Sitting high up on Mesa Vouno, Ancient Thera has the kind of views that make the hike worth it. The ruins stretch along a ridge above Kamari and Perissa, with bits of Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine history still visible—temples, bathhouses, homes, even an old theatre. You can drive most of the way from Kamari (steep road), or hike up from Perissa if you’re up for a long, hot climb (around 2 hours). Bring water, wear shoes with grip, and go early if you want to avoid the heat.

This small and privately owned island in the east of Mauritius is a little slice of heaven, and it is easily accessible by boat. Even though its name translates as "deer island", it is no longer inhabited by the animals, but rather contains incredible beaches, restaurants, a plethora of leisure activities and also a world-famous golf course.

Hallgrímskirkja is an iconic part of Reykjavík's skyline and at 74.5 metres tall, it is one of the tallest structures in the country. The gigantic church on the hill was a controversial project, but Icelanders have come to embrace their monumental tower in all its brutalist glory. The concrete mountain which took over 40 years to construct was inspired by the unusual columnar basalt formations along Iceland’s coast. You can admire the building inside and outside, go to the top of the tower to catch the view or attend an organ concert. The church is named after Hallgrímur Pétursson — a 17th-century minister and poet who wrote the 'The Passion Hymns'. The book remains popular to this day.