The largest cultural institution in Portugal was founded in 1955 when Calouste Gulbenkian, the Armenian oil millionaire, donated his estate to the country that had welcomed him during World War II. This museum houses his extensive collections and is part of a larger complex that includes concert halls, a park, restaurants and a museum of modern art.

Another great lookout is Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, located in a churchyard. It is recommended to visit this lookout early in the morning or late at night when this magic city lights up right beneath your feet.

Saline Beach is St Barts’ untamed coastal masterpiece — a crescent of powdery sand where turquoise waves meet rugged hills in perfect harmony. The journey begins with a 200-metre trek through scrubland and over a low dune, rewarding visitors with a vista of undeveloped shoreline where the only distractions are seabirds and the rhythmic crash of surf. On a clear day, direct your gaze past the green dot of Île Coco and you'll just be able to spot St Kitts on the horizon. Come prepared: shade is scarce and facilities nonexistent. What you’ll find instead is raw beauty; the kind that draws naturists and photographers, all chasing that rare blend of wildness and tropical splendor. Time your visit for late afternoon when the light gilds the salt pond’s edges (the same salty pound that gave the beach its name), and you’ll understand why this beach remains the island’s best-kept escape.

The Basilica of San Zeno is one of Verona’s key medieval landmarks, and a favourite for many locals. The church you see now was rebuilt in the 12th century after an earthquake, but it sits on a much older site from the 5th century. Inside, don’t miss the bronze doors—covered in strange and detailed scenes—and the altarpiece by Mantegna, one of the best in town.