Havana's waterfront boulevard – Malecón – is its most poetic stretch, a social hang out hub evocative of a welcoming Cuban living room (hence it being known to some as 'the world's longest sofa'). Waves crashing against Malecón's seawall can make quite the splash, at times virtually flooding parts of the boulevard, which hardly deters daily strollers from taking in its sublime sunset charm.

Lauwersmeer National Park, straddling the border of Groningen and Friesland, emerged from the transformation of the Lauwerszee into a lake in 1969. This park, a haven for over 100 bird species and a key stopover in their migratory paths, offers a blend of open water, grasslands, reed beds and forests. Notable for its tranquillity and natural beauty, it's also a designated Dark Sky Park, ideal for stargazing. Home to unique wildlife, including Konik horses and Scottish Highland cattle, the park provides enriching experiences through hiking and boat photo tours.

Outer Island Expeditions offers everything visitors could want when it comes to the ocean. Outer Island Expeditions provides whale watching, fishing charters, kayaking, lighthouse tours and island tours.

The Cave of the Seven Sleepers in ar-Rajib village ties Islamic tradition to physical geography. According to the Quran, devout youths fleeing Roman persecution around AD 250 took refuge here, awakening 309 lunar years later in a testament to divine protection. The site, rediscovered in 1951, now includes a mosque built above the cavern, where an imam often explains the story’s theological importance. Visitors enter through the mosque (head cover required for women) to see the rock-hewn cave and adjacent Byzantine-era tombs. Unlike ornate shrines, the site’s power lies in its simplicity: the low-ceilinged grotto and quiet courtyard encourage reflection. While Jordan isn’t the only country claiming this legend (others exist in Turkey and Syria), the presence of 3rd-century Christian graves lends archaeological weight.