Brescia is a great jumping-off point for discovering the beauty of Italy’s lake district. Lake Garda is the biggest lake in Italy and is well-known for its pretty lakeside towns and villages, including the excellent windsurfing and sailing offers. Take the regular train (a short 15 minute trip) from Brescia to Desenzano del Garda; from Desenzano there are local buses, and lake ferries.

Santa Catalina, a small, laid-back town known for having one of the best surf breaks in Central America, is located 300 km northwest of Panama City, about one hour from Santiago. The scenery and natural environment are breathtaking. World-class fishing, snorkeling and diving opportunities are found all along the coastline and around the surrounding islands. Coiba National Park can be seen from Catalina. From 1912 to 2002, Coiba Island was used as a penal colony, and Panama’s worst criminals were sent here. Nowadays the prisoners have gone, but the prison remains, and makes for an interesting visit. Moreover, the recent declaration of Coiba as a UNESCO World Heritage site prohibits any development on the island, so the wildlife here is simply spectacular. The enormous island is home to a plethora of birds, mammals and reptiles. The surrounding marine park comprises 38 other smaller islands including Cebaco and Gobernadora and is the site of the second largest coral reef in the Eastern Pacific. Coiba’s amazing variety of underwater life makes fishing and diving here incredible. Santa Catalina is a great base for exploring the islands and coastline. The town itself is small, with few attractions, but a surprising number of foreigners have moved to Catalina to start tourist-related businesses, creating an eclectic mix of people. Restaurants offer a good variety of food including authentic Tuscan Pizza and Argentinian style meats. Needless to say, the seafood in this area is to die for.

Qinglong Temple, or the Temple of the Green Dragon, is a historic site known for its deep ties to both Chinese and Japanese Buddhism. Established during the Tang Dynasty, it gained further significance when the Japanese monk Kukai (founder of Shingon Buddhism) came to study here in the 9th century. The temple is also renowned for its stunning cherry blossoms, which are particularly spectacular during the annual festival held in March and April. With both Japanese and Chinese cherry blossom varieties, the temple grounds transform into a sea of pink and white flowers, attracting many visitors, especially in late March to early April, when the blossoms are at their peak.