One of Beijing’s oldest hutongs — the city’s traditional narrow alleyways lined with courtyard houses — Nanluoguxiang has kept its Ming dynasty street layout while changing completely in character. Today, the lane is dotted with cafés, bars, boutiques, and souvenir shops, drawing a mix of tourists and young locals. It runs from Drum Tower East Street down to Ping’an Street, and it’s usually packed in the evenings when the lights come on. The old courtyards are still there behind the modern shopfronts, so you get a contrast between Beijing’s past and its current street life.

With more than 32 kilometres of beautiful winding coastline, you will not have to look hard to find a good surfing spot. The calm sandy beaches and rising swells are perfect for getting your surf on. Ballina Surf School offers tailored packages for personalised session. They specialise in private classes with small numbers but also do group sessions.

Another idyllic Corsican village located on Cap Corse, just north of Bastia, Erbalunga was once an important fishing port. Today it is more of a lazy seaside town, with a relaxed pace and easygoing inhabitants. The town's beautiful houses are grouped together on a tiny rocky peninsula, crowned by an old Genoese tower.

Getterön is a nature reserve that encompasses an area of 3.5 square kilometres, including parts of the Getterön peninsula. It's mainly popular due to its exceptional bird watching opportunities, providing hiding spots and observation positions that allow visitors to get up close to the birds without disturbing them. During spring and autumn, large numbers of species regularly breed or nest here. In addition to the permanent bird residents in Getterön, a large number of temporary guests flock to the area, contributing to a remarkable total of 336 recorded species in the region.