Some places are so beautiful that they leave you speechless. The Beguinage is just such a place. This is where the beguines — emancipated women who lived pious and chaste lives without taking holy orders — once lived together in harmony. This walled oasis of religious peace, with its delightful inner garden, wind-twisted trees and white-painted gables, can charm even the most cynical of souls with its deafening silence.

Renowned throughout Europe, it has more than 2 km of fine golden sand. It has all the amenities needed to ensure maximum comfort and enjoyment: specially-equipped areas for disabled guests, sunbeds, wooden walkways, playground areas, beach library, foot showers, life guard service and first aid centre. This area of Benidorm is where most of the accommodation, restaurants and bars are located, and offers a huge range of entertainment during the day and night.

The Långe Jan lighthouse — 'Tall John' — first cast its light over the Baltic waves on November 1, 1785. Rising from the craftsmanship of, perhaps, Russian prisoners of war, it stands as a beacon of history and maritime safety on Öland's southernmost point. Initially measuring a soaring 36 meters and requiring a 197-step ascent, it now proudly stretches to 41.6 meters, claiming the title of Sweden's loftiest lighthouse. Once cradling an open flame against the Nordic sky, Långe Jan has seen transformations from bare stone, borrowed from a bygone chapel, to a whitewashed pillar with a distinguishing black band. Surrounded by the thriving Ottenby bird station, Långe Jan's legacy is as enduring as the coastal winds, welcoming visitors each summer to scale its heights and embrace a panoramic sweep of sea and sky.

Borgholm Castle, a stunning silhouette against the Öland sky, stands as a testament to Sweden's rich tapestry of history. Known as Scandinavia's most captivating ruin, this architectural chameleon has evolved through the centuries, echoing tales of regality and resilience. Though now a poignant shell due to the devastating fire of 1806, it continues to guard the stories of its past, from medieval might to Renaissance elegance.