It’s hard to imagine a more visually tantalising place to photograph than Christmas Island. All around you are sights, colours, textures and landscapes you’ll want to capture, so bring nature to life through your lens. From soft, pastel sunrises to glorious sunsets, Christmas Island is bathed in ever-changing tropical light. Vivid colour is everywhere, from the crabs’ rich reds to the rainforest’s deep greens, to turquoise waters. Catch the robber crabs on film, zoom in on gentle orchids and twisting vines, and train your lens skywards to capture the elegance and freedom of rare birds in flight. Underwater photographers have a kaleidoscope of colours and shapes to shoot. On land, the imposing, inspiring and detailed architecture of temples and other built forms keeps the shutters clicking. Videos capture the sights and sounds of millions of scurrying red crabs, or the hauntingly musical call of the island’s thrush, and the stirring call to prayer from the mosque. Best spots for best shots: - Martin Point, for staggeringly beautiful sunsets and seabirds; - Blowholes capture the energy of the water on a rugged coastline; - Dolly Beach has impressively large robber crabs plus turtle tracks; - Hughes Dale Waterfall is an iconic island place for your unique shot; - Blowholes Road lets you get creative with a special tree along the road; - Greta Beach hosts nesting turtles all year round; - Island temples boast rich colours fused with wisps of incense smoke; - Tai Jin House invites you to capture the detail of this building and its gardens; - Flying Fish Cove is a must for underwater photography.

Le Marais, on the Right Bank in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, mixes old and new with its 17th-century buildings and trendy vibe. It’s a lively area known for its museums, galleries, quirky shops, and buzzing nightlife. You'll also find plenty of kosher restaurants and historic spots like Place des Vosges — Paris’s oldest square — where the writer Victor Hugo once lived. Plus, it’s a hub for the city’s LGBT community, making it one of Paris’s most colourful neighbourhoods.

For a more hands-on experience, do not limit yourself to simply watching horses compete at the Mariehamn trotting track. There are several establishments offering riding lessons, camps, and guided horseback riding tours. Ride slow or gallop in unspoiled countryside and along the beaches. The service is offered all year round. There a few places in Åland that offer horseback-riding opportunities, some of these include: Aftonsol: +358 18 33629 www.aftonsol.info www.facebook.com/Stall.Aftonsol Tellholmsvägen 262 Hammarland Åland Midgård Islandsstall:

Parc Montsouris is one of four major parks created under Napoleon III at the edges of Paris. With its lake, waterfall, and wide lawns, it’s a year-round favourite for locals — whether for a picnic, a run, or just some quiet time outdoors.