The beguinages of Flanders and the Netherlands are always oases of calm and stillness, where you might still expect to see an old beguine mumbling her prayers in a doorway. Two of Ghent’s three beguinages have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Although the Old St Elizabeth Beguinage, in Begijnhofdries in Ghent, is no longer enclosed by a wall, making it simply part of the city, it still has a unique atmosphere. Today the Old St Elizabeth Beguinage is known as ‘holy corner’, a place of religious tolerance, because it has no less than three different churches: one is Roman Catholic, one is Orthodox and the other is Protestant. From bleachfield to orchard This open beguinage grew into something of a ‘beguine city’ in the 13th century, with a church, the ‘Grootjuffer’s House’, an infirmary, a chapel, more than a hundred houses for beguines, a bleachfield (a field where linen was laid out to bleach) and an orchard. After the French Revolution, with increasing industrialisation, the inhabitants moved to their new beguinage in Sint-Amandsberg in 1873.

Nestled in the heart of Lindos, right by the main square, the Church of Panagia (Our Lady) stands as a serene sanctuary. This 13th-century church features a whitewashed walls and red Byzantine tiles — the epitome of Greek charm. What sets it apart, however, is its distinctive high-rise stone campanile tower, a feature typical of Rhodian and Dodecanese architecture. Completing the picture is the church's intricate cross-shaped plan, crowned by an octagonal dome and a tranquil courtyard.

The cruise center is a sight in itself that allows you to experience many aspects of Mexican culture, even if you don’t have time to visit any other locations. Aside from restaurants, shops and bars with traditional Mexican fare and products, there is also a saltwater swimming pool, Maya spa, aviary park, tequila museum, and much more. It is also possible to book excursions to iconic places such as Chacchoben and Bacalar.