A day trip from Madrid offers the perfect excuse to step back in time, and few places capture Spain’s medieval legacy quite like Ávila and Salamanca, both proudly listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Your adventure begins in Ávila, a walled city that appears lifted straight from the pages of a history book. Its imposing stone ramparts, punctuated by 88 defensive towers, encircle a beautifully preserved old town. Step inside and you’ll find Romanesque gems such as the Ávila Cathedral, part fortress and part place of worship, as well as the Basilica of San Vicente, famed for its architecture and colourful stonework. Ávila sits just over 100 kilometres from Madrid, and you can easily reach it by train or coach, both options run frequently throughout the day. From Ávila, continue west to the golden-hued city of Salamanca, home to one of Europe’s oldest universities. Its nickname, La Dorada, The Golden City, comes from the glow of its sandstone buildings, especially beautiful at sunset. Wander across the Plaza Mayor, often hailed as Spain’s finest square, then lose yourself among the cloisters, libraries and carvings of the historic university quarter. While Salamanca is delightful by day, it truly comes alive at night, its tapas bars and buzzing student energy make it tempting to extend your stay beyond a day trip.

Washington's premier institution for fun and engaged learning sparks curiosity in all ages with its award-winning interactive exhibits and programs. Spend a few hours exploring the IMAX theater, Laser Dome, planetarium shows, live science demonstrations, and the tropical butterfly house.

A museum of contemporary art. This most impressive exhibition space in Austria, flooded with natural light, houses one of the best art collections in the country.

Weekends bring kite-flyers, strolling families and impromptu cricket matches to this 5 ha ocean-fronted promenade, which stretches for 500 m along the coast. Enjoy a drink at the Galle Face Hotel at the southern end of this urban park or fill up on tasty snacks on the waterfront.