Discover an intriguing history that helped shape Australia at the World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site. Port Arthur is the best-preserved convict settlement in Australia and among the most significant convict era sites in the world.

The Edro III Shipwreck is one of Cyprus’ few coastal shipwrecks visible without getting wet. Nevertheless, divers should also be excited by what lies beneath the surface. Stranded just 20 metres offshore near Pafos’s sea caves since 2011, this 83-metre freighter tilts at an angle, its hull rusting into abstract patterns against the limestone cliffs. The Sierra Leone-flagged vessel ran aground in a storm while transporting plasterboard to Rhodes, its crew rescued by British forces. For divers, the wreck offers a rare shallow exploration (5 metres at its deepest). The propeller remains intact, though a gaping hole in the starboard side reveals corroded forklifts frozen mid-task. Schools of fish dart through the skeletal frame, while scattered debris leads to two nearby reefs: one culminating in a sea cave, the other dropping into an 18-metre gully. Above water, the wreck’s industrial starkness against the Mediterranean blues makes it a magnet for sunset photographers. Local operators run guided dives, but even snorkellers can appreciate the eerie spectacle. With removal deemed impractical, Edro III seems destined to remain Cyprus’ most accessible maritime time capsule.

Donostia sits between hills around La Concha Bay, with Belle Époque architecture, famous restaurants, and a seaside vibe that makes it a killer day out. The Old Town (Parte Vieja) is your pintxo ground zero with narrow streets, tiny bars, and lots to try. East of there is the Gros neighbourhood with Zurriola Beach: waves, surf shops, and a youthful crowd. Across the bay are the more sheltered beaches La Concha and Ondarreta; Ondarreta borders the Antiguo neighbourhood, which feels quieter, leafier, with classic mansions, gardens, and a calm place to stroll.

Nessebar, a city-museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site, is another marvellous day trip from Burgas, located just 35 kilometres away. This ancient town, often called the "Pearl of the Black Sea", sits on a small peninsula connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway, offering stunning sea views on both sides. Its cobblestone streets wind through a historic centre filled with over a millennium of architectural treasures, including the Church of St. Sofia, a 5th-century basilica, and other medieval churches like St. John the Baptist and St. Stephen. The Old Town, a maze of narrow lanes and 18th-century houses, invites leisurely exploration, with artisan shops and street vendors adding to its charm. Nessebar was once a Thracian settlement and later a Greek colony, playing a key role in the development of trade and culture in the Black Sea region. Its unique blend of ancient ruins, Byzantine churches, and a lively atmosphere makes it a captivating destination for history enthusiasts and casual vacationers.