Tucked into the bohemian Grottes district, Les Schtroumpfs — or the Smurfs buildings — are some of the quirkiest architecture in Geneva. Built in the early ’80s by three architects with a clear nod to Gaudí and comic book weirdness, the buildings look like something out of a fairytale: rounded shapes, bright colours, and almost no straight lines. Locals named them after the Smurfs because they genuinely look like something those little blue guys would live in. The complex houses around 750 families and includes a kindergarten, a dental clinic, and a few cafés, all surrounded by trees and playgrounds. It’s not a tourist hotspot, but definitely worth a quick wander if you’re nearby.

Built by Emperor Yongle in the early 15th century, the 720,000 square metres of Forbidden City was home to the imperial household. It was opened to the public in 1949. The well-preserved area boasts more than 800 buildings and 9,999 rooms. The Hall of Supreme Harmony, beautifully decorated with thousands of Dragons, was used to celebrate the Chinese emperor’s birthday. The Palace of Heavenly Purity served as the emperors’ living area and features several bedrooms.

This traditional wooden Malay house, originally built in a Kedah village in the early 20th century, stands as a striking piece of heritage among Kuala Lumpur’s modern skyscrapers. Carefully preserved and relocated to the city, it offers you an insight into traditional Malay architecture and lifestyle. The guided tour includes a 20-minute film explaining the relocation process, followed by an informative walk through the house led by knowledgeable and welcoming guides. On site, you’ll also find a small café and gift shop.

Dubbed the "home of American coffee culture," Portland knows what it takes to brew the perfect cup. In a 2016 survey of 100 U.S. cities, Portland topped the list, boasting the most coffee roasters per capita and the highest number of cafés. With so many spots to enjoy a great cup of coffee, you might think there's little room for discovery — but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Portland’s coffee scene continues to evolve, with unique additions like Oracle Coffee Company, run by Andy Hurley, the drummer of Fall Out Boy and a self-described "vegan straight-edge anarchist." The choices are endless, but for a glimpse of where it all began, visit the original Stumptown Coffee Roasters location at 4525 Southeast Division Street. Many credit this tiny space with launching Portland’s rise to coffee fame, now a chain with outlets from New York to LA.