Once the first free settlement in the Americas, founded by those who escaped slavery during the colonial period, the town of San Basilio de Palenque still stands today, and with it the unique culture of its inhabitants. A portion of the population still speaks palenquero, a creole tongue that emerged from a mix of several European and African languages, now used almost exclusively in San Basilio de Palenque. Music and dance occupy a place of paramount importance in residents' lives, with the Drums and Cultural Expressions Festival held annually in October. The palenque cuisine deserves a separate mention — a culinary tradition upheld by inhabitants of a small Colombian village has garnered international acclaim, with a cookbook written in the town receiving the highest prize at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in 2014. If your schedule happens to be too tight for a dedicated day trip (which earns our highest recommendation), try some of the tropical fruit sold by palenqueras in downtown Cartagena. The village was named Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005.

This building once served as the Communist Party headquarters during the regime of Enver Hoxha. From its balcony, Hoxha would wave to the crowds during official parades and demonstrations. Today, in addition to its primary function as the residence and office of the Albanian Prime Minister, it stands as a reminder of Albania's totalitarian past and is a significant landmark in Tirana.

It would be a shame to be on the Caribbean coast and not take a boat ride out to sea. One of the best ways to enjoy a bit of naval activity and get ready for a fun night ahead is to take a romantic boat trip at sunset. The trips usually depart around 4:30pm and give you a couple of hours under the sails. Enjoy magnificent views of the city skyline, with plenty of time to take photos in the golden hour, enjoy the snacks and drinks on offer, or just sit back and watch the sun dive into the Caribbean waters.