Brunswick Heads, located about 20 minutes by road north of Byron Bay, is approximately what Byron used to be before the hippie invasion — a sleepy little village on a super-scenic inlet, with top boating and fishing, several bars and restaurants, and a great cafe culture. It is the perfect place for a peaceful getaway.

Corossol Beach offers a window into St Barts' authentic soul. It’s a caramel-hued crescent where blue-and-orange fishing dories bob beside lobster traps, preserving the island's maritime heritage. This working harbour feels worlds away from the island's glamorous hotspots, with local artisans still weaving traditional palm-leaf baskets and hats outside their pastel cottages. The village behind the beach hums with unpolished charm: fishermen mend nets, volleyball games erupt spontaneously, and annual Saint Louis Day celebrations fill the air with Creole music. When hunger strikes, Le Régal serves up French-Caribbean flavours just steps from the salt-weathered docks. Come for the quiet rhythm of island life, stay for the sunset over the fishing fleet's silhouettes.

Colombier Beach is St Barts’ crowning escape — a crescent of white sand accessible only by boat or two scenic hiking trails, ensuring its pristine seclusion. The Flamands Trail (20-30 minutes) starts past Petite Anse, winding along cactus-dotted cliffs with glimpses of rocky shores. For panoramic vistas, take the Colombier Lookout Trail (30-45 minutes) from the viewpoint parking lot, descending past iguanas sunning on volcanic boulders to reach the shore. Protected by a hilly peninsula, the bay’s calm waters reveal sea turtles and coral. Don’t forget to pack your snorkel! History lingers at the western edge, where hurricane-topped ruins of Laurence Rockefeller’s 1950s villa stand guard. No facilities mean packing sun shelter and water; early mornings reward hikers with empty sands and gentler heat.

While the University of Bucharest Square saw some of the darkest days of Ceausescu’s regime, events at the Revolution Square heralded the beginning of a new age. Close by is the former Royal Palace, now home to the National Art Museum, the Romanian Athenaeum and the Athenee Palace Hotel.