The fortress of Bourtange, this small village sitting on the German border, is a captivating star-shaped defensive structure completed in the 16th century during the Eighty Years' War. Stroll through its cobbled alleys for a journey through time as you browse quaint shops — including a small candle workshop — alongside bars and restaurants. Regularly hosting events like markets and historical re-enactments, the fort offers both a glimpse into the past and a vibrant contemporary experience for visitors.

Museum aan de A, formerly the Northern Maritime Museum, now focuses on Groningen city and province life. It highlights both triumphs and complex histories, like the local maritime heritage and Groningen's involvement in slavery. With a few years still needed for its full transition, the museum offers an engaging blend of history and culture. Lastly, Museum aan de A does not keep its exhibitions open throughout the entire year, so it’s essential to check their website regularly for the latest updates and schedules.

Valencia welcomes spring with its most colourful and famous festival. Gigantic papier mache monuments, known as fallas, with effigies usually representing celebrities or politicians in a satirical way, are set up on streets and squares throughout the city and burnt to a cinder in spectacular bonfires on the last day of the celebration. The Flower Offering to the Virgen de los Desamparados, when thousands of falleras and falleros in traditional costumes parade through the city, is also a sight to behold.

Corossol Beach offers a window into St Barts' authentic soul. It’s a caramel-hued crescent where blue-and-orange fishing dories bob beside lobster traps, preserving the island's maritime heritage. This working harbour feels worlds away from the island's glamorous hotspots, with local artisans still weaving traditional palm-leaf baskets and hats outside their pastel cottages. The village behind the beach hums with unpolished charm: fishermen mend nets, volleyball games erupt spontaneously, and annual Saint Louis Day celebrations fill the air with Creole music. When hunger strikes, Le Régal serves up French-Caribbean flavours just steps from the salt-weathered docks. Come for the quiet rhythm of island life, stay for the sunset over the fishing fleet's silhouettes.