Tropea is a small town located on the east coast of Calabria, 64 km from Lamezia. It’s known for its white beaches which run right up to Capo Vaticano, its clifftop historic centre, and prized red onions. The town itself is quite picturesque and romantic with winding streets and beautiful small piazzas. Noteworthy is the 12th-century Tropea Cathedral, which was built in distinctive yellow lava rock by the Normans during the 12th century and houses an interesting black crucifix, two unexploded World War II bombs, and a painting of the dark-skinned Madonna of Romania. Due to a number of wonders, the citizens of Tropea have proclaimed the Virgin Mary of Romania the patron of the village.

First opened in 1981 within the Confucian Temple, the Capital Museum relocated to a purpose-built modern building in 2006 to accommodate its growing collection. It holds over 200,000 cultural relics; approximately 5,000 are typically on display at any given time, featuring a diverse range of items including porcelain, jade, calligraphy, paintings, coins, and Buddhist statues.

Just behind the Forbidden City, Beihai Park is one of Beijing’s oldest and best-preserved imperial gardens. It’s quieter than some of the larger tourist spots, with lakes, pavilions, and tree-lined paths perfect for a stroll — the central White Dagoba on Qionghua Island is a highlight here.