Gulangyu Island, just a quick five-minute ferry ride from Xiamen, is a living museum of 19th-century trade and culture. Once a hub for merchants and diplomats, it became home to grand mansions built by Chinese and foreign traders taking advantage of Xiamen’s open port status. The island’s car-free streets are a joy to wander, weaving through colonial-style villas, leafy gardens, and striking architecture that blends European and Chinese influences. Ferries can get busy, especially on weekends and holidays, so booking your ticket two to three days in advance is a smart move. Once you’re there, take your time exploring the quieter corners, enjoying the local seafood, or visiting attractions like the Piano Museum or Sunlight Rock for panoramic views.

Puerto Escondido Beach is located inside a cosy and tranquil cove in the Manuel Antonio National Park. The 650-metre-long cove offers a spectacular landscape, thanks to the biodiversity of the flora and fauna, both terrestrial and marine, that live here. You'll see plenty of animals peaking out of the lush forest.

This ensemble is regarded as the most beautiful Baroque-style landmark in the Baltic states, nestled in foresty Kaunas Reservoir. The church and abbey were built for Camaldolese monks in the 17th century, under the supervision of Italian masters from Florence. Its on-site museum offers educational classes and a small cinema. The monastery is home to about 140 frescoes of varying sizes, including the famous painting of the Mother of Fair Love, which was presented to Kristupas Zigmantas Pacas, founder of the Pažaislis Church, by Pope Alexander VII in 1661.

Museo de Bellas Artes de Asturias is claimed to be one of the top ten fine arts museums of Spain. The museum opened in 1980 and holds various collections including paintings of Dalí and Picasso.