the beauty of Nelson Mandela’s home city in South Africa – they’re too worried about its reputation as one of the world’s most dangerous destinations.

But Joburg is the most-visited city in Africa for a reason, and the typical tourist's trip is trouble-free. As soon as you arrive you’ll forget your fears, as Johannesburg feels friendly with bright, sunny weather – even in winter – streetside braai (barbecues) and super-chatty, helpful locals. As with any big city, it pays to be vigilant and sensible, but ultimately a safe trip can be had for all in South Africa's biggest metropolis. Here are more reasons you should make time for Johannesburg.

With famously fun-crushing laws – no singing or smoking in public, and a ban on selling chewing gum – you’d be forgiven for thinking that Singapore is just a big, sterile city of skyscrapers.

This teeny city-state punches above its weight in the fun department, with a buzzing nightlife, excellent restaurant scene, beach clubs on Sentosa island and a killer street food culture (don’t miss Hainanese chicken rice, the national dish). You'll find historic teahouses in Chinatown and great cafés in hipster areas like Haji Lane in Kampong.

Maybe it’s the abundance of bucolic farmland and rolling hills, but most people assume there isn’t anything much to see in Wales, apart from sheep and a few crumbling castles.

Just take a trip down to the golden sands of Rhossili Beach in Swansea – you’ll be wowed by its Caribbean-smooth slick of golden sand and surfer-friendly waves. Or, head to Cardiff, where there’s not a sheep in sight among the brilliant restaurants, galleries, and an excellent shopping scene.

Still living in the shadow of the conflict of the late 20th century (widely known as "The Troubles") and the world's most famous shipwreck, some assume Belfast is just a grey, bleak city without much to do and terrible weather.

But the Northern Irish capital has plenty to please a visitor. At the Titanic Museum, a world-class monument tells the tale of the doomed liner near where it was constructed. Make time for the buzzy St George’s Victorian market, take a black cab tour of the colourful city wall murals and, when the weather turns, hide away in cosy pubs aplenty. Plus the city is surrounded by gorgeous green countryside, so there's ample escape should you need it.

How much for a coffee?! Plenty about Norway appeals – from the cool Scandi design to the edgy Nordic cuisine – but the problem is that it’s all so unaffordable. Or so some might think...

Paying in krone doesn’t need to be bankrupting – unlike many places, the best bits of Norway are free, from the snaking fjords and epic forests to the walks through rainbow-hued towns. Better yet, flights are getting cheaper all the time; try Norwegian Air for some bargain fares. Here are our tips for budgeting in Scandinavia. 

If you're UK or US-based, it’s an arduous activity getting Down Under. A journey to the land of the Great Barrier Reef and Ayers Rock (pictured) means two or three flights minimum for many a traveller. But not for much longer...

Granted the distance is great, but how does a single flight sound? Starting from March 2018 you’ll be able to fly non-stop from London to the Western Australian city of Perth, gateway to the gorgeous Margaret River wine region and UNESCO World Heritage Site Ningaloo Reef. So you can go from winter gloom to sipping chardonnay or snorkelling next to whale sharks in a day. Here are a few more reasons we reckon you should explore Western Australia.

Street cafés serving overpriced steak frites, staid old museums and dinky art shops on cobblestone streets – obviously Paris is lovely, but it’s all a bit painfully stuffy... Or is it?

The City of Light has seen a renaissance in low-key wine bars, modern bistros and off-beat boutiques. Head to South Pigalle (SoPi) for cool nightlife and stylish hotels such as Maison Souquet, or try Oberkampf district for natural wine drinking holes such as Clown Bar. We've got plenty of tips in our Paris guide here, and if you're visiting in winter, here's the best way to spend a weekend.

Dubai has a bit of a reputation for being a little soulless, commercialised or simply over the top, with little culture of its own. We've all heard of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, but what else is there really?

Yes, you can fill your boots with shopping goodies in Dubai, but there’s so much more to splash your cash on: lazy beach breaks on man-made island The Palm, truffle-laced dinners at At.mosphere – the world’s highest restaurant, in the Burj Khalifa – and textiles or spices in the old souks. Find more history in the Al Fahidi historical district, and, when you tire of the city, get out into the desert for an unforgettable sand safari. Find more Dubai tips with our guide here.

Like most of the Caribbean, Jamaica sure has some spectacular beaches – take a look at sunset spot Negril pictured here, for example – but many still believe this is where the fun stops.

You actually could fill a whole holiday in Jamaica without a day on the beach. Lively Kingston has the Bob Marley Museum; the lush Blue Mountains are home to coffee plantations; and the Rio Grande River hosts lazy bamboo raft rides through the rainforest. There's so much more beyond the coastline, so don't miss out on this Caribbean beauty.

Hordes in Time Square, packs of shoppers in Macy’s and lengthy queues at the Empire State Building might put some travellers off heading to the Big Apple. But is it really always this busy?

There are plenty of sleepy pockets of NYC, especially if you time your visit right. In massive Central Park you can have an afternoon walk to yourself in spring or autumn; major sites such as the Natural History Museum are often quieter late in the day; and downtown’s Wall Street area is relatively deserted on weekends.

With meaty churrascaria (barbecues) perhaps the most famous part of Brazil's cuisine, many might assume it's all about the meat in South America's biggest country.

In reality, fish, cheese, tropical fruit and vegetables are far more dominant on Rio de Janeiro’s fresh and healthy menus. Try moqueca (fish stew), fluffy pão de queijo (cheesy bread rolls) and top-notch sushi (Brazil has a huge Japanese population).

Home of the European Parliament and NATO, bureaucratic Brussels seems like a city that’s far too uptight to be fun.

It can be serious, but the people in Brussels know how to let their hair down too. Visit lively piano and jazz bar L’archiduc, free-flowing beer bar Moeder Lambic, or techno-club Fuse and you’ll see just how hard this city can party.