Gouverneur Beach unfolds like a pirate’s treasure map come to life — a broad U-shaped bay framed by high cliffs, where the only footprints in the white sand might be your own. Reach it via a steep, turtle-crossed road (watch your step!) that spills onto one of St Barts’ most undisturbed shores. The southwest-facing cove offers great snorkelling, while the eastern end sees naturists embracing the solitude. The lack of amenities means you have to pack some essentials, but reward comes in spades: picnic-perfect sands, cliffside views from nearby Santa Fe restaurant (try their grilled lobster), and whispers of buried pirate gold beneath your beach towel.

Built in 1290, as the home of a Southampton man who made his fortune trading with Bordeaux, and is one of the earliest surviving merchant’s houses in England. It has been restored to its mid-14th century appearance and replica furnishings provide an insight into medieval life.

Escape the hustle of the Golden Mile and take a stroll through this tranquil park. Motor and bumper boats are available for hire. This is the largest park in town, and when heading here do not forget to bring some nuts to feed the omnipresent squirrels.

This small and elegant mosque is one of Tirana's oldest surviving structures. Closed during communist rule, it reopened for worship in 1991 after being shuttered for decades. Many religious sites were destroyed during the atheism campaigns of the 1960s, but this mosque was spared. Its distinctive frescoes, found both inside and outside the portico, depict nature scenes like trees, waterfalls and bridges, which are unusual motifs in Islamic art.