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.

There's nothing quite like being shown around by a local, who is passionate and knowledgeable about their city. Only a local could take you around their favourite street art spots and point out all the hidden gems you would have missed otherwise. While some parts of Milan can be snooty and luxurious, giving you world class art institutions, others are filled with life by alternative contemporary artists. Get a more intimate look at Milan's art scene with a 90-minute tour — you'll be begging for more!

Embark on a fascinating journey through industrial history at the Husqvarna Museum, a testament to over 300 years of innovation and craftsmanship. From its origins crafting muskets for the Swedish armed forces in 1689 to pioneering sewing machines, cookers, bicycles, and motorcycles, the museum encapsulates the diverse evolution of one of the world's oldest industrial giants. Discover the technological strides, unwavering quality, and remarkable diversity that have defined Husqvarna's enduring legacy, spanning weaponry to forest and garden products like chainsaws and lawnmowers.

When you want to escape from the busy city streets and enjoy some natural beauty of Lombardy, consider hopping on the scenic Bernina Express train. Stroll along Lake Como, make a stop in the historic lakeshore village of Varenna and ascend the Alps on the UNESCO-listed train — it'll make a stop on top so you can take a short walk enjoying summit views. The iconic red train starts its journey from Tirano — a sleepy town close to the Swiss border, about 3 hours away from Milan. Some package tours include transportation from and back to Milano Centrale. The train journey itself takes about 4.5 hours from start to finish and runs through 55 tunnels, 196 bridges and viaducts.