Scattered throughout the Old Town, these twelve churches are among the oldest buildings in Cologne—most of them date back to the 12th and 13th centuries. They’ve all got that heavy Romanesque look, but each one’s a bit different. Great St. Martin stands out with its massive tower right by the river, St. Gereon has got an unusual oval dome, and St. Maria im Kapitol is one of the largest. You don’t need to see all twelve, but stopping in at a couple while you’re exploring the Old Town gives you a good feel for the city’s medieval side.

Half an hour drive from the centre of Skopje is the lake Matka which is located in the canyon of the same name. Here you can enjoy wide variety of outdoor activities - hiking and rock climbing combined with a visit of ancient caves.

To discover an edgier, hip side to the city, walk down the thoroughfares of Armenia Street, Mar Mikhael, and Gouraud Street, Gemmayzeh, and soak in Beirut's undeniable cool. There are plenty of attractive brunch spots and swank art galleries around. Check out the St Nicholas Stairs in the summer for some al fresco art.