Moored in San Pedro, the Battleship USS Iowa Museum lets you wander through one of the most magnificent and surprisingly personal pieces of U.S. naval history. Known as the “Battleship of Presidents,” the Iowa once carried FDR across the Atlantic and later served through WWII, Korea, and the Cold War. As you move through the ship’s narrow corridors and out onto the decks, you get a real sense of what life was like for the crew: giant gun turrets towering overhead, cramped bunks stacked in rows, and glimpses of the command centers that once buzzed with activity. Veteran volunteers are often on hand to share stories or point out easy-to-miss details.

If you are not a fan of bus or car tours, take a leisurely bike tour from Parma city centre to a cheese factory to see how the city’s eponymous delicacy is made. Explore the variety of this classic cheese by sampling three agings of Parmesan: 12, 24 and 36 months. Follow your friendly guide through small, quiet roads and stop at a local osteria — a small restaurant that serves wine and simple, honest food, including Parma ham.

Located on the top of the hill known as Petrov, the free-standing Romanesque basilica was rebuilt as a Gothic cathedral in the 13th century and then converted to the Baroque style in the 18th century. The twin spires are depicted on the Czech 10Kč coin.