Cruise the Ria Formosa waterways in the lovely and tranquil blue boats available to rent. It is a great way to see the area and to indulge in a bit of birdwatching. You also have the option of stopping at one of the beautiful beaches for a picnic, or just some sunbathing.

A combination of spectacular plays, amazing operas and national celebrated concerts — that's Theater Aachen. It takes you into the land beyond the limits of everyday life and invites you to encounter with characters and stories that touch and move.

Tiananmen Square is where Mao Zedong announced the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. The square is dominated by the red Tiananmen Gate and Mao’s enormous portrait, which you’ll see everywhere. Every morning at sunrise, there’s a flag-raising ceremony, and on the first day of the month, it’s done with a military band. The square is also home to the Monument to the People’s Heroes, a 38-metre granite obelisk in the centre, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, where people still queue to pay respects.

Inside the grounds of Beijing Zoo, the Beijing Aquarium is one of the largest inland aquariums in the world. Its seven exhibition halls cover everything from tropical fish and coral reefs to Chinese river life and endangered species, such as the Chinese sturgeon. There are also daily dolphin and sea lion shows. It’s a popular stop for visitors with kids, though if you’re mainly after wildlife, the zoo itself is the bigger draw.