Located in the Capuchin Monastery since 1599, the Catacombe dei Cappuccini houses 8,000 mummified bodies and skeletons of former residents of Palermo who died between the 17th and 19th centuries. It's a somewhat macabre insight into the customs and traditions of the Palermitan society of the time, with gender, religion, profession, and social status rigidly applied to the disposition of the bodies.

Hengistbury Head is a place of wild, ancient beauty and a stark lesson in conservation. For over 12,000 years, this headland has witnessed human activity, but its most dramatic scars are from the Victorian era. Between 1848 and 1870, industrial quarrying stripped the protective ironstone from its cliffs, causing the loss of a third of the land to the sea in just decades. Today, it’s a meticulously protected mosaic of heathland, grassland and coastline — an internationally significant Site of Special Scientific Interest where adders, skylarks and rare natterjack toads find refuge. Your first stop should be the Visitor Centre, where you can pick up a trail leaflet and learn to read the landscape’s hidden clues, from its deep archaeology to the ongoing work of the rangers who balance public access with preservation. For your visit, wear good shoes and prepare for spectacular, sweeping views over Christchurch Harbour, Bournemouth Bay and the Isle of Wight. You have two distinct experiences here: the rugged south-facing pebble beach beneath imposing clay cliffs, and the soft, sandy expanse of Mudeford Spit, famously lined with colourful beach huts. Hop on the charming land train from the Hiker Café for a gentle ride to the spit, where you can enjoy a café and more facilities.

Cosanti, an architectural site, showcases earth-crafted structures native to the Scottsdale and Sonora Desert area. A ceramic workshop and foundry may be explored. Be sure to check out their famous wind chimes.

Just a 30-minute bus ride from Palermo, Mondello is a small coastal resort boasting long beaches of white sand and blue waters. Dominated by the towering Art Nouveau pier pavilion, Mondello hosts many excellent seafood restaurants, hidden Liberty-style villas, and water sports opportunities. The area is popular with locals for its proximity to the city centre and can get crowded during the weekends. Nearby is also the mountainous nature reserve of Capo Gallo, ideal for hiking and kayaking.