Once home to China’s emperors, the Forbidden City has more than 800 buildings and nearly 10,000 rooms. This vast imperial household opened to the public in 1949, and it’s remarkably well-preserved. The Hall of Supreme Harmony, covered in thousands of dragon motifs, hosted grand ceremonies, while the Palace of Heavenly Purity was where emperors lived, with bedrooms and private halls. Walking through the courtyards and along the red walls, it’s easy to feel the scale and ritual of life here.

Surrounded by a beautiful park, this stately edifice was built between 1904 and 1910 at the command of King Leopold II. This museum is home to the largest collection of ethnographic objects from central Africa. Liberally sprinkled with pictures, masks, everyday objects, jewels, decorative elements, musical instruments and a wide range of exotic animals, it showcases the richness and diversity of the African continent. Now, a new impetus is driving this respectable institution. Going beyond the traditional museum concept, it intends to present an open window on the African continent, a change clearly reflected by the desire to understand Africa and its Belgian colonial past in a more critical and objective way. To fulfill this goal, the museum closed its doors for a necessary renovation period. During its closure the museum "pops-up" with temporary exhibitions and activities in different places. The reopening of the completely revamped Royal Museum for Central Africa, a major event, is planned for December 2018 (check the website for the exact date).

Leeds Art Gallery houses an outstanding collection of 20th-century British art, recognised as being of national importance by the government. Do not hesitate to turn to the helpful staff, and do not miss the chance to sit at the Tiled Hall, a unique artistic cafe inside the gallery.

Half-way between Catania and Messina lies the picturesque, waterside Town of Taormina. It's situated at an elevation, which makes for some splendid views over the water, and has a few pleasant beaches down below. A not-to-be-missed attraction is the ancient Greco-Roman theatre.