Enclosed within a protective wall reaching up to 20 metres in width, the Ciudad Amurallada (or Walled City) is Cartagena's old beating heart. Packed with well-preserved colonial buildings, it's a pleasure to stroll through; its streets of colourful low-rise merchant homes marked by iconic balconies are now mostly walked by either tourists or students who attend classes at the University of Cartagena during the day and linger for meals and nightlife after school is out. Cafes in Plaza Aduana and Plaza Santo Domingo teem with patrons, forging an incredibly jovial atmosphere; the districts of San Diego and El Centro are two not to be missed. There is plenty of food and shopping to be had, with a mixed bag of world-class restaurants and street food hawkers and the incredibly photogenic palenqueras — women dressed in vibrantly coloured clothing selling fruit in the streets — images of whom have become emblematic of Colombia as a travel destination.

Situated in the Kasbah of the Udayas, Galérie Nouiga offers paintings made by local artists, books dedicated to art, postcards and more. It is a perfect place to browse through after a day in the Kasbah. There are changing and permanent exhibitions, not only of Moroccan but of international artists as well. Afterwards, you can enjoy a cup of mint tea or coffee in the gallery’s cafe.

A bustling landmark of Taormina, Piazza IX Aprile is the vibrant heart of the town. Guarded by two majestic churches, it offers an sweeping view of the Ionic Sea. With its traditional cafes and restaurants, it is a place where you can sip some local almond wine while listening to musicians fiddling with their strings.