Corossol Beach offers a window into St Barts' authentic soul. It’s a caramel-hued crescent where blue-and-orange fishing dories bob beside lobster traps, preserving the island's maritime heritage. This working harbour feels worlds away from the island's glamorous hotspots, with local artisans still weaving traditional palm-leaf baskets and hats outside their pastel cottages. The village behind the beach hums with unpolished charm: fishermen mend nets, volleyball games erupt spontaneously, and annual Saint Louis Day celebrations fill the air with Creole music. When hunger strikes, Le Régal serves up French-Caribbean flavours just steps from the salt-weathered docks. Come for the quiet rhythm of island life, stay for the sunset over the fishing fleet's silhouettes.

The collection of streets between the city centre and the Jeker quarter is known as the Stokstraat quarter. It’s that historic corner of the city between two statues, ‘De Mestreechter Geis’ and ‘Slevrouwe’. All of these streets ultimately lead to the ever-charming, intimate and romantic Onze Lieve Vrouweplein. In this part of the city, you can find the warmth and charm of a classic Maastricht pub on virtually every corner. The quarter takes its name from what may be the city’s most famous (or infamous) street. Today, Stokstraat is known as the place for the most exclusive and luxury shops in the Netherlands, but it was not always so. If there’s any street that has seen its fortunes turn over the years, it’s this one. In the Middle Ages, its reputation was dubious thanks to its many bathhouse-brothels; later, the street enjoyed a renaissance with many reputable merchants established in it, until, as the Industrial Revolution took hold and the city centre became overpopulated with wave after wave of migrants from the countryside, the street became synonymous with grinding poverty. Living conditions here became so dire that there was even talk of demolishing the entire street. The Stokstraat quarter of today is the result of a dramatic redevelopment between 1950 and 1973, which succeeded in preserving its historic character but transforming it into a fashionable address for living, shopping, and dining.

Sydney Fish Market at Pyrmont is one of the largest fish markets in the world. Business begins at 5:30am, when seafood buyers arrive to vie for the best of the day's catch — 2,700 crates of fresh seafood. Buy something for the barbecue, or enjoy lunch on the wharf overlooking the water. You can also reserve a behind the scenes tour to see all the action or join a seafood cookery class hosted by one of Australia's leading chefs.