Hengistbury Head is a place of wild, ancient beauty and a stark lesson in conservation. For over 12,000 years, this headland has witnessed human activity, but its most dramatic scars are from the Victorian era. Between 1848 and 1870, industrial quarrying stripped the protective ironstone from its cliffs, causing the loss of a third of the land to the sea in just decades. Today, it’s a meticulously protected mosaic of heathland, grassland and coastline — an internationally significant Site of Special Scientific Interest where adders, skylarks and rare natterjack toads find refuge. Your first stop should be the Visitor Centre, where you can pick up a trail leaflet and learn to read the landscape’s hidden clues, from its deep archaeology to the ongoing work of the rangers who balance public access with preservation. For your visit, wear good shoes and prepare for spectacular, sweeping views over Christchurch Harbour, Bournemouth Bay and the Isle of Wight. You have two distinct experiences here: the rugged south-facing pebble beach beneath imposing clay cliffs, and the soft, sandy expanse of Mudeford Spit, famously lined with colourful beach huts. Hop on the charming land train from the Hiker Café for a gentle ride to the spit, where you can enjoy a café and more facilities.

In the White House, the city’s oldest pub,The Irish President Michael D. Higgins has recited his poetry. Nowadays everyone can do the same with their own works, while free snacks are served for those who listen.

St Peter's Church, a beautiful church located in the heart of Bournemouth, was designed by Victorian architect George Edmund Street. This church is one of Bournemouth's landmarks and has a 62-metre tower and gorgeous stained glass windows. What also makes this church special is that the author Mary Shelley, famous for her novel Frankenstein, is buried here with her family.

The Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar is one of Barcelona’s most stunning churches and a prime example of Catalan Gothic architecture. Its design showcases a cleaner, more restrained style compared to the elaborate ornamentation typically associated with Gothic structures. Construction began in 1329 and was completed in 1383 — an impressive feat for such a monumental project. Inside, the basilica feels remarkably spacious and airy, with its three naves of equal height supported by towering, slender pillars. The sparse decoration of the chapels enhances this sense of openness. Natural light filters through the magnificent rose window on the main façade and the vibrant stained glass windows, bathing the interior in a serene glow.