The Duke’s Diwan is a time capsule of early 20th-century Amman, hidden in plain sight on the busy King Faisal Street. Built in 1924 as the city’s first post office, this Ottoman-era stone house later became the Haifa Hotel before heritage activist Mamdouh Bisharat ("The Duke of Mukheibeh") rescued it from demolition in 2001. Today, its creaking wooden floors lead through rooms frozen in Jordan’s past, complete with antique typewriters, sepia photos of camel caravans on dusty roads, and a balcony overlooking downtown’s metamorphosis. More than a museum, it’s a living diwan (gathering space): poets hold readings at the carved oak table, while artists riff under the Arabian archways. Admission is free, and the duke himself sometimes holds court, spinning tales of old Amman over cardamom coffee. Don’t miss the upstairs gallery, where rotating exhibits spotlight Jordan’s underground creatives.

Even though Georgians are not the biggest fans of their Soviet heritage, this great example of Tbilisi 70s brutalism must not be missed. Built on steep slopes in Nutsubidze street, it is one of the quirkiest constructions you will ever see. The three apartment blocks are connected by a bridge that goes through them. From the sky bridge, you can also see a nice view of the residential parts of Tbilisi. Once you are up and walk through the bridge, turn right and take a walk down the winding streets and admire a Caucasian architectural know-how: semi-legal additions to residential blocks of all shapes, sizes and materials.

Mike’s Global Grill prepares Asian, American and International food, pours local and imported beers, and features American football on big-screen TVs. Gaining popularity with locals, expats, and tourists alike, Mike’s has the right international mix. It hosts live music performances every week, and they occasionally have “open mic” night on Fridays.

Just a short distance (about 2 kilometres) from Tivat, Prevlaka Island, also known as the Island of Flowers, is a peaceful getaway where nature and history come together. You can easily cross over from the mainland on a narrow isthmus, check out the quaint Church of the Holy Trinity, and soak up the views of the Bay of Kotor.