Biesanz Beach is tucked away not far from Manuel Antonio village. Not overrun by tourists, with locals offering drinks, kayaks, lounge chairs, restrooms and some snacks. The trail down to the beach is a bit rocky, so consider wearing stable shoes and not flip-flops. The beach has a quiet surf, perfect for swimming and relaxing. If you're lucky, you'll see sloths up in the trees.

Havana's waterfront boulevard – Malecón – is its most poetic stretch, a social hang out hub evocative of a welcoming Cuban living room (hence it being known to some as 'the world's longest sofa'). Waves crashing against Malecón's seawall can make quite the splash, at times virtually flooding parts of the boulevard, which hardly deters daily strollers from taking in its sublime sunset charm.

Tunis reveals its scholarly heritage through a collection of beautifully preserved madrasas, each bearing witness to centuries of intellectual pursuit. Over 20 madrasas are spread over the Medina of Tunis, some of them seven centuries old. The role these madrasas played has evolved over time. The Madrasa Slimania, founded by 18th-century ruler Ali Pasha, stands out with its ornate prayer hall and elevated entrance porch. Where student cells once housed scholars, medical professionals now work beneath the same vaulted ceilings. Nearby, the Madrasa El Bachia has transitioned from Quranic school to artisan workshops, its courtyard fountain silent but its creative spirit alive. The Madrasa Palmier (or Madrasa Ennakhla) maintains its original purpose as a centre for Quranic studies, its namesake palm still shading the courtyard behind formidable studded doors. Meanwhile, El Khaldounia represents a bridge between tradition and modernity. Established in 1896 near Souk Al Attarine, this progressive institution now serves as a bilingual library, honouring Ibn Khaldoun’s legacy of critical thought.