The mangrove tunnels of nearby La Boquilla are an easy day trip from Cartagena. Guided tours will often combine a visit to the beach (one of the Playas De La Boquilla) with a boat or canoe tour of the mangroves, passing through Cienaga de Juan Polo and the Cienaga de la Virgen lagoons. Some tours will also include a closer encounter with local fishermen and offer insight into their craft. La Boquilla is an area of contrasts: the district of upscale hotels — Morros — borders on humble neighbourhoods populated by workers. When sitting down to tuck into no-frills seafood dishes served up by local eateries, make sure you're clear about the price of each item ordered from the get-go, as there have been reports of "surprise" bills amounting to several hundred US dollars.

The Louis Vuitton Foundation is as much about the building as what’s inside. Designed by Frank Gehry, its glass sails and sweeping curves are worth the trip alone. Inside, you’ll find changing exhibitions of contemporary art from around the world, along with concerts, film screenings, and workshops.

The Jardin du Luxembourg is one of Paris’s most beloved green spaces, situated in the 6th arrondissement and home to the French Senate. Commissioned by Marie de’ Medici in the 17th century, it’s a mix of manicured lawns, flowerbeds, fountains, and shady promenades. Locals come here to run, read, sail toy boats on the pond, or just sit and watch the world go by — from students and chess players to kids on the playground and politicians on their lunch break. The Luxembourg Palace sits at its centre, and the Medici Fountain remains one of its most photographed spots.