Take a 1-hour journey to Figueres, the birthplace of Salvador Dalí, and step into his surreal masterpiece — the Dalí Theatre-Museum, designed by the artist himself. Constructed to replace an old theatre that burnt down during the Spanish Civil War, the building is a work of surrealist art, topped with giant eggs and crowned by a geodesic dome. Inside, it holds the world’s largest collection of Dalí’s works, from early impressionist pieces like Port Alguer (1924) to later marvels like Galatea of the Spheres (1952). Don’t miss the Mae West room, an upside-down bathtub fixed to the ceiling, or the glittering jewellery collection. The artist himself is buried in a crypt below the stage, adding a layer of solemnity to the whimsy. Book tickets online to avoid long queues, and allow at least half a day to fully absorb the labyrinthine galleries, optical illusions, and the sheer audacity of Dalí’s vision.

Wander through one of Egypt’s oldest and most active archaeological sites, about an hour south of Cairo. Saqqara is best known for the Step Pyramid of Djoser — the earliest pyramid ever built — but there’s a lot more to see. Recent excavations have uncovered dozens of tombs, statues, and mummies, some as recently as a few years ago. Don’t miss the Tomb of Mehu, now open after a long restoration — its colourful wall carvings are surprisingly well preserved.

The Museum Casa Manno gives visitors a taste of a more recent history, the 18th and 19th centuries, through the life of historian and Alghero native Guiseppe Manno. The exposition's 11 rooms take you through interactive multimedia displays and exhibits, making it engaging for children as well.

The Albayzín, also known as Albaicín, is composed of snaking corridors and alleyways that make up the old Arabian quarter of Granada. It is a pleasure just to wander the warren of streets that organically formed back in the Nasrid period (13th–15th centuries). The neighbourhood was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, as an extension of the historic site of the nearby Alhambra.