Tucked into the Akamas Peninsula’s rugged coastline, the Baths of Aphrodite — a mossy grotto where water trickles into a shallow pool — feels more like a quiet woodland chapel than a grand spa. According to legend, this was where the goddess bathed and first locked eyes with Adonis. The site’s magic lies in its simplicity: a single ancient fig tree drapes shade over the spring, its roots tangled in the rocks like something from a Pre-Raphaelite painting. More than just a photo stop, the baths anchor the Aphrodite Natural Trail, a network of walking routes through the peninsula’s botanical gardens and coastal cliffs. The easiest (200 metres) path winds past oleanders and carob trees to a babbling stream, while longer hikes like the 5-kilometre Adonis Trail reveal sea views and hidden coves. Practicalities are well managed: a car park, clean toilets, and a no-frills café sit near the entrance, while the Archaeological Museum of Marion-Arsinoe (15 minutes’ drive) adds context for mythology buffs. Come early to beat the coach tours; dawn light through the fig leaves makes the grotto glow.

Palazzo Reale was the residential estate of the Savoy family until 1861. Today, it hosts various galleries and museums. In the main building of the palace you can admire magnificent objects from the Baroque and Rococo periods, besides the stunning architectural structure of the estate itself. Palazzo Reale is located on Piazza Castello, one of the two main squares of the city.

Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, situated a few miles south of Montpellier, is home to a magical lagoon landscape with beaches, sand dunes, islands, and a massive 17th-century cathedral. There are plenty of relaxing and active pursuits to explore in the area — from water sports to bird watching.

The Edro III Shipwreck is one of Cyprus’ few coastal shipwrecks visible without getting wet. Nevertheless, divers should also be excited by what lies beneath the surface. Stranded just 20 metres offshore near Pafos’s sea caves since 2011, this 83-metre freighter tilts at an angle, its hull rusting into abstract patterns against the limestone cliffs. The Sierra Leone-flagged vessel ran aground in a storm while transporting plasterboard to Rhodes, its crew rescued by British forces. For divers, the wreck offers a rare shallow exploration (5 metres at its deepest). The propeller remains intact, though a gaping hole in the starboard side reveals corroded forklifts frozen mid-task. Schools of fish dart through the skeletal frame, while scattered debris leads to two nearby reefs: one culminating in a sea cave, the other dropping into an 18-metre gully. Above water, the wreck’s industrial starkness against the Mediterranean blues makes it a magnet for sunset photographers. Local operators run guided dives, but even snorkellers can appreciate the eerie spectacle. With removal deemed impractical, Edro III seems destined to remain Cyprus’ most accessible maritime time capsule.