Havana's vibrant Old Town is where the Cuban capital of today took root in the mid-16th century. UNESCO World Heritage Site status has brought about comprehensive restoration work to many of the city's crumbling architectural treasures, built in styles as wide-ranging as Cuban baroque and art nouveau (Plaza Vieja at the heart of Old Havana is where the eclecticism is most evident and best admired from a sidewalk cafe). The Old Town's two main pedestrian thoroughfares – Obispo and Mercaderes – are lined with government-run shops and attractive paladars.

The National Museum of Wildlife Art is home to a vast and impressive collection of over 5,000 cataloged works, representing more than 550 artists. The collection spans from ancient pieces dating back to 2500 B.C. to contemporary works, offering a diverse range of art styles, including realism, modernism, and even explorer art. Featured artists range from historic figures like Karl Bodmer and Albert Bierstadt to modern icons like Picasso and Rembrandt. Situated on a hillside overlooking the National Elk Refuge, the museum blends its art with the natural landscape. Its Sculpture Trail, designed to complement Jackson Hole’s breathtaking scenery, offers visitors an immersive experience, showcasing wildlife sculptures in their natural surroundings.

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.

Dive into the exhilarating waters of tradition and celebration during Chiang Mai's Songkran Festival, a vibrant extravaganza marking the Thai New Year. Amidst the scorching April heat, the city transforms into a playful water wonderland, where locals and visitors alike partake in spirited water fights and joyful festivities. From the ancient rituals of cleansing Buddha statues to the lively parades and cultural performances that fill the streets, Songkran epitomises the essence of renewal, unity, and boundless merriment, offering a thrilling immersion into Thailand's rich heritage and warm hospitality.