The National Museum Bangkok is the biggest museum in Southeast Asia and a great stop, alongside the Museum of Siam, if you want to understand Thai history and art. It’s spread across several buildings, showcasing everything from ancient sculptures and royal regalia to traditional costumes and ceramics. The collection can feel a bit overwhelming, so it’s worth focusing on the highlights—like the giant Buddha statues and the Bangkok-period royal artefacts. Guided tours are available if you want the backstory behind the displays, but wandering on your own gives a good sense of Thailand’s past at your own pace.

Yuehu, which literally means Moon Lake, is in the south-west of Ningbo, was first turned into a cultural and academic centre during the Song and Yuan Dynasties. Nowadays it is the main recreation area for many locals who come to play chess, practise the martial art of Tai Chi, dance or just enjoy the beautiful views.

Vienna’s Spittelberg is located right next to the MuseumsQuartier. Outside of the classic touristy beaten track, the area mainly attracts young, bohemian locals and students. Among the arts and crafts stores and independent shops, this charming neighbourhood has developed a lively entertainment scene with numerous restaurants, cafés and bars famous for their leafy courtyards and Biedermeier-style buildings. Spittelberg Village's Christmas market during Advent is considered one of the best in town: always busy, it's an ideal place to end an evening in an atmospheric setting.