Tomaree National Park is a magnificent backdrop to the charming coastal towns of Port Stephens. It's the only place in NSW where you can see outcrops of the acid volcanic rock rhyodacite. The stunning rocky bush coastline is a delight for walkers – take the short Wreck Beach trail through angophora forest – and great for whale watching. Check out the historic gun emplacements of Fort Tomaree. And take your fishing rod – the fish bite well.

Little Havana is a vibrant Miami neighborhood, renowned as one of the world's most famous Cuban enclaves, where you can fully immerse yourself in the rich culture of Cuban-American and Latino communities. The streets are lively and colorful, filled with captivating murals, Cuban boutiques, restaurants, and even some wild roosters wandering about. Every last Friday of the month, the district transforms into a bustling street party called "Viernes Cultural," complete with music, dancing, food, and theater. So, if you can't make it to Cuba, Little Havana is the next best thing in the U.S. Don't miss out on the exciting Calle Ocho Music Festival held in March. And to make the most of your visit, consider joining a food tour or a bus tour that often includes a stop in Little Havana.

Originally constructed in Spain, this historic structure endured significant hardship during the First Carlist War. It was seized and repurposed as a granary until 1925 when it was purchased, disassembled, packed into boxes, and shipped to the United States. Despite facing additional struggles during transport, the medieval monastery can now be appreciated in North Miami Beach, where it offers Sunday masses, events, and tours.

Once the first free settlement in the Americas founded by those who escaped slavery during the colonial period, the town of San Basilio de Palenque still stands today, and with it the unique culture of its inhabitants. A portion of the population still speaks palenquero, a creole tongue that emerged from a mix of several European and African languages, now used almost exclusively in San Basilio de Palenque. Music and dance occupy a place of paramount importance in residents' lives, with the Drums and Cultural Expressions Festival held annually in October. The palenque cuisine deserves a separate mention — a culinary tradition upheld by inhabitants of a small Colombian village has garnered international acclaim, with a cookbook written in the town receiving the highest prize at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in 2014. If your schedule happens to be too tight for a dedicated day trip (which earns our highest recommendation), try some of the tropical fruit sold by palenqueras in downtown Cartagena. The village was named Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005.