The Museum of Fine Arts in Montreal is praised by the overwhelming majority of its visitors, and for good reason: it has the largest collection of fine art in Canada, as well as a continuous rotation of exhibitions. Just like the city itself, the museum showcases two sides to art: historical and modern.

Suspended above the suburbs of Christchurch, the Gondola whisks you nearly a kilometre to the Crater Rim of the Port Hills. See in the extinct volcano which exploded six million years ago, sheltering Lyttelton’s sparkling harbour and to the west, the Southern Alps seem close in the clear pure air and to the East, the ocean and the sky stretch as far as the eye can see. Experience the Time Tunnel, a dramatic reconstruction of the history of the Port Hills and Christchurch and revive your spirits with a snack at the new Red Rock Cafe.

The Memory, Peace & Reconciliation Center stands as a rare cultural institution conceived during ongoing conflict rather than after. Its stark concrete facade, punctuated by asymmetrical windows representing fallen tears, dominates a quiet corner of Bogotá — a physical reckoning with Colombia’s six million victims of violence. Inside, rotating exhibitions blend contemporary art with archival documents, avoiding sensationalism while honouring personal narratives. Sculptures crafted from reclaimed weapons share space with grassroots reconciliation projects, their modest scale underscoring the centre’s focus on human stories over grand gestures. Large multipurpose halls host community dialogues, acknowledging that healing remains a work in progress.

The DomRömer Quarter is Frankfurt’s “new old town”, rebuilt on the spot where the medieval streets once stood. Finished in 2018, it mixes careful reconstructions with new buildings that echo the originals. Wander between the narrow lanes for cafés, small shops and museums, and get a sense of what the city looked like before the war.