Gouverneur Beach unfolds like a pirate’s treasure map come to life — a broad U-shaped bay framed by high cliffs, where the only footprints in the white sand might be your own. Reach it via a steep, turtle-crossed road (watch your step!) that spills onto one of St Barts’ most undisturbed shores. The southwest-facing cove offers great snorkelling, while the eastern end sees naturists embracing the solitude. The lack of amenities means you have to pack some essentials, but reward comes in spades: picnic-perfect sands, cliffside views from nearby Santa Fe restaurant (try their grilled lobster), and whispers of buried pirate gold beneath your beach towel.

You’ll feel like you’ve crossed the border, but you’re not quite there yet. Of course, you’re aware that Maastricht’s central location in the Euregio means you can be in Belgium very quickly. But you don’t really feel it until you see how the city, and the countryside around it, is layered with a unique mix of foreign influences. With the Sint Pietersberg hill, the historic caves, the vineyards, Fort Sint Pieter, and Château Neercanne as backdrop, this part of the city has everything you need to capture that holiday feeling. Sint Pieter was its own municipality until 1920. This part of the city was always outside the city walls (and so had it the toughest in times of war). Then, it was mainly farmers who lived here; now, it’s mostly families, epicureans, and a few descendants of the inhabitants of that old Sint Pieter. Today, Sint Pieter is Maastricht’s most popular residential district, not just for its beautiful houses but because of its ideal location between city and green. And it still feels like its own town, with its own social life, and charm, even though it’s just a stone’s throw away from the city park. In fact, it has the best of both worlds: village and city. Nature and culture.

For golf enthusiasts, Palm Springs is a dream destination, and Desert Willow Golf Resort is a standout among its many world-class courses. Featuring two award-winning, expertly designed courses—the Firecliff and the Mountain View—Desert Willow offers golfers stunning desert landscapes, challenging layouts, and pristine fairways. The resort also boasts a clubhouse with scenic views, a restaurant, and top-tier practice facilities, making it a must-visit for both serious golfers and those looking to play in a beautiful desert setting.