The beguinages of Flanders and the Netherlands are always oases of calm and stillness, where you might still expect to see an old beguine mumbling her prayers in a doorway. Two of Ghent’s three beguinages have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Although the Old St Elizabeth Beguinage, in Begijnhofdries in Ghent, is no longer enclosed by a wall, making it simply part of the city, it still has a unique atmosphere. Today the Old St Elizabeth Beguinage is known as ‘holy corner’, a place of religious tolerance, because it has no less than three different churches: one is Roman Catholic, one is Orthodox and the other is Protestant. From bleachfield to orchard This open beguinage grew into something of a ‘beguine city’ in the 13th century, with a church, the ‘Grootjuffer’s House’, an infirmary, a chapel, more than a hundred houses for beguines, a bleachfield (a field where linen was laid out to bleach) and an orchard. After the French Revolution, with increasing industrialisation, the inhabitants moved to their new beguinage in Sint-Amandsberg in 1873.

For a thrilling yet leisurely exploration of the Riviera Maya, visit Chikin Ha, an eco-park that promises unforgettable adventures. Swim in cenotes with crystal-clear turquoise waters, perfect for snorkelling and diving enthusiasts, take a tranquil bike ride into the serene jungle or, if you're feeling adventurous, zip-line through the lush canopy.

The Kreativquartier area embodies diversity and heterogeneity. The cityscape with old industrial buildings, colourful graffiti and wildly growing gardens, is where artists and designers run their studios and open workshops. From performances and exhibitions to concerts, the content, themes, and aesthetics rarely conform to traditional Munich culture.

A Labor Day weekend celebration of the jazz genre featuring performers from all across the nation.