Once the first free settlement in the Americas, founded by those who escaped slavery during the colonial period, the town of San Basilio de Palenque still stands today, and with it the unique culture of its inhabitants. A portion of the population still speaks palenquero, a creole tongue that emerged from a mix of several European and African languages, now used almost exclusively in San Basilio de Palenque. Music and dance occupy a place of paramount importance in residents' lives, with the Drums and Cultural Expressions Festival held annually in October. The palenque cuisine deserves a separate mention — a culinary tradition upheld by inhabitants of a small Colombian village has garnered international acclaim, with a cookbook written in the town receiving the highest prize at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in 2014. If your schedule happens to be too tight for a dedicated day trip (which earns our highest recommendation), try some of the tropical fruit sold by palenqueras in downtown Cartagena. The village was named Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005.

The Museum of Opera del Duomo opened in 1986 to showcase the art and sculptures of Pisa. Today, its collection includes works which previously adorned the buildings in the Piazza dei Miracoli. After the big three: the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistery, this is the fourth major landmark to fit into your time schedule. You will find this interesting museum behind the Leaning Tower.

A fun way to spend a spare hour is walking over the beach side Comedy Carpet - a platform inscribed with various jokes and one-liners, some well-known classics, while others still perhaps able to draw a chuckle. The carpet is best viewed at a distance, from atop the Blackpool Tower.